lesser_a and_o inferior_a assembly_n be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o superior_a and_o great_a so_o that_o if_o any_o person_n shall_v think_v himself_o wrong_v or_o distress_a by_o the_o unjust_a proceed_n of_o the_o inferior_a assembly_n it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o seek_v relief_n of_o the_o great_a provide_v it_o be_v do_v in_o a_o humble_a and_o peaceable_a way_n and_o in_o the_o right_a order_n by_o proceed_v to_o the_o great_a assembly_n and_o so_o of_o the_o rest_n if_o need_v be_v take_v they_o in_o their_o subordination_n until_o either_o he_o be_v satisfy_v or_o which_o rare_o come_v to_o pass_v he_o ascend_v unto_o the_o high_a of_o all_o in_o matter_n difficult_a or_o such_o as_o belong_v to_o superior_a assembly_n reference_n from_o the_o lesser_a be_v ordinary_a but_o nothing_o belong_v to_o a_o inferior_a assembly_n be_v bring_v before_o a_o great_a till_o either_o it_o can_v be_v settle_v or_o be_v disorderly_o do_v by_o they_o or_o some_o complaint_n arise_v and_o in_o that_o case_n so_o far_o as_o may_v stand_v with_o truth_n and_o peace_n the_o great_a assembly_n be_v careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o lesser_a and_o therefore_o matter_n belong_v to_o the_o inferior_a assembly_n be_v common_o remit_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o great_a no_o one_o church_n be_v it_o never_o so_o great_a be_v to_o have_v authority_n over_o another_o nor_o be_v it_o govern_v by_o any_o extrinsecall_a power_n but_o all_o the_o particular_a church_n be_v of_o equal_a power_n and_o authority_n and_o be_v rule_v and_o judge_v by_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o intrinsical_a power_n in_o assembly_n compose_v and_o consist_v of_o their_o officer_n and_o commissioner_n from_o they_o of_o particular_a eldership_n in_o parish_n the_o particular_a eldership_n or_o church-session_n consist_v of_o one_o or_o more_o minister_n and_o of_o elder_n so_o many_o in_o number_n as_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o congregation_n do_v require_v who_o ordinary_o do_v meet_v once_o in_o the_o week_n the_o deacon_n be_v always_o to_o be_v present_a with_o the_o elder_n not_o for_o government_n but_o that_o they_o may_v make_v know_v the_o case_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o may_v consult_v and_o receive_v direction_n for_o their_o supply_n the_o minister_n of_o the_o parish_n be_v always_o to_o be_v moderator_n of_o this_o meeting_n and_o if_o there_o be_v more_o minister_n than_o one_o the_o moderator_n be_v either_o choose_v or_o they_o do_v moderate_a by_o course_n provide_v that_o none_o be_v moderator_n while_o any_o matter_n be_v treat_v which_o concern_v his_o own_o particular_a the_o matter_n treat_v by_o this_o eldership_n be_v such_o particular_n as_o concern_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o that_o church_n as_o what_o day_n of_o the_o week_n be_v meet_a for_o assemble_v to_o the_o public_a worship_n if_o it_o may_v be_v have_v and_o be_v think_v necessary_a what_o hour_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n before_o and_o after_o noon_n which_o be_v variable_a according_a to_o the_o length_n or_o shortness_n of_o the_o day_n in_o summer_n and_o winter_n what_o time_n be_v fit_a for_o public_a catechise_n and_o for_o visit_v of_o particular_a family_n how_o often_o and_o at_o what_o time_n the_o lord_n supper_n be_v most_o seasonable_o to_o be_v administer_v all_o which_o be_v fit_v for_o keep_v of_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o can_v be_v so_o fit_o determine_v by_o a_o superior_a assembly_n the_o elder_n also_o do_v here_o delate_v scandalous_a person_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o public_a repentance_n according_a to_o the_o form_n prescribe_v in_o the_o great_a assembly_n but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o doubt_n or_o difficulty_n or_o if_o the_o delinquent_n and_o obstinacy_n and_o impenitency_n to_o their_o fault_n then_o be_v they_o warn_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o great_a presbytery_n there_o to_o receive_v order_n for_o their_o censure_n or_o to_o be_v send_v home_o again_o to_o give_v satisfaction_n or_o to_o make_v their_o repentance_n in_o their_o own_o church_n where_o they_o have_v give_v offence_n and_o where_o the_o fault_n be_v commit_v for_o example_n a_o man_n behave_v himself_o scandalous_o