You're quite welcome, Sharon. I'm finding Shaw's exposition a very helpful read. I ran across that section yesterday and wished I had my computer to post it here, as it touches on numerous questions raised in this thread.
By the way (speaking to anyone now), it is noteworthy that Shaw says, "There is a lawful exercise of civil power about religious matters," not in religious matters. This reflects another distinction that the Westminster divines made. They affirmed the power of the civil government circa sacra (concerning or about religion), but denied it power in sacris (in religion). This is why WCF 23 denies the magistrate power to appoint church officers, administer sacraments, or hold the keys of the kingdom, but grants him power to protect and support the Church. The Church of Scotland even received Chapter 23 in such a way that they read it as only allowing the magistrate power to call synods in unsettled churches. They did not allow him this power ordinarily, in the case of a settled church.
By the way (speaking to anyone now), it is noteworthy that Shaw says, "There is a lawful exercise of civil power about religious matters," not in religious matters. This reflects another distinction that the Westminster divines made. They affirmed the power of the civil government circa sacra (concerning or about religion), but denied it power in sacris (in religion). This is why WCF 23 denies the magistrate power to appoint church officers, administer sacraments, or hold the keys of the kingdom, but grants him power to protect and support the Church. The Church of Scotland even received Chapter 23 in such a way that they read it as only allowing the magistrate power to call synods in unsettled churches. They did not allow him this power ordinarily, in the case of a settled church.