A97353:718
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.
49. We suppose that errors and faults of subjects must be distinguished of by Magistrates and Pastors; some are Tolerable, and those must be Tolerated: some are intolerable, and must not be tolerated: we are not therefore for an universal unlimited toleration. And we think that those, who cry out [One and All, why not one as well as another] have much themselves of design or necessity to be tolerated, or else very little of understanding: And they may as well say, [If an idle talker may be endured in the Commonwealth, why not a Traitor? If there be no Law against Lying, why should there be any against murder or Rebellion? If a foot must be cut off for a Gangrene, why not for a Corn?] Woe to the world when it is ruled by such wits.
49. We suppose that errors and faults of subjects must be distinguished of by Magistrates and Pastors; some are Tolerable, and those must be Tolerated: some are intolerable, and must not be tolerated: we are not therefore for an universal unlimited toleration. And we think that those, who cry out [One and All, why not one as well as another] have much themselves of design or necessity to be tolerated, or else very little of understanding: And they may as well say, [If an idle talker may be endured in the Commonwealth, why not a Traytor? If there be no Law against Lying, why should there be any against murder or Rebellion? If a foot must be cut off for a Gangren, why not for a Corn?] Wo to the world when it is ruled by such wits.
50. Nay we suppose that no fault even in public matters of Religion is therefore to be left incorrigible, because the Magistrate wanteth power to meddle with it (though Heart-sins and unproved sins are out of his cognisance): we doubt not but the Magistrate may punish evil doers where God or nature make no exception, or disable him not, Rom. 13. 4, 5, 6. He must take more care of Gods interest than his own; and of our souls than of our bodies, and of Religion than of Commerce: But the ⟨p. 163⟩question is only what he can do effectually and what not: and what means prudence requireth him to use.