A26958:210
A moral prognostication I. what shall befall the churches on Earth, till their concord
A moral prognostication I. what shall befall the churches on Earth, till their concord, by the restitution of their primitive purity, simplicity, and charity, II. how that restitution is like to be made, (if ever) and what shall befall them thence-forth unto the end, in that golden-age of love / written by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for Thomas Simmons, 1680
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.
32. The Magistrate shall silence all Preachers that after due Admonition, so grossly mis-behave themselves in Doctrine, Worship, or Conversation, as to be the Plagues of the Churches, and to do apparently more hurt than good. But as to all worthy and able Ministers, if they commit any fault, they shall be punished as other Subjects, only with such Penalties as shall not by silencing or restraint, be a punishment to the innocent peoples Souls, nor hinder the Preaching of the Gospel of Salvation: Even as if the common Bakers, Brewers, Butchers, Carpenters, perform their work perniciously (Poisoning their Beer, Bread, and Meat) they shall be forbid the Trade: But for other faults, they shall be so punished, that the People be not left without Bread, Beer, Meat, Houses, for their faults.
32. The Magistrate shall silence all Preachers that after due Admonition, so grosly mis-behave themselves in Doctrine, Worship, or Conversation, as to be the Plagues of the Churches, and to do apparently more hurt than good. But as to all worthy and able Ministers, if they commit any fault, they shall be punished as other Subjects, only with such Penalties as shall not by silencing or restraint, be a punishment to the innocent peoples Souls, nor hinder the Preaching of the Gospel of Salvation: Even as if the common Bakers, Brewers, Butchers, Carpenters, perform their work perniciously (Poisoning their Beer, Bread, and Meat) they shall be forbid the Trade: But for other faults, they shall be so punished, that the People be not left without Bread, Beer, Meat, Houses, for their faults.
33. If any Heretics (as Arians, Socinians, &c.) would creep into the Ministry, there shall not be new-forms of Subscription made to keep them out (which its like, with their vicious Consciences would be uneffectual, and would open a Gap to the old Church-Tyrannies and Divisions); nor an uncertain Evil be uneffectually resisted by a certain greater Mischief. But while he keepeth his Error to himself, he is no Heretic as to the Church (non apparere being equal to non esse:) And when he venteth his Heresy, he is responsible all the ways aforesaid, and may be by the Magistrate punished for his Crime, and by the Churches be branded as none of their Communion; ⟨p. 56⟩