the_o present_a presbytery_n and_o synod_n i_o clear_o state_n the_o question_n thus_o whether_o a_o constant_a moderator_n or_o fix_a proeslos_n for_o term_v of_o life_n in_o church-meeting_n be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o lawful_a and_o how_o far_o it_o be_v by_o we_o admissible_a and_o what_o compliance_n we_o may_v have_v â—or_a it_o and_o because_o there_o be_v some_o paper_n go_v abroad_o from_o the_o bishop_n of_o glasgow_n as_o be_v suppose_v upon_o this_o subject_n and_o that_o the_o current_n of_o the_o speech_n at_o pase_o whereof_o the_o same_o strain_n i_o conceive_v for_o render_v of_o the_o debate_n more_o certain_a it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o that_o i_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o particular_a and_o exact_a review_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o these_o paper_n we_o find_v it_o assert_v that_o episcopal_a government_n manage_v in_o conjunction_n with_o presbyter_n in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n be_v not_o contrary_a either_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o 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vestige_n of_o imparity_n either_o in_o power_n or_o presidencie_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a with_o a_o manifest_a equality_n except_o it_o be_v in_o some_o note_n of_o apparent_a pre-eminence_n in_o these_o by_o man_n esteem_v inferior_a express_o as_o it_o seem_v record_v to_o counterbalance_n the_o vanity_n of_o ambition_n of_o after_o age_n who_o in_o favour_n of_o other_o may_v imagine_v a_o superiority_n and_o such_o be_v the_o principal_a resort_n make_v to_o james_n his_o moderate_v rather_o then_o peter_n in_o the_o meeting_n at_o jerusalem_n paul_n resistance_n to_o peter_n and_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n give_v to_o he_o by_o james_n cephas_n and_o john_n and_o the_o like_a 4._o the_o pastor_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v their_o successor_n both_o in_o their_o ordinary_a power_n and_o blessing_n whatever_o may_v be_v the_o inequality_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o apostle_n either_o from_o the_o immediacy_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o apostle_n their_o mission_n their_o infallible_a assistance_n and_o great_a eminency_n of_o gift_n or_o by_o reason_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o lord_n choose_v witness_n and_o author_n of_o conversion_n to_o most_o of_o they_o who_o they_o ordain_v yet_o as_o to_o the_o perpetual_a and_o ordinary_a power_n give_v to_o and_o transmit_v by_o they_o in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o scripture_n that_o in_o that_o they_o neither_o claim_v nor_o exercise_v either_o superiority_n or_o presidencie_n over_o other_o minister_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o as_o they_o call_v and_o account_v they_o their_o brethren_n partner_n fellow-labourer_n and_o themselves_o fellow-elders_a with_o they_o so_o we_o find_v that_o what_o in_o on_o place_n paul_n ascribe_v to_o the_o lay_v on_o of_o his_o own_o hand_n in_o another_o he_o attribute_n to_o the_o lay_v on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o the_o same_o paul_n who_o be_v not_o a_o whit_n behind_o the_o very_o chief_a apostle_n 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be_v nothing_o enjoin_v or_o recommend_v in_o paul_n epistle_n to_o timothy_n which_o be_v not_o proper_a for_o every_o pastor_n unless_o what_o be_v evident_o referable_a to_o his_o office_n of_o a_o evangelist_n there_o express_v 2._o the_o command_n give_v to_o titus_n to_o ordain_v elder_n be_v by_o way_n of_o express_a commission_n and_o not_o in_o the_o least_o exclusive_a of_o the_o concurrence_n of_o other_o elder_n where_o they_o may_v be_v find_v in_o the_o place_n 3_o that_o it_o be_v in_o these_o very_a epistle_n more_o than_o any_o where_o else_o in_o scripture_n that_o both_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o elder_n be_v promiscuous_o use_v and_o the_o thing_n and_o office_n thereby_o signify_v hold_v forth_o to_o be_v the_o same_o and_o last_o that_o the_o know_a use_n &_o elegancy_n of_o the_o singular_a number_n for_o the_o plural_a with_o the_o figurative_a speech_n and_o tenor_n of_o the_o seven_o epistle_n in_o the_o revelation_n do_v no_o
