The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

TWO ways is the Meetness of any one made known and to be judged of. (1.) By an evidence given of the Qualifications in him before-mentioned. The Church is not to call or choose any one to Office who is not known unto them; of whose frame of spirit, and walking, they have not had some experience; ⟨p. 60⟩not a Novice, or one lately come unto them. He must be one who by his ways and walking hath obtained a good Report, even among them that are without, so far as he is known; unless they be enemies or scoffers; and one that hath in some good measure evidenced his Faith, Love and Obedience unto Jesus Christ in the Church. This is the chief Trust that the Lord Christ hath committed unto his Churches; and if they are negligent herein, or if at all-adventures they will impose an Officer in his House upon him without satisfaction of his Meetness upon due enquiry, it is a great dishonour unto him, and provocation of him. Herein principally are Churches made the Overseers of their own Purity and Edification. To deny them an Ability of a right judgment herein, or a liberty for the use and exercise of it, is Error and Tyranny. But that Flock which Christ purchased and purified with his own blood, is thought by some to be little better than an Herd of brute Beasts. Where there is a defect of this personal knowledge for want of opportunity, it may be supplied by Testimonies of unquestionable Authority. (2.) By a trial of his Gifts for Edification. These are those Spiritual Endowments which the Lord Christ grants, and the Holy Spirit Works in the Minds of Men, for this very end that the Church may be profited by them, 1 Cor. 12.7. And we must at present take it for granted, that every true Church of Christ, that is so in the matter and form of it, is able to judge in some competent measure what Gifts of Men are suited unto their own Edification. But yet in making a judgment hereof, one Directive means is the Advice of other Elders and Churches, which they are obliged to make use off by virtue of the Communion of Churches, and the avoidance of offence in their walk in that Communion.