ch are the
proper, immediate, and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical
power.

_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_