Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n apostle_n church_n minister_n 2,916 5 6.7721 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62125 A defence of the peaceable and friendly address to the non-conformists against the ansvver lately given to it. In which the obligation to conform to the constitutions of the established church is maintained and vindicated. The answerers objections solv'd; and his calumnies refuted. Synge, Edward, 1659-1741. 1698 (1698) Wing S6377; ESTC R221946 57,215 64

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

at_o all_o before_o he_o shall_v lie_v under_o any_o obligation_n to_o give_v obedience_n to_o it_o but_o church-governor_n say_v he_o be_v oblige_v to_o teach_v we_o to_o observe_v no_o more_o than_o what_o christ_n command_v they_o mat._n 28._o 20._o act_n 10._o 33._o i_o grant_v it_o but_o what_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o first_o governor_n appoint_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o church_n do_v teach_v all_o man_n to_o observe_v the_o lawful_a command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n and_o will_v our_o author_n say_v that_o they_o have_v no_o command_n from_o christ_n for_o do_v this_o but_o say_v he_o again_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o impose_v thing_n needless_a i_o answer_v that_o they_o who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o make_v law_n ought_v not_o indeed_o to_o enact_v such_o law_n as_o impose_v thing_n altogether_o useless_a to_o any_o good_a purpose_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o of_o our_o church_n constitution_n but_o what_o if_o they_o be_v due_o respect_v and_o observe_v will_v tend_v very_o much_o to_o order_n and_o decency_n and_o also_o to_o keep_v out_o unnecessary_a innovatious_a and_o therefore_o they_o can_v just_o be_v term_v needless_a thing_n but_o if_o i_o shall_v judge_v they_o to_o be_v altogether_o needless_a yet_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v innocent_a this_o will_v be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o i_o shall_v refuse_v obedience_n to_o they_o as_o well_o because_o i_o have_v no_o warrant_n from_o god_n word_n for_o so_o do_v as_o that_o the_o government_n in_o their_o wisdom_n may_v have_v very_o good_a reason_n for_o command_v such_o thing_n although_o it_o may_v be_v i_o be_o not_o able_a thorough_o to_o comprehend_v it_o and_o that_o such_o a_o modest_a compliance_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v judge_v no_o less_o than_o a_o conspiracy_n with_o man_n usurp_v power_n be_v such_o a_o imagination_n as_o no_o man_n of_o reason_n or_o charity_n can_v ever_o entertain_v well!_o but_o do_v not_o paul_n withstand_v peter_n to_o the_o face_n in_o his_o impose_v unnecessary_a thing_n on_o the_o jew_n gal._n 2._o 11._o but_o will_v this_o man_n never_o make_v any_o conscience_n of_o impose_v not_o only_o impertinent_a but_o false_a allegation_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n upon_o his_o unwary_a reader_n s._n paul_n in_o the_o place_n mention_v do_v indeed_o withstand_v s._n peter_n but_o not_o on_o account_n of_o his_o impose_v any_o thing_n on_o the_o jew_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o there_o the_o least_o shadow_n of_o a_o suggestion_n but_o pure_o for_o his_o dissimulation_n in_o that_o by_o withdraw_a and_o separate_n himself_o from_o the_o gentile_n for_o fear_v of_o they_o which_o be_v of_o the_o circumcision_n he_o lay_v a_o stumble_a block_n before_o the_o gentile_n and_o though_o not_o by_o his_o doctrine_n yet_o by_o his_o example_n seem_v to_o put_v a_o sort_n of_o compulsion_n upon_o they_o to_o live_v as_o do_v the_o jew_n to_o which_o no_o law_n either_o of_o god_n or_o man_n do_v oblige_v they_o and_o as_o to_o what_o he_o immediate_o add_v i_o grant_v with_o he_o that_o the_o authority_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v unto_o the_o church_n be_v for_o edification_n 2_o cor._n 10._o 8._o to_o which_o i_o must_v tell_v he_o that_o a_o settle_a decency_n and_o order_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n do_v not_o