the_o conâ—esâ—ion_n of_o our_o opposite_n for_o roll_a elder_n the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v not_o only_o maintain_v by_o 〈◊〉_d cartâ—right_n aâ—â—rsâ—_n bucerâ—â—_n and_o other_o who_o our_o opposite_n will_v call_v partial_a writer_n let_v he_o who_o please_v read_v the_o commentary_n of_o martyr_n 〈◊〉_d gualther_n hemmingius_n piscator_fw-la paraus_n upon_o rom._n 12.8_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o aretius_n on_o act._n 14.23_o zepper_n de_fw-fr polit._n eccles._n l._n 3._o c._n 1._o &_o 12._o bullinger_n on_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o arculâ—rius_n on_o act._n 14.23_o catal_a test_n verit_fw-la col_fw-fr 103._o osâ—and_n cent_n 1_o l._n 4._o c._n 11._o chemnâ—t_fw-la exam_fw-la part_n 2._o pâ—g_v 2â—8_n gerard._n loâ—_n theol._n tom_n 6_o pâ—g_n 363_o â—64_n muscul._n loc_n come_v de_fw-fr eccles._n c._n 5_o bucan_n loc_n come_v â—oc_fw-la 42._o suetanus_fw-la de_fw-la discipl_n eccles._n part_n 4_o c._n 3._o polanus_fw-la synt._n l._n 7._o c_o 11._o zanchius_n in_o 4_o praecep_v col_fw-fr 727._o junius_n animad_fw-la in_o bellâ—r_n cont_n 5._o l_o 1._o c_o 2_o danaeus_n de_fw-fr polit._n christ._n l._n 6_o p_o 452._o alsted_n theol._n case_z pag._n 518.520_o sopingâ—us_fw-la ad_fw-la bonam_fw-la fidem_fw-la sibrandi_fw-la pag._n 253._o etc._n etc._n the_o professor_n of_o leyden_n synt._n pur_fw-mi theol._n disp._n 42._o and_o sundry_a other_o who_o testimony_n i_o omit_v for_o brevity_n cause_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o note_v the_o place_n the_o author_n of_o the_o assertion_n for_o true_a and_o christian_a church_n policy_n pag._n 196.197_o cit_v for_o rule_v elder_n the_o testimony_n the_o commissioner_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o six_o authorize_v to_o compile_v a_o book_n for_o the_o reformation_n of_o law_n ecclesiastical_a among_o who_o be_v the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o ely_n they_o say_v let_v the_o minister_n go_v apart_o with_o some_o of_o the_o elder_n take_v counsel_n etc._n etc._n voetâ—us_o cit_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n marlorat_n hyperius_fw-la fulke_n whittaker_n fenner_n bunnius_fw-la willet_n sadeel_v lubbertus_n trelcatius_n both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o yea_o socinus_n and_o the_o remonstrant_n beside_o we_o have_v for_o we_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o well_o reform_a church_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o french_a the_o belgic_a and_o the_o helveticke_a church_n to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n but_o what_o will_v you_o say_v if_o the_o adversary_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v force_v to_o say_v somewhat_o for_o they_o 1._o whitgift_n confess_v not_o only_o that_o our_o division_n of_o elder_n into_o preach_v elder_n and_o roll_a elder_n have_v learned_a patron_n but_o also_o that_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a magistrate_n have_v govern_v senior_n 114._o and_o elsewhere_o he_o say_v i_o know_v that_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o have_v in_o every_o church_n senior_n to_o who_o the_o government_n of_o the_o congregation_n be_v commit_v saravia_n dare_v they_o his_o word_n likewise_o 104._o quod_fw-la à _fw-la i_o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v not_o dispute_v by_o i_o in_o that_o meaning_n that_o the_o belgic_a church_n or_o any_o other_o which_o do_v with_o edification_n use_v the_o service_n of_o these_o elder_n shall_v rash_o change_v any_o thing_n before_o that_o which_o be_v better_o be_v substitute_n again_o speak_v of_o the_o government_n of_o rule_v elder_n 118._o he_o say_v quod_fw-la ut_fw-la etc._n etc._n which_o as_o i_o judge_v profitable_a and_o good_a to_o be_v constitute_v in_o a_o christian_a church_n and_o commonwealth_n so_o i_o affirm_v no_o church_n no_o commonwealth_n to_o be_v bind_v thereto_o by_o divine_a law_n except_o perhaps_o necessity_n compel_v or_o great_a utility_n allure_v and_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n