An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…

First, for the satisfaction of such as do through ignorance or mistaking stumble at such a form of Ecclesiastical government: I do not much marvel to see those that a•e of a simple understanding, so far conquered, as to scruple the office of ruling Elders,¹ having heard the big words and lavish expressions of some opposites against the same; yet a poor piece it is which one of them would usher in with a tinkling Epistle, in which Projicit ampullas & sesquipedalia verba. He maketh offer to forfeit his life to justice, and his reputation to shame; if any living man can show that ever there was a ruling Elder in the Christian world, till F•rell, and Viret first created them. I shall not desire to take him at his word for his life, but if he be not able to give a satisfactory answer unto that which is here said both from Scripture, and from antiquity for ruling Elders, then hath he given sentence against his own reputation for ever. And so much the more, that having in that assertion of Episcopacy boldly averred,² that the name of the Elders of the Church, in all antiquity comprehendeth none but Preachers and Divines; and that therefore none but they may be called Seniors Ecclesiae, though some others happily may have the title of Seniors populi, ⟨image 3⟩because of their civill authority; notwithstanding the reading of the observations of Justellus, and of both the Cassaubons, ³hath now so far changed his tone, that in his late answer to •mectymnuus, he acknowledgeth that beside Pastors and Doctors, and beside the Magistrates or Elders of the Cities, there are to be found in antiquity, Seniors Ecclesiastici, Ecclesiastical Elders also; only he allegeth they were but as our Church-wardens, or rather as our Vestry-men: whereas indeed they were Judges in Ecclesiastical controversies, and (in some sort) instructors of the people, as shall be made to appear▪ Mean while we do observe what trust is to be given to this bold Speaker, who hath been forced to yield, what he had before with high swelling words denied.