An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…

It is further objected, that Presbyterial government and the authority of Synods, do rob the congregations of their rights and liberties, no less then the Prelacy did; so that the Churches of Christ in the removal of Episcopacy, have changed Dominum only, not Dominium. Answer. There is a vast difference; for 1. Episcopal government is Monarchical, and Christ hath left no Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction to be exercised by one man. Presbyterial and Synodical government is partly democratical, in respect of the ⟨p. 195⟩election of Ministers and Elders, and the doing of matters of chiefest importance, with the knowledge and consent of congregations: partly aristocratical in respect of the parity of Presbyters and their consistorial proceedings and decrees. The Monarchical part is Christs peculiarly. 2. The Prelacy permitteth not to congregations any act of their own Church government, but robbeth them of their particular Elderships,¹ which (as Parker well noteth) the Classical Presbyteries do not. 3. It is one thing, saith Baynes, for Churches to subject themselves to a Bishop and Consistory, ²wherein they shall have no power of suffrage: Another thing to communicate with such a Presbytery, wherein themselves are members and Judges with others. 4. The congregations did not agree not consent to Episcopal government, but were sufferers in respect of the same, but they do heartily agree to the government of Presbyteries and Synods, in witness whereof they send their Commissioners thither to concur, assist, & voice. 5. Special respect is had in Presbyteries and Synods, to the consent of congregations, in all matters of importance, which are proper unto the same. This the Prelacy did not regard. 6. Presbyteries and Synods do not (which the Prelates did) imperiously and by their sole ⟨p. 196⟩arbitrement domineer over congregations, for their power is directive only, ministerial, and limited by the Laws of God and Nature, and the laudable Ecclesiastical Laws received and acknowledged by the congregations themselves. 7. Experience hath showed us Presbyterial and Synodical government to be, not only compatible with, but most conducible for the supportment and comfort of congregations: whereas Episcopal government draweth ever after it mlam cadm, and a general grievance of the Churches.