Five disputations of church-government and worship

Many of the Ancients (Tertullian by name, and the Council of Eliberis) thought that in case of Necessity, a Lay-man (though not a Woman) may Baptize: If that be granted, yet must not men therefore pretend a Necessity where there is none. But I am satisfied 1. That Baptism by a a private man, is not eo nomine a Nullity, nor to be done again: 2. And yet that it is not only a part of the Ministers work to Baptize and approve them that are to be Baptized, ex officio, but that it is one of the greatest and highest actions of his office: Even an eminent exercise ⟨p. 136⟩of the Keys of the Kingdom, letting men into the Church of Christ: it being a principal part of their Trust and power to judge who is meet to be admitted to the Privileges and fellowship of the Saints.

Many of the Ancients (Tertullian by name, and the Council of Eliberis) thought that in case of Necessity, a Lay-man (though not a Woman) may Baptize: If that be granted, yet must not men therefore pretend a Necessity where there is none. But I am satisfied 1. That Baptism by a a private man, is not eo nomine a Nullity, nor to be done again: 2. And yet that it is not only a part of the Ministers work to Baptize and approve them that are to be Baptized, ex officio, but that it is one of the greatest and highest actions of his office: Even an eminent exercise ⟨p. 136⟩of the Keyes of the Kingdom, letting men into the Church of Christ: it being a principal part of their Trust and power to judge who is meet to be admitted to the Priviledges and fellowship of the Saints.

Sect. 17. 10. The third part of the Ministers work is about the Baptized, that are only entered into the universal Church (for many such there are,) or else the unbaptized that are Discipled, where the former work and this are done at once: And that is, to congregate the Disciples into particular Churches for Holy Communion in Gods Worship, &c. They must do part of this themselves in Execution. But he leads them the way, by Teaching them their duty, and provoking them to it, and directing them in the execution, and oft-times offering himself or another to be their Teacher, and Leading them in the Execution. So that it belongeth to his office to gather a Church, or a member to a Church.