A97353:373
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.
IX. We reject their doctrine who teach that the King or other Rulers are bound to punish men by the sword, merely because being excommunicate they repent not and reconcile not themselves to the Clergy; As if Princes were the Lictors or executioners of the Clergy, or were bound to burn, banish, imprison or fine their Subjects, because the Clergy (Pope, Prelates or Presbyteries) do excommunicate them, and require it of them; be the sentence right or wrong: And we much desire that Princes would not so nearly annex their punishments to the Clergies censures, as may seem to countenance such injurious and dishonourable expectations of the Clergy, or as may countenance them that scorn Church discipline as a leaden sword or uneffectual, unless the sword of the Magistrates enforce it.
IX. We reject their doctrine who teach that the King or other Rulers are bound to punish men by the sword, meerly because being excommunicate they repent not and reconcile not themselves to the Clergy; As if Princes were the Lictors or executioners of the Clergy, or were bound to burn, banish, imprison or fine their Subjects, because the Clergy (Pope, Prelates or Presbyteries) do excommunicate them, and require it of them; be the sentence right or wrong: And we much desire that Princes would not so nearly annex their punishments to the Clergies censures, as may seem to countenance such injurious and dishonourable expectations of the Clergy, or as may countenance them that scorn Church discipline as a leaden sword or uneffectual, unless the sword of the Magistrates enforce it.
X. We like not the dangerous Conclusion of [No Bishop No King], though we judge not such a word when by a sound exposition the danger is avoided.
XI. We reject their doctrine who hold that the Clergy is exempt from the Government of the King,1