Keyes Of The Kingdom Of Heaven (Notable American Authors Series - Part I)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1843. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... are hot. To come then to the first subject of Churchpower, or of the power of the keyes. The substance of the doctrine thereof, may be conceived and declared in a few Propositions. Church-power is either supream and soveraign, or subordinate and ministeriall. Touching the former, take this proposition. The Lord Jesus Christ, the head of his Church, is the nqSnov Aexiixuv, the first proper subject of the soveraign power of the keyes. He hath the key of David; • He openeth, and no man shutteth; He shutteth, and no man openeth, Rev. 3. 7. The government is upon his shoulder, Isa. 9. 6. And himself declareth the same to his Apostles, as the ground of his granting to them Apostolicall power. All power (saith he) is given to me in heaven and earth, Matth. 28. 18. Go ye therefore, &tc. Hence 1. All legislative power (power of making of Laws) in the Church is in him, and not from him derived to any other, Jam. 4. 12. ha. 33. 22. The power derived to others, is onely to publish and execute his Laws and Ordinances, and to see them observed, Mat. 28. 20. His Laws are perfect, Psal. 19. 9. and do make the man of God perfect to every good work, 2 Tim. 3. 17. and need no addition. 2. From his soveraign power it proceedeth, that he onely can erect and ordain a true constitution of a Churchestate, Hcb. 3. 3 to 6. He buildeth his own house, and setteth the pattern of it, as God gave to David the pattern of Salomons Temple, 1 Chron. 28. 19. None hath power to erect any other Church-frame, then as this Master-builder hath left us a pattern thereof in the Gospel. In the Old Testament the Church set up by him was JYationall, in the New, Congregationall; yet so as that in sundrie cases it is ordered by him, many congregations or their messengers, may be assembled into a Synod. Act....