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

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 ⟨p. 147⟩executed in a way of obedience. So that though they are chosen and set apart to their office by the Church, yet they are made Overseers by the holy-Ghost, Acts 20.28. Though they have their power by the Church, yet they have it not from the Church; nor was that power whereof they are made partakers (as was said) formally resident in the body of the Church, before their participation of it; but really in Christ himself alone, and morally in his word or law. And thence is the rule and guidance of the Church committed unto them by Christ, Heb. 13.7, 17.