d divers like places the divine right of
church government is apparently vouched by the Scripture, as will
hereafter more fully appear; but this may suffice in general for the
confirmation of this general proposition.

CHAPTER II.

_Of the Nature of a_ DIVINE RIGHT _in general._

Now touching this divine right of church government, two things are yet
more particularly to be opened and proved, for the more satisfactory
clearing thereof unto sober minds, to unprejudiced and unpre-engaged
judgments, viz:--1. What the nature of a divine right is, and how many
ways a thing may be said to be of divine right, and that by warrant of
Scripture. 2. What the nature of the government of the Church under the
New Testament is, which is vouched by the Scripture to be of divine
right.

For the first--viz. What the nature of a divine right is--consider both
what a divine right is in general, and how many ways a thing may be said
by Scripture warrant to be of divine right in particular.

_Right_ is that which is most proper, just, or equal; or that which is
prescribed or commanded by some statute law, and is just to be received
in virtue of said law.

_Divine_ sometimes points out a divine warrant or authority from God,
engraven or enstamped upon any thing, whereby it is exalted above all
human or created authority and power. And thus, all Scripture is styled
divinely breathed or inspired of God. Hence is the divine authority of
Scripture asserted, 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; and in this sense divine right
is here spoken of, in reference to church government, as it signifies a
divine warrant and authority from God himself, engraven upon that church
government and discipline, (hereafter to be handled,) and revealed to us
in his holy Scriptures, the infallible and perfect oracles. So that
divine right, according to this interpretation of the terms, is that
which is either just, meet, and equal; or commanded and enjoined by any
divine warrant or authority. And generally, a thing may be said to be of
divine right, which is any way divinely just, equal, &c.; or divinely
commanded by any law of God, or by that which is equivalent to a divine
law. And whatsoever matters in church government can be proved by
Scripture to have this stamp of divine warrant and authority set upon
them, they may properly be said to be of divine right, and that by the
will and appointment of Jesus Christ, to whom God hath delegated all
power and authority for