the_o reason_n of_o the_o dissent_a brethren_n against_o the_o three_o proposition_n concerning_o presbyterial_a government_n humble_o present_v london_n print_v by_o g._n m._n for_o ralph_n smith_n at_o the_o bible_n in_o corn-hill_n 1645._o die_fw-la lunae_fw-la 23._o decemb._n 1644._o order_a by_o the_o commons_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n that_o three_o hundred_o and_o no_o more_o of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o dissent_a brethren_n against_o the_o three_o proposition_n touch_v presbyterial_a government_n and_o the_o answer_n and_o solution_n of_o the_o assembly_n to_o the_o say_a reason_n be_v forthwith_o print_v and_o that_o the_o care_n of_o the_o exact_a print_n thereof_o be_v refer_v to_o mr_n byfield_n and_o the_o printer_n be_v enjoin_v at_o his_o peril_n not_o to_o print_v more_o than_o three_o hundred_o of_o they_o it_o be_v further_a order_v that_o no_o man_n presume_v to_o reprint_n divulge_v or_o publish_v the_o say_a reason_n and_o answer_n or_o any_o part_n of_o they_o till_o further_a order_n be_v take_v herein_o by_o either_o or_o both_o house_n of_o parliament_n h_o elsing_n cler._n parl._n d._n com._n reason_n against_o the_o three_o proposition_n concerning_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o the_o proof_n thereof_o viz._n the_o scripture_n hold_v forth_o that_o many_o particular_a congregation_n may_v be_v under_o one_o presbyterial_a government_n humble_o present_v if_o many_o congregation_n have_v all_o elder_n already_o affix_v respective_o unto_o they_o may_v be_v under_o a_o presbyterial_a government_n then_o all_o those_o elder_n must_v sustain_v a_o special_a relation_n of_o elder_n to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o those_o congregation_n as_o one_o church_n and_o to_o every_o one_o as_o a_o member_n thereof_o but_o for_o a_o company_n of_o such_o elder_n already_o affix_v etc._n etc._n to_o sustain_v such_o a_o relation_n carry_v with_o it_o so_o great_a and_o manifold_a incongruity_n and_o inconsistency_n with_o what_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o elder_n in_o their_o relation_n to_o a_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o and_o likewise_o with_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n themselves_o as_o can_v be_v admit_v and_o therefore_o such_o a_o government_n may_v not_o be_v the_o first_o proposition_n that_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n such_o a_o presbyterial_a government_n necessary_o draw_v such_o a_o special_a relation_n be_v evince_v by_o part_n thus_o 1._o they_o must_v have_v the_o relation_n of_o elder_n to_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o the_o member_n for_o church_n and_o elder_n be_v relative_n and_o the_o argument_n for_o the_o presbyterial_a government_n be_v take_v by_o the_o presbyterial_a divine_n from_o this_o that_o many_o congregation_n in_o scripture_n be_v make_v one_o church_n and_o the_o elder_n thereof_o elder_n of_o that_o church_n 2._o that_o relation_n they_o have_v must_v be_v a_o more_o special_a relation_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o practice_n and_o principle_n of_o this_o government_n for_o when_o the_o congregation_n in_o shire_n be_v divide_v into_o several_a presbytery_n or_o deanery_n the_o elder_n though_o neighbour_n of_o a_o border_a presbytery_n intermeddle_v not_o with_o the_o congregation_n under_o another_o presbytery_n and_o yet_o neighbour_n elder_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o special_a relation_n put_v the_o difference_n that_o those_o of_o these_o presbytery_n do_v judge_v the_o congregation_n under_o they_o as_o have_v a_o special_a relation_n to_o they_o such_o as_o not_o to_o other_o congregation_n the_o minor_a proposition_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o which_o we_o present_v these_o incongruity_n as_o follow_v first_o this_o breed_v many_o incongruous_a disproportion_n to_o the_o order_n set_v by_o christ_n about_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n 1._o to_o extend_v a_o pastor_n power_n of_o ordinary_a rule_n beyond_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o ordinary_a teach_n be_v against_o the_o order_n which_o christ_n have_v set_v and_o all_o extent_n of_o power_n must_v as_o well_o have_v a_o institution_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o power_n or_o office_n itself_o