( 133) Miniftry, nor can any Ordination make him a true Mini- fier. Sea.8. Ifyou demand my proof, it isfrom the common prim. cìples that r .Theform cannot be receivedbut into adifpofed capable matter : but fuch are no difpofed capable matter: therefore , c, 2. The office isfor the work,. and therefore prefuppofetha Capacity and ability for the work. The office contained: r. Ass Obligation to the`Duay : But no man can be obliged to do that which is Naturally Impofíible tohim( though a Moral Impofhbility may Eland with an obligation toduty,and a Natural only as founded in the Moral) z. It containeth an .Authority or Power to do the work,: But fuch Power (which is but a Right ofexcercifing Naturall Abilitie,,) Both prefuppofe the Abilities to be exercifed : Natural Power, is prefuppofed to Civil Authority. 3. It is Effential to fuch Relations that they be for their Ends : And therefore where there is an apparent in- capacity for the end,there is as apparent an incapacicy of the Re- lation. But enough ofthis. Sect. 9. z. A Minifier is (an officer of Chrifl, ] and there- fore receiveth his Authority from him, and can have none but what he thus recieves. And therefore 1. He bath noSoveraignry or Lordfhipover theChurch,for that is the perogativeofChrift. 2. He bath no degree of underived Power, and therefore muff prove his Power, and producebis Commitlion before he canex- pect the Church to acknowledge it. 3. He bath no Power to work againft Chrifl, or to deflroy the fouls of men: or to do evil : ( Though hebath a Power by which occafìonally be may be advantaged toevil, yet bath he noAuthority to do it :) For Chrif giveth no man power to fin , nor to do any thing againft himfelf. q.. He deriveth not his authority from man (though by man , as an inflrument, or occafion, he may) ThePeople give himnot his Power : The Magiftrategives it not : The Or- dainers (Bifhops or Presbyters) give it not, any further then ( as I thall thewanon) by fignifying the will of Cbrift thatin- (Led giveth it, and by inveflingmen in it by folemn delivery. TheChoofers may nominate the perfon that fhall receive it ; and the Magiftrate may encourage him to accept it; and the Or- dainers may Approve him and Inveft him in it : but it is Chri.ft only that gives the Power as from himfelf. M in MVíarriage,the S 3 perfona
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