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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90523	A defence of church-government, exercised in presbyteriall, classicall, & synodall assemblies; according to the practise of the reformed churches: touching I. The power of a particular eldership, against those that plead for a meere popular government, specially Mr Ainsvvorth in his Animadversion to Mr Clyft. &c. II. The authority of classes and synods, against the patrons of independencie: answering in this poynt Mr Davenport his Apologeticall reply, &c. and Mr Canne his Churches plea, &c, sent forth first by W. Best, and afterwards for this part of it, under the title of Syons prerogative royall. By Iohn Paget, late able and faithfull pastour of the Reformed English Church in Amsterdam. Hereunto is prefixed an advertisement to the Parliament, wherein are inserted some animadversions on the Cheshire Remonstrance against Presbytery: by T.P.	Paget, John, d. 1640.; Paget, Thomas, d. 1660.	1641 (1641)	Wing P166; Thomason E117_1; ESTC R16734	348,418	298

parchments he left behinde him to publick use for the common benefit of the English nation in a time of need calling for helpe (v) 2. Sam. 15.34 counsel to defeate the dangerous projects of all Achitophels Right honorable ye are as (x) 2. Sam. 14.17 Angels of God to discerne good bad to speake comfortable words to your afflicted banished Countreymen Yee are the great Counsellers Iudges and State-physitians of England Now (y) Isa 9.6 the Wonderfull Counseller the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace furnish your Honors more more with the (z) Isa 11.2 Spirit of wisdome understanding the Spirit of Counsell and might the Spirit of knowledge of the feare of the Lord (a) Psal 20.4 fulfill all your counsells which are for the (b) 1. Cor. 10.31 glory of God for the (c) 1. Pet. 2.17 honor of our gracious King Charles and for the true (d) Iob 22.30 welfare of England Scotland Ireland even soe prayeth Your Honors most humble advertiser and devoted observer THOMAS PAGET The Publisher to the Christian Reader THere are two staves wherewith the Lord Christ the great Shepherd of his sheep doth usually feed his flock Doctrine and Discipline By the one he maketh them to lie downe in greene pastures and leadeth them beside the still waters replenishing their soules with the food of life by the other he guideth them and ordereth them in their going out and comming in for their further peace and safety and both his rodde and his staffe doe comfort them If either of these be wanting the flock is endangered if God in his just judgement cause one of them to faile the other presently comes to be in jeopardy Wofull experience hath taught that where the reignes of Discipline are slackned or ill guided there the soundnes of Doctrine doth hardly subsist long and where the trueth of Doctrine is assaulted there the course of Discipline is not free from injurious attempts Though Doctrine justly challenge the first place yet seeing Discipline also to speak properly is a part of Doctrine being onely the practise of divine trueth revealed concerning the guidance of the Church hence it may not without cause share in the arguments alledged for the necessity and benefit of the other They both being so neerly allyed and joyntly requisite to the welfare of Gods Church the Enemy ever envying the prosperity and plotting the ruine thereof where he cannot prevayle against the one he sets on work his mischievous devices against the other When he cannot hinder the growth of good corne and sound trueths by sowing tares then he makes so much the more furious onsets upon the fences and hedges of due order and government And if his designes may be effected in the one he findes a readyer way to the other But he that hath bruised Satans head is not ignorant of his devices nor slow to resist him in his enterprises Christ doth graciously provide for the safety of his flock against both kindes of evills by such instruments as he is wont to rayse for the explaining and vindicating the trueth of those lawes which he hath given both to direct and maintaine his people in the obedience of his will and to stop the mouth of all iniquity oppugning the same His goodnes therefore is to be acknowledged in whatsoever helps to this purpose are affoorded unto us And that thou mayest the better be provoked hereunto Christian Reader concerning the Treatise now presented unto thee take a brief survey at thy first entrance of somewhat may further fit thee unto a more judicious and profitable perusall of the work it self The maine errours touching the exercise of Church-government may be reduced unto these two extremes whereby men swarve from that middle and safe way prescribed by Christ the onely Prince and Lawgiver of his Church Some ambitious of preeminence making themselves lords over Gods heritage have brought in and seek to maintaine a Tyrannicall kinde of government in