Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	act_n	bishop_n	presbyter_n	3,131	5	10.0517	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A55680	Presbyterial government described, or, A methodical synopsis of it, as it is professed and practized in the Church of Scotland gathered out of the confessions of faith, and other publick records of that church ... / by Britannus Philopresbyter.	Clark, James, 1660-1723.; Philopresbyter, Britanus.	1695 (1695)	Wing P3222; ESTC R33950	9,179	14

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 potestas Right and Authoritie for intermeddling ex officio in sacred things but also the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 potentia Abilities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qualifyeing them for their Office comes from his favour and fulness 6 As the Roman Catholick pretention of a visible vi●carious Monarch is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be abjured neither can the Morrellian Democracie be received which cannot well avoid Anarchie and confusion where all are promiscuously and reciprocallie the Rulers and the Ruled therefore these two extreams being both quarrelable Presbyterial Aristocracie headed by the Mediator the only Monarch of the Church as said is seems to be that well tempered mode of Government most favoured by the Scriptures if moderatly and wisely mannadged by the Rulers of it very probably may be entertained with more Universal favour among men Act Ass p 107. 7. That Power which the Mediator hath dispenced unto his Officers is by his will and Wisdom shared in such a Just paritie as that they are all made Peers in Power and Authority none being Superior in Order degree or Jurisdiction to another but all subject and accountable to the Arch-Pastor and Bishop of Souls whose Stewards Servants and Ministers they are having and holding their Commission alone from him Whence all Despotick or Lordly Magisterial Power among Gospel Ministers is utterly to be avoided and abandoned as being not by Divine disposition but Human composition Act Ass Dimd 1580. 2. B Disc 72.74 Act. Ass Dec 8. 1638. 8. The Ordinarie Office-bearers in the Church which GOD hath appointed to continue to the end of the World extraordinarie now ceasing are Doctors Presbyters and Deacons Doctors are commonly ranked with the Preaching Elders Teaching Preaching and Ruling pertaining to them both as they are qualified so to labour Doctors being likewise useful in Schools and Universities for training up Students of Theologie As for Presbyters or Elders they are either such as labour in the word and Doctrine and also Rule whom they call promiscuously Pastors Ministers or Bishops Or such as only Rule being Members Constituent of Ecclesiastick Judicatories concurring Authoritatively with Ministers in matters of Rule and Discipline To these they appropriate the name of Ruling Elders As for Deacons they have no Authority in Courts but in Counts they have being concerned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Church Collections and provisions for the poor and the like Genev form j B Disc 55.2 B Disc 74.77 Ass Direc 3. c. Act Ass 32. 9. The Tittle of Bishop mentioned in the Scripture it is Identical and of the same latitude and import with Presbyter or Pastor both as to the nature of the Office designed by these different Synonymous Appellations and as to the Pastoral work incumbent to those who are vested with the Office 2 B Dis 76.86 Act. Ass 1638.32 10. The intermediate Ordinary way of Communicating and Participating the Pastorial Power and the exercise of it is by the Election of the People either represented in the Eldership who usually are their own choice for eviting the confusion of the Multitude Or Virtually by every indevidual man through their consent having free access to dissent if they produce any relevant reasons or weighty Objections whereof the Presbyterie is Judge competent and ordinarie which is the thing implyed by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ● ● Streatching out or holding up the hand as a sign of assent And chiefly by the Imposition of the bands of the Presbytrie with Prayers and fastings solemnly setting a part and Ordaining the man chosen called tryed and found fit to the work of the Ministrie in general as GOD shall clearly call him to imploy his Talents and in particular to the Pastoral Charge of such a certain Flock whereunto he is orderly called and admitted which Rite and action is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Genev form 2. B Disc 75.79 81. Ass Dic 3.4 c. 11. The Minister being thus settled he must reside and labour among his people for their Salvation and Edification by all Gospel means and he cannot at his own Arbitriment relinquish his flock or lay aside his Pastoral charge but is to be subject to the Presbytrie and other Superior Courts to be disposed of as they find cause convenient neither can any oothers directly and Authoritatively exauterate or deprive him of his Pastoreal Power But they who have the Power to collate and ordain who for clear and Onerous causes may Suspend for a certain time or depose for ever But as to what extent or influence a sentence of the Civil Magistrate may have per concomitantiam we will not medle to define Act Ass. 1638.43 12. This Pastoral Power is exerced and employed either in the administration of the word and Sacraments and other pendicles of the Didactick part of their work wherein Ministers are to be instant faithful and diligent or in the exercise of Disciplin which they are to mannage with discretion prudence and Righteousness both for the increase of Knowledge and Pietie and for the curbing of vice and reforming the flagitious Ass Dir 3.4 2. B Dis 76. 13. As to the execution of Discipline and the Diatactick part of their work the several kinds of Courts Supream and subordinate in which preaching and Ruling Elders are to govern they are either parochial Sessions Classical Presbytries provincical Synods or National Assemblies and if it could be conveniently obtained an Oecumenick or General Council A Parochial Session is the ordained Minister of the place together with the Ruling Elders and if the Minister have a Collegue they moderate in their Session per vices the Moderator having no negative voice a Classical Presbytrie is made up of the parishes of a lesser presinct than a Province and both unto a Presbytrie and a provincial synod made up of several Presbytries each Minister within the respective bounds cometh with one Ruling Elder with him whom their several Sessions choose and think most fit A National Assembly is only made up of chosen commissionated delegats To a National synod there comes two or three Ministers with one Ruling Elder from each Presb●●●● through the Nation and the number of Delegates from every Presbytrie is more or less proportionably to the number and quota of parishes in the Respective Presbytries Also there may be sent Delegates and Commissioners from Vniversities and Broughs Royal providing they be ordained Ruling Elders Act Ass 15●0 2. B Dis 70. Ass Dir 14. c. Ass Decr 17. 1638. Act Ass Jul. 18. 1648. Act Ass 1694. ss 14 The Orderly way of bringing Ecclesiastick causes and cases under the cognizance of the Respective Superior Judicatories is either by Bill by reference or appeal For the more methodical tabling thereof specially in the General Assembly there use to be Commities appointed to ripen and prepair matters for hearing in full Assemblie Appeals ascend Gradatim from the lesser subordinate Courts where the cause was first tabled to the superior till they

Presbyterial Government Described OR A Methodical Synopsis of it As it is Professed and Practized in the CHURCH of SCOTLAND Gathered out of the Confess●●ns of Faith and other publick Records of that CHURCH 〈…〉 the Nature and Principles of this Government UNITIE and PURITIE may be preserved in the CHURCH By BRITANNUS PHILOPRESBYTER 1 Cor 14.40 Let all things be done Decently and in Order Bernard Sup Cant Ordo rebus modum decorem perpetuitatem quoque tribuit Plutar praecep polit Est pulcherrima utilissima Disciplina dicto audientem esse Rectoribus etiamsi opibus Gloria sint Inferiores Senecae Oedip 110. Quicquid excessit modum pendet instabili loco Edinburgh Printed in the Year 1695. ADVERTISEMENT TAke here an Index of these Records out of which the substance of the ensuing Discription is gathered Viz. 1 The Confession of Faith and formes of Discipline used in the English Congregation at Geneva approven by the Church of Scotland 2 The Confession of Faith professed by the Protestants of Scotland Anno 1560. Ratified in the first Parliament of K J 6. and by Act. Assem 1638. ss 16. 3 The Books of Discipline approven by Act Ass Glasg Apr 24 1581 and ratified Act Ass 1638 ss 16. 4 The Acts of the Generall Assemblies of the Church of Scotland 5 The Westminster Assemblies Propositions and Directory for Church Government and Ordination of Ministers approven Act Ass 1645. ss 16. 6 The Westminster Assemblies Confession of Faith approven by the Church of Scotland Act Ass 1647 ss 23. and ratified 1 Parl of K. W. and Q. M. June 7. 16●● Datum Britannopoli Martij 28 1695. Presbyterial Government described IN proposing a Scheme of Presbyterial Government we intend not thereby to carp or cavel at others whose Light or Conscience swayes them to be of a different Sentiment but modestly to offer such a Plain Portraiture of it as it may conspicuously appear to be comely and venerable at least not so black and odious as some immoderat Spirits are industriously employed to misrepresent and traduce following that devilish Maxime fortiter calumniare aliquid adhaerebit It is sufficiently known in the World that there have been clamorous contests and long continued virulent debates about Church Government specially among us in Britain The LORD send a healing Spirit and put a final Period to our dolorous dissentions Amen The main difference in this point lyes not so much anent the thing in general whether there should be Government in the Church all sides accorde that this is necessary and clearly eno●gh determined in the Scriptures But when they compare Notes and Notio●● about the particular Sp●●ies and Form of Government here each Competitor partie contends ta●quam pro aris facis that that Specifick Model only which they severally