religion_n as_o in_o affair_n of_o state_n they_o alone_o restrain_v and_o punish_v whatever_o tend_v to_o the_o subversion_n of_o the_o public_a and_o establish_a religion_n they_o suppress_v innovation_n reform_a corruption_n order_v the_o decency_n and_o solemnity_n of_o public_a worship_n institute_v new_a law_n and_o ceremony_n and_o conduct_v all_o the_o concern_v of_o religion_n by_o their_o own_o power_n and_o authority_n now_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v pretend_v against_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n of_o christian_a magistrate_n that_o may_v not_o with_o as_o great_a a_o show_n of_o reason_n have_v be_v urge_v against_o these_o jewish_a king_n §_o 13._o and_o thus_o be_v the_o affair_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o nation_n govern_v by_o the_o supreme_a power_n till_o our_o bless_a saviour_n birth_n who_o come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o establish_v new_a law_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o to_o set_v up_o any_o new_a model_n of_o polity_n he_o come_v not_o to_o unsettle_v the_o foundation_n of_o government_n or_o to_o diminish_v the_o natural_a right_n of_o prince_n and_o settle_v the_o conduct_n of_o humane_a affair_n upon_o new_a principle_n but_o leave_v the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o same_o condition_n he_o find_v it_o all_o his_o discourse_n be_v direct_v to_o private_a person_n and_o such_o who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o obey_v and_o not_o command_v and_o therefore_o though_o we_o find_v he_o every_o where_o high_o solicitous_a to_o press_v man_n to_o obedience_n in_o general_n and_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v no_o easy_a task_n to_o find_v out_o any_o professor_n of_o the_o art_n of_o policy_n either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a that_o have_v carry_v the_o doctrine_n of_o obedience_n so_o high_a as_o the_o sermon_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o write_n of_o his_o apostle_n yet_o no_z where_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o settle_v much_o less_o to_o limit_v the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n and_o therefore_o the_o government_n of_o religion_n be_v vest_v in_o they_o by_o a_o antecedent_n and_o natural_a right_n must_v without_o all_o controversy_n belong_v to_o they_o till_o it_o be_v derogate_a from_o they_o by_o some_o superior_a authority_n so_o that_o unless_o our_o saviour_n have_v express_o disrobe_v the_o royal_a power_n of_o its_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n nothing_o else_o can_v alienate_v it_o from_o their_o prerogative_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o he_o leave_v no_o command_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o the_o right_a government_n of_o religion_n for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v he_o give_v they_o a_o new_a commission_n to_o exercise_v that_o power_n that_o be_v already_o so_o firm_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o unalterable_a dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n and_o universal_a practice_n and_o consent_v of_o nation_n it_o be_v so_o clear_o inseparable_a from_o the_o supreme_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n that_o it_o lose_v both_o its_o supremacy_n and_o its_o usefulness_n unless_o it_o be_v universal_a and_o unlimited_a in_o that_o the_o end_n of_o all_o government_n be_v to_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o public_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v have_v power_n to_o manage_v and_o order_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v serviceable_a to_o that_o end_n so_o that_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o evident_a from_o the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o nothing_o have_v a_o strong_a influence_n upon_o the_o public_a interest_n of_o a_o nation_n than_o the_o well_o or_o ill_a management_n of_o religion_n its_o conduct_n must_v needs_o be_v as_o certain_a and_o inseparable_a a_o right_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n as_o the_o legislative_a authority_n itself_o without_o which_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o government_n at_o all_o and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n seem_v rather_o to_o suppose_v than_o assert_v the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n