vernment.

_Argum_. V. This opinion of making the body of the Church, or community
of the faithful, the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys
for the government of the Church, doth inevitably bring along with it
many intolerable absurdities. Therefore it is not to be granted. Thus we
may argue:

_Major_. That doctrine or opinion which draws after it unavoidably
divers intolerable absurdities, is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion.

_Minor_. But this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole community or
body of the Church to be the first subject and immediate receptacle of
the keys, draws after it unavoidable divers intolerable absurdities.

_Conclusion_. Therefore this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole
community or body of the Church to be the first subject, and immediate
receptacle of the keys, is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion.

The _Major_ is plain. For, 1. Though matters of religion be above
reason, yet are they not unreasonable, absurd, and directly contrary to
right reason. 2. The Scriptures condemn it as a great brand upon men,
that they are absurd or unreasonable; "Brethren, pray for us--that we
may be delivered from absurd and evil men," 2 Thes. iii. 2; and
therefore if absurd men be so culpable, absurdity, and unreasonableness
itself, which make them such, are much more culpable.

The _Minor_, viz. But this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole
community or body of the Church to be the first subject and immediate
receptacle of the keys, draws after it unavoidably divers intolerable
absurdities, will notably appear by an induction of particulars.

1. Hereby a clear foundation is laid for the rigid Brownist's confused
democracy, and abhorred anarchy. For, if the whole body of the people be
the first receptacle of the keys, then all church government and every
act thereof is in the whole body, and every member of that body a
governor, consequently every member of that body an officer. But this is
absurd; for if all be officers, where is the organical body? and if all
be governors, where are the governed? if all be eyes, where are the
feet? and if there be none governed, where is the government? it is
wholly resolved at last into mere democratical anarchy and confusion,
"but God is not the author of confusion," 1 Cor. xiv. 33. What an
absurdity were it, if in the body natural _all were an eye_, or _hand_!
for _where_ then _were the hearing, smelling_, &c.; _or if all were one