with_o a_o woman_n both_o unmarried_a and_o single_a person_n be_v first_o admonish_v and_o rebuke_v if_o fornication_n appear_v he_o be_v call_v before_o the_o eldership_n bring_v to_o the_o sense_n and_o confession_n of_o his_o fault_n and_o ordain_v to_o make_v his_o public_a repentance_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o abstain_v from_o all_o scandalous_a behaviour_n afterward_o but_o if_o he_o prove_v obstinate_a he_o be_v convene_v before_o the_o great_a presbytery_n the_o matter_n be_v examine_v and_o either_o promise_v to_o give_v obedience_n to_o his_o own_o eldership_n or_o in_o case_n of_o continue_a obstinacy_n the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n proceed_v against_o he_o but_o if_o there_o be_v a_o scandal_n of_o adultery_n or_o murder_n the_o noise_n and_o scandal_n whereof_o be_v far_o spread_v and_o fill_v all_o man_n ear_n round_o about_o the_o party_n be_v bring_v before_o the_o great_a presbytery_n and_o the_o particular_a eldership_n do_v before_o prepare_v the_o party_n for_o their_o appearance_n before_o the_o presbytery_n the_o same_o fault_n which_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o particular_a or_o great_a presbytery_n in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a way_n be_v also_o publish_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o the_o pecuniall_a mulct_n or_o penalty_n be_v give_v to_o the_o deacon_n to_o be_v keep_v in_o the_o church_n treasure_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o poor_a or_o other_o pious_a use_n nothing_o use_v to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o lesser_a or_o great_a presbytery_n in_o order_v the_o public_a worship_n in_o censure_v of_o delinquent_n or_o bring_v they_o to_o public_a repentance_n but_o according_a to_o the_o settle_a order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o with_o express_v or_o tacit_a consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o new_a emergent_n that_o cause_n doubt_v or_o haesitation_n the_o matter_n be_v remit_v to_o the_o great_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n the_o order_n of_o excommunicate_v all_o baptize_v person_n when_o they_o come_v to_o age_n and_o discretion_n be_v not_o admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n but_o such_o only_a as_o either_o upon_o examination_n be_v find_v to_o have_v a_o competent_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n do_v profess_v that_o they_o be_v believer_n and_o do_v live_v unblamedly_n or_o come_v from_o another_o congregation_n bring_v with_o they_o sufficient_a testimony_n that_o they_o be_v such_o or_o be_v otherwise_o well_o know_v and_o approve_v the_o minister_n and_o elder_n be_v to_o use_v all_o the_o mean_n in_o public_a and_o private_a to_o bring_v all_o other_o within_o the_o parish_n to_o knowledge_n faith_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n that_o they_o may_v be_v fit_v for_o the_o lord_n table_n but_o this_o not_o admission_n to_o the_o communion_n be_v one_o thing_n &_o excommunication_n of_o heinous_a or_o obstinate_a offender_n be_v another_o thing_n very_o different_a in_o case_n of_o obstinacy_n and_o wilful_a impenitency_n even_o when_o the_o offence_n be_v not_o so_o great_a and_o scandalous_a they_o proceed_v to_o excommunication_n but_o with_o great_a meekness_n long_o suffer_v and_o by_o many_o degree_n the_o censure_n be_v so_o weighty_a and_o they_o desire_v to_o gain_v the_o sinner_n to_o repentance_n if_o any_o person_n walk_v unworthy_a of_o the_o gospel_n or_o commit_v any_o trespass_n he_o be_v unless_o the_o scandal_n be_v public_a and_o notorious_a admonish_v first_o secret_o by_o one_o next_o by_o two_o or_o three_o more_o and_o three_o if_o he_o contemn_v both_o then_o according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v by_o our_o saviour_n mat._n 18._o the_o matter_n be_v bring_v before_o the_o minister_n and_o elder_n where_o he_o be_v accuse_v both_o of_o the_o trespass_n and_o of_o the_o contempt_n if_o he_o can_v yet_o be_v bring_v to_o repentance_n then_o be_v the_o matter_n in_o some_o measure_n to_o be_v make_v know_v unto_o the_o congregation_n and_o he_o call_v before_o the_o great_a presbytery_n where_o if_o he_o give_v sign_n of_o his_o repentance_n he_o be_v remit_v to_o satisfy_v his_o own_o session_n but_o if_o he_o persist_v in_o his_o obstinacy_n then_o by_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o presbytery_n the_o particular_a eldership_n be_v to_o proceed_v against_o he_o with_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n even_o to_o excommunication_n the_o matter_n be_v thus_o hear_v know_v &_o judge_v and_o the_o whole_a process_n revise_v by_o the_o great_a presbytery_n the_o next_o sabbath_n without_o delay_n the_o trespass_n and_o order_n of_o admonition_n be_v to_o be_v declare_v to_o the_o congregation_n and_o the_o person_n without_o specification_n of_o his_o name_n admonish_v yet_o to_o satisfy_v
