A97353:340
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.
31. The command of a Prince, (whether sober or in drink, or passion) to any subject, to destroy the Prince himself (as Saul did command one) or to destroy the Common-wealth, or to break the Laws of God, or the fixed Laws of the Land, will not justify the subject that obeyeth that command, nor doth give him right to impunity ⟨p. 58⟩before God, or in the Courts of Justice, except in such cases as the Law it self excepteth.
31. The command of a Prince, (whether sober or in drink, or passion) to any subject, to destroy the Prince himself (as Saul did command one) or to destroy the Common-wealth, or to break the Laws of God, or the fixed Laws of the Land, will not justifie the subject that obeyeth that command, nor doth give him right to impunity ⟨p. 58⟩before God, or in the Courts of Justice, except in such cases as the Law it self excepth.
32. The Time, Place and other circumstances of duty are not always to be the same; And the Rulers command to alter such unfixed circumstances, when it destroyeth not the substance, is to be obeyed; though the prohibition of the duty it self (Praying, preaching, hearing, Sacraments, alms) is not to be obeyed, because Gods authority is the highest.
33. Though no mans command can warrant us to sin against God, yet some things which are antecedently sinful but by a smaller Accident (as that it offendeth one of my neighbours) may become a duty by the Law of the King, that Law and the consequents of the action, being more preponderating circumstances to oblige us to do it, than the other is against it.