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…

2. The same appeareth from the gift of rule, required especially in an Elder, without which they are not capable of election to that office in the church, 1 Tim. 3, 4, 5. He must be one that is able to rule well his own house, or else how shall he order the church of God? The like gift of rule is not necessary to the admission of a member into the church, as to the election of an Elder: If a private brother be not so well able (through weakness in prudence or courage) to rule his own house, it will not justly debar him from entrance into the church; but the like defect will justly debar a man from election to the office of an Elder. Neither hath God given a spirit of ⟨p. 35⟩rule and government ordinarily to the greater part of the body of the brethren: and therefore neither hath he given them the first Receipt of the key of Authority, to whom he hath not given the gift to employ it.

2. The same appeareth from the gift of rule, required especially in an Elder, without which they are not capable of election to that office in the church, 1 Tim. 3, 4, 5. He must be one that is able to rule well his own house, or else how shall he order the church of God? The like gift of rule is not necessary to the admission of a member into the church, as to the election of an Elder: If a private brother be not so well able (through weaknesse in prudence or courage) to rule his own house, it will not justly debarre him from entrance into the church; but the like defect will justly debar a man from election to the office of an Elder. Neither hath God given a spirit of ⟨p. 35⟩rule and government ordinarily to the greater part of the body of the brethren: and therefore neither hath he given them the first Receit of the key of Authoritie, to whom he hath not given the gift to employ it.