flock_n according_a to_o this_o gloss_n for_o peter_n oppose_v the_o lording_n over_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v ensample_n to_o the_o flock_n sure_o if_o this_o popish_a gloss_n be_v true_a protestant_n in_o their_o commentary_n and_o sermon_n have_v go_v wide_a from_o that_o text._n but_o mathias_n the_o apostle_n be_v choose_v by_o lot_n 26_o what_o then_o by_o what_o reason_n do_v the_o canon_n law_n draw_v from_o hence_o a_o name_n common_a to_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n cleros_fw-la let_v 〈◊〉_d then_o banish_v from_o we_o such_o popish_a name_n and_o send_v they_o home_o to_o rome_n 1._o bellarmin_n think_v we_o have_v do_v so_o long_o ere_o now_o for_o he_o make_v this_o one_o of_o his_o controvert_v head_n whether_o we_o may_v right_o call_v some_o christian_n the_o clergy_n and_o other_o the_o laity_n or_o not_o ascribe_v the_o negative_a to_o protestant_n the_o affirmative_a to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o beside_o the_o clergy_n and_o the_o laity_n clerie_n papist_n hold_v that_o there_o be_v a_o three_o sort_n in_o the_o church_n distinct_a from_o both_o who_o they_o call_v regulares_fw-la these_o be_v such_o of_o their_o religious_a order_n as_o be_v not_o take_v up_o with_o contemplation_n alone_o like_o the_o monk_n but_o with_o action_n 1._o such_o as_o the_o dominican_n franciscan_n etc._n etc._n who_o help_n and_o assist_v the_o clergy_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a employment_n though_o they_o themselves_o be_v not_o admit_v into_o any_o particular_a charge_n in_o the_o church_n now_o he_o who_o will_v needs_o side_n with_o the_o papist_n in_o the_o distinction_n of_o clergy_n and_o laity_n may_v also_o with_o they_o admit_v a_o three_o member_n of_o the_o distinction_n and_o make_v roll_a elder_n of_o that_o sort_n especial_o since_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o regular_a chanoin_n be_v assume_v as_o helper_n to_o parish_n priest_n 4._o be_v propter_fw-la multitudinem_fw-la fidelis_fw-la populi_fw-la &_o difficultatem_fw-la invenâ—endi_fw-la curatos_fw-la sufficientes_fw-la &_o idoneos_fw-la say_v cardinal_n cajetan_n add_v further_o male_a consultum_fw-la populo_fw-la christiano_n invenitur_fw-la sine_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la supplemento_fw-la which_o reason_n agree_v well_o to_o rule_v elder_n for_o 1._o parish_n contain_v so_o many_o that_o the_o minister_n can_v oversee_v all_o and_o every_o one_o without_o help_n 2._o sufficient_a and_o fit_a minister_n shall_v hardly_o be_v every_o where_o find_v 3._o it_o be_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o sin_n and_o scandal_n be_v never_o well_o take_v need_n to_o and_o redress_v where_o rule_v elder_n be_v not_o to_o let_v all_o this_o pass_n if_o any_o man_n will_v needs_o retain_v the_o name_n of_o lay_v elder_n 28._o yet_o say_v gersomus_n bucerus_n what_o aspersion_n be_v that_o to_o our_o church_n be_v it_o any_o other_o thing_n then_o that_o which_o papist_n object_v to_o we_o for_o admit_v lay_v man_n into_o counsel_n they_o who_o have_v place_n in_o the_o high_a and_o most_o supreme_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o the_o weighty_a matter_n be_v determine_v ought_v much_o more_o to_o be_v admit_v into_o inferior_a meeting_n such_o as_o presbytery_n be_v but_o if_o we_o will_v speak_v with_o scripture_n we_o shall_v call_v they_o rule_v elder_n rom._n 12.8_o he_o that_o rule_v 1_o tim._n 5.17_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o they_o be_v call_v rule_v elder_n non_fw-la quia_fw-la soli_fw-la sed_fw-la quia_fw-la solum_fw-la praesunt_fw-la pastor_n rule_n the_o church_n even_o as_o they_o do_v but_o pastor_n do_v something_o more_o from_o which_o they_o may_v be_v design_v whereas_o the_o elder_n of_o which_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v have_v no_o other_o employment_n which_o can_v give_v they_o a_o designation_n except_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n only_o that_o wicked_a railer_n lisimâ—chus_n nicanor_n who_o assume_v the_o name_n but_o forget_v to_o put_v on_o the_o vizorne_n of_o a_o jesuit_n in_o his_o congratulatory_a i_o shall_v say_v calumniatory_a epistle_n pag._n 61._o allege_v that_o they_o be_v call_v rule_v elder_n because_o the_o minister_n be_v their_o rule_a elder_n if_o he_o be_v a_o jesuit_n he_o may_v remember_v that_o in_o their_o own_o society_n beside_o their_o priest_n doctor_n preacher_n confessionary_n etc._n etc._n they_o have_v also_o rectores_fw-la 68_o or_o regentes_fw-la who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o see_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o order_n keep_v to_o observe_v the_o behaviour_n of_o