the_o lord_n and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n upon_o the_o breastplate_n this_o prove_v not_o a_o church_n representative_a but_o sign_n representative_a 5._o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n be_v now_o as_o then_o necessary_o absent_a from_o the_o consistorial_n action_n of_o debate_v and_o decide_v matter_n of_o church_n government_n and_o of_o jurisdiction_n and_o so_o that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o representative_a church_n do_v still_o remain_v now_o before_o i_o make_v a_o end_n i_o must_v answer_v yet_o other_o two_o objection_n which_o have_v be_v late_o make_v 57.58_o there_o be_v one_o who_o object_v that_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n 15._o can_v be_v no_o precedent_n nor_o pattern_n for_o succeed_a age_n first_o because_o the_o apostle_n be_v inspire_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o whole_o guide_v they_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o in_o that_o their_o determination_n they_o say_v express_o 15.28_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o to_o lay_v upon_o you_o no_o great_a burden_n now_o what_o synod_n in_o any_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n can_v ever_o say_v that_o they_o be_v infallible_o inspire_v and_o assist_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n second_o that_o injunction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o that_o present_a time_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o offence_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n but_o the_o like_a we_o read_v not_o afterward_o in_o all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n ans._n 1._o i_o say_v with_o whittaker_n posse_fw-la alia_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o other_o lawful_a counsel_n may_v in_o like_a manner_n affirm_v their_o decree_n to_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 6._o if_o they_o be_v like_a unto_o this_o council_n and_o if_o they_o keep_v the_o same_o rule_n which_o the_o apostle_n do_v keep_v and_o follow_v in_o this_o council_n for_o if_o they_o decree_v and_o determine_v nothing_o but_o from_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v do_v in_o this_o council_n and_o if_o they_o examine_v all_o question_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o in_o all_o their_o decree_n follow_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o may_v they_o affirm_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v so_o decree_v 2._o if_o the_o doctrine_n or_o exhortation_n of_o a_o pastor_n well_o ground_v upon_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o much_o more_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o a_o synod_n well_o ground_v upon_o the_o scripture_n the_o decree_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o that_o assembly_n be_v not_o of_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n neither_o do_v the_o decree_n proceed_v from_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n act_n 16.4_o and_o 21.25_o and_o in_o the_o place_n which_o be_v now_o object_v act_v 15.28_o not_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o the_o elder_n with_o they_o say_v it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o what_o the_o elder_n do_v then_o the_o elder_n may_v do_v now_o for_o time_n have_v not_o diminish_v their_o authority_n 4._o nay_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o that_o synod_n the_o elder_n may_v do_v in_o a_o synod_n now_o for_o the_o apostle_n than_o do_v nothing_o but_o in_o the_o ordinary_a and_o common_a way_n of_o dispute_v and_o debate_v compare_v reason_n with_o reason_n and_o sentence_n with_o sentence_n and_o thereafter_o frame_v the_o decree_n according_a to_o the_o light_n which_o they_o have_v by_o reason_v and_o by_o search_v the_o scripture_n but_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a the_o sentence_n of_o the_o apostle_n peter_n in_o that_o synod_n be_v very_o imperfect_a and_o defective_a for_o he_o only_o dissuade_v from_o