A97353:800
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.
9. Let neighbour Churches keep such correspondence, as is necessary to their concord, that he that is cast out of one Church, or that communicateth with it, may not be causelessly used contrarily by others. And those Pastors and Churches that shall prove heretical or impious, are to be admonished by the rest, and disowned if they continue impenitent.
9. Let neighbour Churches keep such correspondence, as is necessary to their concord, that he that is cast out of one Church, or that communicateth with it, may not be causelesly used contrarily by others. And those Pastors and Churches that shall prove heretical or impious, are to be admonished by the rest, and disowned if they continue impenitent.
10. If it be thought meet by Christian Rulers that these neighbour Pastors have often meetings or Synods, they are to be improved only for concord and unity and corroboration of all, and for the edification of the younger and weaker sort of Ministers.
11. If it seem good to the Magistrate, that any one Pastor in every Church have the chief oversight of that Church, or any one be the constant moderator in the Synods, or any one in a Diocese or Province have a General inspection over all the Ministers and Churches; Let none be forced to swear him obedience, nor to profess or subscribe to the Lawfulness of his place; but only Actually to obey him, upon such moderate penalties that hinder not the Gospel. And if this Prelate claim only the Spiritual power, let him not ⟨p. 187⟩exercise it as a Prince without the Counsel of the Pastors; and let him go no further than the spiritual power goeth, which reacheth but to Conscience and consenters; And let not the Magistrate be his executioner with the sword; nor put any forcing power of the sword into the Clergies hands. But if the King will needs make Clergymen Magistrates, let it be declared so, that they and their Courts do use Civil power in Ecclesiastical matters, only as the Kings officers, and then we shall readily obey them. And let no lay Chancellors or others exercise any of the spiritual power of the Keys.