A26965:304
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.
LIX. Obj. You say that Rulers may not causelessly silence or punish such: But still they are judges whether there be cause.
LIX. Obj. You say that Rulers may not causelesly silence or punish such: But still they are judges whether there be cause.
Ans. They are so: For it is about their proper work. But they are Judges subject to God, to whom they shall answer it if they disobey him. And the subjects are private discerning Judges, whether the Laws of men contradict Gods Laws so far as concerneth their obeying or not obeying them.
Ans. They are so: For it is about their proper work. But they are Judges subject to God, to whom they shall answer it if they disobey him. And the subjects are p•ivate discerning Judges, whether the Laws of men contradict Gods Laws so far as concerneth their obeying or not obeying them.
We must still repeat, that the esse is before the scire; and the Being of the case and Truth, before the judging of it: either the Preacher deserveth Silencing or not, before you come to judge the case: If he ought to be silent the Rulers ought •o judge so, and do well: If not, but he be innocent, or one that ought not to be forbidden his Office, no man hath power from God to judge contrary and causelessly to forbid him; And his conscience is not formerly bound by that prohibition; Though he must still keep his Loyalty and subjection, and his care of the public peace and welfare.
We must still repeat, that the esse is before the scire; and the Being of the case and Truth, before the judging of it: either the Preacher deserveth Silencing or not, before you come to judge the case: If he ought to be silent the Rulers ought o judge so, and do well: If not, but he be innocent, or one that ought not to be forbidden his Office, no man hath power from God to judge contrary and causelesly to forbid him; And his conscience is not formerly bound by that prohibition; Though he must still keep his Loyalty and subjection, and his care of the publick peace and welfare.