of_o prince_n what_o else_o mean_v that_o promise_n that_o king_n shall_v be_v nurse_v father_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n unless_o by_o their_o power_n they_o may_v cherish_v and_o defend_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o protect_v it_o from_o be_v destroy_v by_o heretic_n and_o seducer_n what_o do_v the_o scripture_n mean_v when_o it_o style_v our_o saviour_n king_n of_o king_n and_o make_v prince_n his_o vicegerent_n here_o on_o earth_n what_o mean_v the_o apostle_n when_o he_o say_v king_n be_v appoint_v to_o this_o end_n that_o under_o they_o we_o may_v live_v a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a life_n not_o only_o in_o all_o honesty_n but_o in_o all_o godliness_n too_o where_o we_o see_v that_o the_o propagation_n of_o godliness_n be_v as_o much_o the_o duty_n of_o governor_n as_o the_o preservation_n of_o justice_n neither_o of_o which_o can_v a_o prince_n as_o such_o effectual_o promote_v but_o by_o the_o proper_a effect_n of_o his_o power_n law_n and_o penalty_n beside_o all_o which_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n our_o saviour_n live_v in_o be_v fall_v into_o such_o man_n hand_n that_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o concern_v themselves_o in_o the_o defence_n protection_n and_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n that_o he_o know_v they_o will_v exert_v the_o utmost_a of_o their_o force_n to_o suppress_v and_o destroy_v it_o now_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v he_o entrust_v they_o with_o a_o commission_n to_o govern_v his_o church_n when_o he_o know_v they_o will_v labour_v its_o utter_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n and_o hence_o be_v there_o no_o other_o peaceable_a method_n to_o propagate_v the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o world_n but_o by_o the_o patience_n and_o suffering_n of_o its_o professor_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n to_o secure_v his_o religion_n from_o the_o reproach_n of_o be_v factious_a and_o seditious_a against_o the_o state_n be_v solicitous_a above_o all_o thing_n to_o arm_v they_o with_o meekness_n and_o patience_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o give_v they_o glorious_a promise_n to_o encourage_v their_o submission_n to_o their_o unhappy_a fate_n and_o severe_a injunction_n to_o secure_v their_o obedience_n to_o all_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a superior_n except_o when_o they_o run_v direct_o cross_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o as_o the_o posture_n of_o affair_n than_o stand_v be_v incomparable_o the_o most_o effectual_a as_o well_o as_o most_o innocent_a way_n of_o its_o propagation_n §_o 14._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o idle_a and_o impertinent_a plea_n that_o some_o man_n make_v for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n when_o they_o will_v restrain_v the_o magistrate_n power_n so_o as_o to_o make_v use_n of_o no_o other_o mean_n than_o what_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n use_v to_o convince_v and_o convert_v man_n a_o argument_n that_o much_o resemble_v that_o which_o they_o urge_v with_o so_o much_o popular_a noise_n and_o confidence_n against_o that_o little_a grandeur_n &_o authority_n that_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o governor_n of_o our_o church_n because_o forsooth_o the_o apostle_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o unhappy_a juncture_n of_o affair_n in_o their_o time_n live_v in_o a_o mean_a and_o persecute_a condition_n and_o therefore_o what_o be_v their_o calamity_n these_o man_n will_v make_v our_o duty_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v they_o will_v pursue_v their_o argument_n to_o all_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o it_o may_v as_o rational_o serve_v and_o so_o they_o must_v sell_v their_o land_n and_o bring_v the_o money_n and_o lay_v it_o at_o the_o bishop_n foot_n they_o must_v pass_v away_o all_o their_o propriety_n and_o have_v all_o thing_n in_o common_a and_o part_v they_o to_o all_o man_n as_o every_o man_n have_v need_v because_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v so_o at_o so_o prodigious_a a_o rate_n of_o impertinency_n do_v man_n talk_v when_o their_o passion_n dictate_v their_o discourse_n and_o to_o so_o fine_a a_o pass_n will_v the_o affair_n of_o christendom_n be_v bring_v by_o