The second thing, which with the like brevity and perspicuity, we shall endeavour to evidence unto you, is, _That the Christian Magistrate, is not the Fountain and Origin of Church-Government_. The former assertion, gave unto _God_, the things which were _Gods_; and this doth not at all take away from _Cæsar_, the things that are _Cæsars_: For we freely acknowledg, that _Magistracy_ is an _Ordinance of God_, appointed for the great good of mankind; so that, whoever are enemies to _Magistracy_, are enemies to _mankind_, and [32]to the _revealed Will of God_. We desire to hold up the honour and greatness, the power and authority of lawful Magistracy, against Papists, Anabaptists, and all others, that despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. We say, that the Magistrate is, in a civil notion, the supream Governor in all causes Ecclesiastical; the [33]keeper of both tables; [34]the nursing father of the Church: [35]that it belongs to him, by his Political power, to reform the Church, when corrupted; to preserve it, when reformed; to suppresse blasphemy, idolatry, heresie, schisme, and prophanenesse, and whatsoever is contrary to godlinesse and sound doctrine; that the people under him, may lead a quiet life, in all godlinesse and honesty. [36]That he is sent of God for the punishment of evil doers (amongst which, are heretiques, as well as others, and therefore called evil workers; and heresies, evil deeds, _Phil._ 3.2. 2 ep. _Joh._ ver. 11.) and for the praise of them that do well. That he is the [37]_Bishop of those things that are without the Church; as_ Constantine _stiled himself_. That to him belongs to punish Church-Officers, with civil punishments, when they abuse their power; and to give protection to the publique exercise of Church-Government, within his dominions.
But yet, notwithstanding all this, we affirm, That though the Magistrate be a _nursing father_ of the _Church_, yet he is not the _begetting father_; That the _Magistrate_, as a _Magistrate_, is no _Church-Officer_, neither are the keyes of the Kingdom of heaven committed unto him. Neither did Christ ever say to the _Kings of the Earth; whose sins you remit, shall be remitted; and whose sins you retain, shall be retained; and whatsoever you shall binde on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven._ Neither is the offended brother directed to tell the civil Magistrate, but to tell the Church. Neither doth it belong to him to preach the Word, or to administer the Sacraments. Neither is he, as a Magistrate, seated by Christ in his Church, but is to be subject to the Church in all spiritual things, as a member thereof. Neither is it in his power to appoint what Government he please in the Church; no more then what Religion he please. And this we prove: