A26924:348
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
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.
L. But some say none of those words signify the persons Salvation, but his removal hence.
L. But some say none of those words signifie the persons Salvation, but his removal hence.
M. Read them; If those do not, none do.
L. But some say, that by [Excommunicate] is meant [Excommunicable] or such as ought to be Excommunicate, and then what more can you desire?
M. Their saying is a presumptuous contradiction to that which they consent to, what reason have they for it: Is Excommunicate, and Excommunicable all one? Or may they put what sense they list on Laws? If they do but tell the Bishops this much, they will make them know that they are not made Judges of who is Excommunicable: When I have craved but the alteration of that word, they answered ⟨p. 85⟩me with contempt, that so every Priest or Curate should have the power of damning whom he please. But sure Silencing our judgment of a man, is not damning him. But what place is there for any doubt, when the Book nameth the three sorts excepted, & exceptio firmat regulam in non exceptis. Yea the express exposition in the Canon 8. is [If he shall refuse to Christen the one, or bury the other (that is, Any brought) except the party deceased were Denounced Excommunicate, Majori Excommunication, for some grievous and notorious Crime, and no man able to testify of his repentance, he shall be Suspended by the Bishop of the Diocese from his ministry by the space of three months.] And alas how many thousand Infidels, Hobbists, Sadducees, Heretics, Adulterers, Thieves, Perjured, Scorners at godliness, &c. are among us unexcommunicated. If all in England be saved, except the Unbaptized, Excommunicate, and Self-murtherers (which, de singulis, one by one must be said of all the rest) either Scripture and Pulpits are much mistaken, or else we that live among men are in a dream, and our senses are all deceived.