The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

THIS Order of calling Men unto the Pastoral Office, namely by their previous Qualifications for the Ministry, whereby a general designation of the Persons to be called is made by Christ himself; the orderly Choice or Election of him in a voluntary subjection unto him in the Lord, according to the Mind of Christ, by the Church it self; followed with solemn Ordination, or setting apart unto the Office and discharge of it by ⟨p. 78⟩Prayer with Fasting, all in obedience unto the Commands and Institution of Christ, whereunto the communication of Office-Power and Privilege, is by Law-constitution annexed, is suited unto the light of Reason, in all such cases, the nature of Gospel Societies in Order or Churches; the ends of the Ministry, the Power committed by Christ unto the Church, and confirmed by Apostolical Practice and Example.

HEREIN we rest, without any further dispute or limiting the Formal Cause of the Communication of Office-Power unto any one Act or Duty of the Church, or of the Bishops or Elders of it. All the three things mentioned are essential thereunto; and when any of them are utterly neglected, where they are neither formally nor virtually, there is no lawful regular Call unto the Ministry according to the Mind of Christ.

THIS Order was a long time observed in the Ancient Church inviolate; and the foot-steps of it may be traced through all Ages of the Church; although it first gradually decayed, then was perverted and corrupted, until it issued (as in the Roman Church) in a Pageant and Show, instead of the Reality of the things themselves: For the Trial and Approbation of spiritual Endowments previously necessary unto the Call of any, was left unto the Pedantic Examination of the Bishops Domestics, who knew nothing of them in themselves; the Election and Approbation of the people was turned into a mock-show in the sight of God and Men, a Deacon calling out, That if any had Objections against him who was to be Ordained, they should come forth and speak; Whereunto another cries out of a corner by compact, He is learned and worthy; and Ordination was esteemed to consist only in the outward sign of Imposition of Hands, with some other Ceremonies annexed thereunto, whereby, without any other