A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of…

Thirdly, the means whereby the Lord Christ communicates this power unto men, is by his Law, and constitution, whereby he hath granted, ordained, and appointed, that such and such powers shall be exercised in his Church, and that by such and such persons, to be derived unto them in such a way and manner; so that the word of the Gospel, or the Laws and constitutions of the Lord Christ therein, are the first recipient seat and subject morally of all Church power whatever. Matth. 16.19. Matth. 18.18, 19, 20.

Fourthly, the way and means whereby ⟨p. 146⟩any persons come to a participation of this power regularly, according to the mind of Christ, is by the obedience unto, and due observation of his laws and commands, in them unto whom they are prescribed. As when an Office, with the power of it, is constituted and limited by the law of the Land, there is no more required to invest any man in that office, or to give him that power, than the due observance of the means and way prescribed in the law to that end. The way then, whereby the Elders of the Church do come to participate of the power and authority which Christ hath appointed to be exercised in his Church, is by their, and the Churches due observance of the Rules and Laws given by him for their election, and setting apart unto that office. Heb. 4.3. Acts 14.24.

Fifthly, on this account they receive their power from Christ himself alone, and that immediately; for the means used for their participation of it, are not recipient of the power it self formally, nor do authoritatively collate or confer it, only the laws of Christ are