cyprian_n cum_fw-la episcopo_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la honore_fw-la conjuncti_fw-la the_o presbyter_n join_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o priestly_a honour_n l._n 3._o ep_v 1._o 1._o cypr._n l._n 3._o ep._n 1._o what_o shall_v i_o need_v to_o urge_v how_o often_o in_o the_o ancient_a counsel_n they_o be_v style_v by_o the_o name_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d priest_n and_o how_o by_o those_o venerable_a synod_n they_o have_v the_o office_n and_o employment_n of_o only_a priest_n and_o clergiman_n put_v upon_o they_o our_o two_o learned_a bishop_n d._n bilson_n and_o d._n downam_n have_v so_o clear_v this_o point_n that_o my_o labour_n herein_o will_v be_v but_o superfluous_a i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o their_o unquestionable_a instance_n one_o thing_n let_v i_o add_v not_o unworthy_a of_o observation_n i_o shall_v desire_v no_o other_o author_n to_o confute_v this_o opinion_n of_o the_o lay-presbyterie_a than_o aerius_n himself_o the_o only_a ancient_a enemy_n of_o episcopacy_n what_o be_v a_o bishop_n say_v he_o other_o than_o a_o presbyter_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v but_o one_o order_n one_o honour_n of_o both_o do_v the_o bishop_n impose_v hand_n so_o do_v the_o presbyter_n do_v the_o bishop_n administer_v baptism_n so_o do_v the_o presbyter_n the_o bishop_n dispense_v god_n service_n so_o do_v the_o presbyter_n etc._n etc._n thus_o he_o lo_o there_o be_v but_o one_o profess_a enemy_n to_o bishop_n in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n and_o he_o in_o the_o very_a act_n of_o his_o opposition_n to_o episcopacy_n mar_v the_o fashion_n of_o the_o lay-presbytery_a he_o can_v not_o in_o terminis_fw-la direct_o oppose_v it_o indeed_o how_o shall_v he_o oppose_v that_o which_o never_o be_v but_o he_o attribute_n such_o act_n and_o office_n to_o a_o presbyter_n as_o never_o any_o laic_a dare_v usurp_v such_o as_o never_o be_v never_o can_v be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o that_o be_v not_o consecrate_v to_o god_n by_o a_o holy_a ordination_n have_v this_o man_n then_o but_o dream_v of_o a_o lay-presbytery_a either_o to_o supply_v or_o affront_v episcopacy_n it_o may_v have_v be_v some_o countenance_n at_o least_o to_o the_o age_n of_o this_o invention_n but_o now_o the_o device_n have_v not_o so_o much_o patrocination_n pardon_v a_o harsh_a word_n as_o of_o a_o old_a stigmatick_a yea_o it_o be_v quash_v by_o the_o sole_a and_o only_a marprelate_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n §._o 4._o ambrose_n testimony_n urge_v for_o lay-elders_a full_o answer_v yet_o let_v i_o eat_v my_o word_n betimes_o while_o it_o be_v hot_a there_o be_v a_o holy_a and_o ancient_a bishop_n they_o say_v that_o plead_v for_o a_o lay-presbytery_a and_o who_o shall_v that_o be_v but_o the_o godly_a and_o renown_a archbishop_n and_o metropolitan_a of_o milan_n st._n ambrose_n a_o man_n note_v as_o for_o singular_a sanctimony_n so_o for_o the_o height_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o zeal_n of_o mantain_v the_o right_a of_o his_o function_n and_o what_o will_v he_o say_v 5.1_o amb._n in_o 1._o tim._n 5.1_o vnde_fw-la &_o synagoga_fw-la &_o posteà _fw-la etiam_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la seniores_fw-la habuit_fw-la etc._n etc._n whereupon_o say_v he_o both_o the_o synagogue_n and_o afterward_o the_o church_n also_o have_v certain_a elder_n or_o ancient_a man_n without_o who_o counsel_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n which_o by_o what_o negligence_n it_o be_v now_o out_o of_o use_n i_o know_v not_o except_o perhaps_o it_o be_v by_o the_o sloth_n of_o the_o teacher_n or_o rather_o by_o their_o pride_n for_o that_o they_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v of_o some_o reckon_n alone_o here_o be_v all_o and_o now_o let_v i_o beseech_v my_o reader_n to_o rouse_v up_o himself_o a_o little_a and_o with_o some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a attention_n to_o listen_v to_o this_o evidence_n on_o which_o alone_o for_o any_o likely_a pretence_n of_o antiquity_n so_o a_o great_a cause_n whole_o depend_v and_o first_o let_v he_o hear_v that_o this_o be_v no_o ambrose_n but_o a_o counterfeit_n even_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o great_a favourer_n of_o the_o lay-presbyterie_a eccl._n park_n polit._n eccl._n who_o that_o they_o will_v thus_o easy_o turn_v off_o the_o chief_a if_o not_o the_o only_a countenance_n of_o their_o cause_n it_o be_v to_o i_o a_o wonder_n but_o they_o well_o see_v if_o they_o have_v not_o do_v it_o it_o will_v have_v be_v do_v for_o they_o possevine_n think_v he_o find_v pelagianism_n in_o this_o commentary_n upon_o the_o epistle_n 8._o bellar._n tom._n 4._o the_o amiss_o great_a c._n 5._o &_o l._n 4._o the_o justif_a c._n 8._o both_o whitaker_n and_o bellarmine_n disclaim_v it_o for_o ambrose_n the_o late_a pitch_v it_o upon_o a_o heretic_n even_o the_o same_o which_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o