An exposition of the prophecy of Hosea begun in divers lectures upon the first…An exposition of the prophesie of Hosea begun in divers lectures vpon the first…

They shall appoint to themselves one Head. But one; The Church is not a Monster or divers heads, It hath but one head.

There cannot be a ministerial head of the Church, Christ is always present, and hath left his laws with his people. If we consider the difference between Ecclesiastical power and Civill power, we shall see it clear that there cannot be a ministerial head of the Church (indeed there is a contradiction in the very mention of it:¹ a ministerial head? it is absurd to speak it) It is true in the civill power, it is not against any institution of Christ that there should be one head over all the world, nor against any law: But for to have one head over the Church, yea to have any general officers over all the Churches (to challenge a head-ship) it cannot be. The reason is, because there can be no delegation of power that belongs to the Church. There may be a delegation of a civill power, one man may be King over many Countries, and he may appoint substitutes under him, and delegate them that they shall officate under him. There is no such matter in the Church, there is no delegation of power from one to another. Grant but once delegation of the teaching power here you stablish Non-residency; grant but delegation of the ruling power and you presently establish a Papacy. There is no such thing therefore.

There cannot be a ministeriall head of the Church, Christ is alwayes present, and hath left his laws with his people. If we consider the difference between Ecclesiasticall power and Civill power, wee shall see it cleare that there cannot be a ministeriall head of the Church (indeed there is a contradiction in the very mention of it:¹ a ministeriall head? it is absurd to speake it) It is true in the civill power, it is not against any institution of Christ that there should be one head over all the world, nor against any law: But for to have one head over the Church, yea to have any general officers over all the Churches (to challengde a head-ship) it cannot be. The reason is, because there can be no delegation of power that belongs to the Church. There may be a delegation of a civill power, one man may be King over many Countreys, and he may appoint substitutes under him, and delegate them that they shall officate under him. There is no such matter in the Church, there is no delegation of power from one to another. Grant but once delegation of the teaching power here you stablish Non-residency; grant but delegation of the ruling power and you presently establish a Papacy. There is no such thing therefore.