A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answer [sic] to the…A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answeer [sic] to the…

The Church by congregational Principles, we conceive, cannot so give up their Power of Election in any one Instance, into the Hands of particular Persons, therein constituting them their Officers, to exercise for 'em a Power that is originally in themselves; and that because […] Part of their Power of Privilege, which by congregational Principles they ought to stand fast in and in no Instance to give up to others: The Power of Privilege and the Power of Office, both, by congregational Principles, are originally in the Brotherhood, but with this Difference, that Christ has given them the Power of Office, not to be exercised by themselves, but to be exercised by some particular Member, to whom they shall commit their Power, so constituting him their Officer, ⟨p. 37⟩to exercise this Power for them: But the Power of Privilege is so given them by Christ to be in them formally and immediately so as it may be exercised by themselves, as is evident by the Platform, Chap. V. Sect. II. But when once they have given it away, tho' it be but in one Instance, it ceases to be in them, in that Instance formally and immediately, 'tis in them no otherwise than the Power of Office, and can't be exercised immediately by themselves. This Power of Privilege therefore can never, in any Part of it, be given up to particular Persons, but ever remains with the Brotherhood; which further appears by the Platform, Chap. X. Sect. XI. From the Premises, viz That the ordinary Power of Government belonging only to the Elders, Power of Privilege REMAINETH with the Brotherhood, as the Power of Judgment in Matters of Censure, and Powers of Liberty in Matters of Liberty. And then this is against the Power of Privileges, for a Church thus to give up their Power of Election in any Instance to particular Persons another Way; for 'tis a Power of Privilege that is vested in every Brother to have a Hand in the Election, and one Way wherein they have a Right to have a Hand in it is, to have Liberty of offering their Objections to the rest of their Brethren, against those that are nominated before they are chosen: But if the Church don't choose at all, but give away their Power to particular Persons, they will have no Opportunity for this: As in this Case there was no Mention made in the Church-meeting, who were to be chosen; and those who would have objected had no Opportunity for it.

The Church by congregational Principles, we conceive, cannot so give up their Power of Election in any one Instance, into the Hands of particular Persons, therein constituting them their Officers, to exercise for 'em a Power that is originally in themselves; and that because Part of their Power of Priviledge, which by congregational Principles they ought to stand fast in and in no Instance to give up to others: The Power of Priviledge and the Power of Office, both, by congregational Principles, are originally in the Brotherhood, but with this Difference, that Christ has given them the Power of Office, not to be exercised by themselves, but to be exercised by some particular Member, to whom they shall commit their Power, so constituting him their Officer,