rch.

This proposition needs no proof, unless we will be so absurd as to say
that the Church and people of God are peculiarly obliged by Christ's
command to obey and be subject to them, that yet have no peculiar
authority nor power over them, and that in reference to their office in
the church.

_Minor_. But the officers of Christ are those to whom the Church and
people of God are peculiarly bound by the commands of Christ to perform
duties of obedience and subjection, and that in reference to their
office in the church.

This assumption or minor proposition may be evidenced, 1. Partly by
induction of some particular instances of Christ's commands, whereby the
Church and people of God are bound to perform duties of obedience and
subjection to the officers of Christ, in reference to their office in
the church. 2. Partly by a denial of the like commands in reference to
all others in the church, except the officers of the church only.

Touching the first, viz. the instances of such commands, consider these
following. The Church and people of God are commanded,

1. To know their rulers. "We beseech you, brethren, to know them that
labor among you, and are over you in the Lord," 1 Thess. v. 12. _To
know_, i.e., not simply and merely to know, but to acknowledge, accept,
and approve of them as such rulers over you in the Lord. This teaches
subjection to the office of ruling.

2. To love them exceedingly for their work's sake. "Esteem them
superabundantly in love for their work's sake," 1 Thess. v. 13. For what
work? viz. both laboring and ruling, mentioned verse 12. If they must
love them so exceedingly for ruling over them, must they not much more
be obedient to this rule?

3. To count them worthy of double honor in reference to their
well-ruling. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
honor, especially--," 1 Tim. v. 17: whether we take _double honor_ here
for reverence or maintenance, or both; yet how can we esteem the _elders
ruling well worthy of double honor_ without some submission to their
rule?

4. To obey them that are their rulers and governors. _Obey ye your
rulers, or governors_, Heb. xiii. 17; where the words _obey ye_ doth not
(as some dream) signify a persuasion, but obedience, and in this sense
it is commonly used, not only in profane authors, but also in the Holy
Scriptures, as James iii. 3, Gal. iii. 1.

5. Finally, to submit and be subordinate unto them. The Church and
people