A42758:204
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.
Secondly, it is well known that in Congregations the greater part are not fit to exercise Jurisdiction, for they can not examine the Doctrine and abilities of Ministers, how should they ordain them? They can not judge of questions and controversies of faith, how shall they determine the same? They can not find out and discover Heretics, how shall they excommunicate them? It is answered that this evil proceedeth from another, viz. That there is too much sloth and oversight in the admission of such as are to be members of a Congregation,1, and that they would be fit enough to do their duty, if they were all Saints, they mean apparently, and in the judgement of charity such, Rom. 1.7. 1 Cor. 1, 2. Eph. 1, 1. But say we again, 1. Why may we not hold that when the Apostle writeth to the Saints at Rome, at Corinth, &c. he meaneth not, that all who were in those Churches, were either truly or apparently Saints (for some wicked ones there were among them, and manifestly vicious, Rom. 16, 17, 18. 1 Cor. 5.9.11.) But that his meaning is, to direct his Epistles to so many as were Saints at Rome, Corinth, &c. mentioning them alone; because to them, and to none but them, did ⟨p. 113⟩God send his word for a blessing, it being sent to others that they may go and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken, as the Prophet speaketh. 2. If it should be granted that the Apostle giveth the name of Saints to all and every one that were in the Churches of Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus, yet Mr. Ainsworth himself answering Mr. Bernard holdeth that they are called Saints by external calling only, wherewith many are called who are not chosen, and who have no apparent marks of election. Others say that they were called Saints, in respect of their baptism, wherein they were all consecrated and devoted to God. Some say that they were all Saints, in respect of their profession. 3. Howsoever it was that they were all called Saints, yea put the case they had been all truly Saints, surely their sanctification can not import their fitness to exercise jurisdiction in the Church. The former is a special grace of the holy Spirit given to one for his own Salvation: The other is a common gift of the Spirit, given for the benefit of the Church.