A26859:112
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries…
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denieth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendered, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denyeth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendred, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If men will cant over still, Who shall be Judge? We still repeat, 1. Whoever is Judge, he hath no Power to cast out faithful Ministers: and if he mis-judge them, it justifieth not his act. And every man is the discerning Judge of his own Duty.
§. 13. To your second Query, Christian Magistrates may justly preserve the public Peace by all just means, and may repress all rebellious Practices and Principles: but if they should mis judge any principles to be such that are not, and for not renouncing those should silence Ministers, if ⟨p. 21⟩they have fitter means than silencing to correct them, silencing them, when their Ministry is needful, is a sin.
§. 13. To your second Querie, Christian Magistrates may justly preserve the publick Peace by all just means, and may repress all rebellious Practices and Principles: but if they should mis judge any principles to be such that are not, and for not renouncing those should silence Ministers, if ⟨p. 21⟩they have fitter means than silencing to correct them, silencing them, when their Ministry is needful, is a sin.
But seeing these words are significant of your mind for silencing us, and the Reasons of it, why would you not tell me, what those Principles are which we refuse to renounce, and so deserve silencing. Either you lay the stress on the guiltiness of our Principles, or on the Magistrates judging them so. You cannot think, that if he mis judge, it will justify his silencing men: Else Valens, Hunnierichus, that cut out the Preachers Tongues, those that silenced the Preachers in Germany, on one side for not swearing for the Pope, and on the other for not swearing for the Emperor, &c. all did well. Seeing then you speak as an Accuser of us, as guilty of refusing to renounce such Principles, and subscribe your implied consent to our silencing for it; O that you would be so charitable as to help our Conversion, and tell us what those Principles are. I have told the World at large my own and many other Principles of Government and Obedience, in my second Plea for Peace: I crave your discovery of my errors therein: Yea, I provoke also such as more fiercely accuse us, as Plotters, or cherishing Principles of Rebellion, to name that Principle which I have not there renounced. If all that's there be not enough, I know not what will be enough.