X. Solid and Serious QVERIES: Concerning the power of Church Discipline pleaded by some of the Clergy to be in them jure Divino, and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ.  
With a threefold distinction of power; Human Rational, and Divine, flowing from the Parliament, the consciences, and the Spirit of God, unto which all men are bound to submit.  
Also an Admonition to the Par1iament to promote the Restitution of true Religion, and Reformation of God's Church, to the Abandoning of all Popish Remnants, both in Ceremonies and Regiment, and also to bring in, and place in God's Church, those things only which the Lord himself Commandeth, with the platform of a Church Reform.  
Composed by many Learned, Religious and godly Ministers, and proved out of God's Word.  
And a view of Popish abuses remaining in the Prelacy with the Copies of some private Letters written; and sent to some of them worthy His Majesty's consideration.  
by R. Gualther. T. B. &. Ministers of God's Word.  
A wonderful, and horrible thing is committed in the land, The Prophets prophesy falsely, and the Priests bear rule by their means, and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?  Jerem. 5. 30, 31. 
Yea that are near acknowledge my might.  
The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the Hypocrites,  Isay 33.13, 14. 
LONDON, Printed for Matthew Walbancke at Gras-Inne-Gate, 1646.   

Ten Solid and serious Queries; Concerning the power of Church discipline, pleaded by some of the Clergy to be in them, jure Divino.  
1. Quere. WHether those Clergy, and others do not fall into the same Error which Bellarmin did, (in his 5. book, and 7. Chapter,) who hold that because the Ecclesiastical, and Civil power make but one body in a Commonwealth, therefore as the soul is not governed by the body, so are not matters of Church discipline to be ordered by the Par1iament, or by any lay Commissioners by them Authorized, but that resteth in the Clergy. Seeing that unto Princes, and Magistrates, is committed the Chiese care of Religion, and God's worship, and to watch over Eeclesiastica1l Ministers, that they may lead a quiet, and a peaceable life. 1 Tim. 2.3.  
2. Quere] Whether, because Azariah the High Priest drove Vzziah the King out of the Temple, and caused him to, dwell a part. 1 Chron, 26. therefore is there now any Divine Right in the Clergy to assirme to themselves the sole power of suspension from the Lords Supper, seeing that Christ our high priest is come himself, now did they compel the King to go forth, till by the leprosy that rise up in his face, they saw it plainly appear to them that the Lord had smitten him. I Cor. 26.20. and for this, they had their particular Instructions. Leviticus 13.46  
3. Quere] Whether; they do well Allege with Betlermin, what the erroneously teacheth, Capt. 8. That because Jehoida depose Athallia 2. Kings II. Therefore they of the ecclesiastical function have the solepower of Ecclesiastical discipline given to them by God, when as though Johoida knew that Athalia was a wicked Tyrant yet of himself he would presume no hang (but declaratively by his own power, and referred all to the Parliament,) viz. the Fathers and Princes of the Land, 2 Chron. 23. verse 1.2 though the action was in itself, commanded by the word of God yet not for the Priests to act by their own authority: now then to reach what was the mind of God therein.  
4. Quere] Whether the Office of the Pastors be not to feed the Flock of Christ, I Peter 5.2, who so are overseers to them for spiritual diversion, and the Civil Magistrates chief for administration of Justice; norwithsranding all that Boniface 8. allegeth against it, in his decretal, extra common. lib. 1. tit. 8.  
5. Quere] whether there be a sword of power belonging to the Ecciesiasticall function, as to the Civil Magistrates, as Boneface would have it in the foresaid place, (agreeing withthe arrogancy of many now; because the Apostles said to Christ, Lord behold here are two swords, and Christ answered them it is enough, Luke 22.38. when as those were material swords, and Peter himself was reproved for handling one of them, ver, 20.  
6. Quere] Whether, those who are not subject to the power of Parliament (though of the Ecclesiastical function and in Church discipline for matter of form only) in resisting that power do not resist the Ordinance of God, Rom. 13.8.  
7. Quere] Whether Paul's saying, That the spiritual man judgeth all things, I Cor. 2.15. gives power to the Clergy to be Judges, seeing that the Apostle speaks of spiritual minds, and not of spiritual Ministers.  