a_o little_a conduce_v i_o grant_v also_o that_o where_o a_o church_n cease_v to_o follow_v christ_n we_o ought_v not_o therein_o to_o follow_v that_o church_n according_a to_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n 1_o cor._n 11._o 1._o but_o where_o the_o church_n be_v careful_a to_o follow_v christ_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a and_o therein_o to_o the_o utmost_a to_o promote_v the_o edification_n of_o all_o her_o member_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o sin_n to_o comply_v with_o that_o church_n for_o peace_n and_o unity_n sake_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v indifferent_a and_o therefore_o lawful_a or_o why_o a_o man_n shall_v renounce_v the_o communion_n of_o such_o a_o church_n on_o account_n of_o such_o thing_n even_o in_o case_n they_o be_v needless_a i_o can_v in_o the_o least_o gather_v from_o either_o of_o those_o place_n and_o whereas_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o synod_n of_o jerusilem_fw-la act_n 15_o think_v fit_a to_o impose_v nothing_o but_o necessary_a thing_n verse_n 28._o i_o desire_v to_o know_v in_o what_o sense_n be_v the_o abstain_v from_o meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n and_o from_o blood_n and_o from_o thing_n strangle_v at_o that_o time_n necessary_a if_o they_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a as_o essential_a part_n of_o god_n law_n how_o come_v s._n paul_n to_o teach_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o eat_v that_o which_o have_v be_v offer_v to_o a_o idol_n provide_v it_o be_v do_v without_o any_o worship_n to_o the_o idol_n or_o scandal_n give_v to_o weak_a brethren_n 1_o cor._n chap_n 8._o and_o chap_n 10._o and_o how_o come_v our_o saviour_n so_o express_o to_o assure_v we_o and_o in_o such_o general_a term_n that_o not_o that_o which_o go_v into_o the_o mouth_n desil●th_v a_o man_n matt._n 15._o 11._o but_o if_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o indifferent_a and_o necessary_a only_o in_o order_n to_o reconcile_v the_o jew_n who_o lay_v great_a weight_n upon_o these_o thing_n and_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o the_o gentile_a christian_n which_o i_o believe_v our_o author_n will_v not_o deny_v how_o can_v the_o example_n of_o this_o synod_n be_v allege_v to_o condemn_v and_o not_o rather_o to_o justify_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o establish_v church_n which_o have_v retain_v and_o keep_v up_o the_o use_n of_o some_o thing_n in_o themselves_o likewise_o indifferent_a because_o they_o conceive_v they_o necessary_a and_o proper_a to_o reconcile_v those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o by_o long_a custom_n have_v entertain_v a_o great_a respect_n for_o they_o and_o to_o beget_v in_o they_o a_o better_a opinion_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o last_o as_o to_o what_o he_o quote_v out_o of_o my_o lord_n primate_n bramhall_n vindication_n i_o free_o grant_v that_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o suffer_v a_o erroneous_a opinion_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o he_o because_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o believe_v what_o he_o judge_v to_o be_v erroneous_a so_o to_o prosess_v what_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v will_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o a_o sin_n but_o the_o consequence_n which_o he_o will_v suggest_v from_o a_o suppose_a parity_n between_o a_o erroncous_a opinion_n and_o a_o indifferent_a and_o therefore_o innocent_a ceremony_n or_o circumstance_n be_v altogether_o weak_a and_o groundless_a the_o four_o main_a proposition_n which_o i_o have_v insist_v on_o in_o my_o address_n be_v that_o since_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n be_v lawful_a and_o innocent_a in_o it●●●_n ●●●_z which_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v now_o abundant_o prove_v against_o all_o that_o our_o author_n ●●s_o object_v to_o the_o contrary_a there_o can_v be_v any_o just_a reason_n why_o the_o nonc●●_n sormist_n shall_v refuse_v to_o join_v with_o we_o in_o it_o and_o although_o our_o author_n nibble_v a_o little_a a●_n some_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v touch_v under_o this_o head_n of_o my_o discourse_n yet_o since_o every_o thing_n which_o he_o there_o say_v be_v either_o not_o to_o the_o purpose_n or_o else_o proceed_v upon_o a_o supposition_n that_o our_o communion_n be_v not_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a in_o itself_o which_o clear_o alter_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n and_o the_o contrary_a whereto_o i_o have_v hitherto_o be_v assert_v against_o all_o his_o weak_a and_o trifle_a objection_n i_o will_v not_o give_v either_o myself_o or_o the_o reader_n the_o trouble_n of_o make_v any_o remark_n upon_o the_o particular_n of_o what_o he_o offer_v on_o this_o occasion_n only_o as_o to_o that_o passage_n of_o dr._n holden_n which_o he_o cite_v out_o of_o my_o lord_n primate_n bramhall_n p_o 113._o i_o think_v it_o enough_o to_o say_v that_o although_o it_o may_v be_v less_o criminal_a for_o one_o national_a church_n upon_o account_n of_o some_o doubtful_a opinion_n or_o such_o 〈◊〉_d thing_n to_o refuse_v the_o communion_n of_o such_o another_o church_n the_o obligation_n of_o who_o particular_a law_n or_o canon_n can_v only_o extend_v to_o its_o own_o member_n than_o for_o subject_n to_o disobey_v those_o law_n which_o be_v enact_v by_o their_o own_o lawful_a superior_n and_o thereby_o to_o make_v a_o schism_n in_o the_o very_a body_n of_o that_o national_a church_n of_o which_o they_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n yet_o since_o the_o obligation_n to_o ecclesiastical_a union_n and_o communion_n be_v universal_a and_o extend_v unto_o all_o christian_n and_o church_n whatsoever_o wherever_o there_o be_v any_o separation_n or_o
it_o be_v not_o expedient_a or_o do_v not_o tend_v to_o edification_n be_v what_o i_o can_v so_o ready_o approve_v of_o except_o i_o have_v some_o better_a argument_n for_o it_o than_o our_o author_n be_v bare_a assertion_n and_o i_o will_v fain_o be_v inform_v by_o he_o who_o in_o this_o case_n be_v to_o be_v judge_n of_o the_o expediency_n and_o edification_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v if_o the_o superior_n then_o since_o our_o legislator_n have_v judge_v our_o constitution_n to_o be_v expedient_a and_o edify_a no_o argument_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o hence_o against_o our_o conformity_n to_o they_o but_o if_o every_o subject_a must_v herein_o be_v a_o judge_n for_o himself_o since_o the_o expediency_n and_o edification_n of_o thing_n can_v always_o be_v bring_v under_o certain_a and_o fix_a rule_n but_o be_v many_o time_n very_o variable_a in_o divers_a case_n and_o different_a circumstance_n and_o since_o the_o apprehension_n also_o of_o different_a man_n be_v herein_o very_o various_a according_a to_o their_o divers_a fancy_n prejudices_fw-la or_o inclination_n what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o set_v up_o not_o only_o the_o conscience_n but_o even_o the_o sickle_n imagination_n of_o every_o private_a man_n to_o control_v authority_n whensoever_o the_o humour_n shall_v take_v he_o or_o any_o crafty_a man_n who_o will_v gain_v he_o to_o his_o party_n shall_v impose_v upon_o he_o which_o be_v much_o more_o easy_a to_o do_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o expediency_n or_o edification_n of_o a_o thing_n than_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o possibility_n of_o it_o have_v dispatch_v the_o objection_n against_o our_o communion_n which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n which_o some_o man_n have_v entertain_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o i_o proceed_v in_o the_o next_o place_n in_o my_o address_n to_o propose_v and_o answer_v that_o which_o be_v take_v from_o the_o pretence_n of_o christian_a liberty_n and_o because_o our_o author_n seem_v to_o have_v take_v more_o than_o ordinary_a care_n to_o perplex_v this_o part_n of_o the_o dispute_n i_o must_v crave_v the_o reader_n patience_n while_o i_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n fai●ly_o to_o open_v and_o