A97353:30
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their principles about civil and ecclesiastical authority and obedience ... : mostly written many years past, and now published to save our lives and the kingdoms peace, from the false and bloody plotters ... / 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.
And if you believe not me, besides the forementioned worthy Lords, ask the worthy Master of the Rolls Sir Harbottle Grimstone, and Sir John Maynard his Majesties Serjeant at Law, who were eminent members of the foresaid Parliament, from the beginning, or any other of them yet living, whether the Parliament was Presbyterians and Nonconformists when the war began, or Conformable members of the Church of England; and they can resolve you.
IV. But if all this had been otherwise, must this age answer for their fathers deeds? What's all this to the present Nonconformists, of whom I do not believe there is one of 40. now alive that had any hand in any wars against the King? Are the Hollanders or French guilty of it because they are Presbyterians? If not, why are the English? will Names make men Traitors? If so, do not they make us Traitors who falsely gave us those names? Either they must prove that we hold rebellious principles, or they show that they do but in Plot accuse us. Therefore I have thought it my duty to give this account of our Principles as far as they are known to me.
IV. But if all this had been otherwise, must this age answer for their fathers deeds? What's all this to the present Nonconformists, of whom I do not believe there is one of 40. now alive that had any hand in any wars against the King? Are the Hollanders or French guilty of it because they are Presbyterians? If not, why are the English? will Names make men Traytors? If so, do not they make us Traytors who falsly gave us those names? Either they must prove that we hold rebellious principles, or they shew that they do but in Plot accuse us. Therefore I have thought it my duty to give this account of our Principles as far as they are known to me.
In 1649. I wrote a Book called Political Aphorisms, in which, 1. I asserted the Universal Monarchy of God, 2. The Preeminence of Monarchy before Democracy against Mr. Harington's Oceana, 3. The way to secure a pious Monarchy; 4. And I added the reasons why I then had adhered to the Parliament, out of a desire of conviction if I had