impose_v the_o yoke_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n but_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o overture_n for_o avoid_v the_o offence_n betwixt_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o convert_a gentile_n at_o that_o time_n which_o i_o may_v suppose_v he_o will_v have_v do_v if_o his_o light_n and_o judgement_n have_v carry_v he_o that_o far_o in_o this_o the_o apostle_n james_n supply_v the_o defect_n of_o peter_n sentence_n supra_fw-la and_o propound_v a_o overture_n which_o please_v the_o whole_a council_n and_o according_a to_o which_o the_o decree_n be_v give_v forth_o this_o make_v luther_n to_o say_v that_o james_n do_v change_v the_o sentence_n of_o peter_n and_o all_o this_o it_o please_v god_n so_o to_o dispose_v that_o we_o may_v understand_v that_o synod_n to_o be_v indeed_o a_o precedent_n and_o pattern_n for_o ordinary_a synod_n in_o succeed_v age_n 5._o henry_n jacob_n in_o his_o three_o argument_n for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o the_o church_n say_v it_o be_v absurd_a and_o impossible_a that_o the_o text_n matth._n 18._o be_v never_o understand_v for_o 1500_o year_n after_o christ._n sure_a this_o text_n act._n 15._o be_v never_o understand_v for_o that_o whole_a space_n if_o the_o assembly_n there_o mention_v be_v not_o a_o precedent_n to_o succeed_a age_n 6._o it_o make_v nothing_o against_o we_o that_o he_o say_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n &_o elder_n be_v for_o that_o present_a time_n only_o nay_o it_o make_v for_o we_o for_o in_o this_o also_o that_o synod_n be_v a_o pattern_n to_o succeed_a age_n forasmuch_o as_o synod_n now_o have_v no_o power_n to_o make_v a_o perpetual_a restraint_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o any_o indifferent_a thing_n such_o as_o be_v then_o the_o eat_n of_o blood_n and_o thing_n strangle_v but_o only_a during_o the_o case_n of_o scandal_n and_o moreover_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o that_o synod_n be_v also_o perpetual_a in_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v conceive_v against_o the_o press_n of_o circumcision_n as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n 25.26_o one_o objection_n more_o i_o find_v in_o another_o late_a piece_n which_o strike_v not_o at_o the_o authority_n alone_o but_o at_o the_o very_a reputation_n of_o synod_n this_o author_n allege_v that_o the_o ordinary_a government_n by_o synod_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o great_a confusion_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o parity_n and_o equality_n the_o voice_n be_v number_v not_o weigh_v equidem_fw-la say_v a_o wise_a father_n at_o veer_fw-la etc._n etc._n to_o say_v the_o truth_n i_o be_o utter_o determine_v never_o to_o come_v to_o any_o council_n of_o bishop_n for_o i_o never_o yet_o see_v good_a end_n of_o any_o council_n for_o counsel_n abate_v not_o ill_a thing_n but_o rather_o increase_v they_o answ._n 1._o if_o the_o parity_n and_o equality_n make_v a_o great_a confusion_n in_o the_o ordinary_a government_n by_o synod_n it_o shall_v make_v no_o less_o but_o rather_o great_a confusion_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a synod_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o his_o restriction_n to_o that_o which_o be_v ordinary_a 2._o if_o the_o number_n of_o voice_n and_o the_o parity_n of_o those_o that_o do_v voice_n make_v a_o confusion_n in_o synod_n why_o not_o in_o parliament_n also_o and_o in_o other_o civil_a court_n 3._o that_o testimony_n do_v only_o strike_v at_o the_o counsel_n of_o bishop_n and_o so_o make_v not_o against_o parity_n but_o against_o imparity_n in_o counsel_n and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n we_o have_v find_v in_o our_o own_o experience_n that_o prelatical_a synod_n have_v not_o abate_v but_o rather_o increase_v evil_n in_o the_o church_n 4._o the_o word_n of_o nazianzen_n for_o he_o be_v the_o father_n here_o mean_v of_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v against_o synod_n but_o against_o the_o abuse_n of_o synod_n at_o that_o time_n 1._o and_o in_o this_o we_o must_v pardon_v he_o say_v whittaker_n that_o he_o shun_v all_o synod_n in_o those_o evil_a time_n of_o the_o church_n when_o the_o emperor_n valens_n be_v opposite_a to_o the_o catholic_a faith_n and_o when_o the_o faction_n of_o heretic_n do_v most_o prevail_v in_o that_o case_n indeed_o synod_n shall_v have_v produce_v great_a evil_n but_o we_o trust_v it_o shall_v be_v now_o see_v that_o well_o constitute_v and_o free_a synod_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n shall_v not_o increase_v but_o abate_v evil_a thing_n finis_fw-la a_o postscript_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o treatise_n very_o late_o publish_v which_o be_v entitle_v the_o presbyterial_a government_n examine_v when_o the_o printer_n have_v do_v all_o except_o two_o sheet_n of_o my_o former_a treatise_n there_o come_v to_o my_o hand_n a_o piece_n against_o presbyterial_a government_n which_o promise_v much_o but_o perform_v little_a though_o my_o time_n be_v very_o short_a yet_o i_o trust_v to_o make_v a_o answer_n to_o it_o as_o full_a as_o it_o deserve_v it_o have_v a_o magisteriall_a and_o high_a sound_a title_n undertake_v the_o examination_n of_o presbyterial_a
senatum_fw-la nostrum_fw-la coetum_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la cum_fw-la ergo_fw-la inter_fw-la cetera_fw-la etiam_fw-la senes_fw-la â—udea_n perdiderit_fw-la quomodo_fw-la poterit_fw-la habere_fw-la concilium_fw-la quod_fw-la proprie_fw-la seniorum_fw-la est_fw-la and_o what_o sense_n shall_v we_o give_v to_o these_o word_n unless_o we_o say_v it_o be_v import_v that_o both_o the_o jewish_a and_o the_o christian_a church_n have_v such_o a_o eldership_n as_o we_o plead_v for_o else_o why_o do_v both_o he_o and_o basil_n make_v such_o a_o parallel_n betwixt_o the_o jewish_a and_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o point_n of_o elder_n sure_o if_o we_o understand_v by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n whereof_o they_o speak_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n alone_o we_o must_v also_o understand_v by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n whereof_o they_o speak_v the_o priest_n which_o no_o man_n will_v imagine_v 23._o eusebius_n in_o his_o history_n cit_v dionysiuâ—_n alexandrinus_n relate_v his_o dispute_n with_o the_o chiliast_n after_o this_o manner_n when_o i_o be_v at_o arsenoiâ—a_n where_o thou_o know_v this_o doctrine_n first_o spring_v etc._n etc._n i_o call_v together_o the_o elder_n and_o teacher_n inhabit_v those_o village_n there_o be_v present_a also_o as_o many_o of_o the_o brethren_n as_o be_v willing_a to_o come_v and_o i_o exâ—orted_v they_o public_o to_o the_o search_n of_o this_o doctrine_n etc._n etc._n by_o the_o teacher_n here_o be_v mean_v the_o pastor_n or_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n who_o be_v most_o frequent_o call_v by_o the_o father_n teacher_n or_o doctor_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v any_o teacher_n beside_o the_o pastor_n in_o these_o rural_a village_n which_o notwithstanding_o we_o see_v have_v beside_o their_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n elder_n also_o augustine_n write_v his_o 137._o epistle_n to_o those_o of_o his_o own_o church_n at_o hippon_n who_o he_o design_v thus_o dilectissimis_fw-la â—ratribus_fw-la clero_fw-la senioribus_fw-la &_o universae_fw-la plebi_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la hipponenâ—is_fw-la cui_fw-la seruio_fw-la in_o dilectione_n christ_n to_o my_o well-beloved_a brethren_n the_o clergy_n the_o elder_n and_o the_o whole_a people_n of_o the_o church_n at_o hippon_n who_o i_o serve_v in_o the_o love_n of_o christ._n he_o put_v elder_n or_o senior_n in_o the_o middle_n betwixt_o the_o clergy_n and_o the_o people_n as_o distinct_a from_o both_o and_o yet_o somewhat_o participant_a of_o both_o isidorus_n hispalensis_n speak_v of_o the_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n 43._o which_o pastor_n shall_v observe_v in_o teach_v of_o the_o word_n