1. UNDER the Old Testament there were three ways whereby Men were called unto Office in the Church. (1.) They were so extraordinarily and immediately by the nomination and designation of God himself. So Aaron was called unto the Priesthood, and others afterwards, as Samuel, to be Prophets. (2.) By a law of Carnal Generation; so all the Priests of the Posterity of Aaron succeeded into the Office of the Priesthood, without any other call. (3.) By the choice of the people, which was the call of all the ordinary Elders and Rulers of the Church, Deut. 1.13. [Greek or Hebrew]. Give to your selves. It was required of the people, that they should in the first place, make a judgment on their Qualifications for the Office whereunto they were called. Men known unto them for Wise, Understanding, Righteous, walking in the Fear of God, they were to look out, and then to present them unto Moses for their separation unto Office, which is Election. It is true, that Exod. 13.15. It is said that Moses chose the Elders. But it is frequent in the Scripture, that where any thing is done by many, where one is chief, that is ascribed indifferently either to the many, or to the chief Director. So is it said, Israel sent Messengers, Numbers, 21.21. Moses, speaking of the same things, says, I sent Messengers, Deut. 2.26. So 1 Chron. 19.19. They made peace with David and served him; which is 2 Sam. 10.19. They made peace with Israel and served them. See also 2 King. 11.12. with 2 Chron. 23.11. as also 1 Chron. 16.1. with 2 Sam. 6.17. and the same may be observed ⟨p. 62⟩in other places. Wherefore the people chose these Elders under the conduct and guidance of Moses, which directs us unto the right interpretation of Act 14.23. whereof we shall speak immediately.
1. UNDER the Old Testament there were three ways whereby Men were called unto Office in the Church. (1.) They were so extraordinarily and immediately by the nomination and designation of God himself. So Aaron was called unto the Priesthood, and others afterwards, as Samuel, to be Prophets. (2.) By a law of Carnal Generation; so all the Priests of the Posterity of Aaron succeeded into the Office of the Priesthood, without any other call. (3.) By the choice of the people, which was the call of all the ordinary Elders and Rulers of the Church, Deut. 1.13. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Give to your selves. It was required of the people, that they should in the first place, make a judgment on their Qualifications for the Office whereunto they were called. Men known unto them for Wise, Understanding, Righteous, walking in the Fear of God, they were to look out, and then to present them unto Moses for their separation unto Office, which is Election. It is true, that Exod. 13.15. It is said that Moses chose the Elders. But it is frequent in the Scripture, that where any thing is done by many, where one is chief, that is ascribed indifferently either to the many, or to the chief Director. So is it said, Israel sent Messengers, Numbers, 21.21. Moses, speaking of the same things, says, I sent Messengers, Deut. 2.26. So 1 Chron. 19.19. They made peace with David and served him; which is 2 Sam. 10.19. They made peace with Israel and served them. See also 2 King. 11.12. with 2 Chron. 23.11. as also 1 Chron. 16.1. with 2 Sam. 6.17. and the same may be observed ⟨p. 62⟩in other places. Wherefore the people chose these Elders under the conduct and guidance of Moses, which directs us unto the right interpretation of Act 14.23. whereof we shall speak immediately.
