The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

3. THESE Keys are usually referred unto Two Heads; namely, the one of Order, the other of Jurisdiction.

4. BY the Key of Order, the Spiritual Right, Power, and Authority of Bishops or Pastors to Preach the Word, to Administer the Sacraments, Doctrinally to bind and loose the Consciences of Men, are intended.

5. BY Jurisdiction, the Rule, Government, or Discipline of the Church is designed, though it was never so called or esteemed in the Scripture or the Primitive Church, until the whole nature of Church-Rule or Discipline was depraved and changed. Therefore, neither the Word, nor any thing that is signified by it, or which it is applied unto, ought to be admitted unto any consideration in the things that belong unto the Church or its Rule; it being expressive of, and directing unto that corrupt Administration of things Ecclesiastical, according unto the Canon Law, by which all Church-Rule and Order is destroyed. I do therefore at once dismiss all disputes about it, ⟨p. 130⟩as of things Foreign to the Gospel and Christian Religion, I mean as unto the Institutions of Christ in his Church. The Civil Jurisdiction of Supreme Magistrates about the externals of Religion, is of another consideration. But that these Keys do include the two-fold distinct Powers of Teaching and Rule, of Doctrine and Discipline, is freely granted.