On these suppositions, in a society absolutely voluntary, among * Not attainable ? — Ed.
THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. 67
those who in their conjunction into it by their own consent are every way equal, there can but three things be required unto the actual constitution of rule and office among them : —
And the first is, That there be some among them that are fitted and qualified for the discharge of such an office in a peculiar man- ner above others. This is previous unto all government, beyond that which is purely natural and necessaiy: " Principio rerum, gentium nationumque imperium penes reges erat; quos ad fastigium hujus majestatis, non ambitio popularis, sed spectata inter bonos moderatio provehebat," Just., lib. i. cap. i. So it was in the world, so it was in the church: "Prsesident probati quique seniores, honorera istum non pretio, sed testimonio adepti," Tertul. This preparation and furni- ture of some persons with abilities and meet qualifications for office and work in the church the Lord Christ hath taken on himself, and doth and will • effect it in all generations. Without this there can be neither office, nor rule, nor order in the church.
Secondly, Whereas there is a new relation to be made or created between a pastor, bishop, or elder, and the church, which was not be- fore between them (a bishop and a church, a pastor and a flock, are relata), it must be introduced at the same time by the mutual voluntary acts of one another, or of each party ; for one of the relata can, as such, have no being or existence without the other. Now, this can no othei'wise be but by the consent and voluntary subjec- tion of the church unto persons so antecedently qualified for office, according to the law and will of Christ; for it cannot be done by the delegation of power and authority from any other superior or equal unto them that do receive it. Neither the nature of this power, which is incapable of such a delegation, nor the relation unto Christ of all those who are pastors of the church, will admit of an interposition of authority by way of delegation of power from them- selves in other men ; which would make them their ministers and not Christ's. Nor is it consistent with the nature of such a voluntary society. This, therefore, can no way be done but by free choice, election, consent, or approbation. It cannot, I say, be so regularly. ITow far an irregularity herein may vitiate the whole call of a mini- ster we do not now inquire.
Now, this choice or election doth not communicate a power from them that choose unto them that are chosen, as though such a power as that whereunto they are called should be formally inherent in the choosers antecedent unto such choice; for this would make those that are chosen to be their ministers only, and to act all things in their name and by virtue of authority derived from them. It is only an instrumental, ministerial means to instate them in that power and authorit}'^ which is given unto such officers by the constitution and laws of Christ, whose ministers thereon they are. These gifts.
68 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
ofl&ces, and officers, being granted by Christ unto the churches, Eph, iv. 11, 12, wherever there is a church called according to his mind, they do, in and by their choice of them, " submit themselves unto them in the Lord," according unto all the powers and duties where- with they are by him intrusted and whereunto they are called.
Thirdly, It is required that persons so chosen, so submitted unto, be [al]so solemnly separated, dedicated unto, and confirmed in their ofiice by fasting and prayer. As this is consonant unto the light of nature, which directs unto a solemnity in the susception of public officers, — whence proceeds the coronation of kings, which gives them not their title, but solemnly proclaims it, which on many accounts is unto the advantage of government, — so it is ])rescribed unto the church in this case by especial institution. But hereof I shall speak further immediately.
This order of calling men imto the pastoral office, namely, by their previous qualifications for the ministry, whereby a general de- signation of the persons to be called is made by Christ himself, the orderly choice or election of them in a voluntary subjection unto them in the Lord, according to the mind of Christ, by the church itself, followed with solemn ordination, or setting apart vmto the office and discharge of it by prayer with fasting, all in obedience unto the com- mands and institution of Christ, whereunto the communication of office-power and privilege is by law-constitution annexed, is suited unto the light of reason in all such cases, the nature of gospel socie- ties in order or churches, the ends of the ministry, the power com- mitted by Christ unto the church, and confirmed by apostolical prac- tice and example.
Herein we rest, without any further dispute, or limiting the formal cause of the communication of office-power unto any one act or duty of the church, or of the bishops or elders of it. All the three things mentioned are e.ssential thereunto ; and when any of them are utterly neglected, — where they are neither formally nor virtually, — there is no lawful, regular call unto the ministry according to the mind of Christ.