The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. IT is granted, that a Man endowed with Spiritual Gifts for the Preaching of the Gospel, may be set apart by Fasting and Prayer unto that Work, when he may be orderly called unto it in the Providence of God. For, (1.) Such an one hath a Call unto it materially in the Gifts which he hath received, warranting him unto the exercise of them for the Edification of others, as he hath occasion, 1 Pet. 4.10, 11. 1 Cor. 14.12. Setting apart unto an important Work by Prayer is a moral Duty, and useful in Church Affairs in an especial manner, Act. 13.12. (2.) A public Testimony unto the Approbation of a Person undertaking the Work of Preaching, is necessary. (1.) Unto the Communion of Churches, that he may be received in any of them as is occasion; of which sort were the Letters of Recommendation in the Primitive Church, 1 Cor. 16.3. 2 Cor. 3.1. 3 Joh. 9. (2.) Unto the safety of them, amongst whom he may exercise his Gifts, that they be not imposed on by false Teachers or Seducers. Nor would the Primitive Church allow, nor is it allowable in the Communion of Churches, that any Person not so testified unto, not so sent ⟨p. 111⟩and warranted, should undertake constantly to Preach the Gospel.

1. IT is granted, that a Man endowed with Spiritual Gifts for the Preaching of the Gospel, may be set apart by Fasting and Prayer unto that Work, when he may be orderly called unto it in the Providence of God. For, (1.) Such an one hath a Call unto it materially in the Gifts which he hath received, warranting him unto the exercise of them for the Edification of others, as he hath occasion, 1 Pet. 4.10, 11.