The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...

Chap. XXII. Point XIX. Of Publishing the Lay-Chancel∣lors Excommunications and Absolutions according to the Canons.

L.

HOw are you bound to publish their Excommunications?

M.

1. By our Ordination-Covenant to obey the Or∣dinary. 2. By the Oath of Canonical Obedience. 3. By this assent and consent to the words last mentioned, to accuse them, that the Ordinary may proceed against them according to the Canon. 4. By constant custom: If we do it not, we shall be suspended or cast our.

L.

But the Oath of Canonical Obedience is but in licitis & ho∣nestis.

M.

I told you before, it implyeth that all that is Canonical is licitum & honestum. And they will not allow us to be Judges, but will suspend us if we refuse their commands as unlawful and dishonest. And the Canon it self ipso facto Excommunicateth all that say any of their Governing Offices are contrary to the Word of God, or that the Canons bind not Dissenters. And so far is the Church from taking this for unlawful or dishonest, as that it expresly commandeth it in these words, Can. 65.

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All Ordinaries shall in their several Jurisdictions carefully see and give order, that as well those who for obstinate refusing to frequent Divine Service Established by publick Authority within this Realm of England, as those also (ESPECIALLY OF THE BETTER SORT and Condition) who for noto∣rious

contumacy, or other notable crimes stand lawfully Ex∣communicated— be every six Months ensuing, as well in the Parish Church as in the Cathedral, by the Minister openly in time of Divine Service, upon some Sunday denounced and declared Excommunicate, that others may thereby be admo∣nished to refrain their Company,—and excited the rather to procure out a Writ de Excommunicato capiendo;]

so that no man can be a Minister that will not practise it.

L.

And what have you against the practice of it?

M.

1. To be the Agent of Lay-mens Excommunicating. 2. And the Instruments of godly mens Excommunications and Ruins. You may as well ask us why we dare not oppress and de∣stroy men without cause; the Publishers cannot be Innocent.