canon_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o respect_n of_o heresy_n schism_n obstinacy_n contempt_n and_o scandal_n vindex_n not_o by_o any_o external_a coactive_a power_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o magistrate_n but_o by_o spiritual_a censure_n the_o dogmaticke_a power_n of_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o a_o power_n to_o make_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n nor_o new_a duty_n and_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n but_o a_o power_n to_o apply_v and_o interpret_v those_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o duty_n of_o worship_n which_o god_n have_v set_v before_o we_o in_o his_o write_a word_n and_o to_o declare_v the_o same_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o emergent_a heresy_n and_o error_n to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n 3.15_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v be_v expound_v either_o in_o sensu_fw-la forensi_fw-la the_o church_n be_v the_o public_a witness_n notifier_n and_o keeper_n of_o truth_n even_o as_o in_o court_n and_o place_n of_o judgement_n there_o be_v pillar_n to_o which_o the_o edict_n of_o magistrate_n be_v affix_v that_o people_n may_v have_v notice_n thereof_o or_o in_o sensu_fw-la architectonico_fw-la as_o the_o church_n by_o her_o faith_n be_v build_v upon_o christ_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o upon_o the_o doctrine_n and_o truth_n of_o christ_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o lean_v thereto_o so_o by_o her_o ministry_n she_o uphold_v under-propeth_a and_o conserve_v this_o same_o truth_n lest_o as_o the_o prophet_n speak_v truth_n fall_v in_o the_o street_n &_o perish_v among_o man_n truth_n stand_v fast_o in_o the_o church_n and_o be_v keep_v firm_a while_o it_o be_v profess_v preach_v propugned_a and_o maintain_v against_o all_o contrary_a error_n and_o heresy_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n say_v the_o apostle_n that_o unto_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n 3.2_o by_o they_o to_o be_v keep_v interpret_v propagate_v etc._n etc._n by_o the_o diatakticke_a power_n a_o synod_n may_v institute_v restore_v or_o change_v according_a to_o the_o condition_n and_o exigence_n of_o the_o church_n the_o external_a circumstance_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n i_o mean_v those_o circumstance_n which_o be_v common_a both_o to_o civil_a and_o sacred_a society_n the_o conveniency_n whereof_o be_v determinable_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n always_o observe_v the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n which_o command_v that_o all_o be_v do_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n that_o all_o be_v do_v to_o edify_v that_o all_o be_v do_v in_o order_n and_o decency_n that_o we_o give_v none_o offence_n that_o we_o support_v the_o weak_a that_o we_o give_v no_o place_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o truth_n nor_o symbolize_v with_o idolater_n etc._n etc._n now_o for_o avoid_v disorder_n and_o disconformity_n in_o a_o nation_n profess_v one_o religion_n it_o be_v fit_a that_o national_n synod_n give_v certain_a direction_n and_o rule_n even_o concern_v these_o rite_n and_o circumstance_n not_o have_v therein_o a_o arbitrary_a or_o autocratorke_a power_n but_o be_v always_o tie_v to_o follow_v the_o rule_v aforesaid_a the_o critic_n power_n of_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o a_o lordly_a imperious_a dominier_n over_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v rule_v with_o force_n and_o cruelty_n but_o it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o spiritual_a censure_n as_o excommunication_n deposition_n and_o the_o like_a most_o necessary_a for_o the_o repress_v of_o heresy_n error_n obstinacy_n in_o wickedness_n and_o scandal_n otherwise_o incorrigible_a without_o this_o power_n schism_n and_o offence_n can_v not_o be_v cure_v but_o shall_v the_o more_o increase_n whileas_o liberty_n be_v leave_v to_o