Baxter - Houston-Packer Collection BT70 .B397 1675

`The `F'rëtjce. men call fo loud for Unity and Concord, as they that have firfl made it a thing impolíible. Let none think that I am fpeaking againfl any true Church-Government, or faithful Pallors: But I appeal to the Confciences of thefe Papal Tyrants, t. Whether it would not be far caner for Chriflians to Agree, in A FEW, ÍPL,AIN and N,ECESS4j things, of Chrills own In- flitution, than in a multitude of humane decrees and articles, compofed in words more lyable to Controverle ? Will not more fubfcribe to the Creed, than to all the Councils ? 2. Have they not room enough to thew their Power, and work enougli to do, in feeing to the execution of Chrifls own Univerfal Laws, and preferving meer Order and Decency in undetermined circumflances, that allmay bedone to edifica- tion ? 3. Doth not every needlefsOath and Subfcription by which they would tye men faller to themfelves in contro- vertible cafes, plainly tend to undermine themfelves, and keep up íh11 a confcientious party againfl them ? For while men have nothing to do but live quietly under a Government, they will be glad of peace : But when they are put to Subfcribe,Declare, Covenant andSwear that all this is good or lawful, or that they will never be againfl it, it fets men unavoidably on the deepefl fludies of the cafe, and fo all the people are fet on trying and judgingof that, which elle they would never have meddled with : For what honefl man willfay, (wear or promife he knoweth not what ? Even as Tome crafty Rebels wouldunderminePrin- ces, by drawing them to put the controverted parts of' their Prerogative into the SubjettsOaths, that fo they may make all the people Students and Judges of the caule, and unavoidably make faEtions and diffenters, that elfe would have lived quietly if they might : fo do the Papal Clergie ruine themfelves by fuch over-doing impofiti- ons. I remember Lampridius tells us that Alexander Severus ( that great enemy of injuflice) was fo fevere, that he would have made a Law to regulate mens Apparel: But Ulpian changed his mind by telling him, that Ma= ny Laws caule Dirvi fans, and make occafions of difobe- dience. They cry out, There will be no order if Miniflers andpeople be left to tint own difcretion in fuch and fuch circumflantials ; But do they dream of Perfef Concord on earth ? and than men

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