give_v they_o this_o advise_v among_o other_o prius_fw-la docâ—ndi_fw-la sunt_fw-la seniores_fw-la plebis_fw-la ut_fw-la per_fw-la â—os_v infra_fw-la posâ—tifacilius_fw-la doceantur_fw-la the_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v first_o teach_v that_o by_o they_o such_o as_o be_v place_v under_o they_o may_v be_v teach_v the_o more_o easy_o origen_n speak_v of_o the_o trial_n of_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v member_n of_o the_o church_n 3._o say_v nonnulli_fw-la praepositi_fw-la sunt_fw-la etc._n etc._n there_o be_v some_o ruler_n appoint_v who_o may_v inquire_v concern_v the_o conversation_n and_o manner_n of_o these_o thâ—t_n be_v admit_v that_o they_o may_v debar_v from_o the_o congregation_n such_o as_o commit_v filthiness_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o 5._o council_n of_o toledo_n according_a to_o the_o late_a edition_n 1._o we_o read_v that_o cinthila_n who_o other_o call_v chintillanus_fw-la come_v into_o that_o council_n cum_fw-la optimatibus_fw-la &_o senioribus_fw-la palatii_fw-la svi_fw-la but_o lorinus_n have_v find_v in_o some_o ancient_a copy_n 4.5_o cum_fw-la optimatibus_fw-la &_o senioribus_fw-la populi_fw-la svi_fw-la with_o the_o noble_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o his_o people_n i_o will_v know_v who_o be_v these_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n distinguish_v from_o the_o noble_n accepisse_fw-la these_o thing_n may_v suffice_v from_o antiquity_n to_o give_v some_o evidence_n that_o the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v not_o calvin_n new_a fangle_a devise_n at_o geneva_n as_o our_o adversary_n be_v please_v to_o call_v it_o but_o for_o further_a confirmation_n of_o this_o point_n voetius_fw-la disp_n 2._o de_fw-la senio_fw-la and_o before_o he_o justellus_n in_o annot_n &_o notis_fw-la in_o cod_n can._n eccles._n afric_n can._n 100_o have_v observe_v sundry_a other_o pregnant_a testimony_n from_o antiquity_n for_o rule_v elder_n especial_o out_o of_o these_o notable_a record_n gesta_fw-la puâ—gationis_fw-la caeciliani_n &_o faelicis_fw-la to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o anna_n of_o baronius_n an._n 103._o and_o in_o albaspinaeus_n his_o edition_n of_o optatus_n these_o testimony_n i_o have_v here_o set_v down_o in_o the_o margin_n from_o which_o passage_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o ambrose_n these_o senior_n be_v neither_o in_o all_o place_n nor_o altogether_o grow_v out_o of_o use_n but_o that_o both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n manifest_a footstep_n of_o the_o same_o remain_v neither_o be_v his_o testimony_n before_o allege_v repugnant_a hereunto_o for_o we_o may_v understand_v his_o meaning_n to_o be_v either_o that_o in_o some_o place_n or_o that_o in_o some_o sort_n they_o be_v grow_v out_o of_o use_n because_o peradventure_o the_o teacher_n begin_v to_o do_v something_n without_o their_o counsel_n and_o advice_n which_o in_o former_a time_n be_v not_o so_o 215._o bilson_n answer_v two_o way_n to_o the_o testimony_n from_o the_o 137._o epist._n of_o august_n and_o belike_o he_o will_v have_v answer_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n to_o these_o other_o testimony_n he_o say_v we_o may_v understand_v by_o these_o senior_n either_o the_o better_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n or_o the_o senator_n &_o ruler_n of_o the_o city_n that_o they_o be_v neither_o bishop_n nor_o preach_v presbyter_n nor_o deacon_n it_o be_v manifest_a for_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o these_o in_o act_n purgat_fw-la cacil_a &_o fal._n and_o they_o be_v call_v by_o isiâ—ore_n and_o pâ—rpurius_n seniores_fw-la plebis_fw-la beside_o it_o be_v strange_a if_o august_n bishop_n of_o hippo_n write_v to_o his_o clergy_n shall_v distinguish_v either_o the_o deacon_n from_o the_o presbyter_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o clergy_n which_o be_v common_a to_o both_o or_o some_o preach_a presbyter_n from_o other_o preach_a presbyter_n by_o the_o name_n of_o senior_n