heretic_n schismatickes_n and_o obstinate_a person_n without_o any_o censure_n to_o pester_v and_o disturb_v a_o whole_a nation_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o national_n synod_n but_o may_v one_o say_v if_o the_o decree_n of_o a_o synod_n concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n or_o worship_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o sure_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o only_o to_o be_v receive_v when_o they_o do_v agree_v therewith_o and_o if_o also_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o synod_n in_o external_a circumstance_n do_v not_o bind_v except_o ex_fw-la aquo_fw-la &_o bono_fw-mi and_o propter_fw-la justas_fw-la mandandi_fw-la causas_fw-la or_o as_o divine_n speak_v in_o casu_fw-la scandali_fw-la &_o contemptus_fw-la and_o not_o for_o the_o mere_a will_n or_o authority_n of_o a_o synod_n and_o if_o therefore_o all_o christian_n be_v by_o the_o private_a judgement_n of_o christian_a discretion_n follow_v the_o light_n of_o god_n word_n and_o spirit_n to_o try_v and_o examine_v all_o decree_n and_o constitution_n of_o any_o synod_n whatsoever_o to_o know_v whether_o they_o may_v lawful_o receive_v the_o same_o as_o our_o divine_n maintain_v and_o prove_v against_o papist_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o it_o may_v seem_v contrary_a to_o christian_a liberty_n and_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o protestant_a writer_n that_o synod_n shall_v exercise_v the_o foresay_a critic_n power_n or_o inflict_v any_o spiritual_a censure_n at_o least_o upon_o those_o who_o profess_v that_o after_o examination_n of_o the_o decree_n or_o constitution_n they_o can_v be_v persuade_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o same_o ans._n 1._o our_o divine_n by_o those_o their_o tenant_n mean_v not_o to_o open_v a_o door_n to_o disobedience_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o a_o synod_n but_o only_o to_o oppugn_v the_o popish_a error_n concern_v the_o bind_a power_n of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n by_o the_o sole_a will_n and_o naked_a authority_n of_o the_o lawmaker_n &_o that_o christian_a people_n ought_v not_o to_o seek_v any_o further_a reason_n or_o motive_n of_o obedience_n 2._o a_o synod_n must_v ever_o put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o those_o who_o out_o of_o a_o real_a scruple_n of_o conscience_n do_v in_o a_o modest_a and_o peaceable_a way_n refuse_v obedience_n to_o their_o ordinance_n still_o use_v the_o mean_n of_o their_o better_o information_n &_o those_o who_o contemptuous_o or_o factious_o disobey_v the_o same_o labour_v with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o strengthen_v themselves_o in_o their_o error_n and_o to_o persuade_v other_o to_o be_v of_o their_o mind_n 3._o this_o objection_n do_v militate_v no_o less_o against_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n in_o a_o particular_a congregation_n then_o in_o a_o national_n synod_n and_o they_o who_o do_v at_o all_o approve_v of_o church_n censure_v to_o be_v inflict_v upon_o the_o contemptuous_a and_o obstinate_a shall_v put_v in_o our_o mouth_n a_o answer_n to_o objection_n of_o this_o kind_n chap._n v._o the_o first_o argument_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n and_o the_o subordination_n of_o presbytery_n thereto_o take_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n have_v now_o describe_v the_o power_n of_o particular_a eldership_n which_o we_o call_v session_n of_o classical_a presbytery_n and_o of_o synod_n provincial_n and_o national_n it_o remain_v to_o confirm_v by_o argument_n the_o subordination_n and_o subjection_n of_o the_o particular_a eldership_n to_o the_o classical_a or_o common_a presbytery_n of_o both_o to_o the_o provincial_n synod_n and_o of_o all_o these_o to_o the_o national_n assembly_n so_o that_o every_o one_o may_v perceive_v what_o reason_n the_o church_n of_o scotland_n have_v to_o give_v unto_o the_o high_a ecclesiastical_a court_n authority_n over_o the_o low_a i_o