A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…

5. ^qThe Apostle speaking of the Church Ministers, saith, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves: for they watch for your souls as they that must give account. Whence we gather, that in things pertaining to God, & which touch the spiritual benefit of the soul, the Ministers of the Church ought to give direction, & to be obeyed, as those who in things of this nature have the rule over all others in the Church, (and by consequence over Princes also,) so that it be in the Lord. And lest this place and power which is given to Ministers, should either be abused by themselves to the commanding of what they will, or envied by others, as too great honour & preeminence, the Apostle showeth what a painful charge lieth on them, and what a great reckoning they have to make. They watch for your souls saith he, not only by preaching & warning every one, and by offering up their earnest prayers to God for you, but likewise by taking such care of Ecclesiastical discipline, order, and policy, that they must provide and procure whatsoever shall be expedient for your spiritual good, and direct you in what convenient and beseeming manner, you are to perform the works of Gods worship, as also to avoid and shun every scandal and inconveniency, which may hinder your spiritual good. And of these things, whether they have done them or not, they must make account before the judgement seat of the great Bishop of your souls. Surely, if it belong to Princes to define and ordain, what order & policy should be observed in the Church, what forms and fashions should be used, for the orderly and right managing of the exercises of Gods worship, how scandals and misorders are to be shunned, how the Church may be most edified, and the spiritual good of the Saints best helped and advanced, by wholesome & profitable laws, concerning things which pertain to Religion; then must Princes take also upon them a great part of that charge of Pastors, to watch for the souls of men, and must liberat them from being liable to a reckoning for the same.

5. ^qThe Apostle speaking of the Church Ministers, saith, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves: for they watch for your soules as they that must give account. Whence we gather, that in things pertaining to God, & which touch the spirituall benefit of the soule, the Ministers of the Church ought to give direction, & to be obeyed, as those who in things of this nature have the rule over all others in the Church, (and by consequence over Princes also,) so that it bee in the Lord. And lest this place and power which is given to Ministers, should either be abused by thēselves to the commanding of what they will, or envied by others, as too great honour & preeminence, the Apostle sheweth what a painefull charge lieth on them, and what a great reckoning they have to make. They watch for your soules saith he, not only by preaching & warning every one, and by offering up their earnest prayers to God for you, but likewise by taking such care of Ecclesiasticall discipline, order, and policy, that they must provide and procure whatsoever shall be expedient for your spirituall good, and direct you in what convenient and beseeming manner, you are to performe the workes of Gods worship, as also to avoid and shunne every scandall and inconveniency, which may hinder your spirituall good. And of these things, whether they have done them or not, they must make account before the judgement seat of the great Bishop of your soules. Surely, if it belong to Princes to define and ordaine, what order & policy should be observed in the Church, what formes and fashiones should be used, for the orderly and right managing of the exercises of Gods worship, how scandalls and misorders are to be shunned, how the Church may be most edified, and the spirituall good of the Saincts best helped and advanced, by whollesome & profitable lawes, concerning things which pertaine to Religion; then must Princes take also upon them a great part of that charge of Pastors, to watch for the soules of men, and must liberat them from beeing lieable to a reckoning for the same.