r740 'opted fuccefion, or prefent true Ordination is not ofNeceffi- ty to the being of the Miniilry, Church or Ordinances quoad Ecclefiam : for the Church is bound to obey the ufurpers, and that as long as they are taken for truePaítors. Which is as much as molt. Churches will delire in the cafe. Se&. 25. And the confequence is eafily proved : For where God obligeth his Churches to the 'obedienceof Pafors (though ufurpers) and to the ufe ofOrdinances and their Miniúration, there will he biefs the Minifiry and thofe Ordinances (to the innocents, that are not guilty ofhis ufurpation) and that obey Godherein. And confequently the Ordinances (hall not be Nullities to them. God would never let his fervarrsupon the ufeofa means which is but a Nullity ; nor wîil he command them to a duty which he will' blatt to 'them when he bath done without their fault. Its none of the Churches fault that the Bifhop or Pallor is an ufurper while they cannot know it , at:d that any of his Predeceffors were ufurpers fence the Apoúies dayes. And therefore where God impo feth duty on theChurch and prefcribethmeans, t as liRptifm, Prayer , the Lords Supper , ChurchFGovernment , &c.. ) it is certain that he will not blaú it, but biefs it to the obe- dient , nor punifh the Church fo for the fecret fin of know not who, committed I know not where nor when, perhapsa thou fand years ago. Se&. 26. Argument 6. As other a&ions ofufurpers are not Nullities to the innocent Church, fo neither is their Ordina nation : and confequendy,thofe that are Ordainel by ufurpers, may be true Ministers. Iftheir Baptizing, Preaching, Pra eF, Confecration and adminifiration of' the Eurhariff,bindingand tooling be not Nullities, it follows undenyably on the fame account that their Ord :nations are not Nullities : and con. fequently, that theyare true Minifters whom they ordain;and fucceIlion of a more regular Ordination is not ofNecetity,to the Minifiry, Church or Ordinances. Se& 27. Argument 7. If fuch uninterrupted fucceflion be not Neceffary to be Known, then is it no Nerfffty to the Being of the Miniflry or Validity ofOrdinances admfnifired; But fuch a fucceflìon is not Neceffary o be known : there fore- ------The Confequence of the Major is plain, be caufc
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