assertion_n i_o intend_v to_o satisfy_v the_o scrupulous_a 23._o and_o to_o put_v to_o silence_v the_o malicious_a so_o also_o to_o confirm_v the_o conscience_n of_o such_o as_o be_v friend_n and_o savourer_n to_o the_o right_a way_n of_o church_n government_n whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n iâ—_n sin_n say_v the_o apostle_n yea_o though_o it_o be_v in_o a_o matter_n otherwise_o indifferent_a how_o much_o more_o be_v it_o necessary_a that_o we_o halt_v not_o in_o our_o judgement_n concern_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n but_o walk_v straight_o in_o the_o plerophory_n and_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o same_o from_o the_o warrant_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n i_o say_v again_o from_o the_o warrant_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o as_o it_o be_v not_o my_o meaning_n to_o commend_v this_o form_n because_o it_o be_v scotland_n 1.9_o so_o i_o hope_v assure_o that_o my_o countryman_n will_v not_o despise_v god_n ordinance_n because_o it_o be_v scotland_n practice_n but_o rather_o follow_v they_o in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o follow_v christ_n and_o the_o scripture_n this_o therefore_o i_o pray_v 2.7_o that_o thy_o love_n may_v abound_v yet_o more_o and_o more_o in_o knowledge_n and_o in_o all_o judgement_n that_o thou_o may_v approve_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v excellent_a consider_v what_o i_o say_v and_o the_o lord_n give_v thou_o understanding_n in_o all_o thing_n amen_n the_o content_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n chap._n i._o of_o the_o word_n elder_a lay-elder_n ruling-eld_a four_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n elder_a in_o scripture_n of_o the_o nickname_n of_o lay-elder_n that_o the_o popish_a distinction_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o the_o laity_n ought_v to_o be_v banish_v of_o the_o name_n of_o ruling-elders_a and_o the_o reason_n thereof_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o function_n of_o ruling-elders_a and_o what_o sâ—re_v of_o officer_n they_o be_v of_o the_o distinction_n of_o pastor_n doctor_n elder_n and_o deacon_n of_o the_o behaviour_n and_o conversation_n of_o ruling-elders_a of_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o of_o jurisdiction_n that_o the_o ruling-eld_a his_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n be_v to_o sit_v and_o voice_n in_o all_o the_o consistory_n and_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n that_o his_o power_n of_o order_n be_v to_o do_v by_o way_n of_o authority_n those_o duty_n of_o edification_n which_o every_o christian_a be_v bind_v to_o do_v by_o way_n of_o charity_n chap._n iii_o the_o first_o argument_n for_o ruling-elders_a take_v from_o the_o jewish-church_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v the_o jewish_a church_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v not_o for_o any_o special_a reason_n proper_a to_o they_o but_o as_o they_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a republic_n that_o the_o elder_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v sit_v among_o the_o priest_n and_o voice_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a court_n according_a to_o baravias_n own_o confession_n but_o be_v not_o theirâ—_n will_v magistrate_n as_o he_o allege_v bilson_n objection_n answer_v chap._n iu._n the_o second_o argument_n take_v from_o math._n 18.17_o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n tell_v the_o church_n why_o the_o presbytery_n may_v be_v call_v the_o church_n our_o argument_n from_o this_o place_n for_o ruling-elders_a chap._n v._o the_o three_o argument_n take_v from_o rom._n 12.8_o the_o word_n rom._n 12.8_o expound_v that_o by_o he_o that_o rume_v be_v mean_v the_o ruling-eld_a the_o objection_n to_o the_o contrary_n answer_v chap._n vi_o the_o four_o argument_n take_v from_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o thâ—t_v by_o government_n the_o apostle_n mean_v ruling-elders_a two_o gloss_n give_v by_o our_o opposite_n confute_v chap._n vii_o the_o fiâ—st_a argument_n take_v from_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o our_o argument_n from_o this_o place_n vindicate_v against_o â—en_o false_a gloss_n devise_v by_o our_o opposite_n chap._n viii_o the_o testimony_n of_o ambrose_n for_o ruling-elders_a vindicate_v no_o certain_a ground_n allege_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o commentary_n upon_o the_o epistle_n ascribe_v to_o ambrose_n other_o answer_v make_v by_o our_o opposite_n to_o the_o place_n upon_o 1_o tim._n 5._o confute_v chap._n ix_o other_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n testimony_n for_o ruling-elders_a out_o of_o tertullion_n cyprian_n epiphanius_n bâ—sil_n chrysostome_n hierome_n eusâ—bius_n augustine_n origen_n isidore_n the_o first_o counsel_n of_o tâ—lido_n other_o