A42758:84
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 1 › Chapter 2: Of the function of Ruling Elders, and what sort of Officers they be.
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.
That a ruling Elder may be such a one as he ought to be, two sorts of duties are requisite, viz. duties of his Conversation, and duties of his Calling. The duties of his conversation are the same which the Apostle ⟨p. 12⟩Paul requireth in the conversation of the Minister of the Word,1 That he be blameless, having a good report, not accused of riot, or unruly, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, a lover of good men, just, holy, temperate, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, not self-willed, not soon angry, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection, with all gravity, one that followeth after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, &c. These and such like parts of a Christian and exemplary conversation, being required of Pastors, as they are Elders, belong unto ruling Elders also. This being plain, let us proceed to the duties of their calling.
That a ruling Elder may bee such a one as hee ought to bee, two sorts of duties are requisite, viz. duties of his Conversation, and duties of his Calling. The duties of his conversation are the same which the Apostle ⟨p. 12⟩Paul requireth in the conversation of the Minister of the Word,1 That he bee blamelesse, having a good report, not accused of riot, or unruly, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, a lover of good men, just, holy, temperate, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, not selfe-willed, not soone angry, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that ruleth well his owne house, having his children in subjection, with all gravity, one that followeth after righteousnesse, godlinesse, faith, love, patience, meeknesse, &c. These and such like parts of a Christian and exemplary conversation, being required of Pastors, as they are Elders, belong unto ruling Elders also. This being plaine, let us proceed to the duties of their calling.