(149) is ; given by a Minifterial traditionof a Key or Po fefon of Land by Minifterial delivery of a twig and a turf, or as a Souldier is lifted, aKing Crowned, Marriage Solemnized, after confent and Title, ioorder to a more folemn obligation, and p!e nary poífefon;fuch is our Ordination. Se&. z6. Hence it appeareth that as the Ordainersarenot ap- pointed to Judge whether the Church thall have Ordinances and Minifters or not ( no more then to judge whether we (hall have aChrift and heaven,or not:)but who (hall be the man; fo it is not to the Being ofthe Miniftry fimply,and in all Cafes that Ordination is neceffary, but to the fafe being and order of admittance, that the Church be not damnified by intruders. Se&. 27. Ordination therefore is Gods orderly andordinary means of a Regular admittance ; and to be fought and ufed where it may be had ( as the folemnizing ofMarriage.) And it is a fin to negle& it wilfully, and fo it is ufually neceffary ne- ceftate Precepti, & ZQceffitate medii ad ordinem & bene effe. But it is not of abfolute Neceflity Neceffitate medii ad effe Mini- fizer..ii,or to the Validity or Succefs ofouur officeand Mintftrations totheChurch ; nor in cafes ofneceffity,when it cannot be had, is it neceffary necefsitate pracepti neither. This is the plain truth, Se&. 28. There are great and weighty Reafons of Chrifts committing Ordination to Paftors, I. Becaufe they are moft Able to judge of mens fitnefs, when the People may be igno- rant of it. a. Becaufe they are men doubly Devoted to the Churchand workof God themfelves, and,therefore-may be fup- poled ( regularly) tohave the greateft care and moft impartial refpeâ to the Churchand caufe ofGod 3 .And they muft (regu- lary) he fuppofed to be menof greateft piety and and holinefs(or elfe they are not wellchofen.) 4. And they being fewer ,- are fit- ter tokeep Unity, when the people arc dually divided in their. choice. 5. And of every man fhouldenter the Minittryofhim- Pelf that will judge hímfelf fit, and can but get a people to -> accept him,moft certainly the worft wouldbe oft forward& to men, (before they are Cent,) and for want of humility would think themfelves fitteft ( the common cafe of the Proud andIg- norant ) and the People would be too commonly poifoned by heretical fmooth.tongueed men ; or more commonly would pleafeandundoe thetoielves, by :hoofing them that have moft 11 3 inter4.
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