The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

WHEREAS, what is here recorded was in the call of an Apostle, it strengthens the Argument which hence we plead. For if in the extraordinary call of an Apostle, it was the mind of Christ, that the Fraternity or Multitude should have the liberty of their suffrage, how much more is it certainly his mind, that in the ordinary call of their own peculiar Officers, in whom, under him, the concernment is their own only, that this Right should be continued unto them?

THE order of the proceeding of the Church herein is distinctly declared. For, (1.) The number of the Church at that time, that is of the Men, was about an Hundred and Twenty, v. 15. (2.) They were assembled all together in one place, so as that Peter stood up in the midst of them, v. 15. (3.) Peter in the name of the rest of the Apostles, declares unto them the necessity of choosing one to be substituted in the room of Judas, v. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. (4.) He limits the choice of him unto the especial Qualification of being a meet witness of the Resurrection of Christ, unto those who constantly accompanied him with themselves from the Baptism of John, that is, his being Baptized by him, whereon he began his public Ministry. (5.) Among these they were left at their liberty to nominate any two, who were to be left unto the lot for a determination whether of them God designed unto the Office. (6.) Hereon the whole multitude [Greek or Hebrew], appointed Two; that is the [Greek or Hebrew], the Men and Brethren, unto whom Peter spake, v. 16. did so. (7.) The same Persons to promote the work, prayed and gave forth their Lots, v. 24.26. (8) [Greek or Hebrew] Matthias was by the common suffrage of the whole Church, reckoned unto the number of the Apostles.

THE order of the proceeding of the Church herein is distinctly declared. For, (1.) The number of the Church at that time, that is of the Men, was about an Hundred and Twenty, v. 15. (2.) They were assembled all together in one place, so as that Peter stood up in the midst of them, v. 15. (3.) Peter in the name of the rest of the Apostles, declares unto them the necessity of choosing one to be substituted in the room of Judas, v. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. (4.) He limits the choice of him unto the especial Qualification of being a meet witness of the Resurrection of Christ, unto those who constantly accompanied him with themselves from the Baptism of John, that is, his being Baptized by him, whereon he began his publick Ministry. (5.) Among these they were left at their liberty to nominate any two, who were to be left unto the lot for a determination whether of them God designed unto the Office. (6.) Hereon the whole multitude , appointed Two; that is the , the Men and Brethren, unto whom Peter spake, v. 16. did so. (7.) The same Persons to promote the work, prayed and gave forth their Lots, v. 24.26. (8) Matthias was by the common suffrage of the whole Church, reckoned unto the number of the Apostles.