double honor, to obey, and submit themselves to any persons in the
church but to the ruling officers thereof in reference to their office,
and the due execution thereof?

Now, seeing the Church and people of God are peculiarly obliged, by so
many commands of Christ, to perform such duties of subjection and
obedience to the officers of Christ, may it not be concluded,

Therefore the officers of Christ are the only subjects of authority from
Christ for the government of his Church?

_Argum_. VI. Finally, the directions touching rule and government in the
Church; the encouragements to well-ruling by commendations, promises,
rewards, together with the contrary deterring discouragements from
ill-ruling, by discommendations, threats, &c., being specially applied
and appropriated by the word of Christ unto Christ's officers, very
notably discover to us that Christ's officers are the only subjects of
power from Christ for the government of his Church. Thus it may be
argued:

_Major_. Whatsoever persons in the Church have directions for church
government, encouragements to well-ruling, and discouragements from
ill-ruling, particularly and peculiarly applied unto them by the word of
Christ; they are the only subjects of power from Christ for the
government of his Church:

This proposition is evident: For, 1. How should it be consistent with
the infinite wisdom of God peculiarly to apply unto them directions
about ruling and governing the church that are not the only subjects in
whom the power of government is intrusted by Jesus Christ? 2. How can it