clear_v it_o as_o god_n almighty_n have_v by_o moses_n give_v a_o write_a law_n unto_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n so_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n have_v not_o only_o introduce_v divers_a tradition_n of_o their_o own_o some_o of_o which_o may_v possible_o in_o themselves_o have_v be_v innocent_a though_o unnecessary_a but_o also_o require_v the_o observation_n of_o these_o tradition_n not_o only_o as_o immediate_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n but_o also_o in_o some_o case_n to_o be_v prefer_v even_o before_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o write_a law_n whenever_o they_o shall_v come_v in_o competition_n one_o with_o the_o other_o of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o pretty_a full_a account_n in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o seven_o chapter_n of_o st._n mark_n be_v gospel_n now_o when_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n begin_v to_o receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n some_o there_o be_v who_o either_o out_o of_o a_o secret_a design_n to_o obstruct_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o a_o profound_a veneration_n for_o that_o institution_n under_o which_o they_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o teach_v this_o doctrine_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n viz._n that_o circumcision_n and_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n notwithstanding_o that_o christ_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n as_o we_o be_v inform_v act_v 15._o 1._o 24._o and_o as_o they_o have_v general_o receive_v the_o above_o mention_v tradition_n with_o a_o equal_a and_o in_o some_o case_n a_o great_a respect_n than_o what_o they_o have_v for_o the_o write_a law_n so_o do_v they_o no_o less_o endeavour_n to_o obtrude_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o upon_o all_o those_o who_o have_v or_o shall_v embrace_v christianity_n and_o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n upon_o the_o first_o broach_v of_o this_o doctrine_n endeavour_v to_o suppress_v and_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o it_o act._n 15._o 6_o etc._n etc._n yet_o for_o all_o this_o we_o find_v that_o it_o take_v root_n and_o prevail_v more_o or_o less_o in_o divers_a of_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o ease_v the_o conscience_n therefore_o of_o all_o the_o faithful_a from_o such_o a_o unnecessary_a and_o unsupportable_a burden_n and_o also_o to_o free_a christianity_n from_o such_o a_o clog_n as_o must_v needs_o very_o much_o retard_v the_o progress_n of_o it_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n wherever_o there_o be_v occasion_n take_v constant_a care_n to_o inform_v all_o who_o have_v receive_v the_o faith_n of_o that_o freedom_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n as_o well_o as_o from_o all_o other_o uncertain_a tradition_n which_o some_o man_n without_o any_o other_o authority_n but_o their_o own_o groundless_a fancy_n will_v impose_v upon_o they_o and_o also_o to_o exhort_v they_o to_o maintain_v and_o by_o no_o mean_n betray_v that_o liberty_n which_o be_v thus_o vouchsafe_v unto_o they_o of_o which_o i_o need_v not_o stand_v to_o produce_v any_o instance_n because_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o only_o confess_v on_o all_o hand_n but_o also_o most_o notorious_a to_o all_o who_o do_v but_o read_v the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o particular_o those_o to_o the_o galatian_n and_o colossian_n thus_o far_o then_o the_o scripture_n do_v undoubted_o require_v every_o christian_n to_o assert_v and_o stand_v fast_o in_o his_o liberty_n viz._n not_o to_o ●d●it_v or_o own_o any_o thing_n as_o a_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o god_n have_v not_o direct_o require_v and_o prescribe_v as_o such_o for_o which_o the_o reason_n i_o have_v give_v in_o my_o address_n be_v unanswerable_a namely_o that_o if_o way_n be_v give_v to_o such_o s●rt_n of_o imposition_n so_o many_o thing_n through_o pride_n or_o ignorance_n may_v be_v introduce_v