The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…

4. Argu. The special reason against ordination of Elders, by Elders only, is weak; and that is, a succession of Pastors must be granted ever since the Apostles times, which is (say our brethren) Popish. This reason is weak, because a succession of Elders and Pastors, such as we require, is no more popish then a succession of visible believers; and visible Churches ordaining Pastors, is popish: but our brethren maintain a succession of believers and visible professors since the Apostles day. Secondly, we deny the necessity of a succession perpetual, which papists hold. Thirdly, we maintain only a succession to the true and Apostolic Doctrine: papists hold a visible Cathedral succession to the chair of Rome, and titular office of Peter.

4. Argu. The speciall reason against ordination of Elders, by Elders onely, is weake; and that is, a succession of Pastors must be granted ever since the Apostles times, which is (say ourbrethren) Popish. This reason is weak, because a succession of Elders and Pastors, such as we require, is no more popish then a succession of visible beleevers; and visible Churches ordaining Pastors, is popish: but our brethren maintaine a succession of beleevers and visible prosessors since the Apostles daye. Secondly, we deny the necessity of a succession perpetuall, which papists hold. Thirdly, we maintaine onely a succession to the true and Apostolike Doctrine: papists hold a visible Cathedrall succession to the chaire of Rome, and titular office of Peter.

4. Quest. Whether or not our brethren do prove that the Church of believers have power to ordain Pastors?

4. Quest. Whether or not our brethren doe prove that the Church of believers have power to ordaine Pastors?

In answering our brethren's reasons; I first return to our Author; secondly, I obviate what our brethren say in the answer to