every_o one_o &_o when_o they_o perceive_v any_o seed_n of_o heresy_n to_o signify_v the_o same_o to_o the_o provincial_n and_o he_o to_o the_o general_n yet_o be_v these_o rectores_fw-la among_o the_o low_a rank_n of_o their_o officer_n so_o that_o jesuit_n need_v not_o stumble_v when_o we_o call_v our_o eldersrul_a elder_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o function_n of_o rule_v elder_n and_o what_o sort_n of_o officer_n they_o be_v 4._o notwithstanding_o of_o all_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o popish_a order_n yet_o peter_n lombard_n tread_v the_o vestige_n of_o the_o primitive_a simplicity_n do_v observe_v that_o the_o apostle_n leave_v only_o two_o sacred_a order_n to_o be_v perpetual_a in_o the_o church_n the_o order_n of_o deacon_n &_o the_o order_n of_o elder_n the_o administration_n of_o deacon_n be_v exercise_v about_o thing_n bodily_a the_o administration_n of_o elder_n about_o thing_n spiritual_a the_o former_a about_o the_o good_n the_o latter_a about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n now_o elder_n be_v of_o three_o sort_n 1._o preach_v elder_n or_o pastor_n 2._o teach_v elder_n or_o doctor_n 3._o rule_v elder_n all_o these_o be_v elder_n because_o they_o have_v voice_n in_o presbytery_n and_o all_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v incumbent_a to_o they_o all_o nor_o only_a to_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_a but_o to_o the_o doctor_n also_o the_o bishop_n of_o dune_n in_o his_o examen_fw-la conjurationis_fw-la scoticae_fw-la p._n 35._o allege_v that_o our_o church_n of_o scotland_n do_v never_o yet_o determine_v whether_o doctor_n and_o deacon_n have_v right_a of_o voice_n in_o the_o consistory_n &_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n but_o have_v he_o read_v our_o book_n of_o policy_n he_o may_v have_v find_v that_o it_o exclude_v deacon_n from_o be_v member_n of_o presbytery_n and_o assembly_n cap._n 8._o but_o admit_v doctor_n into_o the_o same_o cap._n 5._o the_o doctor_n be_v a_o elder_a as_o say_v be_v shall_v assist_v the_o pastor_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_fw-mi and_o concur_v with_o the_o elder_n his_o brethren_n in_o all_o assembly_n by_o reason_n the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v only_a judge_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n be_v commit_v to_o his_o charge_n but_o they_o differ_v in_o that_o the_o pastor_n labour_v in_o the_o word_n of_o exhortation_n that_o be_v by_o the_o gift_n of_o wisdom_n apply_v the_o word_n to_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o that_o in_o season_n and_o out_o of_o season_n as_o he_o know_v their_o particular_a case_n to_o require_v the_o doctor_n labour_v in_o the_o word_n of_o doctrine_n that_o be_v without_o such_o application_n as_o the_o pastor_n use_v by_o simple_a teach_n he_o preserve_v the_o truth_n and_o sound_a interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n against_o all_o heresy_n and_o error_n the_o roll_a elder_n do_v neither_o of_o these_o but_o labour_v in_o the_o government_n and_o policy_n of_o the_o church_n only_o the_o apostle_n have_v distinguish_v these_o three_o sort_n of_o elder_n 1._o tim._n 5.17_o let_v elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n especial_o they_o who_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n where_o as_o beza_n note_v he_o distinguish_v the_o word_n which_o be_v the_o pastor_n part_n from_o doctrine_n which_o be_v the_o doctor_n part_n even_o as_o rom._n 12.7.8_o he_o distinguish_v teach_v from_o exhortation_n and_o 1_o cor._n 12.8_o put_v the_o word_n of_o wisdom_n and_o the_o word_n of_o knowledge_n for_o two_o different_a thing_n now_o beside_o those_o elder_n which_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o those_o which_o labour_n in_o doctrine_n paul_n speak_v to_o timothy_n of_o a_o three_o sort_n of_o elder_n which_o labour_n neither_o in_o the_o word_n nor_o doctrine_n but_o in_o rule_v well_o hence_o it_o appear_v how_o true_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n cap._n 2._o say_v that_o there_o be_v four_o ordinary_a perpetual_a and_o necessary_a office_n in_o the_o church_n the_o office_n of_o the_o pastor_n the_o doctor_n the_o elder_a and_o the_o deacon_n and_o that_o no_o other_o office_n which_o be_v not_o one_o of_o these_o four_o aught_o to_o be_v receive_v or_o suffer_v in_o the_o church_n but_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o elder_n non_fw-la personatos_fw-la etc._n etc._n we_o will_v not_o have_v disguise_v and_o histrionical_a man_n puff_v up_o with_o title_n or_o idol_n