more_o allow_v the_o angel_n represent_v the_o pastor_n than_o the_o star_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n nay_o or_o the_o candlestick_n the_o church_n to_o be_v take_v for_o single_a person_n but_o for_o further_a clear_v of_o all_o these_o and_o like_a objection_n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o many_o author_n by_o who_o these_o thing_n be_v more_o full_o handle_v these_o ground_n then_o be_v all_o undoubted_o scriptural_a with_o what_o confidence_n can_v it_o be_v demand_v where_o do_v the_o scripture_n hold_v out_o a_o parity_n among_o minister_n or_o how_o can_v it_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o episcopus_fw-la praeses_fw-la contend_v for_o special_o with_o his_o necessary_a presence_n in_o ordination_n as_o we_o will_v afterward_o hear_v be_v not_o contrary_a but_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o as_o our_o presbyterian_a parity_n be_v plain_o warrant_v both_o by_o general_a gospel-rule_n and_o very_o express_a instance_n 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which_o be_v so_o direct_o contradict_v by_o the_o present_a constitution_n both_o in_o its_o legal_a establishment_n and_o know_v exercise_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o i_o marvel_v how_o it_o can_v escape_v any_o person_n of_o ordinary_a understanding_n as_o for_o the_o main_a thing_n object_v have_v from_o the_o scripture_n assert_v the_o warrant_n of_o our_o parity_n its_o difficulty_n be_v easy_o satisfy_v for_o see_v that_o by_o divine_a institution_n the_o church_n be_v erect_v into_o one_o society_n and_o officer_n in_o a_o equal_a parity_n for_o its_o oversight_n and_o government_n thereto_o appoint_v and_o see_v that_o in_o every_o concession_n the_o thing_n natural_a and_o proper_a to_o what_o be_v concede_v must_v be_v understand_v to_o be_v therein_o import_v the_o liberty_n and_o power_n of_o common_a counsel_n together_o with_o the_o subordination_n of_o the_o part_n to_o the_o whole_a do_v thence_o necessary_o result_v the_o premise_n of_o which_o argument_n be_v so_o consistent_o compose_v of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n thereon_o dependent_a i_o need_v not_o here_o enlarge_v in_o any_o explication_n sure_o i_o be_o he_o who_o due_o perpend_v these_o uncontrovertible_a scripture-truth_n that_o the_o church_n be_v gather_v into_o one_o body_n that_o the_o apostle_n together_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n together_o be_v incharged_a with_o its_o oversight_n and_o rule_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_a unto_o the_o prophet_n and_o that_o where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o the_o lord_n name_v there_o he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v remain_v doubtful_a of_o the_o divine_a warrant_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o meeting_n conform_v to_o which_o truth_n and_o principle_n we_o not_o only_o find_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o church_n govern_v by_o common_a counsel_n but_o the_o same_o meeting_n and_o counsel_n inspire_v and_o direct_v by_o that_o humility_n love_n and_o harmony_n that_o no_o more_o than_o a_o chair_n man_n for_o the_o time_n &_o no_o sixed_a moderator_n can_v therein_o be_v discern_v if_o these_o ground_n be_v not_o both_o solid_o and_o evident_o conclusive_a of_o all_o necessary_a for_o i_o to_o prove_v i_o may_v easy_o without_o either_o worm_a or_o strain_v as_o our_o moderatist_n phrase_v it_o adduce_v and_o make_v out_o from_o scripture_n precedent_n more_o exact_o correspondent_a to_o our_o form_n but_o see_v the_o right_a and_o privilege_n of_o common_a counsel_n for_o government_n in_o order_n both_o to_o the_o whole_a and_o certain_a of_o the_o parte_v be_v by_o scripture-practiâ—e_a obvious_o hold_v forth_o its_o extension_n to_o all_o the_o part_n and_o their_o subordination_n