The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

11. SOME place the Government of many particular Churches in a Diocesan Bishop, with those that act under him, and by his Authority, according unto the Rule of the Canon Law, and the civil constitution of the Land. These are so far from judging it necessary that there should be many Elders for Rule ⟨p. 138⟩in every particular Church, as that they allow no Rule in them at all, but only assert a Rule over them. But a Church, where there is no Rule in it self, to be exercised in the Name of Christ by its own Rulers, Officers, Guides, immediately presiding in it, is unknown to Scripture and Antiquity. Wherefore, with these we deal not in this Discourse; nor have any apprehension, that the power of presenting Men, for any pretended Disorder, unto the Bishops or Chancellors Court, is any part of Church-Power or Rule.

11. SOME place the Government of many particular Churches in a Diocesan Bishop, with those that act under him, and by his Authority, according unto the Rule of the Canon Law, and the civil constitution of the Land. These are so far from judging it necessary that there should be many Elders for Rule ⟨p. 138⟩in every particular Church, as that they allow no Rule in them at all, but only assert a Rule over them. But a Church, where there is no Rule in it self, to be exercised in the Name of Christ by its own Rulers, Officers, Guides, immediatly presiding in it, is unknown to Scripture and Antiquity. Wherefore, with these we deal not in this Discourse; nor have any apprehension, that the power of presenting Men, for any pretended Disorder, unto the Bishops or Chancellors Court, is any part of Church-Power or Rule.

12. OTHERS place the Rule of particular Churches, especially in cases of greatest moment, in an Association, Conjunction or Combination of all the Elders of them in one Society, which is commonly called a Classis. So in all Acts of Rule, there will be a conjunct acting of many Elders. And, no doubt it is the best provision that can be made on a supposition of the continuance of the present Parochial Distribution. But those also of this judgment, who have most weighed and considered the nature of these things, do assert the necessity of many Elders in every particular Church, which is the common judgment and practice of the Reformed Churches in all places.