the Church by ingrossing all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction into their owne hands as the Popes and Popish Bishops Against these Vsurpers many Worthies have stood up and done valiantly in their Writings whereof divers remaine yet unanswered Others have erroneously fallen into a contrary extreme while opposing Hierarchicall Tyranny they have become pleaders for a meere Democracy and not contēt to reject Provinciall Diocesan Bishops they have impugned the lawfull combination of Churches in Provinciall and Classicall Synods Against this twofold errour the ensuing Treatise is directed The former part thereof was written long agone about the yeare 1618 upon the occasion noted in the Introduction And though it was but a beginning of a larger writing neither finished nor polished for publick view yet considering how little there is extant in this kinde how usefull it may be for these times and what affinity it hath with the other controversy touching Classes and Synods by how much the opposers of such joynt Presbyteries doe seldome allow the due power of particular Elderships I thought good to prefixe it before the other in such wise as it doth now come foorth The second and maine part of this Treatise discusseth at large and more fully then any other yet seene the question concerning the due power of Classicall Synodall Assemblies A controversy in a manner unknowne to former ages and for the present scarcely heard of among the Reformed Churches in other nations For though the positive trueth thereof be manifest from the testimonies of Orthodox Writers of all times and places yet hitherto it hath not beene shewed that ever any Authours of note I meane either of former ages or other nations have maintained the assertions here opposed viz. that the power of Classes Synods is an undue power and that all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction must be confined within the bounds of a particular Congregation H. Barrow those of that Sect are noted to be the first that in such sort have opposed this kinde of government The Arminians indeed have spoken much against the jurisdiction deciding sentence of Synods * Censur Confes Remonstr p. 322.326.328 Apol. Remonstr f. 6. 282-290 but upon other grounds to wit so farre as it taketh away that liberty of Prophecy which they plead for and describe to be in effect an unlimited licentiousnes of venting and maintaining almost any thing in matters of religion They doe so contradict the power of Synods that withall they overthrow all Ecclesiasticall judgment and censure at least in matters of heresie false doctrine as well in a particular Congregation as elswhere Herein they differ from the Patrons of Independencie here disputed against These therefore though they be not all Brownists yet they must not take it ill to see this errour in the following Treatise sometimes branded with the mark of Brownisme especially when the Authour deales with Mr Canne a knowne Separatist and hitherto the busiest Disputer for

(l) Isa 56.10.11 unlearned unable to preach in the ministery 2. Is it not by the negligence of Prelates that there are soe many negligent Ministers suffering their gifts to decay by seldome preaching 3. Is it not from their qualifications and dispensations there are soe many Nonresidents Pluralists as that other Schollers of better desert do want encouragmēt 4. Doeth not the Parliament well enough know understand who are the Seekers of the subversion of the lawes and of introducing an arbitrary government XIV REMONS is subscribed by a numerous sort of the Nobles Baronets Knights Esquires Divines Gentlemen Freeholders others inhabitants of Cheshire ANIMADV This is indeed the sad consequent of Prelacy in Cheshire Ah alas that * Cheshire the cheife shire Cheshire not long agone reputed deservedly esteemed for the (m) Prov. 12.26 profession power of religion more excellent then their neighbors should (n) Ier. 2.21 now turne to a degenerate plant of a strange vine to the Lord Especially the Ministery that had their spiritually glorious * Exercises at Northwich Namptwich Knutesford Macclesseild Bowden Frodsham Budworth Torperley Tarvin Ince Motterum c. monethly Exercises solemne assemblies besides their blessed Sabbaths frequented by sundry of the renowned Gentry very many wel-disposed people wherby (o) 1. Tim. 3.13 they purchased to themselves a good degree in Christianity great boldnes in the faith which is in Christ Iesus But yet it may be thought in a charitable construction some excuse of the greatnes of their error that either the most of thē subscribed the Remonstrance (p) 2. Sam. 15.11 in their simplicity not knowing wherto it tended or els in an inconsiderate hast being * The letters sent to the severall Hundreds required a hasty dispatch urged to doe quickly what they did sith dispatch was the life of the busines noe copies permitted to be taken However it s not to be doubted but that (q) Reve. 2.1 He