to_o the_o whole_a do_v so_o natural_o and_o necessary_o â—ollow_v thaâ—_n i_o judge_v it_o superfluous_a to_o engage_v myself_o further_o into_o our_o adversary_n scrupulous_a quibling_n now_o as_o for_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n whereof_o scripture_n warrant_n be_v also_o require_v see_v we_o do_v not_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v a_o ordinary_a church-judicatorie_a but_o do_v only_o regard_v it_o as_o a_o delegation_n from_o the_o precede_v national-assemble_o elicit_a by_o extraordinary_a exigence_n and_o precise_o accountable_a to_o the_o next_o ensue_v it_o be_v right_o be_v so_o certain_o parallel_v to_o that_o of_o every_o committee_n appoint_v by_o any_o meeting_n for_o dispatch_n that_o unless_o it_o be_v allege_v that_o this_o power_n of_o commissionate_v be_v by_o scripture_n inhibit_v it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v understand_v to_o be_v found_v in_o the_o same_o warrant_n with_o the_o assembly_n from_o which_o it_o do_v flow_v &_o receive_v its_o confirmation_n i_o contend_v not_o but_o our_o observance_n in_o practice_n may_v have_v have_v its_o own_o fail_n in_o this_o point_n but_o see_v the_o excess_n in_o this_o matter_n if_o any_o be_v do_v probable_o flow_v from_o the_o mistake_n of_o a_o suppoâ—sed_a expediencie_n the_o evidence_n of_o its_o warrant_n and_o right_a use_n by_o such_o and_o error_n in_o fact_n can_v at_o all_o be_v impugn_a but_o the_o minister_n their_o be_v constant_o moderator_n in_o kirk-session_n among_o the_o elder_n join_v with_o they_o for_o discipline_n be_v that_o which_o our_o adversary_n do_v urge_v as_o a_o great_a advantage_n for_o prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o fix_a moderator_n in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n and_o our_o inconsequence_n in_o deny_v the_o same_o in_o the_o fond_a conceit_n of_o which_o argument_n it_o have_v be_v and_o be_v so_o frequent_o by_o they_o inculcat_fw-la that_o here_o be_v a_o presbyter_n have_v a_o fix_a presidencie_n among_o presbyter_n that_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o may_v â—ustly_o nauseat_v or_o move_v to_o laughter_n any_o indifferent_a observer_n to_o begin_v therefore_o with_o this_o childish_a emphasis_n take_v from_o the_o term_n presbyter_n and_o the_o call_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o parochial-elders_a both_o of_o they_o presbyter_n such_o indeed_o they_o be_v but_o see_v the_o scripture_n do_v warrant_v the_o office_n of_o our_o rule_v elder_a &_o also_o attribute_v several_a other_o name_n to_o minister_n agreeable_a to_o the_o main_a labour_n and_o to_o these_o parochial_a elder_n only_o that_o of_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n and_o yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o classical_a assembly_n principal_o consist_v of_o minister_n be_v common_o call_v presbytery_n if_o use_n for_o distinction_n have_v appropriate_a to_o these_o parochial-elders_a the_o name_n of_o elder_n rather_o than_o that_o of_o presbyter_n what_o folly_n be_v it_o to_o think_v that_o a_o contrary_a usurpation_n of_o name_n can_v be_v of_o any_o import_n or_o wherefore_o do_v not_o our_o adversary_n if_o they_o have_v such_o a_o complaisance_n for_o these_o conceit_n tell_v we_o further_o what_o a_o qstrange_v thing_n it_o be_v to_o see_v a_o presbytery_n for_o so_o a_o kirck-session_n may_v well_o be_v term_v consist_v only_o of_o one_o minister_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n laik_v as_o they_o speak_v and_o withal_o reflect_v upon_o these_o more_o pungent_a retorsion_n near_a home_n viz._n that_o in_o their_o way_n a_o bishop_n pretend_v to_o a-superiority_n or_o presidencie_n over_o many_o bishop_n and_o a_o single_a presbyter_n must_v have_v the_o pre-eminence_n over_o his_o fellow-presbyters_a but_o leave_v these_o foppery_n and_o take_v word_n according_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o custom_n in_o such_o case_n in_o answer_n to_o what_o be_v material_a in_o the_o objection_n i_o say_v 1._o that_o where_o there_o be_v two_o minister_n in_o a_o parish_n they_o moderate_a in_o the_o session_n by_o turn_n 2_o where_o the_o session_n do_v consist_v of_o one_o minister_n both_o a_o prea_n and_o a_o roll_a elder_n and_o the_o other_o elder_n of_o the_o congregation_n who_o be_v but_o his_o helper_n in_o discipline_n his_o different_a quality_n with_o the_o double_a honour_n allow_v to_o he_o by_o the_o
