The power of Congregational churches asserted and vindicated in answer to a treatise of…

which he, from that place, confuted, affirming that the Keys were given to the Church in Peter, which name was given him upon his confession of Christ, in the name of the whole Church; and confirmed his assertion, out of Cyprian and Augustine. So that this is no new, nor singular exposition of these words, or practice taken up by some few of late. Not new; for Cyprian wrote about the year 250 after Christ; and Augustine, about the year 410; the last of them about 1200 years since, and the first above 1400 years past. I shall add hereunto, that, before Cyprian, Tertullian, about the year 200, shows us, that Church-censures were then performed by one particular Church within it ⟨p. 89⟩self, and not in any combination of Churches; Tertull. Apolog. Cap. 39. Nor singular; for sundry sorts of Writers, in several Ages and Countries, have consented therein. I will not enter into that question, (about which there seems to be some difference in apprehensions between some Godly learned Brethren) Whether the Keys are given to Peter under several considerations, as an Apostle, and as an Elder, and as a professing Believer, all being taken jointly together? or to a single Society, or condition of men, under some special Relation, which share alike in the equality of this Power promised unto them? For in the substance of the matter they agree, 1. That the Keys are promised to Peter, in the name of a Congregational-Church. 2. That this power of the Keys cannot be given to one single Society formally, in all the kinds of it; because it requires several sorts of subjects formally different, viz. some Ruling, some Ruled, some Teaching, &c. 3. That, till a Congregational-Church be organized, and completed with all its Officers, it cannot completely exercise the Keys committed to it. 4. That, nevertheless, before it be completed, it hath power of the Keys, and is the first subject of them, ⟨p. 90⟩either formally, or virtually, whereby all the Ordinances are administered, or administrable among them. I shall issue this point into one Doctrinal Conclusion.

which he, from that place, confuted, affirming that the Keys were given to the Church in Peter, which name was given him upon his confession of Christ, in the name of the whole Church; and confirmed his assertion, out of Cyprian and Augustine. So that this is no new, nor singular exposition of these words, or practice taken up by some few of late. Not new; for Cyprian wrote about the year 250 after Christ; and Augustine, about the year 410; the last of them about 1200 years since, and the first above 1400 years past. I shall add hereunto, that, before Cyprian, Tertullian, about the year 200, shews us, that Church-censures were then performed by one particular Church within it