The Difference Between the Power of Magistrates and Church Pastors, Title page – To the reader
THE DIFFERENCE Between the POWER OF MAGISTRATES AND CHURCH-PASTORS, AND THE ROMAN KINGDOM & MAGISTRACY Under the Name of a CHURCH & CHURCH-GOVERNMENT Usurped by the Pope, or liberally given him by Popish Princes: Opened by Richard Baxter. To the Learned and Sincere Ludovicus Molinaeus Dr of Physick, and Author of Jugulum Causae, Papa Ultrajectinus, and other Books on this subject. For the Vindication of the true Pastoral Discipline, exercised by the Ancient Churches, and claimed, but alas, too little exercised, by the Churches called Protestant and Reformed. And to acquaint Posterity what we hold in this, that false accusations misinform them not.
LONDON, Printed for Nevil Simmons, at the Sign of the three Crowns, near Holborn Conduit. 1671.
READER
THE first Epistle is now written upon the sight of Jugulum Causae: The other with the Propositions was written about a year and half ago, upon the sight of Papa ultrajectinus, &c. and the Paraenesis contra Aedificatores Imperii in Imperio: And the design of all is, to shew how little or nothing at all the sober moderate Protestants, called Episcopal, Presbyterian, Independent, and Political or Erastian are disagreed in all this business, whilst I name you near a hundred Propositions in which they commonly consent: That Princes and all Magistrates may see, that they have no cause to be offended at the Christian and Protestant Doctrine, or to judge the true Religion of any of these parties, as such, to be contrary to their interest; when in very truth they are in that all one: But that among all Sects and Parties, there will be still some injudicious, intemperate and unpeaceable men; especially those whose Interest in the world is Great, and cannot be upheld, without encroaching on the rights of others: As Great Trees must have much room, and suffer nothing to prosper under them, but Weeds and Bryars. And it is to tell Politicians, that the true Pastoral Power (being a Power to labour and suffer in patient self-denyal for the Church of Christ and the souls of men) is past all doubt of Christs appointment: And to diminish that Power, is but to diminish our obligation to labour and suffer, and to gratifie our sloth and fleshly interest. But to diminish that Secular Church-power which Clergie men claim as of Divine Right, is but for Princes to be Princes, whether the Clergie will or no.
And as to the Learned Author, Dr. Lud. Molinaeus, my meaning is to second him in awakening Magistrates to reassume their proper power, and to leave it in no Clergie mens hands, of what party soever: But as to his reflections on the Protestants Discipline, lovingly to chide him for making the difference seem wider than it is, and to RECONCILE the four Parties, while I distinctly open the common Doctrine of them all, excepting the rigid Opinions of some interessed or intemperate individuals.