Page 29
CHAP. VIII.
Whether Antioch, Act. 15. Had right to have ended the con∣troversie amongst themselves, if they had been able; and whether their sending to Jerusalem for helpe, or their knowledge that other Churches were troubled with the like evill, or the party a∣mong themselves who were against the truth, doe prove the contrary. And of supremacy of power in Congregations.
BVt though our Author doe not cleere it to us where the suprema∣cie doth lye yet in this pag 423, and 424. He useth an argument from the practise of the Church of Antioch, Act. 15. And our own Doctrine concerning the same to prove that it doth not lye in the Congregation, which argument we are willing to consider. His words are those. That supremacie of power should bee in a Congregation without any power of appealing, I thinke our Brethren cannot teach. For when the Church of Antioch can∣not judge a matter concerning the necessity of keeping Moses Law, they by Natures direction, Act. 15. 2. Decree to send Paul and Barnabas and others to Jerusalem, to the Apostles and Elders, as to an higher Judicature, that there truth may be determined: and then he addeth that Mr. Tompson and my selfe do teach that the Church of Antioch had jus, power to judge and determine the controversie, but because of the difficulty, had not light to judge thereof (alledging for this in the Margent the answer, Chap. 4. Page 42.) Ergo saith he, they must acknowledge Appeales by Natures light warrantable, as well as wee.
Answ. That appeales are warrantable, and warrantable by Natures light till we come to the supreame judicatorie, this we deny not, but have formerly yeelded no lesse. But for that our Brother here aymes at, viz. Appeales from a Congregatio∣nall Church (as not being supreame) to another Iudicatory, this we conceive is not proved by the example of the Church of Antioch, nor by any thing that we have writ∣ten concerning the same And the reason it because Antioch had right and Authority to have ended the matter amongst themselves if ability had served thereto: and their sending to Ierusalem for helpe may argue want of agreement, or imperfection of light, but argues no want of Authority or right within themselves. For it is plain verse 2,