this_o trifle_a pretence_n of_o reduce_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n to_o its_o primitive_a practice_n in_o all_o accident_n and_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n but_o yet_o i_o suppose_v these_o man_n themselves_o will_v scarce_o imitate_v the_o practice_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o this_o particular_a for_o if_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v now_o in_o be_v i_o hope_v they_o will_v not_o allow_v they_o the_o liberty_n open_o to_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o jesus_n and_o to_o persecute_v all_o that_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o a_o impostor_n which_o though_o they_o do_v familiar_o in_o his_o own_o time_n yet_o he_o never_o go_v about_o to_o restrain_v their_o blasphemy_n by_o law_n and_o punishment_n and_o therefore_o i_o only_o demand_v whether_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n may_v make_v penal_a law_n against_o swear_v and_o blasphemy_n
what_o a_o cross-grained_a thing_n be_v it_o to_o restrain_v thing_n only_o because_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o liberty_n and_o first_o to_o forbid_v prince_n to_o command_v they_o because_o they_o be_v lawful_a and_o then_o subject_n to_o do_v they_o only_o because_o they_o be_v command_v but_o to_o expose_v the_o absurdity_n of_o this_o principle_n by_o some_o more_o particular_a consideration_n §2_n first_o the_o folly_n and_o mischief_n that_o issue_n from_o it_o be_v so_o infinite_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o settle_a frame_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o will_v not_o overturn_v and_o if_o it_o be_v admit_v to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n there_o can_v never_o be_v a_o end_n of_o disturbance_n and_o alteration_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o there_o never_o be_v nor_o ever_o can_v be_v any_o form_n of_o worship_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v to_o all_o circumstance_n prescribe_v in_o the_o world_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o exception_n be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o destroy_v one_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o it_o may_v as_o occasion_n require_v serve_v as_o well_o to_o cashier_v all_o and_o by_o consequence_n take_v away_o all_o possibility_n of_o settlement_n thus_o when_o upon_o this_o principle_n the_o disciplinarian_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o independent_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n separate_v from_o they_o the_o anabaptist_n from_o the_o independent_o the_o familist_n from_o the_o anabaptist_n and_o the_o quaker_n from_o the_o familist_n and_o every_o faction_n divide_v and_o subdivide_v among_o themselves_o into_o innumerable_a sect_n and_o undersect_v and_o as_o long_o as_o man_n act_v up_o to_o it_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o innovation_n must_v be_v endless_a if_o it_o be_v urge_v against_o lord-bishop_n it_o be_v as_o severe_a against_o lay-presbyter_n if_o against_o music_n in_o church_n than_o farewell_n sing_v of_o psalm_n in_o rhyme_n if_o against_o the_o cross_n why_o not_o against_o sprinkle_v in_o baptism_n and_o if_o against_o cathedral_n church_n than_o down_o go_v all_o steeple-house_n if_o against_o one_o thing_n then_o against_o every_o thing_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o exterior_a part_n of_o religion_n but_o the_o two_o sacrament_n that_o can_v possible_o escape_v its_o impeachment_n all_o the_o pious_a villainy_n that_o have_v ever_o disturb_v the_o christian_a world_n have_v shelter_v themselves_o in_o this_o grand_a maxim_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o only_a lawmaker_n to_o his_o church_n and_o whoever_o take_v upon_o himself_o to_o prescribe_v any_o thing_n in_o religion_n invade_v his_o kingly_a office_n the_o gnostic_n of_o old_a so_o abuse_v this_o pretence_n to_o justify_v any_o seditious_a and_o licentious_a practice_n that_o they_o make_v heathen_a prince_n look_v upon_o christianity_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o government_n and_o the_o fanatic_n of_o late_a have_v so_o vex_v and_o embroil_v christendom_n with_o the_o same_o principle_n that_o christian_a prince_n themselves_o begin_v to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n it_o be_v become_v the_o only_a patron_n and_o pretext_n