sdom, judgment, and gravity is supposed to be, than
in the admonitions of a few and smaller number; now, then, this power of
right admonition increaseth with the number of admonishers, as well
without as within the same congregation; if ten go beyond two in wisdom
and gravity, forty will go beyond ten, and be more likely to win upon
the offender, and regain him.

_Argum_. IV. A fourth argument is taken from the pattern of the
apostolical churches, Acts xv.

The church of Antioch (though presbyterial, as was proved Chapter XIII.,
Position II.) was subordinate to the synod at Jerusalem; therefore a
particular church is subordinate to higher assemblies, &c.

If a synodal decree did bind them in those times, then may it bind
particular churches now, and these ought even still to be subject to
synods.

The consequence is undeniable, unless we hold that what the synod there
imposed was unjust, or that we have now less need of those remedies than
they had; nay, since the apostles (who were assisted with an
extraordinary spirit of inspiration) would nevertheless in a doubtful
business have synodal conventions for determining of controversies, much
more ought we to do so whose gifts are far inferior to theirs; and
unless it had been in their determination to leave us their example of a
synodal way of church government for our pattern, they had not wanted
the meeting together of so many with them for decision of the doubt,
whose doctrine was infallible, and of itself, without an assembly, to be
believed.

The exceptions against this pattern of church polity are of no validity,
e.g.

1. This was no synod. First, that it was no synod appears, in that we
read of no word of a synod. Secondly, no commissioners from Syria and
Cilicia, which churches should have sent their delegates, had they been
a synod, and had their decrees been to have bound in a synodal way.
Thirdly, all the believers had voices here.

2. If it were a synod, yet it is no pattern for us, in regard it was
consisting of members guided by an infallible and apostolical spirit.

We answer, 1. Here is the thing synod, though not the word, which is a
meeting consisting of the deputies of many single churches.

2. That Jerusalem and Antioch had their commissioners there, is evident;
and by consequence many single churches had their commissioners, for
there were many single congregations at Jerusalem and Antioch, as hath
been proved, Chapter XIII., Position II.;