The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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.

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 meer 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.

7. THESE Chancellors are the only Lay-Elders that I know any where in any Church; that is, Persons entrusted with the Rule of the Church, and the Disposition of its Censures, who are not Ordained unto any Church-Office; but in all other things continue in the Order of the Laity or the People. All Church Rulers, by institution, are Elders. To be an Elder of the Church, and a Ruler in it, is all one. Wherefore, these Persons being Rulers in the Church, and yet thus continuing in the Order of the People, are Lay-Elders; whom I wonder how so many of the Church came so seriously to oppose, seeing this Order of Men is owned by none but themselves. The Truth is, and it must be acknowledged, that there is no known Church in the World, (I mean whose Order is known unto us, and is of any public consideration,) but they do dispose the Rule of the Church in part, into the hands of Persons, who have not the power of Authoritative Preaching of the Word, and Administration of the Sacraments committed unto them. For even those