on_o the_o other_o part_n that_o they_o be_v not_o magistrate_n of_o city_n it_o be_v no_o less_o plain_a for_o they_o be_v call_v seniores_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la and_o ecclesiastici_fw-la viri_fw-la they_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o have_v place_n in_o judge_v of_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a 253._o but_o elsewhere_o bilson_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o prove_v that_o those_o of_o the_o clergy_n who_o be_v by_o their_o proper_a name_n call_v presbyter_n be_v also_o call_v seniores_fw-la as_o those_o who_o come_v near_a to_o the_o bishop_n in_o degree_n wisdom_n and_o age_n and_o this_o he_o prove_v by_o a_o testimony_n of_o ambrose_n 20._o viduarum_fw-la ac_fw-la virginum_fw-la domos_fw-la nisi_fw-la â—isitandi_fw-la gratia_fw-la juniores_fw-la ad_fw-la re_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la opus_fw-la &_o hoc_fw-la cum_fw-la senioribus_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopo_fw-la vel_fw-la sigravior_fw-la est_fw-la causa_fw-la cum_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la answ._n 1._o here_o the_o senior_n be_v the_o bishop_n which_o be_v neither_o good_a sense_n nor_o any_o thing_n to_o his_o purpose_n 2._o he_o have_v leave_v out_o a_o word_n without_o which_o the_o sentence_n can_v be_v understand_v and_o that_o be_v well_fw-mi ambrose_n say_v hoc_fw-la est_fw-la vel_fw-la â—um_fw-la episcopo_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o so_o the_o word_n may_v suffer_v a_o threefold_a sense_n for_o either_o seniores_fw-la be_v here_o a_o name_n of_o age_n or_o of_o office_n if_o it_o be_v a_o name_n of_o age_n as_o may_v be_v presume_v by_o the_o opposition_n thereof_o to_o juniores_fw-la than_o the_o meaning_n of_o ambrose_n be_v that_o young_a man_n shall_v not_o go_v into_o the_o house_n of_o virgin_n or_o widow_n except_o it_o be_v with_o some_o man_n of_o age_n and_o these_o to_o be_v the_o bishop_n or_o the_o presbyter_n if_o â—t_a be_v a_o name_n of_o office_n theâ—_n may_v we_o either_o understand_v that_o by_o the_o presbyter_n he_o mean_v rule_v elder_n and_o by_o the_o bishop_n the_o pastor_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n 〈◊〉_d for_o if_o whitaker_n be_v not_o deceive_v pastor_n have_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n not_o only_o in_o scripture_n but_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n also_o or_o that_o he_o comprehend_v under_o the_o order_n of_o elder_n not_o only_o the_o preach_a presbyter_n but_o the_o bishop_n also_o who_o be_v chief_a among_o they_o by_o the_o first_o sense_n bilson_n do_v gain_v nothing_o by_o the_o other_o two_o he_o have_v worse_a than_o nothing_o for_o any_o of_o they_o destroy_v his_o chief_a ground_n chap._n x._o the_o consent_n of_o protestant_a writer_n and_o
performance_n but_o leave_v the_o particular_a day_n of_o fast_v and_o thanksgiving_n to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o scripture_n commend_v the_o renew_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n in_o a_o nation_n that_o have_v break_v it_o but_o leave_v the_o day_n and_o place_n for_o such_o a_o action_n to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o rule_v aforesaid_a now_o if_o the_o church_n follow_v the_o general_a warrant_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n command_v to_o fast_v such_o a_o day_n to_o give_v thanks_n such_o a_o day_n to_o renew_v the_o covenant_n of_o god_n such_o a_o day_n these_o thing_n be_v divine_a ordinance_n mix_o though_o not_o mere_o and_o he_o who_o disobey_v disobey_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o catechise_v and_o of_o celebrate_v the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v not_o thing_n occasional_a as_o the_o former_a but_o ordinary_a in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v commend_v by_o the_o warrant_n of_o scripture_n but_o the_o particular_a time_n and_o season_n not_o determine_v the_o like_a we_o say_v of_o the_o order_n to_o be_v keep_v in_o