the proper, immediate, and only subjects of ecclesiastical power. Thus
we may argue:

_Major_. All those persons in the Church, that have such names, titles,
or denominations given to them peculiarly in the Scriptures by the
Spirit of Christ, as generally have authority and power engraven upon
them in reference to the Church, are the immediate and only proper
subjects of ecclesiastical power.

_Minor_. But Christ's officers in the Church have such names, titles, or
denominations given to them peculiarly in the Scriptures by the Spirit
of Christ, as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in
reference to the Church.

_Conclusion_. Therefore Christ's own officers in the Church are the
proper, immediate, and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical
power.

This major proposition must be granted. For, 1. Is not this the Holy
Ghost's familiar and ordinary manner in Scripture, to give titles and
denominations, which are apt, pertinent, significative and instructing
both to others and themselves that have such denominations conferred
upon them? As in the family, the husband is called _the head of the
wife_, 1 Cor. xi., because he is to govern, she is to be subject: the
wife is called _an help-meet_, &c., Gen. ii.: to teach the wife her
duty, to help his good and comfort every way, to hinder it no way. So in
the commonwealth, magistrates are called _heirs of restraint, to put men
to shame_, Judges xviii. 7, because they are to restrain disorders,
shame evil-doers: higher powers, to teach others subjection to them,
Rom. xiii. 1. "An ordinance of man or human creation," 1 Pet. ii. 13: