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…

If it be said, the twenty-four Elders (who represent the private members of the Church, as the four living Creatures do the four Officers) had all of them Crowns upon their heads, and sate upon thrones (Rev. 4.4.) which are signs of regal authority: The answer is, The crowns and thrones argue them to be Kings, no more then their white raiments argue them to be Priests, ver. 4. but neither Priests nor Kings by office, but by liberty to perform like spiritual duties by grace, which the other do by grace and office: As Priests they offer up spiritual sacrifices: and as Kings they rule their lusts, passions, themselves, and their families, yea, the world and Church also after a sort: the world, by improving it to spiritual advantage: and the Church, by appointing their own Officers, and likewise in censuring their offenders, not only by their officers, (which is as much as Kings are wont to do) but also by their own royal assent, which Kings are not wont to do, but only in the execution of Nobles.

If it be said, the twentie-foure Elders (who represent the private members of the Church, as the foure living Creatures doe the foure Officers) had all of them Crowns upon their heads, and sate upon thrones (Rev. 4.4.) which are signes of regall authoritie: The answer is, The crowns and thrones argue them to be Kings, no more then their white rayments argue them to be Priests, ver. 4. but neither Priests nor Kings by office, but by libertie to performe like spirituall duties by grace, which the other doe by grace and office: As Priests they offer up spirituall sacrifices: and as Kings they rule their lusts, passions, themselves, and their families, yea, the world and Church also after a sort: the world, by improving it to spirituall advantage: and the Church, by appointing their own Officers, and likewise in censuring their offenders, not onely by their officers, (which is as much as Kings are wont to doe) but also by their own royall assent, which Kings are not wont to doe, but onely in the execution of Nobles.

But nevertheless, though the Church want authority to excommunicate their Presbytery, yet they want not liberty to withdraw from them: For so Paul instructeth and beseecheth the Church of Rome (whom the holy Ghost foresaw would most stand in need of this counsel) to make use of this liberty: I beseech you (saith he) mark such as cause divisions and offences, contrary to the DOCTRINE you have received, [Greek or Hebrew], WITHDRAW from them.