32. The magistrate shall silence all preachers that, after due admonition, so grossly misbehave themselves in doctrine, worship, or conversation, as to be the plagues of the churches, and to do apparently more hurt than good. But as to all worthy and able ministers, if they commit any fault, they shall be punished as other subjects, only with such penalties as shall not, by silencing or restraint, be a punishment to the innocent people's souls, nor hinder the preaching of the gospel of salvation: even as if the common bakers, brewers, butchers, carpenters, perform their work perniciously, (poisoning their beer, bread, and meat,) they shall be forbid the trade; but for other faults, they shall be so punished, that the people be not left without bread, beer, meat, houses, for their faults.
33. If any heretics (as Arians, Socinians, &c.) would creep into the ministry, there shall not be new forms of subscription made to keep them out; (which it is likely, with their vicious consciences, would be ineffectual, and would open a gap to the old church tyrannies and divisions;) nor an uncertain evil be ineffectually resisted by a certain greater mischief. But while he keepeth his error to himself, he is no heretic as to the church (_non apparere_ being equal to _non esse_): and when he venteth his heresy, he is responsible all the ways aforesaid, and may be by the magistrate punished for his crime, and by the churches be branded as none of their communion; which is the regular way of reforming crimes, viz. By judgment and execution, and not by making new rules and laws, as fast as men break the old; as though laws could be made which no man can break.
34. The magistrate shall countenance or tolerate no sin or error, so far as he can cure it by just remedies, which will not do more harm than good: but he shall unwillingly tolerate many tolerable errors and faults; because it is not in his power to remedy them, but by such means. But,
(1.) The sound and concordant ministry only shall have his countenance and maintenance.
(2.) Smaller errors and disorder shall be best cured by gentle rebukes, and discountenance, and denial of maintenance; together with the disgrace that will be cast upon them, by the judgment and dissent of all the united, concordant ministers and churches (which together will do more and better, than exasperating cruelties will do).
(3.) The publishing of pernicious principles shall be restrained more severely.
But though men may be restrained from venting pernicious falsehoods, they cannot be constrained to believe the truth; (we are not so happy;) nor shall they be constrained to lie, and say that they believe it when they do not.
35. All matters of quarrels, division, and cruel usage of each other, being thus cut off and gone, bitterness and revengeful thoughts will cease, and love will revive in all men's breasts, and unity and peace will follow of its own accord. And if any heretical or contentious sect arise, the hearts of all united people will so rise against them, that desertion and shame will quickly kill them.
36. Then will the hearts of the people cleave to their pastors: and they will be no more put on the great difficulties of loving the bishops that hurt them, or of loving them in gaols; but it will be as easy to love them, when they feel the love to their souls in the labours and kindness of their pastors, as to love their dearest and nearest friends. And then love will open the people's ears to the teacher's doctrine, and it will do them good: and then the labours and lives of faithful ministers will be sweet and easy, when the love, and the unity, and faithfulness of the people, is their daily encouragement. Oh how good, and how happy, will it be for pastors and people thus to live in love and unity! It will not only remind us of Aaron's perfume, but of the Spirit of love that dwelt in our Redeemer, and which he promised should be his seal and mark upon all his true disciples; yea, and of the celestial society, and life of perfect love.