Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

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Calvin laid great stress on the outward organization and order of the
Church, but in subordination to sound doctrine and the inner spiritual life.
He compares the former to the body, while the doctrine which regulates
the worship of God, and points out the way of salvation, is the soul which
animates the body and renders it lively and active. f675
The Calvinistic system of church polity is based upon the following
principles, which have exerted great influence in the development of
Protestantism: —
1. The autonomy of the Church, or its right of self-government under the
sole headship of Christ.
The Roman Catholic Church likewise claims autonomy, but in a
hierarchical sense, and under the supreme control of the pope, who, as the
visible vicar of Christ, demands passive obedience from priests and people.
Calvin vests the self-government in the Christian congregation, and regards
all the ministers of the gospel, in their official character, as ambassadors
and representatives of Christ. “Christ alone,” he says, “ought to rule and
reign in the Church, and to have all preeminence in it, and this government
ought to be exercised and administered solely by his word; yet as he dwells
not among us by a visible presence, so as to make an audible declaration of
his will to us, he uses for this purpose the ministry of men whom he
employs as his delegates, not to transfer his right and honor to them, but
only that he may himself do his work by their lips; just as an artificer makes
use of an instrument in the performance of his work.” f676
In practice, however, the autonomy both of the Roman Catholic hierarchy
and of the Protestant Churches is more or less curtailed and checked by the
civil government wherever Church and State are united, and where the
State supports the Church. For self-government requires self-support.
Calvin intended to institute synods, and to make the clergy independent of
State patronage, but in this he did not succeed.
The Lutheran Reformers subjected the Church to the secular rulers, and
made her an obedient handmaid of the State; but they complained bitterly
of the selfish and arbitrary misgovernment of the princes. The
congregations in most Lutheran countries of Europe have no voice in the
election of their own pastors. The Reformers of German Switzerland
conceded more power to the people in a democratic republic, and
introduced synods, but they likewise put the supreme power into the hands