Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 7. So that the Ministry consisting of Duty, Benefit, and Power, (or Authority,) it is caused by Preceptive Obligation, by Liberal Donation, and by Commission. But the last is but compounded of the two first, or a result from them. The Command of God to Paul, e. g. to Preach and do the other works of the Ministry, doth of it self give him Authority to do them. And Gods command to the People to hear and submit, doth concur to make it a Power as to them. And the Nature and ends of the work commanded are such as prove it a Benefit to the Church; and consequentially to the Minister himself. So that all is comprehended in the very imposition of the Duty: By commanding us to preach the word, we are Authorized to do it, and by Doing it we are a Benefit to the Church, by bringing them the Gospel and its Benefits.

Sect. 7. So that the Ministry consisting of Duty, Benefit, and Power, (or Authority,) it is caused by Preceptive Obligation, by Liberal Donation, and by Commission. But the last is but compounded of the two first, or a result from them. The Command of God to Paul, e. g. to Preach and do the other works of the Ministry, doth of it self give him Authority to do them. And Gods command to the People to hear and submit, doth concur to make it a Power as to them. And the Nature and ends of the work commanded are such as prove it a Benefit to the Church; and consequentially to the Minister himself. So that all is comprehended in the very imposition of the Duty: By commanding us to preach the word, we are Autho•ized to do it, and by Doing it we are a Benefit to the Church, by bringing them the Gospel and its Benefits.

Sect. 8. Our Principal work therefore is to find out, on whom Christ imposeth the Duties of Church Ministration: And by what signs of his will, the person himself and the Church may be assured that it is the Will of Christ, that this man shall undertake the doing of these works.