that walketh amidst the golden candlesticks (r) Reve. 3.4 doeth graciously take knowledge of many names in Cheshire (ſ) 1. King 19.18 it may be 7000 that as (t) Hos 11.12 Iuda doe yet rule with God and are faithfull with the Saints Right honorable there is no feare of your abundant wisdomes in discerning of these greivous Prelaticall maladies nor of your compassionate faithfulnes in applying seasōable remedies sith all mē must needs acknowledge that its (v) 1. King 10.6.7 a true report they have heard of your acts wisdome exceeding the fame thereof (x) Luk. 1.68 Blessed be the Lord God of England that hath visited and redeemed his people (y) Psal 118.2 Let the Churches of the Saints in England Scotland Ireland now say his mercy endureth for ever Let the Non-conformists (z) Psal 83.3 Gods hidden ones in those lands now say his mercy endureth for ever Yee (a) Iudg. 6.12.14 mighty men of valour the Lord hath beene with you hitherto (b) 1. Sam. 17.36 subduing the Lyon the Beare even the High Commission court Starre chamber that did prey upon the flock Goe on in this your might to save from that uncircumcised Philistin the oppressing Hierarchie And let it be (c) 1. Sam. 25.31 noe offence of heart to your Honors to (d) 2. Pet. 1.12 be stirred up to goe forward making the word of God the (e) Psal 119.24 man of your counsell And for your better helpe and (f) Act. 8.31 guidance may it please your Honors to make use of the labors of godly-learned Interpreters that have beene the excellent lights of the Reformed Churches both * Calvin Beza G. Bucer Didoclavius c. abroad also in * Cartwright Traverse Vdal Parker Bayne c. England observing withall the Apostolicall advertisment touching (g) 1. Cor. 11.16 the Custome of the Churches of Christ and their (h) Colos 2.5 comly order even of the purest * Scots French Dutch c. reformed Churches from all Antichristianisme both in doctrine discipline These Reformed Churches have in their citties townes and villages (i) 1. Tim. 4.14 Presbyteries (k) 1. Tim. 5.17 consisting of teaching ruling Elders chosen by the plurality of their voices consented unto by the Congregation approved by the Magistrates and Classis These (l) Act. 20.17.28 Elders doe take heed to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them Overseers They ordaine Officers admit to the Sacraments admonish and censure offenders according to (m) Math. 18.17 Christs rule of discipline and they signify to the Congregation what belongeth to thē to take knowledge of either to consent unto the same or except against it as just cause shall require And in case some difficulty doe appeare in the affaires of the Church that cannot be decided well by the Presbytery thē they have a liberty are wont to appeale (n) Act. 15.2 seeke helpe assistance from the Classis consisting of neighbour Presbyteries called by some also Presbyteries with which they are combined in an equall power authority noe One exercising any prelaticall preeminence And if the matter controverted cannot satisfactorily be determined by the Classis thē there is a referēce to the Provinciall Synod consisting of the Deputies chosē by the severall Classes of equall power authority And if yet agreement be not made then the matter is to be brought to a Nationall Synod cōsisting of Deputies sent frō the Provinciall Synods In their severall Presbyteries Classes Synods Provinciall Nationall they have Presidents and Scribes chosen from amongst themselves for the more orderly menaging of their Sessions And in Synods some cheife Magistrats are present to see order observed This way of Christ walked in by the Reformed Churches is the way of peace liberty edificatiō though carped at by some (o) Iude vers 8.16 that speake evill of what they neither know nor understand And for the more cleere pregnant demonstratiō hereof the following treatise touching the power of Elderships Classes Synods may be of singular use written by an (p) Math. 13.52 able judicious pious Divine instructed to the Kingdome of heaven having beene well studied and diligently exercised in the doctrine practise of discipline above 30 yeeres together whilst he was Pastor of the English reformed Church in Amsterdam where was speciall occasion (q) Matth. 25.20 to put forth his talent by reason of the cheifest of the Separatists that sojourned there at the same time And albeit the Author lived not to finish review his paines yet through divine providence a Timothy (r) 1. Cor. 4.17 who knew his waies trained up in the Scriptures other good learning in Schooles and Vniversity and for present (ſ) 2. Tim. 2.15 a workman that needeth not to be ashamed hath brought the (t) 2. Tim. 4.13

