1250. CHURCH, Jurisdiction.—
Each
church being free, no one can have jurisdiction
over another one, not even when the
civil magistrate joins it. It neither acquires
the right of the sword by the magistrate's
coming to it, nor does it lose the rights of instruction
or excommunication by his going
from it. It cannot by the accession of any
new member acquire jurisdiction over those
who do not accede. He brings only himself,
having no power to bring others. Suppose,
for instance, two churches, one of Arminians.
another of Calvinists in Constantinople, has
either any right over the other? Will it be
said the orthodox one has? Every church is
to itself orthodox; to others erroneous or
heretical.—
Notes on Religion.
Ford ed., ii, 99.
(1776?)
