love_n patience_n meekness_n chap._n v._n of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o call_v which_o be_v more_o private_a the_o duty_n of_o chap._n their_o call_v be_v these_o that_o belong_v to_o their_o watch_v over_o and_o rule_v of_o the_o flock_n and_o they_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n some_o that_o they_o be_v to_o perform_v by_o themselves_o alone_o and_o so_o may_v 15._o be_v call_v more_o private_a duty_n other_o that_o they_o be_v to_o perform_v joint_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o over_o seer_n of_o the_o 107._o house_n of_o god_n and_o may_v be_v call_v more_o public_a the_o duty_n of_o their_o call_v that_o be_v more_o private_a be_v all_o these_o that_o private_a christian_n be_v bind_v to_o perform_v each_o of_o they_o unto_o another_o by_o the_o law_n of_o charity_n and_o love_n and_o these_o be_v first_o to_o instruct_v one_o another_o joh._n 4._o 29._o act_n 18._o 26._o second_o to_o exhort_v and_o stir_v up_o one_o another_o to_o provoke_v unto_o love_n and_o good_a work_n heb._n 10._o 24_o 25._o three_o to_o admonish_v and_o rebuke_v one_o another_o levit._n 19_o 17._o first_o privately_z and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hearken_v then_o before_o witness_n &_o if_o yet_o they_o will_v not_o hearken_v then_o to_o tell_v the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o church_n then_o to_o tell_v the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o church_n then_o let_v they_o be_v unto_o we_o as_o heathen_n and_o publican_n math._n 18._o 15_o 16_o 17._o four_o to_o comfort_v the_o afflict_a and_o to_o support_v the_o weak_a 1_o thess._n 5._o 11._o five_o to_o restore_v those_o who_o be_v fall_v gal._n 6._o 1._o sixthly_a to_o reconcile_v these_o who_o be_v at_o variance_n math._n 5._o 9_o seven_o to_o pray_v one_o for_o another_o judas_n 20._o eight_o to_o visit_v the_o sick_a and_o those_o who_o be_v in_o bond_n and_o distress_n math_n 25._o 36._o all_o these_o duty_n elder_n be_v to_o perform_v to_o the_o several_a member_n of_o the_o congregation_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o call_v the_o scripture_n do_v express_o mention_v some_o of_o they_o as_o incumbent_n unto_o they_o to_o wit_n admonish_v these_o over_o who_o god_n have_v set_v they_o 1_o thess._n 5._o 12._o visit_a and_o pray_v over_o the_o sick_a jam._n 5._o 14._o feed_v the_o flock_n by_o instruction_n exhortation_n rebuke_v and_o comfort_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v competent_a to_o their_o station_n act_n 20._o 28._o the_o rest_n we_o may_v warrantable_o gather_v by_o analogy_n and_o proportion_n from_o these_o if_o private_a christian_n be_v oblige_v thereto_o much_o more_o be_v christian_a elder_n who_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o soul_n in_o a_o special_a way_n oblige_v thereto_o these_o thing_n be_v well_o express_v in_o the_o six_o chap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n ch_z as_o the_o pastor_n and_o doctor_n say_v they_o shall_v be_v diligent_a in_o teach_v and_o sow_v the_o â—eed_n of_o the_o word_n so_o the_o elder_n shall_v be_v careful_a in_o seek_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o same_o of_o the_o people_n it_o appertain_v to_o they_o to_o assist_v the_o pastor_n in_o examination_n of_o they_o that_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n item_n in_o visit_v the_o sick_a they_o shall_v cause_v the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n aswell_o particular_a as_o general_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n careful_o they_o shall_v be_v diligent_a to_o admonish_v all_o man_n of_o their_o duty_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o evangel_n thing_n that_o they_o can_v correct_v by_o private_a admonition_n they_o shall_v bring_v to_o the_o eldership_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v these_o duty_n of_o rule_v elder_n these_o three_o thing_n follow_v first_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v man_n of_o such_o ability_n as_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n able_a to_o instruct_v exhort_v admonish_v rebuke_n comfort_n pray_v and_o do_v these_o duty_n now_o mention_v second_o that_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o they_o not_o only_o to_o have_v some_o measure_n of_o ability_n for_o these_o thing_n but_o also_o to_o have_v some_o measure_n of_o dexterity_n wisdom_n experience_n tenderness_n in_o follow_v the_o same_o three_o that_o they_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o be_v careful_a to_o observe_v their_o carriage_n and_o frequent_o to_o visit_v and_o take_v inspection_n of_o family_n that_o they_o may_v instruct_v the_o ignorant_a exhort_v the_o negligent_a admonish_v the_o slothful_a and_o rebuke_v those_o who_o walk_v disorderly_a comfort_v the_o afflict_a establish_v those_o who_o waver_v visit_v the_o sick_a encourage_v these_o who_o do_v well_o and_o see_v piety_n and_o godliness_n promote_v in_o family_n and_o every_o one_o edify_v another_o in_o love_n walk_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n chap._n vi_o of_o these_o duty_n which_o be_v more_o public_a and_o which_o they_o be_v â—o_o perform_v joint_o with_o other_o the_o duty_n of_o elder_n which_o ps._n be_v more_o public_a and_o which_o they_o be_v to_o perform_v joint_o with_o other_o be_v these_o which_o lie_v upon_o they_o in_o the_o assembly_n or_o court_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o preach_v elder_n teach_v elder_n and_o rule_v elder_n these_o assembly_n be_v in_o our_o church_n of_o four_o sort_n either_o they_o be_v of_o the_o elder_n of_o particular_a congregation_n which_o be_v the_o church_n session_n or_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o more_o congregation_n than_o one_o lie_v near_o together_o which_o be_v the_o presbytery_n or_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o more_o presbytery_n than_o one_o which_o be_v the_o provincial_a synod_n or_o of_o the_o elder_n commissioner_n from_o all_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o land_n which_o be_v the_o general_n or_o national_a assembly_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v a_o five_o sort_n to_o wit_n that_o which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o elder_n from_o all_o or_o diverse_a nation_n profess_v the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ._n whilst_o we_o speak_v of_o elder_n of_o which_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n be_v make_v up_o we_o mean_v all_o sort_n of_o elder_n minister_n doctor_n and_o rule_v elder_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o congregation_n of_o our_o church_n because_o of_o the_o want_n of_o maintenance_n there_o be_v few_o or_o no_o doctor_n or_o teach_v elder_n distinct_a from_o pastor_n or_o minister_n who_o perform_v the_o duty_n both_o of_o the_o preach_a elder_n and_o of_o the_o teach_v elder_a only_o in_o the_o school_n of_o divinity_n be_v such_o in_o all_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n rule_v 7._o elder_n be_v thereto_o right_o call_v have_v power_n to_o sit_v write_v debate_n vote_n and_o conclude_v in_o all_o matter_n that_o be_v handle_v therein_o act_v 15._o 2._o and_o 6._o 22_o 23._o the_o thing_n which_o be_v handle_v in_o the_o assembly_n 7._o of_o the_o church_n be_v either_o matter_n of_o faith_n matter_n of_o order_n matter_n of_o discipline_n or_o that_o which_o concern_v the_o send_n of_o church-officer_n according_a to_o which_o they_o have_v a_o fourfold_a power_n 1._o that_o which_o be_v call_v dogmatic_a whereby_o they_o judge_v of_o truth_n and_o error_n in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n only_o 2._o that_o which_o be_v callee_o diatactick_a by_o which_o they_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o time_n place_n person_n and_o all_o such_o particular_n in_o ecclesiastic_a