Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 18. And I am confident if the judicious godly people had their choice, from the experience of what is for their good, they would commonly choose a fixed President or chief Pastor in every Church. Yea I see, that they will not ordinarily endure that it should be otherwise. For when they find that God doth usually qualify one above the rest of their Teachers, they will hardly consent that the rest have an equal power over them. I have seen even a sober unanimous Godly people, refuse so much as to give their hands to an assistant Presbyter whom yet they loved, honoured and obeyed, though they were urged hard by him that they preferred, and all from a loathness that there should be a parity. I know not one Congregation to my remembrance, that hath many Ministers, but would have one be chief.

§. 18. And I am confident if the judicious godly people had their choice, from the experience of what is for their good, they would commonly choose a fixed President or chief Pastor in every Church. Yea I see, that they will not ordinarily endure that it should be otherwise. For when they find that God doth usually qualifie one above the rest of their Teachers, they will hardly consent that the rest have an equal power over them. I have seen even a sober unanimous Godly people, refuse so much as to give their hands to an assistant Presbyter whom yet they loved, honoured and obeyed, though they were urged hard by him that they preferred, and all from a loathness that there should be a parity. I know not one Congregation to my remembrance, that hath many Ministers, but would have one be chief.

§. 19. Object. But, (the Prelatical men will say) our Parishes are not capable of this, because they have commonly but one Pastor, nor have maintenance for more. Answ. 1. Though the greater number have but one yet it is an ordinary case to have two, or three, or more, where there are Chapels in the Parish, and the Congregations great, as in Market Towns. And if ever we have Peace and a settled faithful Magistrate that will do his part ⟨p. 315⟩