1298) the Presbyter!, upon pretenceof a Prefidency , or fuperiority, is I think, amatter not warrantable by the word of God. g. 3. But that fuch Af ociations of the Paftors of many Chur. ches fhould ordinarily be, for the fakeof Union and Communi- on ; as allo that it is lawfull for thefe Affociatied Miniflers to choofe oneamong them to be their Prefident,is granted by all.. g. 4. But all the quet}ion is, Whether thefeT refidents Amid be only pro tempore, or durance v`ta;fuppofng that they forfeit not the truft ? I thatl not faymuch ofthe point ofconvenience ; but I affirm,that ofit fetf it is lawful to choofe a Prefident that thatl be fixed duri-tnte vita,f: tam digbene fegeffGrit. Yea it is lawffll naw in Engl.md, as things ftand. g. 5. And i. Ir may fuffice for the proofof this, that it is no- where forbiddenin Nature or inScripture ; d'ireály or by con- ftquence : and therefore it is !awful! Where there is no .law , there is no tranfgreffion : They that fay that it is a thing forbidden, mutt prove it from fome word of God ; which I think, they cannot do. g. 6. z. If it be lawful! to choofe a fixed Prefident for half a year, or ayear, or (even year, then is it lawful! to choofe and fix fuch a Prefident for life (on fuppofition foil ofa continu- ed fitnefs) But it is lawful to choofe fuch a one for a year, or fiven year : therefore alto for life: g. 7 The Antecedent is granted by the Presbyterian, Con- gregational and Eraftian party, ( which areall that I have now to do with ;) For, all thefe confented that D. Twifs should be Prefident of theSynod at Wefttrtinffer, which was till his death or elfe was like to have been till the end ; And fo another af- ter him. And ordinarily the Provinces and Presbyterieschoofe a Prefident till the next Affembly. And I remember not that ever I heard anyman fpeak againft this courfe. $. 8. And then the Confequence is clear, from the parityof Reafons : For i Seven years incontra&s is valued equal with the durationof a mans life. z. And no man can give a Rea- fonto prove it Lawful! to havea Prefident (even years,or a quar- ter ofa year, that will not prove it Lawful! in it felfto have a Prefident during life. And Accidents mutt be weighed-on both fides, before you. can prove it Accidentglly evil And Vic be but
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