may_v insist_v long_o enough_o both_o in_o the_o testimony_n of_o protestant_a writer_n and_o in_o the_o example_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n abroad_o as_o also_o in_o the_o example_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n all_o speak_n for_o this_o authority_n of_o synod_n but_o these_o i_o shall_v pass_v because_o i_o know_v argument_n from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n be_v require_v and_o such_o we_o have_v to_o give_v first_o of_o all_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o very_a light_n &_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o same_o light_n of_o nature_n which_o have_v teach_v our_o commonwealth_n beside_o the_o magistrate_n and_o counsel_n of_o particular_a burgh_n to_o constitute_v high_a court_n for_o whole_a shire_n balivery_n stuartry_n regality_n and_o above_o all_o these_o the_o supreme_a court_n of_o parliament_n to_o govern_v the_o whole_a nation_n have_v also_o teach_v our_o church_n to_o constitute_v synod_n provincial_n and_o national_n with_o power_n and_o authority_n above_o presbytery_n we_o be_v far_o from_o their_o mind_n who_o will_v make_v policy_n the_o mistress_n and_o religion_n the_o handmaid_n and_o will_v have_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n conform_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o state_n as_o the_o fit_a pattern_n but_o this_o we_o say_v in_o all_o such_o
in_o synod_n be_v threefold_a dogmatic_a diataktick_a and_o critic_n whether_o the_o decree_n of_o a_o synod_n may_v be_v press_v upon_o such_o as_o profess_v scruple_n of_o conscience_n there_o anent_o chap._n v._o the_o first_o argument_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n and_o the_o subordination_n of_o presbytery_n â—â—erto_o take_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o certain_a kind_n of_o republic_n and_o in_o thing_n which_o be_v common_a to_o she_o with_o other_o society_n be_v guide_v by_o the_o same_o light_n of_o nature_n which_o guide_v they_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v her_o assembly_n chap._n vi_o the_o second_o argument_n take_v from_o christ_n institution_n the_o will_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n be_v show_v two_o way_n 1._o because_o else_o he_o have_v not_o sufficient_o provide_v for_o all_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o church_n 2._o he_o have_v commit_v spiritual_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o assembly_n and_o court_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_a yet_o have_v not_o determine_v in_o scripture_n all_o the_o particular_a kind_n degree_n and_o bound_n thereof_o and_o that_o for_o three_o reason_n the_o particular_a kind_n of_o synod_n appoint_v by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o general_a warrant_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n be_v mix_v though_o not_o mere_a divine_a ordinance_n chap._n vii_o the_o three_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n aâ—_n lest_o two_o ecclesiastical_a court_n the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o sanedrim_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o synagogical_a consistory_n be_v not_o civil_a but_o spiritual_a prove_v against_o sutliffe_n that_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a sanedrim_n distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a sanedrim_n prove_v against_o the_o same_o sutliffe_n both_o from_o the_o institution_n thereof_o deuâ—_n 17._o and_o from_o the_o restitution_n 2_o chron._n 19_o and_o from_o the_o practice_n jer._n 26._o the_o consequence_n of_o our_o argument_n prove_v against_o such_o as_o deny_v it_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v the_o jewish_a church_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o it_o have_v not_o as_o it_o be_v jewish_n but_o under_o the_o common_a respect_n and_o account_v of_o a_o political_a church_n chap._n viii_o the_o four_o argument_n take_v from_o act_n 15._o that_o we_o find_v act_n 15._o a_o