A26924:72
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. They are no public judges to decide the case for other men, nor doth their judgment restrain or bind the Magistrate; nor if they judge amiss will it justify themselves, or suspend the execution of the Law against them. But if they must not have the foresaid discerning judgment to guide their actions, it will follow; 1. That they are not governed, nor must obey as Men by Reason and Free-will, but as Brutes. 2. That Kings have Absolute Power against God, and must be obeyed in all that they command, e. g. if it be to curse or blaspheme, or renounce God or Christ, to command the Subject to live in Murder, Adultery, Perjury, &c. and so to abrogate the Law of Nature. 3. It followeth, that there is no God (that is, a Supreme Ruler) but the King. 4. And I pray you tell me what you will have the Subjects do in case of Usurpation or Competition for the Government, as between the Houses of York and Lancaster, Jane and Queen Mary, &c. when one saith fight for me, and the other fight for me. If the Subject have not a judgment of discretion to know which is his rightful Sovereign, the King must be forsaken? He that will stand to the command of another, must judge who his Commander is.
M. They are no publick judges to decide the case for other men, nor doth their judgment restrain or bind the Magistrate; nor if they judge amiss will it justifie themselves, or suspend the execution of the Law against them. But if they must not have the foresaid discerning judgment to guide their actions, it will follow; 1. That they are not governed, nor must obey as Men by Reason and Free-will, but as Brutes. 2. That Kings have Absolute Power against God, and must be obeyed in all that they command, e. g. if it be to curse or blaspheme, or renouce God or Christ, to command the Subject to live in Murder, Adultery, Perjury, &c. and so to abrogate the Law of Nature. 3. It followeth, that there is no God (that is, a Supream Ruler) but the King. 4. And I pray you tell me what you will have the Subjects do in case of Usurpation or Competition for the Government, as between the Houses of York and Lancaster, Iane and Queen Mary, &c. when one saith fight for me, and the other fight for me. If the Subject have not a judgment of discretion to know which is his rightful Sovereign, the King must be forsaken? He that will stand to the command of another, must judge who his Commander is.