contrivance_n we_o have_v hear_v in_o the_o second_o article_n that_o he_o be_v willing_a that_o chnrch-matter_n be_v manage_v in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n by_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o plurality_n a_o fair_a insinuation_n that_o the_o matter_n of_o ordination_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n transact_v and_o in_o this_o article_n he_o leave_v the_o trial_n to_o the_o presbytery_n consent_v that_o if_o possible_a the_o ordination_n be_v at_o the_o parish_n church_n where_o one_o shall_v be_v appoint_v to_o preach_v and_o last_o be_v content_a difference_n fall_v in_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o superior_a court_n all_o fair_a general_n but_o wherefore_o no_o mention_n who_o shall_v be_v the_o actual_a ordainer_n whether_o the_o bishop_n and_o whole_a presbytery_n or_o the_o bishop_n alone_o in_o behalf_n and_o as_o mederator_n of_o the_o presbytery_n or_o the_o bishop_n alone_o as_o indeed_o something_o great_a whether_o as_o in_o a_o superior_a order_n or_o only_o in_o a_o 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the_o more_o thereby_o advance_v but_o the_o point_n here_o most_o remarkable_a be_v that_o apprehend_v his_o condescendency_n may_v render_v he_o as_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o plurality_n of_o voice_n of_o less_o power_n and_o influence_n in_o this_o affair_n behold_v how_o crafty_o he_o go_v about_o to_o salve_v his_o negative_a which_o he_o may_v not_o for_o fear_v of_o a_o discovery_n plain_o own_o and_o that_o be_v by_o make_v the_o appointment_n of_o the_o day_n for_o ordain_v to_o depend_v on_o his_o and_o the_o presbytery_n joint_a agreement_n wherein_o if_o he_o please_v to_o be_v a_o dissenter_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o his_o not_o assent_v to_o this_o circumstance_n will_v be_v of_o no_o less_o consequence_n for_o his_o purpose_n then_o if_o he_o have_v reserve_v unto_o himself_o a_o inhibit_v veto_fw-la upon_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o whole_a business_n now_o that_o this_o power_n in_o what_o sort_n soever_o by_o he_o couch_v and_o cover_v be_v not_o to_o be_v allow_v his_o want_n of_o any_o sufficient_a warrant_n for_o it_o do_v abundant_o evince_v and_o further_o what_o the_o scripture_n and_o apostolic_a rule_n in_o this_o affair_n be_v these_o few_o consideration_n may_v in_o this_o place_n satisfy_v 1._o that_o the_o power_n of_o ordinantion_n be_v certain_o annex_v to_o &_o dependent_a upon_o the_o pastoral_a charge_n for_o see_v that_o the_o cure_v commit_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o they_o to_o succeed_a pastor_n can_v not_o be_v perpetuat_fw-la without_o a_o succession_n the_o evident_a reason_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o with_o the_o import_n of_o that_o command_n the_o thing_n that_o thou_o have_v hear_v of_o i_o the_o same_o commit_v thou_o to_o faithful_a man_n who_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o teach_v other_o also_o do_v plain_o persuade_v the_o assertion_n 2._o as_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n the_o apostle_n and_o other_o upon_o occasion_n by_o themselves_o alone_o ordain_v so_o wherever_o a_o concurrence_n do_v offer_v we_o may_v observe_v the_o act_n to_o be_v always_o joint_o do_v and_o administrat_fw-la so_o we_o find_v the_o twelve_o joint_o ordain_v and_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o seven_o deacon_n without_o any_o prerogative_n acclaim_v by_o peter_n who_o yet_o if_o falsehood_n may_v be_v compare_v have_v more_o apparent_a ground_n in_o scripture_n for_o his_o primacy_n then_o can_v be_v show_v for_o the_o presidency_n of_o any_o bishop_n next_o we_o have_v the_o