the_o difference_n of_o evangelist_n and_o ordinary_a pastor_n lay_v in_o extent_n of_o power_n but_o the_o extent_n of_o a_o pastor_n ordinary_a roll_a power_n be_v but_o to_o that_o flock_n as_o his_o whole_a flock_n which_o he_o be_v able_a to_o feed_v the_o first_o proposition_n be_v confirm_v first_o by_o scripture_n second_o by_o reason_n first_o by_o scripture_n act_n chap._n 20._o verse_n 28._o take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o the_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n whence_o first_o we_o see_v the_o special_a limitation_n of_o their_o extensive_a power_n and_o relation_n to_o a_o flock_n and_o all_o in_o that_o flock_n be_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o not_o by_o man_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v extend_v by_o man_n further_o than_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v appoint_v 2._o the_o extent_n of_o that_o relation_n to_o that_o flock_n and_o the_o whole_a flock_n they_o feed_v and_o to_o feed_v all_o that_o flock_v alike_o and_o if_o they_o be_v preach_v elder_n then_o to_o feed_v by_o preach_v and_o therefore_o be_v overseer_n to_o they_o to_o feed_v they_o and_o this_o because_o they_o feed_v they_o 3._o he_o speak_v to_o preach_v elder_n especial_o that_o feed_v by_o doctrine_n for_o he_o propound_v his_o own_o example_n to_o they_o verse_n 20._o that_o he_o have_v reveal_v the_o whole_a counsel_n of_o god_n and_o peter_n second_v paul_n in_o this_o 1_o peter_n chap._n 5._o verse_n 2._o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n which_o be_v among_o you_o take_v the_o oversight_n thereof_o the_o flock_n {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o among_o you_o be_v that_o flock_v any_o of_o they_o have_v relation_n to_o as_o his_o flock_n respective_o peter_n here_o write_v unto_o the_o church_n in_o several_a nation_n chap._n 1._o verse_n 1._o whereas_o in_o act_n 20_o and_o verse_n 28._o the_o charge_n be_v to_o the_o particular_a elder_n of_o ephesus_n to_o that_o whole_a flock_n therefore_o that_o note_n of_o respectiveness_n be_v here_o put_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o among_o you_o that_o be_v that_o flock_n which_o respective_o belong_v to_o you_o as_o colossian_n chap._n 1._o verse_n 17._o who_o be_v for_o you_o a_o faithful_a minister_n that_o be_v your_o proper_a pastor_n so_o the_o flock_n {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o be_v your_o several_a proper_a flock_n that_o belong_v to_o you_o and_o hereby_o it_o appear_v that_o their_o oversight_n be_v not_o extendible_a beyond_o their_o feed_n thus_o also_o heb._n 13._o verse_n 7._o remember_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o have_v speak_v to_o you_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o preach_v elder_n and_o of_o rule_v elder_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v verse_n 17._o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o for_o they_o watch_v for_o your_o soul_n as_o those_o that_o must_v give_v a_o account_n and_o whether_o these_o place_n note_v out_o two_o sort_n of_o officer_n preach_v elder_n ver._n 7._o and_o rule_v elder_n ver._n 17._o or_o but_o one_o sort_n and_o so_o but_o several_a act_n of_o the_o same_o office_n however_o if_o but_o one_o yet_o still_o the_o ordinary_a rule_n over_o they_o be_v not_o farther_o extendible_a than_o their_o ordinary_a preach_n if_o two_o sort_n of_o officer_n they_o be_v officer_n together_o in_o the_o same_o church_n if_o the_o pastor_n power_n of_o rule_v extend_v no_o far_a than_o his_o preach_n than_o the_o mere_a roll_a elder_n power_n or_o he_o that_o be_v assistant_n to_o he_o must_v extend_v no_o far_o than_o the_o pastor_n also_o this_o be_v the_o natural_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n and_o so_o be_v the_o measure_n to_o set_v the_o bound_n of_o the_o extent_n of_o ordinary_a church_n power_n it_o be_v one_o argument_n use_v against_o episcopal_a power_n that_o they_o be_v enforce_v to_o obey_v he_o that_o speak_v not_o the_o word_n to_o they_o nor_o watch_n over_o their_o soul_n and_o this_o hold_v as_o well_o against_o these_o presbyterial_a officer_n when_o a_o man_n to_o be_v excommunicate_v come_v before_o such_o if_o he_o say_v i_o be_o not_o bind_v to_o obey_v you_o in_o such_o authoritative_a way_n nor_o do_v i_o owe_v a_o subjection_n as_o to_o a_o power_n of_o censure_n in_o you_o for_o many_o yea_o most_o of_o you_o never_o speak_v the_o word_n unto_o i_o nor_o do_v watch_n over_o my_o soul_n nay_o perhaps_o the_o man_n can_v say_v he_o never_o see_v their_o face_n afore_o and_o it_o avail_v not_o to_o say_v that_o they_o may_v occasional_o preach_v for_o take_v two_o place_n more_o the_o 1_o to_o the_o thes._n chap._n 5._o ver._n
