The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

§ 21. If that Councils Authority were properly National, and arose from the prerogative of Jerusalem, then 1. All the Apostles, when scattered, would have been subject to James, the first Bishop of Jerusalem, (thought to be no Apostle:) 2. Then Jerusalem might have after claimed the Supremacy as of Divine right, before Alexandria, Antioch or Rome. But it is certain by experience that the whole Church was of another mind, when Jerusalem had not so much as the fifth or lowest Patriarchate, till long after by another grant. But if the Power was not fixed to the place, but the Itinerant Apostles, then it is nothing to prove any Governing Church over others, as being affixed to such a place: Nor shall we easily find the Apostles Itinerant Successors in that power.

§ 21. If that Councils Authority were properly National, and arose from the prerogative of Jerusalem, then 1. All the Apostles, when scattered, would have been subject to James, the first Bishop of Jerusalem, (thought to be no Apostle:) 2. Then Jerusalem might have after claimed the Supremacy as of Divine right, before Alexandria, Antioch or Rome. But it is certain by experience that the whole Church was of another mind, when Jerusalem had not so much as the fifth or lowest Patriarchate, till long after by another grant. But if the Power was not fixed to the place, but the Itinerant Apostles, then it is nothing to prove any Governing Church over others, as being affixed to such a place: Nor shall we easily find the Apostles Itinerant Successours in that power.

§ 22. II. It is certain that Christ chose twelve Apostles (besides Paul) who had a preeminence before other Ministers; and that he joined with them some Prophets and Evangelists, appointing them all to gather Churches through the world, ⟨p. 259⟩discipling and baptizing Nations, and teaching them all things that he commanded (a work to be still done, and to which he promised his presence to the end of the world:) And that these having gathered Converts, set over them fixed Bishops (or Pastors or Elders) to be their constant Guides, in Teaching, Public Worship, and Discipline, under Christ the great Prophet, Priest and King of the Church. And that to the Apostles first, and by them to others, he gave them the Keys (that is, the Judging Power of reception, and rejection, and the Official Power of pronouncing God's reception or rejection of them according to his Word.)