The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. CHURCHES have mutual Communion in the profession of the same Faith. If any doubts or differences do arise about it, any Opinions be advanced contrary unto it, either in any particular Church, which they cannot determine among themselves or among sundry Churches, the last outward means for the preservation of the Rule of Faith among them, and of ⟨p. 253⟩their Communion in the condemnation of Errors and Opinions contrary unto the form of wholesome Words, is by these Synods or Councils. The care hereof, is indeed in the first place committed unto the Churches themselves, as was at large before declared: But in case through the subtlety, prevalency, and interest of those by whom damnable Doctrines are broached, the Church it self whereunto they do belong, is not able to rebuke and suppress them; nor to maintain its profession of the Truth, or that by suffering such things in one Church, others are in danger to be infected or defiled, this is the last external Refuge that is left for the preservation of the Communion of Churches in the same Faith. We have multiplied Examples hereof in the Primitive Churches, before the degeneracy of these Synods into Superstition and Domination. Such was eminently that gathered at Antioch for the condemnation of the Heresies of Paulus Samosatenus the Bishop of that Church.

1. CHURCHES have mutual Communion in the profession of the same Faith. If any doubts or differences do arise about it, any Opinions be advanced contrary unto it, either in any particular Church, which they cannot determine among themselves or among sundry Churches, the last outward means for the preservation of the Rule of Faith among them, and of ⟨p. 253⟩their Communion in the condemnation of Errors and Opinions contrary unto the form of wholesome Words, is by these Synods or Councils. The care hereof, is indeed in the first place committed unto the Churches themselves, as was at large before declared: But in case through the subtilty, prevalency, and interest of those by whom damnable Doctrines are broached, the Church it self whereunto they do belong, is not able to rebuke and suppress them; nor to maintain its profession of the Truth, or that by suffering such things in one Church, others are in danger to be infected or defiled, this is the last external Refuge that is left for the preservation of the Communion of Churches in the same Faith. We have multiplied Examples hereof in the Primitive Churches, before the degeneracy of these Synods into Superstition and Domination. Such was eminently that gathered at Antioch for the condemnation of the Heresies of Paulus Samosatenus the Bishop of that Church.