require_v it_o loe_o here_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n struggle_v with_o one_o contrary_a mind_v he_o judge_v the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n profitable_a and_o good_a yet_o not_o of_o divine_a right_n yet_o hâ—e_v â—cknowledgeth_v that_o necessity_n utility_n and_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n make_v we_o tie_v to_o it_o even_o by_o divine_a right_n but_o if_o it_o be_v profitable_a and_o good_a why_o do_v he_o call_v in_o question_n the_o necessity_n at_o least_o the_o utility_n and_o the_o edification_n of_o it_o can_v one_o call_v in_o question_n the_o utility_n of_o that_o which_o be_v profitable_a he_o will_v have_v say_v the_o truth_n but_o it_o stick_v in_o his_o tooth_n and_o can_v not_o come_v forth_o saelâ—vius_n de_fw-fr council_n lib._n ay_o cap._n 8._o say_v that_o among_o the_o jew_n seniores_fw-la tribuum_fw-la the_o elder_n of_o the_o tribe_n do_v sit_v with_o the_o priest_n in_o judge_a controversy_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n hence_o he_o argue_v against_o bellarmine_n that_o so_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n also_o because_o the_o privilege_n of_o christian_n be_v no_o lessâ—_n thâ—n_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o jew_n câ—mero_n tell_v we_o 118._o that_o when_o the_o apostle_n 1_o coâ—_n 6._o reprove_v the_o corinthian_n for_o that_o when_o one_o of_o 〈◊〉_d have_v â—_o matter_n against_o another_o they_o 〈…〉_z the_o saint_n to_o be_v â—udges_n 〈…〉_z noâ—_n by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d the_o 〈…〉_z multitude_n sedeos_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la constituti_fw-la craft_n 68_o ut_fw-la vacarent_fw-la gubernationi_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la that_o be_v â—hose_v who_o be_v ordain_v in_o the_o church_n to_o give_v themselves_o to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n my_o lord_n craigtanne_v find_v the_o strength_n of_o that_o argument_n that_o if_o beside_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n other_o grave_n and_o wise_a christian_n may_v be_v present_a in_o the_o great_a assembly_n and_o counsel_n of_o the_o church_n why_o not_o in_o presbytery_n also_o answer_v that_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o amiss_o that_o the_o wise_a sorâ—_n among_o the_o people_n be_v join_v as_o helper_n and_o assistant_n to_o the_o pastor_n provide_v that_o this_o their_o auxiliary_a function_n be_v not_o obtrude_v as_o necessary_a this_o be_v somewhat_o for_o we_o but_o we_o say_v further_o if_o it_o be_v necessary_a in_o oecumenicke_n counsel_n for_o no_o less_o do_v the_o argument_n of_o our_o divine_n in_o that_o question_n with_o the_o papist_n conclude_v then_o be_v it_o necessary_a in_o presbytery_n also_o chap._n xi_o doctor_n field_n five_o argument_n against_o roll_a 〈…〉_z his_o fiâ—st_a reason_n that_o show_v 〈◊〉_d to_o think_v there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d any_o 〈…〉_z church_n be_v because_o bishop_n presbyter_n that_o preach_v and_o minister_v the_o sacrament_n and_o deacon_n howsoever_o they_o much_o degenerate_v in_o late_a time_n yet_o all_o still_o remain_v in_o all_o christian_a church_n throughout_o the_o world_n both_o greek_a and_o latin_a in_o their_o name_n and_o office_n also_o in_o some_o sort_n but_o of_o these_o roll_a elder_n there_o be_v no_o footstep_n to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n nor_o be_v not_o for_o many_o hundred_o year_n whereas_o there_o will_v have_v be_v some_o remain_v of_o these_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o have_v they_o ever_o have_v any_o institution_n from_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n as_o the_o other_o have_v to_o this_o we_o answer_v 1._o if_o the_o christian_a church_n throughout_o the_o world_n have_v want_v rule_v elder_n long_o than_o they_o do_v yet_o prescription_n can_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n 2._o after_o that_o the_o golden_a age_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v