Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	bind_v	church_n	law_n	2,400	5	5.0344	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A56328	The Trojan horse of the Presbyteriall government vnbowelled wherein is contained, I. The power of the Presbyterian government, II. The persons in whom this power is placed, III. The exercise of the Presbyterian power in Scotland, and the lawes there imposed on the peoples necks.	Parker, Henry, 1604-1652.	1646 (1646)	Wing P427; ESTC R5914	15,875	25

be considered what kind of persons stand fairest to be chosen for Lay-Elders If wee make our judgement herein upon observation of those dispositions which qualifie men for the peoples favour we shall finde them to be for the most part either activenesse or greatnesse In some Parishes he can do most who though he hath neither wealth wit nor honestly is yet most active and busie and if this be the choice those will be trusted with the Spirituall power that are aptest to bring all to ruine and confusion But if greatnesse beare the sway as in most places it is like to do then shall men of great estates and dealing in the world great Landlords Noble-men and Gentlemen be Lay-Elders who will use their power to enthrall their Tenants Dependents and Inferiours to them and bring the Yeomanry and Husbandmen of England to such a slaverie and vassallage under them as that sort of men groane under in Scotland Fourthly though Appeals may seem to afford some remedy yet is that of little use being a matter of so much trouble and charge to go from the Parish-Session to the Classis and from thence to the Provinciall Assembly and from thence to the Generall Assembly before a man can come at the Parliament so that very few men can make use of it Wherefore since Appeals leave the most men without remedy it is a madnesse to make those men Judges in the first instance that are so like to judge amisse Fifthly the constitution of Generall Assemblies for the number of Ministers and Lay-Elders to be sent from the severall Presbyteries being at the will of the same Assembly is very uncertaine and may surprise those that little dream of it and take away all power from either the Ministers or the Layty before they be aware For if in some one Generall Assembly practises shall prevaile to over-prise one part with a greater number of the other that part that then gets all the power into their hands will keep the other under irrecoverably and of this mischife Scotland will affoord an instance Lastly in this forme of Government such a multitude of men have a share that if they shall be found to abuse their power to the prejudice of the State it will hardly ever be possible to get it out of their hands again For example if Church-Government be put into the hands of the Ministers and Lay-Elders of almost 10000. Parishes and thereby some inconveniences not yet fore-seen shal arise which shall induce the State to change it for another Forme how shall they be able to wrest the power out of the hands of a Faction so numerous who having found the sweet of Rule will bee loath to part with it Of the exercise of the Presbyterian Power in Scotland and the Lawes there imposed on the peoples necks IT now remaineth that by considering their particular Lawes we shew how grievous the exercise of this Power wil be to all sorts of men that live under it 1. It hath been shewed already that the Presbyterian Government requireth that all Ministers be appointed by a popular election and utterly dis-alloweth Patronages of livings that have cure of soules which will be prejudiciall to the Nobility and Gentry despoiling them of their inheritance And if any shall object that either in this or any other matter their practice differs from their rule let him mark what caution is given in the Preface to the Bookes of Discipline To distinguish betwixt the Kirks purpose and intention in every particular and their possibility to performe and practise as circumstances concurred or were contrary and he shall find that the practise prevailes onely because they want power to alter it and that they will never rest satisfied till they obtain their purpose 2. They are no better friends to the Ministers then to the Nobles and Gentry for their Lawes provide that they shall be kept poore enough to make both them and their Doctrine servile to the peoples humours Their Benefices must be changed into stipends That which is called the Benefice ought to be nothing else but the stipend of the Ministers that are lawfully called 2. Book of Discip. Chap. 3. These stipends must be raised out of the rents of the Tithes which are paid to the Deacons by the owners and out of them must the poore and the Schooles be provided for as well as the Ministers We think it a most reasonable thing that every man have the use of his owne Tiends provided that he answer to the Deacons and Treasurers of the Kirk of that which in justice shall be appointed unto him We require the Deacons and Treasurers rather to receive the Rents then the Ministers themselves because that of the Tiends must not onely the Minister be sustained but also the poore and Schools 1 Booke of Discip. 6. Head Of the Rents c. Yea the second Book of Discipline Chap. 12. goeth further and will have the Kirk Rents divided in foure portions whereof the Minister must be content with one the other three to be for the Elders Deacons and other Kirk-Officers Doctors Schooles the Poore reparation of the Kirks and other extraordinary charges for the Kirk and Common-wealth The words I omit for brevity When all these collops are cut out the Ministers part is partly taxed and partly left to the curtesie of the Kirk It is thought good that every Minister shall have at least forty bolls meale twenty six bolls malt to find his house bread and drink more so much as the discretion of the Church finds necessary besides mony for buying of other provision to his house and other necessaries the modification whereof is referred to the judgement of the Kirk to be made every yeare at the chusing of the Elders and Deacons of the Kirk 1. Book of Discip. 5. Head Of the provision for the Ministers c. Their Glebes if they exceed six Acres they are content shall be deteined If any Glebe exceed six Acres of ground the rest to remaine in the hands of the possessors till order be taken therein 1. Booke of Discip. the 6. Head 3 In general this Government insults upon the inslaved people with all sorts of heavy burdens and vexations When they have brought the Ministery into so poore a condition that few but the lowest of the people will willingly enter into it then to supply that defect they have Lawes to compell men to take that function upon them and Parents to dedicate their children to it by the censures of the Kirk and the Civill Power Your Honours with consent of the Church are bound by your Authority to compell such men as have gifts and graces able to edifie the Church of God that they bestow them where greatest necessity shall be knowne 1. Booke of Discipline 4. Head Of admission The rich and potent may not be permitted to suffer their children to spend their youth in vaine idlenesse as heretofore they have done but they must be exhorted and