rity, none superior, none
inferior to others.) Now, in these and such like cases, suppose both
parties be resolute and wilful, and will not yield to any bare moral
suasion or advice without some superior authority, what healing is left
in such cases, without the assistance of an authoritative presbytery,
wherein the whole hath power to regulate all the parts?

4. Single congregations, joined in vicinity and neighborhood to one
another, should avoid divisions, (which are destructive to all
societies, as well ecclesiastical as civil,) and maintain peace and
unity among themselves, (which is conservative to all societies;)
neither of which, without associated presbyteries, can be firmly and
durably effected. Both which ought with all diligence to be endeavored.
For, 1. Peace and unity in the Church are in themselves amiable, and
ought to be promoted, Psal. cxxxiii. 1, &c.; Eph. iv. 3, 13; 1 Cor. i.
10. 2. Schisms and divisions are simply evil, and all appearance, cause,
and occasion thereof, ought carefully to be avoided, 1 Cor. xii. 25;
Rom. xvi. 17; 1 Thes. iv. 22. 3. All congregations are but as so many
branches, members, parts of that one church, one body, one family, one
commonwealth, one kingdom, whereof Christ is Head, Lord, and King; and
therefore they should communicate together, and harmoniously incorporate
and associate with one another, (so far as may be,) for the common good,
peace, unity, and edification of all. See 1 Cor. xii. 12-29; Eph. ii.
12-16, and iv. 12-14, and v. 23-25.

II. The light of Scripture will hold forth the divine warrant of greater
presbyteries and their power for church government, far more clearly
than the light of nature. Forasmuch as we find in the Scriptures a
pattern of these greater presbyteries, and of their presbyterial
government over divers single congregations in common in the primitive
apostolical churches. For the greater evidence and perspicuity hereof,
take this proposition:

Jesus Christ our Mediator hath laid down in his word a pattern of
presbyterial government in common over divers single congregations in
one Church, for a rule to his Church in all after ages. For confirmation
hereof, there are chiefly these three positions to make good, which are
comprised in this proposition, viz: 1. That there is in the word a
pattern of divers single congregations in one church. 2. That there is
in the word a pattern of one presbyterial government in common over
divers single con