Moses the God of Aaron, or the Power and Duty of Princes in Sacred Matters

[controversies] original: "cas"; this suffix completes "theologicas" or "ecclesiasticas" from the previous page's discussion on religious disputes belong to him, lest the truth be corrupted by false Teachers or any others: for he who has a right over the whole cannot be denied a right over its parts.

§. II. Indeed, every man ought to test the Spirits original: "Spiritus probare"; a reference to 1 John 4:1, meaning to discern whether a teaching is truly from God and recognize false teachers; for each shall give an account of himself to God, and the just shall live by his faith, and by his own judgment and knowledge he must be certain of the way of salvation via salutis: the theological path or method by which a soul attains eternal life (1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:15, 16; Romans 14:12; Habakkuk 2:4). But this judgment pertains to each person's own salvation, as a private act, so that he himself may believe and do what God has commanded, for the private guarding of the divine word original: "verbi divini"; the Holy Scriptures, and for private instruction among children, household members, and others. Hence are the warnings of Christians toward one another (Deuteronomy 4:2, 6:6, 7; James 5:19).

§. III. Furthermore, Teachers have the power of judging concerning divine matters, so that they may teach their listeners the saving truth, as Pastors of souls original: "Pastores animarum"; the clergy's role in spiritual guidance. But this judgment pertains to the salvation of their listeners; it is a public act indeed, but a doctrinal one, so that they may teach their listeners what they ought to believe and do according to the divine will. It is for a public guarding of the divine word indeed, but it is ministerial meaning service-oriented or subordinate to the Word, rather than legislative, and pertains to the public office of teaching. Hence are the warnings of Teachers toward listeners and others (1 Timothy 6:20).

§. IV. The Prince term: "Princeps"; the sovereign ruler, however, has the power of judging concerning divine matters for the salvation of his subjects