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…

But since we can not find in the Apostles times, any other Presbytery or Assembly of Elders, beside that which hath been spoken of, how cometh it, may some say, that the Church of Scotland, and other reformed Churches, did appoint two sorts of Presbyterial Assemblies, one (which here we call Sessions) wherein the Pastor of the Parish, together with those Elders within the same, whom the Apostle calleth Governments and Presidents, put order to the Government of that Congregation; another (which here we call Presbyteries) wherein the Pastors of sundry Churches lying near together, do assemble themselves? Which difficulty yet more increaseth, if it be objected, that neither of these two, doth in all points answer or conform it self, unto that primitive form of Presbytery, whereof we spake. Ans. The division and multiplication of Parishes, and the appointment of particular Pastors to the peculiar oversight of particular flocks, together with the Plantation of Churches in Villages, as well as in Cities, hath made it impossible ⟨p. 172⟩for us to be served, with that only one form of a Presbytery, which was constitute in the Apostles times. But this difference of the times being (as it ought to be) admitted, for a inevitable cause of the difference of the former, both those two forms of Presbyterial meetings appointed by the Church of Scotland, do not only necessarily result from that one Apostolic form, but likewise (the actions of them both being laid together) do accomplish all these ordinary Ecclesiastical functions, which were by it performed.

But since we can not find in the Apostles times, any other Presbiterie or Assembly of Elders, beside that which hath been spoken of, how commeth it, may some say, that the Church of Scotland, and other reformed Churches, did appoint two sorts of Presbiteriall Assemblies, one (which here we call Sessions) wherein the Pastor of the Parish, togither with those Elders within the same, whom the Apostle calleth Governements and Presidents, put order to the Governement of that Congregation; another (which here we call Presbiteries) wherein the Pastors of sundry Churches lying neare togither, doe assemble themselves? Which difficulty yet more increaseth, if it be objected, that neither of these two, doth in all points answer or comforme it self, unto that primitive forme of Presbitery, whereof we spake. Ans. The division and multiplication of Parishes, and the appointment of particular Pastors to the peculiar oversight of particular flockes, togither with the Plantation of Churches in Villages, as well as in Cities, hath made it impossible