their calling CHAP. IIII. Of the Office-bearers in particular and first of the Pastors or Ministers PAstors Bishops or Ministers are they who are appointed to particular Congregations which they rule by the word of God and over the which they watch In respect whereof sometime they are called Pastors because they feed their Congregation sometime Episcopi or Bishops because they watch above their flock sometimes Ministers by reason of their service and office and sometimes also Presbyters or Seniors for the gravity in manners which they ought to have in taking care of the spirituall government which ought to be most deare unto them They that are called unto the Ministery or that offer themselves thereunto ought not to be elected without any certain flock be assigned unto them No man ought to ingyre himselfe or usurpe his office without lawfull calling They who are once called by God and duely elected by man after that they have once accepted the charge of Ministery may not leave their functions The desertours should be admonished and in case of obstinacy finally Excommunicate No Pastor may leave his flock without License of the Provinciall or Nationall Assembly which if he doe after admonitions not obeyed let the censures of the Kirk strike upon him Unto the Pastors apperteins teaching of the Word of God in season and out of season publikly and privately alwaies travelling to edifie and discharge his conscience as Gods word prescribes to him Unto the Pastors onely apperteins the administration of the Sacraments in like manner as the administration of the Word For both are appointed by God as meanes to teach us the one by the care and the other by the eyes and other senses that by both knowledge may be transferred to the minde It appertains by the same reason to the Pastor to pray for the people and namely for the flock committed to his charge and to blesse them in the name of the Lord who will not suffer the blessings of his faithfull servants to be frustrate He ought also to watch above the manners of his flock that the better he may apply the Doctrine to them in reprehending the dissolute persons and exhorting the godly to continue in the feare of the Lord. It appertains to the Minister after lawfull proceeding by the Eldership to pronounce the sentence of binding and loosing upon any person according unto the power of the keys granted unto the Kirk It belongs to him likewise after lawfull proceeding in the matter by the Eldership to solemnizate mariage betwixt them that are to be joyned therein and to pronounce the blessing of the Lord upon them that enter in at that holy Band in the feare of God And generally all publick denunciations that are to be made in the Kirk before the Congregation concerning the Ecclesiasticall affaires belonging to the Office of a Minister For he is as messenger and Herauld betwixt God and the people in all these affaires CHAP. V. of Doctors and their Office and of the Schooles ONE of the two ordinary and perpetuall functions that travell in the Word is the Office of the Doctor who may be also called Prophet Bishop Elder Catechiser that is teacher of the Catechisme and rudiments of Religion His office is to open up the minde of the Spirit of God in the Scriptures simply without such applications as the Ministers use to the end that the faithfull may be instructed and sound Doctrine taught and that the purity of the Gospell be not corrupted through ignorance or evill opinions He is different from the Pastor not only in name but in diversity of gifts For to the Doctor is given the word of knowledge to open up by simple teaching the mysteries of faith to the Pastor the gift of wisdome to apply the same by exhortation to the manners of the flock as occasion craveth Under the name and office of a Doctor wee comprehend also the order in Schooles Colledges and Universities which hath been from time to time carefully maintained as well among the Jewes and Christians as also among the prophane Nations The Doctor being an Elder as is said should assist the Pastor in the government of the Kirk and concurre with the Elders his brethren in all assemblies by reason the interpretation of the Word which is onely judge in Ecclesiasticall matters is committed to his charge But to preach unto the people to Minister the Sacraments and to celebrate mariages pertaine not to the Doctor unlesse he be otherwise called ordinarily howbeit the Pastor may teach in the Schooles as he who hath the gift of knowledge oftentimes meet for that end as the examples of Polycarpus and others testifie c. CHAP. VI. Of Elders and their Office THE word Elder in the Scripture sometime is the name of Age sometime of Office When it is the name of any Office sometime it is taken largely comprehending as well the Pastors and Doctors as them who are called Seniors or Elders In this our division we call these Elders whom the Apostles call Presidents or Governours Their office as it is ordinary so is it perpetuall and alwayes necessary in the Kirk of God The Eldership is a spirituall function as is the Ministery Elders once lawfully called to the office and having gifts from God meet to exercise