flock_n and_o themselves_o not_o curate_n and_o so_o personal_o oblige_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n in_o scripture_n and_o yet_o can_v perform_v it_o which_o be_v a_o worse_a incongruity_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o they_o may_v part_v these_o duty_n among_o they_o ubi_fw-la scriptura_fw-la non_fw-la distinguit_fw-la nec_fw-la nos_fw-la debemus_fw-la distinguere_fw-la now_o all_o those_o duty_n that_o be_v speak_v of_o elder_n to_o the_o flock_n they_o be_v without_o distinction_n as_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o object_n to_o who_o they_o be_v extend_v paul_n say_v to_o those_o of_o ephesus_n feed_v the_o flock_n peter_n the_o like_a to_o those_o he_o write_v to_o the_o flock_n {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o respective_o to_o feed_v and_o to_o take_v the_o oversight_n of_o they_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n to_o watch_v over_o their_o soul_n and_o to_o the_o thessalonian_n he_o describe_v they_o to_o be_v those_o that_o be_v over_o they_o and_o labour_n and_o admonish_v they_o when_o those_o injunction_n be_v thus_o lay_v upon_o all_o how_o shall_v the_o conscience_n of_o elder_n be_v able_a to_o part_v and_o distinguish_v their_o discharge_n of_o they_o and_o to_o say_v though_o i_o be_o a_o elder_n in_o common_a to_o all_o in_o these_o congregation_n yet_o i_o be_o bind_v but_o to_o govern_v they_o in_o great_a matter_n and_o to_o admonish_v they_o as_o with_o other_o when_o public_o meet_v in_o a_o consistory_n and_o be_o bind_v to_o no_o other_o act_n of_o eldership_n and_o yet_o to_o this_o particular_a congregation_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o private_a admonition_n rule_n watchfulness_n etc._n etc._n where_o have_v the_o scripture_n set_v these_o bound_n or_o thus_o part_v they_o and_o therefore_o certain_o all_o these_o place_n hold_v forth_o single_o only_o the_o elder_n and_o their_o duty_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n fix_v thereto_o as_o know_v no_o other_o it_o be_v necessary_a christ_n shall_v have_v set_v the_o bound_n and_o give_v the_o distinction_n and_o not_o indifferent_o lay_v all_o these_o upon_o all_o and_o either_o in_o these_o place_n the_o duty_n of_o elder_n in_o a_o common_a presbytery_n be_v contain_v and_o that_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o elder_n to_o those_o or_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o all_o these_o may_v be_v bring_v in_o several_a argument_n alone_o by_o themselves_o against_o the_o main_a proposition_n though_o here_o they_o come_v in_o only_a as_o branch_n of_o the_o minor_n last_o this_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o the_o call_n of_o elder_n hold_v forth_o in_o the_o word_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n there_o be_v two_o part_n of_o this_o call_n first_o choice_n second_o ordination_n first_o for_o choice_n chamier_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n allow_v the_o people_n this_o the_o approbation_n of_o their_o elder_n and_o so_o in_o scotland_n and_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o allow_v they_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o deacon_n that_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o church_n treasury_n and_o take_v care_n of_o their_o body_n then_o much_o more_o of_o their_o elder_n that_o have_v to_o do_v with_o their_o conscience_n look_v what_o ever_o right_o of_o the_o people_n be_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o they_o that_o shall_v preach_v to_o they_o there_o be_v as_o much_o reason_n they_o shall_v have_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o those_o elder_n that_o in_o a_o common_a presbytery_n do_v rule_n over_o they_o for_o they_o perform_v one_o part_n of_o the_o elder_n duty_n namely_o rule_v as_o the_o preach_a elder_n do_v the_o other_o and_o therefore_o by_o the_o equity_n of_o the_o same_o law_n that_o speak_v of_o elder_n indefinite_o if_o they_o choose_v any_o elder_n