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

82.

It is unlawful moreover to a Christian Magistrate to withstand the practise and execution of Ecclesiastical Discipline, (whether it be that which belongs to a particular Church, or the matter be carried to a Class or Synod) Now the Magistrate withstandeth the Ecclesiastic Discipline, either by prohibitions and unjust Laws, or by his evil example stirring up and inciting others to the contempt thereof, or to the trampling it under foot.

It is unlawfull moreover to a Christian Magistrate to withstand the practise and execution of Ecclesiasticall Discipline, (whether it be that which belongs to a particular Church, or the matter be carried to a Classe or Synode) Now the Magistrate withstandeth the Ecclesiastick Discipline, either by prohibitions and unjust Lawes, or by his evill example stirring up and inciting others to the contempt thereof, or to the trampling it under foot.

83.

Surely the Christian Magistrate (if at any time he give ⟨p. 33⟩any grievous scandal to the Church,) seeing he also is a member of the Church, ought no ways disdain to submit himself to the power of the keys; Neither is this to be marvelled at, for even as the office of the Minister of the Church is no ways subordinate and subjected to the civill power, but the person of the Minister, as he is a member of the Common wealth is subject thereto: So the civill power it self, or the Magistrate, as a Magistrate, is not subjected to Ecclesiastic power; yet that man who is a Magistrate ought (as he is a member of the Church) to be under the Churches censure of his manners, after the example of the Emperor Theodosius, unless he will despise and set at nought Ecclesiastic Discipline, and indulge the swelling pride of the flesh.