question_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n hilary_n the_o deacon_n and_o the_o former_a do_v little_a other_o while_o he_o cite_v and_o seem_v to_o allow_v the_o censor_n of_o louvain_n to_o this_o purpose_n 19_o maldon_n in_o mat._n 19_o maldonate_fw-it cast_v it_o upon_o remigius_n lugdunensis_n who_o live_v anno_fw-la 870._o far_a from_o any_o authentic_a antiquity_n and_o confident_o say_v no_o man_n that_o ever_o read_v ambrose_n write_n can_v think_v these_o to_o be_v he_o it_o be_v then_o first_o not_o great_a matter_n what_o this_o witness_n say_v but_o yet_o let_v we_o hear_v he_o vnde_fw-la synagoga_fw-la say_v he_o whereupon_o the_o synagogue_n and_o after_o the_o church_n also_o have_v elder_n and_o whereupon_o be_v this_o speak_v i_o beseech_v you_o let_v my_o reader_n but_o take_v the_o before_o go_v word_n with_o he_o and_o see_v if_o he_o can_v forbear_v to_o smile_v at_o the_o conceit_n the_o word_n run_v thus_o upon_o occasion_n of_o saint_n paul_n charge_n rebuke_v not_o a_o elder_a but_o entreat_v he_o as_o a_o father_n etc._n etc._n propter_fw-la honorificentiam_fw-la aetatis_fw-la majorem_fw-la natu_fw-la cum_fw-la mansuetudine_fw-la ad_fw-la bonum_fw-la opus_fw-la provocandum_fw-la etc._n etc._n for_o the_o honour_n of_o age_n the_o elder_a in_o year_n be_v by_o meekness_n to_o be_v provoke_v to_o a_o good_a work_n etc._n etc._n nam_fw-la apud_fw-la omnes_fw-la ubique_fw-la gentes_fw-la honorabilis_fw-la est_fw-la senectus_fw-la for_o say_v he_o among_o all_o nation_n every_o where_o old_a age_n it_o be_v honourable_a and_o so_o infer_v whereupon_o both_o the_o synagogue_n and_o afterward_o the_o church_n have_v certain_a elder_n or_o ancient_a man_n without_o who_o counsel_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n plain_o the_o word_n be_v speak_v of_o a_o elder_a in_o age_n not_o any_o elder_n in_o office_n and_o so_o s._n paul_n word_n import_v too_o for_o it_o follow_v the_o elder_a woman_n as_o mother_n &_o i_o suppose_v no_o man_n will_v think_v s._n paul_n mean_v to_o ordain_v eldress_n in_o the_o church_n thus_o in_o the_o suppose_a ambrose_n all_o run_v upon_o this_o strain_n fort_n here_o be_v honorificentia_fw-la aetatis_fw-la the_o honorificence_n of_o age_n majores_fw-la natu_fw-la honorabilis_fw-la senectus_fw-la no_o intimation_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n but_o you_o will_v say_v here_o be_v mention_n of_o the_o elder_n that_o the_o synagogue_n have_v true_a but_o not_o as_o judge_n but_o only_o as_o age_a person_n who_o experience_n may_v get_v they_o skill_n and_o gravity_n procure_v they_o reverence_n and_o such_o the_o church_n have_v too_o and_o make_v use_v of_o their_o counsel_n and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v quorum_fw-la sine_fw-la consilio_fw-la without_o who_o counsel_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n he_o say_v not_o without_o who_o authority_n these_o then_o for_o aught_o this_o place_n impli_v be_v not_o incorporate_v in_o any_o consistory_n but_o for_o their_o prudence_n advise_v with_o upon_o occasion_n and_o what_o be_v this_o to_o a_o fix_a bench_n of_o lay-presbyters_a or_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o settle_a college_n of_o presbyter_n in_o ancient_a use_n as_o ignatius_n imply_v yet_o where_o be_v the_o lay_n they_o be_v certain_a ancient_a experience_a divine_n who_o upon_o all_o difficult_a occasion_n be_v ready_a to_o give_v their_o advice_n and_o aid_n to_o their_o bishop_n how_o little_a the_o true_a ambrose_n dream_v of_o any_o other_o let_v he_o be_v consult_v in_o his_o noble_a humble_a and_o yet_o stout_a epistile_n 3_o am._n l._n 2._o epist_n 1â—_n 3_o to_o the_o emperor_n valentinian_n where_o that_o worthy_a pattern_n of_o prelate_n well_o show_v how_o ill_o it_o can_v be_v brook_v that_o person_n mere_o laic_a or_o secular_a shall_v have_v any_o hand_n in_o judge_v and_o order_v of_o matter_n spiritual_a yea_o for_o this_o very_a pretend_a ambrose_n how_o far_o he_o be_v from_o think_v of_o a_o lay-presbytery_a let_v himself_o speak_v who_o in_o the_o very_a same_o chapter_n upon_o those_o word_n let_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o he_o count_v worthy_a of_o
episcopacy_n by_o divine_a right_n assert_v by_o jos._n hall._n b._n of_o exon._n in_o domino_fw-la confi_fw-la 〈◊〉_d london_n print_v by_o r.b._n for_o nathanael_n butter_n at_o the_o pidebull_n by_o s._n augustine_n gate_n 1640._o to_o the_o king_n most_o excellent_a majesty_n our_o most_o gracious_a sovereign_a lord_n charles_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n of_o great_a britain_n france_n and_o ireland_n king_n defender_n of_o the_o faith_n etc._n etc._n may_v it_o please_v your_o majesty_n when_o about_o a_o year_n ago_o i_o presume_v to_o tender_v to_o your_o royal_a hand_n some_o few_o short_a proposition_n concern_v church-government_n i_o little_o think_v that_o either_o the_o public_a or_o my_o own_o dioecesan_n occasion_n will_v have_v call_v on_o i_o for_o so_o large_a and_o speedy_a a_o pursuance_n of_o they_o