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CHAP. VIII. Of the Power and Priviledge of the Magistrate in things and causes Ec∣clesiastical; what it is not, and what it is.
THe new notion that the Christian Magistrate is a Church∣officer, and Magistracy an Ecclesiastical as well as a civil administration, calls to mind that of the Wise-man; Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See this is new? it hath been already of old time which was before us. Plato in his Politicus (a little after the middle of that book) tells me, that the Kings of Egypt were also Priests, and that in many Cities of the Greci∣ans, the supream Magistrate had the administration of the holy things. Notwithstanding even in this particular there still ap∣peareth some new thing under the Sun. For Plato tells me a∣gain Epist. 8. that those supreme Magistrates who were Priests, might not be present nor joyne in criminall nor capitall judge∣ments, lest they (being Priests) should be defiled. If you look after some other President for the union of civil and ecclesiastical Government, secular and spirituall administrations▪ in one and the same person or persons, perhaps it were not hard to find such presidents, as our opposites will be ashamed to owne.
I am sure Heathens themselves have known the difference between the office of Priests and the office of Magistrates. Ari∣stotle