x2591 difcipling and baptizing Nations, and teaching them all things that he commanded (a work to be 11111 done, and to which he promifed his prep fence to theend of the world :) And that thefe having gathered Converts, fet over them fixed Bifhops (or Paítors or Elders) to be their con- fiant Guides, in Teaching, PublickWozJhip, and .cifapline, under Chrift the great Prophet, Prieft and King ofthe Church. And that to the Apoftles firft, and by them to others, he gave them the Keys (that is, the Judging Power of reception, and rejeaion, and the Official Power of pro- nouncing God's reception or rejeEtion of them according to his Word.) § 23. There is not the !call evidence that there Apoftles did affix a Superiour Power over the other Churches to any particular feats, Parriarm chal or Metropolitan, much lets National ; or that any of them exercifed Government over the reft ; or that they themfelves did fix them-- felves as Bifhops to any twelve or thirteen Ci- ties in the world ; much lefs to twelve King- doms. § 24. There is no notice in Church. hiftory of any one National Church -power (Prieft or Sy- nod) fetled, afferted or exercifed under Heaven, ofabove three hundred years. Egypt and fy- ria that were prophefied to be Chriftian Nations, never were diftinc`t Chriftian Kingdoms, but parts of the Empire; nor had a National Church or Head (being but parts of filch a Church :) Nay; when Rome got the National Primacy, it had nor fuch a Prieftly Governing Soveraignty as the Jews High- Prieft had. § 25, Though there was no Chriftian King for S 2. three
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