A DEFENCE OF CHVRCH-GOVERNMENT Exercised in PRESBYTERIALL CLASSICALL SYNODALL ASSEMBLIES According to the practise of the Reformed Churches Touching I. The power of a particular Eldership against those that plead for a meere Popular Government specially Mr AINSVVORTH in his Animadversion to Mr Clyft c. II. The authority of Classes and Synods against the Patrons of Independencie answering in this poynt Mr DAVENPORT his Apologeticall Reply c. and Mr CANNE his Churches Plea c sent forth first by W. Best and afterwards for this part of it under the title of Syons Prerogative Royall By IOHN PAGET late able and faithfull Pastour of the Reformed English Church in Amsterdam Hereunto is prefixed an Advertisement to the Parliament wherein are inserted some Animadversions on the Cheshire Remonstrance against Presbytery by T. P. MDCXLI Printed by H. A. for Thomas Vnderhill dwelling at the signe of the Bible in Woodstreet LONDON AN Humble Advertisment to the high Court OF PARLIAMENT Right Honorable and most prudent Patriots IT is the divine observation of Ecclesiastes the Sonne of David King in Ierusalem (a) Eccles 3.1 7. To every thing there is a season A time to keepe silence and a time to speake Truly it hath seemed to be a time to keepe silence in some by-gone yeeres in England when the (b) Amos 5.13 prudent Ministers of God were necessitated to keepe silence through the evill of the times having beene (c) Isa 29.21 made offenders for a word as if their doctrine had beene (d) Amos 7.10 conspiracy against the State and the land not able to beare all their words Howbeit for the English (e) Isa 62.1.6 Zion and Ierusalems sake the Lords remembrancers could not hold their peace nor keepe silence in secret but (f) Isa 26.20 entring into their chambers and shutting the doores about them to hide themselves as it were for a litle moment have powred out their complaints and supplications before the Lord who is (g) Psal 65.2 a God that heareth prayers and (h) Math. 6.6 seeth in secret waiting on him till the indignatiō should be overpast But now it seemeth there is a time to speake in England And (i) Prov. 15.23 a word spokē in due season how good is it sith (k) 1. Cor. 16.9 a great doore effectuall is opened by a longed-for hopefull Parliament Oh how admirable it is even to amazement that the hearts and tongues of the people of God throughout the English nation have beene so graciously enlarged (l) Hos 14.2 in taking words with them not only (m) Zach. 12.12 13 14. in their humiliations apart in families but also on the dayes (n) 2. Chron. 20.3.4 appointed by authority for solemne prayer fasting to (o) Ezr. 8.21 seeke a right way for themselves and for their litle ones and for all their substance speaking and crying unto the Lord (p) Amos 7.5 Cease we beseech thee by whom shall English Iacob arise for he is small Yea and is it not exceedingly marvellous also how after supplicating God in such sort their (q) Act. 17.16 Spirits were stirred in them to speake to your Honors of the cure-all-court of Parliament in their manifold Petitions for Reformatiō contributing votes by thousands of severall Counties And what though (r) 1. Cor. 16.9 there be many adversaries that doe murmur and repine at those (f) Luk. 19.39 40. wel-approved zelots May it not be thought that if they had held their peace the stones would immediately have cryed out The blessed tidings of this reviving state of English affaires spreading abroad in sundry countreys is come also into the Vnited Netherlands to refresh as (t) Prov. 25.25 good news is wont from a farre countrey such of us of the English nation who have been enforced by home-oppressions to seeke for liberty imployment and livelihood as the (v) 2. Chro. 11.13 14. Priests Levites in Israel did on somwhat the like occasion who yet in our measure (x) Ier. 51.50 Psal 137.5 6. remember the Lord afarre of not daring through forgetfulnes to let goe out of minde our most endeared native countrey (y) Psal 122.6.9 Let them prosper that love and seeke the welfare of England Hence your Honors most humble advertiser convinced of not (z) 2. King 7.9 doing well to remaine altogether silēt readily tooke hold on the opportunity of the ensuing treatise as (a) Luk. 19.3 4. Zacheus climbed up into a Sycomore tree to see his Saviour because of the presse and litlenes of his stature to insert a word to be as (b) Mark 12.42 the widows farthing some addition to the great stock of more able qualified seekers of Reformation Most noble and right worthy Sirs It were much to have beene wished t 'had never beene (c) 2. Sam. 1.20 told in Gath that the (d) Psal 12.1 Mic. 7.1 2. godly men have ceased and the faithfull failed in England Woe is us t is too notoriously knowne how that divers worthies of the Lord of b. m. (e) 2. King 2.12 the chariots and horsmen of the English Israel who by (f) Psal 46.4 the christalline streames of pure doctrine made glad the citty of God had their (g) Reve. 11.7 untimely deaths hastened by sharpe tempests of persecution raised against them by the Hierarchie through their Summoning Traducing Reproching Suspending Excommunicating Depriving Fining Imprisoning trampling on them as unsavory salt or as broken and despised vessels cast to the wals Others have beene constrained