fraternity_n of_o prophet_n and_o teacher_n at_o antioch_n send_v forth_o and_o impose_v hand_n upou_o barnabas_n and_o saul_n by_o a_o like_a equal_a conjunction_n 3._o it_o be_v say_v of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n that_o they_o in_o a_o plural_a union_n do_v ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o 4._o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o paul_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o concurrence_n with_o other_o presbyter_n in_o the_o ordination_n of_o timothy_n do_v attribute_v the_o same_o act_n indifferent_o to_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o to_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n which_o scripture-ground_n be_v join_v to_o the_o want_n of_o any_o probable_a reason_n for_o this_o singularity_n and_o the_o manifest_o woeful_a and_o sad_a consequence_n of_o this_o episcopal_a imparity_n with_o the_o present_a unquestionable_a design_n of_o bear_v down_o the_o just_a liberty_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o lord_n minister_n in_o a_o convenient_a subserviency_n to_o man_n lust_n and_o wickedness_n by_o the_o stiff_a and_o inflexible_a retain_v of_o this_o privilege_n do_v i_o be_o confident_a make_v out_o the_o eccentrick_a pre-eminence_n acclaim_v to_o be_v not_o only_o in_o itself_o unlawful_a but_o by_o our_o solemn_a oath_n to_o maintain_v presbytery_n and_o extirpate_v every_o thing_n that_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o sound_v doctrine_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n perpetual_o abjure_v see_v therefore_o that_o this_o article_n do_v certain_o imply_v this_o corruption_n as_o i_o have_v above_o declare_v that_o it_o can_v have_v no_o better_a acceptance_n from_o we_o than_o the_o precede_a need_v no_o further_a reason_n as_o for_o the_o other_o trifle_a circumstance_n whereby_o the_o principal_a thing_n in_o it_o be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v palliate_v they_o do_v not_o merit_v any_o more_o special_a inquiry_n the_o five_o article_n be_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v â—oubâ—ed_v but_o the_o lord_n commissioner_n will_v make_v good_a what_o he_o offer_v anent_o the_o establishment_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n and_o we_o trust_v his_o grace_n will_v procure_v such_o security_n to_o the_o brethren_n for_o declare_v their_o judgement_n that_o they_o may_v do_v it_o without_o any_o hazard_n in_o counterveen_v any_o law_n and_o that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v humble_o and_o earnest_o recommend_v this_o to_o his_o grace_n this_o article_n make_v up_o of_o uncertain_a assurance_n ridiculous_a trust_n and_o the_o bishop_n conformable_a undertake_n be_v already_o by_o i_o sufficient_o examine_v in_o the_o very_a entry_n of_o this_o discourse_n and_o there_o tell_v that_o what_o the_o commissioner_n do_v undertake_v anent_o the_o establishment_n of_o presbytery_n i_o do_v not_o exact_o know_v but_o if_o it_o be_v that_o which_o be_v report_v viz_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o as_o precede_v the_o 1638._o i_o think_v it_o can_v contribute_v nothing_o to_o the_o removal_n of_o our_o just_a exception_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o offend_v the_o reader_n by_o a_o vain_a repetition_n but_o see_v the_o ground_n former_o lay_v down_o be_v very_o material_a and_o yet_o by_o the_o most_o part_n little_o advert_v to_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o that_o after_o the_o full_a and_o plain_a account_n i_o have_v give_v of_o these_o matter_n i_o again_o run_v over_o they_o and_o 1._o that_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o truth_n presbytery_n be_v not_o found_v in_o any_o humane_a establishment_n but_o in_o the_o right_n and_o authority_n which_o our_o lord_n have_v give_v unto_o his_o church_n be_v our_o constant_a persuasion_n so_o that_o though_o the_o accessary_a confirmation_n and_o countenance_n of_o the_o power_n may_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o and_o no_o less_o acceptance_n