affair_n as_o be_v not_o determine_v in_o the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n thereof_o concern_v order_n and_o decency_n avoid_v of_o scandal_n do_v all_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o church_n 3._o that_o which_o be_v critic_n or_o corrective_a by_o which_o censure_n be_v exercise_v upon_o the_o scandalous_a and_o obstinate_a and_o such_o as_o be_v penitent_a again_o admit_v to_o the_o ordinance_n fellowship_n &_o society_n of_o the_o church_n 4._o that_o which_o be_v call_v exousiastick_a by_o virtue_n of_o which_o they_o send_v authorize_v and_o give_v power_n to_o church_n officer_n to_o serve_v in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n all_o these_o assembly_n be_v not_o to_o exer_n cise_n all_o these_o power_n but_o to_o keep_v themselves_o within_o their_o due_a bound_n the_o inferior_a leave_v these_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o more_o common_a concernment_n to_o the_o superior_a but_o in_o all_o these_o power_n rule_v elder_n have_v a_o share_n and_o do_v put_v forth_o the_o same_o in_o exercise_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o assembly_n whereof_o they_o be_v member_n act_n 15._o 6._o 22_o 23._o howbeit_o the_o
in_o to_o swart_a a_o temper_n if_o we_o may_v find_v grace_n in_o the_o lord_n sight_n to_o be_v thorough_o convince_v of_o this_o great_a church-evil_a whence_o many_o church_n evil_n flow_v and_o be_v bring_v with_o some_o measure_n of_o sincerity_n to_o endeavour_v the_o remedy_n thereof_o what_o a_o branch_n of_o hope_n may_v it_o be_v that_o our_o reproach_n shall_v be_v take_v away_o and_o we_o become_v a_o people_n instruct_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o walk_v to_o the_o praise_n and_o commendation_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v now_o evil_o speak_v of_o because_o of_o the_o ignorance_n and_o loose_a conversation_n of_o many_o among_o we_o therefore_o be_o i_o bold_a as_o press_v in_o spirit_n albeit_o one_o of_o the_o weak_a and_o most_o unworthy_a to_o offer_v this_o little_a treatise_n with_o a_o eye_n upon_o this_o end_n and_o let_v i_o without_o offence_n beseech_v all_o the_o minister_n elder_n deacon_n congregation_n presbytery_n and_o assembly_n of_o this_o church_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n yea_o let_v i_o obâ—est_v they_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o everlasting_a covenant_n by_o their_o zeal_n of_o the_o lord_n honour_n by_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o their_o love_n to_o 13_o soul_n and_o by_o the_o sury_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o have_v cause_v to_o rest_v upon_o we_o because_o he_o purge_v we_o and_o we_o will_v not_o be_v purge_v and_o as_o they_o desire_v the_o lord_n shall_v bring_v we_o again_o and_o cause_v we_o stand_v before_o he_o and_o 8_o leave_v we_o a_o remnant_n and_o give_v we_o a_o nail_n in_o his_o holy_a place_n that_o they_o will_v each_o of_o they_o in_o their_o station_n endeavour_v to_o take_v forth_o the_o precious_a 19_o from_o the_o vile_a and_o purge_v the_o lord_n house_n in_o this_o land_n from_o corrupt_a officer_n and_o corrupt_a member_n 27._o oh_o will_v we_o not_o be_v make_v clean_o when_o will_v it_o once_o be_v to_o the_o christian_a reader_n the_o inducement_n that_o persuade_v i_o first_o to_o write_v and_o then_o to_o publish_v this_o little_a treatise_n of_o rule_v elder_n and_o deacon_n be_v chief_o these_o 1._o the_o sensible_a impression_n that_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v upon_o my_o spirit_n as_o also_o i_o know_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o godly_a of_o the_o land_n of_o the_o great_a prejudice_n that_o come_v to_o this_o poor_a church_n by_o a_o multitude_n of_o man_n in_o these_o office_n who_o neither_o know_v their_o duty_n nor_o make_v conscience_n to_o perform_v it_o 2._o the_o vindicate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n