synod_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n with_o authority_n impose_v their_o decree_n upon_o many_o particular_a congregation_n four_o answer_n make_v to_o this_o argument_n find_v not_o to_o be_v satisfactory_a chap._n ix_o the_o six_o argument_n token_n from_o the_o geometrical_a proportion_n this_o argument_n from_o proportion_n do_v hold_v whether_o we_o compare_v the_o collective_n of_o church_n among_o themselves_o or_o the_o representative_n among_o themselves_o or_o the_o representative_n and_o collective_n together_o chap._n x._o the_o six_o argument_n take_v from_o necessity_n that_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o preserve_v unity_n or_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o controversy_n other_o remedy_n declare_v to_o be_v ineffectual_a chap._n xi_o objection_n make_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n answer_v the_o place_n math._n 18.17_o discuss_v that_o one_o visible_a political_a church_n may_v comprehend_v many_o congregation_n prove_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n do_v not_o rob_v the_o congregation_n of_o their_o liberty_n as_o the_o prelacy_n do_v a_o visible_a church_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o metaphysical_o or_o political_o this_o distinction_n explain_v serve_v to_o obviate_v sundry_a argument_n alledgeâ—_n for_o the_o independent_a power_n of_o congregation_n other_o two_o objection_n answer_v which_o have_v be_v late_o make_v the_o first_o part_n concern_v rul_a elder_n chap._n i._o of_o the_o word_n elder_a lay_v elder_a rule_v elder_a the_o word_n elder_a answer_v to_o zaken_v in_o the_o hebrew_n &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o greek_a it_o have_v four_o different_a signification_n 1._o it_o note_v age._n 2_o antiquity_n 3._o venerability_n 4._o a_o office_n in_o the_o first_o signification_n elder_a be_v oppose_v to_o young_a as_o 1_o tim._n 5.1_o rebuke_v not_o a_o elder_a but_o entreat_v he_o as_o a_o father_n &_o the_o young_a man_n as_o brethren_n 1_o pet._n 5.5_o likewise_o you_o young_a submit_v yourselves_o unto_o the_o elder_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v the_o apostle_n john_n call_v the_o elder_a because_o he_o outlive_v the_o other_o apostle_n 2_o john_n 1._o and_o 3._o vers_fw-la 1._o in_o the_o second_o signification_n elder_a be_v oppose_v to_o modern_a mat._n 15.2_o why_o do_v thy_o disciple_n transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n that_o be_v of_o they_o of_o old_a time_n mat._n 5.21_o in_o the_o three_o signification_n we_o find_v the_o word_n isa._n 3._o where_o the_o lord_n say_v that_o he_o will_v take_v away_o from_o israel_n the_o prudent_a and_o the_o ancient_a vezaken_v that_o be_v the_o worthy_n among_o they_o and_o such_o as_o be_v respect_v for_o wisdom_n the_o same_o word_n and_o peradverture_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n be_v turn_v elder_a exod._n 2.16_o eth-zikne_a israel_n the_o elder_n of_o israel_n so_o the_o spanish_a seijor_n the_o french_a seigneur_n the_o italian_a signore_v all_o come_n from_o the_o latin_a senior_n signify_v a_o man_n of_o respect_n or_o one_o venerable_a for_o dignity_n gift_n prudence_n or_o piety_n contrariwise_o man_n of_o no_o worth_n nor_o wisdom_n man_n despicable_a for_o lack_v of_o gift_n and_o understanding_n be_v call_v child_n isa._n 3.4.12_o ephes._n 4.14_o but_o it_o be_v the_o four_o signification_n which_o we_o have_v now_o to_o do_v withal_o and_o so_o a_o elder_n be_v a_o spiritual_a officer_n appoint_v by_o god_n and_o call_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n act_v 14.23_o when_o they_o have_v by_o voice_n make_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n they_o have_v the_o name_n of_o elder_n because_o of_o the_o maturity_n of_o knowledge_n wisdom_n gift_n and_o gravity_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o they_o for_o which_o reason_n also_o the_o name_n of_o senator_n be_v borrow_v from_o senes_fw-la before_o we_o come_v to_o speak_v particular_o of_o those_o elder_n