with_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o their_o original_a right_n 2._o before_o the_o 1638._o and_o even_o until_o the_o year_n 1661._o presbytery_n be_v found_v and_o do_v continue_v in_o this_o church_n not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o act_n of_o parliament_n whereby_o they_o be_v proper_o authorize_v but_o upon_o the_o basis_n of_o that_o intrinseck_n right_a which_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v thus_o have_v convene_v and_o settle_v themselves_o short_o after_o the_o reformation_n they_o continue_v their_o possession_n uninterrupted_a until_o the_o year_n 1661._o it_o be_v true_a they_o obtain_v the_o confirmation_n of_o king_n and_o parliament_n in_o the_o year_n 1592._o as_o also_o in_o the_o year_n 1612._o many_o corruption_n introduce_v and_o
his_o naked_a ministerial_a exercise_n can_v pretend_v to_o any_o high_a respect_n and_o 7._o the_o praeses_fw-la from_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o right_n continue_v ad_fw-la vitam_fw-la or_o ad_fw-la culpam_fw-la whereas_o the_o moderator_n have_v no_o right_a have_v no_o other_o assurance_n or_o lace_n than_o the_o presbytery_n beneplacitum_fw-la these_o difference_n then_o though_o among_o themselves_o rather_o formal_o then_o real_o distinct_a hold_v out_o the_o proper_a characteristic_n of_o the_o proestos_n contend_v for_o as_o indeed_o they_o be_v and_o must_v necessary_o be_v admit_v by_o all_o before_o i_o fall_v to_o disprove_v he_o by_o further_a reason_n it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o that_o for_o the_o better_a clear_n of_o what_o singular_a moment_n these_o his_o signal_n advantage_n above_o our_o moderator_n may_v be_v in_o the_o matter_n wherein_o they_o be_v conversant_a i_o short_o note_v the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o office_n and_o 1._o it_o be_v the_o 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in_o effect_n coincident_a and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o precept_n in_o scripture_n contrary_a to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o a_o fix_a praeses_fw-la the_o necessity_n of_o a_o change_n of_o mederator_n do_v from_o the_o acknowledge_a exigence_n of_o order_n necessary_o ensue_v his_o insinuat_fw-la demand_n of_o a_o precept_n in_o scripture_n for_o change_v of_o moderator_n aswell_o as_o of_o a_o rule_n contrary_a to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o fix_a precedent_n be_v captious_o superfluous_a hold_v i_o therefore_o to_o that_o part_n that_o there_o be_v precept_n and_o â—ules_n in_o scripture_n contrary_a to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o a_o fix_a precedent_n the_o ground_n that_o in_o my_o former_a discourse_n i_o have_v thence_o adduce_v to_o prove_v the_o absolute_a and_o lowly_a parity_n command_v by_o our_o lord_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o all_o succee_a minister_n if_o they_o do_v stand_v firm_a do_v undoubtedlie_o evince_v it_o for_o sâ—eing_v that_o our_o author_n do_v in_o his_o three_o consideration_n use_v it_o as_o a_o main_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a command_n for_o a_o absolute_a parity_n of_o presbyter_n add_v if_o it_o be_v let_v it_o be_v produce_v and_o it_o will_v end_v the_o controversy_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a from_o his_o concession_n as_o from_o the_o unquestionable_a opposition_n of_o a_o exact_a parity_n and_o the_o majority_n of_o this_o office_n of_o presidencie_n that_o by_o the_o establish_n of_o the_o first_o the_o second_o be_v subvert_v now_o that_o our_o lord_n have_v command_v a_o absolute_a parity_n of_o presbyter_n if_o i_o make_v it_o appear_v from_o the_o original_a precept_n give_v to_o the_o apostle_n without_o controversy_n not_o only_o the_o antecessor_n of_o all_o succeed_a presbyter_n in_o their_o ordinary_a ministry_n but_o the_o person_n to_o who_o as_o represent_v the_o perpetual_a ministry_n ordain_v by_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n the_o rule_n and_o direction_n thereto_o proper_a be_v deliver_v i_o hope_v the_o transfer_v of_o the_o