Rise and Establishment of Protestantism at Geneva - James Aitken Wylie

congregation, which, through their pastor and
elders, decided on all matters appertaining to
themselves. Thence it passed to the Colloquy,
which adjudicated on general questions, and on
cases of appeal. It proceeded upwards through the
Provincial Conference to the National Synod,
which was the most select body of all, being
constituted of two pastors and two elders from each
province. The National Synod passed sentence in
the last resort, and from its decision there was of
course no appeal.
If the basis of this government was broad,
being composed of the whole body of the people, it
had for its apex the very elite of the clergy and
laity. Liberty was secured, but so too were order,
vigor, and justice. For the decision of the most
important questions it reserved the highest talents
and the maturest wisdom. It combined the
advantages of a democracy with those of a
monarchy. Its foundations were as wide and
popular as the constitution of England, but
counterpoised by the weight and influence of the
National Synod, even as the government of
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