None of all these things will follow; For 1. Most of these Objections do strike as much against imposition of hands by Bishops or Presbyters. 2. Though the Elders do receive the application of their office and of their power by the Church, yet not from the Church; or if from the Church, ministerially only, as instruments unto Christ. So that they cannot choose or ordain whom they please, to what office they please, but whom they see the Lord Jesus hath prepared and fitted for them, and as it were, chosen and ordained to their hands: nor may they enlarge or straiten the limits of his office whom they do elect or ordain, but as the Lord hath prescribed: nor can they give him any errand, but only a Charge to look to the ministry which he hath received from the Lord; nor have they any more Lordly power over him, then he over them, but both ministerial, as they have received from the Lord: neither may they administer Sacraments, in defect of all Officers, because that by appointment from Christ pertaineth only to such as are called by office to preach the Gospel, Mat. 28.19, 20. As for ⟨p. 45⟩mutual instruction and admission, election and ordination of Officers, opening of the doors of the Church by admission of members, and shutting the same by Church-Censures; these things they may do (if need be) without Officers; yea, and if all their Officers were found culpable, either in heretical Doctrine, or scandalous crime, yet the Church hath lawful Authority to proceed to the censure of them all: For they that as a Church might admonish Archippus, (Col. 4.17.) might (in case he had not hearkened to their admonition) have proceeded against him to Excommunication; And they that might so proceed against one of their Officers, might in like sort (upon like ground) proceed against them all, which they could not do if the Church did receive the power of the keys not immediately from Christ, but from the Presbyters: And yet in such cases our Churches are never wont to proceed, but in the presence, and with the consent and approbation of other Churches; as knowing that in such weighty cases, in the multitude of Counsellors there is safety: And as the Church doth not choose any Elders, but in the presence, and with the approbation of other Churches; so neither doth it proceed to the censure of them, but with the like grave and solemn assistance.
None of all these things will follow; For 1. Most of these Objections doe strike as much against imposition of hands by Bishops or Presbyters. 2. Though the Elders doe receive the application of their office and of their power by the Church, yet not from the Church; or if from the Church, ministerially onely, as instruments unto Christ. So that they cannot choose or ordaine whom they please, to what office they please, but whom they see the Lord Jesus hath prepared and fitted for them, and as it were, chosen and ordained to their hands: nor may they inlarge or straiten the limits of his office whom they doe elect or ordaine, but as the Lord hath prescribed: nor can they give him any errand, but onely a Charge to looke to the ministery which he hath received from the Lord; nor have they any more Lordly power over him, then he over them, but both ministeriall, as they have received from the Lord: neither may they administer Sacraments, in defect of all Officers, because that by appointment from Christ pertaineth onely to such as are called by office to preach the Gospel, Mat. 28.19, 20. As for ⟨p. 45⟩mutuall instruction and admission, election and ordination of Officers, opening of the doores of the Church by admission of members, and shutting the same by Church-Censures; these things they may doe (if need be) without Officers; yea, and if all their Officers were found culpable, either in hereticall Doctrine, or scandalous crime, yet the Church hath lawfull Authoritie to proceed to the censure of them all: For they that as a Church might admonish Archippus, (Col. 4.17.) might (in case he had not hearkened to their admonition) have proceeded against him to Excommunication; And they that might so proceed against one of their Officers, might in like sort (upon like ground) proceed against them all, which they could not doe if the Church did receive the power of the keys not immediately from Christ, but from the Presbyters: And yet in such cases our Churches are never wont to proceed, but in the presence, and with the consent and approbation of other Churches; as knowing that in such weightie cases, in the multitude of Counsellors there is safetie: And as the Church doth not choose any Elders, but in the presence, and with the approbation of other Churches; so neither doth it proceed to the censure of them, but with the like grave and solemne assistance.
