A42758:294
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.
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.
The second answer leaveth the rectifying of an erring congregation to the uncertainty of their own discretion, in seeking counsel from a greater number. And moreover, if this be a dictate of reason to ask counsel of a greater number, when the counsel of a few ⟨p. 189⟩cannot resolve us, then reason being ever like it self, will dictate so much to a congregation, that they ought to submit to the authority of a greater number, when their own authority is not sufficient to end a controversy among them.
The second answer leaveth the rectifying of an erring congregation to the uncertainty of their owne discretion, in seeking counsell from a greater number. And moreover, if this be a dictate of reason to aske counsell of a greater number, when the counsell of a few ⟨p. 189⟩cannot resolve us, then reason being ever like it selfe, will dictate so much to a congregation, that they ought to submit to the authority of a greater number, when their owne authority is not sufficient to end a controversie among them.