to provide for their breathing as they could by removing into forraine parts after much suffering at home and thereby exposed to the bitter miseries (h) Psal 56.8 Isa 16.3 4. of wanderers being debarred of the pleasant land of their nativity ancient habitations naturall kinred familiar acquaintance meanes of subsistance accustomed aire and wonted manners of people and instead thereof (i) Ezek. 3.5 6. cast into a land of strangers and of a strange language as a greater aggravation of their most disconsolate condition Yea (k) Psal 44.17 all this come upon them onely for their (l) Act. 24.16 endeavoring to keepe consciences void of offence towards God towards men in refusall of conformity to some superstitious ceremonies subscription to the Canon albeit they never refused to subscribe according to * Stat. Q. Eliz. 13.12 the law of the land whereas otherwise they were orthodoxe and painfull in their ministery and unblamable in their conversation approving themselves to the (m) 2. Cor. 4.2 consciences of their adversaries Moreover they were such as highly prized the Church-assemblies of England and diligently frequented and joyned in the solemne administration of the word Sacraments and prayers so farre as they could free themselves from their owne personall pollutions and defilements as (n) Mat. 23.1 2 3. our Lord Christ directeth in such case A true report of some Prelaticall

There is noe consequence to justify Prelacy hence For 1. Papists pretend the same thing albeit unjustly in the behalfe of their Romish Bishops Hierarchie II. The name of Bishops or Presbyters is oftentimes indifferently by the Fathers attributed to those great lights and Martyrs as is evident in their books sufficiently cleered by Orthodox Writers against the Papists III. Such Bishops as hadia superiority in those times * Ierom. Gomment on Epist to Titus received it from the Church in humane policy not by divine institution V. REMONST asscribeth to Prelates the redemption of the purity of the Gospell now professed in England from Romish corruption ANIMADVERS This assertion seemeth to want the trueth of story For 1. In the booke of Martyrs alledged by the Remonstr the reformation of religion is referred to King Edward himselfe his Counsell Parliamēt II. King Edward approved himselfe better then the best of the Prelates in withstanding toleration of Masse to his sister at the request of the Emperour III. Archb. Cranmer acknowledged to M. Cheke that King Edward had more Divinity in his litle finger then all they had in all their bodies Let the Remonst therfore henceforth take heed of detracting from Kings unjustly to extoll the Bishops unjustly VI. REMONST observeth that divers of the Prelates have beene great assertors of our religion against the common enemies of Rome ANIMADV I. Divers of the Prelates have beene too great friends to Rome as it is famously knowne both heretofore of late also II. The Prelates generally have more vehemently prosecuted the faithfull Ministers refusing conformity to some popish ceremonies albeit of the same religion professed and established in England thē the superstitious idolatrous Papists the grand enemies of the reformed religion II. The Prelates generally doe make use of divers arguments used by Romanists against Protestants for their Hierarchicall discipline Ceremonies IV. The greatest assertors of the reformed religion amongst the Prelates make use against the Papists of the Non-conformists arguments against prelacy superstition V. Non-conformists Ministers of the Reformed Churches where Presbytery is established have approved themselves oppugners of Antichrist to purpose VII REMONST urgeth a continuance of Prelacy sith it is established by the laws of the land ANIMADV I. It somtimes falleth out that (a) 1. King 12.28 29 30 31 32 33. unjust laws are enacted (b) 1. King 16.26 Mic. 6.16 continued in a land professing religiō touching both the Ministery Ceremonies II. Parliaments doe aswell serve to repeale as to enact laws as just cause occasion shall require And accordingly English Parliaments have beene wont to proceed VIII REMONST affirmeth that in the doctrine of the Prelates generally taught nothing is found dissonant from Gods word ANIMADV I. The Prelates generally have taught very seldome soe that it cannot much be taken notice what māner of doctrine they teach Queene Eliz. is reported to say that when she made a Bishop she marred a Preacher ii (c) 2. Cor. 11.13 Deceitfull workers doe somtimes transforme themselves into the Apostles of Christ III. It is well knowne that many of thē their favorites have beene deeply stained with Popish Arminian points IV. The Prelates generally have countenanced Arminians rather then any way opposed them IX REMONSTR suggesteth a danger of tenents preached publickly of printed pamphlets c. ANIMADV I. Such * See above 2. Animadv suggestion against tenents intimated doth not at all reflect on the seekers of Presbyterial government II. Albeit 