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

What he allegeth from Act. 1.¹ & 6. & 14. For the Churches right of suffrage in the election of Officers, we do most heartily ⟨p. 16⟩assent unto it, with this distinction, that when the case is such, as it was in the examples alleged, that is, when visible political Churches are to be erected, not having been before, then the right of suffrage in elections, doth indeed belong to the whole body: And though this way of election were ordinary, it cannot prove that the people have the power of that authority in them, to which they elect the officers: no more then the Electors of the Emperor have in them power of the imperial dignity, saith Baynes. But now it is not ordinary, for when there is already a settled Ecclesiastical republic, or a Church with officers, the officers for the time being ought by their suffrages to elect the officers that are wanting, with the knowledge and consent of the Church.

What he alleageth from Act. 1.¹ & 6. & 14. For the Churche• right of suffrage in the election of Officers, we doe most heartily ⟨p. 16⟩assent unto it, with this distinction, that when the case is such, as it was in the examples alleaged, that is, when visible politicall Churches are to be erected, not having beene before, then the right of suffrage in elections, doth indeed belong to the whole body: And though this way of election were ordinary, it cannot prove that the people have the power of that authority in them, to which they elect the officers: no more then the Electors of the Emperour have in them power of the imperiall dignity, saith Baynes. But now it is not ordinary, for when there is already a setled Ecclesiasticall republike, or a Church with officers, the officers for the time being ought by their suffrages to elect the officers that are wanting, with the knowledge and consent of the Church.