Of the first subject of church powr or, to whom church powr doth first belong.
THe first subject of church powr,
(1) is eyther Supream,
or Subordinat, & Ministerial. the Supream (by way
of gift from the father) is the Lord Iesus Christ. the
Ministerial, is either extraordinary; (2) as the Apostles,
Prophets, & Evangelists: or Ordinary; as every
particular Congregational church.
Ordinary church powr, is either the power of office,
that is such as is proper to the eldership: or, power of
priviledge, such as belongs unto the brotherhood. the latter is
in the brethren formally, & immediately from Christ, (3) that is, so
as it may according to order be acted or exercised immediately by
themselves: the former, is not in them formally or immediately,
and therfore cannot be acted or exercised immediately by them,
but is said to be in them, in that they design the persons unto
office, who only are to act, or to exercise this power.
1. Matt 28 18. Rev 3, 7. Isai 9 6. John 20 21 23. I Cor 14 32.
2. Titus 1 5. I Cor 5 12.
3. Rom 12 4 8. Acts 3 C 6 3 [/] 4 C 14 23. I Cor 12 29 30.