8. Quere] Whether those Ecclesiastical men that assume to themselves a divine right of temporal jurisdiction to belong to them do not set up themselves above Christ; and assume a power not of right (seeing Christ himself took upon him no such thing, neither directly, nor indirectly, be refused to be a King, john 6, Neither would be execute the office of a Judge Luk. 12: 13. He paid Pole money, March 17. He submit to the judgement of Pilate and the Disciple is not above his Master.  
9 Quere] Whether the Ministers of the Word; and by divine right to be Lords of the Church, and Judges of their Brethren, and may engross all power of Church discipline into their hands without being called to account by the Parliament, when at the Apostle bids them, feed the flock of Christ, not by constraint but willingly, not as Lords over the Lord's inheritance, I pet. 5. 3. Contrary to the minds of those who would have power put into their hands to use all forcing, constraining; and Tyrannical means; imprisoning, murdering, and devouring all those that shall not obey them. And whether those who seek thus to tyrannise over the Saints, are not limbs of Antichrist.  
10. Quere] Wnether it be not a Vassadre to the Gentry of England to enslave themselves under those who (if advanced) would trample upon Emperors, Kings and Princes, Pope Alexander caused King Henry the second to do penance for Beckets death. Innocent the third caused King john to kiss the feet of the Bishop of Canterbury; Alexander the third did tread upon the Emperor frederick's neck. Pope Innocens caused the Emperor Frederick the second to be poisoned, and his son Convedus to be beheaded, and in England, before the fitting of this Parliament, many Nobles and Worthy Gentlemen were kerbed, and tyrannised ever by some base Clergiemen of mean parantage, not to be endured, who can but think of serious ambition, that rebuked Frederick the first for holding his stirrup on the wrong side.  
11. Quere] Whether the Clergy are not (without complaining) to observe that Church discipline which the Parliament doth prescribe, so long as it is consistant to the preaching of the Word of God, and dispenssion of the Sacrament according to the rule of Jesus Christ where as it was the custom of the Primitive Churches to submit to the secular powers. August Exposit. Quer and Propos ex Epist ad Roman, Epist Leodiens contra Paschal Agathon; Eqist Synod. 6. general action, 4. Dist. 8. cap. 1. Dist. 10. cap. 9. Distinct. 97. Clement. 5. exirav. Commun. lib. 5. tit. 7. cap, 2. Hierom, censur orient, eccles cap. 16. Agapetns to Justinian, num. 63 Agapitoes, num. 68 Francisc. Titleman, decide and Religion. Aetheop. Harm. sect. II. pag. 374. Cansanns con, cord lib, 2, cap-7. Esponsaus', digres. 10. in tit. pag. 1567.  

A three sold distinction of power, unto which all men are bound to submit.  
Man is subject to three powers, the first Human, the second Rational and the third Divine. The first is the Laws of Nations, the second is the dictates of Reason, the third the word of God. In England the King and Parliament is the fountain, of the humains Conscience, the fountain of the Rational, and goes on spirit the fountain of the Divine.  
1. The Parliament makes human Laws, But they have their rise from a Divine power, and wbesoever resisteth the power, resisteth the Ordinance of God, Rom. 13.2  
2. Conscience is the mind of God brought to man's Reason, teaching him how to put forth himself in acts of piety to God and love to man, and according to his own actions to pass sentence on himself. This power is more spiritual than bumaine, but acts in both, in simplicity, and Godly sincerity, not with slesisly wisdom, but by the grace of God, having its conversation in the world, but more abundantly towards the Saints. 2 Corinth. 1. 12.  
3. God's holy spirit, makes divine Liwes, none else are jure divino, and the power there of tends all to love joy, peace, long-sussiring gentleness goodness, faith, mseknesse, Temperance, against such there is no law. Gallath. 5.22.23. And all statutes, and Acts of Parliament, all discipline and worship ought to submit to this Rule. All power which doth so or beyond the Law of God is a usurpation.  
The Parliament have declared every Law, Ordinance, Privilege. Custom or Prerogative which doth exalt itself above the Laws of God reasons or peace, to be void, and what men for ever they be that will dare to presume a higher prerogative of power to themselves, are led by the spirit of pride, and Antechrist, and against all such the Parliament may exercise their power, because they will not submit to the powers that be ordained of God. Rom. 13.1.  
FINIS.