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…

Now a Synod being assembled; three questions arise about their power: 1. What is that power they have received? 2. How far the fraternity concurreth with the Presbytery in it; the brotherhood with the Eldership? 3. Whether the power they have received reacheth to the enjoining of things, both in their nature, and in their use indifferent?

Now a Synod being assembled; three questions arise about their power: 1. What is that power they have received? 2. How far the fraternity concurreth with the Presbyterie in it; the brotherhood with the Eldership? 3. Whether the power they have recieved reacheth to the injoyning of things, both in their nature, and in their use indifferent?

For the first; we dare not say that their power reacheth no farther then giving counsel: for such as their ends be, for which according to God, they do assemble, such is the power given them of God, as may attain those ends. As they meet to minister light and peace to such churches, as through want of light and peace lye in error (or doubt at least) and variance; so they have power by the grace of Christ, not only to give light and counsel in matter of Truth and Practice; but also to command and enjoin the things to be believed and done. The express words of the Synodal letter imply no less; It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and unto us, to lay upon you no other burden, Act. 15.27. This burden therefore, to observe those necessary things which they speak of, they had power to impose. It is an act of the binding power of the keys, to bind burdens. And this binding power ariseth not only materially from the weight of the matters imposed, (which are necessary necessitate praecepti from the word) but also formally, from the authority of the Synod, which being an Ordinance of Christ, bindeth the more for the Synods sake. As a truth of the Gospel taught by a Minister of the Gospel, it bindeth to faith an obedience, not only because it is Gospel, but also because it is taught by a Minister for his callings sake, seeing Christ hath said, Who so receiveth you receiveth me. And seeing also a Synod sometime meeteth to convince, and admonish an offending church or Presbytery; they have power therefore, (if they cannot heal the offenders) to determine to withdraw communion from them. And further, seeing they meet likewise sometimes for general reformation; they have power to decree and publish such Ordinances, as may conduce according to God, unto such reformation: Examples whereof we read,