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…

2. The Church hath by Divine institution delivered the Power of ordaining ordinary Ministers, to the Presbytery, whereof the Church consisteth representativè. And so saith ^oParaus, that the power of mission (which is Ordination) belongeth to the Presbytery-Scriptura saith ^pBalduin, ordinationem tribuit toti Presbyterio, non s•rsim Episcope. With whom say ^qthe Professors of Leiden in like manner. Now when the Divines of Germany, and Belgia, speak of a Presbytery, they understand such a company as hath in it both those two sorts of Elders, which we spake of, viz. some, who labour in the Word and Doctrine, whom the Apostle calleth Bishops: and others, who labour only in Discipline. The Apostolic and Primitive times knew neither Parishionall nor Diocesan Churches. Christians lived then, in Cities only, not in Villages, because of the persecution. And it is to be remembered, that in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Coloss, Philippi, Thessalonica, and such other Cities inhabited by Christians, there were moe Pastors then one. ^rThe Apostle called unto him the Elders (not Elder) of the Church of Ephesus. ^sHe writeth to the Bishops (not Bishop) of the Church at Philippi ^tHe biddeth the Thessalonians know them (not him) which laboured among them. Now that number of Pastors or Bishops which was ⟨p. 171⟩in one City, did in common govern all the Churches within that City, and there was not any one Pastor, who by himself governed a certain part of the City, peculiarly assigned to his charge: to which purpose ^uthe Apostle exhorteth the Elders of the Church of Ephesus, to take heed to all the flock [Greek or Hebrew]. And to the same purpose it is said by