The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

ON these suppositions in a Society absolutely voluntary, among those who in their conjunction into it, by their own consent, are every way equal, There can but three things be required unto the actual constitution of Rule and Office among them. And the First is, That there be some among them that are fitted and qualified for the Discharge of such an Office in a peculiar manner above others. This is previous unto all Government, beyond that which is purely natural and necessary. Principio rerum, gentium nationumque imperium penes Reges erat; quos ad fastigium hujus Majestatis, non popularis Ambitio, sed spectata inter bonos moderatio provehebat. Just. So it was in the World, so it was in the Church. Praesident probati quique seniors, honorem istum non pretio sed testimonio adepti. Tertull. This preparation and furniture of some Persons with Abilities and meet Qualifications for Office and Work in the Church, the Lord Christ hath taken on himself, and doth and will effect it in all Generations. Without this there can be neither Office, nor Rule, nor Order in the Church.

ON these suppositions in a Society absolutely voluntary, among those who in their conjunction into it, by their own consent, are every way equal, There can but three things be required unto the actual constitution of Rule and Office among them. And the First is, That there be some among them that are fitted and qualified for the Discharge of such an Office in a peculiar manner above others. This is previous unto all Government, beyond that which is purely natural and necessary. Principio rerum, gentium nationumque imperium penes Reges erat; quos ad fastigium hujus Majestatis, non popularis Ambitio, sed spectata inter bonos moderatio provehebat. Just. So it was in the World, so it was in the Church. Praesident probati quique seniores, honorem istum non pretio sed testimonio adepti. Tertull. This preparation and furniture of some Persons with Abilities and meet Qualifications for Office and Work in the Church, the Lord Christ hath taken on himself, and doth and will effect it in all Generations. Without this there can be neither Office, nor Rule, nor Order in the Church.

2. WHEREAS, there is a new Relation to be made or created between a Pastor, Bishop or Elder, and the Church, which was not before between them, (a Bishop and a Church, a Pastor and a Flock are Relata's) it must be introduced at the same time by the mutual voluntary acts of one another, or of each party. For one of the Relata can, as such, have no being or existence without the other. Now this can no otherwise be, but by the consent and voluntary subjection of the Church unto persons so antecedently qualified for Office, according to the Law and Will of Christ. For it cannot be done by the Delegation of Power and Authority from any other Superior or Equal unto them that do receive it. Neither the nature of this Power, which is uncapable of such a Delegation, nor the Relation unto Christ of all those who are Pastors of the Church, will admit of an Interposition of Authority by way of Delegation of Power from themselves in other Men, which would make them their Ministers, and not Christs; nor is it consistent