A97353:719
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.
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.
50. Nay we suppose that no fault even in publick 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.
51. We would not have the Magistrate forbear to cure the smallest fault or error, of what kind soever which he can really cure: But what he cannot cure must be tolerated: He cannot make his Subjects perfect. And we would not have him kill under pretence of curing, nor set the house on fire to kill the rats and mice, nor cure a lousy headed child by cutting off his head, nor cure his crying by cutting his throat; Nor to divide and destroy the Church by ordering it, nor for a needless subscription or a ceremony, to forbid the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, when it is necessary to the saving of souls.