command_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o succeed_a presbyter_n will_v be_v of_o no_o difficulty_n let_v we_o then_o in_o this_o search_n after_o the_o lord_n will_v in_o this_o matter_n humble_o and_o meek_o consider_v what_o he_o himself_o have_v therein_o deliver_v and_o as_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o be_o very_o far_o remove_v from_o the_o temptation_n of_o interest_n that_o common_o do_v sway_v and_o oversway_v in_o it_o so_o i_o be_o confident_a that_o all_o man_n equal_o remove_v from_o the_o passion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la thence_o arise_v will_v in_o this_o divine_a light_n find_v a_o most_o assure_a determination_n our_o lord_n then_o have_v upon_o several_a occasion_n particular_o that_o reason_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v great_a and_o the_o suit_n of_o a_o proedria_n or_o a_o prerogative-seat_n present_v by_o zebedees_n two_o son_n and_o their_o mother_n dehort_v the_o twelve_o from_o all_o affectation_n of_o more_o eminent_a authority_n or_o dignity_n among_o themselves_o not_o only_o by_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o innocent_a simplicity_n of_o child_n and_o propon_v to_o they_o the_o example_n of_o his_o own_o lowliness_n and_o humility_n both_o in_o his_o personal_a deportment_n aâ—d_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o administration_n but_o also_o by_o remove_v the_o very_a subject_n itself_o and_o warn_v they_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o â—ar_a from_o look_v aâ—ter_o any_o superiority_n of_o rule_n or_o authority_n one_o over_o another_o that_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o great_a be_v to_o be_v servant_n of_o all_o and_o industry_n and_o humility_n their_o praise_n and_o exaltation_n he_o tell_v they_o further_o that_o as_o he_o alone_o be_v their_o master_n so_o all_o they_o be_v brother_n and_o according_o we_o find_v they_o all_o equal_o commissionat_a to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n math._n 2d_o 19_o alike_o vest_v with_o the_o power_n of_o discipline_n john_n 20._o 23._o and_o in_o this_o parity_n act_v officiate_a and_o associate_a other_o to_o themselves_o in_o several_a undenaible_a instance_n these_o thing_n be_v evident_a in_o the_o gospel_n record_v very_o when_o i_o reflect_v upon_o they_o i_o can_v but_o marvel_n what_o it_o be_v that_o can_v here_o be_v desiderat_fw-la the_o disciple_n contend_v who_o shall_v be_v great_a and_o our_o lord_n answer_v be_v if_o any_o man_n desire_v to_o be_v first_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v last_o of_o all_o and_o that_o the_o least_o among_o they_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v great_a by_o which_o as_o it_o be_v clear_o intimate_fw-la that_o the_o greatness_n which_o they_o aspire_v unto_o be_v none_o other_o than_o a_o primacy_n or_o presidency_n of_o one_o above_o his_o fellow_n so_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o our_o lord_n do_v not_o in_o his_o return_n so_o much_o condemn_v their_o ambition_n as_o by_o a_o total_a remove_n of_o all_o greatness_n the_o subject_n of_o the_o competition_n and_o convert_v their_o contest_v for_o grandeur_n into_o a_o emulation_n of_o lowliness_n and_o diligence_n fair_o confute_v it_o i_o grant_v that_o according_a to_o their_o more_o rude_a &_o carnal_a apprehension_n of_o our_o lord_n kingdom_n the_o time_n of_o this_o debate_n it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o it_o be_v incite_v &_o manage_v by_o agreeable_a passion_n and_o fancy_n but_o yet_o see_v he_o do_v not_o plain_o direct_v his_o return_n to_o undeceive_v they_o of_o that_o delusion_n but_o rather_o carry_v his_o command_n further_o to_o inform_v their_o judgement_n and_o form_n there_o mind_n by_o a_o instruction_n suit_v to_o the_o true_a work_n &_o station_n wherein_o he_o be_v to_o leave_v they_o that_o even_o in_o that_o they_o be_v to_o look_v after_o no_o state_v primacy_n or_o majority_n but_o consequent_o to_o reâ—_n but_o here_o our_o author_n reclaim_v and_o in_o his_o four_o consideration_n say_v that_o this_o