as_o now_o i_o be_o invite_v unto_o episcopacy_n since_o that_o time_n have_v suffer_v in_o the_o north_n even_o to_o the_o height_n of_o patience_n and_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o some_o affront_n within_o my_o own_o jurisdiction_n all_o evil_n especial_o those_o of_o schismâ—_n 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o plâ—gâ—â—_n 〈◊〉_d â—â—â—â—ing_n and_o do_v much_o mischief_n both_o in_o their_o act_n and_o the_o spread_a it_o be_v therefore_o time_n for_o i_o to_o bend_v my_o best_a endeavour_n both_o to_o the_o remedy_n of_o what_o have_v happen_v in_o my_o own_o dioecesse_n and_o prevention_n of_o what_o future_a mischief_n may_v ensue_v and_o long_o i_o sit_v down_o and_o wait_v for_o the_o undertake_n of_o some_o able_a pen_n but_o see_v such_o a_o silence_n in_o so_o needful_a a_o subject_n as_o one_o that_o may_v not_o be_v too_o long_o want_v either_o to_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o common_a cause_n or_o the_o safety_n of_o my_o own_o charge_n i_o have_v thus_o bold_o rush_v forth_o into_o the_o press_n i_o can_v be_v so_o weak_o inconsiderate_a as_o to_o think_v that_o i_o can_v put_v my_o finger_n into_o this_o fire_n and_o not_o be_v scorch_v i_o do_v well_o know_v never_o any_o man_n touch_v upon_o this_o quarrel_n who_o be_v not_o brand_v with_o the_o deep_a censure_n yet_o i_o do_v willing_o sacrifice_v myself_o herein_o to_o god_n and_o his_o truth_n i_o confess_v my_o heart_n burn_v within_o i_o to_o see_v a_o righteous_a cause_n thus_o martyr_v through_o unjust_a prejudice_n and_o to_o see_v some_o honest_a and_o well-minded_a christian_n mislead_v into_o a_o palpable_a error_n under_o the_o pretence_n of_o zeal_n and_o piety_n by_o the_o mere_a name_n of_o two_o or_o three_o late_a author_n not_o more_o learned_a and_o godly_a than_o in_o this_o point_n gross_o mistake_v if_o your_o majesty_n great_a care_n of_o state_n can_v part_v with_o so_o much_o leisure_n as_o to_o peruse_v this_o short_a but_o faithful_a relation_n of_o the_o first_o ground_n and_o original_a of_o this_o unhappy_a division_n in_o the_o church_n it_o may_v please_v your_o majesty_n to_o be_v inform_v that_o when_o petrus_n balma_n the_o last_o bishop_n of_o geneva_n be_v by_o his_o mutine_a citizen_n fright_v and_o drive_v out_o of_o his_o place_n and_o that_o church_n be_v now_o leave_v headless_a farell_n and_o viret_n two_o zealous_a preacher_n there_o devise_v and_o set_v up_o a_o new_a platform_n of_o church-government_n never_o before_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o christian_a world_n themselves_o will_v supply_v the_o bishop_n and_o certain_a burgess_n of_o the_o city_n shall_v supply_v his_o assistant_n clergy_n and_o both_o these_o together_o will_v make_v up_o the_o body_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n or_o consistory_n this_o strange_a bird_n thus_o hatch_v by_o farell_n and_o viret_n be_v afterward_o brood_a by_o two_o more_o famous_a successor_n and_o all_o this_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o present_a age_n now_o have_v this_o form_n be_v at_o first_o devise_v only_o out_o of_o need_n for_o a_o present_a shift_n contain_v itself_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o lemane_n lake_n it_o may_v have_v be_v there_o retain_v with_o either_o the_o connivance_n or_o pity_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o now_o find_v itself_o to_o grow_v in_o some_o place_n through_o the_o fame_n of_o the_o abettor_n into_o request_n and_o good_a success_n it_o have_v take_v the_o boldness_n to_o put_v itself_o forth_o to_o the_o notice_n and_o approbation_n of_o some_o neighbour_n church_n and_o some_o there_o be_v which_o i_o bless_v myself_o to_o see_v that_o have_v take_v such_o like_n to_o it_o that_o they_o have_v affect_v a_o voluntary_a conformity_n thereunto_o and_o be_v weary_a of_o that_o old_a form_n of_o administration_n which_o have_v without_o contradiction_n continue_v in_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o bless_a apostle_n of_o christ_n inclusive_o until_o this_o present_a age_n be_v not_o only_o eager_a out_o of_o their_o credulity_n to_o erect_v this_o new_a frame_n but_o dare_v venditate_fw-la it_o to_o the_o world_n after_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n deep_a silence_n for_o the_o very_a ordinance_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n whereas_o if_o any_o live_a man_n can_v show_v any_o one_o lay_v presbyter_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n till_o farell_n and_o viret_n first_o create_v he_o let_v i_o forfeit_v my_o reputation_n to_o shame_n and_o my_o life_n to_o justice_n this_o be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o this_o woeful_a quarrel_n wherein_o i_o can_v but_o hearty_o pity_v the_o misguidance_n of_o many_o well-meaning_a soul_n of_o your_o majesty_n subject_n which_o be_v impetuous_o carry_v away_o in_o the_o throng_n by_o the_o mere_a sway_n of_o name_n and_o tyranny_n of_o a_o ignorant_a zeal_n not_o be_v so_o much_o as_o suffer_v