The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

4. THE Lord Christ hath given Commands unto the Church, for Obedience unto those who enjoy and exercise this Office among them. Now all these Commands are needless and superfluous, nor can any obedience be yielded unto the Lord Christ in their observance, unless there be a continuation of this Office. And the Church loseth as much in Grace and privilege, as it loseth in Commands. For in obedience unto the Commands of Christ, doth Grace in its exercise consist, 1 Tim. 5.17. Heb. 13.7, 17.

5. THIS Office is accompanied with Power and Authority, which none can take or assume to themselves. All Power and Authority, whether in things Spiritual or Temporal, which is not either founded in the law of Nature, or collated by Divine Ordination, is Usurpation and Tyranny. No Man can of himself take either Sword. To invade an Office which includes Power and Authority over others, is to disturb all Right, Natural, Divine and Civil. That such an Authority is included in this Office, is evident, (1.) From the names ascribed unto them in whom it is vested; as Pastors, Bishops, Elders, Rulers, all of them requiring of it. (2.) From the Work prescribed ⟨p. 57⟩unto them, which is feeding by Rule and Teaching. (3.) From the execution of Church-Power in Discipline, or the exercise of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven committed unto them. (4.) From the Commands given for Obedience unto them which respect Authority. (5.) From their appointment to be the means and instruments of exerting the Authority of Christ in the Church, which can be done no other way.