spend_v and_o go_v exact_a diligence_n be_v not_o take_v to_o have_v the_o church_n provide_v with_o well_o qualify_a minister_n but_o many_o unfit_a man_n yea_o sundry_a heretic_n enter_v into_o that_o sacred_a vocation_n whereby_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o corruption_n and_o error_n overflow_v the_o church_n 103._o as_o both_o eusebius_n prove_v from_o aegesippus_n and_o catalogus_fw-la testium_fw-la veritatis_fw-la from_o irenaus_n may_v not_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o change_v the_o office-bearer_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n 3._o in_o the_o roman_a yea_o in_o prelatical_a church_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o footstep_n at_o all_o of_o the_o office_n of_o preach_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o they_o be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v presbyter_n to_o preach_v the_o word_n to_o minister_v the_o sacrament_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o key_n but_o the_o popish_a and_o prelatical_a presbyter_n have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n nor_o the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n for_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o their_o prelate_n as_o for_o the_o other_o two_o they_o be_v common_a to_o their_o deacon_n for_o they_o also_o do_v preach_v and_o baptise_v the_o office_n of_o the_o popish_a priest_n stand_v in_o two_o thing_n to_o consecrate_v and_o offer_v up_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o absolve_v
a_o assertion_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o the_o point_n of_o ruling-elders_a and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n with_o a_o postscript_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o treatise_n late_o publish_v against_o presbyterial_a government_n gesta_fw-la purgat_fw-la caecil_n &_o felic_n adhibete_fw-la conclericos_fw-la &_o seniores_fw-la plebis_fw-la ecclesiasticos_fw-la viros_fw-la &_o inquirant_fw-la diligenter_fw-la que_fw-la sint_fw-la istae_fw-la dissensiones_fw-la august_n epist_n 118._o quorum_fw-la conciliorum_fw-la est_fw-la in_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la saluberima_fw-la authoritas_fw-la edinburgh_n print_v for_o james_n bryson_n 1641._o to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v high_a time_n for_o those_o who_o have_v be_v long_o pray_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o with_o bleed_a heart_n have_v behold_v the_o sorrow_n of_o zion_n now_o to_o bestir_v themselves_o with_o a_o extraordinary_a diligence_n and_o to_o contribute_v their_o most_o serious_a and_o uncessant_a endeavour_n for_o the_o settle_n of_o these_o present_a commotion_n about_o church_n affair_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o the_o sacred_a twin_n truth_n and_o peace_n may_v both_o cohabit_v under_o own_o roof_n and_o that_o this_o great_a and_o good_a work_n of_o reformation_n may_v not_o be_v blast_v in_o the_o bird_n nor_o fade_v in_o the_o flourish_n but_o may_v be_v bring_v forward_o to_o that_o full_a maturity_n which_o shall_v afford_v a_o harvest_n of_o joy_n to_o we_o and_o to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o god_n one_o controversy_n there_o be_v about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v of_o such_o consequence_n that_o be_v it_o well_o resolve_v upon_o and_o right_o agree_v it_o shall_v facilitate_v a_o right_a resolution_n in_o other_o matter_n which_o be_v in_o question_n now_o because_o longum_fw-la iter_fw-la per_fw-la praecepta_fw-la breve_fw-la per_fw-la exempla_fw-la the_o way_n be_v long_o by_o precept_n short_a by_o platform_n therefore_o i_o have_v careful_o observe_v the_o policy_n and_o government_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n and_o because_o the_o nearness_n of_o relation_n sway_v my_o affection_n at_o least_o half_a a_o thought_n more_o unto_o that_o which_o be_v scotland_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la then_o unto_o that_o which_o be_v more_o remote_a