conceive is according to the word of GOD should be applauded and universally acquiesced in In prosecution of what is proposed take the Complexion and Constitution of Presbyterial Government in these ensuing Theses or Articles gathered from their own Authentick Records 1. Article GOD hath a Church in the World Militant amidst many dangers and difficulties which is principally under his own Inspection Providence and protection and by His Revealed Will is committed to the care Oeconomie and defence of Civil Magistrates and Ecclesiastick Ministers who conjunctly and severally in their respective different Spheres are to fullfill their several Commissions in the improvement and use of their several Talents of power Authoritie c. For his Glory and the Good of his Espoused Church as they shall be answerable to Him in the day o● Accounts 2 B disc p. 72 73 Assem Cons C 23. 2. As no Societie can subsist without Government Laws and Policy and consequently neither without persons regularly vested with Authority and power to make the same effectual for the Good and Emmolument of the Communitie So the Infinitly Wise and Good GOD hath copiously provided all things of the like nature requisite for the pious and peaceable Communion of Saints whose Laws and constitutions being duely observed the Church of GOD may be a comely pure and orderly society State Polititians are for Laws and Government that the Common well and publict peace may be promoved and preserved Military Men are for their Martial Tacticks and severe Discipline in their Hosts and Armies yea every incorporation be it of Merchants or the like finds a necessitie of Rule and Order and is there not a paritie of Reason if not far more why there should be Good Government and Discipline in the Church which is the City of GOD who is not a GOD of confusion but of Order and hath expresly injoyned that all things be done decently and in order Genev form of Disc. 3. The Sacred Laws and Cannons which are to be the supream Standard and Touch stone of Ecclesiastick Acts and Decrees are contained in the Scriptures from whence no sort of Church Courts or Officers are to recede ne vel latum unguem in their Constitutions or Determinations hence what ever bold Adventures any persons or parties may make either in the Creation of new Officers Ordinances or Cannons in the Church not agreeable and warranted by the Divine Scriptures they are ipso facto to be reputed cass and null and to be abandoned the Churches acceptation or Approbation 2. B. disc 72.74 K I Conf Act 21. Ass Conf C 1. Art 6.10 4. The Mediator CHRIST is the sole Head and Monarch of the Church and to him doth this peculiar Prerogative appertain for he redeemed her with his blood and he only can actuate and inspire the Catholick Church into vital operations by his ever flowing ●ening Influences as being that Mystick Body of Spiritually united Members whereof He is the High and Holy Head therefore all power is given to Him in Heaven and Earth we speak not now of his Essential Kingship or Regemie but of His Mediatorial Supremacy being delegated by the Father to employ the same for the use of the Church but under CHRIST there is no delegated Vicarious Subordinate Head of the Church which is monstruous for to imagine as mischievous to admit neither ought any to assume a Legislative power of framing Laws or Cannons to be imposed upon his Subjects explain and execute his Laws and statutes his authorized Officers may and must according to the orders he hath prescrived them but it is cum periculo capitis as being a capital crime if any proceed beyond his Limits 2. B. disc 72 K. l. Conf Ar 17 Ass Cons C 25. 5. From this Fountian of all power is derived unto Church Officers that Power and Authority in the Virtue whereof they may and ought to excercise their Ministerial Functions as GOD doth call and post them in His Providence Hence the solemn Charges Commands Censures c. Which they execute apply are always and only in the Name Authorritie of this their Lord and Master and not only the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉

for rioting and raveling sporting and gamming and other such dissolute practices highly unbeseeming dayes that pass under the Character and opinion of Holy-dayes Yet when Emmergencies and dispensations of providence occur that call for publick humiliation and fasting or solemn Thanksgiving they think it their duty to consecrate some part of their time for Fasts and Thanksgivings devoutly to deprecate GOD's imminent wrath and to plead the aversion of impendent Judgements due to them for their sins or to Praise GOD for Benefits received and to begg further favours These being such pieces of Religious Work which GOD both by his Word and Providence sometimes requires Genev Treat of Fast Act Ass 1645. ss Vlt. 22. The Church hath an intrinsick power distinct from and not formallie dependent upon the Magistratical Civil-Authoritie being coordinate with it not in Spiritualibus subordinate to it by which power though there were no Magistrate or albeit there be a Magistrate Christian or Infidel yet she may do every thing needful according to Christs Orders for her own orderlie preservation of Vnitie and Puritie and the administration of all the Ordinances of the LORD This power properlie respects 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ecclesiae whereof the Civil Magistrate hath no share qua talis either to ordain Ministers Preach the Word dispence the Seals or inflict Spiritual Censures this being remote from his province 2. B. Disc 73. Ass Cons C. 30. A. ● C. 31. Ar 2. 