A26965:143
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacify such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacifie such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1679
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.
XXXIIII. And about these humane Church-Laws the general Case must be well considered, how far they are obligatory to conscience, and in what cases they cease to bind. Sayrus, Fragoso and other the most Learned and Moderate Casuists of the Papists, ordinarily conclude, that Humane Laws bind not, when they are not for the Common good. We had rather say, that when they are notoriously against the Laws of Christ, or against the Common good, or are made by usurpation without authority thereto, they bind not to formal obedience in that particular, (though sometime other reasons, especially the honour of our Rulers, may bind us to material obedience, when the matter is indifferent; and though still our subjection and loyalty must be maintained. But of this before, and more largely by one of us, Christian directory, Part. 4. Chap. 3. Tit. 3. &c. The Council of Toletum. 1355 decreed that their decrees shall bind none ad culpam but only ad poenam see Bin. Inoc. 6th.
Sect. XXXV. Kings and Magistrates should see that their Kingdoms be well provided of public Preachers and Catechists, to convert Infidels and Impious men where there are such, and to prepare such for Baptism, and Church privileges ⟨p. 33⟩and Communion, as are not yet Baptized, but are Catechumens: And they may by due means compel the ignorant to hear and learn what Christianity is, though not to become Christians (for that is impossible) nor to profess that which is not true, nor to take Church-Privileges, to which they have no right, and of which at present they are uncapable. But they may grant those rewards and civil Privileges to Christians and Churches for their encouragement, which they are not bound to give to others, and which may make a moving difference, without unrighteous constraint.
Sect. XXXV. Kings and Magistrates should see that their Kingdoms be well provided of publick Preachers and Catechists, to convert Infidels and Impious men where there are such, and to prepare such for Baptisme, and Church priviledges