from_o we_o therefore_o i_o be_v most_o solicitous_a to_o see_v a_o delineation_n of_o the_o government_n of_o that_o famous_o reform_a neighbour_n church_n which_o when_o i_o have_v read_v &_o read_v over_o again_o i_o do_v conclude_v with_o myself_o that_o if_o these_o two_o point_n at_o which_o most_o exception_n be_v take_v i_o mean_v the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o presbyter_n and_o synod_n which_o also_o be_v thing_n common_a to_o the_o other_o reform_a church_n can_v be_v upon_o good_a ground_n maintain_v there_o be_v no_o other_o thing_n of_o any_o moment_n to_o be_v object_v against_o it_o and_o with_o these_o thought_n i_o be_v so_o toss_v that_o i_o can_v not_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o the_o quid_fw-la without_o the_o quare_fw-la but_o do_v conceive_v as_o great_a languor_n and_o desire_n for_o a_o demonstration_n of_o that_o form_n of_o church_n government_n as_o before_o i_o have_v for_o a_o declaration_n of_o the_o same_o whereupon_o i_o have_v purchase_v to_o myself_o from_o scotland_n this_o ensue_a treatise_n which_o have_v full_o satisfy_v my_o own_o mind_n in_o the_o assert_v of_o those_o most_o controvert_v point_n i_o have_v resolve_v to_o communicate_v and_o publish_v the_o same_o unto_o other_o for_o the_o reason_n follow_v first_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o such_o as_o do_v through_o ignorance_n or_o mistake_n stumble_v at_o such_o a_o form_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n i_o do_v not_o much_o marvel_n to_o see_v those_o that_o aâ—e_v of_o a_o simple_a understanding_n so_o far_o conquer_v as_o to_o scruple_n the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n right_n have_v hear_v the_o big_a word_n and_o lavish_a expression_n of_o some_o opposite_n against_o the_o same_o yet_o a_o poor_a piece_n it_o be_v which_o one_o of_o they_o will_v usher_v in_o with_o a_o tinkle_a epistle_n in_o which_o projicit_fw-la ampullas_fw-la &_o sesquipedalia_fw-la verba_fw-la he_o make_v offer_v to_o forfeit_v his_o life_n to_o justice_n and_o his_o reputation_n to_o shame_n if_o any_o live_a man_n can_v show_v that_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o roll_a elder_a in_o the_o christian_a world_n till_o fâ—rell_n and_o viret_n first_o create_v they_o i_o shall_v not_o desire_v to_o take_v he_o at_o his_o word_n for_o his_o life_n but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n unto_o that_o which_o be_v here_o say_v both_o from_o scripture_n and_o from_o antiquity_n for_o rule_v elder_n then_o have_v he_o give_v sentence_n against_o his_o own_o reputation_n for_o ever_o and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o that_o have_v in_o that_o assertion_n of_o episcopacy_n bold_o aver_v 209.2â—1_n that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o antiquity_n comprehend_v none_o but_o preacher_n and_o divine_n and_o that_o therefore_o none_o but_o they_o may_v be_v call_v seniores_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la though_o some_o other_o happy_o may_v have_v the_o title_n of_o seniores_fw-la populi_fw-la because_o of_o their_o civil_a authority_n notwithstanding_o the_o read_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o justellus_n and_o of_o both_o the_o cassaubons_n 146._o have_v now_o so_o far_o change_v his_o tone_n that_o in_o his_o late_a answer_n to_o â—mectymnuus_n he_o acknowledge_v that_o beside_o pastor_n and_o doctor_n and_o beside_o the_o magistrate_n or_o elder_n of_o the_o city_n there_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o antiquity_n seniores_fw-la ecclesiastici_fw-la ecclesiastical_a elder_n also_o only_o he_o allege_v they_o be_v but_o as_o our_o churchwarden_n or_o rather_o as_o our_o vestry-man_n whereas_o indeed_o they_o be_v judge_n in_o ecclesiastical_a controversy_n and_o in_o some_o sort_n instructor_n of_o the_o people_n as_o shall_v be_v make_v to_o appear_v mean_v while_n we_o do_v observe_v what_o trust_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o this_o bold_a speaker_n who_o have_v be_v force_v to_o yield_v