A42758:256
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
Part 2 › Chapter 6: The second Argument, taken from Christs Institution.
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.
CHAP. VI. The second Argument, taken from Christs Institution.
AS we have Nature, so have we Christs Institution for us, and this shall appear two ways. First, the fidelity of Christ, both in his Prophetical & in his Regal or Nomothetical power, was such, that he hath sufficiently provided for all the necessities and exigences whatsoever of his Churches, to the end of the world. Therefore the Apostle calleth him as faithful in all the house of God,1 as ever Moses was, who delivered laws serving for the government of the Church of the Jews in all cases. Whence we collect, that the authority of Classical Presbyteries over the Elderships of particular congregations, and the authority of Synods over both, must needs have a warrant from Christs own Institution, ⟨p. 158⟩because without this authority, there are very important necessities of the Churches, that cannot be helped. For example, in most congregations, especially in Dorps and Villages, when a Pastor is to be ordained, the particular Eldership within the congregation can neither examine and try his gifts, and his, soundness in the faith, (which examination must necessarily precede his ordination;) nor can they discover him, in case he be a subtle and learned heretic; nor yet can they pray in t•e congregation over him which is to be ordained, and give him public exhortation and admonition of his duty, God having neither given to the Elders of every congregation, nor yet required of them such abilities. What shall be done in this case?2 Ainsworth would have the work stayed, and the Church to want a Minister, till she be able to do her works, and her duties which are proper to her. Alas! bad Christ no greater care of the Churches then so? shall they be destitute of a Pastor, ever till they be able to try his gifts and soundness, and to exhort and pray at his ordination? and how shall they ever attain to such abilities except they be taught? and how shall they be taught without a Teacher? Now the power and authority of Classical Presbyteries, to odin