A97353:766
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.
81. He that thinketh that all other men will do that which they think is sin against God, and will damn their souls, to escape any penalties of humane Laws, doth thereby tell the world, either that he thinketh himself more honest than all such others, or else that he would do the same himself, which he expecteth from them, if it were his own case; And so, that he would sell his soul to save his flesh. A Bishop therefore should especially be against such violence lest he disgrace himself, and tell the world what he is, and what he would do, by telling them what he thinks others will do.
81. He that thinketh that all other men will do that which they think is sin against God, and will damn their souls, to escape any penalties of humane Laws, doth thereby tell the world, either that he thinketh himself more honest than all such others, or else that he would do thesame himself, which he expecteth from them, if it were his own case; And so, that he would sell his soul to save his flesh. A Bishop therefore should especially be against such violence lest he disgrace himself, and tell the world what he is, and what he would do, by telling them what he thinks others will do.
82. My own acquaintance in England persuadeth me confidently to believe, that (however very many would venture their souls to save their bodies, yet) if the Bishops could get Laws to hang all Nonconformists, or burn them as the Protestants in Queen Maris days, there would many hundred Ministers, and many thousand of private Christians, rather be burnt than do the things now questioned against their Consciences.
82. My own acquaintance in England perswadeth me confidently to believe, that (however very many would venture their souls to save their bodies, yet) if the Bishops could get Laws to hang all Nonconformists, or burn them as the Protestants in Queen Marys days, there would many hundred Ministers, and many thousand of private Christians, rather be burnt than do the things now questioned against their Consciences.