That this power, under the name of "the keys of the kingdom of heaven," was originally granted unto the whole professing church of believers, and that it is utterly impossible it should reside in any other, who is subject unto death, or if so, be renewed upon any occa- sional intermission, is so fully proved by all Protestant writers against the Papists that it needs not on this occasion be again insisted on.
VI. These things have been spoken concerning the polity of the church in general, as it is taken objectively for the constitution of its state and the laws of its rule. We are in the next place to con- sider it subjectively, as it is a power or faculty of the minds of men unto whom the rule of the church is committed; and in this sense it is the wisdom or understanding of the officers of the church to exercise the government in it appointed by Jesus Christ, or to rule it according to his laws and constitutions. Or,
This wisdom is a spiritual gift, 1 Cor. xii. 8, whereby the officers of the church are enabled to make a due application of all the rules and laws of Christ, unto the edification of the church and all the members of it.
Unto the attaining of this wisdom are required, — ]. Fervent prayer for it, James i. 5. 2. Diligent study of the Scripture, to find out and understand the rules given by Christ unto this purpose^ Ezra vii. 10; 2 Tim. ii. 1, 15. 3. Humble waiting on God for the revelation of all that it is to be exercised about, Ezek. xliii. 11. 4. A conscientious exercise of the skill which they have received; talents traded with duly will increase. 5. A continual sense of the account
OF THE POLITY, ETC., OF THE CHURCH IN GENERAL. 41
which is to be given of the discharge of this great trust, being called to rule in the house of God, Heb. xiii. 1 7.
How much this wisdom hath been neglected in ehurch-govern- moDt, yea, how much it is despised in the world, is evident unto all. It is skill in the canon law, in the proceedings of vexatious courts, with the learning, subtilty, and arts, which are required thereunto, that is looked on as the only skill to be exercised in the government of the church. Without this a man is esteemed no way meet to be employed in any part of the church-government; and according as any do arrive unto a dexterity in this polity, they are esteemed eminently useful. But these things belong not at all unto the go- vernment of the church appointed by Christ; nor can any sober man think in his conscience that so they do. What is the use of this art and trade as unto political ends we inquire not. Nor is the true wisdom required unto this end, with the means of attaining of it, more despised, more neglected, by any sort of men in the world, than by those whose pretences unto ecclesiastical rule and authority would make it most necessary unto them.
Two things follow on the supposition laid down : —
1. That the wisdom intended is not promised unto all the mem- hers of the church in general, nor are they required to seek for it by the ways and means of attaining it before laid down, but respect is had herein only unto the officers of the church. Hereon de- pendeth the equity of the obedience of the people unto their rulers; for wisdom for rule is peculiarly granted unto them, and their duty it is to seek after it in a peculiar manner. Wherefore those who, on every occasion, are ready to advance their own wisdom and un- derstanding in the affairs and proceedings of the church against the wisdom of the officers of it are proud and disorderly.
I speak not this to give any countenance unto the outcries of some, that all sorts of men will suppose themselves wiser than their rulers, and to know what belongs unto the government of the church better than they; whereas the government which they exercise be- longs not at all unto the rule of the church, determined and limited in the Scripture, as the meanest Christian can easily discern ; nor is it pretended by themselves so to do: for they say that the Lord Christ hath prescribed nothing herein, but left it unto the will and wisdom of the church to order all things as they see necessary, which church they are. Wherefore, if that will please them, it shall be granted, that in skill for the management of ecclesiastical affairs according to the canon law, with such other rules of the same kind as they have framed, and in the legal proceedings of ecclesiastical courts, as they are called, there are none of the people that are equal unto them or will contend with them.
2. It hence also follows that those who are called unto rule in the
42 TEUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHUECH.
church of Christ should diligently endeavour the attaining of and increasing in this wisdom, giving evidence thereof on all occasions, that the church may safely acquiesce in their rule. But hereunto so many things do belong as cannot in this place be meetly treated of ; somewhat that appertains to them shall afterward be considered.