The Covenant of Grace

A third Argument is taken from Isa. 49.23. which though a Scripture of the Old, yet respecting the days of the New Testament, and the substance of the Argument stands thus. It is the mind of God that civil Rulers in the days of the New Testament should Authoritatively act in spiritual things, which are to the Church as milk; therefore it's his mind that in these days they should act Authoritatively in matters of Religion, we say to act Authoritatively, because to act as Fathers and Mothers, and therefore not to act merely alluringly (as some say) or in a general way of countenance, but coercively: Fathers act fatherly in commanding, in forbidding, and in punishing, as well as in kissing, and giving good words; in taking the rod, as giving an Apple; nor doth he say, they should be Nurses, as if they were to take upon them to act officially in Preaching or in administration, whether of Church seals, or of Church censures. ⟨p. 37⟩The nature of the similitude forbids it. Nurse-fathers cannot give milk to the Child, but Nurse-fathers, and Nurse-mothers, to take Authoritative care, what milk either Church-Officers, or any others yield forth to the Church, to see that it be good, and accordingly to reward and encourage it, to look that it be not bad, but coercively to restrain it, at least from being milked forth to the Churches hurt: Albeit if kept within the breast that bred it, it is out of their cognizance; nor is this spoken of Heathen Rulers, as Pagans, not Christians, but of such which though as civil Rulers they command in matters of Religion, or righteousness, yea as Members of the Church they obey the Church, stooping to its doctrine and discipline so, they lick up the dust of the Churches feet.

A third Argument is taken from Isa. 49.23. which though a Scripture of the Old, yet respecting the dayes of the New Testament, and the substance of the Argument stands thus. It is the mind of God that civil Rulers in the dayes of the New Testament should Authoritatively act in spirituall things, which are to the Church as milke; therefore it's his mind that in these dayes they should act Authoritatively in matters of Religion, we say to act Authoritatively, because to act as Fathers and Mothers, and therefore not to act meerly alluringly (as some say) or in a generall way of countenance, but coercively: Fathers act fatherly in commanding, in forbidding, and in punishing, as well as in kissing, and giving good words; in taking the rod, as giving an Apple; nor doth he say, they should be Nurses, as if they were to take upon them to act officially in Preaching or in administration, whether of Church seales, or of Church censures.