23. Yet as to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ecclesiae what concerns the External Policie of the Church they ascribe much to the Magistrates power and Authority as being by GOD's Ordinance concerned to defend the Church against foul Hereticks turbulent Schismaticks and the contumaciouslie Scandalous c That so Vnitie and Purity be preserved and to reforme corruptions to convocate Assemblies to see to the Honest and Honourable provision of Ministers and to add his Civil Sanctions to the Churches Acts and Decrees and therefore in their General Assemblies the supream Magistrate may either be present himself or send his Commissioner But whatever Objective power the Magistrate hath circa sacra it is not Privative but Cumulative ad majus bonum Ecclesiae Genev Cons 2. B Disc 72. 73 84. K. J. Cons. Ar 25. Ass Cons C. 23. 24. Article For as Good as this Government is yet it may be mismanadged as many times Magistracy hath been in all the formes and shapes of it which none will deny to be the Ordinance of GOD therefore whatever Maladministrations Mistakes or Escapes may happen by the Governours of the Church they are not forthwith to be fixed or fathered upon the Government it self Humanum est labi Surely a grain of allowance must be given to the Infirmities of Men who while cloathed with Flesh and Blood are not to be expected perfect or infalible nemo fine crimine vivit And if a candid Impartial Comparison were instituted betwixt Presbyterial and other competitor Governments it might probably be found to be the less Criminal But nihil est ex omni parte beatum Ass Cons C. 6. Art 5. C. 25. Art 5. We conclude lamenting the unhappy times we live in wherein the Christian Religion sadly suffers partly by the gross immoralities of many of the professors of it upon the one hand partly by the dissentions divisive practices and implacable like animosities of others of them upon the other hand As for the first of our maladies we may justly say with Seneca collecta vitia per tot aetates diu in nos redundant Seculo premimur gravi quo sceleta Regnant Sen Octav 355. And this Epidemical plague of prophanity seems herein to be the more prodigious and desperate that notoriously scandalous persons approbriously contemn the cure of their sins Viz The Faithful Administration of Gospel Ordinances particularly that August and veneral ordinance of GOD Ecclesiastick Discipline and Censures Alas few are perswaded this is a Divine Ordinance and far fewer will submit to it as such but rather in their pride perversitie and ignorance decline and scorn Church censures Tell it not in Gath c That among Christians Christs Laws and Constitutions are so contemptuously treated what other could be expected of Turks and Pagans we will sav no more to such Vnchristian Christians but what a Heathen did say of old Sequitur Superbos ultor a tergo Deus Sen. Here Fur 197. As to the other Maladie of Contentions Sebisms in the Church which are also the Bane of Religion we may complain as Opratus did of his times Omnes contentiosi homines sumus we are all of us a contentious pack of men for of a Truth on all sides litigant particularly about Church Government there are too many inflexible tenacious and peremptorie in every punctilio of their espoused Opinions as if the whole of Religion were invelopt therein and are readie to misjudge nickname and revile one another yea and some bigots of each counterparty to Vnchurch and Vnchristian one another a wild practice dounright Antipodes and contrare to the Rules and genius of the Gospel but be gainer or loser who will by these intestine tragick digladiations surely the common enemie Triumphs in our spoils ruins as Trophies of Victory O Christians what shall be done for the remedie of these maladies It requires indeed much wisdom to propose and no less prudence and discretion to apply what might be thought fit to be proposed but in all likelie hood only Heavens hand can rectifie redress what is amiss and out of course this day Yet surelie as Ministers derive their power from the Mediator Christ so Magistrates derive theirs from God Almightie and both be vertue of their Office Commission and Capacitie are unavoidably obliged to join their power and policie together for the suppression and punishment of vice and wickedness and the promoval and encouragement of Vertue and Pietie for no less will God call civil Magistrates to an account for their negligence and maladministrations then Church Pastors and Ministers therefore both should amicably correspond and cordially concur for advancing the peace and puritie of the Church for which purpose it is our hearty Vote that God would pour forth a spirit of Wisdom Zeal and Holiness upon Magistrats Ministers and all Ranks and degrees of persons Amen FINIS