as_o elder_n to_o they_o they_o be_v to_o choose_v these_o also_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n put_v of_o choose_v preach_v elder_n only_o but_o elder_n indefinite_o and_o further_o the_o great_a and_o high_a act_n of_o power_n over_o they_o be_v commit_v in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n unto_o they_o as_o of_o excommunication_n of_o all_o punishment_n the_o most_o formidable_a there_o be_v put_v as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o than_o every_o man_n life_n that_o be_v a_o member_n of_o that_o classical_a church_n into_o their_o hand_n the_o enjoyment_n of_o all_o ordinance_n for_o ever_o and_o so_o the_o power_n of_o depose_v their_o minister_n already_o fix_v to_o they_o and_o of_o refuse_v to_o ordain_v they_o they_o shall_v approve_v and_o therefore_o in_o antiquity_n of_o all_o other_o the_o person_n of_o the_o bishop_n who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o all_o those_o be_v choose_v by_o all_o the_o people_n and_o by_o panegyrical_a meeting_n and_o it_o be_v strengthen_v by_o this_o further_a parallel_n a_o minister_n call_v have_v two_o part_n first_o ordination_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o elder_n second_o choice_n in_o which_o the_o people_n have_v some_o interest_n these_o elder_n as_o elder_n in_o common_a and_o these_o congregation_n as_o one_o church_n be_v relative_n and_o so_o that_o interest_n which_o a_o church_n quâ_fw-la church_n have_v be_v commensurable_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o these_o elder_n quâ_fw-la elder_n if_o therefore_o in_o ordain_v all_o the_o elder_n in_o a_o common_a presbytery_n do_v join_v to_o ordain_v a_o officer_n than_o all_o the_o people_n quâ_fw-la church_n must_v join_v in_o choose_v or_o approve_v he_o neither_o can_v their_o common_a right_n of_o choose_v be_v swallow_v up_o by_o the_o interest_n of_o their_o elder_n ordain_v he_o and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o all_o choose_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o general_a law_n of_o combination_n as_o in_o the_o shire_n parliament_n man_n the_o constitution_n of_o the_o state_n make_v the_o one_o if_o the_o like_a be_v find_v in_o scripture_n it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a but_o if_o not_o but_o that_o this_o interest_n must_v be_v common_a to_o the_o people_n of_o the_o classical_a church_n it_o be_v ask_v when_o a_o fix_a pastor_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v to_o a_o particular_a charge_n what_o office_n he_o shall_v be_v choose_v to_o by_o the_o people_n of_o the_o other_o congregation_n not_o to_o a_o pastor_n office_n he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v such_o to_o they_o if_o to_o be_v a_o rule_v elder_a only_o then_o beside_o that_o he_o have_v two_o office_n as_o afore_o so_o now_o he_o must_v have_v two_o choice_n and_o two_o ordination_n we_o choose_v he_o for_o our_o pastor_n say_v the_o particular_a church_n he_o belong_v to_o and_o we_o say_v the_o other_o to_o rule_v and_o beside_o in_o his_o ordination_n the_o people_n have_v a_o interest_n of_o presence_n and_o join_v in_o the_o fast_v and_o prayer_n at_o his_o ordination_n and_o this_o therefore_o must_v be_v perform_v either_o in_o a_o panegyrical_a meeting_n of_o all_o which_o can_v be_v or_o in_o all_o the_o several_a church_n which_o will_v multiply_v the_o ordination_n of_o they_o the_o major_a proposition_n confirm_v in_o regard_n that_o the_o main_a argumentation_n of_o such_o as_o contend_v for_o a_o presbyterial_a government_n as_o in_o their_o writing_n and_o otherways_o appear_v be_v from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o such_o and_o such_o a_o church_n as_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n have_v many_o congregation_n as_o they_o suppose_v the_o consequence_n of_o the_o major_n be_v take_v so_o much_o for_o grant_v as_o on_o all_o side_n agree_v on_o as_o it_o be_v less_o insist_v upon_o the_o first_o day_n but_o be_v deny_v and_o answer_v thus_o that_o they_o bear_v not_o the_o relation_n of_o elder_n but_o of_o a_o presbytery_n because_o quod_fw-la convenit_fw-la toti_fw-la quâ_fw-la toti_fw-la non_fw-la convenit_fw-la cuilibet_fw-la parti_fw-la and_o that_o if_o elder_n yet_o in_o sensu_fw-la composito_fw-la non_fw-la diviso_fw-la as_o a_o colonel_n be_v a_o colonel_n to_o a_o particular_a regiment_n