[541] In edit. 1722, Chap. XII., and the title is, as in the edit.
1621, "For Prophecying, or Interpreting of the Scriptures."
[Sidenote: 1 Cor. 14:29]
To the end that the Churche of God may have a tryell of mennis
knawledge, judgementis, gracis, and utterancis; and also, that suche
as somewhat have proffited in Goddis worde, may from tyme to tyme grow
to more full perfectioun to serve the Churche, as necessitie shall
require: it is most expedient that in everie Toune, whaire Schollis
and repair of learned Men ar, that thair be one certane day everie
weake appointed [to] that Exercise, which Sanct Paull calleth
prophecieing; the ordour whairof is expressed by him in these words:
"Let two or thre propheitis speik; and lat the rest judge: But yf any
thing be reveilled to him that sitteth by, lat the formar keip
silence: [For] ye may, one by one, all prophecie, that all may learn,
and all may receave consolatioun. And the Spreittis (that is, the
judgementis) of the Propheitis, are subject to the propheitis." Off
whiche wordis of the Apostle, it is evident that in Corinthus, whan
the Churche did assemble[542] for that purpose, sum place of Scripture
was red; upoun the whiche, first one gyf his judgement to the
instructioun and consolatioun of the auditouris; after whome did one
uthir eathir conferme what the formare had said, or did add what he
had omitted, or did gentillie correct or explane more properlie whair
the hoill veritie was not reveilled to the formar. And in case sum
thingis war hid frome the one and frome the uthir, libertie was gevin
to the thrid to speik his judgement for edificatioun of the Churche.
Above the whiche nomber of three, (as appereth,) thay passed not, for
avoiding of confusioun.
[542] In edit. 1621, "that is the Kirk of Corinth, when they did
assemble."
These Exercisses, we say, ar thingis most necessarie for the Churche
of God this day in Scotland; for thairby (as said is) shall the
Churche have judgement and knawledge of the gracis, giftis, and
utterances of everie man within thair awin body; the simple, and suche
as have sumwhat proffited, shall be encurageit dalie to study and
proceid in knawledge; the Churche shall be edifyed; (for this Exercise
must be patent to suche as list to heir and learne,) and everie man
shall have libertie to utter and declair his mynd and knawledge to the
confort and edificatioun of the Churche.
But least that of a profitable Exercise mycht aryise[543] debate and
strife, curiouse, peregryne and unprofitable questionis ar to be
avoided. All interpretatioun disaggreing from the principallis of oure
faith, repugnyng to cheritie, or that standis in plane contradictioun
to ony uthir manifest place of Scripture, is to be rejected. The
Interpretour in that exercise, may nocht tack to him self the libertie
of ane publict Precheour, yea, althocht he be a Minister appointed;
but he must bind him self to his text, that he enter not by
disgressioun in explanyng commoun places. He may use no invective in
that exercise onles it be with sobrietie in confuting heresyes. In
exhortationis or admonitionis he must be schorte, that the tyme may be
spent in oppenyng of the mynd of the Holy Ghost in that place; in
following the fyle[544] and dependence of the text, and in observing
suche notes as may instruct and edifie the auditour. For avoyding of
contentioun, neathir may the interpretour, neathir yit any of the
assemblie, move any questioun in oppen audience, whairto him self is
not content[545] to geve resolutioun without reasoning with any other;
but everie man ought to speik his awin judgement to the edificatioun
of the Churche.
[543] In edit. 1621, "least of this profitable exercise there arise."
[544] In edit. 1621, "The sequele."
[545] In edit. 1621, "not able."
Yf any be noted with curiositie, or bringyng in any strange doctrine,
he must be admonished by the Moderatouris, the Ministeris and Eldaris,
immediatlie after that the interpretatioun is ended. The hoill
memberis,[546] and nomber of thame that ar of the Assemblie, ought to
convene togetther, whair examinatioun should be had, how the persones
that did interprete did handle and convey the mater; thei thame
selffis being removed till every man have gevin his censure; after the
whiche, the persones being called, the faultes (yf any notable be
found) ar noted, and the persone gentillie admonished. In that last
Assemblie all questionis and dowtis, (yf any arryise,) should be
resolved without contentioun.
[546] In edit. 1621, "The whole Ministeris;" the edition 1722, after
these words, adds, "with a number."
The Ministeris of the Paroche churches to Landwarte, adjacent to
everie cheaf toune, and the Readaris, gif thai have any gift of
interpretatioun, within sex myles must assist and concur to those that
prophecie within the townes; to the end that thei thame selves may
eather learne, or ellis utheris may learne be thame. And moreover, men
in whome ar supposed any giftis to be, which mycht edifie the Churche
yf thei war weall apply ed, must be charged by the Ministeris and
Eldaris to joyne thame selfis with that sessioun and cumpany of
Interpretouris, to the end that the Churche may judge whether thei be
able to serve to Goddis glorie, and to the proffeit of the Churche in
the vocatioun of Ministeris or not. And yf any be found disobedient,
and not willing to communicat the giftis and spirituall graces[547] of
God with thair brethren, after sufficient admonitioun, discipline must
procead against thame; provided that the Civile Magistrate concur with
the judgement and electioun of the Churche. For no man may be
permitted to leave[548] as best pleasseth him within the Churche of
God; but everie man must be constrayned, by fraterall admonitioun and
correctioun, to bestow his laubouris, when of the Churche thei ar
required, to the edificatioun of otheris.
[547] In edit. 1621, "and speciall graces."
[548] In edit. 1621, "to live."
What day in the week is most convenient for that exercise, and what
bookes of the Scripturis salbe most profitable to be red, we refer to
the judgment of everie particulare Churche, we meane, to the wisdome
of the Ministeris and Eldaris.