Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…

But then on the other hand, the Pastors of the Churches ordinarily go to no proper Councils, without some other Delegates, chosen from among the Brethren, to accompany them. And once, when in a General Synod of the Churches, there were some Churches who thought it enough that they sent only their Pastors unto it, the Synod asserted, that it was the Duty of the Churches, to have sent other Messengers with them; and Letters were for that Purpose immediately issued out unto these Churches. They knew that in the Primitive Times, in Synods, there were present ⟨p. 176⟩besides the Church-Officers, ΑΙ ΕΚΚΑΗΣΙΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ(as Eusebius expresses it) the Churches of GOD, represented by Brethren belonging to them; And Synods were then held, Consultis et ipsis Laicis (according to Cyprian) and, The People were admitted unto a part in the Consultations. And in allowing of Suffrages to such Members of their Synods, they judged that the Primitive Pattern in the Acts of the Apostles countenanced them: For which Cause also, the Interest of the People (or Laics) in such Conventions, is maintained by our Juel, and Whitaker, and Parker, and others, against the Romanists.

But then on the other hand, the Pastors of the Churches ordinarily go to no proper Councils, without some other Delegates, chosen from among the Brethren, to accompany them. And once, when in a General Synod of the Churches, there were some Churches who thought it enough that they sent only their Pastors unto it, the Synod asserted, that it was the Duty of the Churches, to have sent other Messengers with them; and Letters were for that Purpose immediately issued out unto these Churches. They knew that in the Primitive Times, in Synods, there were present ⟨p. 176⟩besides the Church-Officers, ΑΙ ΕΚΚΑΗΣΙΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ(as Eusebius expresses it) the Churches of GOD, represented by Brethren belonging to them; And Synods were then held, Consultis et ipsis Laicis (according to Cyprian) and, The People were admitted unto a part in the Consultations. And in allowing of Suffrages to such Members of their Synods, they judged that the Primitive Pattern in the Acts of the Apostles countenanced them: For which Cause also, the Interest of the People (or Laicks) in such Conventions, is maintained by our Juel, and Whitaker, and Parker, and others, against the Romanists.