't were to have beene desired that noe such unwarrantable courses had beene held by preposterous and popular zealots yet it is noe new thing that (d) Math. 13.39 Satā by his instruments should sow tares in Gods wheat field III. Anabaptists in Luthers time were a great scandall to the begun glorious reformation yet not any just ground of prejudice against it X. REMONSTR conceiteth that the 26 Prelates are easily responsall to Parliaments for any of their deviations from the rule of law ANIMADV 1. Deviation that is (e) 2. King 23.15 wholly devious is not at all responsall either to God or rationall men Such a deviation is Prelacy considered as Prelacy in the sense of the * D. Bilson D. Downham D. Hall rigid patrons of it II. Prelates have not beene easily responsall to Parliaments at any time for their deviations in prelacy till this present Parliament III. There are more then 26 Ordinaries that dispense the Civill Canon law viz. Suffraganes Chancellors Cōmissaries Arch-deacons Officials Surrogates Rurall deanes Subdeanes c. IV. It is better to (f) Math. 15.13 roote up the plants which God hath not planted XI REMONST feareth future inconvenience may be found in the government of a numerous Presbytery in England which may consist of neere 40000 Church-governors ANIMADV I. No inconveniēce need be feared in establishing of Christs ordinance II. The errors of Presbyteries in their government are responsall to Classes Synods III. It was the honor of the land (g) 1. Chro. 23.3 4 5. of Israel in King Davids reigne that there were numbred from the age of 30 yeers upward 38000 Church-officers And would it not be the honor of England in the reigne of King Charles to have 40000 Elders to oversee the Lords houses in the daies of the Gospell IV. It is much to be feared such have beene the unhappy fruits of Prelacy that they that should be chosen to oversee in Parishes wil be (h) 2. Chro. 29.34 found too few soe that there wil be great need of uniting or combining severall lesser Parishes adjoyning into one Presbytery XII REMONSTR apprehendeth that presbyterian government may prove to be inconsistent with Monarchie and dangerously conducible to Anarchie ANIMADV I. Monarchie in the civill state and Presbytery being both Gods ordinances are not inconsistent one with another There may be a (i) Matth. 22.21 rendring to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods in one and the same Common-wealth II. King * Basil dor Epist to reader Iames of b. m. knew and found a consistency of Monarchie and Presbytery together in Scotland III. King Charles findeth the same in Scotland at this day IV. The Vnited Netherlands doe finde by experience that Presbytery is noe way conducible to Anarchie But had the reines of Presbytery beene loosed as the Arminians affected what might have ensued may easily be guessed by some begun commotions of that party XIII REMONSTR feareth that the consequents of Presbytery would be the utter losse of learning lawes ANIMADV I. There (k) Psal 53.5 are some that oft feare where noe feare is II. Learning and lawes doe flourish gloriously in the reformed Churches where Presbytery is established III. Prejudice and losse of learning and lawes have in great part beene occasioned by Prelacy For 1. Is it not through the default of Prelates that there are soe many

Congregations let us see what his owne witnesse saith D. Whitaker that is next alledged by him doth by many arguments shew the profit and necessity of Synods and to this end he citeth many (l) DeConc qu. 1. c. 3. p. 15.16 q. 2. c. 3. p. 55 56. places of Scripture both from the old new Testament he alledgeth at large (m) P. 17. c. 7 or 8 causes for which they are profitable and of great use and fruit He speaketh also of such Synods as are not onely for discussing and concluding of matters by way of counsell and advise but of those that have power to (n) P. 21. judge and condemne obstinate offenders by a publick judgement and as occasion requires to anathematise or exclude from the fellowship of the Church he maintaines that those which are lawfully called unto Synods have authority of deciding and determining controversies by (o) Ibid. q. 3. c. 3. p. 95.96 c. definitive sentence or suffrage he saith that (p) DePōtif Rom. qu. 4. p. 470. appeales are of divine and naturall right and cannot be denyed in controversies about Ecclesiasticall causes and persons And thus by the testimony of their owne witnesse my adversaries doe offend both against the law of God and the law of nature in denying appeales and in not allowing the actions and judgements of a particular Congregation to be judicially examined by a Synod or Classis The severall testimonies of D. Whitaker to this purpose are alledged (q) P. 39. 