the same may not leave it again Albeit such a number of Elders may be chosen in certaine Congregations that one part of them may relieve another for a reasonable space as was among the Levites under the Law in serving of the Temple The number of the Elders in every Congregation cannot well be limited but should be according to the bounds and necessity of the people It is not necessary that all Elders be also teachers of the Word albeit the chiefe ought to be such and swa are worthy of double-honour What manner of persons they ought to be we referre it to the expresse word and namely the Canons written by the Apostle Paul Their office is as well severally as conjunctly to watch diligently upon the flock committed to their charge both publikely and privately that no corruption of Religion or manners enter therein As the Pastors and Doctors should be diligent in teaching and sowing the seed of the Word so the Elders should be carefull in seeking the fruit of the same in the people It appertains to them to assist the Pastor in examination of them that come to the Lords Table item in visiting the sick They should cause the acts of the assemblies as well particular as generall to be put in execution carefully They should be diligent in admonishing all men of their duty according to the rule of the Evangell Things that they cannot correct by private admonitions they should bring to the Eldership Their principall office is to hold Assemblies with the Pasiors and Doctors who are also of their number for establishing of good order and execution of Discipline unto the which Assemblies all persons are subject that remain within
libertie and freedom and that onely for the reliefe of the poore Your Honours may easilie understand that we speake not now for our selves but in favour of the Labourers defrauded and opprest by the Priests and by their confederate pensioners for while that the Priests Pensioner his idle belly is delicately fed the poore to whom the portion of that appertaines was pined with hunger and moreover the true labourer was compelled to pay that which he ought not For the labourer is neither debtor to the dumb dog called the Bishop neither yet to his hired pensioner but is debter onely to the Kirk And the Kirk is bound to sustaine and nourish of her charges the persons before mentioned to wit the Ministers of the word the poore and the teachers of the youth But now to returne to the former head The summes able to sustaine the forenamed persons and to furnish all things appertaing to the preservation of good order and policie within the Kirk must bee lifted off the tenths to wit the tenth sheafe hay hemp lint fishes tenth calfe tenth lamb tenth wool tenth folle tenth cheese And because that we know that the tenth reasonably taken as is before expressed will not suffice to discharge the former necessitie we think that all things doted in hospitalitie and annuall rents both in burgh and land pertaining to the Priests Chantorie Colledges Chappellanties the Freeries of all orders to the sisters of the Seenes and such others be reteined still in the use of the Kirk or Kirks within the Townes and parishes where they were doted Furthermore to the upholding of the Universities and sustentaaion of the Superintendents the whole revennue of the temporalitie of the Bishops Deanes and Archdeanes lands and of all rents of lands pertaining to the Cathedrall Kirks whatsoever And further Merchants and rich craftsmen in free Burghs having nothing to doe with the manuring of the ground must take some provision of their Cities Townes and dwelling places for to support the need of the Kirk To the Ministers and failing thereof the Readers must be restored their Manses and Gleibs for else they cannot serve the flock at all times as their dutie is If any Gleib exceed six Acres of ground the rest to remain in the hands of the possessours till order be taken therein The receivers and collectors of these rents and duties must be Deacons or Treasurers appointed from yeare to yeare in every Kirk and by the common consent and free election of the Kirk The Deacons must distribute no part of that which is collected but by command of the Ministers and Elders And that they may command nothing to be delivered but as the Kirk hath before determined to wit the Deacons shall of the first part pay the sums either quarterly or from halfe yeare to halfe yeare to the Ministers which the Kirk hath appointed The same they shall doe to the Schoolemasters Readers and Hospitall if any bee receiving alwayes an acquittance for their discharge If any extraordinarie summes be to be delivered then must the Ministers Elders and Deacons consult whether the deliverance of such summes doth stand with the common â—â—ilirie of the Kirk or not And if they do universally condiscend and agree upon the affirmative or negative then because they are in credit and office for the yeare they may doe as best seemes but if there be any controversie amongst themselves the whole Kirk must be made privie and after that the matter be proponed and the reasons the judgement of the Kirk with the Ministers consent shall prevaile The Deacons shall be