“FINALLY, the Church of Christ can be considered in a twofold aspect. It contains within itself a body of clergy which has the office of instructing and ruling, called the Church teaching, or the Church governing. The Apostles represented this body and to them were addressed the words of our Lord, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.”…The Church likewise has a body, the laity, who are taught, who listen and obey, called the Church hearing, or the Church obeying. To this body St. Paul speaks in these words, ‘Obey your prelates, and be subject to them’… This distinction between clergy and laity is clearly marked where the same Apostle says, ‘We are God’s coadjutors: you are God’s husbandry.'” [bold added]

                                    — The Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Rev. Thomas Cox

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