A97353:444
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.
§. 23. P. 290. [An Ecclesiastical custom must be reasonable or useful, or it cannot oblige the Conscience, except to avoid scandal (for that is in all things carefully to be observed, right or wrong, so it be not sin) for no man is bound to be a fool, or to do a foolish action. Now a Custom in the Canon Law is concluded to be reasonable, if it tend to the good of the soul.
§. 23. P. 290. [An Ecclesiastical custome must be reasonable or useful, or it cannot oblige the Conscience, except to avoid scandal (for that is in all things carefully to be observed, right or wrong, so it be not sin) for no man is bound to be a fool, or to do a foolish action. Now a Custome in the Canon Law is concluded to be reasonable, if it tend to the good of the soul.
§. 24. P. 301. &c. [Ecclesiastical Laws must be imposed so as to leave our liberty unharmed; that is, that the Law be not Universal; not with an intent to oblige all Christendom; except they will be obliged, that is, consent.—The Catholic Church never met since the Apostles days in any Assembly to make a Law that shall bind all Christians whether they consent or no: And because one Church hath not by any word of Christ's, authority over another Church, and one King is not superior to another King— therefore no Ecclesiastical Law can be made with a power of passing necessary obligation on all Christians: —When Christ had made us free from the Law of ceremonies which God appointed—it would be intolerable that the Churches should submit themselves to a Yoke of ordinances, which men should make.—
§. 24. P. 301. &c. [Ecclesiastical Laws must be imposed so as to leave our liberty unharmed; that is, that the Law be not Universal; not with an intent to oblige all Christendom; except they will be obliged, that is, consent.—The Catholick Church never met since the Apostles days in any Assembly to make a Law that shall bind all Christians whether they consent or no: And because one Church hath not by any word of Christ's, authority over another Church, and one King is not superior to another King— therefore no Ecclesiastical Law can be made with a power of passing necessary obligation on all Christians: —When Christ had made us free from the Law of ceremonies which God appointed—it would be intolerable that the Churches should submit themselves to a Yoke of ordinances, which men should make.—