ed by the false teachers;
where, "when the epistle" of the synod "was read, they rejoiced for the
consolation," Acts xv. 30, 31; and Judas and Silas exhorted and
confirmed the brethren by word of mouth, according to the synod's
direction, ver. 32; and in other churches, to which Paul and Timothy
delivered the "decrees ordained by the apostles and elders which were at
Jerusalem; and so were the churches confirmed in the faith, and abounded
in number daily," Acts xvi. 4, 5; whence we have these evidences of the
churches' submission to the synodal decrees: 1. The decrees are counted
by the churches a consolation. 2. They were so welcome to them, that
they _rejoiced for the consolation_. 3. They were hereby notably
_confirmed in the faith_, against the false doctrines broached among
them. 4. The churches _abounded in number daily_, the scandal and
stumbling-blocks that troubled the Church being removed out of the way.
How should such effects so quickly have followed upon the publication of
the synodal decrees, in the several churches, had not the churches
looked upon that synod as vested with juridical power and authority for
composing and imposing of these their determinations?

ASSERTION II.

That this juridical synod is for a rule to the churches of Christ in all
succeeding ages, there need no new considerations for proof hereof;
only let the reader please to look back to Position iv. of the last
chapter, where the substance of those considerations which urge the
pattern of presbyteries and presbyterial government for a rule to
succeeding churches, is applicable (by change of terms) to the pattern
of juridical synods.[115]

CHAPTER XV.

_Of the subordination of particular churches to greater assemblies for
their authoritative and judicial determination of causes ecclesiastical,
and the divine right thereof._

The divine right of ecclesiastical assemblies, congregational,
classical, and synodal, and of their power for church government, being
thus evidenced by the Scriptures, now in the last place take a few words
briefly touching the subordination of the lesser to the greater
assemblies, and the divine warrant thereof. In asserting the
subordination of particular churches to higher assemblies, whether
classical or synodal,

1. It is not denied, but particular churches have within themselves
power of discipline entirely, so far as any cause in debate particularly
and peculiarly concerneth themselves, and