The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

If they are not associate with one or more Pastors, they may be a Community of Christians, but not a Political Church, which we now define.

If they are not joined with a Pastor that hath all the foresaid Powers, of Teaching, Ruling by the Word and Keys, and going before them in Worship; and if they consent not to his relation as such, they may make a School, or an Oratory, but not a proper particular Church simpliciter, so called [but only a Church secundum quid, or as to some part;] for an Essential part is wanting. But it is not the defect of Exercise that unchurcheth them, while there is the Power, and that consented to (for Men cannot be Pastors or Churches against their wills.)

If they are not joyned with a Pastor that hath all the foresaid Powers, of Teaching, Ruling by the Word and Keys, and going before them in Worship; and if they consent not to his relation as such, they may make a School, or an Oratory, but not a proper particular Church simpliciter, so called [but only a Church secundum quid, or as to some part;] for an Essential part is wanting. But it is not the defect of Exercise that unchurcheth them, while there is the Power, and that consented to (for Men cannot be Pastors or Churches against their wills.)

Sect. V. 3. As all Christians grant that the Apostles had a general Commission to call Infidels to Christ, and to plant Churches with their particular Pastors as aforesaid, and to take care that their Pastor and they do the duties, (not compelling them by their Sword, but by the Word,) so we are far from denying that yet ⟨p. 10⟩some Ministers of Christ may, and should seek the conversion of Infidels, and plant Churches of the converted, ordaining Pastors over them by their consent, and taking due care by their grave advise that such Churches walk in the obedience of Christ, as far as they can procure it; And such Seniors which have so planted these Churches and Pastors by Gods blessing on their labours, should be much reverenced by the Churches which they have planted, and their just advise, exhortations and admonitions should be heard by the People and the Pastors whom they ordained, and all their juniors: And though the Apostles have no successors in their extraordinaries, yet that some should in this ordinary work succeed them, we deny not, because 1. We find that it is a work still necessary to be done: 2. And others as well as Apostles did it in those times; as Silas, Luke, Apollo, Timothy, Titus, &c. and since, all such as have planted the Gospel among Infidels. 3. Because Christ promised to be with them that did this work to the end of the world, Mat. 28. 21. But whether such men be of a different office or order from the junior Pastors; whether any true Presbyter that hath ability, opportunity and invitation, may not do the same work with Infidels; and by his success, and seniority may not so ordain Pastors over the Churches which he gathered; and have an answerable right to reverence and regard from those that he so planteth, and ordaineth; are controversies which we presume not now to decide.