censure: but it is a proper authoritative juridical power, which all
within their bounds are obliged reverently to esteem, and dutifully to
submit unto, so far as agreeable to the word of Christ.

4. Finally, this authoritative juridical power of synods is threefold,
viz. _doctrinal, regulating, and censuring_. 1. _Doctrinal_, in
reference to matters of faith, and divine worship; not to coin new
articles of faith, or devise new acts of divine worship: but to explain
and apply those articles of faith and rules of worship which are laid
down in the word, and declare the contrary errors, heresies,
corruptions. Hence the Church is styled, _the pillar and ground of
truth_, 1 Tim. iii. 15. Thus to the Jewish Church _were committed of
trust the oracles of God_, Rom. iii. 2. 2. _Regulating_, in reference to
external order and polity, in matters prudential and circumstantial,
which are determinate according to the true light of nature, and the
general rules of Scripture, such as are in 1 Cor. x. 31, 32; Rom. xiv.;
1 Cor. xiv. 26, 40, &c.; not according to any arbitrary power of men. 3.
_Censuring_ power, in reference to error, heresy, schism, obstinacy,
contempt, or scandal, and the repressing thereof; which power is put
forth merely in spiritual censures, as admonition, excommunication,
deposition, &c. And these censures exercised, not in a lordly,
domineering, prelatical way: but in an humble, sober, grave, yet
authoritative way, necessary both for preservation of soundness of
doctrine, and incorruptness of conversation; and for extirpation of the
contrary. This is the power which belongs to synods. Thus much for
clearing the right state of this question.

II. For the second thing, viz. the proposition itself, and the
confirmation thereof, take it briefly in these terms.