Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who,…Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who,…

Let none think that I am speaking against any true Church-Government, or faithful Pastors: But I appeal to the Consciences of these Papal Tyrants; 1. Whether it would not be far easier for Christians to Agree, in A FEW, PLAIN and NECESSARY things, of Christs own Institution, than in a multitude of humane decrees and articles, composed in words more liable to Controversy? Will not more subscribe to the Creed, than to all the Councils? 2. Have they not room enough to show their Power, and work enough to do, in seeing to the execution of Christs own Universal Laws, and preserving mere Order and Decency in undetermined circumstances, that all may be done to edification? 3. Doth not every needless Oath and Subscription by which they would tie men faster to themselves in controvertible cases, plainly tend to undermine themselves, and keep up still a conscientious party against them? For while men have nothing to do but live quietly under a Government, they will be glad of peace: But when they are put to Subscribe, Declare, Covenant and Swear that all this is good or lawful, or that they will never be against it, it sets men unavoidably on the deepest studies of the case, and so all the people are set on trying and judging of that, which else they would never have meddled with: For what honest man will say, swear or promise he knoweth not what? Even as some crafty Rebels would undermine Princes, by drawing them to put the controverted parts of their Prerogative into the Subjects Oaths, that so they may make all the people Students and Judges of the cause, and unavoidably make factions and dissenters, that else would have lived quietly if they might: so do the Papal Clergy ruin themselves by such over-doing impositions.

Let none think that I am speaking against any true Church-Government, or faithful Pastors: But I appeal to the Consciences of these Papal Tyrants; 1. Whether it would not be far easier for Christians to Agree, in A FEW, PLAIN and NECESSARY things, of Christs own Institution, than in a multitude of humane decrees and articles, composed in words more lyable to Controversie? Will not more subscribe to the Creed, than to all the Councils? 2. Have they not room enough to shew their Power, and work enough to do, in seeing to the execution of Christs own Universal Laws, and preserving meer Order and Decency in undetermined circumstances, that all may be done to edification? 3. Doth not every needless Oath and Subscription by which they would tye men faster to themselves in controvertible cases, plainly tend to undermine themselves, and keep up still a conscientious party against them? For while men have nothing to do but live quietly under a Government, they will be glad of peace: But when they are put to Subscribe, Declare, Covenant and Swear that all this is good or lawful, or that they will never be against it, it sets men unavoidably on the deepest studies of the case, and so all the people are set on trying and judging of that, which else they would never have meddled with: For what honest man will say, swear or promise he knoweth not what? Even as some crafty Rebels would undermine Princes, by drawing them to put the controverted parts of their Prerogative into the Subjects Oaths, that so they may make all the people Students and Judges of the cause, and unavoidably make factions and dissenters, that else would have lived quietly if they might: so do the Papal Clergie ruine themselves by such over-doing impositions.