Who did the puritans think should elect ministers?

The Puritans believed that the congregation should have a significant role in electing ministers. They emphasized the importance of a "called" ministry, where the congregation would choose their leaders based on spiritual qualifications and divine guidance. This practice reflected their commitment to a congregational form of governance and the belief that individual church members had a direct relationship with God. Ultimately, the election of ministers was seen as a communal decision rooted in the collective discernment of the church body.