The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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.

6. IN the Church of England, (as in that of Rome) there is a peculiar distribution made of these Keys. Unto some, that is unto one special sort or order of Men, they are both granted, both the Key of Order and of Jurisdiction; which is unto Diocesan Bishops, with some others under various Canonical restrictions and limitations, as Deans and Arch-Deacons. Unto some is granted the Key of Order only, without the least interest in Jurisdiction or Rule by virtue of their Office; which are the Parochial Ministers, or mere Presbyters, without any additional Title or Power, as of Commissary Surrogates, or the like. And unto a third sort, there is granted the Key of Rule or Jurisdiction almost plenipotent, who have no share in the Key of Order, that is, were never Ordained, Separated, Dedicated unto any Office in the Church; such as are the Chancellors, &c.