First, In this way and manner the Authority above described, is given in the first place, as such, unto the Elders of the Church. This Authority was before explained, in answer unto the 28th. question, as also was the way whereby they receive it. And it is that power of office whereby they are enabled for the discharge of their whole duty, in the teaching, and ruling of the Church; called the power of the keys, from Mat. 16.19. Which expression being Metaphorical, and in general liable unto many interpretations, is to be understood according to the declaration made of it in those particular instances wherein it is expressed. Nor is it a two-fold ⟨p. 185⟩power or Authority that the Elders▪ of the Church have committed unto them; one to teach and another to rule, commonly called the power of order, and of jurisdiction; but it is one power of Office, the duties whereof are of several kinds, referred unto the two general heads, first of teaching by preaching the word and celebration of the Sacraments, and (2) Of rule or government. By virtue hereof, are they made Rulers over the house of God, Matth. 24.45. Stewards in his house, 1 Cor. 4.1. Overseers of the Church, Act. 20.28. 1 Peter 5.2. Guides unto the Church, Heb. 13.7, 17. Not that they have a supreme or autocratorical power committed unto them, to enable them to do what seems right and good in their own eyes, seeing they are expressly bound up unto the terms of their Commission, Matth. 28.19, 20. To teach men to do and observe all, and only what Christ hath commanded; nor have they by virtue of it, any dominion in, or over the Church, that is, the laws, rules or privileges of it, or the consciences of the Disciples of Christ, to alter, change, add, diminish, or bind by ⟨p. 186⟩their own authority, 1 Pet. 5.3. Mark 10.42, 43▪ 44. But it is a power merely ministerial, in whose exercise they are unto the Lord Christ accountable servants, Heb. 13.17. Matth. 24.45. And Servants of the Church for Jesus sake, 2 Cor. 4.5. This authority in the Discipline of the Church they exert and put forth by virtue of their Office; and not either as declaring of the power of the Church it self, or acting what is delegated unto them thereby, but as ministerially exercising the authority of Christ committed unto themselves.
First, In this way and manner the Authority above described, is given in the first place, as such, unto the Elders of the Church. This Authority was before explained, in answer unto the 28th. question, as also was the way whereby they receive it. And it is that power of office whereby they are enabled for the discharge of their whole duty, in the teaching, and ruling of the Church; called the power of the keyes, from Mat. 16.19. Which expression being Metaphorical, and in general lyable unto many interpretations, is to be understood according to the declaration made of it in those particular instances wherein it is expressed. Nor is it a two-fold ⟨p. 185⟩power or Authority that the Elders▪ of the Church have committed unto them; one to teach and another to rule, commonly called the power of order, and of jurisdiction; but it is one power of Office, the duties whereof are of several kinds, referred unto the two general heads, first of teaching by preaching the word and celebration of the Sacraments, and (2) Of rule or government. By virtue hereof, are they made Rulers over the house of God, Matth. 24.45. Stewards in his house, 1 Cor. 4.1. Overseers of the Church, Act. 20.28. 1 Peter 5.2. Guides unto the Church, Heb. 13.7, 17. Not that they have a supream or autocratorical power committed unto them, to enable them to do what seems right and good in their own eyes, seeing they are expresly bound up unto the terms of their Commission, Matth. 28.19, 20. To teach men to do and observe all, and only what Christ hath commanded; nor have they by virtue of it, any dominion in, or over the Church, that is, the laws, rules or priviledges of it, or the consciences of the Disciples of Christ, to alter, change, add, diminish, or bind by ⟨p. 186⟩their own authority, 1 Pet. 5.3.
