Conclusion.  Therefore Christ makes not the community of the faithful the first subject of the power of church government.

Argum.  IV.  The community of the faithful are nowhere in the word called or acknowledged to be church governors:  therefore they are not the first subject of church government.

Major.  Those persons, who are the first subject and receptacle of proper power for church government from Christ, are in the word called and acknowledged to be church governors.  This is evident, 1.  By Scripture, which is wont to give to them whom Christ intrusts with his government, such names and titles as have rule, authority, and government engraven upon them:  as overseers, Acts xx. 28; governments, 1 Cor. xii. 28; rulers, 1 Tim. v. 17, and Rom. xii. 8; with divers others, as after will appear in Chap.  XI. 2.  By reason, which tells us that government and governors are relative terms; and therefore to whom government belongs, to them also the denominations of governors, rulers, &c., do belong, and not contrariwise.

Minor.  But the community of the faithful are nowhere in the word either called or acknowledged to be church governors.  This is clear.  For, 1.  No titles or names are given them by Scripture which imply any rule or government in the visible Church of Christ. 2.  They are plainly set in opposition against, and distinction from, church governors:  they are called the flock; these, overseers set over them by the Holy Ghost, Acts xx. 28:  they, the saints; these their rulers, Heb. xiii. 22:  these are over them in the Lord; and consequently they are under them in the Lord, 1 Thes. v. 12. 3.  The community of the faithful are so far from being the subject of church government themselves, that they are expressly charged by the word of Christ to know, honor, obey, and submit, to other governors set over them, and distinct from themselves.  “Know them who are over you in the Lord,” 1 Thes. v. 12.  “Let the well-ruling elders be counted worthy of double honor; especially,” &c., 1 Tim. v. 17.  “Obey ye your rulers, and submit, for they watch for your souls,” Heb. xiii. 17.

Conclusion.  Therefore the community of the faithful are not the first subject and receptacle of proper power for church government.

Argum.  V. This opinion of making the body of the Church, or community of the faithful, the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys for the government of the Church, doth inevitably bring along with it many intolerable absurdities.  Therefore it is not to be granted.  Thus we may argue: 

Major.  That doctrine or opinion which draws after it unavoidably divers intolerable absurdities, is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion.

Minor.  But this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole community or body of the Church to be the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys, draws after it unavoidable divers intolerable absurdities.