of_o sedition_n and_o when_o any_o subject_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o set_v themselves_o free_a from_o the_o law_n of_o their_o prince_n they_o can_v never_o want_v this_o pretence_n to_o warrant_v their_o disobedience_n see_v there_o be_v no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v not_o divers_a law_n that_o be_v not_o record_v by_o the_o four_o evangelist_n and_o therefore_o if_o all_o humane_a institution_n entrench_v upon_o our_o saviour_n kingly_a prerogative_n they_o be_v and_o ever_o must_v be_v provide_v with_o matter_n of_o quarrel_n to_o disturb_v government_n and_o justify_v rebellion_n §_o 3._o second_o nay_o further_a this_o fond_a pretence_n if_o make_v use_v of_o to_o all_o the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o may_v as_o wise_o serve_v will_v cancel_v all_o humane_a law_n and_o make_v most_o of_o the_o divine_a law_n useless_a which_o have_v only_o describe_v the_o general_a line_n of_o duty_n but_o leave_v their_o particular_a determination_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o humane_a law_n now_o the_o law_n of_o god_n can_v be_v put_v in_o practice_n but_o in_o particular_a case_n and_o circumstance_n these_o can_v be_v determine_v but_o by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n therefore_o if_o he_o can_v command_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v already_o prescribe_v to_o we_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n he_o can_v have_v no_o power_n to_o see_v the_o divine_a law_n put_v in_o execution_n for_o where_o be_v describe_v all_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n where_o be_v determine_v all_o doubt_n and_o question_n of_o conscience_n where_o be_v decide_v all_o controversy_n of_o right_n and_o wrong_n where_o be_v record_v all_o the_o law_n of_o government_n and_o policy_n why_o therefore_o shall_v humane_a authority_n be_v allow_v to_o interpose_v in_o these_o great_a affair_n and_o yet_o be_v deny_v it_o in_o the_o custom_n of_o church_n and_o rule_n of_o decency_n there_o be_v no_o possible_a reason_n to_o be_v assign_v but_o their_o own_o humour_n and_o fond_a opinion_n they_o be_v resolve_v to_o believe_v it_o and_o that_o be_v argument_n enough_o for_o it_o be_v unanswerable_a how_o come_v this_o proposition_n to_o be_v now_o limit_v to_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n but_o only_o because_o this_o serve_v their_o turn_n for_o otherwise_o why_o be_v not_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o perfect_v a_o rule_n of_o civil_a as_o of_o ecclesiastical_a policy_n why_o shall_v they_o not_o be_v as_o complete_a a_o system_fw-la of_o ethic_n as_o they_o be_v a_o canon_n of_o worship_n why_o do_v not_o these_o man_n require_v from_o the_o scripture_n express_v command_n for_o every_o action_n they_o do_v in_o common_a life_n how_o dare_v they_o take_v any_o physic_n but_o what_o be_v prescribe_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n how_o dare_v they_o commence_v a_o suit_n at_o law_n without_o warranty_n from_o scripture_n how_o dare_v they_o do_v any_o natural_a action_n without_o particular_a advice_n and_o direction_n of_o holy_a writ_n §_o 4._o three_o but_o as_o foolish_a as_o this_o opinion_n be_v its_o mischief_n equal_v its_o folly_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o these_o son_n of_o strife_n and_o singularity_n must_v have_v be_v troublesome_a and_o seditious_a in_o all_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n have_v they_o live_v under_o the_o jewish_a church_n why_o then_o where_o have_v moses_n command_v the_o feast_n of_o purim_n the_o feast_n of_o the_o dedication_n the_o fast_n of_o the_o four_o the_o five_o the_o seven_o and_o the_o ten_o month_n what_o warrant_v for_o the_o build_n of_o synagogue_n and_o what_o command_v for_o that_o significant_a ceremony_n of_o wear_v sackcloth_n and_o ash_n in_o token_n of_o humiliation_n if_o in_o the_o primitive_a age_n of_o christianity_n why_o then_o where_o do_v our_o saviour_n appoint_v the_o love-feast_n where_o have_v he_o institute_v the_o kiss_n of_o charity_n where_o have_v he_o command_v the_o observation_n of_o lent_n and_o easter_n where_o the_o lordsday_n sabbath_n and_o where_o all_o their_o other_o commemorative_a festival_n vide_fw-la tertull_n de_fw-fr coronâ_fw-la c._n 3._o will_v they_o retreat_v to_o the_o lutheran_n church_n they_o will_v there_o meet_v with_o not_o only_o