167) as this Obje&ion meaneth, in the Church : that is, 1. Such as are noì Ordained, but come in by meer Ele&ion. 2. And fuch as have the Power of Difcipline and Overtight without Autho- rity tb preach or admitaifer the Sacraments. I think thefeare but humane creatures ; though I doubt not but there may be filch as AE1ually fhillforbear preaching and adminiftration of the Sacraments, when forme of their colleagus are fitter for ir. Se&. 44. But 2. If fuch an Office c474 be proved, I defpair of feeing it proved fromScripture, that they have authority to Ordain. 3. And how can they have Authority, when molt of them have not Ability? And I think it is fuppofed that they have not Ability to Preach, in them that deny them Authority: and if they want Ability to Preach, its two to one but they want Abi- lity to Try and Approve of Preachers. 4. And howcome they to have Power to Ordain others, that are not Ordained themfelves, but are admitted uponbare Elc&ion ? 5. And this courte would proftitute the Churchesto unworthy men, as aforefaid. Seth. 45. And 4. It is not a contetnptib'e Confideration, that the chief Paftor of every particular Church bath ever fince the facondCenturyat leaft, been Ordained by the Paftors of other Churches. And how it was before, we have but ve- ry defective Evidence, except fo much as is left us in the Holy Scriptures, of which we have fpoke before, Se& 46. And 5. The Church of Chrift is a Chain of many links : a Society united in Chrift the Head, confifting as a Repub- like of many Corporations, or as an Acedemy of many Col- ledges : and a greater Union and Communion is requifite among them, then among the parts of any other Society in the world. And therefore feeing it is the duty of Neighbour Pallorsand Churches, according to theirCapacity to holdCommunion with that particular Churchand its Pastors, it Teems reaforiable, that they have force antecedentCognifance and Approbation of the perfons that they are to holdCommunionwith. Se&. 47. And 6. It is cor,fderable alto, that whoever is according to Chrif s inftitution Ordained a Minister of a parti- cular Church, is withall (if not before) Ordained a Minifer imply ; that is, one that ray as a feparatedNle11enger of Chri , both preach for the Converfion of thole without, and gather Churches where there are none, andd pro tempore do theOffice
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