concern_v these_o church-offiâ—ers_a that_o the_o mouth_n of_o such_o who_o speak_v evil_a may_v be_v stop_v and_o other_o who_o stumble_v may_v be_v satisfy_v 3._o the_o press_a desire_n of_o brethren_n minister_n and_o elder_n in_o the_o presbytery_n and_o congregation_n where_o the_o lord_n have_v set_v i_o all_o which_o do_v receive_v some_o spirit_n and_o life_n when_o i_o find_v my_o name_n among_o those_o to_o who_o the_o gen._n assembly_n of_o this_o church_n do_v commit_v and_o recommend_v this_o work_n long_o ago_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o handle_v it_o with_o as_o much_o plainness_n and_o evidence_n of_o truth_n and_o as_o short_o without_o wrong_v of_o the_o matter_n as_o i_o can_v it_o be_v not_o unlike_a that_o some_o may_v think_v that_o i_o have_v do_v no_o great_a business_n because_o i_o have_v bring_v no_o new_a thing_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v so_o what_o i_o have_v say_v be_v for_o the_o matter_n i_o trust_v and_o in_o many_o thing_n for_o the_o word_n too_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o protestant_a divine_n and_o of_o our_o church_n in_o the_o act_n s_o and_o policy_n thereof_o i_o have_v but_o put_v together_o in_o one_o and_o digest_v into_o some_o method_n what_o be_v lie_v scatter_v of_o before_o that_o these_o who_o either_o can_v not_o or_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o search_v for_o such_o thing_n may_v now_o have_v they_o at_o their_o hand_n other_o may_v look_v upon_o this_o treatise_n as_o not_o plain_a enough_o or_o as_o not_o so_o exact_a full_a and_o perfect_a as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v with_o these_o i_o shall_v not_o contend_v i_o have_v do_v what_o i_o can_v at_o lest_o what_o i_o conceive_v best_a in_o order_n to_o the_o end_n i_o propound_v to_o myself_o if_o other_o shall_v find_v favour_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o do_v better_o i_o shall_v bless_v his_o name_n on_o their_o behalf_n and_o receive_v and_o make_v use_n of_o their_o pain_n with_o thankfulness_n and_o some_o may_v happy_o think_v that_o there_o be_v here_o too_o much_o lay_v upon_o ruling-elders_a more_o nor_o they_o shall_v be_v able_a or_o willing_a to_o undertake_v yea_o more_o than_o the_o lord_n do_v require_v of_o they_o most_o of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v mention_v by_o we_o be_v incumbent_a to_o minister_n rather_o than_o to_o elder_n it_o be_v true_a what_o be_v say_v of_o the_o elder_n duty_n be_v also_o the_o duty_n of_o minister_n for_o what_o soever_o the_o elder_a aught_o to_o do_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o call_v that_o also_o ought_v the_o minister_n to_o do_v and_o somewhat_o more_o but_o so_o far_o as_o we_o know_v nothing_o be_v speak_v here_o of_o the_o elder_a that_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o if_o through_o ignorance_n or_o want_n of_o ability_n or_o neglect_v or_o custom_n elder_n have_v not_o do_v these_o thing_n it_o be_v that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v help_v it_o be_v now_o high_a time_n for_o they_o to_o awake_v and_o to_o know_v and_o own_o and_o follow_v their_o duty_n and_o for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o scotland_n to_o know_v how_o much_o she_o have_v smart_v under_o the_o hand_n of_o ignorant_a and_o slothful_a yea_o and_o scandalous_a man_n we_o will_v not_o always_o satisfy_v ourselves_o with_o disguise_v and_o histrionical_a 3._o man_n puff_v up_o with_o title_n or_o with_o idol_n dead_a in_o sin_n to_o be_v elder_n but_o will_v seek_v after_o holy_a man_n who_o be_v endue_v with_o faith_n in_o god_n and_o walk_v in_o his_o obedience_n god_n authorise_v they_o and_o the_o church_n his_o spouse_n choose_v they_o and_o call_v they_o undertake_v the_o government_n thereof_o that_o they_o may_v labour_v to_o the_o conservation_n and_o edification_n of_o the_o same_o in_o christ_n neither_o need_v the_o