The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

3. THAT therefore which we have now to prove, is this; That it is the Mind and Will of Jesus Christ, that meet Persons should be called unto the Pastoral Office (or any other Office in the Church) by the Election and Choice of the Church it self whereunto they are called, antecedently unto a sacred solemn separation unto their respective Offices: For,

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