to_o know_v where_o they_o be_v or_o on_o what_o ground_n they_o go_v the_o fervent_a desire_n of_o who_o reclamation_n as_o of_o the_o settlement_n of_o other_o who_o the_o ill_a condition_n of_o the_o time_n may_v cause_v to_o stagger_v have_v put_v my_o pen_n upon_o this_o envious_a but_o necessary_a task_n whereto_o also_o my_o zeal_n be_v the_o more_o stir_v by_o a_o information_n which_o i_o receive_v from_o the_o late_a meeting_n at_o edinburgh_n in_o the_o eight_o session_n whereof_o it_o be_v report_v that_o one_o m._n g._n grahame_n bishop_n of_o orkney_n have_v open_o before_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o assembly_n renounce_v his_o episcopal_a function_n and_o crave_v pardon_n for_o have_v accept_v it_o as_o if_o thereby_o he_o have_v commit_v some_o heinous_a offence_n this_o uncouth_a act_n of_o his_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o inflame_v any_o dutiful_a son_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o occasion_v this_o my_o ensue_a most_o just_a expostulation_n only_o i_o have_v need_v to_o crave_v pardon_n of_o your_o majesty_n for_o the_o boldness_n of_o this_o interpellation_n that_o i_o have_v dare_v to_o move_v your_o majesty_n to_o descend_v so_o low_a as_o to_o take_v view_n of_o this_o on_o my_o part_n so_o confident_o undertake_v duel_n although_o if_o the_o combatant_n be_v single_a yet_o the_o cause_n be_v so_o common_a as_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o god_n claim_v her_o interest_n in_o it_o but_o your_o majesty_n long-knowne_a goodness_n incourage_v i_o to_o this_o presumption_n and_o withal_o i_o can_v not_o but_o have_v some_o due_a regard_n to_o that_o right_n and_o propriety_n which_o your_o majesty_n may_v just_o challenge_v in_o all_o the_o labour_n of_o this_o kind_n from_o who_o pen_n soever_o as_o be_v under_o god_n appoint_v the_o great_a patron_n of_o all_o divine_a truth_n the_o great_a guardian_n and_o protector_n of_o these_o part_n of_o his_o church_n upon_o earth_n who_o true_a ancient_a and_o apostolical_a government_n be_v here_o question_v and_o who_o deserve_a devotion_n and_o faithful_a prayer_n shall_v be_v continual_o pour_v out_o to_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n for_o your_o majesty_n long_a and_o happy_a preservation_n among_o which_o shall_v be_v due_o pay_v the_o daily_a tribute_n of_o your_o majesty_n most_o humble_a loyal_a and_o zealous_o devote_a subject_n and_o servant_n jos_n exon._n the_o content_n the_o first_o part._n §_o 1_o a_o expostulatorie_a entrance_n into_o the_o question_n page_n 1_o §_o 2_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o foreign_a church_n and_o divine_n from_o those_o of_o our_o northern_a neighbour_n page_n 6_o §_o 3_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o german_a reformer_n concern_v the_o retention_n of_o episcopacy_n page_n 10_o §_o 4_o the_o attestation_n of_o foreign_a divine_n to_o our_o episcopacy_n page_n 14_o §_o 5_o the_o particularity_n of_o the_o difference_n of_o our_o freedom_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o a_o monarchical_a reformation_n page_n 17_o §_o 6_o the_o project_n and_o drift_n of_o the_o treatise_n follow_v page_n 27_o §_o 7_o the_o first_o ground_n or_o postulate_v that_o government_n who_o foundation_n
ministerial_a charge_n we_o make_v use_v of_o these_o term_n wherewith_o the_o great_a antiquity_n have_v furnish_v we_o the_o old_a canon_n name_v apostolical_a make_v frequent_a mention_n of_o it_o the_o bless_a martyr_n old_a ignatius_n as_o in_o other_o place_n so_o especial_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o they_o of_o smyrna_n which_o we_o have_v already_o cite_v be_v clear_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n let_v the_o laic_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o deacon_n the_o deacon_n to_o the_o presbyter_n etc._n etc._n and_o before_o he_o the_o holy_a martyr_n clement_n b._n of_o rome_n as_o we_o have_v former_o allege_v a_o lay_v man_n be_v bind_v to_o laic_a precept_n and_o yet_o before_o he_o aâ—_n so_o i_o for_o my_o part_n be_o confident_a that_o st._n peter_n who_o this_o man_n succeed_v both_o in_o his_o chair_n and_o martyrdom_n mean_v no_o other_o when_o he_o charge_v his_o fellow_n bishop_n that_o they_o shall_v feed_v their_o flock_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o domineer_a over_o their_o clergy_n 5.3_o 1_o pet._n 5.3_o for_o the_o word_n be_v plural_a not_o as_o if_o it_o be_v clero_fw-la but_o clericis_fw-la and_o in_o the_o verse_n before_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o very_a act_n of_o episcopacy_n those_o that_o will_v have_v it_o take_v otherwise_o be_v fain_o to_o add_v a_o word_n of_o their_o own_o to_o the_o text_n read_v it_o god_n heritage_n where_o as_o the_o original_a be_v mere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d perfecy_o to_o this_o sense_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o ataxy_n to_o be_v fear_v in_o bring_v in_o this_o distinction_n betwixt_o pastor_n and_o flock_n it_o be_v a_o