A42758:293
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 10: The sixth Argument, taken from necessity.
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.
It is answered: 1. If a particular congregation neglect their duty, or do wrong to another, the civill sword may proceed against them to make them do their duty. 2. A particular congregation ought in difficult cases ⟨p. 188⟩to consult with her sister Churches, for so much reason dictates, that in difficult cases, counsel should be taken of a greater number. 3. Sister Churches when they see a particular congregation doing amiss out of that relation which they have to her, being all in the same body, under the same head, may and ought to admonish her, and in case of general apostasy, they may withdraw that communion from her, which they hold with the true Churches of Christ.
It is answered: 1. If a particular congregation neglect their duty, or doe wrong to another, the civill sword may proceed against them to make them doe their duty. 2. A particular congregation ought in difficult cases ⟨p. 188⟩to consult with her sister Churches, for so much reason dictats, that in difficult cases, counsell should be taken of a greater number. 3. Sister Churches when they see a particular congregation doing amisse out of that relation which they have to her, being all in the same body, under the same head, may and ought to admonish her, and in case of generall apostacy, they may withdraw that communion from her, which they hold with the true Churches of Christ.
But these answers are not satisfactory. The first of them agreeth not to all times, for in times of persecution, the Church hath not the help of the civill sword: a persecuting Magistrate will be glad to see either division or apostasy in a congregation; but so it is, that Christ hath provided a remedy, both for all the evils and diseases of his Church, and at all times. The Church (as was said before) is a Republic, and hath her laws, Courts, and spiritual censures within her self, whether there be a Christian Magistrate, or not.
But these answers are not satisfactory. The first of them agreeth not to all times, for in times of persecution, the Church hath not the helpe of the civill sword: a persecuting Magistrate will bee glad to see either division or apostasie in a congregation; but so it is, that Christ hath povided a remedy, both for all the evills and diseases of his Church, and at all times. The Church (as was said before) is a Republike, and hath her lawes, Courts, and spirituall censures within her selfe, whether there be a Christian Magistrate, or not.