Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 43. If any say, that the Ruling Elders may concur, I answer. Though I make no great matter of it, nor would not raise a contention about it, yet I must say, that I never yet saw any satisfactory proof, that ever God did institute such Elders ⟨p. 267⟩as this Objection meaneth, in the Church: that is, 1. Such as are not Ordained, but come in by mere Election 2. And such as have the Power of Discipline and Oversight without Authority to preach or administer the Sacraments. I think these are but humane creatures; though I doubt not but there may be such as Actually shall forbear preaching and administration of the Sacraments, when some of their colleagues are fitter for it.

Sect. 43. If any say, that the Ruling Elders may concur, I answer. Though I make no great matter of it, nor would not raise a contention about it, yet I must say, that I never yet saw any satisfactory proof, that ever God did institute such Elders ⟨p. 267⟩as this Objection meaneth, in the Church: that is, 1. Such as are not Ordained, but come in by meer Election 2. And such as have the Power of Discipline and Oversight without Authority to preach or administer the Sacraments. I think these are but humane creatures; though I doubt not but there may be such as Actually shall forbear preaching and administration of the Sacraments, when some of their colleagus are fitter for it.

Sect. 44. But 2. If such an Office can be proved, I despair of seeing it proved from Scripture, that they have authority to Ordain. 3. And how can they have Authority, when most of them have not Ability? And I think it is supposed that they have not Ability to Preach, in them that deny them Authority: and if they want Ability to Preach, its two to one but they want Ability to Try and Approve of Preachers. 4. And how come they to have Power to Ordain others, that are not Ordained themselves, but are admitted upon bare Election? 5. And this course would prostitute the Churches to unworthy men, as aforesaid.