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

Thirdly, Nor thirdly, do we find any thing in the Scriptures making them, as from different employments, or functions, to differ; first, we pretend and so it is in the proposition, the one is superior, the other inferior; But how can you say the Scriptures have made this difference, when ⟨p. 41⟩there is not a word spoken this way in any place. Presbyterian Writers themselves in some expressions seem to take away utterly such difference as this; in one place you shall read the Classis can do nothing, renitente Ecclesia, but it is null and invalid; Thus the Assertion for Discipline, and avouches Zepperus, Zanchy, and others as of this opinion. The Congregation, though but minima Ecclesiola, yet may reform, that is, suspend, excommunicate, &c. Renitentibus correspondentiis. So Voetius in his Theses, & desperata causa Papatus, lib. 2. Sect. 2. c. 12. Surely according to what these Reverend Divines have expressed, it is hard to be said, which of these Presbyteries hath the greater or superior power.

Thirdly, Nor thirdly, do wee finde any thing in the Scriptures making them, as from different imployments, or functions, to differ; first, wee pretend and so it is in the proposition, the one is superiour, the other inferiour; But how can you say the Scriptures have made this difference, when ⟨p. 41⟩there is not a word spoken this way in any place. Presbyterian Writers themselves in some expressions seem to take away utterly such difference as this; in one place you shall read the Classis can doe nothing, renitente Ecclesia, but it is null and invalid; Thus the Assertion for Discipline, and avouches Zepperus, Zanchy, and others as of this opinion. The Congregation, though but minima Ecclesiola, yet may reforme, that is, suspend, excommunicate, &c. Renitentibus correspondentiis. So Voetius in his Theses, & desperata causa Papatus, lib. 2. Sect. 2. c. 12. Surely according to what these Reverend Divines have expressed, it is hard to bee said, which of these Presbyteries hath the greater or superiour power.