A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbytery in Scotland, or, A modest and…A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbyterie in Scotland, or, A modest and…
A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbytery in Scotland, or, A modest and brotherly dispute of the government of the Church of Scotland wherein our discipline is demonstrated to be the true apostolic way of divine truth, and the arguments on the contrary are friendly dissolved, the grounds of separation and the independency [sic] of particular congregations, in defence of ecclesiastical presbyteries, synods, and assemblies, are examined and tried / by Samuel Rutherfurd ...A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbyterie in Scotland, or, A modest and brotherly dispute of the government of the Church of Scotland wherein our discipline is demonstrated to be the true apostolick way of divine truth, and the arguments on the contrary are friendly dissolved, the grounds of separation and the indepencie [sic] of particular congregations, in defence of ecclesiasticall presbyteries, synods, and assemblies, are examined and tryed / by Samuell Rutherfurd ...
Samuel Rutherford 1600?–1661London: printed for John Bartlet, 1642London: printed for Iohn Bartlet, 1642
[16], 326 [i.e. 334] p. · 119k words · Wing R2389 · ESTC R7368
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.
The third Assembly is the meeting of many Pastors of a Province, or a greater number of Congregations, who handle matters of discipline which concern the whole Province, and many moe Congregations, which differeth not from the Presbytery, but that it is a greater Presbytery containing moe Pastors and Elders: so we think, because there were many Pastors and Elders at Jerusalem then at Corinth, therefore the meeting of Pastors and Elders of Jerusalem and the Churches about, Act. 21. 18, 19. was a Provincial Assembly, so the meeting of the Elders of Ephesus, being more then an ordinary Presbytery, because of the multitude of that Church, Act. 19. was of the nature of a Provincial Assembly, or a greater Presbytery, Act. 20. 17, 18.
The third Assembly is the meeting of many Pastors of a Province, or a greater number of Congregations, who handle matters of discipline which concerne the whole Province, and many moe Congregations, which differeth not from the Presbytery, but that it is a greater Presbytery containing moe Pastors and Elders: so we thinke, because there were many Pastors and Elders at Jerusalem then at Corinth, therfore the meeting of Pastors and Elders of Jerusalem and the Churches about, Act. 21. 18, 19. was a Provinciall Assembly, so the meeting of the Elders of Ephesus, being more then an ordinary Presbytery, because of the multitude of that Church, Act. 19. was of the nature of a Provinciall Assembly, or a greater Presbytery, Act. 20. 17, 18.
. where Jerusalem, Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia are met in their principal guides, Apostles, Brethren, Elders: with us the King or his Commissioner is present, as in the National Assembly of the Jews, was King David,
. All the Churches have place to speak, propound and reason in an orderly way, as there the multitude spake, v. 12, 13. but none have decisive voices save only Commissioners, as Apostles and Elders,
. and these who speak are to speak to the Assembly or Moderator, not to parties, as v. 13. Men and brethren. Also a Clerk is chosen who writeth the acts of the Assembly, as v. 23. they wrote letters after this manner. The Commissioners carry home from the Scribe of the Assembly, the decrees of the Pastors and Elders to be observed by them, as
. Christian prudency and natures light teacheth the time and place for the next Assembly to be appointed most conveniently, for the •ase of all the Churches.
The fourth Assembly is a generall Assembly of many Provincef, and is a cleare warrant of our Nationall Assembly, as Act. 1. 15. where the eleven Apostles were, Act. 6. 2. where the twelve Apostles were, and Act. 15. where Jerusalem, Antioch, Syria, and Sylicia are met in their principall guides, Apostles, Brethren, Elders: with us the King or his Commissioner is present, as in the Nationall Assembly of the Jews, was King David, 1 Chron. 13. 1, 2. Asa, 2 Chron. 15. 9. Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 29. 4 Josiah 2 Chron. 34 29 for the King beareth the Sword, and is there as a politick President, and nursing Father, Esa. 49. 23. Rom. 13. 4. The members of the Councell are Pastors, Doctors, Elders, as Act. 15. 23. sent by the Churches for that effect, Act. 15. 2, 3. All the Churches have place to speake, propound and reason in an orderly way, as there the multitude spake, v. 12, 13. but none have decisive voices save only Commissioners, as Apostles and Elders, Act. 15. v. 2, 6. Ch. 16. 4. Ch. 21. 25. The acts of the Assembly oblige all the absents, not present in all their members, as v. 23 24, 28. Act. 16. 4. ch. 21. 25. not because of the authority of the Church, but because of the matter which is necessary and agreeable to Gods word, as Act. 15. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. In this Assembly a Moderator is chosen, who ordereth, propoundeth, and gathereth the voices, as Acts 15. either James or Peter. Silence is kept that one onely speake at once, as v. 7. first Peter, after him Barnabas and Paul, v. 12. after them James, v. 13. and these who speake are to speake to the Assembly or Moderator, not to parties, as v. 13. Men and brethren. Also a Clerke is chosen who writeth the acts of the Assembly, as v. 23. they wrote letters after this manner. The Commissioners carry home from the Scribe of the Assembly, the decrees of the Pastors and Elders to be observed by them, as Act. 16. 4. Christian prudency and natures light teacheth the time and place for the next Assembly to be appointed most conveniently, for the •ase of all the Churches.
