A26897:388
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.
11. When any question, Who must be Judge, in cases of Heresy, Infidelity or Idolatry as divulged or practised, the true answer is obvious and easy. 1. In regard of public Ecclesiastical judgment, and the Sentence of Excommunication or Absolution, the Pastors of the Church are the proper Judges, by virtue of the power of the Keys. 2. In regard of public civil judgment in order to corporal forcible punishment or impunity (as there is just cause) the Magistrate is the only public Judge. 3. In regard of that private judgment of discerning, by which every rational person must know his own Duty, both to God and Man, and discern when and how far to obey Man, without disobeying God, every such rational person is a Judge; that is, a Discerner of what he ought to do. And Christ always the final Judge.
11. When any question, Who must be Iudge, in cases of Heresie, Infidelity or Idolatry as divulged or practised, the true answer is obvious and easie. 1. In regard of publick Ecclesiastical judgment, and the Sentence of Excommunication or Absolution, the Pastors of the Church are the proper Judges, by virtue of the power of the Keys. 2. In regard of publick civil judgment in order to corporal forcible punishment or impunity (as there is just cause) the Magistrate is the only publick Judge. 3. In regard of that private judgment of discerning, by which every rational person must know his own Duty, both to God and Man, and discern when and how far to obey Man, without disobeying God, every such rational person is a Iudge; that is, a Discerner of what he ought to do. And Christ always the final Judge.
12. Yet may not the Magistrate invade the Pastoral Office it self; nor Ordain or Degrade Minister•, (in that Spiritual Sense as it is committed to Church-Guides;) nor Administer the Sacraments, nor exercise the proper power of the Church Keys, which Christ committed to Church Officers, by such Excommunications or Absolutions as are proper to that power; nor may they hinder the •astors from the due performance of their Office, in matter or manner: Nor ⟨p. 75⟩