A97353:560
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.
His principles are, 1. That Nature giveth a man Right to all things: that is, Before men bind themselves ⟨p. 124⟩by Covenants to one another, it it lawful for every one to do whatever they list and to whomsoever, and to possess, use and enjoy whatever they will and can. pag. 12.
2. For it is the first foundation of natural right that every man may defend his life and members as much as he is able: And having right to that as the end, it were in vain unless he had right to the means, that is, to use all means, and do any action without which he cannot preserve himself. p. 11.
3. The natural state of men before mutual Covenants, is a state of War, because what every man hath right to, another hath right to, and may resist his desires, whence arise perpetual suspicions, enmities, &c. so that all men are at war with all men. p. 14, 15.
4. Nature teacheth us to desire peace for our interest, and when we cannot have it, to get the greatest helps for war. p. 15. 22.