qualification_n or_o multitude_n or_o difficulty_n of_o the_o particular_n here_o speak_v of_o discourage_v or_o scar_n any_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o measure_n as_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o be_v look_v at_o we_o have_v set_v down_o what_o a_o rule_v elder_a ought_v to_o be_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o whole_a extent_n of_o his_o charge_n sundry_a particular_n whereof_o the_o most_o part_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v seldom_o call_v to_o exercise_v and_o if_o they_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n fit_v for_o these_o part_n of_o the_o charge_n which_o god_n call_v they_o to_o exercise_v and_o follow_v the_o same_o with_o singleness_n of_o heart_n they_o may_v believe_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v assist_v and_o accept_v of_o god_n in_o jesus_n christ_n the_o employment_n be_v not_o they_o but_o the_o lord_n from_o who_o they_o may_v expect_v both_o their_o furniture_n and_o also_o their_o reward_n let_v they_o arise_v and_o be_v do_v and_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v with_o they_o a_o short_a treatise_n of_o rule_v elder_n chap._n i._n of_o their_o name_n what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v concern_v ruling_n elder_n may_v be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o these_o four_o 1._o their_o name_n 2._o their_o institution_n 3._o their_o call_v 4._o their_o qualification_n and_o duty_n the_o word_n elder_a in_o the_o scripture_n do_v signify_v divers_a 1._o thing_n 1._o it_o signify_v old_a man_n or_o man_n come_v to_o age_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 1._o rebuke_v not_o an-eld_a but_o entreat_v he_o as_o a_o father_n and_o the_o young_a man_n as_o brethren_n 2._o it_o signify_v those_o who_o have_v live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o old_a mat._n 15._o 2._o why_o do_v thy_o 2._o disciple_n transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n 3._o it_o be_v take_v for_o honourable_a and_o worthy_a man_n isa._n 3._o 2._o the_o lord_n of_o host_n do_v take_v away_o from_o jerusalem_n and_o judah_n the_o prudent_a and_o the_o ancient_n 4._o it_o be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o spiritual_a officer_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n act_n 14._o 23._o and_o when_o 23._o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o city_n in_o this_o last_o signification_n it_o be_v take_v in_o this_o place_n for_o these_o who_o bear_v rule_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n who_o be_v call_v elder_n because_o
public_a and_o open_a then_o be_v the_o offender_n without_o such_o previous_a admonition_n to_o be_v dilate_v to_o the_o session_n that_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n rule_n 1_o tim._n 5_o 20._o they_o that_o sin_n mean_v open_o may_v be_v rebuke_v before_o all_o that_o other_o may_v fear_v 6._o in_o these_o dilation_n they_o be_v to_o take_v heed_n that_o they_o do_v not_o upon_o every_o rumour_n or_o jealousy_n or_o suspicion_n bring_v man_n to_o be_v question_v public_o as_o scandalous_a walker_n but_o first_o to_o be_v careful_a to_o make_v diligent_a and_o prudent_a enquiry_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o to_o see_v if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o witness_n or_o that_o the_o scandal_n thereof_o be_v common_a and_o flagrant_a or_o attend_v with_o pregnant_a likelihood_n and_o presumption_n of_o truth_n before_o they_o bring_v it_o in_o public_a that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o the_o congregation_n and_o to_o the_o party_n themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o question_v and_o challenge_v without_o cause_n 7._o in_o the_o matter_n of_o dilation_n and_o censure_n they_o be_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o simplicity_n and_o sincerity_n of_o of_o their_o heart_n to_o take_v