what_o he_o have_v before_o with_o high_a swell_a word_n deny_v another_o instance_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n be_v to_o be_v note_v in_o his_o remonstrance_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o prescript_n form_n of_o prayer_n which_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v ever_o from_o the_o day_n of_o moses_n wherewith_o also_o peter_n and_o john_n when_o they_o go_v up_o into_o the_o temple_n at_o the_o nine_o hour_n of_o prayer_n do_v join_v 11._o to_o make_v good_a his_o allegiance_n he_o add_v the_o form_n whereof_o be_v yet_o extant_a and_o ready_a to_o be_v produce_v yet_o this_o he_o handsome_o eat_v up_o in_o his_o defence_n 17.18_o where_o he_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o those_o set_v form_n of_o prayer_n be_v indeed_o specify_v by_o capellus_n a_o writer_n of_o our_o own_o age_n but_o that_o the_o book_n itself_o which_o contain_v these_o prayer_n be_v perish_v a_o thousand_o year_n ago_o well_o he_o be_v now_o content_a to_o say_v that_o once_o those_o form_n be_v extant_a and_o this_o forsooth_o he_o will_v prove_v from_o a_o certain_a samaritan_n chronicle_n in_o the_o custody_n of_o his_o faithful_a friend_n the_o primate_n of_o aâ—mach_n wherein_o he_o have_v find_v a_o story_n which_o transport_v he_o as_o much_o as_o the_o invention_n of_o the_o demonstration_n do_v archimedes_n when_o he_o cry_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o have_v find_v it_o i_o have_v find_v it_o yet_o credit_v judaeus_fw-la apella_fw-la non_fw-la ego_fw-la but_o this_o lie_v not_o now_o in_o my_o way_n only_o till_o a_o full_a answer_n be_v ready_a i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o to_o give_v some_o taste_n of_o the_o man_n vain_a arrogant_a humour_n who_o best_a weapon_n be_v great_a word_n as_o for_o his_o last_o record_n which_o he_o fetch_v from_o abrahamus_n scultetus_n against_o rule_v elder_n all_o that_o and_o much_o more_o have_v be_v and_o here_o shall_v be_v abundant_o confute_v other_o there_o be_v who_o call_v in_o question_n the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o ecclesiastical_a presbytery_n and_o of_o synod_n against_o which_o also_o some_o few_o pen_n have_v be_v put_v to_o paper_n and_o have_v pass_v a_o censure_n no_o less_o hard_a than_o unseasonable_a which_o i_o think_v may_v well_o have_v be_v spare_v unless_o there_o have_v be_v strong_a and_o more_o convince_a reason_n for_o it_o these_o i_o shall_v beseech_v that_o with_o mind_n void_a of_o prejudice_n they_o take_v into_o consideration_n the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n write_v with_o no_o heat_n nor_o sharpness_n of_o word_n but_o with_o plainness_n and_o strength_n of_o reason_n and_o withal_o i_o shall_v expect_v that_o they_o will_v not_o think_v the_o worse_a of_o the_o author_n for_o be_v ready_a to_o answer_v he_o that_o ask_v
the_o lord_n and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n upon_o the_o breastplate_n this_o prove_v not_o a_o church_n representative_a but_o sign_n representative_a 5._o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n be_v now_o as_o then_o necessary_o absent_a from_o the_o consistorial_n action_n of_o debate_v and_o decide_v matter_n of_o church_n government_n and_o of_o jurisdiction_n and_o so_o that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o representative_a church_n do_v still_o remain_v now_o before_o i_o make_v a_o end_n i_o must_v answer_v yet_o other_o two_o objection_n which_o have_v be_v late_o make_v 57.58_o there_o be_v one_o who_o object_v that_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n 15._o can_v be_v no_o precedent_n nor_o pattern_n for_o succeed_a age_n first_o because_o the_o apostle_n be_v inspire_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o whole_o guide_v they_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o in_o that_o their_o determination_n they_o say_v express_o 15.28_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o to_o lay_v upon_o you_o no_o great_a burden_n now_o what_o synod_n in_o