baptism_n and_o in_o excommunication_n which_o be_v not_o determine_v in_o the_o word_n though_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v the_o remove_n of_o scandal_n by_o put_v wicked_a person_n to_o public_a shame_n and_o open_a confession_n of_o their_o fault_n in_o the_o church_n have_v certain_a warrant_n from_o scripture_n yet_o the_o degree_n of_o that_o public_a shame_n and_o punishment_n be_v leave_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o scandal_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n now_o the_o church_n appoint_v some_o scandalous_a person_n to_o be_v put_v to_o a_o great_a shame_n some_o to_o a_o lesser_a some_o to_o â—ee_n oâ—e_a sabbath_n in_o the_o place_n of_o public_a repentance_n some_o three_o some_o nine_o some_o twenty_o five_o etc._n etc._n and_o if_o the_o offender_n refuse_v that_o degree_n of_o public_a shame_n which_o the_o church_n follow_v the_o rule_v foresay_v appoint_v for_o he_o he_o may_v be_v true_o say_v to_o refuse_v the_o remove_n and_o take_v away_o of_o the_o scandal_n which_o the_o word_n of_o god_n enjoin_v he_o and_o so_o to_o disobey_v not_o the_o church_n only_o but_o god_n also_o just_o so_o the_o scripture_n have_v commend_v unto_o we_o the_o govern_n of_o the_o church_n the_o make_n of_o law_n the_o exercise_n of_o jurisdiction_n the_o decide_n of_o controversy_n by_o consistory_n and_o assembly_n ecclesiastical_a have_v also_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o same_o their_o power_n their_o rule_n of_o proceed_v and_o judge_v who_o shall_v sit_v and_o voice_n in_o the_o same_o etc._n etc._n but_o leave_v the_o particular_a kind_n degree_n time_n bound_n and_o place_n of_o the_o same_o to_o be_v resolve_v upon_o by_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n the_o church_n for_o her_o part_n follow_v the_o general_a warrant_n and_o rule_n aforesaid_a together_o with_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n have_v determine_v and_o appoint_v assembly_n provincial_n and_o national_n and_o to_o exercise_v respective_o that_o power_n which_o the_o word_n give_v to_o assembly_n in_o general_n the_o case_n thus_o stand_v we_o may_v bold_o maintain_v that_o those_o particular_a kind_n and_o degree_n of_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n be_v god_n own_o ordinance_n mix_o though_o not_o mere_o but_o what_o can_v be_v the_o reason_n may_v some_o man_n say_v why_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o itself_o determine_v these_o kind_n of_o assembly_n particular_o i_o answer_v three_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v for_o it_o 1._o because_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n together_o with_o nature_n light_n which_o direct_v commonwealth_n in_o thing_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n be_v sufficient_a to_o direct_v the_o church_n therein_o 2._o as_o seson_n and_o time_n for_o the_o meeting_n of_o assembly_n so_o the_o just_a bound_n thereof_o in_o so_o many_o different_a place_n of_o the_o world_n be_v thing_n of_o that_o kind_n which_o be_v not_o determinable_a in_o scripture_n unless_o the_o world_n have_v be_v fill_v with_o volume_n thereof_o for_o individua_fw-la sunt_fw-la infinita_fw-la 3._o because_o this_o constitution_n of_o synod_n provincial_n and_o national_n be_v not_o universal_a for_o all_o time_n and_o place_n for_o example_n there_o may_v be_v in_o a_o remote_a island_n 10._o or_o 12._o christian_n congregation_n which_o beside_o their_o particular_a eldership_n have_v a_o common_a presbytery_n but_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o synod_n either_o provincial_n or_o national_n again_o let_v there_o be_v a_o island_n contain_v forty_o or_o fifty_o christian_a congregation_n there_o shall_v be_v therein_o beside_o presbytery_n one_o kind_n of_o a_o synod_n but_o not_o two_o kind_n beside_o the_o reform_a congregation_n within_o a_o great_a nation_n may_v happy_o be_v either_o so_o few_o or_o so_o disperse_v and_o distant_a or_o so_o persecute_v that_o they_o can_v neither_o have_v