SECTION III. 23 therefore, in some cases be a power of ordination vested in the minister and people themselves, without the absolute necessity of recourse to others, and this is called a mere independent, or a popular ordination ; as that by bishops is called episcopal,and that by elders, presbyterian. 6. Will it not follow, from all these premises, that when there are no inspired persons iu a church, and the christian assemblies are left to the ordinary ways of supporting themselves from age to age, and of supplying themselves with officers for their edification, these church - affairs are to be conducted by such plain rules and dictates of the light of nature and common pru- dence, as are mentioned before, and which, in the days of extraordinary gifts, were never contradicted ; . though those extraordinary gifts, at that time, might sometimes supersede the necessity of some of these prudential rules : Yet always, keeping an eye to the conduct of the primitive churches, so far as the extraordinary persons and gifts, orders and actions, in those times, did not plainly interpose, to superadd any thing aboyé and beyond what was practicable and proper in ordinary cases ; and always taking care that nothing be imposed as necessary, but what scripture, and the plain reason of things, have evi- dently made so ; and managing all other prudential concerns by the joint opinion and consent of the society itself? I think, if we act by this rule, we cannot displease Christ our Lord, even though we should- happen to mistake in some lit- tle formalities. 7. Though the people in the uninspired ages of the church must always chuse their own officers, and perhaps, in some un- common cases, may ordain them' alone; yet, since in all the rules, directions, and. examples, which we have in the New Testaments, about the ordination or mission of any new officers, there is mention made of some superior person or persons, apos- tles or evangelists, elders, prophets, or teachers, appointing or ordaining them, or praying for them, or conferring gifts upon them, or committing the gospel to them, or laying hands on them ; and since there is not any one appointment, mission, or ordination, either of deacons or ministers, that I know of, in the New Testament, without soine one or more of these things, I am ready to think this might be so far an example to us, as that we should not toe easily and readily encourage the ordina- tions of new ministers, to be performed totally and merely by the people, without some person or persons of superior charac- ters, that is, bishops or elders, engaged with them in this work ; except only, as was said before, jn cases of such necessity, where the concurrence and assistance of such elders as are sound in the faith, and pious in life, could not be obtained. Though popular ordinations may be valid, and may be sometimes necessary, yet
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