The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…

Answ. 2. When it is said, no man can give what he hath not received; the light of Nature, the law of Moses, the Gospel of ⟨p. 27⟩Christ, do all of them make a ready answer for us. The law of Nature tells us, It is not necessary, that they that give should always formally have before-hand received that power which they give; it is enough if they have received it virtually: For instance, a multitude of free people may elect and ordain a King over them, and yet none of them had before hand received Kingly power; it is enough they have a virtual power, to set up and to submit unto any lawful form of government, which they see good for themselves in the land. The people of Israel (to wit, some in the name of the rest, for all could not at once) impose their hands upon the Levites, Numb. 8.10. and yet they were not Levites themselves, nor had received imposition of hands themselves, and yet may nevertheless impose hands upon others. In the Gospel of Christ, the power of the Keys is given to the Church, to Peter, not as an Apostle, nor as an Elder, but as a profest believer; in the name of believers, and upon occasion of the profession of his faith, Mat. 16.16. to 19. whereupon the binding and loosing (which is the power of the Keys) is attributed to the whole Church, Mat. 18.17, 18. If then the power of the Keys which is the whole body of Church-power, be given to the body of the Church, though it be not in their power to exercise their pastoral preaching of the Word, and administering of the Sacraments, yet it is in their power to elect such whom God hath furnished with gifts among them unto such offices as may dispense all the holy things of God to them; and by imposition of hands, to dedicate them to God, and to the public service of his Church. Now if the whole Church have this power to impose hands upon their officers, in their first ordination, how can it seem a strange and unheard of thing, or an absurd matter, that ruling Elders should together with the Pastor and Teachers, (all of them making up the Presbytery of the Church) impose hands in the name of the Lord, and of the Church upon the ordained?

Answ. 2. When it is said, no man can give what hee hath not received; the light of Nature, the law of Moses, the Gospel of