The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. HE hath instituted and appointed the Offices themselves, and made a grant of them unto the Church for its Edification. As also, he hath determined and limited the Powers and Duties of the Officers. It is not in the power of any or of all the Churches in the World, to appoint any Office or Officer in the Church, that Christ hath not appointed. And where there are any such, they can have no Church Authority properly so called; for that entirely riseth from, and is resolved into the institution of the Office by Christ himself. And hence, in the first place all the Authority of Officers in the Church proceeds from the Authority of Christ in the institution of the Office it self; for that which gives being unto any thing, gives it also its essential properties.

2. BY virtue of his Relation unto the Church as its Head, of his Kingly Power over it and care of it, whereon the continuation and edification of the Church in this World do depend; where ever he hath a Church called, he furnisheth some persons with such Gifts, Abilities and Endowments, as are necessary to the discharge of such Offices, in the Powers, Works and Duties of them. For it is most unquestionably evident, both in the nature of the thing it self, and in his institution, that there are some especial Abilities and Qualifications required to the discharge of every Church Office. Wherefore, where the Lord Christ doth not communicate of these Abilities in such a measure as by virtue of them Church Order may be observed, Church Power exercised, and all Church Ordinances administered according to his mind unto the Edification of the Church, it is no more in the power of Men to constitute Officers, than to erect or create an Office in the Church, Ephes. 4.11, 12, 13. 1 Cor. 12.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, &c. Rom. 12.6.

2. BY virtue of his Relation unto the Church as its Head, of his Kingly Power over it and care of it, whereon the continuation and edification of the Church in this World do depend; where ever he hath a Church called, he furnisheth some persons with such Gifts, Abilities and Endowments, as are necessary to the discharge of such Offices, in the Powers, Works and Duties of them. For it is most unquestionably evident, both in the nature of the thing it self, and in his institution, that there are some especial Abilities and Qualifications required to the discharge of every Church Office. Wherefore, where the Lord Christ doth not communicate of these Abilities in such a measure as by virtue of them Church Order may be observed, Church Power exercised, and all Church Ordinances administred according to his mind unto the Edification of the Church, it is no more in the power of Men to constitute Officers, than to erect or create an Office in the Church,