A27054:784
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness of it, and the detection of false dividing terms / opened by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
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.
But when the excommunication is unjust, the Magistrate must not second it with oppression: It is enough to be so much wronged by the Clergy, more should not be added for that cause, nor must the Magistrate suppose the Clergy to be unerring, and so lay by the person of a Judge himself and become the blind executioner of their sentence.
§. 22. II. Affirmatively; The Christian Magistrates Office is, [To promote the common good of the people, and their salvation, and the pleasing and glory of God, by preserving and promoting Piety, Love, Justice and peace, even mens obedience to all the Laws of God, in Nature and Scripture.
§. 23. Therefore as the means, 1. He must promote to his power the due publication or preaching of the Gospel, and the subordinate means that are needful thereunto: 2. He must by just means restrain and punish the gross violators of Gods Laws; and must encourage the obedient and good.
§. 24. Therefore, III. He must deal differently with his subjects as they differ; according to this common distribution: They are