133-141 before and applyed at large to declare his judgement in this controversy Though D. Whit. doe (r) DeCōc q. 5. p. 178. grant as is here alledged against me that Ecclesiasticall authority is in the Church principally primarily and essentially c. he doth not hereby contradict himself or deny the power of Synods where Ministers doe judge by vertue of their calling and deputation from many Churches The authority of Churches is manifested in them and by their service therein The like testimony alledged from Saravia and Schola Parisienfis is (ſ) P. 170. before answered Yea the Schoole of Paris doth sufficiently (t) Schol. Paris p. 1 2. explaine this matter by a fit similitude shewing that Ecclesiasticall authority is in the Church primarily and instrumentally in the Ministers as the power of seeing is in man principally but instrumentally in the eye As man sees by his eye so the Church exerciseth Ecclesiasticall authority by the Ministers and rulers thereof and so judgeth of all crimes and offences The testimony of Bell next alledged is in like manner to be understood Whereas from (v) Regim of Chur. ch 2. sect 4. him they object that Excommunication precisely and chiefly pertaineth to the Church and that she hath authority to commit the execution thereof to some speciall persons for that purpose and chosen for that end this doth no way condemne but rather illustrate our practise agreeable thereunto And that the meaning of this Authour was not repugnant unto us it appeareth more plainely by another of his writings (x) Bells motiv l. 2. c. 4. concl 3. c. where he evidently declares his minde that Synods have power to exercise Ecclesiasticall authority and to proceed judicially with delinquents even to depose excommunicate though it were the Pope himself upon due conviction And to this end he alledges the confession of many Popish writers and farre more truely and uprightly then Mr Canne hath done in this controversie As for D. Willet if he speak but to the same effect with Bell as they say then the same answer may serve But for the place alledged Synops cont 4. qu. 4. p. 2. I finde no such matter there They alledge p. 2. when as there is no second part of that question But in the same booke he gives plaine evidence against them he acknowledgeth Synods to be (y) Synops Papi Cōt 3. qu. 1 p. 105. an wholesome meanes for the repressing and reforming both of errours in religion and corruption in manners he alledgeth the consent of antiquity to prove that our opinion is grounded upon trueth and Scripture namely that those which are lawfully called unto Synods (z) Qu. 3. p. 109.110 have determining voyces and power to give sentence and giveth instance in the Councell of Antioch where Paulus Samosatenus was condemned and cut off as an enemie to the trueth c. he avoucheth that (a) Qu. 7. p. 123. they have authority to judge examine suspend punish and depose c. And thus D. Willet fully accordeth with us in this poynt that there is a superiour power to judge the causes of particular Congregations D. Taylor next alledged affords them no help Whereas he saith that (b) Com. on Tit. 3.10 p. 712. Excommunication is the common action of the Church and not of any private person or persons we also affirme the same thing Our profession and practise alwayes hath bene never to excommunicate any without common consent of our Church but had we done unjustly at any time therein we might justly have bene subject to the censure of a Synod or Classis and yet then also the Ministers and Deputies assembled in the name of many Churches could with no reason be accounted private persons And though we think ourselves bound to ask counsell of the Classis according to the order of these Churches before we proceed to cut off any member of the Church by excommunication this proves no deprivation but a direction of our power Now whether I have just cause to blush for denying to the Churches of God that due power which the Learned of all professions doe grant unto her as Mr Canne and Will Bdoe without blushing (c) Ch. pl. p. 86. charge me let the judicious impartiall Readers judge SECT V. Touching the Testimonies of English Non-conformists VNder the title of this kinde of witnesses they alledge against me the Replyer to D. Downame Mr Parker the Authour of the English Puritanisme D. Ames Mr Baines Mr Bates Mr Fenner Mr Udall the English Church at Franck ford and Mr Hooker These are (d) Ch. pl. p. 86 c. here produced and in another (e) P. 23. place unto which he referres us for the same purpose he cites also the Protestation of the Kings Supremacic D. Fulke and our Country-men in new-New-England For answer hereunto First concerning some of these that seeme to be of Mr Cannes minde in denying the authority of Synods in the government of the Church observe how idlie and superfluously he alledgeth them against me when as he knowes that I my self did acknowledge and note so much before as namely the judgement of (f) Answ to W. B. p. 74. Mr Hooker (g) Ib. p. 27 D. Ames and the Author of the booke entitled English Puritanisme by whom also the Protestation of K. Supremacie is sayd to be written These I have confessed to be opposite unto me in this