A26911:369
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 28
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.
Ans. And what then? Do you infer [Therefore we may subscribe; or therefore we must interpret nothing in the Law to be against God's Word; or therefore we must not subscribe it? The last is the true Conclusion. If Socinians renounce all that is against God's Word, and yet command you to renounce Christ's Godhead, may you do it?
2. But I would fain see the words which you here suppose in the Law, Canons and Liturgy; and whether they leave us all to be Judges what is against God's Word? And,
3. I would have you expound to me, 1. The Canon that requireth us to subscribe, that There is nothing in the Liturgy against God's Word. 2. And that which excommunicateth all that say there is any thing against it. 3. And the Law that layeth us in Gaol, and ruineth us, if we so say and do forbear accordingly. Is it an Argument to say, [The Law renounceth all that is contrary to the Word of God; and Excommunicateth, and Silenceth, and ruineth you, if you say that there is in the Liturgy any thing against it: Ergo, You may subscribe though there be somewhat against it, because the Law disowneth ⟨p. 103⟩it?] I would not think you mean this: Therefore I know not what you mean to infer, unless it be your next words: [Therefore what Faults be in the Government, are rather the Faults of the Governors.] Alas, this is it and worse. Thus you might infer, There is no fault in the Papal Government, if the Pope in general renounce all that is against God's Word, and then bids you swear that Popery is not against it. Turks and Heathens renounce in general all sinning against God, and yet I would not say that their Laws may be owned as sinless.
3. I would have you expound to me, 1. The Canon that requireth us to subscribe, that There is nothing in the Liturgy against God's Word. 2. And that which excommunicateth all that say there is any thing against it. 3. And the Law that layeth us in Gaol, and ruineth us, if we so say and do forbear accordingly. Is it an Argument to say, [The Law renounceth all that is contrary to the Word of God; and Excommunicateth, and Silenceth, and ruineth you, if you say that there is in the Liturgy any thing against it: Ergo, You may subscribe though there be somewhat against it, because the Law disowneth