The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

§. 9. And as to all other Church-forms (Classical, Diocesan, Metropolitical, Provincial, National, Patriarchal and Papal, it is these only that fall under reasonable doubt and controversy. And 1. for Classical Churches, I can say but this, 1. That the General commands of holding Christian Love and Concord, and doing all to edification require such Churches as live near together to be helpers to each other, and that counsel and correspondency is necessary hereto, which the Churches have still laudably exercised by Synods: And if these associations for order-sake be agreed on, as to stated times and numbers and bounds, it is but the circumstantiating of a known duty: And if any will call this a distinct Policy or Church-form, I contend not against their liberty of speech, while we agree de re: But I judge it perilous to give the same name to such an Assembly or. Association as to a Church of Christs institution; lest it seduce men to think that the word is not equivocally used. If the Agents of several Kingdoms met at a common Diet, I had rather not call them a superior Kingdom, were their meeting never so necessary. An Assembly that is the Pars Imperans of one body Politic, having Legislative power, is one thing; and an Assembly of Agents or Princes for mere concord and strength and help of distinct Kingdoms, Schools, Armies, &c. is another thing. And I know no proof that such Councils must be ordinary, or at stated Times and places, but sometimes that is best, and sometime not, as the case standeth, as even the Papists confess. And when they begin to degenerate from a Council for Concord to a Majesty or highest Governing power, it's time to cross their claim and interrupt the occasions of it.

§. 9. And as to all other Church-forms (Classical, Diocesan, Metropolitical, Provincial, National, Patriarchal and Papal, it is these only that fall under reasonable doubt and controversie. And 1. for Classical Churches, I can say but this, 1. That the General commands of holding Christian Love and Concord, and doing all to edification require such Churches as live near together to be helpers to each other, and that counsel and correspondency is necessary hereto, which the Churches have still laudably exercised by Synods: And if these associations for order-sake be agreed on, as to stated times and numbers and bounds, it is but the circumstantiating of a known duty: And if any will call this a distinct Policy or Church-form, I contend not against their liberty of speech, while we agree de re: But I judge it perillous to give the same name to such an Assembly or. Association as to a Church of Christs institution; lest it seduce men to think that the word is not equivocally used. If the Agents of several Kingdoms met at a common Dyet, I had rather not call them a superiour Kingdom, were their meeting never so necessary. An Assembly that is the Pars Imperans of one body Politick, having Legislative power, is one thing; and an Assembly of Agents or Princes for meer concord and strength and help of distinct Kingdoms, Schools, Armies, &c. is another thing. And I know no proof that such Councils must be ordinary, or at stated Times and places, but sometimes that is best, and sometime not, as the case standeth, as even the Papists confess. And when they begin to degenerate from a Council for Concord to a Majesty or highest Governing power, it's time to cross their claim and interrupt the occasions of it.