of_o which_o our_o purpose_n be_v to_o treat_v it_o be_v fit_a we_o shall_v know_v they_o by_o their_o right_a name_n lest_o we_o nickname_v and_o miscall_a they_o some_o reproachful_o and_o other_o ignorant_o call_v they_o lay_v elder_n but_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o clergy_n &_o laity_n be_v popish_a and_o antichristian_a and_o they_o who_o have_v narrow_o consider_v the_o record_n of_o ancient_a time_n have_v note_v this_o distinction_n as_o one_o of_o the_o ground_n whence_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n have_v the_o beginning_n of_o it_o 8._o the_o name_n of_o clergy_n appropriate_a to_o minister_n be_v full_a of_o pride_n and_o vainglory_n and_o have_v make_v the_o holy_a people_n of_o god_n to_o be_v despise_v as_o if_o they_o be_v profane_a and_o unclean_a in_o comparison_n of_o their_o minister_n 37._o gerard_n liken_v those_o who_o take_v to_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o the_o pharisee_n who_o call_v themselves_o by_o that_o name_n for_o that_o their_o holiness_n do_v separate_v they_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o this_o etymology_n of_o the_o name_n pharisee_fw-mi he_o cit_v tertullian_n origen_n epiphanius_n ambrose_n and_o confirm_v it_o from_o luke_n 18.10_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o some_o counsel_n discharge_v the_o laity_n from_o presume_v to_o enter_v within_o the_o choir_n 69._o or_o to_o stand_v among_o the_o clergy_n near_o the_o altar_n two_o reason_n be_v allege_v why_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d first_o because_o the_o lord_n be_v their_o inheritance_n second_o because_o they_o be_v the_o lord_n inheritance_n now_o both_o these_o reason_n do_v agree_v to_o all_o the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n for_o there_o be_v none_o of_o the_o faithful_a who_o may_v not_o say_v with_o david_n psal._n 16.5_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o portion_n of_o my_o inheritance_n and_o of_o who_o also_o it_o may_v not_o be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v the_o lord_n inheritance_n or_o lot_n for_o peter_n give_v this_o name_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n 2.12_o 1_o pet._n 5.3_o where_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a we_o may_v challenge_v bishop_n hall_n who_o borrow_v a_o gloss_n from_o bellarmine_n and_o gregorius_n de_fw-fr valentia_n tell_v we_o that_o peter_n charge_v his_o fellow_n bishop_n not_o to_o domineer_v over_o their_o clergy_n so_o shut_v out_o of_o the_o text_n both_o the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n because_o the_o bishop_n only_o be_v mean_v by_o elder_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o people_n because_o the_o inferior_a pastor_n be_v the_o bishop_n
government_n but_o presbyterial_a government_n secret_o smile_v because_o while_o she_o be_v ready_a to_o say_v much_o more_o for_o herself_o he_o do_v not_o put_v she_o to_o to_o it_o lest_o himself_o shall_v have_v be_v put_v ad_fw-la metam_fw-la non_fw-la probandi_fw-la but_o he_o particularize_v himself_o and_o tell_v we_o he_o have_v unfold_v the_o weakness_n of_o our_o ground_n and_o disprove_v our_o pretend_a proof_n the_o truth_n be_v that_o the_o best_a of_o they_o &_o the_o most_o of_o they_o he_o have_v not_o touch_v he_o add_v that_o he_o have_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o liberty_n of_o the_o people_n in_o choose_v thâ—ir_n own_o officer_n this_o may_v be_v add_v â—aute_n but_o cast_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v not_o he_o will_v make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o presbyterian_o be_v against_o the_o people_n election_n of_o their_o officer_n which_o be_v a_o calumny_n he_o say_v he_o have_v annex_v certain_a argument_n prove_v presbyterial_a government_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o pattern_n which_o christ_n have_v leave_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n these_o argument_n shall_v be_v answer_v with_o no_o great_a difficulty_n