An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…

Section 27. examined, concerning the undue power of the Classis.

IN this, and the four following Sections, they make their third complaint of his government, viz, that he subjecteth that Church under an undue power of the Classis, which they aggravate two ways, 1. by his indirect aims in it, for, they conceive, that he doeth it merely for his own ends, 2. by his irregular pitching upon such means for the attaining of his ends. For, they say, he doeth it, without any warrant from the word of God. For our more orderly and clear proceeding in examining these five Sections, I will premise some thing, in thesi, concerning the power of Classes, and then descend to the hypothesis, and try how just their complaint is. Whereunto the Answerer compelleth me, not only by his frequent mentioning my name, which he wrighte•• at its full length every where (& in the next Section 30 times, in less then three leaves of paper) but also by his accusing me as an opposite to the government of these Churches by Synods and Classes. This to be a mere slander the indifferent Reader will judge by what I have already said in examination of former Sections. All lawful Authority I am always, and shall be ready to acknowledge, with due submission thereunto, even when I freely testify against all usurpation and tyranny, and plead for the observation of those ancient limits and bounds, which God hath set. But I proceed to the matter, concerning Classes.

IN this, and the fowre following Sections, they make their third complaint of his government, viz, that he subjecteth that Church under an undue power of the Classis, which they aggravate two wayes, 1. by his indirect aymes in it, for, they conceive, that he doeth it merely for his owne ends, 2. by his irregular pitching upō such meanes for the attayning of his ends. For, they say, he doeth it, without any warrant from the word of God. For our more orderly and cleare proceeding in examining these five Sections, I will premise some thing, in thesi, concerning the power of Classes, and then descend to the hypothesis, and try how just their complaint is. Whereunto the Answerer compelleth me, not onely by his frequent mentioning my name, which he wrighte•• at its full length every where (& in the next Section 30 times, in lesse then three leaves of paper) but also by his acensing me as an opposite to the government of these Churches by Synods and Classes. This to be a mere slander the indifferent Reader will judge by what I have already said in examination of former Sections. All lawfull Authority I am alwayes, and shall be ready to acknowledge, with due submission thereunto, even when I freely testifye against all usurpation and tyranny, and plead for the observation of those ancient limits and bounds, which God hath set. But I proceed to the matter, concerning Classes.