Where matters are difficile to inferior Assemblies, and parties wronged, and there is no small dissension, then ⟨p. 323⟩references and appeals are made to the greater Assemblies, and they determine that Paul and Barnabas, or A. B. and S. •. go to Jerusalem, or the place of the next Assembly to the Pastors and Elders about this question, as 1, 2.
Where matters are difficile to inferiour Assemblies, and parties wronged, and there is no small dissension, then ⟨p. 323⟩references and appeales are made to the greater Assemblies, and they determine that Paul and Barnabas, or A. B. and S. •. goe to Jerusalem, or the place of the next Assembly to the Pastors and Elders about this question, as 1, 2.
All our inferior Assemblies have brotherly correspondence by mutual advise and counsel one with another, but none have authoritative power over another, as 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2, 3, 4. 2 Cor. 8. 1, 2, 3. Col. 4. 17. By reason of our Assemblies, no man though most eminent in gifts, piety, or authority, may play the Diotrephes, 3 John v. 10. or hath power to cast out the brethren out of the Church.
All our inferiour Assemblies have brotherly correspondence by mutuall advise and counsell one with another, but none have authoritative power over another, as 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2, 3, 4. 2 Cor. 8. 1, 2, 3. Col. 4. 17. By reason of our Assemblies, no man though most eminent in gifts, piety, or authority, may play the Diotrephes, 3 John v. 10. or hath power to cast out the brethren out of the Church.
2. By Assemblies order of gifts, and subordination of the part to the whole is maintained, as Antioch is inferior to both Antioch, Jerusalem, Syria, and Cilicia convened in a Synod, Acts 15. v. 23. compared with 28. Acts 6. both the Church of the Hebrews, and the Church of the Grecians are subject to a Synod of Apostles and Disciples, v. 2. and Peter a pillar of the Church, and Paul inferior to none of the greatest Apostles, are subject to Synods, Acts 11. 1, 2, 3. Acts 21. 19, 20, 21, &c.
2. By Assemblies order of gifts, and subordination of the part to the whole is maintained, as Antioch is inferiour to both Antioch, Jerusalem, Syria, and Cilicia convened in a Synod, Acts 15. v. 23. compared with 28. Acts 6. both the Church of the Hebrewes, and the Church of the Grecians are subject to a Synod of Apostles and Disciples, v. 2. and Peter a pillar of the Church, and Paul inferiour to none of the greatest Apostles, are subject to Synods, Acts 11. 1, 2, 3. Acts 21. 19, 20, 21, &c.
3. By Assemblies, schisms, dissentions, Acts 15. 2 and errors or heresies subverting the souls of these of particular Churches, Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, ver. 23, 24. are removed out of the Church, and unity preserved. In keeping of the Decrees of Assemblies particular Churches do well, v. 28. and so are the Churches established in the faith, and increase in number daily, Acts 16. 4, 5. and Religion is restored to it's purity, and the Land enters into Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Father, and rejoice at the oath, and seek the Lord with their whole desire, and he is found of them, 2 Chron. 15. 12, 13, 14, 15. and this have we found, So long as we were as Judah, who ruled with God, and was faithful with the Saints, Hos. 11. v. 12. and went not to Gilgal, nor up to Beth-aven, Hos 4. 15.
