A97353:323
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.
14. Propriety is naturally antecedent to Government, which doth not Give it, but regulate it to the Common good: Every man is born with a propriety in his own members, and nature giveth him a propriety in his Children, and his food and other just acquisitions of his industry. Therefore no Ruler can justly deprive men of their propriety, ⟨p. 55⟩unless it be by some Law of God (as in execution of Justice on such as forfeit it) or by their own consent, by themselves or their Delegates or Progenitors; And mens lives and Liberties are the chief parts of their propriety. That is the peoples just reserved Property, and Liberty, which neither God taketh from them, by the power which his own Laws give the Rulers, nor is given away by their […] foresaid consent.
14. Propriety is naturally antecedent to Government, which doth not Give it, but regulate it to the Common good: Every man is born with a propriety in his own members, and nature giveth him a propriety in his Children, and his food and other just acquisitions of his industry. Therefore no Ruler can justly deprive men of their propriety, ⟨p. 55⟩unless it be by some Law of God (as in execution of Justice on such as forfeit it) or by their own consent, by themselves or their Delegates or Progenitors; And mens lives and Liberties are the chief parts of their propriety. That is the peoples just reserved Property, and Liberty, which neither God taketh from them, by the power which his own Laws give the Rulers, nor is given away by their 〈…〉 foresaid consent.
15. Usurpers have no true Power (or Jus regendi); nor do their commands (whether they be Civil or Ecclesiastical Usurpers) bind any one in Conscience to formal obedience; nor may they be set up and defended against the Lawful Governor. But materially many good and lawful things may be done which they command when the Common good and personal safety require it, without owning their authority as true, which is none, and without formal obedience.