Argum.  IV.  The relations which Christ’s officers have unto his Church, imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power in reference to the Church, and therefore they are the proper subjects of ecclesiastical power.  Thus we reason: 

Major.  Whosoever they are that peculiarly stand in such relations to the Church of Christ, as imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power for governing of the Church, they are the only subject of ecclesiastical power.

This proposition is evident; for, otherwise, to what end are those peculiar relations to the Church which comprehend government in them, unless such as are so peculiarly related be the only subjects of government?  Shall all those relations be mere names and shadows? or shall others in the church be counted the subject of this authority and power for church government, that have no such relations to the Church at all implying any such power?

Minor.  But the officers of Christ peculiarly stand in such relations to the Church of Christ as imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power for the government of the church.

This assumption or minor proposition will be evident by a due induction of some of their particular relations that have such power enstamped on them; as for instance, Christ’s officers stand in these relations of power to the Church and people of God.

1. They are pastors, Eph. iv. 11.  The church is the flock, John x. 16; 1 Cor. ix. 7; flock, Acts xx. 28, 29; 1 Pet. v. 2, 3.  Hath not the pastor power to rule and govern his flock?

2.  They are stewards.  “Who is that faithful and wise steward?” Luke xii. 42.  “Stewards of the mysteries of God,” 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2.  “Stewards of God,” Tit. i. 7.  The Church and people of God are the Lord’s household, over which these stewards are set, &c., Luke xii. 42. God’s house, 1 Tim. iii. 15; Heb. iii. 6.  Have not stewards power to govern and order those families over which they are set, and wherewith they are intrusted?  Gal. iv. 1.

3.  They are bishops or overseers, Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 2; Tit. i. 7.  The Church and people of God are that charge which the Lord hath committed to their inspection.  “Over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,” Acts xx. 28.  Have not overseers power over that which is committed to their inspection?

4.  They are catechizers and teachers, Rom. xii. 7, 8; Eph. iv. 11.  The Church and people are catechized, Gal. vi. 6; taught.  Hath not he that catechizeth power for government of him that is catechized?  He that teacheth of him that is taught?

5.  They are co-workers with God, 1 Cor. iii. 9; 2 Cor. vi. 1. Architects, builders, &c., 1 Cor. iii. 10; some of them laying the foundation, others building thereupon.  The Church and people of God are God’s building.  “Ye are God’s building,” 1 Cor. iii. 9.  Have not builders power of disposing and ordering affairs appertaining to the building?