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

Whether they ought to serve freely or to have a stipend? Touching the first of these; since the reformation which Luther began, it was ever maintained by the Protestant writers, that not the Ministers of the word alone, but some of all sorts among Christians ought to have decisive voices in Councils. But Dr. Field will admit none to teach and define in Counc•ls,¹ but the Ministers of the word only: others he permits only to consent unto that which is done by them. Saravia alloweth grave and learned men to sit with the Ministers of the word,² yet not as Judges, but as Counsellors and Assessors only. Tilen will not say that the Bishops and Pastors of the Church ought to call any into their Council, but that they may do it when there is need. Against whom and all who are of their mind we object. 1. The example of Apostolic Synods. Matthias the Apostle after Gods own designation of him, by the lot which fell upon him, was chosen by the voices, not only of the Apostles, but the other Disciples, who were met with them Act, 1.26. [Greek or Hebrew] i. e. Simul suffragiis electus est, as Arias Montanus turneth it.³ For the proper and native signification of [Greek or Hebrew], as Lorinus showeth out of Gagveius, is to choose by voices. The Professors of Leiden have noted ⟨p. 96⟩this consensus Ecclesiae per [Greek or Hebrew] in the election of Matthias Cens. in Confess. cap. 21. In the Council of Jerusalem Act. 15. we find that beside the Apostles the Elders were present, and voiced definitively, for they by whom the Decree of the Synod was given forth, and who sent chosen men to Antioch, were the Apostles and Elders, Gerard, Loc. Theol. come. 6. n. 28. and th• Profess. of Leiden, cens. in conf. c. 21. understand that the Elders spoken of v. 5. & 6. were the ruling Elders of the Church of Jerusalem, joined with the Apostles, who laboured in the word. Other Protestant writers understand by the name of Elders there, both preaching and ruling Elders. The Brethren, hat is the whole Church, heard the disputes, and consented to the Decrees, v. 21, 22, 23 Ruling Elders behoved to do more then the whole Church, that is voice definitively. Lorinus the Jesuit saith, that by the name of Elders there, we may understand not only Priests, but others besides them. Viz. antiquiores & anctoritate praecellentes discipulos, Disciples of greatest age and note.