A42758:172
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.
The third reason, which Doctor Field bringeth against us, is, for that neither Scripture nor practice of the Church, bounding the government of such governors, nor giving any direction how far they may go in the same, and where they must stay, lest they meddle with that they have nothing to do with, men should be left to a most ⟨p. 83⟩dangerous uncertainty in an office of so great consequence. Our answer to this is: 1. We have showed already the certain bounds of the power and vocation of ruling Elders. 2. It was not necessary that the Apostle should severally set down Canons and directions: first, touching Pastors, then Doctors; lastly, ruling Elders, since they are all Elders, and all members of the Eldership or Presbytery; it was enough to deliver canons and directions common to them all, especially since the duties of ruling Elders are the same which are the duties of Pastors, only the Pastors power is cumulative to theirs, and over reacheth the same in the public ministry of the Word and Sacraments, and so doth Paul difference them, 1 Tim. 5.17.
The third reason, which Doctor Field bringeth against us, is, for that neither Scripture nor practice of the Church, bounding the government of such governours, nor giving any direction how farre they may goe in the same, and where they must stay, lest they meddle with that they have nothing to doe with, men should bee left to a most ⟨p. 83⟩dangerous uncertainety in an office of so great consequence. Our answer to this is: 1. Wee have shewed already the certaine bounds of the power and vocation of ruling Elders. 2. It was not necessary that the Apostle should severally set downe Canons and directions: first, touching Pastors, then Doctors; lastly, ruling Elders, since they are all Elders, and all members of the Eldership or Presbytery; it was enough to deliver canons and directions common to them all, especially since the duties of ruling Elders are the same which are the duties of Pastors, only the Pastors power is cumulative to theirs, and over reacheth the same in the publicke ministery of the Word and Sacraments, and so doth Paul difference them, 1 Tim. 5.17.