The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

2. IT is hence evident, that in the communication of Church Power in Office unto any persons called thereunto, the work and duty of the Church consists formally in Acts of Obedience unto the Commands of Christ. Hence, it doth not give unto such Officers a Power or Authority that was formally and actually in the Body of the Community, by virtue of any Grant or Law of Christ, so as that they should receive and act the Power of the Church, by virtue of a Delegation from them; but only they design, choose, set apart the individual persons, who thereon are entrusted with Office-Power by Christ himself, according as was before declared. This is the Power and Right given unto the Church essentially considered with respect unto their Officers, namely to design, call, choose, and set apart the persons by the ways of Christs appointment unto those Offices, whereunto by his Laws he hath annexed Church Power and Authority.

2. IT is hence evident, that in the communication of Church Power in Office unto any persons called thereunto, the work and duty of the Church consists formally in Acts of Obedience unto the Commands of Christ. Hence, it doth not give unto such Officers a Power or Authority that was formally and actually in the Body of the Community, by virtue of any Grant or Law of Christ, so as that they should receive and act the Power of the Church, by virtue of a Delegation from them; but only they design, chuse, set apart the individual persons, who thereon are intrusted with Office-Power by Christ himself, according as was before declared. This is the Power and Right given unto the Church essentially considered with respect unto their Officers, namely to design, call, chuse, and set apart the persons by the ways of Christs appointment unto those Offices, whereunto by his Laws he hath annexed Church Power and Authority.

WE need not therefore trouble our selves with the disputes about the first subject of Church Power, or any part of it. For it is a certain Rule, That in the performance of all Duties which the Lord Christ requires, either of the whole Church, or of any in the Church, especially of the Officers, they are the first subject of the Power needful unto such Duties, who are immediately called unto them. Hereby, all things become to be done in the Name and Authority of Christ. For the Power of the Church, is nothing but a right to perform Church Duties in obedience unto the Commands of Christ, and according unto his mind. Wherefore all Church Power is originally given unto the Church essentially considered, which hath a double exercise; First, in the call or choosing of Officers; Secondly, in their voluntary acting with them and under them in all Duties of Rule. (1.) All Authority in the Church is committed by Christ unto the Officers or Rulers of it, as unto all Acts and Duties whereunto Office-Power is required; and, (2.) Every individual person hath the liberty of his own judgment, as unto his own consent or dissent in what he is himself concerned.