themselves pure, 1 Tim. v. 22. Not to prefer one before another, nor do anything by partiality, 1 Tim. v. 21. To rebuke them that sin before all, that others also may fear, 1 Tim. v. 20. To reject a heretic after once or twice admonition, Tit. iii. 10.  To use the authority that is given them from the Lord to the edification, not to the destruction of the Church, 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10; with divers such like rules specially directed to Christ’s officers.

2.  Encouragements to well-ruling are peculiarly directed to Christ’s officers.  For, 1.  They are the persons specially commended in that respect; well-ruling, 1 Tim. v. 17. Good and faithful steward, Luke xii. 42.  The angels of the churches are praised for their good government, Rev. ii. 2, 3, 6, and ver. 18, 19. 2.  They are the persons to whom the promises, in reference to good government, are directed, as Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18-20; John xx. 21, 23; Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; Luke xii. 42-44; 1 Pet. v. 4. 3.  They are the persons whom the Lord will have peculiarly rewarded, now with double honor, 1 Tim. v. 17; hereafter with endless glory, 1 Pet. v. 4.

3.  Discouragements, deterring from ill-governing, are also specially applied to Christ’s officers, whether by way of dispraise or threats, &c., Rev. ii. 12, 14-16, and ver. 18, 20.

Now if, 1.  Rules for church government, 2.  Encouragements in reference to well ruling, and, 3.  Discouragements in reference to ill-ruling, be so peculiarly directed by the word of Christ to his own officers, we may conclude,

Therefore the officers of Christ in the Church are the only subjects of power from Christ for the government of his Church.

Object.  But the church[99] of a particular congregation fully furnished with officers, and rightly walking in judgment and peace, is the first subject of all church authority, as appears from the example of the church of Corinth in the excommunication of the incestuous Corinthian, 1 Cor. v. 1-5; wherein it appears that the presbytery alone did not put forth this power, but the brethren also concurred in this sentence with some act of power, (viz. a negative power:) for, 1.  The reproof, for not proceeding to sentence sooner, is directed to the whole Church, as well as to the presbytery.  They are all blamed for not mourning, &c., 1 Cor. v. 2. 2.  The command is directed to them all, when they are gathered together, (and what is that but to a church meeting?) to proceed against him, 1 Cor. v. 4, 13. 3.  He declareth this act of theirs, in putting him out, to be a judicial act, ver. 12. 4.  Upon his repentance the apostle speaketh to the brethren, as well as to their elders, to forgive him, 2 Cor. ii. 4-10.  Consequently, Christ’s church officers are not the peculiar, immediate, or only subject of the power of the keys, as hath been asserted.