benefit_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v not_o do_v by_o private_a transaction_n and_o particular_a agreement_n of_o minister_n and_o congregation_n but_o by_o the_o wisdom_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o presbytery_n or_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n not_o be_v it_o do_v by_o they_o but_o upon_o such_o reason_n as_o shall_v move_v that_o church_n wherein_o for_o the_o present_a he_o administer_v to_o give_v her_o consent_n for_o who_o supply_n also_o either_o a_o convenient_a course_n be_v present_o take_v or_o the_o way_n of_o supply_n be_v see_v to_o be_v easy_a the_o minister_n thus_o remove_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o receive_v no_o new_a ordination_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o first_o ordination_n serve_v in_o the_o place_n unto_o which_o he_o be_v call_v and_o elect_v only_o at_o his_o admission_n one_o of_o the_o presbytery_n who_o be_v appoint_v to_o preach_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n and_o people_n and_o to_o pray_v for_o a_o blessing_n recommend_v he_o to_o the_o congregation_n who_o have_v before_o declare_v their_o willingness_n and_o desire_n to_o receive_v he_o and_o the_o congregation_n to_o his_o care_n and_o fidelity_n and_o the_o pastor_n if_o any_o be_v together_o with_o the_o elder_n with_o who_o he_o be_v to_o sit_v before_o the_o pulpit_n take_v he_o by_o the_o hand_n pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n through_o old_a age_n sickness_n or_o other_o infirmity_n be_v disable_v to_o bear_v the_o weight_n and_o discharge_v the_o duty_n of_o their_o pastoral_a charge_n do_v notwithstanding_o still_o retain_v the_o honour_n of_o their_o office_n and_o comfort_n of_o maintenance_n during_o their_o life_n time_n and_o they_o perform_v what_o they_o be_v able_a in_o teach_v government_n visitation_n and_o catechise_n other_o be_v join_v with_o they_o by_o the_o presbytery_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n to_o be_v their_o fellow-labourer_n and_o to_o undergo_v charge_n the_o same_o course_n of_o election_n and_o admission_n for_o substance_n and_o in_o form_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office_n be_v observe_v in_o the_o call_n other_o officer_n as_o rule_v elder_n and_o deacon_n at_o the_o beginning_n and_o where_o there_o be_v none_o the_o pastor_n with_o the_o grave_a holy_a and_o those_o of_o the_o sound_a judgement_n and_o best_a affection_n to_o religion_n do_v choose_v they_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n and_o where_o particular_a eldership_n be_v already_o constitute_v the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n who_o be_v in_o office_n do_v choose_v such_o as_o be_v to_o succeed_v those_o who_o be_v remove_v by_o death_n or_o any_o other_o way_n or_o by_o vicissitude_n be_v to_o relieve_v such_o as_o be_v in_o place_n and_o that_o the_o election_n of_o one_o or_o more_o at_o first_o or_o afterward_o may_v proceed_v with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n their_o name_n be_v to_o be_v publish_v and_o make_v know_v to_o the_o congregation_n by_o the_o pastor_n that_o if_o aught_o may_v be_v object_v against_o any_o of_o they_o why_o they_o may_v not_o be_v receive_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o elder_a or_o deacon_n it_o may_v be_v examine_v and_o if_o it_o be_v find_v important_a other_o may_v be_v choose_v when_o the_o day_n of_o their_o admission_n come_v the_o pastor_n have_v frame_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o purpose_n call_v they_o up_o and_o remember_v both_o they_o of_o their_o duty_n in_o their_o charge_n and_o the_o people_n of_o their_o submit_v themselves_o unto_o they_o they_o be_v to_o be_v solemn_o receive_v with_o lift_v up_o hand_n give_v their_o promise_n to_o be_v faithful_a of_o elder_n and_o their_o office_n