The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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.

1. THAT which is previous unto it, is, the Meetness of the Person for his Office and Work, that is to be chosen. It can never be the Duty of the Church to call or choose an unmeet, an unqualified, an unprepared Person unto this Office. No pretended necessity, no outward motives can enable or warrant it so to do, nor can it by any outward act, whatever the Rule or Solemnity of it be, communicate Ministerial Authority unto Persons utterly unqualified for, and uncapable of the discharge of the Pastoral Office according unto the Rule of the Scripture. And this hath been one great means of debasing the Ministry, and almost ruining the Church it self; either by the neglect of those who suppose themselves entrusted with the whole power of Ordination, or by Impositions on them by Secular Power, and Patrons of Livings as they are called, with the stated Regulation of their Proceedings herein, by a defective Law, whence there hath not been a due regard unto the antecedent preparatory Qualifications of those who are called unto the Ministry.

1. THAT which is previous unto it, is, the Meetness of the Person for his Office and Work, that is to be chosen. It can never be the Duty of the Church to call or choose an unmeet, an unqualified, an unprepared Person unto this Office. No pretended necessity, no outward motives can enable or warrant it so to do, nor can it by any outward act, whatever the Rule or Solemnity of it be, communicate Ministerial Authority unto Persons utterly unqualified for, and uncapable of the discharge of the Pastoral Office according unto the Rule of the Scripture. And this hath been one great means of debasing the Ministery, and almost ruining the Church it self; either by the neglect of those who suppose themselves entrusted with the whole power of Ordination, or by Impositions on them by Secular Power, and Patrons of Livings as they are called, with the stated Regulation of their Proceedings herein, by a defective Law, whence there hath not been a due regard unto the antecedent preparatory Qualifications of those who are called unto the Ministry.