Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 10. 2. It is a thing that is constantly or very ordinarily practised among us already, with common approbation, or without contradiction, as far as I have heard. Many places have one Minister only that is presented by the Patron; and this one Pastor hath divers with him (or as the common saying is, Under ⟨p. 311⟩him:) If it be a great Congregation, many have a Curate or assistant in the Town with them, and other Curates at Chapels that depend on that Town. Though there be but one Chapel in this Parish where I live, yet this Church hath three or four Presbyters, and three or four Deacons. And the Law of the Land doth give one Minister only the Maintenance (called the Benefice) and the Power of the Temple, and the calling of Assemblies, and the choice of Curates, whom he is to maintain. And they that are chosen and maintained by him, must and will be ruled by him; at least in all circumstantial things. It belongs not to them to Rule even the People contrary to Gods word; nor in substantials to institute new Ordinances of Worship: But in circumstantials which are left to humane determination (as time, place, particulars of order, decency, &c.) no doubt but the chief Pastors in each Parish, do exercise actually a Negative Vote, and the Curates do nothing without their consent. So that this sort of Presidency being common among us, without contradiction I may take it for granted that it hath the common consent. And if any allow not of so much as is commonly used, yet a Presidency is a far lower thing.

§. 10. 2. It is a thing that is constantly or very ordinarily practised among us already, with common approbation, or without contradiction, as far as I have heard. Many places have one Minister only that is presented by the Patron; and this one Pastor hath divers with him (or as the common saying is, Vnder ⟨p. 311⟩him:) If it be a great Congregation, many have a Curate or assistant in the Town with them, and other Curates at Chappels that depend on that Town. Though there be but one Chappel in this Parish where I live, yet this Church hath three or four Presbyters, and three or four Deacons. And the Law of the Land doth give one Minister only the Maintenance (called the Benefice) and the Power of the Temple, and the calling of Assemblies, and the choice of Curates, whom he is to maintain. And they that are chosen and maintained by him, must and will be ruled by him; at least in all circumstantial things. It belongs not to them to Rule even the People contrary to Gods word; nor in substantials to institute new Ordinances of Worship: But in circumstantials which are left to humane determination (as time, place, particulars of order, decency, &c.) no doubt but the chief Pastors in each Parish, do exercise actually a Negative Vote, and the Curates do nothing without their consent. So that this sort of Presidency being common among us, without contradiction I may take it for granted that it hath the common consent. And if any allow not of so much as is commonly used, yet a Presidency is a far lower thing.