but_o in_o a_o council_n of_o war_n not_o so_o to_o all_o regiment_n a_o head_n of_o a_o particular_a tribe_n be_v a_o head_n to_o his_o own_o tribe_n divisive_o but_o not_o so_o to_o all_o the_o tribe_n and_o the_o like_a for_o that_o logical_a axiom_n it_o be_v true_a quod_fw-la convenit_fw-la toti_fw-la quâ_fw-la toti_fw-la non_fw-la convenit_fw-la cuilibet_fw-la parti_fw-la and_o so_o here_o that_o which_o do_v competere_fw-la toti_fw-la to_o the_o whole_a of_o these_o elder_n belong_v not_o to_o every_o part_n for_o take_v they_o all_o as_o meet_v together_o they_o be_v a_o presbytery_n and_o according_o each_o elder_a be_v not_o a_o presbytery_n to_o all_o these_o congregation_n nor_o do_v the_o argument_n suppose_v it_o but_o only_o that_o if_o they_o be_v a_o common_a presbytery_n to_o all_o these_o congregation_n that_o they_o then_o bear_v the_o relation_n of_o elder_n as_o take_v a_o heap_n
that_o therefore_o two_o elder_n associate_v may_v do_v the_o like_a second_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o suppose_v that_o these_o apostle_n when_o all_o together_o shall_v act_v with_o a_o inferior_a power_n to_o what_o they_o put_v forth_o in_o a_o like_a case_n alone_o if_o peter_n have_v be_v himself_o alone_o in_o a_o church_n new_o plant_v then_o and_o there_o he_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o act_v as_o a_o apostle_n because_o he_o alone_o govern_v and_o shall_v these_o apostle_n when_o they_o be_v all_o in_o one_o and_o join_v all_o together_o in_o one_o act_n be_v yet_o suppose_v to_o fall_v low_a in_o their_o power_n under_o the_o formal_a exercise_n of_o it_o three_o if_o they_o have_v act_v as_o elder_n in_o a_o college_n they_o may_v miscarry_v as_o elder_n do_v and_o so_o the_o minor_a part_n of_o they_o have_v be_v subject_a to_o excommunication_n of_o the_o great_a and_o what_o power_n be_v there_o on_o earth_n to_o have_v excommunicate_v a_o apostle_n who_o hold_v his_o office_n immediate_o from_o christ_n and_o who_o whilst_o he_o be_v in_o that_o office_n have_v power_n over_o all_o church_n to_o the_o three_o viz._n that_o they_o in_o their_o proceed_n do_v join_v with_o other_o as_o in_o this_o choice_n of_o the_o deacon_n they_o do_v join_v with_o the_o multitude_n as_o also_o when_o they_o come_v to_o any_o other_o church_n they_o use_v to_o do_v neither_o do_v that_o argue_v that_o they_o act_v not_o as_o apostle_n but_o as_o elder_n for_o first_o they_o join_v in_o act_n with_o other_o and_o join_v other_o with_o themselves_o wherein_o they_o yet_o act_v as_o apostle_n thus_o in_o write_v scripture_n they_o join_v other_o with_o they_o as_o paul_n join_v silvanus_n and_o timotheus_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n and_o not_o mere_o in_o the_o salutation_n for_o the_o expression_n run_v in_o their_o name_n also_o in_o that_o epistle_n and_o act._n 15._o the_o apostle_n elder_n yea_o and_o brethren_n join_v in_o a_o letter_n to_o the_o church_n but_o these_o as_o apostle_n therefore_o so_o call_v in_o distinction_n from_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o rest_n according_a to_o their_o several_a interest_n as_o the_o brethren_n do_v all_o according_a to_o their_o interest_n so_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o they_o so_o in_o ordain_v timothy_n the_o presbytery_n lay_v on_o hand_n yet_o they_o as_o a_o presbytery_n and_o paul_n as_o a_o apostle_n for_o else_o a_o presbytery_n have_v not_o have_v power_n to_o ordain_v a_o evangelist_n yet_o second_o the_o apostle_n do_v where_o ever_o they_o come_v leave_v the_o elder_n and_o people_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o right_n belong_v to_o they_o although_o they_o join_v with_o they_o neither_o do_v therein_o lie_v their_o apostolical_a authority_n to_o do_v all_o alone_a for_o than_o they_o seldom_o or_o never_o act_v as_o apostle_n in_o church_n paul_n alone_o excommunicate_v not_o that_o corinthian_a and_o yet_o as_o a_o apostle_n write_v to_o have_v it_o do_v by_o they_o for_o it_o be_v canonical_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o although_o that_o this_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v choose_v their_o deacon_n be_v a_o just_a example_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o a_o church_n for_o if_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o be_v present_a allow_v this_o interest_n to_o church_n than_o elder_n