An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…

We have now done with the Elderships of particular Churches,¹ but there is another blow which I perceive is intended against classical Presbyteries and Synods provincial and national, for the due power by which my opposite would have the Church to be governed, he layeth before us in this Assertion, that every particular visible ⟨p. 29⟩Church hath from Christ absolute and entire power to exercise in and of her self, every ordinance of God, and so is an independent body, not standing under any other Ecclesiastical authority out of it self. And this he will prove by ten Arguments: but I shall not need to multiply answers, as he doth arguments, because many of them are coincident. The first, third, fourth, and sixth, do all hit upon the same string.² The first is thus: If those Churches, planted by the Apostolic institution, had power fully in themselves immediately from Christ to practise all his ordinances: Then have all Churches the like power now.³ But the first is true. Ergo. The third thus; Whatsoever was commanded by the seven Churches to be practised by each of them, apart, in and for themselves, that no Church of God must now omit. But Ecclesiastical government was commanded to the seven Churches to be practised by each of them, &c. The fourth thus;⁴ If the Church of Corinth had power and authority within her self to exercise Ecclesiastical Government; then ought not particular Congregations now to stand under any other Ecclesiastical authority out of themselves. But the first is true,⁵ Ergo. The sixth thus. If the Apostle gave commandment unto the Eldership of Ephesus for the whole administration of all ordinances in that Church: then may ⟨p. 30⟩the Eldership of every particular congregation, administer among themselves all Gods ordinances. But the first is true, Ergo.