Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 50. Yet do I not plead for Ordination by Neighbour Pasto••, as from a Governing Authority over that particular Church: but as from an interest in the Church Universal, and all its Officers within their reach, and from an interest of Communion with Neighbour Churches.

Sect. 51. And it is observable in Scripture, that the Itinerant Ministers, that were fixed and appropriated to no particular Church, for continuance, (such as the Apostles and Evangelists were, and Titus, Timothy, and such others) had a Principal hand in the work of Ordination wherever they came. It was they that Ordained Elders in every City, in every Church.

Sect. 51. And it is observable in Scripture, that the Itinerant Ministers, that were fixed and appropriated to no particular Church, for continuance, (such as the Apostles and Evangelists were, and Titus, Timothy, and such others) had a Principal hand in the work of Ordination whereever they came. It was they that Ordained Elders in every City, in every Church.

Sect. 52. Prop. 3. If any shall cull out two or three or more of the weakest injudicious, facile Ministers, and procure them to Ordain him, his course is irregular, and his call unsatisfactory, though the formal part be obtained to the full. For it is not for mere formality, but to satisfy the person called, and the ⟨p. 269⟩Church, and to secure the Ministry and sacred works and souls of men, from injury by Usurpers, that God hath appointed the way of Ordination: And therefore it is fraud, and not obedience, for any man so to use it, as to cheat himself and the Church with a formality, and frustrate the Ordinance, and miss its ends.