(2663 Yet there two things muff be fuppofed, r. That thePaftors in a fynod are Rill Rectors of their flocks, and their Canons ro them may be more authoritative than a fingle Paftors words: 2. That Gods Law bindeth us to keep love and concord, and the Agreements of Councils maydetermine ofthe matter in alterable points ; and fo even abfeñr and prefent Bifhops may, concordixgratiQ, be obliged by Gods Law to keep fuch canons as aremade for concord, and fo they may be the matter of our duty. Bat Peeing the Church for 3oo years, judgedCouncils to have no proper Governing power over particular Paftors; and' Bifhops, or Patriarchs Tingly had ever lets power than Councils, it followeth that then a Churches Government ofdilparity and fupraordinate Bifh- ops like the civil, or like the ?en's, was not then taken to be ofdivine right,nor then ofany right at all. § 38. And as to the doubt [ whether it began after 30o years to be a prudential duty or at leaf ofïz dejirable J when we hear what is laid on both fides we think it not eafie to judge, either how much in fuch a cafe Chrift path left to humane prudence, nor which way the fcales of prudence herein will ordinarily turn. On one fide it is Paid I. That it is abfurd that there fhould be no appeals for injured perlons to a fuperiour power ; 2. And that the difl'enfions of the Church elfe will be remedilefs, and all will be broken into herefies and reds ; 3. And that Apoftolical menofa higher rank than meer Pres- byters will elle have no convenient opportunity to excercife their Governingpower, if it be not tyed to fixed feats. § 39,
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