into_o christianity_n as_o to_o make_v it_o a_o yoke_n too_o heavy_a ●o_o be_v bear_v two_o thing_n then_o i_o think_v there_o be_v which_o if_o fain_o state_v and_o clear_v must_v one_o way_n or_o other_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o difference_n between_o our_o author_n and_o i_o concern_v this_o point_n namely_o first_o whether_o the_o obligation_n which_o lie_v upon_o we_o to_o maintain_v our_o christian_a liberty_n aught_o to_o be_v extend_v any_o far_a than_o those_o bound_n which_o i_o have_v now_o set_v toit_fw-fr and_o if_o not_o than_o second_o whether_o this_o obligation_n even_o as_o i_o have_v state_v it_o can_v either_o by_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n or_o parity_n of_o reason_n be-just_o so_o construe_v as_o to_o restrain_v any_o man_n from_o yield_a conformity_n to_o any_o of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o establish_v church_n upon_o which_o two_o thing_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n still_o to_o have_v a_o eye_n whilst_o i_o be_o examine_v what_o our_o author_n have_v say_v which_o may_v relate_v to_o either_o of_o they_o for_o i_o can_v so_o well_o handle_v they_o each_o apart_o because_o i_o be_o confine_v to_o follow_v that_o path_n in_o which_o he_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o lead_v i_o he_o tell_v i_o then_o pag._n 107._o that_o i_o have_v not_o faithful_o frame_v the_o nonconformist_n objection_n for_o their_o notion_n it_o seem_v of_o christian_a liberty_n and_o the_o obligation_n to_o maintain_v it_o be_v some_o what_o different_a from_o i_o and_o if_o thing_n in_o their_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a be_v impose_v though_o not_o as_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n or_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o only_a as_o part_n or_o mean_n of_o worship_n or_o condition_n of_o communion_n in_o it_o this_o according_a to_o he_o be_v a_o infringement_n of_o that_o christian_a liberty_n in_o which_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o stand_v fast_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o since_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v a_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n to_o impose_v any_o thing_n as_o a_o part_n of_o worship_n will_v be_v to_o impose_v it_o as_o a_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n for_o as_o he_o have_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o inform_v i_o p._n 102._o quod_fw-la est_fw-la pars_fw-la partis_fw-la est_fw-la pars_fw-la totius_fw-la as_o therefore_o he_o have_v thus_o far_o say_v no_o more_o than_o what_o i_o have_v say_v before_o he_o so_o have_v i_o already_o show_v that_o those_o indifferent_a thing_n which_o by_o our_o liturgy_n be_v require_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n be_v not_o impose_v as_o part_n of_o worship_n and_o therefore_o there_o ought_v on_o this_o account_n to_o be_v no_o controversy_n about_o they_o second_o to_o submit_v to_o such_o indifferent_a thing_n as_o be_v impose_v express_o not_o as_o
favour_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v extend_v to_o he_o on_o account_n of_o the_o tenderness_n of_o his_o conscience_n but_o let_v a_o man_n conscience_n be_v dispose_v as_o it_o will_v the_o bare_a omission_n of_o ceremony_n be_v not_o by_o any_o of_o our_o law_n so_o severe_o censure_v as_o our_o author_n pretend_v but_o be_v so_o wife_n as_o not_o to_o produce_v his_o proof_n nor_o be_v any_o man_n thereby_o condemn_v of_o schism_n except_o he_o make_v or_o keep_v up_o a_o separation_n in_o the_o church_n nor_o of_o sedition_n or_o rebellion_n except_o he_o help_v to_o maintain_v a_o faction_n or_o take_v up_o arm_n against_o the_o civil_a state_n nor_o last_o make_v subject_a to_o fine_v imprisonment_n or_o excommunication_n except_o it_o be_v for_o public_a opposition_n to_o the_o establish_v law_n and_o if_o our_o author_n have_v not_o consult_v more_o with_o passion_n or_o ill_a nature_n than_o with_o sober_a reason_n or_o charity_n he_o will_v never_o have_v so_o strain_v thing_n beyond_o their_o due_a pitch_n