146 No other Church f ate It cannot well be denyed, but that theprefent preten- ces and pleas of force to reduce all things in the practice of Religion into the power and difpofal of the Civil Ma- gi(trate, are full of offence and fcandal. It Teems to be only a defign and contrivance, to fecureMensfecular In- teref s under every wayof the profeffion of Chrittian Re- ligion , true or falle, whichmay have the advantage of the Magiftrates Approbation. By this device,Confcience is let at liberty from concerning itfelf in an humble dili- gent enquiry into the mind of God, as unto what is its duty in his Worfhip. And when it is fo with the Con- fcience of any, it will not be much concerned in what it doth attend untoor obferve. What is in Divine things done or praftifed folely on the Authority of the Magi - tirate, is immediately and direftly Obedience unto him , and not unto God. Whatever therefore the supreme Power in any placemay do, or will be pleated to do, for theaccommodation of the outward Rate of the Church, and the exercife of its Rule, unto the Political Government of a People or Na. tion, yet thefe two things are certain. (I.)That he can form,ere&,or inftituteno new Church- flare, which isnot ordained and appointed by Chrift and his Apoflles , byvertueof his Authority ; and what he clothof that nature appoint,is called a Churchonly equi- vocally, or by reafonofforce refemblance unto that which is properly fo called. (2.)Todiffent fromwhat is fo appointedby the Supreme Power, in and about the State,Form, Rule, and Worfhip of Churches, whatever other evil it maybe charged with, or fuppoled liable unto, can have nothing in it of that which the Scripture condemns under thenameof Schifes , whichhath relpatonlyuntowhat ishated by thrift him- fell. That
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