A trial of the new-church way in New-England and in old ... by that…A tryall of the nevv-church vvay in New-England and in old ... by that…

For as he that will derive authority to the Church maketh himself Lord of the Church: so if the Church derive authority to the Ministers of Christ, she maketh herself Lady and Mistress over them in the exercise of that authority over them. For all men know it is the property of the Lord and Master to impart authority. Did the Church give power and authority to the Pastors and Teachers, she might make the Sacraments and preaching which one doth in order no Sacraments, no preaching. For it is the order instituted of God that gives being and efficacy to these ordinances. And if the power of ruling, feeding, and dispensing the holy things of God, do reside in the faithful, the Word and Sacraments in respect of dispensation and efficacy shall depend upon the order and institution of the Society. If the power of the keys be derived from the community of the faithful, then are Officers immediately and formally servants to the Church, and must do every thing in the name of the Church, Rule, feed, bind, loose, remit and retain sins, preach and administer the Sacraments, then they must perform their Office according to the direction of the Church more or less,¹ seldom or frequent, remiss or diligent. For from whom are they to receive direction how to carry themselves in their Office but from him or them from whom they receive their Office, whose works they do, and from whom they expect their reward? If their power and office be of God immediately, they must do the duties of their place according to his designment, and to be accountable unto God: But if their power and function be from the Church, the Church must give account unto God, and the Officers unto the Church whom she doth take to be her helpers.

For as he that will derive authority to the Church maketh himselfe Lord of the Church: so if the Church derive authoritie to the Ministers of Christ, she maketh herself Lady and Mistris over them in the exercise of that authoritie over them. For all men know it is the property of the Lord and Master to impart authoritie. Did the Church give power and authoritie to the Pastors and Teachers, she might make the Sacraments and preaching which one doth in order no Sacraments, no preaching. For it is the order instituted of God that gives being and efficacie to these ordinances. And if the power of ruling, feeding, and dispensing the holy things of God, do reside in the faithfull, the Word and Sacraments in respect of dispensation and efficacie shall depend upon the order and institution of the Societie. If the power of the keyes be derived from the community of the faithfull, then are Officers immediately and formally servants to the Church, and must do every thing in the name of the Church, Rule, feed, bind, loose, remit and retaine sinnes, preach and administer the Sacraments, then they must performe their Office according to the direction of the Church more or lesse,