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…

But of this sovereign power of Christ, there is no question amongst Protestants, especially studious of Reformation. Now as concerning the Ministerial power, we give these following Propositions.

But of this soveraigne power of Christ, there is no question amongst Protestants, especially studious of Reformation. Now as concerning the Ministeriall power, we give these following Propositions.

I. Propos. A particular Church or Congregation of Saints, professing the faith, TAKEN INDEFINITELY FOR ANY CHURCH (one as well as another) is the first subject of all the Church-offices, with all their spiritual gifts and power, which Christ hath given to be executed amongst them; whether it be Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, all are yours, (speaking to the Church of Gorinth, 1 Cor. 3.22.) not as a peculiar privilege unto them, but common to them with any other particular church. And theirs was such a Church, of whom it is said; That they came all together into one place, for the communication of their spiritual gifts, 1 Cor. 14 23. And Paul telleth the same church, that God hath set the officers, and their gifts, and all variety of members, and their functions in his Church, 1 Cor. 14.28. where it is not so well translated [Some] God hath set some in his church, for he hath set all; but speaking of the members of the church v. 27. he proceedeth to exemplify those members in v. 28. [Greek or Hebrew], and which God hath set in his Church; that is, which members, Apostles, Prophets, &c. For though the Relative be not of the same gender with the Antecedent before, yet it is an usual thing with the pen-men of the new Testament, to respect the sense of the words, and so the person intended, rather then the gender of their name, and to render the Relative of the same gender and case with the Substantive following: so here, [Greek or Hebrew], &c.