The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

3. NO Church whatever hath power to Ordain Men Ministers for the Conversion of Infidels. Since the Cessation of extraordinary Officers and Offices, the care of that Work is devolved merely on the providence of God, being left without the verge of Church-Institutions. God alone can send and warrant Men for the undertaking of that Work. Nor can any Man know, or be satisfied in a Call unto that Work, without some previous guidance of Divine Providence leading him thereunto. It is indeed the Duty of all the ordinary Ministers of the Church, to diffuse the knowledge of Christ and the Gospel unto the Heathen and Infidels, among whom, or near unto whom their Habitation is cast; and they have all manner of Divine Warranty for their so doing; as many worthy Persons have done effectually in New England. And it is the Duty of every true Christian, who may be cast among them by the providence of God, to instruct them according unto his Ability in the knowledge of the Truth: But it is not in the power of any Church, or any sort of ordinary Officers, to Ordain a Person unto the Office of the Ministry for the Conversion of the Heathen, antecedently unto any designation by Divine Providence thereunto.

3. NO Church whatever hath power to Ordain Men Ministers for the Conversion of Infidels. Since the Cessation of extraordinary Officers and Offices, the care of that Work is devolved meerly on the providence of God, being left without the verge of Church-Institutions. God alone can send and warrant Men for the undertaking of that Work. Nor can any Man know, or be satisfied in a Call unto that Work, without some previous guidance of Divine Providence leading him thereunto. It is indeed the Duty of all the ordinary Ministers of the Church, to diffuse the knowledge of Christ and the Gospel unto the Heathen and Infidels, among whom, or near unto whom their Habitation is cast; and they have all manner of Divine Warranty for their so doing; as many worthy Persons have done effectually in New England. And it is the Duty of every true Christian, who may be cast among them by the providence of God, to instruct them according unto his Ability in the knowledge of the Truth: But it is not in the power of any Church, or any sort of ordinary Officers, to Ordain a Person unto the Office of the Ministry for the Conversion of the Heathen, antecedently unto any designation by Divine Providence thereunto.