eutaxie_n rather_o and_o such_o as_o without_o which_o nothing_o can_v ensue_v but_o confusion_n if_o these_o man_n than_o be_v spiritual_a and_o sacred_a person_n why_o do_v they_o not_o challenge_v it_o if_o laicke_n why_o be_v they_o ashamed_a of_o it_o if_o betwixt_o both_o let_v they_o give_v themselves_o that_o title_n which_o bernard_n give_v himself_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o his_o force_a forbearance_n of_o his_o canonical_a devotion_n ego_fw-la tanquam_fw-la chimaera_n quaedam_fw-la mei_fw-la seculi_fw-la here_o than_o you_o seduce_v brethren_n that_o go_v all_o upon_o trust_n for_o the_o strong_a belief_n of_o a_o lay-presbytery_n your_o credulity_n have_v palpable_o abuse_v you_o it_o be_v true_a this_o advantage_n you_o have_v that_o the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o late_a device_n be_v man_n of_o great_a note_n in_o their_o time_n but_o man_n still_o and_o herein_o they_o show_v it_o too_o well_o that_o for_o their_o own_o end_n they_o not_o only_o invent_v such_o a_o government_n as_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o in_o any_o christian_a church_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n before_o they_o but_o also_o find_v out_o some_o pretence_n of_o scripture_n never_o before_o to_o understand_v whereupon_o to_o father_n their_o so_o new_a and_o now_o plausible_a erection_n §._o 2._o no_o lay-elder_n ever_o mention_v or_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o world_n till_o this_o present_a age_n the_o text_n of_o scripture_n particularise_v to_o the_o contrary_n and_o that_o you_o may_v not_o think_v this_o to_o be_v some_o bold_a unwarrant_v suggestion_n from_o a_o unadvised_a adversary_n let_v i_o tender_v this_o fair_a offer_n to_o you_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a and_o long_a task_n for_o a_o man_n to_o prove_v negative_n let_v any_o of_o your_o most_o learned_a and_o confident_a teacher_n produce_v but_o the_o name_n of_o any_o one_o lay-presbyter_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n until_o this_o present_a age_n i_o shall_v yield_v the_o cause_n and_o live_v and_o die_v they_o we_o find_v in_o common_a experience_n that_o we_o apprehend_v thing_n according_a to_o our_o own_o prepossession_n jaundise_v eye_n seem_v to_o see_v all_o object_n yellow_a blood-shoten_a red_a it_o be_v no_o marvel_n if_o those_o who_o have_v mancipate_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o who_o they_o over-admire_a and_o have_v lend_v their_o eye_n out_o of_o their_o own_v head_n wheresoever_o they_o find_v mention_n of_o a_o elder_a in_o the_o new_a testament_n think_v present_o of_o a_o lay-presbytery_n like_o that_o man_n in_o erasmus_n who_o persuade_v himself_o he_o see_v a_o strange_a dragon_n in_o the_o air_n because_o his_o friend_n confident_o point_v to_o it_o and_o seem_v to_o wonder_v at_o his_o not_o see_v it_o but_o those_o who_o with_o unpartial_a and_o unprejudiced_a heart_n shall_v address_v themselves_o to_o the_o book_n of_o god_n and_o with_o a_o careful_a sincerity_n compare_v the_o scripture_n shall_v find_v that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n elder_a or_o presbyter_n be_v in_o a_o evangelicall_n sense_n use_v in_o the_o holy_a epistle_n or_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n excep_v it_o be_v in_o some_o few_o place_n where_o eldership_n of_o age_n may_v be_v mean_v it_o be_v only_o and_o altogether_o take_v for_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v if_o i_o reckon_v right_a some_o two_o and_o twenty_o place_n where_o the_o word_n be_v mention_v be_v it_o not_o too_o long_o to_o take_v they_o into_o particular_a examination_n i_o shall_v glad_o scan_v they_o all_o some_o we_o will_v let_v we_o begin_v with_o the_o last_o 1._o 2_o joh._n 1._o 3_o joh._n 1._o the_o elder_a unto_o the_o well-beloved_a gaius_n and_o the_o elder_a to_o the_o elect_a lady_n 1._o 3_o joh._n 1._o what_o elder_a be_v this_o be_v it_o not_o the_o holy_a and_o dear_a apostle_n st._n john_n the_o elder_n which_o be_v among_o you_o i_o exhort_v who_o be_o also_o a_o elder_a etc._n etc._n feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n which_o be_v among_o you_o say_v saint_n peter_n 5.1_o 1_o pet_n 5.1_o lo_o such_o a_o elder_a as_o saint_n peter_n such_o be_v they_o who_o he_o exhort_v their_o title_n be_v one_o their_o work_n be_v one_o i_o suppose_v no_o lay-elder_n will_v take_v upon_o he_o this_o charge_n of_o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o christ_n with_o saint_n peter_n and_o if_o beza_n will_v feign_v out_o of_o favour_n to_o their_o new_a erection_n strain_v the_o word_n so_o far_o as_o to_o feed_v by_o government_n yet_o it_o be_v so_o quite_o against_o the_o hair_n that_o calvin_n himself_o and_o chamier_n and_o moulin_n and_o who_o not_o do_v every_o where_o contra-distinguish_a their_o pastor_n to_o their_o roll_a elder_n and_o for_o the_o place_n in_o hand_n calvin_n be_v clear_o we_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n say_v he_o can_v be_v feed_v