A42758:207
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.
Thirdly, it is objected, that Matthias was chosen by the whole number of the Disciples, Act. 1. and so were the Deacons chosen, Act. 6. and Elders in every City were made per [Greek or Hebrew], the Congregation signifying their suffrages by the lifting up or stretching forth of their hands, Act. 14.23. Therefore Jurisdiction ought to be exercised by whole Congregations. Answ. This Argument faileth two ways, 1. Though ordination of Office-bearers in the Church be an act of Jurisdiction, it doth not appear that the election of them is an act of jurisdiction likewise. Though the solemnizing of marriage be an act of authority, yet the choice and desire of the parties is not an act of authority. 2. Or (if you will) election of Ministers is one of the Rights and Privileges of the Church, yet no act of jurisdiction. 3. And if election were an act of authority and jurisdiction, ⟨p. 117⟩yet the alleged examples prove no more but that this act of jurisdiction is to be exercised by the whole body, in Ecclesia constituenda, non constituta. It may be so indeed in Churches at their first erection, but being once erected, and all necessary Office-bearers therein planted, from thenceforth the election of Elders pertaineth to the Presbytery, 1to the Pastor and Elders, as Zepperus writeth, though still with the consent of the Church.
Thirdly, it is objected, that Matthias was chosen by the whole number of the Disciples, Act. 1. and so were the Deacons chosen, Act. 6. and Elders in every City were made per 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the Congregation signifying their suffrages by the lifting up or stretching forth of their hands, Act. 14.23. Therefore Jurisdiction ought to be exercised by whole Congregations. Answ. This Argument faileth two waies, 1. Though ordination of Office-bearers in the Church be an act of Jurisdiction, it doth not appeare that the election of them is an act of jurisdiction likewise. Though the solemnizing of marriage be an act of authority, yet the choice and desire of the parties is not an act of authority. 2. Or (if you will) election of Ministers is one of the Rights and Priviledges of the Church, yet no act of jurisdiction. 3. And if election were an act of authority and jurisdiction,