A26911:401
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. This is before answered. You say, Silencing and Excommunicating the Non-conformists here, are sinful. Instead of this impertinent talk, go try your Oratory on the Judges and Bishops; if you can persuade them that the Law forbids them all to fine, Imprison, or Silence us, or Excommunicate us: Why did you not use this pretty Argument for your self?
2. And do not Papists, and Turks say, that No Law against God is in force? And doth their ⟨p. 109⟩Government therefore contain no evil? Or will you tell them that swear to amend it, that it's well enough already?
You tell us what to say to the Bishops and Judges for our selves: But if by this Medium, I would prove that I am conformable to the Law, and they are the Non-conformists that punish me, because they break the Law of God; I doubt they would Laugh at me first, and send me to Gaol next.
§ 5. But in answer to, Where read we in Scripture of the Chancellor's Office? You repeat again, [If soundly done, no Man may reprove them.] I will not repeat my Answer: But I add; If so, No Man may reprove the Boys if they soundly Whip their Master when he deserveth it; nor a Cobbler that will send Offenders to Prison as the Lord Mayor doth: Nor a Justice, yea, or a Tinker, that will step up in the Chancery, or King's-Bench, to do Justice.