compelled and bound to make accounts to the Minister and Elders of that which they received as oft as the policie shall appoint and the Elders when they are changed which must be every yeare must cleare their counts before such Auditers as the Kirk shall appoint and both the Deacons and Elders being changed shall deliver to them that shall be new elected all summes of monie corns and other profits resting in their hands The tickets whereof must be delivered to the Super-intendants in their visitation by them to the great councell of the Kirk that as well the abundance as the indigence of every Kirk may be evidently known that a reasonable equalitie may be had throughout this whole Realme If this order be perfectly kept corruption cannot suddenly enter For the free and yearly election of Deacons and Elders shall suffer none to usurpe a perpetuall domination over the Kirk the knowledge of the rentall shall suffer them to receive no more then whereof they shall be bound to make accounts the deliverance of monie to the new officers shall not suffer private men use in their private businesse that which appertaines to the publick affaires of the Kirk The seventh head of Ecclesiasticall Discipline AS that no Common-wealth can flourish or long endure without good Lawes and sharpe execution of the same so neither can the Kirk of God be brought to puritie neither yet be retained in the same without the order of Ecclesiasticall Discipline which stands in reproving and correcting of the faults which the civill sword either doth neglect or not punish blasphemie adulterie murder perjurie and other crimes capitall worthy of death ought not properly to fall under censure of the Kirk because all such open transgressors of Gods lawes ought to be taken away by the civill sword But drunkennesse excesse be it in apparell or be it in eating and drinking fornication oppressing of the poore by exactions deceiving of them in buying and selling by wrang met and measure wanton words and licentious living tending to slander doe openly appertaine to the Kirk of God to punish them as Gods word commands But because this accursed Papistrie hath brought in such confusion into the world that neither was vertue rightly praised neither yet vice severely punished the Kirk of God is compelled to draw the sword which of God she hath received against such open and manifest contemners cursing and excommunicating all such as well those whom the civill sword ought to punish as the other from all participation with her in prayers and Sacraments till open repentance appeare manifestly in them As the order and proceeding to excommunication ought to be slow and grave so being once pronounced against any person of what estate or condition that ever they be it must be kept with all severitie For lawes made and not kept engender contempt of vertue and brings in confusion and libertie to sinne And therefore this order we think expedient to be observed afore and after excommunication First if the offence be secret or known to few men rather stands in suspition then in manifest probation the offender ought to be privately admonished to abstaine from all appearance of evill which if hee promise to doe and declare himselfe sober honest and one that feares God and feares to offend his brethren then may the secret admonition suffice for his correction But if he either
Soveraigne Lord and his Graces Regent and authority brake his said oath by sitting in pretended Parliament for dispossessing of our said Soveraigne Lord of his royall crowne and authority 6. Openly in Pulpi the gave thanks for the flaughter of Matthew Earl of Lennox of good memory saying that it was God most just judgement and exhorted the people to doe the same 7. That hee was a perverter of the people not onely before the reformation but also divers times since It was concluded that he should make publique repentance in Sackcloth three severall Sundaies First in the Kirk of Edinburgh Secondly in Halyrud-hous Thirdly in the Queenes Colledge under the paine of Excommunication Alexander Hay Ibidem Clerke to the secret Councell presented certaine heads proponed by my Lord Regent to the present Assembly whereof one followes My Lord Regents Grace mindes that with all convenient diligence qualified persons shall be promoted to the Bishopricks now vacant the delay whereof hath not beene in his owne Grace his default but by reason some entresse was made to these livings in favours of certaine Noble-men before his acceptation of the Regiment yet his Grace is perswaded that qualified persons shall speedily bee presented and in case of failzie will not faile without the others knowledge and consent to present The Assembly hath concluded Edinburgh Mar. 6. 