about_o the_o controversy_n betwixt_o boaz_n and_o the_o other_o kinsman_n not_o as_o judge_n but_o as_o witness_n and_o beholder_n that_o the_o matter_n may_v be_v do_v with_o the_o more_o gravity_n and_o respect_n which_o do_v further_o appear_v from_o vers_fw-la 9.11_o in_o like_a manner_n we_o answer_v to_o deut._n 21.19_o the_o judge_n decide_v that_o cause_n with_o advice_n and_o counsel_n of_o the_o elder_n and_o so_o the_o name_n of_o elder_n in_o those_o place_n may_v be_v a_o name_n not_o of_o office_n but_o of_o dignity_n signify_v man_n of_o chief_a note_n for_o wisdom_n gravity_n and_o experience_n in_o which_o sense_n the_o word_n elder_n be_v take_v gen._n 50.7_o as_o tostatus_n and_o rivetus_n expound_v that_o place_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n we_o say_v of_o deuter._n 19.12_o and_o in_o that_o case_n it_o be_v further_a to_o be_v remember_v that_o the_o city_n of_o refuge_n have_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o sacred_a designation_n and_o use_n for_o the_o altar_n itself_o be_v sometime_o a_o place_n of_o refuge_n exod._n 21.14_o and_o when_o the_o six_o city_n of_o refuge_n be_v appoint_v they_o be_v of_o the_o city_n of_o the_o levit_n numb_a 35.6_o that_o by_o the_o judgement_n and_o counsel_n of_o the_o levit_n who_o shall_v best_o understand_v the_o law_n of_o god_n such_o controversy_n may_v be_v determine_v as_o pellicanus_fw-la on_o that_o place_n say_v well_o for_o this_o cause_n some_o read_v josh._n 20.7_o they_o sanctify_a kedesh_n etc._n etc._n beside_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o these_o cause_n be_v judge_v not_o in_o the_o city_n where_o the_o murder_n be_v commit_v but_o in_o the_o city_n of_o refuge_n 3._o as_o serrarius_n hold_v with_o masius_n and_o montanus_n and_o allege_v for_o it_o some_o very_a considerable_a reason_n then_o do_v bilson_n argument_n from_o deut._n 19.12_o fail_v also_o in_o this_o respect_n for_o the_o elder_n there_o mention_v be_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o city_n where_o the_o murder_n be_v commit_v chap._n iu._n the_o second_o argument_n take_v from_o matth._n 18.17_o our_o second_o argument_n we_o take_v from_o matth._n 18.17_o tell_v the_o church_n let_v a_o obstinate_a offender_n who_o no_o admonition_n do_v amend_v be_v bring_v and_o judge_v by_o the_o church_n where_o first_o of_o all_o it_o be_v to_o be_v condescend_v upon_o that_o though_o he_o speak_v by_o allusion_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o these_o word_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o a_o publican_n yet_o he_o mean_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o he_o say_v tell_v the_o church_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o word_n follow_v whatsoever_o you_o bind_v on_o earth_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n of_o â—he_n gospel_n joh._n 20.23_o so_o that_o he_o do_v not_o send_v they_o to_o the_o synedrium_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n when_o he_o bid_v they_o tell_v the_o church_n nor_o 2._o do_v he_o mean_v of_o the_o church_n universal_a for_o than_o we_o shall_v have_v none_o of_o our_o wrong_n redress_v because_o we_o can_v assemble_v the_o church_n universal_a nay_o nor_o the_o representative_a of_o it_o which_o be_v a_o oecumenicke_n council_n nor_o 3_o can_v we_o underderstand_v it_o of_o the_o collective_a body_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n for_o he_o who_o be_v the_o god_n of_o order_n not_o of_o confusion_n have_v commit_v the_o exercise_n of_o no_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n to_o a_o promiscuous_a multitude_n nor_o 4._o can_v it_o be_v take_v of_o a_o prelate_n who_o be_v but_o one_o can_v no_o more_o be_v call_v the_o church_n nor_o one_o can_v be_v call_v many_o or_o a_o member_n be_v call_v a_o body_n non_fw-la enim_fw-la una_fw-la persona_fw-la potest_fw-la dici_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la say_v bell._n de_fw-fr eccles._n l._n 3._o c._n 17._o cum_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la sit_fw-la populus_fw-la &_o regnum_fw-la dei._n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o church_n there_o speak_v of_o be_v a_o certain_a number_n meet_v together_o where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o 70.71_o etc._n etc._n nor_o 5._o can_n we_o with_o erastus_n and_o bilson_n expound_v it_o of_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n which_o exposition_n beside_o that_o in_o a_o new-fangled_a language_n it_o call_v the_o magistrate_n the_o church_n and_o go_v about_o to_o overthrow_v all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n it_o be_v also_o utter_o contrary_a to_o the_o purpose_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o aim_n of_o that_o discipline_n which_o he_o recommend_v to_o be_v use_v which_o be_v the_o good_a