heed_n that_o fear_n or_o favour_n or_o solistation_n or_o threaten_n or_o gift_n or_o bribe_n make_v they_o not_o pass_v by_o or_o wink_v at_o the_o fault_n of_o any_o and_o that_o passion_n or_o malice_n or_o private_a quarrel_n and_o particular_n make_v they_o not_o to_o dilate_v or_o rip_v up_o or_o censure_v the_o miscarriage_n of_o any_o and_o that_o they_o carry_v with_o all_o tenderness_n and_o compassion_n and_o moderation_n towards_o the_o offender_n that_o they_o may_v approve_v themselves_o to_o his_o conscience_n that_o nothing_o put_v they_o one_o to_o dilate_v he_o and_o proceed_v against_o he_o but_o the_o conscience_n of_o duty_n and_o a_o desire_n to_o gain_v his_o soul_n and_o to_o purge_v the_o church_n of_o scandal_n gal._n 6._o 1_o 2_o cor._n 4._o 2._o it_o be_v a_o high_a provocation_n before_o the_o lord_n for_o a_o church-officer_n to_o abuse_v the_o power_n give_v he_o of_o god_n for_o edify_v his_o body_n the_o church_n unto_o the_o satisfy_n his_o own_o passion_n and_o corrupt_a affection_n 8._o they_o be_v to_o take_v heed_n that_o they_o do_v not_o use_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o bodily_a punishment_n or_o penance_n to_o satisfy_v for_o sin_n but_o a_o spiritual_a medicine_n for_o humble_v and_o gain_v of_o the_o soul_n all_o church_n censure_n even_o excommunication_n itself_o which_o be_v the_o most_o terrible_a and_o destroying-like_a censure_n be_v ordain_v of_o god_n for_o this_o end_n 1_o cor._n 5._o the_o apostle_n command_v to_o deliver_v the_o incestuous_a person_n to_o satan_n not_o that_o he_o may_v satisfy_v for_o his_o sin_n but_o that_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n the_o word_n satisfaction_n may_v admit_v of_o a_o tolerable_a construction_n in_o church-censure_n in_o order_n to_o the_o remove_n of_o the_o scandal_n before_o man_n but_o this_o be_v so_o much_o abuse_v in_o the_o popish_a church_n and_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v so_o prone_a to_o true_a gospel_n repentance_n to_o a_o mere_a legal_a penance_n and_o to_o conceive_v that_o by_o mere_a outward_a submission_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o guilt_n of_o their_o sin_n be_v do_v away_o before_o god_n therefore_o elder_n will_v careful_o shun_v every_o thing_n that_o may_v give_v occasion_n to_o the_o foster_a this_o pernicious_a opinion_n and_o take_v pain_n to_o instruct_v offender_n in_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o end_n of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o kirk_n 9_o a_o great_a part_n of_o elder_n work_v be_v to_o ps._n travel_v and_o take_v pain_n with_o scandalous_a person_n who_o be_v now_o convict_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n by_o seasonable_a and_o frequent_a conference_n instruct_v exhort_v and_o admonish_v they_o until_o they_o they_o perceive_v some_o measure_n of_o true_a and_o earnest_a humiliation_n wrought_v in_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o they_o fit_v to_o evidence_n and_o declare_v the_o same_o in_o public_a before_o the_o congregation_n that_o so_o the_o scandal_n may_v be_v remove_v 10._o they_o be_v not_o to_o desire_v or_o appoint_v any_o to_o profess_v repentance_n before_o the_o congregation_n until_o the_o sign_n of_o repentance_n appear_v in_o they_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a sorrow_v exceed_o before_o the_o apostle_n do_v any_o thing_n concern_v the_o receive_n of_o he_o and_o the_o discipline_n of_o our_o church_n appoint_v minister_n and_o elder_n sharp_o to_o examine_v these_o who_o offer_v themselves_o to_o repentance_n what_o fear_n and_o terror_n they_o have_v of_o god_n judgement_n what_o hatred_n of_o sin_n and_o sorrow_n for_o the_o same_o and_o what_o sense_n and_o feeling_n they_o have_v of_o god_n mercy_n in_o which_o if_o they_o be_v ignorant_a they_o ought_v diligent_o to_o be_v instruct_v for_o it_o be_v say_v they_o but_o a_o mock_v to_o put_v such_o to_o public_a repentance_n