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…

Nor did they derive it from other particular churches. For all particular churches are of equal liberty and power within themselves, not one of them subordinate to another. We read not in Scripture, that the Church of Corinth, was subject to that of Ephesus, nor that of Ephesus to Corinth; no, nor that of Cenchrea to Corinth, though it was a church situate in their vicinity.

Nor did they derive it from other particular churches. For all particular churches are of equall liberty and power within themselves, not one of them subordinate to another. Wee reade not in Scripture, that the Church of Corinth, was subject to that of Ephesus, nor that of Ephesus to Corinth; no, nor that of Cenchrea to Corinth, though it was a church situate in their vicinity.

Nor did they derive their liberty from a Synod of churches. For we found no foot-step in the pattern of Synods, Act. 15. that the Church of Antioch borrowed any of their liberties from the Synod at Jerusalem. They borrowed indeed light from them, and decrees, tending to the establishment of truth and peace. For upon the publishing of the decrees of that Synod, the Churches were established in the faith (or truth) Act 16.4, 5. and also in consolation and peace, Act. 15.31, 32. but they did not borrow from them any church-liberty at all.

2. Now, the second branch of the Proposition was, That the Elders of the church of a particular Congregation, are the first subject of rule or authority, in that church (or congregation) over which the Holy Ghost hath made them over-seers.