Church Unity, Reformed Synods, and Independency (1)

An astute reader of the Standard Bearer in England asks some penetrating questions about Reformed church government (cf. the letter, "Reformed Synods and Independency," elsewhere in this issue). Basically he asks for a defense of the synod, or general assembly as it is called in the Presbyterian churches, in the system of Reformed church government. He is moved to do this by the attack on the synod within Reformed circles today and by instances, real or alleged, of the abuse of their authority...