A26965:206
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.
XXXVII. 5. It is no Schism to Preach, and gather Churches, and elect and ordain Pastors and Assemble for God's Worship, against the Laws and will of Heathen, Nahometan, or Infidel Princes that forbid it. For thus did the Christians for 300 years. And if there be the same cause and need, it is no more Schism to do it against the Laws and will of a Christian Prince. Because, 1. Christ's Laws are equally obligatory; ⟨p. 52⟩2. Souls equally precious. 3. The Gospel and Gods worship equally necessary, 4. And his Christianity enableth him not to do more hurt than a Pagan may do, but more good. If therefore either out of Ungodly enmity to his own profession, or for fear of displeasing his wicked or Infidel Subjects, he should forbid Christian Churches, he is not to be therein obeyed.
XXXVII. 5. It is no Schism to Preach, and gather Churches, and elect and ordain Pastors and Assemble for God's Worship, against the Laws and will of Heathen, Nahometan, or Infidel Princes that forbid it. For thus did the Christians for 300 years. And if there be the same cause and need, it is no more Schism to do it against the Laws and will of a Christian Prince. Because, 1. Christ's Laws are equally obligatory; ⟨p. 52⟩2. Souls equally precious. 3. The Gospel and Gods worship equally necessary, 4. And his Christianity enableth him not to do more hurt than a Pagan may do, but more good. If therefore either out of Ungodly enmity to his own profession, or for fear of displeasing his wicked or Insidel Subjects, he should forbid Christian Churches, he is not to be therein obeyed.
XXXVIII. 6. If a Prince, Heathen, Infidel or Christian, forbid Gods Commanded worship, and any Commanded part of the Pastors office, (as in Papists Kingdoms Prayer in a known tongue, and the Cup in the Lords Supper is forbidden, and as they say, all preaching save the reading of Liturgies and Homilies is forbidden in Muscovy, and as the use of the Keys is elsewhere forbidden;) It is no Schism to disobey such Laws, (what Prudence may pro hic & nunc require of any single person we now determine not.)