The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

THE same Authors contend that the liberty of choosing their own Officers or Elders, such as it was, was granted unto them or permitted by way of condescension for a Season; and not made use of by virtue of any right in them thereunto. But this permission is a mere imagination. It was according to the mind of Christ, that the Churches should choose their own Elders, or it was not. If it were not, the Apostles would not have permitted it; and if it were, they ought to ordain it, and practise according to it, as they did. Nor is such a constant Apostolical Practice proposed for the direction of the Church in all Ages, to be ascribed unto such an Original as Condescension and Permission. Yea it is evident, that it arose from the most fundamental principles of the constitution and nature of the Gospel Churches, and was only a regular pursuit and practice of them: For,

THE same Authors contend that the liberty of choosing their own Officers or Elders, such as it was, was granted unto them or permitted by way of condescention for a Season; and not made use of by virtue of any right in them thereunto. But this permission is a meer imagination. It was according to the mind of Christ, that the Churches should choose their own Elders, or it was not. If it were not, the Apostles would not have permitted it; and if it were, they ought to ordain it, and practise according to it, as they did. Nor is such a constant Apostolical Practice proposed for the direction of the Church in all Ages, to be ascribed unto such an Original as Condescension and Permission. Yea it is evident, that it arose from the most fundamental principles of the constitution and nature of the Gospel Churches, and was only a regular pursuit and practice of them: For,

1. THE Calling of Bishops, Pastors, Elders, is an Act of the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. But these Keys are originally and properly given unto the whole Church, unto the Elders of it only Ministerially; and as unto exercise Pastors are eyes to the Church: But God and Nature design in the first place, sight to the whole Body, to the whole Person, thereunto it is granted both subjectively and finally, but actually it is peculiarly seated in the eye. So is it in the grant of Church-Power, it is given to the whole Church, though to be exercised only by its Elders.