them from the Lord to the edification, not to the destruction_ of the
Church, 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10; with divers such like rules specially
directed to Christ's officers.

2. Encouragements to well-ruling are peculiarly directed to Christ's
officers. For, 1. They are the persons specially commended in that
respect; _well-ruling_, 1 Tim. v. 17. _Good and faithful steward_, Luke
xii. 42. The angels of the churches are praised for their good
government, Rev. ii. 2, 3, 6, and ver. 18, 19. 2. They are the persons
to whom the promises, in reference to good government, are directed, as
Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18-20; John xx. 21, 23; Matt. xxviii. 19, 20;
Luke xii. 42-44; 1 Pet. v. 4. 3. They are the persons whom the Lord will
have peculiarly rewarded, now with _double honor_, 1 Tim. v. 17;
hereafter with _endless glory_, 1 Pet. v. 4.

3. Discouragements, deterring from ill-governing, are also specially
applied to Christ's officers, whether by way of dispraise or threats,
&c., Rev. ii. 12, 14-16, and ver. 18, 20.

Now if, 1. Rules for church government, 2. Encouragements in reference
to well ruling, and, 3. Discouragements in reference to ill-ruling, be
so peculiarly directed by the word of Christ to his own officers, we may
conclude,

Therefore the officers of Christ in the Church are the only subjects of
power from Christ for the government of his Church.

_Object_. But the church[99] of a particular congregation fully
furnished with officers, and rightly walking in judgment and peace, is
the first subject of all church authority, as appears from the example