The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

IT is impossible, there should be a more evident convincing instance and example of the free choice of Ecclesiastical Officers by the multitude or fraternity of the Church, than is given us herein. Nor was there any Ground or Reason why this Order and Process should be observed, why the Apostles would not themselves nominate and appoint Persons whom they saw and knew meet for this Office, to receive it, but that it was the Right and Liberty of the People, according to the mind of Christ, to choose their own Officers, which they would not abridge, nor infringe.

IT is impossible, there should be a more evident convincing instance and example of the free choice of Ecclesiastical Officers by the multitude or fraternity of the Church, than is given us herein. Nor was there any Ground or Reason why this Order and Process should be observed, why the Apostles would not themselves nominate and appoint Persons whom they saw and knew meet for this Office, to receive it, but that it was the Right and Liberty of the People, according to the mind of Christ, to choose their own Officers, which they would not abbridge, nor infringe.

SO was it then, [Greek or Hebrew], saith Chrysostom on the place, and so it ought now to be; but the usage began then to decline. It were well if some would consider how the Apostles at that time treated that multitude of the people, which is so much now despised, and utterly excluded from all concern in Church Affairs, but what consist in servile subjection. But they have, in this pattern and president for the future ordering of the calling of meet Persons to Office in the Church, their Interest, Power, and Privilege secured unto them, so as that they can never justly be deprived of it. And if there were nothing herein, but only a Record of the Wisdom of the Apostles in managing Church Affairs, it is marvellous to me, that any who would be thought to succeed them in any part of their Trust and Office, ⟨p. 67⟩should dare to depart from the example set before them by the Holy Ghost in them, preferring their own ways and inventions above it. I shall ever judge, that there is more safety, in a strict adherence unto this Apostolical Practice and Example, than in a compliance with all the Canons of Councils or Churches afterwards.