The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…

What that Church is, which is the first Subject of the power of the keys, and whether this Church have an independent power in the exercise thereof, though they be made two distinct Questions, yet (if candidly interpreted) they are but one. For whatsoever is the first Subject of any accident or adjunct, the same is independent in the enjoyment of it, that is, in respect of deriving it from any other subject like it self. As if fire be the first subject of heat, then it dependeth upon no other subject for heat. Now in the first subject of any power, three things concur. 1. It first receiveth that power whereof it is the first subject, and that reciprocally. 2. It first addeth and putteth forth the exercise of that power. 3. It first communicateth that power to others. As we see in Fire, which is the first subject of heat: it first receiveth heat, and that reciprocally. All fire is hot, and whatsoever is hot is fire, or hath fire in it. Again, Fire first putteth forth heat it self, and also first communicateth heat, to whatsoever things else are hot. To come then to the first subject of Church-power, or of the power of the keys. The substance of the doctrine thereof, may be conceived and declared in a few Propositions. Church-power is either supreme and sovereign, or subordinate and ministerial. Touching the former, take this proposition.

WHat that Church is, which is the first Subject of the power of the keyes, and whether this Church have an independent power in the exercise thereof, though they be made two distinct Questions, yet (if candidely interpreted) they are but one. For whatsoever is the first Subject of any accident or adjunct, the same is independent in the enjoyment of it, that is, in respect of deriving it from any other subject like it self. As if fire be the first subject of heat, then it dependeth upon no other subject for heat. Now in the first subject of any power, three things concur. 1. It first receiveth that power whereof it is the first subject, and that reciprocally. 2. It first addeth and putteth forth the exercise of that power. 3. It first communicateth that power to others. As we see in Fire, which is the first subject of heat: it first receiveth heat, and that reciprocally. All fire is hot, and whatsoever is hot is fire, or hath fire in it. Again, Fire first putteth forth heat it self, and also first communicateth heat, to whatsoever things else are hot. To come then to the first subiect of Church-power, or of the power of the keyes. The substance of the doctrine thereof, may be conceived and declared in a few Propositions. Church-power is either supream and soveraign, or subordinate and ministeriall. Touching the former, take this proposition.