testimony_n observe_v by_o justellus_n and_o voetius_fw-la bilson_n answer_v confute_v chap._n x._o the_o consent_n of_o protestant_a writer_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o opposite_n for_o ruling-elders_a citatâ—ons_n of_o sundry_a protestant_a writer_n to_o this_o purpose_n this_o truth_n have_v extort_a a_o confession_n from_o wâ—itgist_n saravia_n sultiffe_a camero_n and_o m._n io._n wemy_n of_o craigtown_n chap._n xi_o dr._n field_n five_o argument_n against_o ruling-elders_a answer_v his_o first_o reason_n that_o no_o foot-step_n of_o ruling-elders_a for_o many_o hundred_o year_n can_v be_v find_v in_o any_o christian_a church_n answer_v five_o way_n footstep_n of_o ruling-elders_a in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n his_o second_o reason_n answer_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n not_o from_o 1_o tim._n 3._o only_a but_o from_o that_o and_o other_o place_n compare_v together_o his_o three_o reason_n answer_v by_o the_o câ—rtain_a bound_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ruling-elders_a his_o four_o reason_n answer_v by_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a sanedrim_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o their_o civil_a sanedrim_n his_o last_o reason_n concern_v the_o name_n hold_v not_o chap._n xii_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o whitegift_n and_o saravia_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o ruling-elders_a the_o one_o allow_v of_o ruling-elders_a under_o a_o infidel_n magistrate_n but_o not_o under_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n the_o other_o allow_v of_o they_o under_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o not_o under_o a_o infidel_n that_o ruling-elders_a do_v not_o prejudge_v the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n but_o the_o prelacy_n do_v which_o confute_v whitegift_n that_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v not_o come_v in_o place_n of_o the_o jewish_a senior_n which_o confute_v saravia_n chap._n xiii_o whether_o ruling-elders_a have_v the_o power_n of_o decisive_a voice_n when_o they_o they_o sit_v in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n the_o affirmative_a prove_v by_o nine_o reason_n two_o objection_n to_o the_o contrary_n answer_v the_o place_n 1_o cor._n 14.32_o explain_v chap._n xiiii_o of_o the_o ordination_n of_o ruling-elders_a of_o the_o continuance_n of_o their_o office_n and_o of_o their_o maintenance_n that_o the_o want_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o ordination_n the_o want_n of_o maintenance_n and_o the_o not_o continue_v always_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o office_n can_v be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o office_n itself_o of_o ruling-elders_a the_o content_n of_o the_o second_o part._n chap._n i._o of_o popular_a government_n in_o the_o church_n that_o this_o question_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v clear_v before_o the_o question_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o assembly_n that_o jurisdiction_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d by_o all_o the_o member_n of_o a_o congregation_n prove_v by_o 〈◊〉_d reason_n objection_n answer_v the_o controversy_n 〈◊〉_d chap._n ii_o of_o the_o independency_n of_o the_o eldership_n of_o particular_a congregation_n dr._n fields_n question_n whâ—ther_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n belong_v to_o the_o eldership_n of_o every_o congregation_n or_o to_o a_o common_a presbytery_n make_v up_o out_o of_o many_o congregation_n answer_v by_o a_o eightfold_a distinction_n a_o threefold_a conformity_n of_o those_o parishional_a eldership_n to_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n chap._n iii_o of_o great_a presbytery_n which_o some_o call_v class_n three_o false_a gloss_n on_o 1_o tim._n 4.14_o confute_v that_o the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o presbytery_n aâ—_n assembly_n of_o presbyter_n whereof_o also_o father_n and_o counsel_n do_v speak_v the_o warrant_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o classical_a presbytery_n declare_v both_o by_o good_a reason_n and_o by_o the_o apostolical_a pattern_n for_o assertion_n of_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v prove_v 1._o that_o in_o many_o of_o those_o city_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n plant_v christian_n religion_n there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n then_o do_v or_o can_v ordinary_o assemble_v into_o one_o place_n 2._o that_o in_o these_o city_n there_o be_v a_o plurality_n of_o pastor_n 3._o that_o yet_o the_o whole_a within_o the_o city_n be_v one_o church_n 4._o that_o the_o whole_a be_v govern_v by_o one_o common_a presbytery_n from_o all_o which_o a_o corollary_n be_v draw_v for_o these_o our_o classical_a presbytery_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o authority_n of_o synod_n provincial_a and_o national_n that_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o synod_n differ_v from_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o presbytery_n the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n
