The reasons of the Dissenting Brethren against the third proposition, concerning presbyterial government· Humbly…

Sect. 2.

This then being the Assertion, it is thus argued against. A Presbytery over a Presbytery, or power over power necessarily implieth two sorts of Presbyteries, or Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions, specifically distinct or at least more then numerically. A greater or lesser vary not the kind in a Physical or Theological consideration, but in a Political it doth; He that hath a greater power then I have, that is a power over my power, a power to order, direct or correct the power I have, this mans power and mine differ as two sorts or kinds of power. And although this superior Presbytery be made up of Presbyters sent as Commissioners from the congregational or parochial Presbyteries, yet this hinders not at all but that they may be thus ⟨p. 39⟩distinct; For some Cities and towns corporate their Officers are sent up, & sit as Members of Parliament, yet this Honourable House hath a power distinct▪ and superior to that which is in London or York, though the superior Presbytery be made up of Presbyters from several Congregations, yet it is not made up of Presbyteries, it hath the persons materially considered, but not that power formally considered: for as while the Parliament sits and certain Burgesses from Borough towns sit as Members in it, these Townes notwithstanding still retain all the power those Corporations were ever invested with; so particular Congregations whilst some of their Elders sit in the Classical Presbytery, have Elderships or a Presbytery still. Now that it is very probable the Scripture holds not forth two sorts of Presbyteries thus specifically distinct, may be thus argued.

This then being the Assertion, it is thus argued against. A Presbytery over a Presbytery, or power over power necessarily implyeth two sorts of Presbyteries, or Ecclesiasticall Jurisdictions, specifically distinct or at least more then numerically. A greater or lesser vary not the kind in a Physicall or Theologicall consideration, but in a Politicall it doth; Hee that hath a greater power then I have, that is a power over my power, a power to order, direct or correct the power I have, this mans power and mine differ as two sorts or kinds of power. And although this superior Presbytery bee made up of Presbyters sent as Commissioners from the congregationall or parochiall Presbyteries, yet this hinders not at all but that they may bee thus