1. Directions for church government are particularly applied by the word of Christ to his own officers: as for instance, they are directed to _bind and loose_--to _remit_ and _retain sins on earth_, Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18; John xx. 21, 23. _To judge them that are within the_ Church, _not without_, 1 Cor. v. 12. _Not to lord it, domineer_, or _overrule the flock of Christ_, 1 Pet. v. To _rule well_, 1 Tim. v. 17. To rule _with diligence_, Rom. xii. 8. To _lay hands suddenly on no man, neither to be partakers of other men's sins, but to keep themselves pure_, 1 Tim. v. 22. _Not to prefer one before another, nor do anything by partiality_, 1 Tim. v. 21. _To rebuke them that sin before all, that others also may fear_, 1 Tim. v. 20. _To reject a heretic after once or twice admonition_, Tit. iii. 10. To use the _authority that is given 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.