A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry

by Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly

First, To the Churches of Christ in other Countries: For most of those places that did thrust out the Popish Religion, and Government, did receive in the Protestant Religion, and Presbyterial-Government. It is not new to the Protestant Reformed Churches in France, Scotland, Netherlands, and Geneva, and divers other places, who have had comfortable experience of this Government, and have enjoyed a great deal of liberty, verity, piety, unity, and prosperity under it: And (which we desire all our respective Congregations seriously to consider) therefore it is (as we humbly conceive) that the framers of our National Covenant did put in these words, And the example of the best Reformed Churches, into the first Article of the Covenant, that thereby they might hint unto us, what that Government was, which is neerest the Word, even that which is now practised in the best Reformed Churches.

2. To the Word of God; but is there to be found in all the substantials of it, as we have briefly shewed already, and some of our own Brethren Ministers of this City, have made to appear at large, in a Book, entituled, The divine Right of the Presbyterial Government. We shall speak a little more to three of the forementioned Substantials of Church-Government: And shall prove,

1. That the Scripture holds forth a Church, consisting of divers Congregations.

2. Synods with Ecclesiastical Authority.

3. Subordination of Congregations unto Synods, together with Appeals thereunto.

1. That the Scripture holds forth a Church consisting of divers Congregations. Such a Church was

The Church of Jerusalem; as appears,

1. By the Multitude of Believers, both before, and after the dispersion (mentioned, Act. 8.1.) Act. 2.41, 46, 47. Act. 4.4. Act. 5.14. Act. 6.1, 7. Act. 9.31. Act. 12.24. Act. 21.20.

2. By the many Apostles, and other Preachers in the Church of Jerusalem: If there were but one Congregation there, each Apostle preached but seldom, which will not consist with Act. 6.2.

3. The diversity of Languages amongst the Believers, mentioned both in the second and sixt Chapters of the Acts, doth argue more Congregations then one in that Church.