3. By Assemblies, schismes, dissentions, Acts 15. 2 and errors or heresies subverting the soules of these of particular Churches, Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, ver. 23, 24. are removed out of the Church, and unity preserved. In keeping of the Decrees of Assemblies particular Churches doe well, v. 28. and so are the Churches established in the faith, and increase in number daily, Acts 16. 4, 5. and Religion is restored to it's purity, and the Land enters into Covenant to seeke the Lord God of their Father, and rejoyce at the oath, and seeke the Lord with their whole desire, and he is found of them, 2 Chron. 15. 12, 13, 14, 15. and this have we found, So long as we were as Judah, who ruled with God, and was faithfull with the Saints, Hos. 11. v. 12. and went not to Gilgal, nor up to Beth-aven, Hos 4. 15.
In Church-censures, we proceed thus: In private faults if a brother offend a brother, he is admonished alone by the offended; If that gain him not, he is admonished before two or three; If that prevail not, the matter ⟨p. 324⟩is brought before the Church, which hath power of the keys; If he obey not the Church, he is excommunicated, Mat. 18. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. in more heinous and public faults the scandalous person is not so dealt with; but where the fault is gross and heinous, the offender more quickly is delivered to Satan, as 1 Cor. 5. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 19, 20. Where obstinacy and wilful impenitency is added to lesser scandals, the offender is excommunicated, as 1 Thes. 3. 14. yet with great meekness and longanimity; for he is three Lords days publicly admonished, and three Lords days publicly prayed for, as this gentleness is required in the Lords servants, 2 Tim. 24, 25 before they cut off any, 1 Cor 4. 21. The censures public of the Churches are rebukes in public as Paul requireth, 1 Tim. 5. 20. and that the rebuke may be public, and the rebuked may make public confession before the offended Congregation: He standeth in a public place, which we call the stool or pillar of repentance, which hath both a warrant by natures light, which requireth that he who speaketh to a multitude should stand in a place where all may commodiously hear to whom he speaketh, as Judg. 9. 7. Deut 27. 12, 13. And also in Scripture, by Solomons example, who on a scaffold spake to the people, 1 Chron. 14. 30. and the practise of Ezra, who read to the people the book of the Law in a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose, Nehem. 8. 4. which also is a warrant for a pulpit.
In Church-censures, we proceed thus: In private faults if a brother offend a brother, he is admonished alone by the offended; If that gaine him not, he is admonished before two or three; If that prevaile not, the matter ⟨p. 324⟩is brought before the Church, which hath power of the keyes; If he obey not the Church, he is excommunicated, Mat. 18. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. in more hainous and publike faults the scandalous person is not so dealt with; but where the fault is grosse and hainous, the offender more quickly is delivered to Satan, as 1 Cor. 5. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 19, 20. Where obstin•cy and wilfull impenitencie is added to lesser scandals, the offender is excommunicated, as 1 Thes. 3. 14. yet with great meeknesse and longanimity; for he is three Lords dayes publikely admonished, and three Lords dayes publikely prayed for, as this gentlenesse is required in the Lords servants, 2 Tim. 24, 25 before they cut off any, 1 Cor 4. 21. The censures publike of the Churches are rebukes in publike as Paul requireth, 1 Tim. 5. 20. and that the rebuke may be publike, and the rebuked may make publike confession before the offended Congregation: He standeth in a publike place, which we call the stoole or pillar of repentance, which hath both a warrant by natures light, which requireth that he who speaketh to a multitude should stand in a place where all may commodious•y heare to whom he speaketh, as Judg. 9. 7. Deut 27. 12, 13. And also in Scripture, by Salomons example, who on a scaffold spake to the people, 1 Chron. 14. 30. and the practise of Ezra, who read to the people the booke of the Law in a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose, Nehem. 8. 4. which also is a warrant for a pulpit.
2. To this public rebuking, there is a second censure adjoined, which is a debarring of the offender from the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 28. which is our lesser excommunication.
2. To this publike rebuking, there is a second censure adjoyned, which is a debarring of the offender from the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 28. which is our lesser excommunication.
