A LETTER CONCERNING EXCOMMUNICATION. 215
and authority, an authority for them must be pleaded by them. But then it may be justly demanded of them what it is, of what nature and kind, how it is communicated unto them, or derived by them from others. This is that which those who are excommuui- cated by them are principally concerned to inquire into ; and which themselves in the first place are obliged to declare and evince. Un- less men are satisfied in conscience that those who act against them have just authority so to do, or in what they do, it is utterly impos- sible they should be concerned in conscience in what is done against them, or be any ways obliged thereby. Here, therefore, they abide until they are satisfied in this just and necessary demand.
But here all things are in confusion; they can declare neither what authority is required unto what they do, nor how they came to pos- sess that which they pretend unto. If it be from Christ, how comes it to operate on the outward concerns of men, their liberties and estates? If it be merely of man, whence do they give the name and pretence of a divine ordinance unto what they do? If any should follow the clue in this labyrinth, it is to be feared that it would lead them into the abyss of papal omnipotency.
As they exercise this power in courts of external jurisdiction and forms of law, they will not deny, I suppose, but that it is from the king. But why do they not, then, act that power in the king's name ? for what is not done by his name is not done by his authority. Ministers do not preach nor administer sacraments in the name of the king; for they do it not by his authority or by virtue of autho- rity derived from him : nor do parents govern their children or families in his name, but their own ; because authority for it is their own by the law of God and nature. But t^at exercise of power which externally affects the civil rights and' hberties of men must be in the king's name, or the foundations of the government of the nation are shaken. — But I make it not my concernment what name or style they use in their courts. Let it be granted, for their own security, that they have all their power and authority from the king, it must be therewithal granted of what nature it is, — namely, civil, and not spiritual. But why, then, doth Avhat they do not go under the name of a civil order, constitution, or penalty, but of an ordi- nance or institution of Jesus Christ? Are not these things in their own nature everlastingly distinct? and is not conscience hereby fully absolved from any respect unto it as such an ordinance ; which, on this supposition, it neither is nor can be? It is easily discernible how these things tend unto the utter confusion of all things in religion.
If it be said that the power of it, as it is excommunication, is ori- ginally seated in the prelates, by virtue of their office, and is com- municated unto these sorts of persons by commission, delegation, or
216 A LETTER CONCERNING EXCOMMUNICATION.
deputation, under their seals, it will yield no relief; for this fiction of the delegation of office-power, or the power of office, unto any, without giving them the office itself whereunto that power belongs, is gross and intolerable. Let it be tried whether the bishops can dele- gate the power of ministerial preaching the word and administration of the sacraments unto any persons, without giving them the office of the ministry. If excommunication be an act of office-power, autho- rity to administer it cannot be delegated unto any without the office itself whereunto it doth belong; for these things are inseparable. I certainly believe it is the duty and concernment of some men to state proceedings of this nature on better foundations ; that the exercise of such solemn duties of Christian religion be not exposed to utter con- tempt, nor men led, by a discovery of false pretences of divine in- stitutions, to despise the things themselves that are so abused.
It were easy, from many other considerations, to demonstrate the nullity of these men's pretended authority with respect unto excom- munication as it is an ordinance of the gospel, in which respect alone the consciences of men are concerned ; and as unto their power over the civil rights and interests of men, those troubled by them must shift as well as they can.
But yet further : the manner of the administration of the present^ excommunications doth evidence their invalidity and nullity. That which they pretend unto, as hath been said, is a divine ordinance, an institution of Jesus Christ; and this declares in general how it ought to be administered by them who have authority for it and are called thereunto: for it hence followeth that it ought to be accom- panied with an humble reverence of him and his authority ; diligent attendance unto his law and the rule of his word in all things; with solemn, reiterated invocation of his holy name, for his presence, guidance, and assistance. Where these things are neglected in the administration of any divine ordinances, it is nothing but the taking the name of God in vain, and the profanation of his worship. It may be some will despise these considerations; I cannot help it, — they do it at their utmost peril. It is conscience alone which I respect in this discourse ; — they who have any such thing will think these things reasonable.