The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

WHAT is objected hereunto from the unfitness and disability of the people, to make a right judgment concerning them who are to be their Pastors and Rulers, labours with a three-fold weakness. For, (1.) It reflects dishonour upon the Wisdom of Christ in Commanding them the observance and discharge of such Duties, as they are no way meet for. (2.) It proceeds upon a supposition of that degenerate state of Churches in their Members, as to Light, Knowledge, Wisdom and Holiness, which they are for the most part fallen into; which must not be allowed to have the force of Argument in it; when it is to be lamented, and ought to be reformed. (3.) It supposeth that there is no supply of Assistance provided for the people, in the discharge of their Duty to guide and direct them therein; which is otherwise; seeing the Elders of the Church wherein any such Election is made, and those of other Churches in Communion with that Church, are by the common advice and declaration of their judgment, to be Assistant unto them.

THIRDLY, The Church is a voluntary Society. Persons otherwise absolutely free, as unto all the Rules, Laws and Ends of such a Society, do of their own Wills and free Choice coalesce into it. This is the Original of all Churches, as hath been declared. They gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the Will of ⟨p. 75⟩God, 2 Cor. 8.5. Herein neither by Prescription, nor Tradition, nor Succession, hath any one more Power or Authority than another; but they are all equal. It is gathered into this Society merely by the Authority of Christ; and where it is so Collected, it hath neither Right, Power, Privilege, Rules nor Bonds as such, but what are given, prescribed and limited by the Institution and Laws of Christ. Moreover, it abides and continues on the same Grounds and Principles, as whereon it was Collected, namely, the Wills of the Members of it subjected unto the Commands of Christ. This is as necessary unto its present continuance in all its Members, as it was in its first Plantation. It is not like the Political Societies of the World, which being first established by force or consent, bring a necessity on all that are born in them and under them, to comply with their Rule and Laws. For Men may, and in many cases ought to submit unto the disposal of temporal things, in a way, it may be, not convenient for them, which they judge not well off, and which in many things is not unto their advantage. And this may be just and equal, because the special good which every one would aim at, being not absolutely so, may be out-balanced by a general good, nor alterable, but by the prejudice of that which is good in particular. But with reference unto things Spiritual and Eternal it is not so. No Man can by any previous Law be concluded as unto his interest in such things; nor is there any General Good to be attained by the loss of any of them. None therefore can coalesce in such a Society, or adhere unto it, or be any way belonging unto it, but by his own free choice and consent. And it is enquired, how it is possible that any Rule, Authority, Power or Office, should arise or be erected in such a Society? We speak of that which is ordinary; for he by whom this Church-State is erected and appointed, may and did appoint in it, and over it, extraordinary Officers for a season.