A61661:42
The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God
The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God by Solomon Stoddard ...
London: printed for Ralph Smith, 1700
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Besides, it is the Privilege of all free Societies to choose their own Officers; such Countries as are conquered don't choose their own Rulers, nor such Countries where the Government is Hereditary, but such as are free, neither under the Power of Conquerors, nor the Bond of a Covenant do choose their own Officers either mediately or immediately: All the Power that Men have over a free People is by their own consent, directly or indirectly, excepting such cases wherein God is pleased to •oint Rulers, or some who shall appoint Rulers over them; God appointed Aaron and his Posterity to the Office of the Priesthood in Israel, but God hath not appointed any Officers in Churches now, neither hath he appointed any that shall impose Officers over them, but hath left them to their free choice.
Besides, it is the Priviledge of all free Societies to choose their own Officers; such Countrys as are conquer'd don't chuse their own Rulers, nor such Countrys where the Government is Hereditary, but such as are free, neither under the Power of Conqueroes, nor the Bond of a Covenant do choose their own Officers either mediately or immediately: All the Power that Men have over a free People is by their own consent, directly or indirectly, excepting such cases wherein God is pleased to •oint Rulers, or some who shall appoint Rulers over them; God appointed Aaron and his Posterity to the Office of the Priesthood in Israel, but God hath not appointed any Officers in Churches now, neither hath he appointed any that shall impose Officers over them, but hath left them to their free choice.
Yea, where a Church hath teaching, or Ruling Elders, or both, there is no necessity that they should consent to the choice, if they do not consent, yet if there be the consent of the Major part, the choice is valid; the Officers ought to submit thereto, unless they have some weighty Objection, the Act of the Major part, is the Act of the Community, that which is the Privilege of the Community, ⟨p. 10⟩must not be wrested out of their hands; It is beyond the Power of the Officers to disannul their Act.