1573. that the Jurisdiction of Bishops in their Ecclesiasticall function shall not exceed the Jurisdiction of Super-intendents which heretofore they have had and presently have and that they shall willingly bee subject to the Discipline appointed by the generall Assembly as members thereof as the Super-intendents have beene heretofore in all sorts and that no Bishops give collation of any benefice within the bounds of Superintendents without their consent and testimoniall subscrived with their hands And that Bishops in their owne Dioceses visit by themselves where no Super-intendents are and give no collation of benefices without consent of three well qualified Ministers c. The Bishop of Dunkell ordained to confesse his fault publickly in the Kirk of Dunkell Ibidem for not executing the sentence of the Kirk against the Earle of Athol George Bishop of Murray Ibidem ordained to be summoned to make his Purgation of the fornication alledged committed by him with the Lady Ardrosse Bishops Super-intendents or Commissioners of Countries Edinburgh August 7. 1574. that be found negligent in their office or doe not their debtfull charge either in their visitation teaching or life the Assembly hath decreed and ordained that they shall be punished and corrected according to the quality of their faults either by admonition publick repentance suspension or deprivation simpliciter at the sight of the said Assembly Bishop of Dunkell Bishop of Brechin Bishop of Murray Edinburgh Mar. 7. 1574. Bishop of Glasgow removed and particularly complained on The Bishops of Galloway Dunkell Brechin Dumblaine Yles Edinburgh Augusti 6. 1575. being present Iohn Durie one of the Ministers of Edinburgh protested that the triall of Bishops prejudge not the opinions and reasons which hee and other brethren of his minde had to oppone against the said office and name of Bishop Anent the question propounded by certaine brethren Ibidem whether if the Bishops as they are now in Scotland have their function of the word of God or not or the Chapiters appointed for creating of them in this reformed Kirk for better resolution hereof the generall Assembly of the Kirk appoints Mr. Iohn Craig Minister at Aberdene Mr. Iames Lowson Minister at Edinburgh and Mr. Androw Melvil principall of the colledge of Glasgow on the one part Mr. George Hay Commissioner of Caitnes Mr. Iohn Row Minister of Pearth and Mr. David Lindsay Minister at Leith on the other part to conveen reason and conferre upon the said question and to report their judgements and opinions thereupon to the Assembly before the dissolving thereof if they be resolved betwixt and the same They think it not expedient presently to answer directly to the first question Ibidem but if any Bishop shall be chosen who hath no such qualities as the word of God requireth let him be tried by the generall Assembly de novo and so deposed The points wherein they agree concerning the Office of a Bishop or Super-intendent FIrst the name of Bishop is common to all them that hath any particular flock over the which hee hath a peculiar charge as well to preach the word as to Minister the Sacraments and to execute the Ecclesiasticall Discipline with consent of his Elders And this is his chiefe function by the word of God Out of this number may be chosen some to have power to visit such reasonable bounds besides his owne flock as the generall Assembly shall appoint and in these bounds to appoint Ministers with consent of the Ministers of that Province and the consent of the flock to whom they be appointed Also to appoint Elders and Deacons in every particular Congregation where there is none with consent of the people thereof and to suspend Ministers for reasonable causes with consent of the Ministers foresaid Bishops being present Edinburgh April is 5. 1576. Ibidem their diligence is tried and they are accused for want of particular flockes dilapidation and other faults Anent the advice and opinion of the brethren given concerning the question moved anent Bishops the whole Assembly for the greatest part after reasoning and long disputation upon every Article of the said brethrens opinion and advice resolutely affirmed and approved the same and every Article thereof as is also above set downe And to the effect that the said Articles condescended upon by the said Assembly may be the better followed out and ready execution may ensue thereupon as appertaines ordaines the Bishops which hath not as yet received the charge of a particular Congregation to condescend the morne what particular flocks they will accept to take the cure of For the more commodious visitation of Countries Ibidem there is appointed for every Shire foure or five Bishops Super-intendents and Ministers and Articles of visitation set downe Anent the demand of Mr. Androw Hay Parson of Ranthrow Ibidem if every Vifiter within his owne bounds hath like power and jurisdiction to plant Ministers suspend and depose for reasonable cause The Assembly resolved affirmative that they have alike power and jurisdiction therein as is contained in the particular Articies concerning the jurisdiction of the Visiters For as much as there is great corruption in the estate of Bishops as they are presently made in this Realme Edivburgh Aprilis 24. 1578. whereunto the Kirk would provide some stay in time comming so farre as they may to the effect that further corruption may be bridled therefore the Assembly hath concluded that no more Bishops shall bee elected or made hereafter before the next generall Assembly of the Kirk discharging all Ministers and Chapiters to proceed any wayes
