"If all Church power vests in the clergy, then the people are practically bound to passive obedience in all matters of faith and practice; for all right of private judgment is then denied"

This quote by Charles Hodge talks to the power dynamics in between the clergy and the people in a spiritual context. Hodge is suggesting that if all Church power is vested in the clergy, then individuals are basically bound to follow the clergy's guidelines without concern. This indicates that the people are rejected the right to make their own decisions about matters of faith and practice, and rather need to accept the clergy's choices without question. This quote speaks with the power imbalance between the clergy and individuals, and how the clergy can utilize their power to control the people's beliefs and practices. Hodge's quote is a pointer of the significance of permitting people to make their own decisions about matters of faith and practice, and of the risks of permitting excessive power to be vested in the clergy.