The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

The power of Baptizing, is the power of the Keys for reception into the Church. The private members have not the power of baptizing, nor were the Pastors ever appointed to do it, by their advise, consent or vote. Therefore the private members have not the power of the Keys for admission, And it is most apparent in the Gospel, that the Keys for admission and for exclusion are ⟨p. 93⟩given into the same hands, and not one to the Ministers and another to the Flock: Therefore the people that have not the first, have not the later.

The power of Baptizing, is the power of the Keyes for reception into the Church. The private members have not the power of baptizing, nor were the Pastors ever appointed to do it, by their advise, consent or vote. Therefore the private members have not the power of the Keyes for admission, And it is most apparent in the Gospel, that the Keyes for admission and for exclusion are ⟨p. 93⟩given into the same hands, and not one to the Ministers and another to the Flock: Therefore the people that have not the first, have not the later.

For full proof of this observe the meaning of these Texts. Isa. 22. 22. And the Key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open and none shall shut: and he shall shut and none shall open. Isa. 9. 6. The Government shall be upon his shoulder. Mat. 16. 19. I will give thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, &c. Mat. 18. 18. Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound, &c.