A70969:23
The reasons presented by the Dissenting Brethren against certain propositions concerning presbyterial government and…The reasons presented by the Dissenting Brethren against certain propositions concerning presbyteriall government and…
The reasons presented by the Dissenting Brethren against certain propositions concerning presbyterial government and the proofs of them voted by the Assembly of Divines, sitting by authority of Parliament, at Westminster : together with the Answer of the Assembly of Divines to those reasons of dissent.The reasons presented by the Dissenting Brethren against certain propositions concerning presbyteriall government and the proofs of them voted by the Assembly of Divines, sitting by authority of Parliament, at Westminster : together with the Answer of the Assembly of Divines to those reasons of dissent.
London: printed by T.R. and E.M. for Humphrey Harward, 1648
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.
2. That these forementioned officers are to be so many in numb,er in every such congregation, as that three or two at the least may agree together in every act of government. By two at the least we mean preaching or governing officers. But some of the Committee do hold that a preaching Presbyter should concur in the sentence of excommunication and suspension.
2. That these forementioned officers are to be so many in numb,er in every such congregation, as that three or two at the least may agree together in every act of government. By two at the least we mean preaching or governing officers. But some of the Committee do hold that a preaching Presbyter should concurre in the sentence of excommunication and suspension.
3. That these officers have power in those things which are voted by the Assembly to be due unto them, and in suspension and excommunication: Some of the Committee meaning that the major part of the officers have power to do it, the congregation not opposing it, in which case of opposition they hold fit that the officers do suspend the act. Others of the Committee saying that the Major part of the Officers have power to do it, if the Major part of the Brethren do consent unto it by their Votes: so as the negative lies in the major part, either of the Officers or Brethren.
And as for Ordination, we all hold, that where there are two preaching Presbyters at least, such a Presbytery ⟨p. 5⟩may ordain their own Elders. But some of the Committee do further say that where there are two ruling Elders at least, they have power of ordaining Elders for that congregation, and in case there be no Elders (as at the first in Ecclesia constituenda) then the choice of Elders, by the people, with approbation of the neighbouring Ministers with fasting and prayer, may suffice.