Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries…

And is all necessary which is lawful? Do we condemn men that do not all that is lawful to do? And because you after infer, that if it be lawful, it is a Duty; I would you had told us, whether you take this universally, that [What ever is lawful is a Duty,] or only in this case for some special reason, and what that is. I suppose it is, because it is commanded: as if every lawful thing commanded were a duty: But we think otherwise, unless the Command be an Act which God Authorizeth the Commander to do. All mens Authority is limited by God: and they have none but from him. For instance, it is lawful to eat brown Bread, and drink Water, (or Wine;) But if the King or Bishop forbid me to eat better, when my health requireth it, I am not bound to obey them: It is lawful to were Sackcloth, but none have power to forbid me fitter Clothing: It is lawful to set a Son Apprentice to a Chimney-sweeper, or to an Ale-seller or Vintner; but if the Bishop or any other forbid one to place him better, it obligeth not: It is lawful to marry a Blackmore, or an ugly Scold, or Beggar: But the Bishop or King cannot oblige men to chose no better, because it is out of the Verge of their jurisdiction, and belongeth to personal and family power. It is lawful to put my self into the Hospital, and care of an unskilful Physician, till my health require better: But when my health requireth it, I will use a better if I can, whoever forbids it. For it is usurpation in them, that shall take the necessary care of my health and life out of my own hands. It is lawful to give the King our estates: But Lawyers say, we are not bound to do it, merely because He or the Bishop commandeth it.

And is all necessary which is lawful? Do we condemn men that do not all that is lawful to do? And because you after infer, that if it be lawful, it is a Duty; I would you had told us, whether you take this universally, that [What ever is lawful is a Duty,] or only in this case for some special reason, and what that is. I suppose it is, because it is commanded: as if every lawful thing commanded were a duty: But we think otherwise, unless the Command be an Act which God Authorizeth the Commander to do. All mens Authority is limited by God: and they have none but from him. For instance, it is lawful to eat brown Bread, and drink Water, (or Wine;) But if the King or Bishop forbid me to eat better, when my health requireth it, I am not bound to obey them: It is lawful to were Sackcloth, but none have power to forbid me fitter Clothing: It is lawful to set a Son Apprentice to a Chimny-sweeper, or to an Ale-seller or Vintner; but if the Bishop or any other forbid one to place him better, it obligeth not: It is lawful to marry a Blackmore, or an ugly Scold, or Beggar: But the Bishop or King cannot oblige men to chose no better, because it is out of the Verge of their jurisdiction, and belongeth to personal and family power. It is lawful to put my self into the Hospital, and care of an unskilful Physician, till my health require better: But when my health requireth it, I will use a better if I can, whoever forbids it. For it is usurpation in them, that shall take the necessary care of my health and life out of my own hands. It is lawful to give the King our estates: But Lawyers say, we are not bound to do it, meerly because He or the Bishop commandeth it.