The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

§ 34. But to those that think that Gods foresaid General Laws (of order, concord, edification) do make such a policy ordinarily necessary in the Churches, as imitateth the Jews, or the civil form of Government, we humbly offer to their consideration; 1. If so, then it would have been the matter of an Universal Law, (with its due exceptions;) And then Christ the only Universal Lawgiver would have made it: For if he have not made all necessary Universal Laws, his Laws are imperfect; And then there should be some other Universal Lawgiver to supply that defect: But there is no other upon earth (whether Pope or Council,) 2. It is contrary to the nature of undetermined circumstances to be always the same, and so to be fit matter of such Universal or fixed Laws: The cases will vary, and then so will the duty; 3. There will be great diversity of the interest, and ingeny of the Judges of the case in several Countries and ages: And therefore though some think the said imitation of the civil state always best, vet others will not.

§ 34. But to those that think that Gods foresaid General Laws (of order, concord, edification) do make such a policy ordinarily necessary in the Churches, as imitateth the Jews, or the civil form of Government, we humbly offer to their consideration; 1. If so, then it would have been the matter of an Vniversal Law, (with its due exceptions;) And then Christ the only Vniversal Lawgiver would have made it: For if he have not made all necessary Vniversal Laws, his Laws are imperfect; And then there should be some other Vniversal Lawgiver to supply that defect: But there is no other upon earth (whether Pope or Council,) 2. It is contrary to the nature of undetermined circumstances to be alwaies the same, and so to be fit matter of such Vniversal or fixed Laws: The cases will vary, and then so will the duty; 3. There will be great diversity of the interest, and ingeny of the Judges of the case in several Countries and ages: And therefore though some think the said imitation of the civil state alwaies best, vet others will not.

§ 35. But if such a settlement were certainly ⟨p. 265⟩best, let it be remembered, 1. That the Jews had not under the chief High-Priest, one in every City or Tribe like Diocesan Bishops. 2. That their Synagogues had discipline within themselves; ever where there was but a Village of ten persons, there was a Presbyter that had the power of judging offenders.