Iesus then that the zeale of Christ Iesus his glory provoke and move you to set his oppressed Kirk at freedome and libertie wee feare your sharpe and suddaine punishments and that the glory and honor of this enterprise be reserved unto others And yet shall this our judgement abide to the generations following for a monument and witnesse how lovingly God called you and this nation to Repentance what counsellours God sent unto you and how you have used the same If obediently ye heare God now calling we doubt not but he shall heare you in your greatest necessitie But if following your owne corrupt judgements ye contemne his voice and vocation we are assured that your former iniquitie and present ingratitude shall together crave great punishment from God who cannot long delay to execute his most just judgements when after many offences and long blindnesse grace and mercy offered is contemptuously refused God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ by the power of his holy Spirit so illuminate your hearts that ye may cleerly see what is pleasing and acceptable in his presence and so bow the same to his obedience that ye may preferre his revealed will to your owne affections And so strengthen you by the Spirit of Fortitude that boldly yee may punish vice and maintaine vertue within this Realme to the praise and glory of his holy Name to the comfort and assurance of your own consciences and to the consolation and the good example of the posterity following Amen By your Honours most humble servitors From Edinburgh the 20. of May. 1560. Act of Secret Counsell 17 Januarii anno 1560. WEE which have subscribed thir presents having advised with the Articles herein specified as is above mentioned from the beginning of this book thinkes the same good and conforme to Gods Word in all points conforme to the notes and additions hereto eiked and promises to set the same forward to the uttermost of our powers Providing that the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Prelates and benificed men which else have adjoyned them to us bruik the revenues of their benefices during their life times they sustaining and upholding the Ministry and Ministers as herein is specified for the Preaching of the Word and ministring of the Sacraments sic subscribitur James Hamiltoun Archbald Argyle James Stewart Rothes Boid William Lord Hay Alexander Cambell M. Alexander Gordoun Glencarne Vchiltrie Sanquhare S. Jhones William of Culrosse Drumlangrig Bargannie yonger Lochinvar Cunninghamhead James Haliburtoun Ihone Lochart of Bar. Jone Schaw of Halie Scot of Haning James Maxwell George Fentoun of that ilk Andro Ker of Fadounside Andro Hamiltoun of Lethane Deane of Murray The second Booke of Discipline Heads and Conclusions of the Policie of the Kirk CHAP. I. Of the Kirk and policie thereof in generall and wherein it is different from the civill policie THE Kirk of God sometimes is largely taken for all them that professe the Evangell of Iesus Christ and so it is a company and fellowship not onely of the godly but also of hypocrites professing alwayes outwardly the true Religion Other times it is taken for the Godly and Elect only and sometimes for them that exercise spirituall function in the congregation of them that professe the truth The Kirk in this last sense hath a certain power granted by God according to which it uses a proper jurisdiction and government exercised to the comfort of the whole Kirk This power Ecclesiasticall is an authoritie granted by God the Father through the Mediator Iesus Christ unto his Kirke gathered and having the ground in the Word of God to be put in execution by them unto whom the spirituall government of the Kirk by lawfull calling is committed The Policie of the Kirk flowing from this power is an order or forme of spirituall government which is exercised by the members appointed thereto by the Word of God and therefore is given immediately to the office-bearers by whom it is exercised to the weale of the whole body This power is diversly used for sometime it is severally exercised chiefly by the teachers sometime conjunctly by mutuall consent of them that bear the office and charge after the form of judgement The former is onely called potestas ordinis and the other potestas jurisdictionis These two kinds of power have both one authority one ground one finall cause but are different in the manner and forme of execution as is evident by the speaking of our Master in the 16 and 18 of Matthew This power and policy Ecclesiasticall is different and distinct in the own nature from that power and policy which is called Civill power and appertaineth to the Civill government of the Common wealth albeit they be both of God and tend to one end if they be rightly used viz. to advance the glory of God and to have godly and good subjects For this power Ecclesiasticall floweth immediately from God and the mediator Jesus Christ and is spirituall not having a temporall head in the earth but only Christ the only spirituall King and governour of his Kirk It is a title falsly usurped by Antichrist to call himself head of the Kirk and ought not to be attributed to