A26982:168
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called…
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called The second part of the mischiefs of separation, written by an unnamed author with a preface to Mr. Cantianus D. Minimis, in answer to his letter which extorted this publication.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1691
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.
2. And between a Case controvertible, and a Case clear and certain. And so I answer, 1. If a Parliament wrong the King, we must not join with them in wronging him; nor own their wrong; nor defend the Persons from legal Justice. He might have dissolved them and called another, had he not past a Law to the contrary. He may Impeach any Members at their own Bar: But at what Judicature shall he try the highest Judicature it self.
2. And between a Case controvertible, and a Case clear and certain. And so I answer, 1. If a Parliament wrong the King, we must not joyn with them in wronging him; nor own their wrong; nor defend the Persons from legal Justice. He might have dissolved them and called another, had he not past a Law to the contrary. He may Impeach any Members at their own Bar: But at what Judicature shall he try the highest Judicature it self.
2. And if the Representative would treacherously destroy the Constitution, and yield to enslave them, or to give up the Kingdom to the Pope or any Foreign Power, the Case being past Controversy, the People have not thereby lost the natural Power of Self-defence: But may as lawfully choose more trusty Representatives, and fight for Self defence against such Traitors, as against a Tyrant.
2. And if the Representative would treacherously destroy the Constitution, and yield to enslave them, or to give up the Kingdom to the Pope or any Foreign Power, the Case being past Controversie, the People have not thereby lost the natural Power of Self-defence: But may as lawfully choose more trusty Representatives, and fight for Self defence against such Traitors, as against a Tyrant.
3. But the species of the Constitution, (in King and Parliament) must still be maintained, and the Salus Populi without respect to which there is no Government. And no personal Faults can forfeit that.