_, or a wrong key; and that it may not be permitted to particular
churches to err or sin licentiously, and lest any man's cause be
overthrown and perish, who in a particular church had perhaps the same men
both his adversaries and his judges; also that common business, which do
belong to many churches, together with the more weighty and difficult
controversies (the deciding whereof in the consistories of praticular
churches is not safe to be adventured upon) may be handled and determined
by a common council of presbyteries; finally, that the governors of
particular churches may impart help mutually one to another against the
cunning and subtile enemies of the truth, and may join their strength
together (such as it is) by an holy combination, and that the church may
be as a camp of an army well ordered, lest while every one striveth singly
all of them be subdued and overcome, or lest by reason of the scarcity of
prudent and godly counsellors (in the multitude of whom is safety) the
affairs of the church be undone: for all these considerations particular
churches must be subordinate to classical presbyteries and synods.

32. Wherefore it is not lawful to particular churches, or, as commonly
they are called, parochial, either to decline the authority of classes or
synods, where they are lawfully settled, or may be had (much less to
withdraw themselves from that authority, if they have once acknowledged
it), or to refuse such lawful ordinances or decrees of the classes or
synods as, being agreeable to the word of God, are with authority imposed
upon them. Acts xv. 2, 6, 22-24, 28, 29; xvi. 4.

33. Although synods assemble more seldom, classes and consistories of
particular churches more frequently, yet that synods, both provincial and
national, assemble at set and ordinary times, as well as classes and
parochial consistories, is very expedient, and for the due preservation of
church policy and discipline, necessary. Sometimes, indeed, it is
expedient they be assembled occasionally, that the urgent necessity of the
church may be the more speedily provided for, namely, when such a business
happeneth, which, without great danger, cannot be put off till the
appointed time of the synod.

34. But that, besides occasional synods, ordinary synods be kept at set
times, is most profitable, not only that they may discuss and determine
the more difficult ecclesiastical causes coming before them, whether by
the appeal of some person ag