Angel nor man of what estate that ever he be saving to Christ the onely head and Monarch in the Kirk Therefore this power and policy of the Kirk should leane upon the word immediatly as the onely ground thereof and should be taken from the pure fountains of the scriptures the Kirk hearing the voice of Christ the only spirituall King and being ruled by his laws It is proper to Kings Princes and Magistrates to be called Lords and dominators over their subjects whom they govern civilly but it is proper to Christ onely to be called Lord and Master in the Spirituall government of the Kirk and all others that bear office therein ought not to usurp dominion therein nor be called Lords but only Ministers Disciples and servants For it is Christs proper office to command and rule his Kirk universally and every particular Kirk through his spirit and word by the ministery of men Notwithstanding as the Ministers and others of the Ecclesiasticall estate are subject to the Magistrate civill so ought the person of the Magistrate be subject to the Kirk spiritually and in Ecclesiasticall government And the exercise of both these jurisdictions cannot stand in one person ordinary The Civill power is called the power of the Sword and the other the power of the Keys The civill power should command the spirituall to exercise and to doe their office according to the word of God The spirituall rulers should require the Christian magistrate to minister justice and punish vice and to maintaine the liberty and quietnes of the Kirk within their bounds The Magistrate commandeth externall things for externall peace and quietnesse amongst the subjects the Minister handleth externall things onely for conscience cause The Magistrate handleth externall things only and actions done before men but
the spirituall ruler judgeth both inward affections and externall actions in respect of conscience by the word of God The Civill Magistrate craves and gets obedience by the sword and other externall meanes but the Ministery by the spirituall sword and spirituall means The Magistrate neither ought to preach minister the sacraments nor execute the censures of the Kirk nor yet prescribe any rule how it should be done but command the Ministers to observe the rule commanded in the word and punish the transgressors by Civill meanes The Ministers exerce not the Civill jurisdiction but teach the Magistrate how it should bee exercised according to the word The Magistrate ought to assist maintaine and fortifie the jurisdiction of the Kirk The Ministers should assist their Princes in all things agreeable to the word providing they neglect not their own charge by involving themselves in civill affaires Finally as Ministers are subject to the judgement and punishment of the Magistrate in externall things if they offend so ought the Magistrates to submit themselves to the discipline of the Kirk if they transgresse in matters of Conscience and Religion CHAP. II. Of the Policie of the Kirk and persons and office-bearers to whom the administration is committed AS in the civill policy the whole Commonweale consisteth in them that are governors or Magistrates and them that are governed or subjects So in the policy of the Kirk some are appointed to be rulers and the rest of the members thereof to be ruled and obey according to the word of God and inspiration of his spirit alwayes under one head and chiefe governour Jesus Christ Again the whole policy of the Kirk consisteth in three things in Doctrine Discipline and Distribution With Doctrine is annexed the administration of Sacraments and according to the parts of this division ariseth a sort of threefold officers in the Kirk to wit of Ministers Preachers Elders Governours and Deacons distributers And all these may be called by a generall word Ministers of the Kirk For albeit the Kirk of God be ruled and governed by Jesus Christ who is the only King high Priest and head thereof yet he useth the ministery of men as the most necessary middes for this purpose For so he hath from time to time before the Law under the Law and in the time of the Evangell for our great comfort raised us men indued with the gifts of the spirit for the spirituall government of his Kirk exercising by them his own power through his spirit and word to the building of the same And to take away all occasion of tyranny he will that they should rule with mutuall consent of brether and equality of power every one according to their functions In the new Testament and time of the Evangell he hath used the Ministery of the Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Doctors in administration of the word The Eldership for good order and administration of the Discipline The Deaconship to have the cure of the Ecclesiasticall goods Some of their Ecclesiasticall function are ordinary and some extraordinary or temporary There be three extraordinary functions The office of the Apostle the Evangelist and of the Prophet which are not perpetuall and now have ceased in the Kirk of God except when it pleased God extraordinarily for a time to stirre some of them up againe There are foure ordinary functions or offices in the Kirk