in_o this_o place_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v a_o word_n of_o they_o in_o general_n the_o man_n have_v a_o notable_a faculty_n of_o prove_v that_o wherein_o the_o presbyterian_o do_v agree_v with_o he_o and_o pass_v that_o wherein_o they_o disagree_v from_o he_o many_o humane_a testimony_n and_o citation_n of_o writer_n he_o muster_v together_o to_o make_v a_o simple_a reader_n believe_v that_o many_o be_v of_o his_o judgement_n but_o i_o find_v none_o of_o they_o all_o except_o two_o or_o three_o to_o affirm_v any_o thing_n which_o we_o deny_v but_o why_o have_v he_o take_v all_o this_o pain_n he_o will_v present_v it_o forsooth_o to_o the_o king_n most_o excellent_a majesty_n and_o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a lord_n and_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o now_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n as_o if_o it_o be_v to_o be_v expect_v that_o a_o popular_a and_o independent_a form_n of_o church_n government_n in_o every_o congregation_n which_o shall_v most_o certain_o open_v a_o door_n to_o a_o thousand_o remediless_a confusion_n may_v obtain_v his_o majesty_n royal_a assent_n or_o the_o acceptation_n of_o the_o high_a court_n of_o parliament_n nay_o brother_n seek_v some_o other_o friend_n to_o your_o cause_n for_o if_o wise_a man_n be_v not_o too_o too_o much_o deceive_v the_o king_n and_o the_o parliament_n in_o their_o great_a wisdom_n do_v foresee_v that_o whensoever_o episcopal_a government_n shall_v be_v remove_v another_o form_n of_o provincial_n and_o national_a church_n government_n must_v needs_o succeed_v unto_o it_o now_o to_o come_v to_o the_o substance_n of_o his_o discourse_n first_o he_o make_v a_o quarrel_n against_o the_o presbytery_n of_o particular_a church_n which_o be_v in_o scotland_n call_v session_n then_o against_o all_o high_a consistory_n in_o the_o church_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o presbytery_n of_o particular_a church_n he_o judge_v they_o three_o way_n defective_a first_o he_o require_v that_o all_o who_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o company_n of_o elder_n even_o the_o govern_n or_o rule_v elder_n shall_v be_v apt_a to_o teach_v and_o able_a to_o exhort_v with_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o convince_v gainsayer_n 9_o and_o that_o not_o only_o private_o or_o in_o the_o consistory_n but_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n also_o if_o not_o exact_o yet_o competent_o answ._n 1._o though_o rule_v elder_n ought_v to_o teach_v exhort_v rebuke_n etc._n etc._n both_o in_o the_o consistory_n and_o private_o from_o house_n to_o house_n as_o the_o case_n of_o every_o family_n and_o person_n do_v require_v which_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v draw_v from_o those_o allege_v place_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n if_o so_o be_v they_o ought_v at_o all_o to_o be_v extend_v to_o roll_a elder_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o teach_v public_o in_o the_o congregation_n 2._o that_o expression_n if_o not_o exact_o yet_o competent_o be_v somewhat_o mysterious_a 3._o rule_v elder_n be_v express_o distinguish_v from_o those_o that_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o and_o from_o these_o that_o teach_v or_o exhort_v rom._n 12.7_o 8._o 4._o if_o rule_v elder_n shall_v â—each_v public_o in_o the_o congregation_n ex_fw-la officio_fw-la and_o with_o cure_n of_o soul_n as_o they_o speak_v why_o shall_v they_o not_o also_o minister_v the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v pendicles_a and_o seal_v of_o the_o word_n and_o therefore_o commit_v to_o those_o who_o be_v send_v to_o the_o public_a preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n matth._n 28.19_o 5._o though_o he_o speak_v here_o only_o of_o rule_v elder_n yet_o i_o doubt_v he_o require_v of_o at_o least_o will_v permit_v to_o all_o man_n that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o same_o public_a teach_n and_o prophesy_v in_o the_o congregation_n the_o