[ 47 1 . ] \ .. and it was lawful for Chrifi:ians ~o .be fubject ,.to him; for Confc·ience fake: But it Vi7aS not lav\·ful to fubject themfelves to Heathen Bi!hrips (a con~ ' tradiction.) A Heathen may be Gods. Minifier to preferve the common Peace, and Execute the Laws of God in Nature, and the Jufi Subordinate ' Laws: But the Office ofa Bi{hop confifieth in a– nother matter, viz.. In teaching the true Doc– trine ·and · Laws ·of Chrifr ; and guiding ·the Churchby them, and keeping out all that is a– gainlt them. And therefore no other ma~ can be a Bifhop that doth not this as· to the Effentials. If the King command us to be Papifis we mufi: difobey him : .But if he command us to .do things good and lawful, we mrlfi obey: True Chrifiia~ nity is Eifential to a Biil)ops Office, but not to a Kings, as King. · , · _ But ifany put the Qgefrion, [ JYhether a J?.uler of a Proteftant Kingdom, rvh.o takph .f.Jimfilf ~ound ·by th.e Laterane or other Council on pain of Davmtt– .tion to deftroy all his Kingdom that w~li not forfak!; their Religion, be Publicus 'Hofiis ? Ani whether by the Law of Nature every Nation have a right of [elf– defence tf!,ainft open Enemies? ,J meddle with no fuch Cates as thefe. , XII. Toconclude, I advife .all · Chri!lians to live peaceably in rheir places, but to take care \ll.'hom they trufi with the Patcoral Conduct of their Souls; and not to be feduced to enter into .aConfederacy, againft Chrifts Prerogative by · a .. ny pretences of Htjmane .Authority, or .Catholick.. Vnity, which really2re againtt Divine Authority, and the true Ur,i ty of theCtru.-rch in Cbrift = For a tbouC1nd years experieoce (even by our Bl– !hopsconfeifion who own but the Six firft CounHh 4 • cils)
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