Preaching of Christ opened in a sermon preached at St. Peters Church in the…

3. In separation and solemn consecration unto the function by fasting and prayer, ⟨p. 30⟩commending the persons so approved unto the grace of God, Act. 13. 2. 14. 23. And this done in the Church Assembly, praesente plebe, whose assent and testimony was anciently required, of which we read in Saint Cyprian, Ep. 68. Concil. Carthag. 4. can. 2•. and in Leo. Ep. 89. Hereby the Church are witnesses, and (not declaring their dissent and dissatisfaction) Approvers of what is done. And it was done with the Rite and Ceremony of Imposition of hands, 1 Tim. 5. 23. as importing, 1. A dedication and devoting the person to the Office, Numb. 27. 18. 2. A deriving authority to administer the Office. 3. An imploring the gifts, blessing, protection, custody of the holy Spirit upon them, and commending them to the Grace of God, Act. 14. 26. Thus from Christ and according to his Institution Ministers of the Gospel have their Mission.

2. From him they must receive their Message. He is King in the Church, and they his Ambassadors, who must from him ⟨p. 31⟩only receive their instructions, 2 Cor. 5. 20. they must speak His Words, Ezek. 2. 7. that the Church may have a proof of Christ speaking in them, 2 Cor. 13. 3. and of the Counsel of God delivered by them,