A92287:85
The reasons of the Dissenting Brethren against the third proposition, concerning presbyterial government· Humbly…
The reasons of the Dissenting Brethren against the third proposition, concerning presbyterial government· Humbly presented.
London: printed by G.M. for Ralph Smith, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
1. Because they were but one Church.
Though it be one, yet they not being more then could meet in one, the Argument concludes not.
Though it bee one, yet they not beeing more then could meet in one, the Argument concludes not.
2 Proof. The Elders of that Church are mentioned.
2 Proofe. The Elders of that Church are mentioned.
There is no mention of any Elders in this Church, until after the aforesaid Dispersion, Act. 8. And so the weight of this Argument will depend upon the proof of this; That after the dispersion there were many Congregations, which the Reverend Assembly doth not so positively affirm. The proof of their being such a Presbytery as the Proposition intends, doth depend upon this their being called Elders to that Church, we no where read them called a Presbytery, and that therefore they are Elders, but they are therefore a Presbytery (as here it is argued) because they are Elders to that Church; Now if they be Elders in common, because a Presbytery, (as was said in answer to the first Argument) then they are not to be argued a Presbytery only, because they are Elders in Common; For then the Argument runs in Circulo; And the chief and first reason of their being Elders (for no other is mentioned) is accordingly held forth in their being Elders to that Church in common, whereas according to Presbyterial Principles, there is a primary relation of Elders, quà Elders, to their particular fixed Congregations.