Wesley Corpus

But this is not to the purpose. I want “the express command of Christ.” You say, “Secondly, The persons who have this power in England, are not the Clergy, but the Parliament.” (Pages 8, 9.) Perhaps so. But this also strikes wide. Where is “the express command of Christ?” You ask, “Thirdly, How came the civil Magistrate by this power?” (Page 11.) “Christ commands us to ‘call no man upon earth father and master;’ that is, to acknowledge no authority of any in matters of religion.” (Page 12.) At length we are come to the express command, which, according to your interpretation, is express enough ; “that is, Acknow ledge no authority of any in matters of religion;” own no power in any to appoint any circumstance of public worship, anything pertaining to decency and order. But this inter pretation is not allowed. It is the very point in question. We allow, Christ does here expressly command, to acknow ledge no such authority of any, as the Jews paid their Rabbies, whom they usually styled either Fathers or Masters; implicitly believing all they affirmed, and obeying all they enjoined. But we deny, that he expressly commands, to acknowledge no authority of governors, in things purely indifferent, whether they relate to the worship of God, or other matters. You attempt to prove it by the following words: “‘One is your Master’ and Lawgiver, “even Christ; and all ye are brethren;’ (Matt. xxiii. 8, 9;) all Christians; having no dominion over one another.” True; no such dominion as their Rabbies claimed; but in all things indifferent, Christian Magistrates have dominion. As to your inserting, “ and Lawgiver,” in the preceding clause, you have no authority from the text; for it is not plain, that our Lord is here speaking of himself in that capacity. A 3xxx xxos, the word here rendered “Master,” you well know, conveys no such idea. It should rather have been translated “Teacher.” And indeed the whole text primarily relates to doctrines. But you cite another text: “The Princes of the Gen tiles exercise dominion over them; but it shall not be so among you.” (Matt. xx. 25.) Very good; that is, Christian Pastors shall not exercise such dominion over their flock, as heathen Princes do over their subjects.