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…

3. A third argument whereby it may appear that the Elders of a particular Church are the first subject of authority in that Church, is taken from the like removal of other subjects, from whence they might be thought to derive their authority, as was used before to prove the Church of Brethren was the first subject of their own liberty in their own Congregation. The Elders of Churches are never found in Scripture to derive their authority which they exercise in their own congregation, either from the Elders of other Churches, ⟨p. 37⟩or from any Synod of Churches. All particular Churches and all the Elders of them are of equal power, each of them respectively in their own Congregations. None of them call others their Rabbis, or Masters, or Fathers (in respect of any authority over them) but all of them own and acknowledge one another as fellow Brethren, Matth. 23.8, 9, 10.

3. A third argument whereby it may appear that the Elders of a particular Church are the first subject of authoritie in that Church, is taken from the like removall of other subjects, from whence they might be thought to derive their authoritie, as was used before to prove the Church of Brethren was the first subject of their own libertie in their own Congregation. The Elders of Churches are never found in Scripture to derive their authority which they exercise in their own congregation, either from the Elders of other Churches, ⟨p. 37⟩or from any Synod of Churches. All particular Churches and all the Elders of them are of equall power, each of them respectively in their own Congregations. None of them call others their Rabbies, or Masters, or Fathers (in respect of any authoritie over them) but all of them own and acknowledge one another as fellow Brethren, Matth. 23.8, 9, 10.