bring upon them?




CHAPTER XIII.

_Of the Divine Right of Presbyteries, (for distinction's sake called
Classical Presbyteries,) for the government of the Church._


Having spoken of the lesser, viz. congregational elderships, we come now
to the greater ruling assemblies, which are either presbyterial or
synodal. And first, of the presbyterial assembly, or classical
presbytery, viz. an assembly made up of the presbyters of divers
neighboring single congregations, for governing of all those respective
congregations in common, whereunto they belong, in all matters of common
concernment and greater difficulty in the Church. The divine warrant and
right of this presbytery, and of the power thereof for church
government, may principally be evidenced, 1. By the light of nature. 2.
By the light of Scripture, which light of Scripture was followed by the
Church in the ages after the apostolical times.

I. The light of nature and right reason may discover to us (though more
dimly) the divine warrant of the greater presbyteries, and of their
power for the governing of the church. For,

1. There are many ecclesiastical matters which are of common concernment
to many single congregations, as trial of church officers, ordination
and deposition of ministers, dispensation of censures, judicial