Five disputations of church-government and worship

but only Oversee them all, that they faithfully do their several duties. 2. The Ministers should not hinder the people from their Choice, where both parties nominated are fit, but content themselves with their proper work. 3. The People should not insist upon their choice, if the Ministers to whom it belongeth, do disallow the person, and take him to be unmeet, and refuse to ordain him: because obedience in such cases is their duty, and a duty that cannot tend to their loss: at least not to so much hurt to them as the contrary irregular course may prove to the Church. 4. If Magistrates or Ministers would make the first choice, and urge the people to consent if the person be fit, it is the safest way for the people to obey and consent, though it were better for ⟨p. 257⟩the Rulers to give them more freedom in the choice. 5. If a people be generally ignorant (in too great a measure,) and addicted to unworthy men, or apt to divisions, &c. it is their safest way to desire the Ministers to choose for them. Or if they will not do so, it is the safest way for the Ministers to offer them a man: Yet so that Magistrates and Ministers should expect their Consent, and not set any man over them as their Pastor without consent some way procured. 6. But if they are no Church, but uncalled persons, and it be not a Pastor of a Church, but a Preacher to Convert men, and sit them for a Church-state, that is to be settled, then may the Magistrate settle such a man, and force the people to hear him preach. 7. If Necessity require not the contrary, the matter should be delayed, till Magistrate▪ Ministers and people do agree. 8. The chosen Pastors should decide the case themselves: They should not accept the place, and Consent, till all be agreed, unless there be a Necessity. And if there be, then the greatest necessity should most sway. If the Magistrate resist, he will forcibly prohibit and hinder you from preaching. If the Ministers resist, they will deny you the right hand of fellowship. If the people resist, they will not hear nor join in worship nor obey. All these if possible should be avoided. The Peoples consent (to a Pastor of a Church) is of Necessity. We cannot do the work of Pastors without it. And therefore neither Magistrates or Ministers can drive us on where this is wanting (unless it be only to seek it, or only to do the work of Preachers to men without.)

but only Oversee them all, that they faithfully do their several duties. 2. The Ministers should not hinder the people from their Choice, where both parties nominated are fit, but content themselves with their proper work. 3. The People should not insist upon their choice, if the Ministers to whom it belongeth, do disallow the person, and take him to be unmeet, and refuse to ordain him: because obedience in such cases is their duty, and a duty that cannot tend to their loss: at least not to so much hurt to them as the contrary irregular course may prove to the Church. 4. If Magistrates or Ministers would make the first choice, and urge the people to consent if the person be fit, it is the safest way for the people to obey and consent, though it were better for