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…

Now, from all these former Propositions which tend to clear the first subject of the power of the keys, it may be easy to deduce certain corollaries from thence, tending to clear a parallel Question to this; to wit, In what sense it may, and ought to be admitted, that a church of a particular congregation is independent in the use of the power of the keys, and in what sense not? For in what sense the Church of a particular congregation is the first subject of the power of the keys, in the same sense it is independent, and in none other. We taking the first subject and the independent subject to be all one.

Now, from all these former Propositions which tend to cleare the first subject of the power of the keys, it may be easie to deduce certain corollaries from thence, tending to clear a parallel Question to this; to wit, In what sense it may, and ought to be admitted, that a church of a particular congregation is independent in the use of the power of the keys, and in what sense not? For in what sense the Church of a particular congregation is the first subject of the power of the keys, in the same sense it is independent, and in none other. We taking the first subject and the independent subject to be all one.

1. Corollary. The Church is not independent on Christ, but dependent on him for all church-power.

The Reason is plain, because he is the first subject of all church-power by way of sovereign eminency, as hath been said. And therefore the church, and all the Officers thereof; yea, and a Synod of churches is dependent upon him, for all ministerial church-power. Ministry is dependent upon sovereignty; yea, the more dependent they be upon Christ, in all the exercise of their church-power, the more powerful is all their power in all their administrations.