as_o he_o have_v most_o evident_o do_v in_o the_o above_o mention_v suggestion_n which_o he_o bring_v in_o charge_n against_o we_o nor_o second_o do_v i_o any_o where_o find_v it_o to_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o our_o church_n that_o every_o one_o who_o come_v under_o the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n must_v necessary_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v deliver_v to_o satan_n which_o be_v another_o of_o his_o good_a nature_a insinuation_n that_o those_o person_n who_o by_o public_a disobedience_n and_o opposition_n to_o the_o lawful_a command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n do_v cause_n division_n and_o offence_n in_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v avoid_v and_o exclude_v from_o her_o visible_a communion_n be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o i_o think_v to_o be_v sufficient_o warrant_v by_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n rom._n 16._o 17._o but_o because_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o sometime_o probable_a enough_o that_o many_o man_n be_v thus_o miss_v not_o so_o much_o by_o wilfulness_n or_o obstinacy_n as_o by_o some_o great_a mistake_n or_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la which_o they_o have_v entertain_v or_o it_o may_v be_v by_o a_o real_a zeal_n of_o god_n but_o not_o according_a to_o knowledge_n we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o conclude_v any_o of_o they_o to_o be_v absolute_o give_v into_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o charitable_o hope_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o will_v obtain_v mercy_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n not_o do_v we_o at_o all_o doubt_n it_o where_o the_o disobedience_n to_o authority_n procee_v not_o from_o perverseness_n but_o ignorance_n of_o their_o duty_n in_o this_o particular_a three_o whereas_o he_o will_v have_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o the_o omission_n of_o ceremony_n make_v a_o minister_n more_o liable_a to_o deprivation_n than_o whoredom_n drunkenness_n etc._n etc._n if_o he_o mean_v that_o it_o be_v common_o more_o easy_a to_o convict_v such_o a_o one_o of_o nonconformity_n which_o must_v be_v open_a and_o notorious_a than_o of_o immorality_n which_o may_v be_v keep_v so_o secret_a as_o in_o many_o case_n scarce_o to_o admit_v of_o legal_a proof_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v how_o be_v this_o to_o be_v help_v or_o the_o church_n to_o be_v blame_v for_o it_o or_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o immorality_n in_o minister_n have_v not_o be_v so_o strict_o prosecute_v and_o punish_v as_o nonconformity_n beside_o that_o he_o offer_v no_o manner_n of_o proof_n even_o of_o this_o the_o utmost_a it_o can_v amount_v to_o if_o true_a will_v be_v to_o fasten_v a_o just_a blame_n not_o upon_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n but_o upon_o those_o person_n who_o shall_v have_v put_v they_o in_o execution_n wherein_o i_o will_v join_v with_o he_o with_o all_o my_o heart_n if_o he_o can_v but_o furnish_v i_o with_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o if_o he_o mean_v that_o by_o our_o ecclesiastical_a law_n a_o minister_n who_o be_v convict_v of_o such_o immorality_n as_o he_o mention_n be_v not_o as_o liable_a to_o deprivation_n as_o he_o that_o be_v find_v guilty_a of_o nonconformity_n which_o i_o think_v be_v the_o only_a meaning_n of_o his_o word_n that_o can_v be_v any_o way_n to_o the_o purpose_n i_o challenge_v the_o abominable_a falsehood_n of_o this_o assertion_n and_o demand_v the_o proof_n of_o it_o from_o he_o four_o whereas_o he_o suggest_v that_o the_o refuser_n of_o conformity_n be_v judge_v worse_a than_o idolatrous_a papist_n this_o be_v a_o imputation_n so_o notorious_o unjust_a and_o immodest_a that_o none_o but_o a_o man_n of_o such_o a_o tender_a conscience_n as_o our_o author_n will_v ever_o lay_v it_o to_o our_o charge_n but_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n for_o that_o his_o party_n will_v probable_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v