A26965:649
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.
V. The Fifth Part of Conformity.
1. THE The Fifth Part of Conformity is the Subscribing of the said Declaration, and taking the Oxford Oath, as it concerneth Civil Government, viz. [It is not lawful on any pretence whatsoever to take Arms against the King; and that I do abhor that traitorous position of taking Arms by his authority against his person, or against those that are commissioned by him.] in pursuance of that Commission.
1. THE The Fifth Part of Conformity is the Subscribing of the said Declaration, and taking the Oxford Oath, as it concerneth Civil Government, viz. [It is not lawful on any pretence whatsoever to take Arms against the King; and that I do abhor that traiterous position of taking Arms by his authority against his person, or against those that are commissioned by him.] in pursuance of that Commission.
2. Here the Question is not of the first Clause, of taking Arms against the King; but only of the last [against those that are commissioned by him] the Ministers being mostly ignorant of Law, and not knowing what is called a Commission, and what seal maketh it such: For as they are satisfied that no true Legal Commission of the King may be resisted, so while the unexpounded words have no limitation or exception, they dare not think that a Lord Chancellor or Keeper hath power at his pleasure to depose the King, by sealing Commissions to any to seize on his Forts, Garrisons, Magazines, Treasure, Navies or Guards; nor yet to destroy the Kingdoms, ⟨p. 217⟩Cities, Laws and Judgments, and seize at pleasure on all mens estates or lives. And they dare not swear or subscribe that which the generality of Learned men, Heathens, Papists and Protestants, Politicians, Lawyers, and Divines are commonly against, it being too great presuming on their own wits to say or swear, that almost all the world are in the wrong (even men in their own profession) and that yet they are wiser than all these. An Oath therefore being to be taken understandingly, their not understanding this, causeth their refusal; and it pleaseth not the Law givers to explain it to them.