The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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.

THAT this Power under the name of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven was originally granted unto the whole professing Church of Believers, and that it is utterly impossible it should reside in any other who is subject unto Death, or if to be renewed upon any occasional intermission, is so fully proved by all Protestant Writers against the Papists, that it needs not on this occasion be again insisted on.

VI. THESE things have been spoken concerning the Polity of the Church in General, as it is taken objectively for the constitution of its State, and the laws of its Rule; we are in the next place to consider it subjectively, as it is a power or faculty of the minds of Men, unto whom the Rule of the Church is committed. And in this sense it is the wisdom or understanding of the Officers of the Church, to exercise the Government in it appointed by Jesus Christ, or to rule it according to his Laws and Constitutions: Or,