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

§. 4. 1. There are four or five opinions about the possessors of this forcing power by the sword or violence: The first of them that say, It belongeth to all Magistrates Christian and unchristian. The second of them that say, It belongeth only to Christian Magistrates: The third of them that say, It belongeth to Orthodox Magistrates or Catholic only and not to Heretics: The fourth of those that say, that the Judicial part in cases of Religion belongeth to the Pope, Prelates or Presbyters, and the executive only to the Magistrate. The fifth of those that say that both judicial and executive belong to the Pope, Prelates and Priests: I may add a sixth of them that say, it is radically in the people.

§. 4. 1. There are four or five opinions about the possessors of this forcing power by the sword or violence: The first of them that say, It belongeth to all Magistrates Christian and unchristian. The second of them that say, It belongeth only to Christian Magistrates: The third of them that say, It belongeth to Orthodox Magistrates or Catholick only and not to Hereticks: The fourth of those that say, that the Judicial part in cases of Religion belongeth to the Pope, Prelats or Presbyters, and the executive only to the Magistrate. The fifth of those that say that both judicial and executive belong to the Pope, Prelats and Priests: I may add a sixth of them that say, it is radically in the people.

§. 5. 1. As to the first, it is undoubtedly true, if you distinguish between the Office, Power, and ⟨p. 251⟩the aptitude of the person to perform it. The Office of a Supreme Ruler is the same in all, but all are not equally capable of performing it. That is, It is the same as described by Gods command of their performance. As he commandeth infidels to believe and communicate with the Church, but not to communicate before they believe; so he commandeth Infidel Princes to believe and to govern the Christian affairs: but to govern them as they are capable. The common Laws of nature, justice and peace among Christian subjects, an Infidel Prince may and must see executed: The Laws of Christ revealed supernaturally, he ought to understand, believe and execute: But till he understand and believe them, he cannot execute them. And therefore wants the disposition and ability to do what he had command and authority to do; but to do it only in the due manner, to which his sin disableth him: and so his Power is in him incomplete.