An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

But whereas the Lord Jesus Christ hath taught, commanded, appointed nothing that is contrary unto, or inconsistent with righteous Governments of any sort, if Rulers or Magistrates shall forbid the observance of what he hath commanded, appointed and ordered, and then charge it on him or his Way, that his Disciples cannot, dare not, will not comply with that Prohibition, and accuse them thereon of Sedition and Opposition unto Government, they deal injuriously with him, whereof they must give an account. For whereas all Power is given unto him in Heaven and Earth, all Nations are his Inheritance, all People in his absolute Disposal, and it is his pleasure to set up his Kingdom in the Earth, without which the Earth itself would not be continued; He could not deal more gently with the righteous Rulers of this world, (and he did it, because righteous Rule is the Ordinance of God) than to order all things so, that whether they receive his Law and Doctrine or no, nothing should be done in opposition unto them, or their Rule. And if any of them are not contented with this measure, but will forbid the observance of what he commands, wherein he alone is concerned and not they; this is left to be determined between him and them. In the mean time, when Rulers are not able to fancy, much ⟨p. 132⟩less give a real instance of any one Principle, Doctrine, or Practice in any of the Churches of Christ, or any belonging unto them, that is contrary unto, or inconsistent with the Rights or exercise of their Rule and Government, and yet shall not only prohibit the doing of those things which he hath commanded, merely with respect unto the Spiritual and Eternal ends of his Kingdom, but shall also punish and destroy those who will not disown his Authority, and comply with their Prohibition; it doth scarce answer their Interest and Prudence. For to what purpose is it, for any to provoke him who is mightier than they, when they have no appearance of necessity for their▪ so doing, nor advantage thereby?

2. In particular, the Lord Christ hath ordained no Power nor Order in his Church, no Office or Duty that should stand in need of the Civil Authority, Sanction or force to preserve it, or make it effectual unto its proper ends. It is sufficient to discharge any thing of a pretence to be an appointment of Christ in his Church, if it be not sufficient unto its own proper End, without the help of the Civil Magistrate. That Church-state which is either constituted by humane Authority, or cannot consist without it, is not from him. That Ordinance which is in its own Nature divine, or is pretended so to be, so far as it is not effectual unto its end without the aid of Humane Authority, is not of him, he needs it not; he will not borrow the assistance of Civil Authority, to rule in and over the Consciences of men, with respect unto their living to God, and coming unto the enjoyment of himself.