A26965:681
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.
X. And all are agreed that to silence all the Ministers of the Nation, is a thing that God hath not given any man authority to do, because of the necessity of their Ministry; and consequently not to silence any necessary Ministry at all.
XI. It is agreed that Satan would fain corrupt States and Churches with the most heinous sins, to expose them to Gods judgements and the enemies scorn: And that common Perjury or Perfidiousness is one of those greatest sins: And that as the Belief of the Truth is the beginning of Christianity, so Satan is a Liar and the father of Lies: And he that thinketh that Satan is endeavouring to stigmatize Persons, Churches or Kingdoms with his brand of PER should the more carefully avoid the receiving of that mark.
XI. It is agreed that Satan would fain corrupt States and Churches with the most heinous sins, to expose them to Gods judgements and the enemies scorn: And that common Perjury or Perfidiousness is one of those greatest sins: And that as the Belief of the Truth is the beginning of Christianity, so Satan is a Lyer and the father of Lies: And he that thinketh that Satan is endeavouring to stigmatiz• Persons, Churches or Kingdomes with his brand of PER should the more carefully avoid the receiving of that mark.
XII. It is agreed that God hath within these fourteen years exercised very grievous Chastisements on Cities and Corporations, by such a Plague (on London and many Corporations) and such fires on London, Southwark and many Corporations) ⟨p. 224⟩and such increase of Poverty, (though we have more liberty at Sea and Land for trade, than almost any Nation near us) as that the like hath not been known in our forefathers days: And that if this should be the Voice of Christ, as a reproof of our perfidiousness, and perjuries, saying (except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,) it would leave the impenitent without all just excuse.