of_o our_o brother_n and_o the_o gain_n of_o he_o from_o his_o offence_n whereas_o the_o exercise_n of_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o intend_v for_o teâ—_n good_a of_o the_o offender_n and_o for_o the_o win_n of_o he_o to_o repentance_n but_o for_o the_o public_a good_a of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o peace_n order_n and_o justice_n therein_o according_a to_o the_o law_n wherefore_o by_o the_o church_n whereof_o our_o master_n speak_v we_o must_v needs_o understand_v such_o a_o representative_a meeting_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o a_o scandalous_a and_o obstinate_a person_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v judge_v 23._o and_o what_o be_v that_o collegium_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la say_v camero_n the_o presbytery_n whereof_o mention_n be_v make_v 1_o tim._n 4.14_o tell_v the_o church_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v chrysostome_n expound_v the_o place_n he_o mean_v the_o presbytery_n make_v up_o of_o pastor_n and_o roll_a elder_n 6._o and_o so_o zanchius_n and_o junius_n expound_v he_o the_o pastor_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o of_o their_o preside_v in_o the_o consistory_n of_o the_o church_n the_o roll_a elder_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o of_o their_o rule_v the_o flock_n 4._o whitgift_n say_v truth_n it_o be_v that_o the_o place_n of_o matthew_n may_v be_v understand_v of_o senior_n but_o it_o may_v be_v aswell_o understand_v of_o any_o other_o that_o by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n have_v authority_n in_o the_o church_n his_o confession_n in_o behalf_n of_o senior_n we_o accept_v but_o that_o he_o make_v this_o scripture_n like_o a_o nose_n of_o wax_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n like_o the_o french_a fashion_n that_o we_o utter_o abhor_v but_o how_o be_v the_o presbytery_n call_v the_o church_n and_o why_o first_o even_o as_o the_o body_n be_v say_v to_o see_v when_o as_o the_o eye_n alone_o do_v see_v 26._o so_o say_v camero_n the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o hear_v that_o which_o they_o alone_o do_v hear_v who_o be_v as_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o church_n second_o it_o be_v a_o common_a form_n of_o speech_n to_o give_v the_o name_n of_o that_o which_o be_v represent_v to_o that_o which_o represent_v it_o so_o we_o common_o say_v that_o this_o or_o that_o be_v do_v by_o the_o state_n of_o holland_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o senate_n at_o hague_n now_o though_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n alone_o can_v represent_v the_o church_n because_o hearer_n also_o belong_v to_o the_o definition_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o the_o presbytery_n can_v well_o represent_v the_o church_n because_o it_o contain_v beside_o those_o who_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n rule_v elder_n put_v in_o authority_n by_o the_o church_n for_o the_o government_n thereof_o as_o gerard_n right_o resolve_v 137._o our_o divine_n prove_v against_o papist_n that_o some_o of_o these_o who_o they_o call_v laicke_n ought_v to_o have_v place_n in_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n by_o this_o argument_n among_o the_o rest_n because_o otherwise_o the_o whole_a church_n can_v not_o be_v thereby_o represent_v three_o 9.10_o the_o lord_n command_v that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n shall_v lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o levit_n at_o their_o consecration_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a congregation_n shall_v be_v bring_v together_o for_o that_o effect_n this_o as_o some_o have_v observe_v out_o of_o aben-ezra_n 87._o can_v be_v so_o understand_v as_o if_o the_o many_o thousand_o which_o be_v then_o in_o the_o host_n of_o israel_n have_v all_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o they_o but_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n only_o represent_v they_o so_o the_o lord_n say_v â—1_n speak_v to_o all_o the_o congregattion_n of_o israel_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o execution_n of_o this_o command_n be_v express_v thus_o then_o moses_n call_v for_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n and_o say_v unto_o they_o etc._n etc._n 4.5_o so_o josh._n 20.6_o four_o pastor_n and_o elder_n as_o they_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n so_o be_v they_o the_o minister_n and_o servant_n of_o his_o spouse_n the_o church_n from_o that_o which_o have_v be_v say_v we_o may_v draw_v our_o argument_n in_o this_o form_n whatsoever_o court_n do_v
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