The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

WITHOUT a due exercise of judgment, with respect unto these things, none can be obliged by any Synodical Determinations; seeing without them, and on the want of them, many Assemblies of Bishops who have had the outward Appearance and Title of Synods or Councils, have been Dens of Thieves, Robbers, Idolaters, managing their Synodical Affairs with fury, wrath, horrible craft, according to their Interests, unto the Ruin of the Church; such were the Second Ephesine, the Second at Nice, and that at Trent, and others not a few.

WITHOUT a due exercise of judgment, with respect unto these things, none can be obliged by any Synodical Determinations; seeing without them, and on the want of them, many Assemblies of Bishops who have had the outward Appearance and Title of Synods or Councils, have been Dens of Thieves, Robbers, Idolaters, managing their Synodical Affairs with fury, wrath, horrible craft, according to their Interests, unto the Ruine of the Church; such were the Second Ephesine, the Second at Nice, and that at Trent, and others not a few.

HENCE nothing is more to be feared, especially in a state of the Church wherein it is declining in Faith, Worship ⟨p. 266⟩and Holiness, than Synods, according to the usual way of their calling and convention, where these things are absent. For they have already been the principal means of leading on and justifying all the Apostasy which Churches have fallen into. For never was there yet Synod of that nature, which did not confirm all the Errors and Superstitions which had in common practice entered into the Church, and opened a Door to a progress in them; nor was ever the pretence of any of them for outward Reformation of any use or signification.

HENCE nothing is more to be feared, especially in a state of the Church wherein it is declining in Faith, Worship ⟨p. 266⟩and Holiness, than Synods, according to the usual way of their calling and convention, where these things are absent. For they have already been the principal means of leading on and justifying all the Apostasy which Churches have fallen into. For never was there yet Synod of that nature, which did not confirm all the Errors and Superstitions which had in common practice entred into the Church, and opened a Door to a progress in them; nor was ever the pretence of any of them for outward Reformation of any use or signification.