Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 6. 2. If it be lawful to choose a fixed President for half a year, or a year, or seven year, then is it lawful to choose and fix such a President for life (on supposition still of a continued fitness) But it is lawful to choose such a one for a year, or seven year: therefore also for life.

§. 6. 2. If it be lawfull to choose a fixed President for half a year, or a year, or seven year, then is it lawfull to choose and fix such a President for life (on supposition still of a continued fitness) But it is lawful to choose such a one for a year, or seven year: therefore also for life.

§. 7. The Antecedent is granted by the Presbyterian, Congregational and Erastian party, (which are all that I have now to do with:) For all these consented that D. Twiss should be President of the Synod at Westminster, which was till his death: or else was like to have been till the end; And so another after him. And ordinarily the Provinces and Presbyteries choose a President till the next Assembly. And I remember not that ever I heard any man speak against this course.

§. 8. And then the Consequence is clear, from the parity of Reasons: For 1. Seven years in contracts is valued equal with the duration of a mans life. 2. And no man can give a Reason to prove it Lawful to have a President seven years, or a quarter of a year, that will not prove it Lawful in it self to have a President during life. And Accidents must be weighed on both sides, before you can prove it Accidentally evil: And if it be ⟨p. 299⟩but so, it may be one time good, if by accident it be another time bad. The weightiest accident must preponderate.