Gualther and Bullinger have any weight with him (as I suppose
it hath) they do not there exclude, but take in, under that word, the
ruling officers of the church.

But now, in the close, let the reverend brother take heed he hath not
split upon a rock, and taken from the magistrate more than he hath given
him. He saith, "Christian magistrates are to manage their office under
Christ, and for Christ. Christ hath placed governments in his church, 1
Cor. xii. 28, &c. I find all government given to Christ, and to Christ as
Mediator (I desire all to consider it), Eph. i. 3, 23, and Christ, as Head
of these, given to the church." If this be good divinity, then I am sure
it will be the hardest task which ever he took in hand to uphold and
assert the authority either of pagan or Christian magistrates.

First, He lets the pagan or infidel magistrate fall to the ground, as an
usurper who hath no just title to reign, because all government is given
to Christ, and to him as Mediator. But which way was the authority of
government derived from Christ, and from him as Mediator, to a pagan
prince or emperor?

Next, He will make it to fare little better with the Christian magistrate.
For if the Christian magistrate be the vicegerent of Christ, and of Christ
as Mediator; and if he be to manage his office under, and for Christ,--then
the reverend brother must either prove from Scripture, that Christ, as
Mediator, hath given such a commission of vicegerentship and deputyship to
the Christian magistrate; or otherwise, acknowledge that he hath given a
most dangerous wound to magistracy, and made it an empty title, claiming
that power which it hath no warrant to assume.

God and nature hath made magistrates, and given them great authority; but
from Christ as Mediator they have it not.

I find in Scripture, that church-officers have their power from Christ as
Mediator; and they are to manage their office under and for Christ; and in
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ do we assemble ourselves together, Matt.
xviii. 20; in his name do we preach, Luke xxiv. 47; Acts iv. 17, 18; v.
28, 41; ix. 27; in his name do we baptise, Acts ii. 38; iv. 12, 16; xix.
5; in his name do we excommunicate, 1 Cor. v. 5. But I do not find in
Scripture that the magistrate is to rule, or to make laws, or to manage
any part of his office in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And as the
Mediator hath not anywhere given such a commission and power to the
magistrate, so