A97353:732
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.
63. We thought that Bishop Taylor went too far in his Book for Liberty of Prophesying, but tempor a mutantur, and Conformists can change: we think it fit that the Magistrate go further in Restraining than in Constraining: And that he should hinder heretics and blasphemers from reproaching the truth, and seducing souls; Yea hinder any sin in the world; as far as he can do it without greater hurt than the good will compensate. And as the Church must not suffer the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which Christ hateth, nor the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce the people to filthiness, Idolatry, &c. and as Pastors must stop such mouths with sacred argument, and shame them by the convincing light of truth; so Magistrates in their places must hinder them so far, as that by pulling up the Tares, they be sure that they pull not up the wheat also.
63. We thought that Bishop Taylor went too far in his Book for Liberty of Prophesying, but tempor a mutantur, and Conformists can change: we think it fit that the Magistrate go further in Restraining than in Constraining: And that he should hinder hereticks and blasphemers from reproaching the truth, and seducing souls; Yea hinder any sin in the world; as far as he can do it without greater hurt than the good will compensate. And as the Church must not suffer the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which Christ hateth, nor the woman Jesabel to teach and seduce the people to filthiness, Idolatry, &c. and as Pastors must stop such mouths with sacred argument, and shame them by the convincing light of truth; so Magistrates in their places must hinder them so far, as that by pulling up the Tares, they be sure that they pull not up the wheat also.
64. Leaving the Civil peace to the care of Magistrates, we must say of Church Unity and peace, that it will hardly long be kept up by bad Pastors; (till they can make the people bad enough to be willing of them, Isa 5. last) And then it is a conspiracy against Christ, and not true peace.
64. Leaving the Civil peace to the care of Magistrates, we must say of Church Vnity and peace, that it will hardly long be kept up by bad Pastors; (till they can make the people bad enough to be willing of them, Isa 5. last) And then it is a conspiracy against Christ, and not true peace.