the_o call_v election_n and_o admission_n of_o elder_n be_v before_o speak_v of_o the_o number_n of_o elder_n in_o every_o parish_n be_v not_o definite_a but_o do_v vary_v according_a to_o the_o number_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o people_n in_o some_o parish_n six_o in_o some_o ten_o or_o twelve_o etc._n etc._n such_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v for_o elder_n as_o come_v near_o to_o the_o gift_n and_o quality_n require_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o after_o they_o be_v choose_v be_v at_o all_o occasion_n to_o be_v exhort_v by_o the_o pastor_n to_o be_v ensample_n to_o the_o flock_n and_o to_o watch_v over_o they_o faithful_o against_o all_o corruption_n in_o religion_n and_o life_n and_o as_o the_o pastor_n shall_v be_v diligent_a in_o teach_v and_o sow_v the_o seed_n so_o be_v the_o elder_n desire_v to_o be_v careful_a in_o see_v and_o seek_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o people_n the_o elder_n be_v to_o attend_v with_o the_o pastor_n in_o catechise_v the_o people_n to_o assist_v he_o in_o visit_v the_o sick_a in_o admonish_v all_o man_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o if_o any_o will_v not_o hear_v they_o they_o must_v bring_v the_o disobedient_a before_o the_o eldership_n but_o a_o principal_a part_n of_o their_o duty_n be_v to_o join_v always_o with_o the_o pastor_n in_o the_o particular_a eldership_n and_o in_o other_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v call_v for_o exercise_v of_o discipline_n and_o govern_v the_o whole_a congregation_n of_o the_o deacon_n and_o their_o office_n what_o manner_n of_o person_n the_o deacon_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o such_o they_o make_v choice_n of_o as_o be_v so_o qualify_v so_o far_o as_o may_v be_v the_o form_n of_o their_o election_n be_v before_o express_v their_o number_n must_v be_v consider_v of_o according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o congregation_n as_o we_o speak_v before_o of_o the_o elder_n their_o main_a duty_n be_v to_o collect_v receive_v and_o distribute_v not_o only_o the_o alm_n for_o the_o poor_a but_o the_o whole_a ecclesiastical_a good_n which_o be_v not_o assign_v and_o appoint_v for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o particular_a person_n these_o duty_n they_o must_v perform_v at_o the_o discretion_n and_o by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n for_o which_o cause_n and_o not_o for_o government_n they_o be_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o ordinary_a meeting_n of_o the_o eldership_n the_o mean_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o poor_a be_v collect_v by_o the_o deacon_n the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n and_o other_o day_n of_o the_o public_a assemble_v the_o people_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n at_o the_o entry_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o this_o prove_v not_o a_o competency_n then_o do_v the_o people_n either_o bring_v in_o their_o charity_n on_o such_o day_n as_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o eldership_n or_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v tax_v according_a as_o they_o shall_v be_v judge_v to_o be_v able_a in_o city_n and_o parish_n where_o this_o order_n shall_v be_v careful_o observe_v none_o will_v be_v suffer_v to_o beg_v and_o none_o lack_v of_o church_n assembly_n in_o general_n no_o man_n be_v he_o never_o so_o eminent_a above_o other_o for_o piety_n wisdom_n or_o learning_n or_o do_v he_o never_o so_o much_o arrogate_v authority_n to_o himself_o have_v the_o rain_n of_o church-government_n in_o his_o hand_n to_o determine_v or_o to_o do_v what_o seem_v good_a in_o his_o own_o eye_n but_o all_o matter_n be_v to_o be_v advise_v determine_v and_o judge_v with_o common_a consent_n in_o the_o meeting_n and_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n which_o for_o this_o end_n be_v of_o four_o sort_n and_o degree_n which_o be_v common_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o church-session_n or_o particular_a eldership_n or_o consistory_n presbytery_n or_o class_n provincial_n synod_n and_o nationall_n or_o general_n assembly_n each_o of_o these_o assembly_n have_v a_o precedent_n or_o moderator_n who_o begin_v and_o end_v with_o prayer_n propound_v matter_n to_o be_v treat_v procure_v they_o to_o be_v debate_v if_o need_v