The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God

1. This Public Covenant shows that the whole must Rule the parts. The Rule and Government doth fundamentally belong unto the Church; the Church hath a right to Govern it self. Thus it is Originally with all Nations as to their civil Government, so also as to Ecclesiastical, and therefore the Exercise of this Government must be in the hands of some that do legally represent the whole; if it be not by some that represent the whole, then the whole do ⟨p. 30⟩not Govern, the Rulers must be the representation of the whole Church. Thus it is with a Synod, they are either the Elders of the several Churches, if the Country be not too Numerous, or such as are chosen by the Elders, if the Country be large and numerous, and these are a legal representation of the Churches; the Elders of the Churches are chosen to th• Office, to be Rulers of the several Churches, and in case there be need. They have Power to select out of themselves, such a Company as may conveniently meet, with whom their Power shall be entrusted. The Light of Nature teaches, that the Government must be committed to such a Number, as shall not be uncapable by reason of their Number, to assemble and discourse together, for otherwise the Government of the Church would not be a thing practicable.

1. This Publick Covenant shews that the whole must Rule the parts. The Rule and Government doth fundamentally belong unto the Church; the Church hath a right to Govern it self. Thus it is Originally with all Nations as to their civil Government, so also as to Ecclesiastical, and therefore the Exercise of this Government must be in the hands of some that do legally represent the whole; if it be not by some that represent the whole, then the whole do ⟨p. 30⟩not Govern, the Rulers must be the representation of the whole Church. Thus it is with a Synod, they are either the Elders of the several Churches, if the Country be not too Numerous, or such as are chosen by the Elders, if the Country be large and numerous, and these are a legal representation of the Churches; the Elders of the Churches are chosen to th• Office, to be Rulers of the several Churches, and in case there be need. They have Power to select out of themselves, such a Company as may conveniently meet, with whom their Power shall be entrusted. The Light of Nature teaches, that the Government must be committed to such a Number, as shall not be uncapable by reason of their Number, to assemble and discourse together, for otherwise the Government of the Church would not be a thing practicable.