of God the office of the pastor Minister or Bishop the Doctor Presbyter or Elder and the Deacon Their offices are ordinary and ought to continue perpetually in the Kirk as necessary for the government and policy thereof and no more offices ought to be received or suffered in the Kirk of God established according to his word Therefore all the ambitious titles invented in the kingdome of Antichrist and in his usurped Hierarchy which are not of one of these soure sorts together with the offices depending thereupon in one word ought to be rejected CHAP. III. How the persons that bear Ecclesiasticall function are to be admitted to their office VOcation or calling is common to all that should beare office within the Kirk which is a lawfull way by the which qualified persons are promoted to any spirituall office within the Kirk of God Without this lawfull calling it was never leasome to any person to meddle with any function Ecclesiasticall There are two sorts of Calling one extraordinary by God immediately as was of the Prophets and Apostles which in Kirks established and well already reformed hath no place The other calling is ordinary which besides the calling of God and inward testimony of a good conscience is the lawfull approbation and outward judgement of men according to Gods word and order established in his Kirk None ought to presume to enter in any office Ecclesiasticall without this good testimony before God who onely knows the hearts of men This ordinary and outward calling hath two parts election and ordination Election is the choosing out of a person or persons most able to the office that vakes by the judgement of the Eldership and consent of the Congregation to which shall be the person or persons appointed The qualities in generall requisite in all them who should beare charge in the Kirk consist in soundnesse of Religion and godlinesse of life according as they are sufficiently set forth in the Word In the order of Election it is to be eschewed that any person be intruded in any offices of the Kirk contrary to the will of the congregation to which they are appointed or without the volce of the Eldership None ought to be intruded or placed in the placea already planted or in any room that vakes not for any worldly respect and that which is called the benefice ought to be nothing else but the stipend of the Ministers that are lawfully called Ordination is the separation and sanctifying of the person appointed to God and his Kirk after he be well tried and found qualified The Ceremonies of Ordination are fasting earnest Prayer and imposition of hands of the Eldership All thir as they must be raised up by God and by him made able for the work whereto they are called so ought they know their message to be limited within Gods word without the bounds of the which they ought not to passe All thir should take these titles and names onely lest they be exalted and puft up in themselves which the Scriptures gives unto them as these which import labour travell and work and are names of offices and service and not of idlenesse dignity worldly honour or preheminence which by Christ our Master is expresly reproved and forbidden All these office-bearers should have their own particular flocks amongst whom they exercise their charge All should make refidence with them and take the inspection and overfight of them every one in his vocation And generally thir twa things ought they all to respect the glory of God and edifying of his kirk in discharging their duties in
spirituall keys which our Master gave to the Apostles and their true successors And although Kings and Princes that be Godly sometimes by their owne authority when the Kirk is corrupted and all things out of order place Ministers and restore the true service of the Lord after the example of some godly Kings of Juda and divers godly Empeours and Kings also in the light of the new Testament Yet where the ministerie of the Kirk is once lawfully constitute and they that are placed doe their office faithfully all godly Princes and Magistrates ought to heare and obey their voice and reverence the Majestie of the Son of God speaking in them CHAP. XI Of the present abuses remaining in the Kirk which we desire to bereformed AS it is the duty of the godly Magistrate to maintaine the present libertie which God hath granted by the Preaching of his Word and the true administration of the Sacraments within this Realme So is it to provide that all abuses which yet remaine in the Kirk be removed and utterly taken away Therefore first the admission of men to papisticall titles of benefices such as serve not nor have no function in the Reformed Kirk of Christ as Abbotes Commendators Priors Prioresses and other titles of Abbeys whose places are now for the most part by the just judgement of God demolished and purged of idolatry is plain abuse and is not to receive the Kingdome of Christ amongst us but rather to refuse it Such like that they that of old were called the Chapiters and Convents of Abbeys Cathedrall kirks and like places serve for nothing now but to set fewes and tacks if any thing be left of the kirk lands and teinds in hurt