The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

12. THE Call of Persons unto the Pastoral Office is an Act and Duty of the Church. It is not an Act of the political Magistrate, not of the Pope, not of any single Prelate, but of the whole Church, unto whom the Lord Christ hath committed the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. And indeed, although there be ⟨p. 59⟩great differences about the nature and manner of the Call of Men unto this Office, yet none who understand ought of these things, can deny, but that it is an Act and Duty of the Church; which the Church alone is empowered by Christ to put forth and exert. But this will more fully appear in the consideration of the nature and manner of this Call of Men unto the Pastoral Office, and the actings of the Church therein.

12. THE Call of Persons unto the Pastoral Office is an Act and Duty of the Church. It is not an Act of the political Magistrate, not of the Pope, not of any single Prelate, but of the whole Church, unto whom the Lord Christ hath committed the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. And indeed, although there be ⟨p. 59⟩great differences about the nature and manner of the Call of Men unto this Office, yet none who understand ought of these things, can deny, but that it is an Act and Duty of the Church; which the Church alone is impowered by Christ to put forth and exert. But this will more fully appear in the consideration of the nature and manner of this Call of Men unto the Pastoral Office, and the actings of the Church therein.

THE Call of persons unto the Pastoral Office in the Church consists of Two Parts. (1.) Election, (2.) Ordination, as it is commonly called, or sacred Separation by Fasting and Prayer. As unto the former, Four things must be enquired into. (1.) What is previous unto it or preparatory for it. (2.) Wherein it doth consist. (3.) Its necessity, or the demonstration of its Truth and Institution. (4.) What influence it hath into the communication of Pastoral-Office-Power unto a Pastor so chosen.