6. Eldaris anis lawchfullie callit to the office, and having giftis
of God meit to exercyse the same, may not leave it againe.
7. Albeit sic ane number of eldaris may be chosine in certane
congregationis, that ane pairt of thame may releif ane uther for ane
reasonable space, as was amang the Levittis under the law, in serving
of the temple.
8. The number of the eldaris in euery congregatioun cane not be weill
limitat, bot sould be according to the boundis and necessitie of the
peple.
9. It is not necessar that all eldaris be also teachearis of the
word, albeit they aucht cheiflie to be sic, and swa ar worthie of
double honour.
10. Quhat manner of personis thay aucht to be, we refer to the expres
word, and namelie, the Canonis wryttine be the Apostles.
11. Thair office is, als weill seuerallie as coniunctlie, to watche
diligentlie upone the flok committit unto thair charge, bayth
publicklie and privatlie, that no corruptioun of religioun or maneris
enter thairin.
12. As the pastouris and doctouris sould be diligent in teacheing
and sowing the seid of the word, so the eldaris sould be cairfull in
seiking the fruitt of the same in the peple.
13. It apperteins to thame to assist the pastour in examinatioun of
thame that cumis to the Lordis table, and in visiting the seik.
14. They sould be cairfull to caus the actis of the Assembleis, als
weill particular as prouinciall or generall, to be put in executioun.
15. Thay sould be diligent in admonisching of all mene of thair
dewteis, according to the reull of the Evangell.
16. Thingis that they cane not correct be privie admonitioun, thay
sould bring to the assembly of the eldership.
17. Thair principall office is, to hauld assembleis with the
pastouris and doctouris (quha ar also of thair number) for
establisching of guid ordour, and executioun of discipline: Unto the
quhilks assembleis all personis ar subject, that remane within thair
boundis.
Of Eldarschipis, and Assembleis, and of Discipline.