A26924:566
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.
M. But shall all entrusted Lord-Keepers or Lord Privy-Seals be so far encouraged to Treason, as to tell them, If you will depose the King, who can help it? We are all Sworn not to resist you?] How stands this with our Oath of Allegiance to the King? And is not the King's life and welfare the interest of the Kingdom? and is he not an Enemy to the Kingdom who destroyeth ⟨p. 138⟩the King? And do you think that one Lord-Keeper is fitter to be trusted with the Safety of the Kingdom, than a Parliament and all the Courts of Justice? When was there a Lord-Chancellor more Trusted and Honoured than Sir Edward Hyde Earl of Clarendon, who had long been faithful to the King? And yet neither King nor Parliament thought that he was more to be trusted with the Safety of the King and Kingdom, than the Parliament was: Else they had not Banished him.
L. A Fool may ask more Questions, than a Wise man can answer; and find Knots that no one can untie.
L. A Fool may ask more Questions, than a Wise man can answer; and find Knots that no one can untye.
M. And are all we Fools that never Studied the Law, fit to Answer all those Questions by an Oath, which you that are a Lawyer cannot Answer by Discourse? will you become abler to Answer them, when we have Sworn them? If you were at a loss about a Law Case in Westminster-Hall, would you set all the Country and City Householders that are Ignorant, to decide it by Swearing which side is right? were it not wiser to cast lots to determine it? And have those Men Humanity and Conscience, and do they believe there is a God, that will Swear that of such Law Cases, which Lawyers profess to be too hard for them, and which they are disagreed in as a common Controversy in all Lands. And I pray you, why are Nations so solicitous to have Laws for their Security, if a Chancellor be above them all, and by a Commission may cast them off at his pleasure?