The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

§42. V. And to the question, Whether the King be the formal, or only the accidental Church-head? We find no more agreement. 1. Some think that the King, as Melchizedek, is a mixed person, secular and Clergy, and hath both Offices to use and communicate, as they say, the Princes before Aaron had. 2. Others say, that this is not so, but that the Clergy-jurisdiction, distinct from the Priestly common power, is a branch of the Christian Magistrates power, and so derived from the King. 3. Others say that the Church, formally, is distinct from the Civil State, though not always materially: And that the King as King, is but an Accidental Civil Head, as he is over Physicians and Schoolmasters, being neither himself; and that the National Church must have a formal Clergy-head, (Personal or Collective) which shall in suo genere, be the highest, though under the Magistrates Civil Government, as Physicians are. 4. The Papists say, that all National Churches are under the Pope as Universal Pastor, who may alter them as he seeth cause. 5. Some moderate men say, that only Diocesan (and Metropolitical) Churches are jure Divino, ⟨p. 298⟩and that they are called National, only improperly from one King, or concording association as ab accidente, and not properly from any formal Clergy-head.

§42. V. And to the question, Whether the King be the formal, or only the accidental Church-head? We find no more agreement. 1. Some think that the King, as Melchizedek, is a mixt person, secular and Clergy, and hath both Offices to use and communicate, as they say, the Princes before Aaron had. 2. Others say, that this is not so, but that the Clergy-jurisdiction, distinct from the Priestly common power, is a branch of the Christian Magistrates power, and so derived from the King. 3. Others say that the Church, formally, is distinct from the Civil State, though not alwaies materially: And that the King as King, is but an Accidental Civil Head, as he is over Physicians and Schoolmasters, being neither himself; and that the National Church must have a formal Clergy-head, (Personal or Collective) which shall in suo genere, be the highest, though under the Magisttates Civil Government, as Physicians are. 4. The Papists say, that all National Churches are under the Pope as Universal Pastor, who may alter them as he seeth cause. 5. Some moderate men say, that only Diocesan (and Metropolitical) Churches are jure Divino, ⟨p. 298⟩