all_o the_o same_o but_o many_o more_o antichristian_a and_o superstitious_a ceremony_n to_o offend_v their_o tender_a conscience_n and_o will_v find_v themselves_o subject_a to_o the_o same_o discipline_n and_o government_n save_v that_o their_o superintendent_o want_v the_o antichristian_a honour_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o english_a bishop_n partly_o through_o the_o poverty_n of_o the_o country_n partly_o through_o the_o injury_n of_o sacrilege_n but_o main_o because_o the_o church_n revenue_n be_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o romish_a bishop_n will_v they_o to_o france_n there_o notwithstanding_o the_o unsettle_a state_n of_o the_o protestant_n of_o that_o nation_n through_o want_n of_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n they_o shall_v meet_v with_o their_o liturgy_n and_o establish_v form_n of_o prayer_n and_o change_v of_o apparel_n for_o divine_a service_n as_o well_o as_o at_o home_n if_o they_o will_v to_o geneva_n there_o mr._n calvin_n common-prayer-book_n be_v as_o much_o impose_v as_o the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n there_o they_o be_v enjoin_v the_o use_n of_o wafercake_n the_o custom_n of_o godfather_n and_o godmother_n bid_v of_o prayer_n proper_a psalm_n not_o only_o for_o day_n but_o for_o hour_n of_o the_o day_n with_o divers_a other_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n that_o be_v no_o where_o record_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o a_o word_n what_o church_n in_o the_o world_n can_v affirm_v these_o be_v the_o only_a custom_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n never_o use_v more_o or_o less_o than_o these_o so_o that_o these_o man_n
of_o scruple_n that_o renounce_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n must_v do_v the_o same_o with_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n in_o that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o church_n in_o christendom_n who_o law_n and_o custom_n be_v not_o apparent_o liable_a either_o to_o the_o same_o or_o as_o great_a exception_n now_o magistrate_n must_v needs_o be_v oblige_v to_o deal_v wonderful_a gentle_o with_o such_o tender_a conscience_n as_o these_o that_o be_v act_v by_o such_o nice_a and_o unhappy_a principle_n as_o must_v force_v they_o to_o be_v troublesome_a and_o unpeaceable_a in_o any_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o notorious_a than_o all_o this_o these_o man_n have_v all_o along_o in_o pursuit_n of_o this_o principle_n run_v direct_o counter_a to_o their_o own_o practice_n and_o persuasion_n for_o not_o to_o puzzle_v they_o to_o discover_v in_o which_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v enjoin_v the_o form_n of_o public_a penance_n in_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n or_o to_o find_v out_o the_o stool_n of_o repentance_n either_o among_o the_o work_n of_o bezaleel_n or_o the_o furniture_n of_o the_o temple_n we_o read_v indeed_o of_o beesom_n and_o flesh-fork_n and_o pot_n and_o shovel_n and_o candlestick_n but_o not_o one_o syllable_n of_o joynt-stool_n let_v they_o tell_v i_o what_o precept_n or_o example_n they_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o sing_a psalm_n in_o meeter_n where_o have_v our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n enjoin_v a_o directory_n for_o public_a worship_n and_o that_o which_o themselves_o impose_v what_o divine_a authority_n can_v it_o challenge_v beside_o that_o of_o a_o ordinance_n of_o lord_n and_o commons_o what_o precept_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v they_o produce_v for_o the_o significant_a form_n of_o swear_v by_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o bible_n which_o yet_o they_o never_o scruple_v what_o scripture_n command_v have_v they_o for_o the_o three_o significant_a ceremony_n of_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n viz._n that_o the_o whole_a congregation_n shall_v take_v it_o 1._o uncover_v 2._o stand_v 3._o with_o their_o right_a hand_n lift_v up_o bare_a now_o what_o a_o prodigious_a piece_n of_o impudence_n be_v this_o that_o when_o they_o have_v not_o only_o write_v so_o many_o book_n with_o so_o much_o vehemence_n against_o three_o innocent_a ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n only_o because_o they_o be_v significant_a but_o have_v also_o involve_v the_o nation_n in_o a_o civil_a war_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n for_o their_o removal_n and_o have_v arm_v themselves_o and_o their_o party_n against_o their_o sovereign_n with_o this_o holy_a league_n of_o rebellion_n that_o even_o then_o they_o shall_v impose_v three_o other_o so_o gross_o and_o so_o apparent_o liable_a to_o all_o their_o own_o objection_n what_o clear_a evidence_n can_v we_o possible_o have_v that_o it_o be_v not_o conscience_n but_o humour_n and_o peevishness_n that_o dictate_v their_o scruple_n and_o what_o instance_n have_v we_o in_o any_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o any_o schism_n and_o faction_n so_o unreasonable_o begin_v and_o continue_v the_o rebellion_n of_o corah_n indeed_o may_v resemble_v but_o nothing_o can_v equal_v it_o and_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v discover_v how_o vain_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o make_v proposal_n and_o condescension_n to_o such_o unreasonable_a man_n when_o it_o be_v so_o impossible_a to_o satisfy_v all_o their_o demand_n and_o suppose_v we_o shall_v yield_v and_o deliver_v up_o to_o their_o zeal_n those_o harmless_a ceremony_n they_o have_v so_o long_o worry_v with_o so_o much_o fury_n and_o impatience_n it_o will_v only_o cherish_v they_o in_o their_o restless_a and_o ungovernable_a persuasion_n for_o whilst_o their_o peevish_a temper_n be_v act_v by_o this_o exorbitant_a principle_n the_o affair_n of_o religion_n can_v never_o be_v so_o settle_v as_o to_o take_v away_o all_o occasion_n and_o pretence_n of_o quarrel_n in_o that_o there_o never_o can_v be_v any_o circumstance_n of_o religious_a worship_n against_o which_o this_o principle_n may_v not_o as_o rational_o be_v urge_v and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o perform_v religious_a worship_n without_o some_o circumstance_n or_o other_o and_o if_o all_o man_n make_v not_o use_v of_o it_o against_o all_o particular_n it_o be_v because_o they_o be_v humoursom_a as_o well_o as_o seditious_a and_o so_o allow_v one_o thing_n upon_o the_o same_o principle_n they_o disavow_v another_o for_o certain_o otherwise_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v when_o they_o pray_v refuse_v to_o wear_v a_o surplice_n and_o yet_o when_o they_o swear_v which_o be_v but_o another_o sort_n of_o divine_a worship_n never_o scruple_n to_o kiss_v the_o gospel_n so_o that_o whoever_o serious_o imbibe_v this_o persuasion_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n he_o understand_v not_o the_o consequence_n of_o his_o opinion_n if_o it_o do_v not_o lead_v he_o down_o to_o the_o low_a folly_n of_o quakerism_n which_o after_o divers_a gradual_a exorbitance_n of_o other_o less_o extravagant_a sect_n be_v but_o the_o last_o and_o utmost_a improvement_n of_o this_o principle_n and_o therefore_o whilst_o man_n be_v possess_v with_o such_o a_o restless_a and_o untoward_a persuasion_n what_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_o vain_a than_o to_o talk_v of_o accommodation_n or_o to_o hope_v for_o any_o possibility_n of_o quiet_a and_o setlement_n till_o authority_n shall_v see_v it_o necessary_a as_o it_o will_v first_o or_o last_o to_o scourge_v they_o into_o better_a manner_n and_o wise_a opinion_n so_o that_o we_o see_v the_o weight_n of_o the_o controversy_n lie_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o particular_a matter_n in_o debate_n as_o in_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v manage_v and_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n though_o we_o be_v not_o so_o fond_a as_o to_o believe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n unalterable_a yet_o we_o deem_v it_o apparent_o absurd_a to_o forego_v any_o of_o her_o establish_a ceremony_n out_o of_o compliance_n with_o these_o man_n unreasonable_a demand_n which_o as_o it_o will_v be_v coarse_o impolitic_a upon_o divers_a other_o account_n so_o main_o by_o yield_v up_o her_o law_n and_o by_o consequence_n submit_v her_o authority_n to_o such_o principle_n as_o must_v be_v eternal_a and_o invincible_a hindrance_n of_o peace_n and_o setlement_n this_o let_v they_o consider_v who_o it_o most_o concern_v §_o 5._o four_o as_o for_o their_o principle_n of_o the_o perfection_n and_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v undeniable_o certain_a as_o to_o the_o fundamental_a truth_n and_o substantial_a duty_n of_o christian_a religion_n but_o when_o this_o rule_n that_o be_v suit_v only_o to_o thing_n necessary_a be_v as_o confident_o