A26911:265
The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter…
The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter of their nonconformity against Mr. J. Cheney's answer called The conforming nonconformist, and The nonconforming conformist : to which is added the second part in answer to Mr. Cheney's Five undertakings / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, 1680
A DEFENCE OF THE NON-CONFORMIST'S Plea for Peace, AGAINST Mr. J. CH… › Chapter 21
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.
Were it as small a thing as the Israelites High Places, if you cannot amend it, do not become the open defender of it. Judas himself at last accused the Pharisees ⟨p. 76⟩and High Priests, and justified Christ. I do not think he would have written a Confutation of Christ's reproofs, recited in Matt. 15. and 23, &c. How can you pray for a Reformation of that which you think needeth none? And hath the Church and Cause of holy Discipline lost so much of your prayers too? If you say to God, as you do to us, [What more would we have?] I am glad that God hath a firmer people that will pray for more.
Were it as small a thing as the Israelites High Places, if you cannot amend it, do not become the open defender of it. Iudas himself at last accused the Pharisees ⟨p. 76⟩and High Priests, and justified Christ. I do not think he would have written a Confutation of Christ's reproofs, recited in Matt. 15. and 23, &c. How can you pray for a Reformation of that which you think needeth none? And hath the Church and Cause of holy Discipline lost so much of your prayers too? If you say to God, as you do to us, [What more would we have?] I am glad that God hath a firmer people that will pray for more.
§ 4. You say [As to the Chancellor and his Office, it is less matter by whom Excommunication be done, so it be honestly and soundly done. He is a Christian, he is a man of Knowledge and Learning; he is authorized by the Laws of the Kingdom; his Office is incorporate into the Government of the Nation. Though he may not bind and loose as a Pastor, he may as a Christian, authorized by the King. See Matth. 18. 15, &c.