The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

§. 18. Two contrary opinions herein now reign: One of the Papists that think Christ instituted the Pope with power to make inferior Church species. That other is, that Christ or his Apostles instituted Diocesans, giving them power both as rulers to make Parish Churches (or Chapels) under them, and by Contract or Consent to make the highest species over them, (Provincial, National, Patriarchal, and say some Papal.) But as to the Papists so much is said against their supposition that it's not here to be confuted: And it's certain that single Church order was constituted by no Pope, and that all the Apostles had power thereto. And as for the latter, which affirmeth the lower degrees to make the higher, we still want the proofs ⟨p. 113⟩of their authority so to do: of which more afterwards.

§. 18. Two contrary opinions herein now reign: One of the Papists that think Christ instituted the Pope with power to make inferiour Church species. That other is, that Christ or his Apostles instituted Diocesans, giving them power both as rulers to make Parish Churches (or Chapels) under them, and by Contract or Consent to make the highest species over them, (Provincial, National, Patriarchal, and say some Papal.) But as to the Papists so much is said against their supposition that it's not here to be confuted: And it's certain that single Church order was constituted by no Pope, and that all the Apostles had power thereto. And as for the latter, which affirmeth the lower degrees to make the higher, we still want the proofs ⟨p. 113⟩of their authority so to do: of which more afterwards.

§. 19. As for them that say that it is Magistrates that have power to make new species of Churches, I grant them that whatever alterations of Church-Orders may be made, Magistrates may do much in them. The Power of Princes, and the Guidance of Pastors, and the Consent of the people have each herein their special place: But what these alterations or additions are which they may make, is the chief question: Both the Catholic Church, and single Church assemblies being instituted by Christ are not left to them. The circumstantiating of other Assemblies and Associations are left to them, to be done according to Gods general Law: But that making new Political Societies that are properly called Churches, or Religious bodies consisting of the Pars regens, & pars subdita, is left to them by Christ, I never saw proved, any more than the making of new Sacraments. But if that could be proved, yet that these humane Churches or their makers may change those that are of Divine institution or deprive them of their privileges, or forbid them commanded duty, cannot be proved.