The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…

The truth hereof may appear by these Arguments. 1 In point of ordination. From the complete integrity of a Ministers calling (oven to the satisfaction of his own and the peoples conscience) when both the Brethren and the Elders of the particular Church whereto he is called, have put forth the power which belongeth to them about him. As, when the Brethren of the Church have chosen him to office, and the Presbytery of the Church have laid their hands upon him: and both of them in their several acts have due respect to the inward ministerial gifts whereunto God hath furnished him: he may then look at himself as called by the holy Ghost, to exercise his talents in that office amongst them, and the people may and ought to receive him, as sent of God to them.

The truth hereof may appear by these Arguments. 1 In point of ordination. From the compleat integritie of a Ministers calling (oven to the satisfaction of his own and the peoples conscience) when both the Brethren and the Elders of the particular Church whereto he is called, have put forth the power which belongeth to them about him. As, when the Brethren of the Church have chosen him to office, and the Presbyterie of the Church have laied their hands upon him: and both of them in their severall acts have due respect to the inward ministeriall gifts whereunto God hath furnished him: he may then look at himself as called by the holy Ghost, to exercise his talents in that office amongst them, and the people may and ought to receive him, as sent of God to them.

What defect may be found in such a call, when the Brethren exercise their lawful liberty, and the Elders their lawful authority, ⟨p. 38⟩in his ordination, and nothing more is required to the complete integrity of a Ministers calling? If it be said there wanted imposition of hands by the Bishop, who succeedeth in the place of Timothy and Titus, whom the Apostle Paul left the one in Ephesus, the other in Crete, to ordain Elders in many Churches. Tit. 1.5.