eth head of fo many Presbyteries as his office of preaching the Gofpel to all Nations adviseth him to institute, as hath been faid.

CHAP. IX.

Presbyteries compofed of no lay perfons, as the Sanedrin. What is brought out of the Scripture to that purpose. The Labour of Presbyters in the Word and Doctrine. Preaching went by Gifts, under the Apostles. Thofe Gifts make no different Minifteries. Teaching and ruling belong to the fame Presbyters. No colour for lay Elders in the Primitive Church, Preaching, how rightly esteemed.

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T is well enough known, how this comparison and the text that occafioneth it is drawn into confequence, to prove that Presbyteries were intended to confift part of Elders of the people, part of Ministers

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of the Church, as the Sanedrin of fome Priests and Levites, fome of the people And it is as well to be known, what a forced prefumption it is, to require correfpondence between the Church and the Synagogue in that point which the difference of a mere Spirituall and Temporall Common-wealth bringeth to paffe. The Sanedrin confifted of the chief of that people as well as of Priefts and Levites, because the chief causes of that Common-wealth as well as of Religion paffed through their hands: The Church is fubject to all Common-wealths where it is mainteined, in temporall matters: In those which concern the foul, whom fhall we think our Lord leaveth her in charge with, but those whom he trusteth with the keyes of his house? Who thofe are we fhall fee anon : In the mean time let this serve their turn that will needs presume that these. Pres

Presbyteries must confift part of layperfons, as the Sanedrin while we prove that de facto they did confift of none but Minifters of the Church: For upon this occafion, it will not be amiffe here to adde the utmost of the reft whereupon that platform is grounded in Scripture: wch is in effect no more then that text of the Apostle 1. Tim.v. 17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double bonour, especially those that labour in the word and doctrine,carrying at the first found an appearance of two forts of Elders, fome Preachers, others nothing but Rulers. It is feconded indeed by thofe paffages of the Apoftles wherein they reckon the graces, for the edification of the Church, distributed upon the members of it upon the Afcenfion of Chrift, Ephef. iv. 4. fome Apoftles, fome Prophets, fome Evangelifts, fome Paftours and Doctours; or elfe both for edification and for other neceffi

neceffities, Rom. xii. 6. Prophecying, Miniftring, Teaching, Exhorting, Communicating, Ruling, and 1. Cor. xii. 28. Apoftles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracles, Gifts of Healing, Helps in Government, Tongues: and afore verf. 8. thofe gifts which are called the manifeftation of the Spirit, given to every man to profit withall, becaufe of their ufe to the edification of the Church of that time, are reckoned as followeth, the word of Wisdome, the word of Knowledge, Faith, gifts of Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Difcerning of Spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues; and 1. Pet. iv. 11. Speaking, and Miniftring. But that which is gathered hence, is but in confequence to the two forts of Elders, fuppofed out of the Text aforefaid. For out of thefe paffages are culled the gifts of Ruling or Helps in Government, and Mini. ftring, the offices of Paftours, of Dotours or Teachers; upon prefumption

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of the difference aforefaid, to argue, That the Minifteries appointed to continue in the Church till our Lords coming to judgement, are, that of Paftours, to preach in the Church; that of Rulers or Helps in the government, Elders of the people, to affift in Ruling; and laft of all Doctours or Teachers, to reade leffons in point of Religion, not medling with Government; befides Deacons, to whom the gift of Ministring belongeth. Here it is plain, there is work cut out: And fure it is a fit place to take into confideration the first part of that Office we pretend to prove common to Bifhop and Presbyters, confifting in labour in the word and doctrine, as it was in the Primitive time, and is understood by the Apostle: Which withall will make appear upon what fort of perfons the Rule of the Church was estated. Without doubt, when we have named the Preserva