The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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.

2. THE Authority of a Synod determining Articles of Faith? constituting Orders and Decrees for the conscientious observance of things of their own appointment, to be submitted unto and obeyed on the Reason of that Authority, under the penalty of Excommunication, and the trouble by Custom and Tyranny thereto annexed, or acted in a way of Jurisdiction over Churches or Persons, is a mere Humane Invention, for which nothing can be pleaded but prescription from the Fourth Century of the Church, when the progress of the fatal Apostasy became visible.