6.  Finally, to add no more, the officers of Christ in the Church are not only as nurses; “We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children,” 1 Thess. ii. 7:  and as mothers; “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again,” Gal. iv. 19:  but also as fathers, 1 Thess. ii. 11; 1 Cor. iv. 15, spiritual fathers in Christ:  and the Church and people of God, they are the sons and daughters, the spiritual babes and children, begotten, brought forth, and nursed up by them, 1 Thess. ii. 7, 11; Gal. iv. 19:  and have fathers no authority nor power of government over their children?  See Eph. vi. 1-3; 1 Tim. iii. 4.

Thus Christ’s officers stand in such relation to the Church as do evidently carry power of government along with them; but where are any other members of the church besides officers, stated in such relation of pastors, stewards, overseers, catechizers, builders, husbandmen, nurses, mothers, and fathers to the Church of God and members of Christ, that can be evidenced by the Scriptures?  Why may we not then clearly conclude,

Conclusion.  Therefore the officers of Christ are the only subjects of ecclesiastical power.

Argum.  V. The many divine commands and impositions of duties of obedience, submission, subjection, &c., upon the Church and people of God, to be performed by them to Christ’s officers, and that in reference to their office, do plainly proclaim the officers of Christ to be the proper receptacle and subject of authority and power from Christ for the government of his Church.  Thus it may be argued: 

Major.  Whatsoever persons they are 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, they are the only subjects of authority from Christ for the government of his Church.

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,