The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

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 ⟨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 prosess that which is not true, nor to take Church-Priviledges, to which they have no right, and of which at present they are uncapable. But they may grant those rewards and civil Priviledges 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.

XXXVI. Christ and his Apostles having (as is aforesaid) settled the Right of Ordination on the Senior Pastors or Bishops and the Right of Consenting in the People, (and this continued long even under Christian Emperors) Princes or Patrons may not deprive either party of their Right, but preserving such Rights, they may 1. Offer meet Pastors to the Ordainers and Consenters to be accepted, when there is just cause for their interposition: 2. They may hinder both Ordainers and People from introducing intolerable men: 3. They may, when a Peoples Ignorance, Faction or Wilfulness maketh them refuse all that are truly fit for them, urge them to accept the best; and may possess such of the Temples, and Public Maintenance, and make it consequently to become the Peoples duty to consent, as is aforesaid; so also when they are divided.