I observed before that there be two degrees of a Church independent, 1. In every visible Congregation there is a number of believers, to whom our brethren say, Christ hath committed the power of the keys, who have power to choose and ordain their own officers, Pastors, Doctors, Elders and Deacons, and also judicially to censure, rebuke, sentence, depose and excommunicate these same office-bearers. We have disputed already against this independent Church. 2. There is another Church independent, which is that same congregation of believers new clothed with a settled and constituted eldership, one Pastor, and Elders, and Doctors: Of this Congregation is our present question. This Congregation again hath either one Pastor only, with a number of Elders; or it hath a number of Pastors and Elders who do meet for discipline, which is a Presbyterial Church, such as we esteem the Church of Corinth, the Church of Ephesus. The question is of a visible Church in both senses: And for the former, they have within themselves some power of discipline, so far as concerneth themselves, as the Arguments of our brethren do prove, but with subordination to the Eldership of their own and other sister and consociate Congregations, who shall meet in a Presbytery. The Church in the latter meaning cannot conveniently meet in all and every one of the members thereof, but doth meet in their Rulers, as the Eldership of Ephesus did meet, Acts 20. 17. And Paul and James, and the Eldership of Jerusalem did meet, Acts 21. 18, 19, 20, 21. And of this Presbytery that ordained Timothy a Pastor, we read 1 Tim. 4. 14. So the Eldership of Ephesus, Rev. 2. 2. whereof there were a number of Pastors, as we may read Acts 20. 28, 29, 36. who tried those who called themselves Apostles, and did lye, and were found liars, Rev. 2. 2. This Presbytery consisting of moe Pastors, is the first ruling and governing Church, having power of the keys in all points of discipline within themselves; They have intensively power of the keys in all ⟨p. 189⟩points, and equal power (intensivè) with greater Synods and Assemblies; because ordination of Pastors by them, 1 Tim. 4. 14. is as valid in the point of Church-discipline, as the Decrees made in the great Council convented at Jerusalem, Acts 15. 21, 22, &c. But Provincial Synods, and National Assemblies have greater power then the Presbyteries extensivè;
I observed before that there be two degrees of a Church independent, 1. In every visible Congregation there is a number of beleevers, to whom our brethren say, Christ hath committed the power of the keyes, who have power to chuse and ordaine their owne officers, Pastors, Doctors, Elders and Deacons, and also judicially to censure, rebuke, sentence, depose and excommunicate these same office-bearers. We have disputed already against this independent Church. 2. There is another Church indepe•dent, which is that same congregation of beleevers new cloathed with a setled and constituted •ldership, one Pastor, and Elders, and Doctors: Of this Congregation is our present question. This Congregation againe hath either one Pastor only, with a number of Elders; or it hath a number of Pastors and Elders who doe meet for discipline, which is a Presbyteriall Church, such as we esteeme the Church of Corinth, the Church of Ephesus. The question is of a visible Church in both senses: And for the former, they have within themselves some power of discipline, so farre as concerneth themselves, as the Arguments of our brethren doe prove, but with subordination to the Eldership of their owne and other sister and consociate Congregations, who shall meet in a Presbytery. The Church in the latter meaning cannot conveniently meet in all and every one of the members thereof, but doth meet in their Rulers, as the Eldership of Ephesus did meet, Acts 20. 17. And Paul and James, and the Eldership of Jerusalem did meet, Acts 21. 18, 19, 20, 21. And of this Presbytery that ordained Timothy a Pastor, we read 1 Tim. 4. 14. So the Eldership of Ephesus, Rev. 2. 2. whereof there were a number of Pastors, as we may reade Acts 20. 28, 29, 36. who tried those who called themselves Apostles, and did lye, and were found lyars, Rev. 2. 2. This Presbytery consisting of moe Pastors, is the first ruling and governing Church, having power of the keyes in all points of discipline within themselves; They have intensively power of the keyes in all ⟨p. 189⟩points, and equall power (intensivè) with greater Synods and Assemblies; because ordination of Pastors by them,