be_v and_o in_o orderly_a way_n that_o all_o may_v be_v hear_v and_o none_o interrupt_v unless_o he_o speak_v too_o much_o gather_v the_o voice_n which_o be_v note_v by_o the_o clerk_n and_o pronunce_v the_o sentence_n or_o if_o there_o be_v a_o equality_n remit_v it_o to_o the_o great_a presbytery_n each_o of_o they_o have_v a_o clerk_n or_o a_o notary_n and_o a_o register_n of_o all_o thing_n debate_v and_o do_v by_o they_o especial_o of_o such_o matter_n as_o may_v be_v of_o future_a use_n none_o of_o these_o assembly_n from_o the_o least_o to_o the_o great_a be_v to_o treat_v of_o matter_n pertain_v to_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n and_o magistrate_n but_o only_o of_o matter_n spiritual_a and_o ecclesiastical_a that_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n may_v be_v keep_v in_o purity_n all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n in_o the_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n may_v walk_v worthy_o of_o the_o gospel_n the_o
which_o if_o he_o still_o refuse_v to_o do_v the_o next_o sabbath_n his_o name_n with_o his_o offence_n and_o contempt_n be_v publish_v if_o he_o yet_o continue_v obstinate_a than_o the_o next_o which_o be_v the_o three_o sabbath_n be_v he_o charge_v public_o to_o satisfy_v for_o his_o offence_n and_o contempt_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n if_o now_o he_o offer_v himself_o to_o the_o particular_a presbytery_n then_o do_v they_o at_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o presbytery_n give_v order_n for_o his_o public_a repentance_n the_o remove_n of_o the_o scandal_n &_o his_o reconcilement_n to_o the_o church_n otherwise_o the_o minister_n proceed_v in_o this_o order_n the_o sabbath_n after_o the_o three_o public_a admonition_n the_o minister_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o eldership_n be_v to_o make_v know_v to_o the_o congregation_n that_o such_o a_o person_n be_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v warn_v all_o that_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o object_n against_o it_o that_o they_o 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publican_n and_o to_o shun_v all_o communion_n with_o he_o except_o in_o natural_a and_o civil_a duty_n to_o be_v still_o perform_v by_o such_o as_o be_v bind_v it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o where_o the_o crime_n be_v such_o that_o they_o cry_v to_o the_o heaven_n for_o revenge_n waste_v the_o conscience_n and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n deserve_v death_n and_o the_o transgressor_n certain_o know_v the_o process_n may_v be_v more_o summary_n and_o excommunication_n more_o hasten_v as_o on_o the_o other_o part_n of_o absolution_n the_o time_n will_v be_v long_o and_o the_o trial_n of_o repentance_n more_o exact_a after_o excommunication_n he_o be_v permit_v to_o come_v to_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n yet_o so_o as_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o he_o come_v as_o one_o not_o have_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v he_o debar_v from_o private_a counsel_n instruction_n admonition_n and_o prayer_n that_o in_o the_o end_n his_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v if_o 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have_v enter_v before_o upon_o the_o public_a exercise_n or_o prophesy_v to_o sit_v by_o the_o minister_n and_o elder_n in_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o to_o give_v their_o judgement_n of_o the_o doctrine_n but_o they_o have_v no_o voice_n when_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n or_o discipline_n be_v debate_v and_o in_o the_o handle_n of_o some_o matter_n which_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v conceal_v and_o keep_v secret_a till_o they_o be_v by_o common_a consent_n publish_v they_o be_v to_o be_v remove_v because_o the_o whole_a discipline_n in_o a_o manner_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n they_o be_v to_o meet_v once_o a_o week_n or_o fortnight_n upon_o a_o certain_a day_n and_o in_o a_o certain_a place_n but_o in_o some_o place_n through_o the_o length_n and_o deepness_n of_o the_o way_n in_o winter_n they_o do_v not_o meet_v so_o often_o the_o subject_n and_o matter_n treat_v by_o the_o presbytery_n be_v all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n of_o weight_n 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