f19) dainedby aPresbytery, it is not a flat duty to do it at that time when the Prefident is abfent, except in cafe of flat neceßity why may not the reft of the Presbyters then, if they fee it con- ducible co the good of the Church [ refolve never to ordain ( except in cafe of fuchNeceffity, ) but when the Prefident is there, and is one therein ; ] which is indeed to permit his exer- cife of a Negative yore, without profefling it tobe his right by any Institution ? It is lawful to ordain, when the Prefident is prefent ; it is lawful ( out of cafes ofNecefsity) to forbear when he is abfent : according therefore to the Presbyterianprin- ciples, wemay refolve togive himdefaao aNegative voice, that is, not to ordainwithout him, but in Necefsity : and according to the Epifcopalprinciples, wemuff thus do : for this point of Ordination is the chief thing they (land on. Now if this be all the difference, why fhould not our May be, yield to their, Muff be,if thePeace of the Church befound to lye upon it. But 5. I wouldhave this Caution too, that the Magifirate should not annexhis (word to the Bithops cenfure, without very clear rea- fon : but let him make the belt of his pure fpiritual Authority that hecan : wefhouldhave kept peace with Bithops better, if they had not come armed, and iftheMagiftrates hadnot become their Executioners. 7. As to the feventh fort, viz. [A Prefident of a Province _fixed, without any Negativevoice] I fhould eafilyadmit of him, not only for Peace, but as orderlyand convenient, that there might be forceone togive noticeof all Affemblies, and the De- crees toeach member, and for many other mattters of order: this is praetifed in the Provinceof Londonpro tempore, and in the other Presbyterian Churches. And as I faid before in the like cafe, I fee not why it may not be lawful to have a Prefident queen dimfe benegeferit, as well fora moneth,or ayear,or (even years, as inour late Af e wbly two fuccefsively were more, (as I remember) fo that this kind of Diocefan or Provincial Bi- fhop, I think may well be yielded to for the Churches Order and Peace. 8. As to the eighth fort of Bithops, viz. [ The Diocefanwho afumetb the foie Government of many ParifhChurches both Pref byters andPeople] as ten, or twelve, or twenty or more, as they ufed to do, evenawhole Diocefs, I take them to be intolerable, D z and
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