the_o faithful_a from_o their_o sin_n see_v conci_fw-la triden_n de_fw-fr sacr_n ordin_n cap._n 1._o hier._n savanarola_n triumph_n cruc_fw-la lib._n 3._o cap._n 16._o and_o the_o same_o two_o make_v up_o the_o proper_a office_n of_o the_o priest_n by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o english_a service_n book_n as_o touch_v deacon_n they_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o collect_v receive_v keep_v and_o distribute_v of_o ecclesiastical_a good_n for_o maintain_v of_o minister_n school_n church_n the_o sick_a stranger_n and_o poor_a the_o popish_a and_o prelatical_a deacon_n have_v no_o such_o office_n but_o a_o office_n which_o the_o apostle_n never_o appoint_v to_o they_o for_o they_o have_v no_o preach_v nor_o baptise_v deacon_n philip_n preach_v and_o baptize_v not_o as_o a_o deacon_n but_o as_o a_o evangelist_n act_v 21.8_o beside_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o preach_n and_o baptise_v he_o can_v not_o have_v exercise_v the_o office_n of_o his_o deaconship_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o persecution_n which_o scatter_v rich_a and_o poor_a and_o all_o act_v 8.1_o that_o which_o steven_n do_v act_v 7._o be_v no_o more_o than_o every_o believer_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v when_o he_o be_v call_v to_o give_v a_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o practice_n 4._o other_o of_o the_o faithful_a beside_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n have_v be_v admit_v unto_o counsel_n and_o synod_n by_o many_o christian_a church_n throughout_o the_o world_n as_o be_v well_o know_v and_o this_o be_v a_o manifest_a foot-step_n of_o the_o government_n of_o rule_v elder_n 5._o nay_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n itself_o at_o this_o day_n there_o be_v footstep_n of_o rule_v elder_n else_o what_o mean_v the_o join_n of_o layman_n with_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o high_a commission_n to_o judge_v of_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a sâ—ravia_n say_v 103._o the_o churchwarden_n which_o be_v in_o every_o parish_n of_o england_n have_v some_o resemblance_n of_o rule_v elder_n who_o change_n appoint_v by_o law_n he_o say_v be_v to_o collect_v keep_v and_o deburse_v the_o good_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n to_o preserve_v the_o fabric_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o thing_n pertain_v thereto_o sure_a and_o safe_a to_o keep_v account_n of_o baptism_n marriage_n and_o burial_n to_o admonish_v delinquent_n &_o other_o inordinate_a liver_n to_o delate_v to_o the_o bishop_n or_o his_o substitute_n such_o as_o be_v incorrigible_a &_o scandalous_a be_v swear_v thereto_o also_o to_o observe_v who_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o prayer_n in_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o lord_n day_n &_o upon_o the_o holy_a day_n &_o to_o exact_v from_o they_o the_o penalty_n appoint_v by_o law_n and_o final_o to_o see_v to_o quietness_n &_o decency_n in_o time_n of_o divine_a service_n doctor_n fields_n second_o reason_n be_v for_o that_o paul_n 1_o tim._n 3._o show_v who_o shall_v be_v bishop_n and_o minister_n who_o deacon_n yea_o who_o widow_n pass_v immediate_o from_o describe_v the_o quality_n of_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v bishop_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n to_o the_o deacon_n omit_v these_o roll_a elder_n that_o be_v suppose_v to_o lie_v in_o the_o midst_n between_o they_o which_o he_o neither_o may_v nor_o will_v have_v omit_v if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o to_o this_o the_o answer_n be_v easy_a 1._o as_o we_o collect_v the_o action_n and_o suffering_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o last_o supper_n not_o from_o any_o one_o of_o the_o evangelist_n but_o from_o all_o of_o they_o compare_v together_o for_o that_o one_o touch_v what_o another_o omit_v so_o do_v we_o judge_v of_o the_o office-bearer_n of_o the_o church_n not_o from_o 2_o tim._n 3._o only_a but_o from_o the_o collation_n of_o that_o and_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n of_o that_o kind_n rule_v elder_n be_v find_v in_o other_o place_n and_o in_o the_o five_o chapter_n of_o that_o same_o epistle_n though_o not_o in_o the_o three_o 2_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o absurdity_n to_o hold_v that_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o three_o chapter_n comprehend_v all_o the_o ordinary_a office-bearer_n in_o the_o church_n under_o these_o two_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o that_o