C2,) for, and it's not it, . but the Sword that doth the deed. 8. Is it not an odious defacingof Princes andMagiftrates, to fay,That they are bound to Imprifon and Ruineaman as a meer Lktor or . Executioner of the Judgment of the Clergy, or ofa Chancellor, without ever hearing or trying his Caufe ; and to punifh him, again becaufe they punifht him before, or be- caufe he hath not got their pardon ? 9. If Excommunication be grofly unjaft (as againft Chrifts Members, for doing their duty, or for common humane in- firmity) they do well that fet by it no more than it defer- veth, and pretend not to repent when they do not, nor can- not, nor ought to repent. L. Though you call it no Punifhment, to keep all the Non- Communicants from publickpower and true, 1 think it will paps for a notable Penalty. M I grant them as much as I can, as knowing how little they will yield to.; and indeed it's my opinion that to deny all Non-Communicants Magiftracy and publick Trutt, would be to Reform the Common-Wealth in the Foundation, if the Keys were but justly exercifed : But then by this I exclude none but the Intolerable, that Neither Communicate with the Approved or the Tolerated Churches.. L. But, Rulers will turn this againft you, and ¡hut out the To Aerated with the' Intolerable. M. I cannot help that : Mull I not tell men what is Right, becaufe they will do Wrong ? L. But you are for having all the Subjeas forced to be Cateèhifed, and to be Auditors r And do you think that this will not force Nan-Conformifls to hear againft their Confciencei? M. I fay not that they Ihould be forced to hear in the Pa rifh Church; but either in a Parifh Approved, or a Tolerated Church : Howhave they a Toleration, that may not hear their Tolerated Pafors ? And he that is not for hearingr`at all, is not to be Tolerated: And indeed, if thofe that are no Members in Communion ofany Church, but meer Catechumens orea- ditors,Ihouid be forced tohear in their own Parilhes ordinarily, if there be meet Teaching ; I oppofe it not. L. But is it not as injurious, to force men againft their` Con- fcsences toa Hear as to Communicate? " Lfl MAI
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