3. ACCORDINGLY they did use the same liberty in the choice of their Elders, Act. 14.23. [Greek or Hebrew]: ⟨p. 68⟩That is, say Erasmus, Vatablus, Beza, all our old English Translations, appointing, ordaining, creating Elders by Election or the suffrage of the Disciples, having prayed with Fastings. The whole Order of the sacred separation of Persons qualified unto the Office of the Ministry, that is, to be Bishops, Elders or Pastors, is here clearly represented. For, (1.) They were chosen by the people; the Apostles who were present, namely Paul and Barnabas presiding in the Action, directing of it and confirming that by their consent with them. (2.) A time of Prayer and Fasting was appointed for the Action, or discharge of the Duty of the Church herein. (3.) When they were so chosen, the Apostles present solemnly prayed, whereby their Ordination was complete. And those who would have the [Greek or Hebrew] here mentioned to be, [Greek or Hebrew], or an Authoritative imposition of hands, wherein this Ordination did consist, do say there is an [Greek or Hebrew] in the words; that is they feign a disorder in them, to serve their own Hypothesis. For they suppose that their complete Ordination was effected, before there was any Prayer with Fasting; for by imposition of Hands in their judgment, Ordination is completed; so Bellarmine, A Lapide, on the place, with those that follow them. But first to pervert the true signification of the Word, and then to give countenance unto that wresting of it by assigning a disorder unto the Words of the whole Sentence, and that such a disorder as makes in their judgment a false Representation of the matter of Fact related, is a way of the Interpretation of Scripture which will serve any turn. (4.) This was done in every Church, or in every Congregation, as Tyndale renders the Word; namely, in all the particular Congregations that were gathered in those parts; for that Collection and Constitution did always precede the Election and Ordination of their Officers, as is plain in this place; as also Tit. 1.5. So far is it from Truth, that the Being of Churches dependeth on the Successive Ordination of their Officers, that the Church essentially considered, is always antecedent unto their Being and Call.
3. ACCORDINGLY they did use the same liberty in the choice of their Elders, Act. 14.23. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: ⟨p. 68⟩That is, say Erasmus, Vatablus, Beza, all our old English Translations, appointing, ordaining, creating Elders by Election or the suffrage of the Disciples, having prayed with Fastings. The whole Order of the sacred separation of Persons qualified unto the Office of the Ministry, that is, to be Bishops, Elders or Pastors, is here clearly represented. For, (1.) They were chosen by the people; the Apostles who were present, namely Paul and Barnabas presiding in the Action, directing of it and confirming that by their consent with them. (2.) A time of Prayer and Fasting was appointed for the Action, or discharge of the Duty of the Church herein. (3.) When they were so chosen, the Apostles present solemnly prayed, whereby their Ordination was compleat. And those who would have the 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 here mentioned to be, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, or an Authoritative imposition of hands, wherein this Ordination did consist, do say there is an 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 in the words; that is they feign a disorder in them, to serve their own Hypothesis. For they suppose that their compleat Ordination was effected, before there was any Prayer with Fasting; for by imposition of Hands in their judgment, Ordination is compleated; so Bellarmine, A Lapide, on the place, with those that follow them. But first to pervert the true signification of the Word, and then to give countenance unto that wresting of it by assigning a disorder unto the Words of the whole Sentence, and that such a disorder as makes in their judgment a false Representation of the matter of Fact related, is a way of the Interpretation of Scripture which will serve any turn. (4.) This was done in every Church, or in every Congregation, as Tindal renders the Word; namely, in all the particular Congregations that were gathered in those parts; for that Collection and Constitution did always precede the Election and Ordination of their Officers, as is plain in this place; as also Tit. 1.5. So far is it from Truth, that the Being of Churches dependeth on the Successive Ordination of their Officers, that the Church essentially considered, is always antecedent unto their Being and Call.
