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

The ninth Argument remaineth,¹ which is this. That government which merely tendeth unto the taking away from particular Congregations, their due power is unlawful. But the government of Presbyteries and Synods (as they now are) doth merely tend unto the taking away from particular Congregations their due power. Ergo. I did expect some strong proof for the assumption of this argument, but we must take it as it is. He tells us out of Master Barlow ▪ that no man under the degree of a Prophet or an Apostle may prescribe Gods Church and children patterns. Our Synods are further from prescribing patterns either of worship or Church government than himself is. The pattern and whole manner of Church government is set down in the Scripture, those circumstances excepted which are common to the Church with the Common-wealth, and are therefore determinable by natures light. Synods may not prescribe new patterns, no more may particular Churches: but Synods may in common causes, and extraordinarily prescribe unto particular churches, such things as particular churches may in particular causes and ordinarily prescribe to their own members. If he will believe Parker (whom he thinks his own) the authority which ⟨p. 37⟩particular Churches have severally is not lost,² but augmented when they are joined together in Synods. But we have before abundantly declared how Presbyterial & Synodical government doth not at all prejudge the rights of congregations.³ As for that which here he addeth by way of supposition, putting the case that Presbyteries & Synods will not permit a congregation to reject some convicted heretics, nor to choose any, except unfit Ministers, this is just as if one should object against Parliaments, that (as they are now) they do merely tend to the taking away of the right and liberty of the subject, and then for proof should put the case, that Parliaments will protect and maintain Monopolists, Projectors, &c.

The ninth Argument remaineth,¹