A42758:130
An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…
An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of ruling-elders and of the authority of presbyteries and synods with a postscript in answer to a treatise lately published against presbyterial government.An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of ruling-elders and of the authority of presbyteries and synods with a postscript in answer to a treatise lately published against presbyteriall government.
Edinburgh: printed for James Bryson, 1641Edinburgh: printed for Iames Bryson, 1641
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Doctor Field propoundeth three glosses upon this place for the frustration of our Argument.1 First, that the guides of the Church are worthy of double honour, both in respect of governing and teaching, but especially for their pains in teaching; so that the Apostle ⟨p. 48⟩noteth two parts or duties of Presbyterial offices, not two sorts of Presbyters. This is manifestly against the Text, which speaketh of officers, not of offices, of persons, not of duties, for it is not said, especially for labouring, &c. But especially they that labour, &c.
Doctor Field propoundeth three glosses upon this place for the frustration of our Argument.1 First, that the guides of the Church are worthy of double honour, both in respect of governing and teaching, but especially for their paines in teaching; so that the Apostle ⟨p. 48⟩noteth two parts or duties of Presbyteriall offices, not two sorts of Presbyters. This is manifestly against the Text, which speaketh of officers, not of offices, of persons, not of duties, for it is not said, especially for labouring, &c. But especially they that labour, &c.
- 1Of the Church. l. 5. c. 26.
Secondly, he saith, among Elders some laboured principally in governing and ministering the Sacraments, some in preaching. So Paul showeth that he preached and laboured more then all the Apostles,1 but baptised few or none. And when Paul and Barnabas were companions, and their travels equal; yet Paul was the chief speaker; so that though both were worthy of double honour, yet Paul especially. But for answer to this. First, we would gladly know what warrant had he for expounding Pauls more abundant labouring then all the Apostles, of his preaching alone? Secondly, what warrant for such a distinction of Elders, that some laboured principally in governing, some in preaching? Because Paul preached and did not baptise, and because he was the chief speaker when he and Barnabas travelled together: therefore some Elders laboured in governing, some in preaching; good Logic forsooth. Thirdly, thought he that the Apostle