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XXXVII.

OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATES.

The king's majesty hath the chief power in this realm of England, and other his dominions, unto whom the chief government of all estates of this realm, whether they be ecclesiastical or civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction.

Where we attribute to the king's majesty the chief government, by which titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended; we give not our princes the ministering either of God's word, or of the sacraments, the which thing the injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our queen do most plainly testify; but that only prerogative, which we see to have been given always to all godly princes in Holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be ecclesiastical or temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil doers.

The bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm of England.

The laws of the realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences.

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It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars.

Q. Who hath the chief power in this realm of England, and other the dominions?

A. The king's majesty.

Q. To whom doth the chief government of all estates of this realm, whether they be ecclesiastical or civil, in all cases appertain ?

A. To the king's majesty and is not, nor ought to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction whatsoever. Q. Where we attribute to the king's majesty the chief government, by which titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended, what do we not give our princes?

A. The ministering either of God's word, or of the sacraments, the which things the injunctions also set forth by Elizabeth our queen, do most plainly certify.

Q. What do we really give to them?

A. That only prerogative which we see to have been given always to all godly princes in Holy Scripture by God himself.

Q. What is the power or prerogative?

A. That they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be ecclesiastical or temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil doers.

Q. Hath the bishop of Rome any jurisdiction in this realm of England.

A. None.

Q. What power hath the laws of this realm ? A. They may punish christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences.

Q. What is it lawful for christian men to do?

A. At the commandment of the magistrate it is lawful for them to wear weapons, and serve in the

wars.

Scripture Proofs.

1 Timothy i. 2. I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority.

1 Peter ii. 13. Submit yourselves unto every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be unto the king as supreme.

Romans xiii. 4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain.

Isaiah xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers.

Acts x. 1, 2. There was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man.

In our happy land the advantages derived from civil governments are immense; our grievances are minute, and very often imaginary, and our rulers are only a terror to evil doers, and not to those that do well. None are afraid but those who ought to fear;

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so that it becomes us to be " subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake,"-the making our Sovereign the temporal Head of our church, does not convey to Him a right to administer God's word or sacraments; those holy functions can be exercised by none but those who are lawfully appointed to them. The words "slanderous folks," refer to the Puritans who denied the right of the civil magistrate to interfere in any, ecclesiastical matter whatever. As the pretended jurisdiction of the Pope over this realm, hath no foundation in Scripture, so it has been justly renounced. The primitive Christians thought they might continue in military employments, as appears from the works of Tertullian; nor did St. Peter charge Cornelius to forsake his post as a soldier when he baptized him.

OF CHRISTIAN MEN'S GOODS, NOT COMMON. 117

XXXVIII.

OF CHRISTIAN MEN'S GOODS WHICH ARE NOT COMMON.

The riches and goods of christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

Q. What do you say of the riches and goods of christians?

A. That they are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same.

Q. Who do falsely so boast?

A. Certain anabaptists.

Q. Notwithstanding, what ought every man to do?

A. He ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

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