and prejudice thereof as daily experience teacheth and therefore ought to be utterly abrogate and abolished Of the like nature are the Deanes Archdeacons Chantours Subchantours Thesaurers Chancellors and others having the like titles flowing from the Pope and Canon law onely who have no place in the reformed kirk The kirks also which are united together and joyned by annexation to their benefices ought to be separated and divided and given to qualified Ministers as Gods Word craves Neither ought such abusers of the kirks Patrimony to have vote in Parliament nor sit in Councell under the name of the kirk and kirkmen to the hurt and prejudice of the libertie thereof and laws of the Realme made in favour of the Reformed kirk Much lesse is it lawfull that any person amongst these men should have five sixteen twenty or moe kirks all craving the charge of souls and bruike the patrimony thereof either by admission of the Prince or of the kirk in this light of the Evangell For it is but a mockage to crave reformation where such like have place And in so farre as in the order taken at Leith in the yeere of our Lord 1571 it appeares that such may be admitted being found qualified either that pretended order is against all good order or else it must be understood not of them that be qualified in worldly affaires or to serve in Court but such as are qualified to teach Gods Word having their lawfull admission of the kirk As to Bishops if the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be properly taken they are all one with the Ministers as before was declared For it is not a name of superiority and lordship but of office and watching Yet because in the corruption of the kirk this name as others have been abused and yet is likely to be we cannot allow the fashion of these new chosen Bishops neither of the Chapiters that are Electors of them to such offices as they are chosen unto True Bishops should addict themselves to a particular flock which sundry of them refuse neither should they usurpe Lordship over their brethren and over the inheritance of Christ as these men doe Pastors in so farre as they are Pastors have not the office of Visitation of moe kirks joyned to the pastorship without it be given to them It is a corruption that Bishops should have further bounds to vifit nor they may lawfully No man ought to have the office of Vifitation but he that is lawfully chosen thereunto The Elderships being well established have power to send out visitours one or moe with commission to vifit the bounds within their Eldership and likewise after count taken of them either continue them or remove them from time to time to the which Elderships they shall be alwayes subject Criminall jurisdiction in the person of a pastor is a corruption It agreeth not with the word of God that Bishops should be Pastors of Pastors Pastors of many flocks and yet without a certaine flock and without ordinary teaching It agreeth not with the Scriptures that they should be exemed from the correction of their brethren and Discipline of the particular Eldership of the Kirk where they shall serve neither that they usurpe the Office of Visitation of other Kirks nor any other function beside other Ministers but so farre as shall be committed to them by the kirk Wherefore we desire the Bishops that now are either to agree to that order that Gods word requires in them as the generall kirk will prescribe unto them not passing their bounds either in Ecclefiasticall or Civill affaires or else to be deposed from all function in the kirk We deny not in the meane time but Ministers may and should affist their Princes when they are required in all things agreeable to the Word whether it be in Councell or Parliament or otherwayes Providing alwayes they neither neglect their own charges nor through flattery of Princes hurt the publick estate of the Kirk But generally we say no person under whatsoever title of the Kirk and specially the abused titles in Papistry of Prelates Convents and Chapters ought to attempt any act in the Kirks name either in Councell or Parliament or out of Councell having no Commission of the Reformed Kirk within this Realme And by Act of Parliament it is provided that the Papisticall Kirk and Jurisdiction should have no place within the same and no Bishop nor other Prelate in times comming should use any jurisdiction flowing from his authority And againe that no other Ecclefiasticall Jurisdiction should be acknowledged within this Realme but that which is and shall be in the Reformed Kirk and flowing therfrom So we esteem holding of Chapiters in Papisticall manner either in Cathedrall kirks Abbeyes Colledges or other conventuall places usurping the name and authority of the kirk to hurt the patrimony thereof or use any other Act to the prejudice of the same fince the yeare of our Lord 1560 yeares to be abuse and corruption contrary to the liberty of the true kirk and lawes of the Realme and therefore ought to be annulled reduced and in times comming utterly discharged The dependances also of the Papisticall jurisdiction are to be abolished of the which sort is mingled jurisdiction of the Commissars in so