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

Sixthly, this authority and power thus received from Christ, is that which they exert and put forth in all their ministerial administrations, in all which they do as ministers in the house of God, either in his worship, or in the rule of the Church it self. They exercise that authority of Christ, which he hath in his law appointed to be exercised in his Church; and from that authority is due order given unto the administration of all the ordinances of ⟨p. 148⟩worship; and an obligation unto obedience to acts of rule doth thence also ensue; so that they which despise them, despise the authority of Christ.

Seventhly, when as Elders they do, or declare any thing in the name of the Church, they do not, as such, put forth any authority committed unto them from and by the Church, but only declare the consent and determination of the Church in the exercise of their own liberty and privilege; but the authority which they act by, and which they put forth, is that which is committed to themselves as such by Jesus Christ.

Seventhly, when as Elders they do, or declare any thing in the name of the Church, they do not, as such, put forth any authority committed unto them from and by the Church, but only declare the consent and determination of the Church in the exercise of their own liberty and priviledge; but the authority which they act by, and which they put forth, is that which is committed to themselves as such by Jesus Christ.

Eighthly, this authority is comprised in the Law and constitution of Christ which themselves exert only ministerially; and therefore when ever they act any thing authoritatively, which they are not enabled for, or warranted in by the word of the Gospel, or do any thing without, or contrary unto rule, all such actings as to any spiritual effect of the Gospel, or obligation on the consciences of Men, are Ipso facto null, and are no way ratified in Heaven, where all their orderly actings are made valid;