under_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n he_o comprehend_v both_o pastor_n doctor_n &_o rule_v elder_n for_o as_o all_o these_o three_o be_v overseer_n so_o to_o they_o all_o agree_v the_o quality_n of_o a_o bishop_n here_o mention_v whereof_o there_o be_v only_o one_o which_o seem_v not_o to_o agree_v to_o the_o roll_a elder_n viz._n that_o he_o shall_v be_v apt_a to_o teach_v 9_o vers_fw-la 2._o yet_o beza_n maintain_v against_o saravia_n that_o the_o roll_a elder_n teach_v as_o well_o as_o the_o pastor_n only_o the_o pastor_n do_v it_o public_o to_o the_o whole_a congregation_n the_o roll_a elder_n do_v it_o private_o as_o he_o find_v every_o one_o to_o have_v need_n and_o we_o have_v show_v before_o that_o as_o a_o private_a christian_a be_v bind_v in_o charity_n to_o teach_v the_o ignorant_a so_o the_o roll_a elder_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o ex_fw-la offâ—cio_fw-la the_o three_o reason_n which_o doctor_n field_n bring_v against_o we_o be_v for_o that_o neither_o scripture_n nor_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n bound_v the_o government_n of_o such_o governor_n nor_o give_v any_o direction_n how_o far_o they_o may_v go_v in_o the_o same_o and_o where_o they_o must_v stay_v lest_o they_o meddle_v with_o that_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o man_n shall_v be_v leave_v to_o a_o most_o dangerous_a uncertainty_n in_o a_o office_n of_o so_o great_a consequence_n our_o answer_n to_o this_o be_v 1._o we_o have_v show_v already_o the_o certain_a bound_n of_o the_o power_n and_o vocation_n of_o rule_v elder_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v several_o set_v down_o canon_n and_o direction_n first_o touch_v pastor_n than_o doctor_n last_o rule_v elder_n since_o they_o be_v all_o elder_n and_o all_o member_n of_o the_o eldership_n or_o presbytery_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o deliver_v canon_n and_o direction_n common_a to_o they_o all_o especial_o since_o the_o duty_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v the_o same_o which_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n only_o the_o pastor_n power_n be_v cumulative_a to_o they_o and_o over_o reach_v the_o same_o in_o the_o public_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o so_o do_v paul_n difference_n they_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o his_o four_o reason_n be_v because_o we_o fetch_v the_o pattern_n of_o the_o government_n of_o rule_v elder_n from_o the_o sanedrim_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o platform_n whereof_o we_o suppose_v christ_n mean_v to_o bring_v into_o his_o church_n when_o he_o say_v tell_v the_o church_n whereas_o say_v he_o it_o be_v most_o clear_a that_o the_o court_n be_v a_o civil_a court_n and_o have_v a_o power_n to_o banish_v to_o imprison_v yea_o and_o to_o take_v away_o life_n till_o by_o the_o roman_n the_o jew_n be_v restrain_v we_o answer_v that_o beza_n the_o presbytery_n i._o b._n a._n c._n de_fw-fr polit_fw-la civil_a &_o eccl._n lib._n 2._o 8._o also_o zepperus_n junius_n piscator_fw-la wolphius_n godwin_n bucerus_n gerard_n and_o sundry_a other_o have_v right_o observe_v that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a sanedrim_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a yet_o both_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o sanedrim_n we_o grant_v with_o beza_n that_o sometime_o civil_a cause_n be_v debate_v and_o determine_v in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a sanedrim_n but_o this_o be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d non_fw-fr 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o he_o say_v the_o fact_n which_o be_v mere_o civil_a be_v judge_v in_o the_o â—ivill_a sanedrim_n but_o when_o the_o civilâ—_n judge_n can_v not_o agree_v de_fw-fr jure_fw-la even_o in_o civil_a cause_n in_o that_o case_n resolution_n be_v give_v by_o the_o other_o sanedrim_n as_o in_o like_a case_n by_o the_o jurisconsults_a among_o the_o roman_n for_o the_o conservation_n and_o interpretation_n of_o the_o law_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o leviticall_a tribe_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o read_v 2_o chron._n 19.8.11_o jehosaphat_n set_v in_o jerusalem_n of_o the_o levit_n and_o of_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o father_n of_o israel_n some_o for_o the_o lord_n matter_n among_o who_o preside_v amariah_n the_o chief_a priest_n and_o some_o for_o the_o king_n matter_n among_o who_o preside_v zâ—badiah_n the_o ruler_n of_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n 119._o saravia_n say_v this_o place_n prove_v not_o that_o there_o be_v two_o distinct_a consistory_n one_o for_o civil_a another_o for_o ecclesiastical_a thing_n because_o say_v he_o by_o the_o king_n matter_n be_v mean_v matter_n of_o peace_n and_o war_n by_o the_o lord_n
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