any_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n can_v ever_o say_v that_o they_o be_v infallible_o inspire_v and_o assist_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n second_o that_o injunction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o that_o present_a time_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o offence_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n but_o the_o like_a we_o read_v not_o afterward_o in_o all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n ans._n 1._o i_o say_v with_o whittaker_n posse_fw-la alia_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o other_o lawful_a counsel_n may_v in_o like_a manner_n affirm_v their_o decree_n to_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 6._o if_o they_o be_v like_a unto_o this_o council_n and_o if_o they_o keep_v the_o same_o rule_n which_o the_o apostle_n do_v keep_v and_o follow_v in_o this_o council_n for_o if_o they_o decree_v and_o determine_v nothing_o but_o from_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v do_v in_o this_o council_n and_o if_o they_o examine_v all_o question_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o in_o all_o their_o decree_n follow_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o may_v they_o affirm_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v so_o decree_v 2._o if_o the_o doctrine_n or_o exhortation_n of_o a_o pastor_n well_o ground_v upon_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o much_o more_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o a_o synod_n well_o ground_v upon_o the_o scripture_n the_o decree_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o that_o assembly_n be_v not_o of_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n neither_o do_v the_o decree_n proceed_v from_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n act_n 16.4_o and_o 21.25_o and_o in_o the_o place_n which_o be_v now_o object_v act_v 15.28_o not_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o the_o elder_n with_o they_o say_v it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o what_o the_o elder_n do_v then_o the_o elder_n may_v do_v now_o for_o time_n have_v not_o diminish_v their_o authority_n 4._o nay_o what_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o that_o synod_n the_o elder_n may_v do_v in_o a_o synod_n now_o for_o the_o apostle_n than_o do_v nothing_o but_o in_o the_o ordinary_a and_o common_a way_n of_o dispute_v and_o debate_v compare_v reason_n with_o reason_n and_o sentence_n with_o sentence_n and_o thereafter_o frame_v the_o decree_n according_a to_o the_o light_n which_o they_o have_v by_o reason_v and_o by_o search_v the_o scripture_n but_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a the_o sentence_n of_o the_o apostle_n peter_n in_o that_o synod_n be_v very_o imperfect_a and_o defective_a for_o he_o only_o dissuade_v from_o impose_v the_o yoke_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n but_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o overture_n for_o avoid_v the_o offence_n betwixt_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o convert_a gentile_n at_o that_o time_n which_o i_o may_v suppose_v he_o will_v have_v do_v if_o his_o light_n and_o judgement_n have_v carry_v he_o that_o far_o in_o this_o the_o apostle_n james_n supply_v the_o defect_n of_o peter_n sentence_n supra_fw-la and_o propound_v a_o overture_n which_o please_v the_o whole_a council_n and_o according_a to_o which_o the_o decree_n be_v give_v forth_o this_o make_v luther_n to_o say_v that_o james_n do_v change_v the_o sentence_n of_o peter_n and_o all_o this_o it_o please_v god_n so_o to_o dispose_v that_o we_o may_v understand_v that_o synod_n to_o be_v indeed_o a_o precedent_n and_o pattern_n for_o ordinary_a synod_n in_o succeed_v age_n 5._o henry_n jacob_n in_o his_o three_o argument_n for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o the_o church_n say_v it_o be_v absurd_a and_o impossible_a that_o the_o text_n matth._n 18._o be_v never_o understand_v for_o 1500_o year_n after_o christ._n sure_a this_o text_n act._n 15._o be_v never_o understand_v for_o that_o whole_a space_n if_o the_o assembly_n there_o mention_v be_v not_o a_o precedent_n to_o succeed_a age_n 6._o it_o make_v nothing_o against_o we_o that_o he_o say_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n &_o elder_n be_v for_o that_o present_a time_n only_o nay_o it_o make_v for_o we_o for_o in_o this_o also_o that_o synod_n be_v a_o pattern_n to_o succeed_a age_n forasmuch_o as_o synod_n now_o have_v no_o power_n to_o make_v a_o perpetual_a restraint_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o any_o indifferent_a thing_n such_o as_o be_v then_o the_o eat_n of_o blood_n and_o thing_n strangle_v but_o only_a during_o the_o case_n of_o scandal_n and_o moreover_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o that_o synod_n be_v also_o perpetual_a in_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v conceive_v against_o the_o press_n of_o circumcision_n as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n 25.26_o one_o objection_n more_o i_o find_v in_o another_o late_a piece_n which_o strike_v not_o at_o the_o authority_n alone_o but_o at_o the_o very_a reputation_n of_o synod_n this_o author_n allege_v that_o the_o ordinary_a government_n by_o synod_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o great_a confusion_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o parity_n and_o equality_n the_o voice_n be_v number_v not_o weigh_v equidem_fw-la say_v a_o wise_a father_n at_o veer_fw-la etc._n etc._n to_o say_v the_o truth_n i_o be_o utter_o determine_v never_o to_o come_v to_o any_o council_n of_o bishop_n for_o i_o never_o yet_o see_v good_a end_n of_o any_o council_n for_o counsel_n abate_v not_o ill_a thing_n but_o rather_o increase_v they_o answ._n 1._o if_o the_o parity_n and_o equality_n make_v a_o great_a confusion_n in_o the_o ordinary_a government_n by_o synod_n it_o shall_v make_v no_o less_o but_o rather_o great_a confusion_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a synod_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o his_o restriction_n to_o that_o which_o be_v ordinary_a 2._o if_o the_o number_n of_o voice_n and_o the_o parity_n of_o those_o that_o do_v voice_n make_v a_o confusion_n in_o synod_n why_o not_o in_o parliament_n also_o and_o in_o other_o civil_a court_n 3._o that_o testimony_n do_v only_o strike_v at_o the_o counsel_n of_o bishop_n and_o so_o make_v not_o against_o parity_n but_o against_o imparity_n in_o counsel_n and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n we_o have_v find_v in_o our_o own_o experience_n that_o prelatical_a synod_n have_v not_o abate_v but_o rather_o increase_v evil_n in_o the_o church_n 4._o the_o word_n of_o nazianzen_n for_o he_o be_v the_o father_n here_o mean_v of_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v against_o synod_n but_o against_o the_o abuse_n of_o synod_n at_o that_o time_n 1._o and_o in_o this_o we_o must_v pardon_v he_o say_v whittaker_n that_o he_o shun_v all_o synod_n in_o those_o evil_a time_n of_o the_o church_n when_o the_o emperor_n valens_n be_v opposite_a to_o the_o catholic_a faith_n and_o when_o the_o faction_n of_o heretic_n do_v most_o prevail_v in_o that_o case_n indeed_o synod_n shall_v have_v produce_v great_a evil_n but_o we_o trust_v it_o shall_v be_v now_o see_v that_o well_o constitute_v and_o free_a synod_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n shall_v not_o increase_v but_o abate_v evil_a thing_n finis_fw-la a_o postscript_n in_o answer_n to_o a_o treatise_n very_o late_o publish_v which_o be_v entitle_v the_o presbyterial_a government_n examine_v when_o the_o printer_n have_v do_v all_o except_o two_o sheet_n of_o my_o former_a treatise_n there_o come_v to_o my_o hand_n a_o piece_n against_o presbyterial_a government_n which_o promise_v much_o but_o perform_v little_a though_o my_o time_n be_v very_o short_a yet_o i_o trust_v to_o make_v a_o answer_n to_o it_o as_o full_a as_o it_o deserve_v it_o have_v a_o magisteriall_a and_o high_a sound_a title_n undertake_v the_o examination_n of_o presbyterial_a