hall the elders and the non-offending party lose all their
power? Where then shall that independent church find healing? for
appeals to presbyteries and synods are counted apocryphal by them. But
enough hath been said to detect the vanity of these new dreams and
notions; it is a bad sore that must be wrapped in so many clouts.[43]

CHAPTER XI.

_Of the proper Receptacle, or immediate subject of the Power of Church
Government: affirmatively, what it is, viz. Christ's own Officers._

Thus the proper receptacle or subject of ecclesiastical power hath been
considered negatively, what it is not, viz: not the political
magistrate, nor yet the community of the faithful, or body of the
people, with or without their eldership. Now this receptacle of power
comes to be evidenced affirmatively, what it is, viz. (according to the
express words of the description of government,) Christ's own officers.
This is the last branch of the description, the divine right whereof
remains to be cleared; which may most satisfactorily be done by
evidencing these three things, viz: 1. That Jesus Christ our Mediator
hath certain peculiar church guides and officers which he hath erected
in his Church. 2. That Jesus Christ our Mediator hath especially
intrusted his own officers with the government of his Church. 3. How, or
in what sense the ruling officers are intrusted with this government,
severally or jointly?

SECTION I.

1. _Of the Divine Right of Christ's Church Officers, viz. Pastors and
Teachers, with Ruling Elders._

Touching the first, that Christ hath certain peculiar church guides and
officers, which he hath erected in his Church. Take it thus:

Jesus Christ our Mediator hath ordained and set in his Church (besides
the apostles and other extraordinary officers that are now ceased)
pastors and teachers, as also ruling elders, as the subject of the keys
for all ordinary ecclesiastical administrations. The divine right of
these ordinary church officers may appear as followeth:

I. Pastors and teachers are the ordinance of Jesus Christ. This is
generally granted on all sides; and therefore these few particulars may
suffice for the demonstration of it, viz:

1. They are enumerated in the list or catalogue of those church officers
which are of divine institution. "God hath set" (or put, constituted)
"some in the Church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly,
teachers," 1 Cor. xii. 28. These are some of the triumphan