3. Our third censure is the greater excommunication, which is done by the whole Congregation, as all other censures, but divers ways by the Presbytery or Eldership judicially and authoritatively, by Paul his pastoral spirit, 1 Cor. 5. 4. the Minister in the Churches name pronouncing the sentence, 1 Tim. 1. 20. and and by the people, 1. consenting and approving, 1 Cor. 5. 4, 5, 6. ⟨p. 325⟩2. Mourning and being humbled at the sin, 1 Cor. 5. 2. 3. Abstaining from all brotherly fellowship and familiarity with him, 1 Cor. 10. 11, 12. except where the law of nature require duties of us, as the son to the excommunicated father owes love and honour, and conversing with him, Exod. 20. 12. For a commandment natural and simply moral obligeth more, and in the room before the positive and lesser commandment, as Hos. 6. 6. Mat. 12. 3, 4, 5, 6. yet is the excommunicated excluded only from the public prayers and seals of the Covenant, not from private prayers and hearing of the word, 1 Thes. 3. 15. For the Church intendeth in that censure the saving of his spirit in the day of the Lord, 1 Cor. 5. 5. and the hearing of the word is that necessary mean of salvation, Rom. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 18, 21. Rom. 10. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 23. The contrary order not unlike to this is kept in confirming authoritatively the Churches love to the excommunicated person being penitent, and in pardoning and forgiving him when he heartily sorroweth for his sin, 2 Cor. 2. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. From this censure no member of our Church is exempted; yea a scandalous Pastor is by the Presbytery deprived and excommunicated, as he was ordained by them, 1 Tim 4. 14. 2 Tim. 2. 14. and he who hath committed crying and heinous sins is scarce ever to be readmitted in the ministry, as being hardly found such an one as is described, 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1▪ 5, 6, 7. except it be seen to all that he hath obtained mercy in a conspicuous and large measure, as 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14, 15, 16.
3. Our third censure is the greater excommunication, which is done by the whole Congregation, as all other censures, but divers wayes by the Presbytery or Eldership judicially and authoritatively, by Paul his pastorall spirit, 1 Cor. 5. 4. the Minister in the Churches name pronouncing the sentence, 1 Tim. 1. 20. and and by the people, 1. consenting and approving, 1 Cor. 5. 4, 5, 6. ⟨p. 325⟩2. Mourning and being humbled at the sinne, 1 Cor. 5. 2. 3. Abstaining from all brotherly fellowship and familiarity with him, 1 Cor. 10. 11, 12. except where the law of nature require duties of us, as the sonne to the excommunicated father owes love and honour, and conversing with him, Exod. 20. 12. For a commandement naturall and simply morall obligeth more, and in the roome before the positive and lesser commandement, as Hos. 6. 6. Mat. 12. 3, 4, 5, 6. yet is the excommunicated excluded onely from the publike prayers and seales of the Covenant, not from private prayers and hearing of the word, 1 Thes. 3. 15. For the Church intendeth in that censure the saving of his spirit in the day of the Lord, 1 Cor. 5. 5. and the hearing of the word is that necessary meane of salvation, Rom. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 18, 21. Rom. 10. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 23. The contrary order not unlike to this is kept in confirming authoritatively the Churches love to the excommunicated person being penitent, and in pardoning and forgiving him when he heartily sorroweth for his sin,
None may preach the word with us but Pastors and the sons of the Prophets, and such of their sort who aim at the holy ministry, and that authority Ecclesiastical must warrant them is clear by our Law and practise,1 as it was in the Jewish Church, 1 Sam. 10. 5. 2 King. 2. 7. 2 King. 4▪ 1. 1 King. 20. 35.2 The worship of God is commanded by our Assemblies to be in private families, ⟨p. 326⟩as catechizing by the Master of the Family, or some other better gifted in every Family, Deut. 6. 6. 7, 8. Gen. 18. 19. Ephes. 6. 1, 2, 3. 2 Tim. 3. 15. praying, Zach. 12. 10. None by any act of our Church, whether Pastor or any other, in office, or out of office, is obliged to a stinted or read prayer, as the word of God alloweth, Rom. 8. 26, 27. yea here it is free to all, having the spirit of adoption to express their particular necessities, which cannot well be booked, to God according to the present case of the Church, and person praying, as the Saints have done, Psal. 88▪ 9. Psal. 5. 7. Psal. 28. 2. Psal. 1▪ 21. 1. Psal. 123. 1. Joh. 17. 1. Luk. 18. 13. and Psal. 3. Psal. 5. Psal. 25. Psal. 30. Psal. 34. Psal. 54. Psal. 57. Psal. 63. &c. yet did our Church never condemn, but constantly practise the praying of that divine and Canonical prayer of our Saviour, called the Lords prayer, as being commanded, Mat 6. 9 Luk. 11. 2. in matter and manner, though affirmative precepts oblige not ad semper. Also singing of Psalms is commanded by our Church in Families, as Exod. 29. 39. Psal. 55. 17. Eph. 5. 18, 19, 20. and house-discipline, as Job 1▪3. Deut. 21. 18. Psal. 101. 7. and private fasting in Families, Nehem 1. 4. Esth. 4. 16. Zach. 12. 11.