shall_v much_o more_o yet_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v by_o a_o apostolical_a power_n in_o these_o congregation_n can_v be_v draw_v into_o example_n for_o officer_n in_o that_o thing_n wherein_o their_o power_n apostolical_a lay_v which_o be_v to_o exercise_v act_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o several_a church_n neither_o fourthly_a will_v that_o help_v it_o that_o they_o exercise_v this_o government_n in_o these_o congregation_n suppose_v many_o as_o consider_v to_o be_v one_o church_n for_o if_o they_o act_v not_o as_o elder_n than_o the_o correlate_n to_o it_o namely_o church_n can_v not_o be_v consider_v as_o presbyterial_a reason_n against_o the_o four_o and_o last_o proof_n of_o the_o second_o branch_n viz._n that_o the_o elder_n do_v meet_v together_o for_o act_n of_o government_n act._n 11._o ult._n act._n 15._o 4._o 6._o 22._o act._n 21._o 17_o 18._o first_o the_o argument_n from_o act_n 11._o ult._n lie_v thus_o there_o be_v elder_n in_o judea_n that_o receive_v alm_n verse_n 29_o 30._o compare_v therefore_o the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v meet_v together_o for_o act_n of_o government_n in_o this_o argument_n as_o the_o person_n be_v mistake_v so_o the_o act_n for_o the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v not_o mention_v but_o of_o judea_n as_o by_o compare_v verse_n 29_o 30._o it_o appear_v and_o by_o this_o it_o may_v be_v as_o well_o argue_v that_o the_o elder_n in_o judea_n meet_v for_o presbyterial_a government_n as_o that_o the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n see_v their_o alm_n be_v carry_v to_o the_o elder_n of_o judea_n as_o it_o be_v there_o say_v the_o receive_a alm_n which_o be_v the_o only_a act_n that_o be_v mention_v be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o government_n for_o deacon_n may_v meet_v to_o receive_v alm_n and_o yet_o meet_v not_o for_o act_n of_o government_n for_o that_o second_o place_n mention_v act_n 21._o 20._o where_o it_o be_v say_v paul_n come_v in_o to_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a although_o we_o read_v that_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a yet_o that_o they_o meet_v for_o act_n of_o presbyterial_a government_n appear_v not_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o meeting_n be_v paul_n entertainment_n who_o some_o of_o the_o brethren_n have_v receive_v at_o his_o first_o come_n verse_n 17._o and_o now_o the_o elder_n meet_v to_o receive_v he_o also_o a_o christian_a duty_n of_o love_n and_o respect_n due_a to_o so_o great_a and_o famous_a a_o apostle_n and_o paul_n go_v not_o as_o cite_v but_o to_o visit_v and_o salute_v they_o as_o vers._n 19_o second_o the_o act_n that_o pass_v be_v none_o of_o they_o presbyterial_a for_o paul_n give_v they_o a_o historical_a relation_n of_o what_o thing_n god_n have_v wrought_v by_o his_o ministry_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o relation_n be_v intend_v to_o provoke_v they_o as_o brethren_n and_o fellow-labourer_n to_o glorify_v god_n as_o ver._n 20._o be_v say_v they_o do_v and_o not_o to_o give_v they_o a_o account_n as_o to_o a_o consistory_n that_o meet_v for_o government_n such_o narration_n the_o apostle_n make_v even_o to_o whole_a church_n as_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n at_o antioch_n act._n 14._o 27._o when_o they_o have_v gather_v the_o whole_a church_n together_o which_o church_n be_v of_o no_o more_o than_o to_o meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n they_o rehearse_v in_o like_o manner_n as_o here_o all_o that_o god_n have_v do_v by_o they_o and_o how_o he_o have_v open_v a_o door_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o gentile_n neither_o will_v the_o advice_n they_o give_v to_o paul_n to_o prevent_v the_o scandal_n and_o offence_n the_o people_n will_v take_v at_o he_o argue_v authority_n much_o less_o government_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o act_n of_o government_n put_v forth_o over_o their_o own_o church_n if_o suppose_v many_o reason_n against_o the_o allege_v act._n 15._o for_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o presbyterial_a act_n of_o government_n 1._o if_o it_o be_v a_o meeting_n of_o elder_n for_o act_n of_o government_n than_o it_o be_v a_o presbyterial_a meeting_n for_o act_n of_o government_n but_o that_o it_o be_v no_o such_o meeting_n appear_v