A86000:172
A form for Church government and ordination of ministers, contained in CXI propositions, propounded…
A form for Church government and ordination of ministers, contained in CXI propositions, propounded to the late General Assembly at Edinburgh, 1647. Together with an Act concerning Erastianism, independency, and liberty of conscience. Published by authority.A form for Church government and ordination of ministers, contained in CXI propositions, propounded to the late Generall Assembly at Edinburgh, 1647. Together with an Act concerning Erastianisme, independencie, and liberty of conscience. Published by authority.
London: printed for Robert Bostock, 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.
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 carryed to a Class or Synode:) Now the Magistrate withstandeth the Ecclesiastick Discipline, either by prohibitions and uniust Laws, or by his evil example, stirring up, and inciting others to the contempt thereof, or to the trampling it under foot.
83.
Surely the Christian Magistrate (if 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 civil power, but the person of the Minister, as he is a member of the Common-wealth, is subject thereto: So the civil 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.