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…

CHAP. III. Of the subject of the power of the keys, to whom they are committed: and first of the key of knowledge, and Order.

CHAP. III. Of the subject of the power of the keyes, to whom they are committed: and first of the key of knowledge, and Order.

AS the keys of the kingdom of heaven be divers, so are the subjects to whom they are committed, divers: as in the natural body, diversity of functions belongeth to diversity of members.

AS the keyes of the kingdom of heaven be divers, so are the subjects to whom they are committed, divers: as in the naturall body, diversitie of functions belongeth to diversity of members.

1. The key of knowledge (or which is all one, the key of Faith) belongeth to all the faithful, whether joined to any particular Church or no. As in the primitive times, men of grown years were first called and converted to the faith, before they were received into the Church: And even now an Indian or Pagan may not be received into the Church, till he have first received the faith, and have made profession of it before the Lord, and the Church: which argueth, that the key of knowledge is given not only to the Church, but to some before they enter into the Church. And yet to Christians for the Churches sake: that they who receive this grace of faith, by it may receive Christ and his benefits, and therewith may receive also this privilege, to find an open door set before them, to enter into the fellowship of the Church.