provincial_n nor_o national_n assembly_n chap._n vii_o the_o three_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o the_o three_o place_n we_o take_v a_o argument_n from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n for_o as_o in_o their_o commonwealth_n there_o be_v a_o subordination_n of_o civil_a court_n every_o city_n have_v its_o proper_a court_n which_o do_v consist_v of_o seven_o magistrate_n if_o we_o believe_v josephus_n the_o thalmudicall_a tradition_n make_v two_o court_n to_o have_v be_v in_o each_o city_n the_o lesser_a of_o the_o triumvirate_n and_o the_o great_a of_o twenty_o three_o judge_n beside_o these_o they_o have_v their_o supreme_a consistory_n the_o civil_a sanedrim_n which_o govern_v the_o whole_a nation_n and_o have_v authority_n over_o the_o inferior_a court_n so_o be_v there_o also_o a_o subordination_n of_o ecclesiastical_a court_n among_o they_o they_o have_v a_o consistory_n in_o every_o synagogue_n for_o their_o synagogue_n be_v appoint_v not_o only_o for_o prayer_n and_o praise_v of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o read_n and_o expound_v of_o the_o scripture_n but_o also_o for_o public_a correction_n of_o offence_n act_n 26.11_o they_o have_v beside_o a_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a court_n whereunto_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o all_o the_o synagogicall_a consistory_n be_v subject_a this_o court_n have_v decay_v be_v restore_v by_o ichoshaphat_n 2_o chron._n 19.8_o and_o it_o have_v the_o name_n of_o sanedrim_n common_a to_o it_o with_o the_o supreme_a civil_a court._n from_o this_o court_n do_v the_o reformation_n of_o that_o national_n church_n proceed_v nehem._n 6.13_o on_o the_o second_o day_n be_v gather_v together_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o father_n of_o all_o the_o people_n the_o priest_n and_o the_o levit_n unto_o ezra_n the_o scribe_n even_o to_o understand_v the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n and_o they_o find_v write_v in_o the_o law_n etc._n etc._n whether_o there_o be_v yet_o another_o ecclesiastical_a court_n in_o the_o middle_n betwixt_o the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o sanedrim_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o presbytery_n luke_n 22.66_o act_n 22.5_o and_o make_v up_o possible_o out_o of_o the_o particular_a synagogue_n within_o the_o city_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o learned_a man_n to_o judge_v howsoever_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v at_o least_o a_o twofold_a ecclesiastical_a court_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o sanedrim_n the_o latter_a have_v authority_n above_o the_o former_a sutlivius_n deny_v both_o these_o and_o so_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v that_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v no_o ecclesiastical_a court_n at_o all_o 25._o as_o for_o the_o synagogue_n he_o say_v they_o treat_v of_o thing_n civil_a and_o inflict_v civil_a punishment_n and_o a_o civil_a excommunication_n that_o they_o inflict_v civil_a punishment_n he_o prove_v from_o mat._n 10._o and_o 23._o and_o luke_n 21._o where_o christ_n foretell_v that_o his_o disciple_n shall_v be_v beat_v in_o the_o synagogue_n that_o their_o excommunication_n be_v civil_a he_o prove_v by_o this_o reason_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n when_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n have_v notwithstanding_o a_o free_a entry_n into_o the_o temple_n and_o access_n to_o the_o sacrifice_n answ._n this_o be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n for_o 1._o the_o civil_a court_n be_v in_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o city_n not_o in_o the_o synagogue_n 2._o he_o who_o preside_v in_o the_o synagogue_n be_v call_v the_o chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n act_v 18.8.17_o the_o rest_n who_o sit_v and_o voice_v therein_o be_v call_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n act_v 13.15_o they_o who_o sit_v in_o the_o civil_a court_n have_v no_o