The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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 ⟨p. 77⟩with the nature of such a voluntary Society. This therefore can no way be done, but by free Choice, Election, Consent or Approbation. It cannot, I say, be so regularly. How far an Irregularity herein may vitiate the whole Call of a Minister, we do not now enquire.

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 Superiour 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 ⟨p. 77⟩with the nature of such a voluntary Society. This therefore can no way be done, but by free Choice, Election, Consent or Approbation. It cannot, I say, be so regularly. How far an Irregularity herein may vitiate the whole Call of a Minister, we do not now enquire.