because_o there_o be_v nothing_o do_v in_o it_o that_o may_v seem_v to_o have_v any_o bond_n in_o it_o but_o such_o as_o bound_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n syria_n cilicia_n as_o much_o as_o jerusalem_n but_o this_o can_v be_v in_o any_o presbyterial_a meeting_n for_o act_n of_o government_n for_o such_o meeting_n have_v only_o authoritative_a power_n over_o their_o own_o church_n 2._o the_o scope_n and_o end_n of_o this_o meeting_n be_v to_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o offend_a brethren_n of_o antioch_n and_o dogmatical_o to_o declare_v their_o judgement_n in_o a_o difficult_a case_n of_o conscience_n not_o to_o put_v forth_o any_o act_n of_o juridical_a power_n upon_o any_o as_o appear_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o debate_n and_o the_o issue_n of_o all_o of_o which_o more_o full_o afterward_o and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o peter_n reprove_v some_o of_o their_o own_o member_n present_a such_o as_o have_v teach_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n why_o tempt_v you_o god_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v not_o deliver_v as_o a_o act_n of_o government_n formal_o by_o any_o vote_n of_o the_o presbytery_n but_o in_o the_o way_n of_o discourse_n but_o it_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o confirm_v the_o proposition_n if_o it_o be_v a_o synodical_a meeting_n presbyterial_a and_o synodical_a both_o it_o can_v
honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o be_v to_o all_o parliamentary_a purpose_n as_o much_o a_o house_n when_o but_o two_o or_o three_o above_o forty_o as_o when_o four_o hundred_o nor_o do_v this_o always_o fall_v out_o that_o all_o classical_a presbytery_n have_v a_o great_a number_n than_o some_o parochial_a scripture_n have_v determine_v neither_o how_o few_o will_v constitute_v a_o classical_a presbytery_n nor_o how_o many_o may_v be_v in_o a_o parochial_a practice_v many_o time_n make_v they_o equal_a sect._n 6._o second_o now_o for_o the_o formale_fw-la the_o unite_n of_o this_o matter_n into_o a_o consessus_fw-la or_o caetus_fw-la presbyter_n become_v unite_v into_o a_o presbytery_n in_o the_o classical_a by_o have_v pastoral_a charge_n in_o such_o a_o division_n whosoever_o come_v so_o to_o be_v dispose_v of_o he_o be_v no_o soon_o pastor_n to_o such_o a_o parish_n but_o he_o be_v eo_fw-la nomine_fw-la member_n of_o such_o a_o classis_fw-la the_o presbyter_n of_o a_o parochial_a presbytery_n be_v as_o near_o unite_v and_o more_o they_o be_v unite_v in_o the_o choice_n and_o call_v of_o the_o same_o congregation_n they_o govern_v and_o unite_v in_o the_o whole_a work_n of_o the_o ministry_n over_o the_o same_o people_n so_o that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o fellow_n governor_n but_o fellow_n labourer_n in_o the_o same_o vineyard_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o just_a ground_n for_o such_o a_o distinction_n or_o difference_n between_o presbytery_n and_o presbytery_n in_o respect_n either_o of_o the_o matter_n or_o the_o form_n sect._n 7._o three_o nor_o three_o do_v we_o find_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n make_v they_o as_o from_o different_a employment_n or_o function_n to_o differ_v first_o we_o pretend_v and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o proposition_n the_o one_o be_v superior_a the_o other_o inferior_a but_o how_o can_v you_o say_v the_o scripture_n have_v make_v this_o difference_n when_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n speak_v this_o way_n in_o any_o place_n presbyterian_a writer_n themselves_o in_o some_o expression_n seem_v to_o take_v away_o utter_o such_o difference_n as_o this_o in_o one_o place_n you_o shall_v read_v the_o classis_fw-la can_v do_v nothing_o renitente_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la but_o it_o be_v null_a and_o invalid_a thus_o the_o assertion_n for_o discipline_n and_o avouch_v zepperus_n zanchy_n and_o other_o as_o of_o this_o opinion_n the_o congregation_n though_o but_o minima_fw-la ecclesiola_n yet_o may_v reform_v that_o be_v suspend_v excommunicate_a etc._n etc._n renitentibus_fw-la correspondentiis_fw-la so_o voetius_fw-la in_o his_o thesis_n and_o desperata_fw-la causa_fw-la papatus_fw-la lib._n 2._o sect._n 2._o c._n 12._o sure_o according_a to_o what_o these_o reverend_a divine_n have_v express_v