The doctrine and discipline of the Kirke of Scotland as it was formerly set forth by publicke authority and at this present commanded there to be practised in the said kirke, anno 1641 : together vvith some acts of generall assemblies clearing and confirming the same : as also an act of Parliament by the King and three estates of Scotland for rectifying of the said discipline : the first and second booke.

For Prophecying, or Interpreting of the Scriptures.

TO the end that the Kirk of God may have a tryall of mens knowledge, judgements, graces and utterances, as also such that have somewhat profited in Gods word, may from time to time grow in more full perfection to serve the Kirk, as necessity shall require, it is more expedient that in every towne, where Schooles and repaire of learned men are, there be in one certaine day every week appointed to that exercise, which S. Paul cals prophecying; The order whereof is expressed by him in their words, Let two or three Prophets speake, and let the rest judge: But if any thing be revealed to him that sits by, let the former keep silence: yee may one by one all prophesie that all may learne, and all may receive con∣solation. And the spirit, that is, the judgements of the Prophets, are sub∣ject to the Prophets. By which words of the Apostle it is evident, that in the Kirk of Corinth, when they did assemble for that pur∣pose, some place of Scripture was read, upon the which one first gave his judgement to the instruction & consolation of the audi∣tors: after whom did another, either confirm what the former had said, or added what he had omitted, or did gently correct, or ex∣plaine more properly, where the whole veritie was not revealed to the former. And in case things were hid from the one, and from the other, liberty was given for a third to speake his judgement to the edification of the Kirk. Above which number of three (as appeares) they passed not, for avoiding of confusion. This exer∣cise is a thing most necessary for the Kirk of God this day in Scotland. For thereby, as said is, shall the Kirk have judgement, and knowledge of the graces, gifts, and utterances of every man

within their body. The simple, and such as have somwhat profi∣ted, shal be encouraged daily to study & to proceed in knowledge, the Kirk shall be edified. For this exercise must be patert to such as list to heare and learne, & every man shall have liberty to utter and declare his minde and knowledge to the comfort and conso∣lation of the Kirk. But lest of this profitable exercise there arise debate and strife, curious, peregrine, and unprofitable questions are to be avoided. All interpretation disagreeing from the prin∣ciples of our faith, repugning to charity, or that stands in plaine contradiction with any other manifest place of Scripture, is to be rejected. The Interpreter in this exercise may not take to him∣self the liberty of a publick Preacher (yea, although he be a Mini∣ster appointed) but he must bind himselfe to his text, that hee enter not in digression, or in explaining common places: he may use no invective in that exercise, unlesse it be of sobriety in con∣futing heresies: in exhortations or admonitions he must be short, that the time may be spent in opening the minde of the Holy Ghost in that place: following the sequele and dependence of the text, and observing such notes as may instruct and edifie the auditor for avoiding of contention: neither may the Inter∣preter nor any in the Assemblie move any question in open au∣dience, whereto himselfe is not able to give resolution, without reasoning with another, but every man ought to speake his own judgement to the edification of the Kirk.

If any be noted with curiosity of bringing in of strange do∣ctrine, he must be admonished by the Moderator, Ministers and Elders, immediately after the interpretation is ended.

The whole Ministers, a number of them that are of the As∣sembly, ought to convene together, where examination should be had, how the persons that did interprete did handle and con∣vey the matter (they themselves being removed;) to every man must be given his censure. After the which, the person being called, the faults (if any notable be found) are noted, and the per∣son gently admonished.

In that Assembly are all questions and doubts, if any arise, re∣solved without contention; the Ministers of the Parish Kirks in Landwart adjacent to every chiefe Town, and the Readers, if they have any gift of interpretation, within six miles, must concurre and assist these that prophecie within the townes, to the end that they themselves may either learne, or others may learne by them.

And moreover men in whom is supposed to be any gift which might edifie the Church, if they were well imployed, must be charged by the Minister and Elders, to joyne themselves with the session, and company of Interpreters, to the end that the Kirk may judge whether they be able to serve to Gods glory, & to the pro∣fit of the Kirk in the vocation of Ministers or not: And if any be found disobedient, and not willing to communicate the gifts and speciall graces of God with their brethren, after sufficient ad∣monition, Discipline must proceed against them, provided that the civill Magistrate concurre with the judgement and election of the Kirk. For no man may be permitted as best pleaseth him, to live within the Kirk of God, but every man must be constrained by fraternall admonition and correction, to bestow his labours, when of the Kirk he is required, to the edification of others. What day in the week is most convenient for that exercise, what books of Scripture shall be most profitable to read, we refer to the judge∣ment of every particular Kirk, we meane, to the wisedome of the Ministers and Elders.