NOne may preach the word with us but Pastors and the sons of the Prophets, and such of their sort who aime at the holy ministery, and that authority Ecclesiasticall must warrant them is cleare by our Law and practise,1 as it was in the Jewish Church, 1 Sam. 10. 5. 2 King. 2. 7. 2 King. 4▪ 1. 1 King. 20. 35.2 The worship of God is commanded by our Assemblies to be in private families, ⟨p. 326⟩as chatechizing by the Master of the Family, or some other better gifted in every Family, Deut. 6. 6. 7, 8. Gen. 18. 19. Ephes. 6. 1, 2, 3. 2 Tim. 3. 15. praying, Zach. 12. 10. None by any act of our Church, whether Pastor or any other, in office, or out of office, is obliged to a stinted or read prayer, as the word of God alloweth, Rom. 8. 26, 27. yea here it is free to all, having the spirit of adoption to expresse their particular necessities, which cannot well be booked, to God according to the present case of the Church, and person praying, as the Saints have done, Psal. 88▪ 9. Psal. 5. 7. Psal. 28. 2. Psal. 1▪ 21.
Our Assembly also commandeth godly conference at all occasional meetings,1 or as Gods providence shall dispose, as the word of God commandeth, Heb. 3. 13. 1 Thes. 5. 11, 12. Levit. 19▪ 17. Zach. 8▪ 21. Mal. 3. 16. Col. 3. 16. providing none invade the Pastors office to preach the word who are not called thereunto by God and his Church, Heb. 5. 4, 5. Rom. 10. 14. 15. 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. and by that same warrant the grieved in conscience is to confess his sins, which troubleth and presseth down his soul, to either an experienced Christian or Pastor, as Jam 5. 16. but this confession is free to the grieved party, I mean free from being canonically commanded in our Assemblies, and far from Sacramental confession, or Auricular confession to a Priest.
Our Assembly also commandeth godly conference at all occasionall meetings,1 or as Gods providence shall dispose, as the word of God commandeth, Heb. 3. 13. 1 Thes. 5. 11, 12. Levit. 19▪ 17. Zach. 8▪ 21. Mal. 3. 16. Col. 3. 16. providing none invade the Pastors office to preach the word who are not called thereunto by God and his Church, Heb. 5. 4, 5. Rom. 10. 14. 15. 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. and by that same warrant the grieved in conscience is to confesse his sins, which troubleth and presseth downe his soule, to either an experienced Christian or Pastor, as Jam 5. 16. but this confession is free to the grieved party, I meane free from being canonically commanded in our Assemblies, and far from Sacramentall confession, or Auricular confession to a Priest.
1Act at Edinburgh Assembly, an. 641Act at Edinburg Assembly, an. 641
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE And truly noble Lord JOHN Earle of Lindsey, Lord Parbroth, &c. one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council in the Kingdom of SCOTLAND.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE And truly noble Lord IOHN Earle of Lindsey, Lord Parbroth, &c. one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell in the Kingdome of SCOTLAND.
Scottish theologian and commissioner to the Westminster Assembly.
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2 Cor. 2. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
. From this censure no member of our Church is exempted; yea a scandalous Pastor is by the Presbytery deprived and excommunicated, as he was ordained by them, 1 Tim 4. 14.
. and he who hath committed c•ying and hainous sins is scarce ever to be readmitted in the ministery, as being hardly found such an one as is described,
. &c. yet did our Church never condemne, but constantly practise the praying of that divine and Canonicall prayer of our Saviour, called the Lords prayer, as being commanded, Mat 6. 9