but_o with_o pure_a doctrine_n quae_fw-la sola_fw-la spiritual_fw-la est_fw-la pabulum_fw-la be_v any_o man_n sick_a among_o you_o say_v st._n james_n 3â—_n james_n 5_o 3â—_n let_v he_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o let_v they_o pray_v over_o he_o anoint_v he_o with_o oil_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o prayer_n of_o faith_n shall_v save_v the_o sick_a be_v these_o lay-elders_a think_v we_o who_o the_o apostle_n require_v to_o be_v call_v for_o who_o must_v comfort_v the_o sick_a cure_v he_o by_o their_o prayer_n anoint_v he_o with_o their_o miraculous_a oil_n for_o recovery_n let_v i_o ask_v then_o be_v there_o no_o spiritual_a pastor_n no_o minister_n among_o they_o and_o if_o there_o be_v such_o be_v it_o likely_a or_o fit_a they_o shall_v stand_v by_o while_o lay-man_n do_v their_o spiritual_a service_n beside_o be_v they_o lay-hand_n to_o which_o this_o power_n of_o miraculous_a cure_n by_o anoint_v the_o sick_a be_v then_o commit_v sure_o if_o we_o consult_v with_o s._n mark_v we_o shall_v find_v they_o sacred_a person_n such_o lip_n and_o such_o hand_n must_v cure_v the_o sick_a so_o than_o the_o elder_n of_o s._n john_n s._n peter_n s._n james_n be_v certain_o pastor_n and_o minister_n and_o what_o other_o be_v s._n paul_n for_o this_o cause_n say_v he_o to_o titus_n i_o leave_v thou_o in_o crete_n that_o thou_o shall_v set_v in_o order_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v and_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n what_o elder_n be_v those_o the_o next_o word_n shall_v tell_v you_o if_o any_o be_v blameless_a the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n have_v faithful_a child_n etc._n etc._n for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a as_o the_o steward_n of_o god_n lo_o s._n paul_n elder_a here_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o bishop_n even_o then_o as_o the_o father_n observe_v every_o bishop_n be_v a_o presbyter_n and_o though_o not_o every_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n yet_o every_o presbyter_n a_o sacred_a and_o spiritual_a person_n such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v capable_a of_o holy_a ordination_n thus_o may_v we_o easy_o pass_v through_o all_o these_o text_n wherein_o there_o be_v any_o mention_n of_o presbyter_n one_o only_a place_n there_o be_v that_o may_v to_o a_o fore-inclined_n mind_n seem_v
reader_n see_v on_o what_o shelf_n of_o sand_n this_o late_a allobrogicall_a device_n be_v erect_v short_o then_o let_v the_o abettor_n of_o the_o discipline_n pretend_v lay_v their_o head_n together_o and_o agree_v what_o it_o be_v that_o we_o may_v trust_v to_o for_o christ_n ordinance_n and_o that_o once_o do_v let_v they_o expect_v our_o condescent_n till_o then_o and_o we_o shall_v desire_v no_o long_o let_v they_o forbear_v to_o gild_v their_o own_o fancy_n with_o the_o glorious_a name_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n §._o 6._o the_o imperfection_n and_o defect_n which_o must_v needs_o be_v yield_v to_o follow_v upon_o the_o discipline_n pretend_v and_o the_o necessary_a inconvenience_n that_o must_v attend_v it_o in_o a_o kingdom_n otherwise_o settle_v this_o uncertainty_n of_o opinion_n can_v choose_v but_o produce_v a_o answerable_a imperfection_n in_o the_o practice_n while_o some_o church_n which_o hold_v themselves_o in_o a_o parochial_a absoluteness_n necessary_o furnish_v with_o all_o the_o equipage_n of_o discipline_n must_v needs_o find_v those_o defective_a which_o want_v it_o so_o as_o the_o genevian_n and_o french_a church_n and_o those_o of_o their_o correspondence_n which_o go_v all_o by_o division_n of_o presbytery_n must_v needs_o by_o our_o late_a reformer_n be_v find_v to_o come_v short_a of_o that_o perfection_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n which_o themselves_o have_v attain_v those_o church_n which_o have_v no_o doctor_n those_o which_o have_v no_o deacon_n those_o which_o have_v no_o widow_n what_o case_n be_v they_o in_o and_o how_o few_o have_v all_o these_o neither_o be_v the_o imperfection_n more_o palpable_a and_o fatal_a where_o these_o ordinance_n be_v miss_v then_o be_v the_o absurdity_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o entertain_v they_o where_o they_o be_v wish_v to_o be_v for_o howsoever_o where_o some_o new_a state_n be_v to_o be_v erect_v especial_o in_o a_o popular_a form_n or_o a_o new_a city_n to_o be_v contrive_v with_o power_n of_o make_v their_o own_o law_n there_o may_v perhaps_o be_v some_o possibility_n of_o comply_v in_o way_n of_o polycie_n with_o some_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o this_o pretend_a church-government_n yet_o certain_o in_o a_o monarchiall_a state_n full_o settle_v and_o a_o kingdom_n divide_v into_o several_a township_n and_o village_n some_o whereof_z be_v small_a and_o far_o distant_a from_o the_o rest_n no_o humane_a wit_n can_v comprehend_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a without_o a_o utter_a subversion_n to_o reduce_v it_o to_o these_o term_n i_o shall_v