The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…

Answ. The places Math. 16. and 18. give, to some power ministerial to bind and loose, open and shut, by preaching the Gospel, and administering the Sacraments, as to stewards the Keys of an house are given: but this power is given to Elders o•ely, by evidence of the place, and exposition of all Divines. 2. If the ministerial power and the warrantable exercise thereof, be given to all; then are all Ministers; for the faculty and exercise doth denominate the subject and agent; but that is false by ^dScripture. 2. That all the hundred and twenty did ordain• Matthias an Apostle, Act. 1. is not said, they did nominate and present him. 2. they did choose him. But authoritative separation for the Office was Christs and his Apostles work. 3. That women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, v. 14. being there, had voice, and exercised authority in ordaining an Apostle cannot be orderly. Yea the Apostles names are se• down, and these words, V. 23. and they appointed two, are relative to v. 17. these words, For he was numbered with us the Apostles, and to these V. 21. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us, &c. and to these v. 22. must one be ordained to be witness with us of his resurrection, and they appointed two, that is, the Apostles; and the rest are set down as witnesses, v. 14. These continued, that is the Apostles, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, &c. The women and others were only consenters. 3. Here is no probation, that only a company of believers wanting Pastors are ordainers of Matthias to the Apostleship, and this is the question. 4. The place Act. 14. 23. proveth that Elders appoint or ordain Elder. with consent, or lifting up of the hands of the people, which is our very doctrine. 5. Act. 6▪ The multitude are directed to choose out seven men, as being best acquainted with them. Yet if Nicholas, the sect master of the fleshly Nicolaitans was one of them; it is likely they were not satisfied in conscience of the regeneration of Nicholas, by hearing his spiritual conference and his gift of praying, which is your way of trying Church-members. But 2. they look out seven men. 2. They choose the. But v. 6. The Apostles prayed, and laid their hands on them (which we call ordination) and not the multitude. 6. Cyprian give election of Priests to the multitude, but neither Cyprian, nor any of the Fathers give ordination to them.