SECTION V. 37 counsel ; but I know not of any natural or scriptural right, that ministers, joined in a synod, have to make new laws for chris- tian churches; nor have singlechristians or congregations any right or leave, much less any obligation, to subject themselves and their consciences to such a dominion ofmen, in things which neither scripture nor nature requires. It is the ready way, by degrees, to put other kings into thekingdomof Christ, who alone is sovereign in his church. It is a dangerous thing for christians to give up themselves to the will of fallible men by such a subjection ; and they will find, by woeful experience, many things, by degrees, imposed upon them, that will nei- ther suit with their conscience or their conveniency, with their own inclination, or their faithful subjection to Christ. What has been the event of this in all ages may justly be again expected, if the same experiment be made. I answer, secondly: 11. If this were once allowed, may not these ministers, thus mettogether in one nation, upon the same principle, depute some of their number to join with such sort of deputation of christiau ministers in other nations, till at last they devolve all their power upon one small assembly or general council, or upon one single person, who may be deputed or appointed to deter- mine for them all ? If these sort of deputations carry any authentic power with them, to make laws for conscience, they may be carried on as far as an universal council, ora Pope, before they stop, and we are at Rome ere we are aware. You will reply perhaps, Is there not some encouragement given to the government of the church by assemblies, councils, convocations, or synods of bishops or elders, in that famous chapter ; Acts xv. where they met about that great question, Whether the heathen converts shouldbe circumcised or no? But the answer to this is very easy : This was not a council of elders or bishops, for here are the brethren of the church at Jerusalem joined together with the apostles and elders ; and besides, that assembly had so much of the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit of God in them, that they could justly pronounce, It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden ; verses 22, 23, 25, 28. Now when persons divinely inspired, as those apostles and elders, andmany of the brethren were, shall meet together for such a purpose, I have nothing to say against their determinations. But let ministers in their councils, in later ages, take heed how they assume lord- ship over conscience, till they are furnishedwith such gifts; and can make such a divine commission appear, as will warrant theirs to say, It appeared good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to appoint so and so. Perhaps it will be replied here, the apostles and in- spired persons knew what was the christian's duty before, and c 3
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