An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…

Some other objections there are, for obviating whereof I shall permit and explain a distinction which shall serve to answer them all. We may consider a visible Church, either metaphysically or politically. It is one thing to consider men as living creatures endued with reason; another thing to consider them as Magistrates, masters, fathers, children, servants, &c. So is it one thing to consider a visible Church as a society of men and women separated from the blind world by divine vocation, and professing together the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Another thing to consider it as a political body, in which the power of Spiritual government and Jurisdiction is exercised, some governing and some governed.

Some other objections there are, for obviating whereof I shall permit and explane a distinction which shall serve to answer them all. We may consider a visible Church, either metaphysically or politically. It is one thing to consider men as living creatures endued with reason; another thing to consider them as Magistrates, masters, fathers, children, servants, &c. So is it one thing to consider a visible Church as a society of men and women separated from the blinde world by divine vocation, and professing together the Gospell of Jesus Christ. Another thing to consider it as a political body, in which the power of Spirituall government and Jurisdiction is exercised, some governing and some governed.

These are very different considerations; for first, a visible Church being taken entitatively or metaphysically, her members do ordinarily communicate together in those holy things which fall under the power of order, which I may call sacra mistica; but being taken politically, her members communicate together in such holy things as fall within the compass of the power of Jurisdiction, which I may call sacra politica. Secondly, Infants under age being initiated in Baptism, are actually members of the Church in the former consideration, but potentially only in the latter, for they neither govern, nor yet have the use of reason to be subject and obedient to those that do govern. Thirdly, one must necessarily be a member of the Church metaphysically be•ore he can be a member of the Church politically, but not contrariwise. Fourthly, many visible Churches have sometimes been, and may be without Officers, and so without Ecclesiastical government and exercise of Jurisdiction for that time, yet still retaining the Essence of true visible Churches: whereas a Church which never yet had any Officers ordained therein (of which kind there have been many at the first conversion of a Nation to the Gospel) or which hath