CXI propositions concerning the ministry and government of the ChurchCXI propositions concerning the ministerie and government of the Church

Sixthly, they are also differenced in respect of the subject: The politic power is committed sometimes to one, sometimes to more, sometime by right of election, sometime by right of succession: But the Ecclesiastical power is competent to none under the New Testament by the right of succession, but he who hath it must be called by God and the Church to it; neither was it given by Christ to one either Pastor or Elder, much less to a Prelate, but to the Church, that is to the consistory of Presbyters: Tis confessed indeed, and who can be ignorant of it, that the power (as they call it) of order doth belong to particular Ministers, and is by each of them apart lawfully exercised? But that power which is commonly called of jurisdiction is committed not to one, but to the unity, that is to a consistory; therefore Ecclesiastical censure ought not to be inflicted but by many. 2 Cor. 2. 6.

Sixthly, they are also differenced in respect of the subject: The politick power is committed sometimes to one, sometimes to more, sometime by right of election, sometime by right of succession: But the Ecclesiasticall power is competent to none under the New Testament by the right of succession, but he who hath it must be called by God and the Church to it; neither was it given by Christ to one either Pastor or Elder, much lesse to a Prelate, but to the Church, that is to the consistory of Presbyters: Tis confessed indeed, and who can bee ignorant of it, that the power (as they call it) of order doth belong to particular Ministers, and is by each of them apart lawfully exercised? But that power which is commonly called of jurisdiction is committed not to one, but to the unity, that is to a consistory; therefore Ecclesiasticall censure ought not to be inflicted but by many.