The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

4. IT is acknowledged, that after this was the common use of the Word, it was applied to signify the thing it self, and not the manner of doing it. Hence it is used sometimes for the obtaining or collation of Authority, or Dignity or Magistracy, any manner of way, though not by Election. To appoint, to create. But this was by an abusive application of the Word, to express the thing it self intended, without regard unto its signification and proper use. Why such a use of it should be here admitted, no Reason can be given. For in all other places on such occasions, the Apostles did admit and direct the Churches to use their liberty in their choice. So the Apostles and Elders, with the whole Church, sent chosen Men of their own Company to Antioch, such as they chose by common Suffrage for that end; so again ver. 25. I will send whom you shall approve, 1 Cor. 16.3. The Church chose them, the Apostle sent him who was chosen by the Church to be our Companion, 2 Cor. 8.19. Look out from among your selves, Act. 6. If on all these and the like occasions, the Apostles did guide and direct the people in their right and use of their Liberty, as unto the Election of Persons unto Offices and Employments, when the Churches themselves are concerned, what reason is there to depart from the proper and usual signification of the Word in this place, denoting nothing but what was the common practice of the Apostles on the like occasions?

4. IT is acknowledged, that after this was the common use of the Word, it was applied to signifie the thing it self, and not the manner of doing it. Hence it is used sometimes for the obtaining or collation of Authority, or Dignity or Magistracy, any manner of way, though not by Election. To appoint, to create. But this was by an abusive application of the Word, to express the thing it self intended, without regard unto its signification and proper use. Why such a use of it should be here admitted, no Reason can be given. For in all other places on such occasions, the Apostles did admit and direct the Churches to use their liberty in their choice. So the Apostles and Elders, with the whole Church, sent chosen Men of their own Company to Antioch, such as they chose by common Suffrage for that end; so again ver. 25. I will send whom you shall approve,