A26897:374
Church concord
Church concord containing I. a dissuasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.Church concord containing I. a disswasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Question 5: Q. 5. What is the Magistrates Power and Duty about Religion, and the Churches and Minis…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Q. 5. What is the Magistrates Power and Duty about Religion, and the Churches and Ministers of Christ?
Answ. I shall say more as to their Power, than as to their Duty, because I know not how it will be endured; or how that counsel will be taken or followed, which is not desired. It more concerneth us to consider of our own duty to them.
1. All the forcing Power about matters Ecclesiastical, (whether by corporal Penalties or forced Mulcts) belongeth only to the Magistrate: (Besides what Parents and Masters may do). And if any Pastors use it, it must be as Magistrates, receiving it from the Sovereign. And the Sword is so unseemly in a Pastors hand, and so ill taken by the people, and so adverse to the persuasive Loving Government which he must exercise, and hath ever been of such unhappy effects to the World; that it were to be wished that Princes would keep their Sword from the Clergy to themselves, and commit it to such Officers, as have not so much other work to do, and are not so likely to abuse it.
1. All the forcing Power about matters Ecclesiastical, (whether by corporal Penalties or forced Mulcts) belongeth only to the Magistrate: (Besides what Parents and Masters may do). And if any Pastors use it, it must be as Magistrates, receiving it from the Soveraign. And the Sword is so unseemly in a Pastors hand, and so ill taken by the people, and so adverse to the persuasive Loving Government which he must exercise, and hath ever been of such unhappy effects to the World; that it were to be wished that Princes would keep their Sword from the Clergy to themselves, and commit it to such Officers, as have not so much other work to do, and are not so likely to abuse it.