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

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 ⟨p. 198⟩loosed all her Officers by death or persecution, is not for that time an Ecclesiastical Republic, nor can be such till she have Officers. This if they had observed who have taken so great pains to prove that there hath been, and may be a Church without Officers, it should happily have made them think their labour l•st. It might also have taught Henry Jacob to distinguish between a Church visible and a Church ministerial or political, and not to understand these three terms to be all one, as he doth in his L•tter, bearing date the 4. of September 1611. pag. 9. Fifthly, my being a member of any one visible Church metaphysically, giveth me right and title to communicate with another visible Church (where for the time I am) in sacris misticis, such as the word, prayer, &c. But my being a member of any one visible Church politically doth not give me right and title to communicate with another visible Church (where for the time I am) in sacris politicis ▪ such as ordination, deposition, excommunication, &c.

These are very different considerations; for first, a visible Church being taken entitatively or metaphysically, her members doe 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 compasse of the power of Jurisdiction, which I may call sacra politica. Secondly, Infants under age being initiated in Baptisme, are actually members of the Church in the former consideration, but potentially only in the latter, for they neither governe, nor yet have the use of reason to bee subject and obedient to those that doe governe. Thirdly, one must necessarily bee a member of the Church metaphysically beore he can be a member of the Church politically, but not contrariwise. Fourthly, many visible Churches have sometimes beene, and may bee without Officers, and so without Ecclesiasticall 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 kinde there have beene many at the first conversion of a Nation to the Gospell) or which hath