A42763:159
CXI propositions concerning the ministry and government of the ChurchCXI propositions concerning the ministerie and government of the Church
Edinburgh: printed by Evan Tyler, 1647
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
76.
Seventhly, they differ as touching the correlative. God hath commanded that unto the civill power, every soul, or all Members of the Commonwealth, of what condition and estate soever be subject; for what have we to do with the Papists, who will have them whom they call the Clergy or Ecclesiastical persons, to be free from the yoke of the civill Magistrate? The Ecclesiastical power extends it self to none other subjects then unto those which are called Brethren, or Members of the Church.
Seventhly, they differ as touching the correlative. God hath commanded that unto the civill power, every soul, or all Members of the Commonwealth, of what condition and estate soever be subject; for what have wee to doe with the Papists, who will have them whom they call the Clergy or Ecclesiasticall persons, to bee free from the yoke of the civill Magistrate? The Ecclesiasticall power extends it self to none other subjects then unto those which are called Brethren, or Members of the Church.
77.
Eighthly, there remaineth another difference in respect of the distinct and divided exercise of authority. For either power ceasing from its duty, or remitting punishment, that doth not (surely it ought not) prejudice the exercise of the other power; namely if the Magistrate cease to do his duty, or do neglect to punish with secular punishment those malefactors which by profession are Church Members: Nevertheless, it is in the power of the Governors of the Church, by the bridle of Ecclesiastical Discipline to curb such men; yea also by virtue of their office they are bound to do it; and on the other part, the Magistrate may and ought to punish in life and limb, honours or goods, notwithstanding of the offenders repentance or reconciliation with the Church.