Sg The Ifßitution and Govot. went that is, the Power of dealing with fcandalous Members, Mat. xviii. 17, IS. (3.) If this were granted (as it is not) that Hymeneus and f'lexander were dealt with by Paul, without the Power of the Church, yet it would not follow that it is in the Power of ordinary Elders fo to do. Paul was an Apodle, and had Power to aa as an Elder in every Church where he came ; but Elders of particular Churches are not Apofl.les : Are all Apoftles I No fure ; nor have (as I have (hewed already) ordinary Elders any Office power out of the Church to which they relate, nor can they act as Elders in other Churches. If ordinary Elders have any Office -power out of the par- ticular Church by which they were chofen, I desire to know how they came by it ? Whence it is derived ? They have it not immediately from Christ, that they do not pretend to ; for they can do no Miracle to demonftrate it : They have it not from the Church, for one Church hath no Power to ordain Elders for another : And if anv Church should pretend to fuch a Power, I hope it might be no juft Offence humbly to ask them by what Authority they do these Things, and who gave them this Authority ? And in the meanTime I would advife fuch Elders, as do adventure to aft officially in other Congregations either to adminiller the Supper, to ordain their Elders, or toejeft an Elder, to be ready to anfwer this Queftion, when put to then f Ives, By what Authority they do thofe Things, and who gave them this Authority ? If it be replied, that they have their Authority from other Churches that call them to at after this Manner ? I have two Things to return by way of Anfwer. (t.) If Churches have no Power to call in the Elders of other Churches thus to aft, then their Call gives you no Authority ; but Churches have no Power to call in the Elders of other Churches thus to aft, therefore their Call gives no Authority. The Argument is ne- gative, and if any deny it, it lies in them to give lnflances of the Powerof fuch Churchesto call them in. (z.) If a Man may aa as an Elder in two Congregations by Confent, then in ten, in twenty, and fo become a diocefan Bishop But hill he will be to Peek of the Inftitution of this Power, and
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