never_o affirm_v a_o thing_n so_o extraordinary_a if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o and_o if_o he_o do_v but_o calumniate_v stout_o something_o perhaps_o may_v stick_v but_o methinks_v this_o man_n who_o so_o solemn_o in_o his_o preface_n appeal_v to_o the_o judge_n that_o stand_v at_o the_o door_n shall_v remember_v the_o account_n which_o one_o day_n he_o must_v give_v of_o his_o word_n as_o well_o as_o action_n unto_o that_o same_o judge_n and_o last_o whereas_o he_o accuse_v we_o that_o we_o esteem_v our_o ceremony_n to_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v once_o convince_v that_o the_o abolition_n of_o any_o ceremony_n which_o lawful_o may_v be_v lay_v aside_o will_v general_o conduce_v to_o the_o unity_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o without_o do_v any_o other_o hurt_n which_o may_v overbalance_n this_o good_a and_o if_o in_o this_o case_n he_o shall_v refuse_v to_o have_v these_o ceremony_n abolish_v it_o may_v indeed_o just_o be_v say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o prefer_v they_o before_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o where_o it_o no_o way_n appear_v that_o man_n be_v thus_o convince_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o there_o be_v much_o reason_n to_o fear_v that_o the_o prohibition_n or_o disuse_n of_o such_o ceremony_n will_v not_o only_o give_v a_o very_a plausible_a advantage_n to_o the_o church_n enemy_n and_o scandalize_v a_o multitude_n of_o her_o own_o weak_a member_n but_o also_o encourage_v those_o that_o causeless_o dissent_v from_o she_o to_o insult_v and_o triumph_v and_o to_o demand_v other_o thing_n which_o be_v yet_o more_o unreasonable_a where_o man_n i_o say_v be_v under_o these_o or_o such_o like_a apprehension_n as_o many_o sober_a and_o prudent_a man_n of_o our_o church_n be_v although_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v of_o opinion_n that_o they_o be_v mistake_v yet_o can_v he_o not_o with_o truth_n or_o charity_n affirm_v that_o they_o prefer_v their_o ceremony_n or_o think_v they_o more_o necessary_a than_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n for_o in_o this_o case_n bare_a ceremony_n be_v not_o put_v into_o the_o scale_n against_o peace_n and_o unity_n as_o our_o author_n will_v insinuate_v but_o all_o the_o evil_a consequence_n which_o will_v attend_v the_o abolition_n of_o our_o ceremony_n be_v balance_v against_o the_o uncertain_a satisfaction_n which_o may_v be_v give_v to_o some_o mistake_a man_n who_o principle_n if_o they_o be_v follow_v must_v continual_o lead_v they_o into_o new_a scruple_n and_o exception_n against_o all_o humane_a establishment_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o point_n of_o christian_a liberty_n i_o have_v say_v in_o my_o address_n that_o if_o our_o liturgy_n be_v a_o insringement_n of_o christian_a liberry_n not_o only_o all_o other_o church_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o but_o even_o the_o directory_n which_o impose_v some_o thing_n which_o in_o themselves_o be_v indifferent_a can_v be_v excuse_v from_o it_o to_o which_o all_o the_o answer_n that_o our_o author_n give_v be_v p._n 109._o to_o deny_v and_o to_o demand_v proof_n from_o all_o who_o assert_v that_o the_o directory_n require_v any_o ceremony_n of_o mystical_a signification_n or_o impose_v any_o indifferent_a thing_n save_o such_o circumstance_n as_o nature_n and_o reason_n direct_v but_o be_v not_o this_o mere_a shuffle_n thus_o to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v assert_v and_o to_o require_v i_o to_o prove_v that_o which_o i_o have_v never_o affirm_v or_o so_o much_o as_o insinuate_v i_o have_v no_o occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o mystical_a ceremony_n or_o improper_a circumstance_n to_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o directory_n nor_o therefore_o shall_v he_o have_v amuse_v the_o reader_n with_o the_o mention_n of_o they_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o my_o argument_n lie_v plain_o in_o this_o alone_a that_o if_o it_o be_v a_o violation_n of_o christian_a