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…

Of this Proposition there be three Branches: 1. That the Brethren of a particular church of a Congregation, are the first subjects of church-liberty: 2. That the Elders of a particular church, are the first subjects of church-authority: 3. That both the Elders and Brethren, walking and joining together in truth and peace, are the first subjects of all church-power, needful to be exercised in their own body.

Of this Proposition there be three Branches: 1. That the Brethren of a particular church of a Congregation, are the first subjects of church-liberty: 2. That the Elders of a particular church, are the first subjects of church-authority: 3. That both the Elders and Brethren, walking and joyning together in truth and peace, are the first subjects of all church-power, needfull to be exercised in their own body.

Now that the key of church-privilege or liberty is given to the Brethren of the church, and the key of rule and authority to the Elders of the church, hath been declared above, in Chapt. 3. But that these are the first subjects of these keys; and first the church, the first subject of liberty, may appear thus.

Now that the key of church-priviledge or liberty is given to the Brethren of the church, and the key of rule and authority to the Elders of the church, hath been declared above, in Chapt. 3. But that these are the first subjects of these keys; and first the church, the first subject of liberty, may appeare thus.

From the removal of any former subject of this power or liberty, from whence they might derive it. If the Brethren of the congregation were not the first subject of their church-liberty, then they derived it either from their own Elders, or from other churches. But they derived it not from their own Elders: for they had power and liberty to choose their own Elders, as hath been showed above, and therefore they had this liberty before