Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 2. For the right understanding of what is to be said, I must again remember you, that though it be not at the Ordainers will to deprive the Church of Ministers, and it is none of the Question which they have to resolve, Whether the Church shall have Ministers or none (and therefore there may be Ministers without them, if they would hinder or refuse;) And though it be not the Question which is put to their decision, What kind of Ministers the Church shall have (for that Christ hath determined of;) nor yet what Qualifications are necessary to them, (for that also Christ hath already set down;) yet is it a great and weighty case that is put to the decision of Ordainers, that is, Whether this man be thus qualified as Christ hath described and required in Ministers? and whether he be the fittest person (or fit at least) for the particular charge to which he is called? And the right determining of this question is a thing that the Churches welfare doth very much do depend upon.

Sect. 3. And therefore it is the decision of this one Question, that Ministers, People and Magistrates themselves, must all contribute their powers and endeavours too in their several places. All that they have to do is but to see that the Churches have fit men, even such as are qualified as God requireth. The People must choose fit men: or consent to them when chosen for them: The Pastors must try them, and Approve them, and only them that are fit: The Magistrate must encourage, assist and defend fit men, and forbid such as are intolerably unfit, and not permit them to abuse the name and Ordinances of Christ, and wrong his Church.

Sect. 4. This treble guard at the door of the Church doth much tend to its security, and preservation from the great evils that intruders may introduce. And each party of the three hath a special interest which should make them careful of the business. 1. The people have great reason to have a hand in it, and to be careful: For it is their Souls for which their Overseers watch, and their Salvation that is concerned in it. And he that will not trust his Son with any Tutor without due choice, nor his state with every Lawyer, nor his body with every Physician, no nor his land, or cattle with every servant, but will choose the