The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

INDEED, the Concessions that are made, that this Ancient Practice of the Church, in the peoples choosing their own Officers (which to deny, is all one as to deny that the Sun gives Light at Noon-day) is, as unto its Right, by various degrees transferred unto Popes, Patrons and Bishops, with a Representation in a mere Pageantry, of the peoples liberty to make Objections against them that are to be Ordained, are as fair a concession of the gradual Apostasy of Churches from their Original Order and Constitution, as need be desired.

INDEED, the Concessions that are made, that this Ancient Practice of the Church, in the peoples choosing their own Officers (which to deny, is all one as to deny that the Sun gives Light at Noon-day) is, as unto its Right, by various degrees transferred unto Popes, Patrons and Bishops, with a Representation in a meer Pageantry, of the peoples liberty to make Objections against them that are to be Ordained, are as fair a concession of the gradual Apostacy of Churches from their Original Order and Constitution, as need be desired.

THIS Power and Right which we assign unto the people, is not to act it self only in a subsequent consent unto one that is Ordained, in the acceptance of him to be their Bishop or Pastor. How far that may salve the defect and disorder of the omission of previous Elections, and so preserve the Essence of the Ministerial Call, I do not now enquire. But that which we plead for, is, the Power and Right of Election to be exercised previously unto the solemn Ordination or setting apart of any unto the Pastoral Office, communicative of Office-Power in its own kind unto the person chosen.

THIS is part of that contest which for sundry Ages filled most Countries of Europe with broils and disorders. Neither is there yet an end put unto it. But in this present discourse we are not in the least concerned in these things. For our Enquiry is what State and Order of Church-Affairs is declared and represented unto us in the Scripture. And therein there is not the least intimation of any of those things from whence this Controversy did arise, and whereon it doth depend. Secular Endowments, Jurisdictions, Investiture, Rights of Presentation, and the like, with respect unto the Evangelical Pastoral Office, or its exercise in any place, which are the subject of these Contests, are foreign unto all things that are directed in the Scriptures concerning them, nor can be reduced unto any thing that belongs unto them. Wherefore, whether this JVS PATRONATVS be consistent with Gospel-Institutions; whether it may be continued with respect unto Lands, Tithes and Benefices; or how it may be reconciled unto the Right of the People in the Choice of their own Ecclesiastical Officers,