second_o defect_n which_o he_o wish_v supply_v 3._o be_v that_o the_o temporary_a roll_a elder_n may_v be_v make_v perpetual_a and_o for_o life_n which_o he_o enforce_v by_o four_o reason_n this_o i_o assent_n unto_o provide_v he_o admit_v a_o distinction_n betwixt_o the_o office_n itself_o and_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o same_o the_o office_n of_o a_o roll_a elder_a aught_o to_o be_v for_o his_o life_n no_o less_o than_o the_o pastor_n yet_o must_v we_o not_o condemn_v those_o church_n which_o dispense_v with_o the_o intermission_n of_o their_o actual_a attendance_n for_o a_o certain_a space_n and_o permit_v they_o to_o exercise_v their_o office_n by_o course_n as_o the_o levit_n do_v of_o old_a who_o example_n himself_o here_o take_v for_o a_o pattern_n the_o three_o thing_n he_o say_v be_v of_o most_o moment_n 4._o he_o do_v complain_v that_o the_o elder_n do_v not_o administer_v their_o public_a office_n public_o as_o they_o shall_v but_o only_o in_o their_o private_a consistory_n he_o do_v permit_v they_o indeed_o to_o meet_v apart_o for_o deliberation_n whereof_o we_o shall_v here_o afterward_o but_o he_o will_v have_v their_o church-office_n which_o in_o the_o lord_n they_o have_v receive_v to_o be_v execute_v public_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o congregation_n 1._o because_o a_o office_n public_a in_o the_o nature_n ought_v also_o to_o be_v public_a in_o the_o administration_n 2._o because_o the_o reform_a church_n can_v know_v their_o elder_n whether_o they_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a except_o by_o hearsay_n 3._o because_o otherwise_o the_o elder_n can_v not_o ministerial_o take_v heed_n to_o the_o whole_a flock_n as_o they_o be_v warn_v to_o do_v act_v 20.28_o ans._n 1._o rule_v elder_n do_v execute_v their_o office_n not_o only_o in_o the_o consistory_n but_o from_o house_n to_o house_n throughout_o all_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o congregation_n which_o may_z easy_o make_v they_o know_v to_o that_o church_n where_o they_o serve_v whether_o they_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a 2._o their_o consistoriall_a sentence_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o importance_n such_o as_o ordination_n church_n censure_n excommunication_n etc._n etc._n be_v make_v know_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n 3._o he_o pass_v a_o short_a censure_n upon_o the_o reform_a church_n the_o reform_a church_n be_v a_o great_a word_n but_o this_o man_n make_v a_o moat_n of_o it_o 4._o the_o place_n act_v 20.28_o can_v help_v he_o for_o rule_v elder_n do_v feed_v and_o oversee_v the_o whole_a flock_n both_o by_o discipline_n in_o the_o consistory_n and_o by_o take_v heed_n to_o all_o the_o sheep_n several_o as_o every_o one_o have_v need_v and_o in_o that_o respect_n may_v be_v call_v both_o pastor_n and_o bishop_n beside_o i_o doubt_v he_o can_v prove_v that_o place_n to_o be_v mean_v of_o rule_v elder_n he_o he_o go_v on_o to_o make_v plain_a what_o he_o have_v say_v 5._o by_o descend_v to_o some_o particular_n in_o which_o the_o elder_n office_n seem_v especial_o to_o consist_v and_o these_o be_v say_v he_o the_o admit_v of_o member_n into_o the_o church_n upon_o profession_n of_o faith_n make_v and_o the_o reprove_v and_o censure_v of_o obstinate_a offender_n these_o be_v the_o most_o frequent_a public_a administration_n of_o the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n and_o what_o of_o they_o he_o say_v as_o they_o leave_v the_o execution_n of_o these_o thing_n to_o the_o elder_n alone_o in_o the_o settle_a and_o well_o order_v state_n of_o the_o church_n so_o do_v they_o deny_v that_o they_o can_v be_v right_o and_o orderly_o do_v but_o with_o the_o people_n privity_n and_o consent_n his_o restriction_n to_o the_o settle_a and_o well_o order_v estate_n of_o the_o church_n i_o can_v understand_v he_o have_v do_v well_o to_o have_v explain_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o that_o not_o settle_v nor_o well_o order_v state_n of_o the_o church_n