Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
Now it remaineth that I entreat of a Magistrate, who in my judgment may thus be described: namely, a person chosen by the institution of God, to keep the laws as touching outward discipline, in punishing of transgressors with punishment of the body, and to defend and make much of the good. There are undoubtedly many persons elected by the institution of God, which are not Magistrates: such as Ministers of Churches, which nevertheless are keepers of the word of God and of his law, but not only as touching outward discipline. Because it is the office of ministers, though the word of God to pierce even to the inward motions of the mind: because the holy Ghost joineth his power, both to the right preaching of his word, and also to the sacraments which are ministered in the Church. But the Magistrate only exerciseth outward discipline and punishment upon transgressors.
The minister in the name of God, bindeth the guilty and impenitent and in his name excludeth them from the kingdom of heaven, as long as they shall so remain. The Magistrate punisheth with outward punishments, and when need requireth, useth the sword. Both of them nourish the godly, but diversely. The Magistrate advanceth them with honours riches and dignities. The minister comforteth them with the promises of God & with the sacraments. Wherefore the Magistrate is appointed to the end that the laws should be diligently kept, the guilty punished, and the good holpen and fostered. And certainly the law is as dumb Magistrate: and again, the Magistrate, is a living and speaking law, and is also the Minister of God (as Paul saith) to their praise which do well: and on the otherside he beareth the sword against the wicked as judge and revenger of God, neither tend these things to any other end than to the safety of men.
For the reference, see Peter Martyr Vermigli on magistracy and ministry.
The minister in the name of God, bindeth the guilty and impenitent and in his name excludeth them from the kingdom of heaven, as long as they shall so remain. The Magistrate punisheth with outward punishments, and when need requireth, useth the sword. Both of them nourish the godly, but diversely. The Magistrate advanceth them with honours riches and dignities. The minister comforteth them with the promises of God & with the sacraments. Wherefore the Magistrate is appointed to the end that the laws should be diligently kept, the guilty punished, and the good holpen and fostered. And certainly the law is as dumb Magistrate: and again, the Magistrate, is a living and speaking law, and is also the Minister of God (as Paul saith) to their praise which do well: and on the otherside he beareth the sword against the wicked as judge and revenger of God, neither tend these things to any other end than to the safety of men.
For the reference, see Peter Martyr Vermigli on magistracy and ministry.