it_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v say_v which_o of_o these_o presbytery_n have_v the_o great_a or_o superior_a power_n sect._n 8._o second_o the_o employment_n or_o work_n of_o a_o presbytery_n be_v to_o ordain_v excommunicate_a suspend_v admit_v member_n appoint_v time_n for_o worship_n and_o the_o like_a the_o classical_a presbytery_n reserve_v ordination_n and_o excommunication_n to_o themselves_o but_o the_o other_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o parochial_a presbytery_n thus_o some_o presbyterian_n divide_v the_o work_n other_o possible_o otherwise_o but_o how_o can_v we_o affirm_v any_o such_o designment_n from_o the_o scripture_n if_o you_o have_v not_o two_o sort_n either_o in_o name_n or_o nature_n to_o be_v find_v there_o and_o none_o of_o these_o act_n or_o administration_n but_o may_v be_v do_v by_o that_o one_o the_o scripture_n mention_v which_o doubtless_o they_o may_v see_v ordination_n seem_v to_o be_v specify_v in_o the_o text_n if_o the_o great_a then_o doubtless_o the_o lesser_a the_o pastor_n in_o one_o place_n be_v say_v to_o exhort_v in_o another_o to_o comfort_v in_o another_o to_o visit_v the_o sick_a this_o will_v not_o warrant_v distinct_a sort_n of_o pastor_n for_o there_o be_v but_o one_o sort_n speak_v of_o in_o scripture_n we_o must_v interpret_v all_o these_o several_a administration_n to_o belong_v to_o that_o one_o sect._n 9_o it_o be_v not_o find_v a_o easy_a work_n in_o this_o assembly_n to_o find_v two_o sort_n of_o elder_n teach_v and_o rule_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o scripture_n have_v say_v of_o these_o and_o in_o some_o place_n so_o plain_a as_o if_o of_o purpose_n to_o distinguish_v they_o if_o it_o be_v so_o hard_a a_o matter_n by_o scripture_n light_a to_o hold_v forth_o two_o sort_n of_o presbyter_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o difficult_a to_o find_v out_o two_o sort_n of_o presbytery_n especial_o see_v as_o it_o be_v general_o grant_v and_o this_o by_o the_o presbyterian_n themselves_o that_o for_o above_o fifty_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n there_o be_v but_o one_o kind_n of_o presbytery_n sect._n 10._o it_o have_v be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o state_n to_o keep_v and_o preserve_v the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o their_o judicature_n evident_a and_o distinct_a and_o as_o free_a from_o controversy_n as_o may_v be_v if_o law_n and_o ordinance_n about_o matter_n of_o mâ—um_fw-la and_o â—uum_fw-la and_o such_o inferior_a claim_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o evident_a the_o authority_n of_o these_o court_n will_v be_v in_o a_o readiness_n to_o relieve_v wrong_n and_o injury_n through_o such_o mistake_n but_o controversy_n and_o clash_n about_o these_o high_a and_o public_a interest_n be_v no_o other_o in_o the_o issue_n then_o the_o divide_n of_o a_o kingdom_n within_o itself_o be_v man_n wise_a in_o his_o generation_n than_o jesus_n christ_n he_o be_v our_o lawgiver_n the_o government_n be_v lay_v upon_o his_o shoulder_n he_o be_v the_o wonderful_a counsellor_n the_o prince_n of_o peace_n and_o therefore_o sure_o though_o other_o matter_n of_o practice_n and_o duty_n shall_v have_v obscurity_n in_o the_o rule_n yet_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a he_o have_v order_v authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n with_o the_o officer_n and_o office_n for_o the_o manage_n of_o it_o so_o evident_a as_o not_o to_o put_v we_o to_o search_v in_o a_o dark_a corner_n for_o direction_n we_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v clear_a in_o our_o rule_n when_o we_o be_v thus_o enforce_v out_o of_o one_o word_n and_o but_o once_o use_v to_o raise_v so_o many_o throne_n or_o form_n of_o government_n especial_o it_o be_v foresee_v by_o christ_n that_o such_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n as_o nothing_o occasion_n more_o bitter_a contention_n than_o that_o lust_a which_o be_v in_o we_o to_o have_v authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o other_o sic_fw-la subscribitur_fw-la tho._n goodwin_n philip_n nye_n jer._n burroughes_n sidrach_n sympson_n william_n bridge_n william_n greenhill_n william_n carter_n concordat_fw-la cum_fw-la originali_fw-la adoniram_n byfield_n scriba_fw-la matth._n 21._o 33._o beza_n in_o 2_o cor._n â—_z â—3_n steph._n budeus_n euâ—â—ath_n mede_n diatribe_n