The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…

CHAP. VI. Of the Power and Authority given to Synods.

CHAP. VI. Of the Power and Authoritie given to Synods.

Synods we acknowledge, being rightly ordered, as an Ordinance of Christ. Of their Assembly we find three just causes in Scripture. 1. When a Church wanting light or peace at home, desireth the counsel and help of other Churches, few or moe. Thus the Church of Antioch being annoyed with corrupt teachers, who darkened the light of the truth, and bred no small dissension amongst them in the Church; they sent Paul and Barnabas and other messengers unto the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, for the establishment of Truth and Peace. In joining the Elders to the Apostles (and that doubtless by the advise of Paul and Barnabas) it argueth that they sent not to the Apostles as extraordinary and infallible, and authentical Oracles of God, (for then what need the advise and help of Elders?) but as wise and holy guides of the Church, who might not only relieve them by some wise counsel, and holy order, but also set a Precedent to succeeding ages, how errors and dissensions in Churches might be removed and healed. And the course which the ⟨p. 24⟩Apostles and Elders took for clearing the matter, was not by publishing the counsel of God with Apostolic authority, from immediate revelation, but by searching out the truth in an ordinary way of free disputation, Act. 15. v. 7. which is as fit a course for imitation in after ages, as it was seasonable for practice then.

SYnods wee acknowledge, being rightly ordered, as an Ordinance of Christ. Of their Assembly wee find three just causes in Scripture. 1. When a Church wanting light or peace at home, desireth the counsell and helpe of other Churches, few or moe. Thus the Church of Antioch being annoyed with corrupt teachers, who darkned the light of the truth, and bred no small dissension amongst them in the Church; they sent Paul and Barnabas and other messengers unto the Apostles and Elders at Hierusalem, for the establishment of Truth and Peace. In joyning the Elders to the Apostles (and that doubtlesse by the advise of Paul and Barnabas) it argueth that they sent not to the Apostles as extraordinary and infallible, and authenticall Oracles of God, (for then what need the advise and helpe of Elders?) but as wise and holy guides of the Church, who might not onely relieve them by some wise counsell, and holy order, but also set a Precedent to succeeding ages, how errours and dissensions in Churches might be removed and healed. And the course which the