The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

BUT this Election of the Church, doth not actually and immediately instate the persons chosen in the Office whereunto he is chosen; nor give actual Right unto its Exercise. It is required moreover, that he be solemnly set apart unto his Office in and by the Church with Fasting and Prayer. That there should be some kind of peculiar Prayer in the dedication of any unto the Office of the Ministry, is a notion that could never be obliterated in the minds of Men concerned in these ⟨p. 84⟩things, nor cast out of their Practice. Of what sort they have been amongst many we do not now enquire. But there hath been less regard unto the other Duty, namely, that these Prayers should be accompanied with Fasting. But this also is necessary by Virtue of Apostolical Example, Act. 14.23.

THE Conduct of this Work belongs unto the Elders or Officers of the Church, wherein any one is to be so Ordained. It did belong unto extraordinary Officers whilst they were continued in the Church. And upon the Cessation of their Office, it is devolved on the ordinary stated Officers of the Church. It is so, I say, in case there be any such Officer before fixed in the Church, whereunto any one is to be only Ordained. And in case there be none, the Assistance of Pastors or Elders of other Churches may and ought to be desired, unto the Conduct and Regulation of the Duty.

IT is needless to enquire what is the Authoritative influence of this Ordination, into the Communication of Office or Office-Power; whilst it is acknowledged to be indispensably necessary and to belong essentially unto the Call unto Office. For when sundry Duties, as these of Election and Ordination, are required unto the same End, by Virtue of Divine Institution, it is not for me to determine what is the peculiar efficacy of the one or the other, seeing neither of them without the other, hath any at all.