A97353:796
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.
5. Let men be punished according to the quality of their offence, who preach against the Government Civil or spiritual, and against the Laws and established order of the Churches; or that rail and revile their brethren, and turn the preaching of the Gospel into the preaching down of mutual Love. After the first and second admonition, let the heretical and turbulent be avoided by the Church; and let the Magistrate restrain them at his discretion as is meet.
5. Let men be punished according to the quality of their offence, who preach against the Government Civil or spiritual, and against the Laws and established order of the Churches; or that rail and revile their brethern, and turn the preaching of the Gospel into the preaching down of mutual Love. After the first and second admonition, let the heretical and turbulent be avoided by the Church; and let the Magistrate restrain them at his discretion as is meet.
6. Let Homilies or forms of preaching and Liturgies or forms of Prayer, &c. be imposed (at least ordinarily) on none but the less sufficient that need them; and let able Pastors have liberty, sometime to use more, and sometime less according to the time, occasion and auditory. And let such forms have nothing in them doubtful or needless; But for matter, method and phrase, be as much fitted to the peoples case and to the Scripture as may be done.
7. Let all other circumstances, which are variable according to variety of occasions, and belong to the office of the Pastor, be left to his discretion (as what Chapter, Psalm, tune, subject of preaching, method, &c.) so he be responsible for gross abuses and mal administration.