refore such as are not properly
subordinate to Christ in this his office, and for this end, can have no
formal church power from Christ.

_Minor_. But no magistrate, as a magistrate, is subordinate properly to
Christ's mediatory kingdom. For, 1. Not Christ the Mediator, but God the
Creator authorizeth the magistrate's office, Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 6. 2.
Magistracy is never styled a ministry of Christ in Scripture, nor
dispensed in his name. 3. Christ's kingdom is not of this world, John
xviii. 36; the magistrate's is.

_Conclusion_. Therefore no formal power of Church government is
committed by Christ to the magistrate as a magistrate.

6th. Finally, divers absurdities unavoidably follow upon the granting of
a proper formal power of Church government to the civil magistrate:
therefore he cannot be the proper subject of such power. Hence it may be
thus argued:

_Major_. No grant of ecclesiastical power, which plainly introduceth
many absurdities, can be allowed to the political magistrate, as the
proper subject thereof. For though in matters of religion there be many
things mysterious, sublime, and above the reach of reason; yet there is
nothing to be found that is absurd, irrational, &c.

_Minor_. But to grant to the political magistrate, as a magistrate, a
proper formal power of church government, introduceth plainly many
absurdities, e.g.: 1. This brings confusion betwixt the office of the
magistracy and ministry. 2. Confounds the church and commonwealth
together. 3. Church government may be monarchical in one man; and so,
not only prelatical but papal; and consequently, antichristian. Which
absurdities, with many others, were formerly intimated, and neither by
religion nor reason can be endured. We conclude:

_Conclusion_. Therefore the grant of a proper formal power of church
government cannot be allowed to the political magistrate as the proper
subject thereof, because he is a magistrate.

CHAPTER X.

_That the community of the faithful, or body of the people, are not the
immediate subject of the power of Church government._

Thus we see, that Jesus Christ our Mediator did not commit any proper
formal ecclesiastical power for church government to the political
magistrate, as such, as the Erastians conceive. Now, in the next place
(to come more close) let us consider that Jesus Christ our Mediator hath
not committed the spiritual power of church government to the body of
the people, presbyterated, or u