take_v leave_n to_o instance_n in_o some_o particular_n the_o strong_a inexpedience_n and_o difficulty_n whereof_o will_v arise_v to_o little_o less_o than_o either_o gross_a absurdity_n or_o utter_a impossibility_n can_v it_o therefore_o be_v possible_a in_o such_o a_o kingdom_n as_o our_o happy_a england_n be_v where_o there_o be_v thousand_o of_o small_a village-parishâ—s_a i_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o plot_n of_o our_o own_o laâ—est_a reformer_n for_o every_o parish_n to_o furnish_v a_o ecclesiastical_a cozen_n tory_n consist_v of_o one_o or_o more_o pastor_n a_o doctor_n elder_n deacon_n perhaps_o there_o be_v not_o so_o many_o house_n as_o office_n be_v require_v and_o who_o shall_v they_o then_o be_v judge_n of_o and_o some_o of_o these_o so_o far_o remote_a from_o neighbour_n that_o they_o can_v participate_v of_o they_o either_o teach_v or_o censure_v and_o if_o this_o be_v faisible_a what_o stuff_n will_v there_o be_v perhaps_o a_o young_a indiscreet_a giddy_a pastor_n and_o for_o a_o doctor_n who_o and_o where_o and_o what_o john_n a_o nokes_n and_o john_n a_o style_n the_o elder_n smug_n the_o smith_n a_o deacon_n and_o who_o or_o what_o shall_v these_o rule_n but_o themselves_o and_o their_o plougshare_n and_o what_o censure_n trow_v we_o will_v this_o grave_a consistory_n inflict_v what_o decision_n will_v they_o make_v of_o the_o doubt_n and_o controversy_n of_o their_o parish_n what_o order_n of_o government_n for_o even_o this_o parochial_a church_n have_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n if_o any_o of_o the_o fautor_n of_o the_o desire_a discipline_n dare_v deny_v thiâ—_n let_v he_o lookâ—_n to_o argue_v the_o case_n with_o his_o best_a friend_n who_o all_o be_v for_o this_o or_o nothing_o else_o what_o mean_v cartwright_n to_o say_v that_o in_o such_o case_n god_n power_v out_o his_o gift_n upon_o man_n call_v to_o these_o function_n and_o make_v they_o all_o new_a man_n here_o be_v no_o miracle_n to_o be_v expect_v no_o enthusiasm_n a_o honest_a â—_o hatcher_n will_v know_v how_o to_o hand_n his_o straw_n no_o whit_n better_o after_o his_o election_n than_o he_o do_v before_o and_o be_v as_o deep_o politic_a before_o as_o now_o and_o equal_o wise_a and_o devout_a though_o perhaps_o he_o may_v take_v upon_o he_o some_o more_o state_n and_o gravity_n than_o he_o former_o do_v and_o what_o a_o mad_a world_n will_v it_o be_v that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n of_o such_o a_o company_n shall_v be_v like_o those_o of_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n irrevocable_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o appeal_n from_o they_o for_o as_o for_o class_n and_o synod_n they_o may_v advise_v in_o case_n of_o doubt_n but_o over-rule_v they_o may_v not_o and_o if_o a_o king_n shall_v by_o occasion_n of_o his_o court_n fix_v in_o some_o such_o obscure_a parish_n fall_v into_o the_o censure_n even_o of_o such_o a_o consistory_n or_o presbytery_n where_o be_v he_o excommunicable_a he_o be_v with_o they_o and_o what_o then_o may_v follow_v let_v a_o buchanan_n speak_v now_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o a_o hockley_n in_o the_o hole_n or_o as_o cartwright_n please_v to_o instance_n a_o hitchin_n or_o newington_n can_v yield_v we_o choice_n of_o such_o a_o worthy_a senate_n yet_o whence_o shall_v the_o maintenance_n arise_v sure_o as_o the_o host_n say_v upon_o occasion_n of_o a_o guest_n with_o too_o many_o title_n we_o have_v not_o meat_n for_o so_o many_o 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bosom_n of_o that_o church_n deus_fw-la omen_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n what_o be_v it_o what_o can_v it_o be_v that_o be_v thus_o stand_v upon_o be_v it_o the_o very_a name_n of_o episcopacy_n which_o like_o that_o of_o tarquin_n in_o rome_n be_v condemn_v to_o a_o perpetual_a disuse_n what_o have_v the_o innocent_a word_n offend_v your_o own_o church_n after_o the_o reformation_n can_v well_o be_v content_v to_o admit_v of_o superintendent_o and_o what_o difference_n be_v here_o as_o zanchius_n well_o but_o that_o good_a greek_a be_v turn_v into_o ill_a latin_a superintendens_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d superintendens_n their_o power_n by_o your_o own_o allowance_n and_o enact_v be_v the_o same_o with_o your_o bishop_n their_o diocese_n according_o divide_v their_o residence_n fix_v viz._n the_o superintendent_n of_o orkney_n his_o dioecesse_n shall_v be_v the_o isle_n of_o orkney_n catnesse_n and_o strathnever_n his_o residence_n