who_o neither_o understand_v what_o sin_n be_v what_o repentance_n be_v what_o grace_n be_v nor_o by_o who_o god_n mercy_n and_o favour_n be_v purchase_v and_o that_o after_o he_o be_v instruct_v in_o these_o thing_n and_o bring_v to_o have_v some_o taste_n of_o god_n judgement_n especial_o of_o his_o mercy_n in_o jesus_n christ_n he_o may_v be_v present_v before_o the_o public_a church_n these_o thing_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o form_n and_o order_n of_o public_a repentance_n appoint_v by_o the_o assembly_n 1567._o last_o when_o the_o sign_n and_o evidence_n of_o true_a and_o unfeigned_a repentance_n do_v appear_v in_o these_o who_o have_v offend_v elder_n will_v show_v themselves_o ready_a and_o willing_a to_o receive_v they_o with_o all_o tenderness_n and_o compassion_n and_o to_o forgive_v and_o comfort_v they_o and_o confirm_v their_o love_n towards_o they_o 2._o cor._n 2._o 7_o 8._o the_o number_n of_o elder_n in_o every_o congregation_n 4._o can_v be_v well_o limit_v or_o determine_v but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v more_o or_o less_o according_a to_o the_o quantity_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o necessity_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o people_n and_o as_o man_n qualify_v and_o fit_a for_o the_o charge_n can_v be_v find_v it_o have_v be_v a_o evil_a custom_n in_o some_o congregation_n that_o rather_o than_o they_o will_v want_v any_o of_o their_o wont_a number_n they_o will_v choose_v unqualify_v man_n and_o that_o in_o several_a congregation_n the_o office_n of_o elder_n have_v be_v give_v to_o those_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o high_a sort_n as_o due_a to_o such_o though_o haply_o of_o no_o experience_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o in_o many_o thing_n of_o a_o untender_a and_o blame-worthy_a conversation_n because_o of_o their_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n or_o conceive_v that_o their_o secular_a power_n and_o credit_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o promote_v the_o kingdom_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o man_n qualify_v with_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n in_o the_o thing_n pertain_v to_o soul_n and_o of_o a_o christian_a and_o godly_a carriage_n have_v be_v pass_v by_o because_o of_o a_o mean_a condition_n in_o the_o world_n better_a it_o be_v that_o the_o number_n be_v few_o before_o we_o choose_v the_o ignorant_a and_o scandalous_a and_o that_o they_o be_v of_o a_o low_a degree_n if_o godly_a than_o of_o a_o high_a degree_n if_o otherwise_o that_o elder_n may_v the_o more_o convenient_o 1646._o discharge_v their_o duty_n it_o be_v convenient_a that_o the_o congregation_n be_v divide_v into_o so_o many_o part_n and_o that_o some_o competent_a part_n be_v assign_v to_o the_o more_o peculiar_a care_n and_o inspection_n of_o every_o elder_a yet_o so_o as_o he_o neglect_v not_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o all_o the_o flock_n of_o god_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v he_o a_o overseer_n chap._n i._n of_o deacon_n of_o their_o name_n that_o we_o may_v also_o understand_v what_o do_v belong_v unto_o deacon_n we_o shall_v speak_v of_o they_o short_o after_o the_o same_o order_n 1._o of_o their_o name_n 2._o of_o their_o institution_n 3._o of_o their_o call_v 4._o of_o their_o duty_n and_o qualification_n the_o word_n deacon_n large_o take_v signify_v 8._o any_o servant_n or_o minister_n matth._n 23._o 11._o therefore_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o do_v sometime_o comprehend_v all_o church-officer_n even_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o 1_o cor._n 3._o 5._o because_o every_o church-officer_n be_v appoint_v of_o god_n for_o perfect_v of_o the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 12._o and_o edify_v the_o body_n of_o christ._n when_o we_o speak_v of_o deacon_n in_o the_o kirk_n 8._o