ht, and that
government belonging primarily to the whole body of Christ; secondarily,
to the parts or members thereof; must it not necessarily follow, that
the more generally and extensively Christ's ordinance of church
government is managed in greater and more general assemblies, the more
fully the perfection and end of the government, viz. the edification of
the whole body of Christ, is attained; and on the contrary, the more
particularly and singly church government is exercised, as in
presbyteries, or single congregational elderships, the more imperfect it
is, and the less it attains to the principal end: consequently, if there
be a divine warrant for church government by single congregational
elderships, is it not much more for church government by presbyteries,
and synods, or councils, wherein more complete provision is made for the
edification of the general Church or body of Jesus Christ?

_Argum_. II. The primitive apostolical practice in the first and purest
ages of the Church after Christ, may further evidence with great
strength the divine warrant for church government by juridical synods or
councils. Let this be the position:

Jesus Christ our Mediator hath laid down in his word a pattern of a
juridical synod, consisting of governing officers of divers presbyterial
churches, for a rule to the Church of Christ in all succeeding ages.

For proof hereof take these two assertions: 1. That Jesus Christ hath
laid down in his word a pattern of a juridical synod. 2. That this
juridical synod is for a rule to the churches of Christ in all
succeeding ages.

ASSERTION I.

That Jesus Christ hath laid down in his word a pattern of a synod, yea,
of a juridical synod, consisting of governing officers of divers
presbyterial churches, is manifest, Acts xv. and xvi., where are plainly
set forth: 1. The occasion of the synod. 2. The proper members of the
synod. 3. The equal power and authority exercised by all those members.
4. The way and method of ordinary synodal proceeding. 5. The juridical
acts of power put forth by the synod; with the issue and consequent of
all upon the churches.

First, Here was a proper ground and occasion for a juridical synod. For
thus the text expressly declareth, that "certain men which came down
from Judea, taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised
after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved; when therefore Paul and
Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with t