in_o the_o town_n of_o kirkwall_n the_o superintendent_n of_o rosse_n his_o dioecesse_n shall_v comprehend_v rosse_n sutherland_n murray_n and_o the_o north_n isle_n call_v the_o sky_n and_o lewes_n with_o their_o adjacent_n his_o residence_n shall_v be_v the_o canonry_n of_o rosse_n the_o superintendent_n of_o argile_n his_o dioecesse_n shall_v be_v argile_n kintire_n lorne_n the_o south_n isle_n argile_n and_o boot_n with_o their_o adjacent_n his_o residence_n be_v at_o argile_n the_o like_a of_o the_o superintendent_n of_o aberdene_n the_o superintendent_n of_o breckin_n the_o superintendent_n of_o fife_n the_o superintendent_n of_o edinburgh_n the_o superintendent_n of_o jedburgh_n the_o superintendent_n of_o glasgow_n the_o superintendent_n of_o dumfreys_n all_o of_o they_o bound_v with_o their_o several_a jurisdiction_n which_o who_o desire_v to_o know_v particular_o may_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o learned_a discourse_n of_o d_o lindsey_n than_o bishop_n of_o brechen_fw-ge concern_v the_o proceed_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o perth_n where_o he_o shall_v also_o find_v the_o particularity_n of_o the_o function_n and_o power_n of_o these_o superintendent_o among_o the_o rest_n these_o that_o they_o have_v power_n to_o plant_v and_o erect_v church_n to_o set_v order_n and_o appoint_v minister_n in_o their_o country_n that_o after_o they_o have_v remain_v in_o their_o chief_a town_n three_o or_o four_o month_n they_o shall_v enter_v into_o their_o visitation_n in_o which_o they_o shall_v not_o only_o preach_v but_o examine_v the_o life_n diligence_n and_o behaviour_n of_o the_o minister_n as_o also_o they_o shall_v try_v the_o estate_n of_o their_o church_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o people_n they_o must_v consider_v how_o the_o poor_a be_v provide_v and_o the_o youth_n instruct_v they_o must_v admonish_v where_o admonition_n need_v and_o redress_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o appease_v they_o must_v note_v such_o crime_n as_o be_v heinous_a that_o by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n the_o same_o may_v be_v correct_v and_o now_o what_o main_a difference_n i_o beseech_v you_o can_v you_o find_v betwixt_o the_o office_n of_o these_o superintendent_o and_o the_o present_a bishop_n how_o come_v it_o then_o about_o that_o the_o wind_n be_v thus_o change_v that_o those_o church-governors_n which_o your_o own_o reformer_n with_o full_a consent_n allow_v and_o set_v down_o a_o order_n for_o their_o election_n in_o your_o constitution_n before_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n in_o meeter_n shall_v now_o be_v cashier_v there_o and_o then_o m._n knox_n himself_o who_o name_n you_o profess_v to_o honour_n by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n conceive_v public_a prayer_n for_o m._n john_n spotteswood_n then_o admit_v superintendent_n of_o lothian_n in_o these_o word_n o_o lord_n send_v upon_o this_o our_o brother_n unto_o who_o we_o do_v in_o thy_o name_n commit_v the_o chief_a charge_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o division_n of_o lothian_n such_o a_o portion_n of_o thy_o holy_a spirit_n as_o that_o etc._n etc._n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n bless_v his_o new_a superintendent_n thus_o god_n that_o have_v call_v thou_o to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o watchman_n over_o his_o people_n multiply_v the_o gift_n of_o his_o grace_n in_o thou_o etc._n etc._n now_o i_o beseech_v you_o how_o be_v this_o superintendency_n lose_v that_o which_o be_v then_o both_o lawful_a and_o useful_a and_o confess_v for_o no_o other_o than_o a_o call_n from_o god_n be_v it_o now_o become_v sinful_a and_o odious_a be_v we_o become_v so_o much_o wise_a and_o more_o zealous_a than_o our_o first_o reformer_n as_o there_o be_v distance_n betwixt_o a_o superintendent_n and_o no_o bishop_n but_o what_o be_v it_o the_o stroke_n the_o bishop_n have_v in_o government_n and_o their_o seat_n in_o parliament_n which_o be_v so_o great_a a_o eyesore_n let_v i_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n that_o your_o great_a patron_n of_o your_o desire_a discipline_n have_v strong_o motion_v a_o ecclesiastical_a commission_n for_o the_o overlook_a and_o overrule_a your_o consistory_n and_o even_o when_o they_o will_v have_v bishop_n exclude_v both_o out_o of_o those_o comitiall_a session_n mot._n move_v also_o to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o counsel_n in_o q_o eliz._n time_n by_o the_o humble_a mot._n and_o out_o of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v move_v such_o be_v beza_n device_n long_o since_o for_o scotland_n that_o in_o the_o place_n of_o bishop_n there_o may_v be_v present_a in_o the_o parliamenthouse_n some_o wise_a and_o grave_a minister_n of_o special_a gift_n and_o learning_n sort_v out_o of_o all_o the_o land_n to_o yield_v their_o counsel_n according_a to_o god_n heavenly_a law_n even_o as_o the_o civil_a judge_n be_v ready_a to_o give_v their_o advice_n according_a to_o the_o temporal_a law_n and_o for_o matter_n of_o great_a difficulty_n what_o a_o world_n be_v this_o grave_a and_o wise_a minister_n and_o yet_o no_o bishop_n 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you_o my_o soul_n for_o they_o which_o obey_v their_o bishop_n presbyter_n deacon_n god_n grant_v that_o my_o portion_n may_v be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o and_o let_v my_o soul_n have_v the_o same_o share_n with_o that_o bless_a martyr_n that_o say_v so_o amen_n finis_fw-la