A third instance of the Christian people electing their ecclesiastical officers, relates to the joint travels of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra and places around, Acts xiv. 23. These two divinely directed messengers of Christ, having ordained (or, as properly translated from the Greek, _through suffrages or votes constituted) them elders_ (presbyters) _in every city, and prayed with fasting, commended them to the Lord_. Here it is plainly marked that these elders, _presbyters_, were chosen by _suffrages (votes)_ in order to ordination. This the Greek word in our version, by the fraud of the English bishops rendered _had ordained_, plainly imports. The root of this word is borrowed from the custom of giving votes at Athens and elsewhere in Greece, by lifting up of the hand. Wherever it is used in the Greek Testament, and for anything we know in every Greek author, not posterior to Luke, the writer of the Acts, it constantly implies _to give vote or suffrage_. In the text before us it agrees with Paul and Barnabas; because they presided in the choice, and finished the design of it by ordination. Here, moreover, it is evident that the persons chosen for elders _(presbyters)_ were set apart to their office, not by a hurried prayer and riotous banquet, but _by prayer and fasting:_ and this manner of choice and ordination was used in every church. The very performance of the work of ordination in public conjunction with the church tacitly infers their consent. Christ's commanding his people _to try the spirits_, to try false prophets, and to flee from them, 1 John iv. 1, 2, necessarily imports a right to choose the worthy, and reject the vile; to choose what suits our edification, and to reject what doth not; for, if we must receive whoever is imposed, there is no occasion for trial, we can have no other. The privilege of trial here allowed to his people by Christ plainly supposes their having some ability for it; and, by a diligent perusal of his word, and consulting his ministers, they may become more capable. Has our adored Redeemer thus intrusted to his adult members the election of their pastors? at what peril or guilt do any ministers or laics concur to bereave them thereof, thrusting men into the evangelic office by another way; thus constituting them spiritual _thieves_ and _robbers_? Instead of being _gentle_ to church members, as a _nurse cherisheth her children_; instead of _condescending to men of low degree_, and _doing all things to the glory of God_ and the _edification of souls_, is not this to set at naught their brethren; exercise lordly dominion over the members of Christ; and rule them with rigor?