5                         17

      Officers are to be called by such churches whereunto

    they are to minister: of such moment is the pre=

    servation of this power, that the churches exercised it

    in the presence of the Apostles: Act.1.23. & 14.23. and

    6.3,5.

    6

      A church being free(a) can not become subject

    to any but by their free Election. Yet when such a

    people do chuse any to be over them in the Lord,

    then do they become subject, & must willingly submit

    themselves(b) to their ministery in the Lord, whom

    they have so chosen. (a) Gal.5.13.  (b) Heb.13.17.

    7

      And if the church have power to choose their officers

    ^& ministers, then in case of manifest unworthinesse & delinquency

    they have power also to depose them. For, to open

    & shut; to choose and refuse, to constitute in office

    & to ^remove [struck through] from office are acts belonging unto

    the same power.

    8

      We judge it much conducing to the welbeing &

    communion of churches, that where it may conveniently

    be done, neighbour churches be advised wthall(a), and

    their help made use of in the trial of church officers,

    in order to their choise.  (a) Cant.8.8,9.

    9

      The choice of such church officers belongs not

    to the Civill magistrate, or magistrates, as such; or

    to diocesan bps or Patrons; For of these or any such

    like, the Scripture is usually silent, as having any

    power therein.

    ¶      Chap. 9. of ordination & Imposition

              of hands

    1

      Church officers are not only to be chosen by ye church