apply_v to_o thing_n accessary_a it_o lay_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n impregnable_a principle_n of_o folly_n and_o superstition_n for_o confound_v they_o in_o their_o different_a apprehension_n between_o the_o substantial_a duty_n and_o external_a circumstance_n of_o religion_n and_o make_v they_o of_o equal_a value_n and_o necessity_n it_o make_v the_o do_v or_o not_o do_v of_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o procure_v the_o divine_a acceptance_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v not_o make_v so_o and_o place_n a_o religion_n in_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o religious_a and_o possess_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o false_a and_o groundless_a fear_n of_o god_n wherein_o consist_v the_o very_a essence_n and_o formality_n of_o superstition_n whereas_o be_v they_o due_o instruct_v in_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a and_o thing_n mere_o decent_a and_o circumstantial_a this_o will_v not_o only_o preserve_v they_o in_o the_o right_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n but_o also_o keep_v up_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n decency_n of_o worship_n and_o due_a reverence_n of_o authority_n and_o therefore_o when_o these_o man_n will_v punctual_o tie_v up_o the_o magistrate_n to_o add_v nothing_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v enjoin_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o their_o meaning_n be_v of_o new_a article_n of_o belief_n it_o be_v notorious_o impertinent_a because_o to_o this_o no_o civil_a magistrate_n pretend_v but_o if_o their_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o determine_v the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v leave_v undetermined_a by_o the_o divine_a law_n it_o be_v then_o indeed_o to_o the_o purpose_n but_o as_o notorious_o false_a in_o that_o we_o be_v certain_o bind_v to_o obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n lawful_a and_o every_o thing_n be_v so_o that_o be_v not_o make_v unlawful_a by_o some_o prohibition_n for_o thing_n become_v evil_a not_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o their_o being_n not_o command_v but_o upon_o that_o of_o their_o be_v forbid_v and_o what_o the_o scripture_n forbid_v not_o it_o
vain_a and_o frivolous_a as_o all_o their_o other_o cavil_n and_o shuffle_a pretence_n sect._n 2._o scandal_n then_o be_v a_o word_n of_o a_o large_a and_o ambiguous_a signification_n and_o the_o thing_n it_o import_v be_v not_o determinate_o either_o good_a or_o evil_n but_o be_v sometime_o innocent_a and_o sometime_o criminal_a according_a to_o the_o different_a nature_n of_o those_o thing_n from_o whence_o it_o arise_v or_o of_o those_o circumstance_n wherewith_o it_o be_v attend_v for_o in_o the_o full_a and_o proper_a extent_n of_o the_o word_n it_o be_v any_o thing_n whether_o good_a or_o evil_a or_o indifferent_a that_o occasion_n the_o fall_n or_o sin_n of_o another_o now_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scandal_n or_o that_o which_o occasion_n another_o sin_n be_v in_o itself_o good_a and_o virtuous_a this_o casual_a event_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o reflect_v any_o charge_n or_o disparagement_n upon_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o scripture_n frequent_o attribute_v to_o the_o best_a of_o thing_n to_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n to_o christ_n himself_o and_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o criminal_a though_o it_o be_v chief_o unblamable_a upon_o its_o own_o account_n yet_o this_o usual_o aggravate_v and_o enhance_v the_o original_a guilt_n of_o the_o action_n but_o last_o if_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o a_o matter_n of_o christian_a liberty_n then_o be_v it_o either_o faultless_a or_o chargeable_a according_a to_o its_o different_a case_n and_o circumstance_n as_o christian_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n shall_v determine_v so_o various_a and_o contingent_a a_o thing_n not_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v govern_v by_o any_o fix_a and_o settle_a measure_n some_o be_v scandalize_v out_o of_o weakness_n and_o some_o out_o of_o peevishness_n some_o before_o due_a information_n of_o their_o mistake_n and_o some_o after_o it_o some_o because_o they_o do_v not_o and_o some_o because_o they_o will_v not_o understand_v all_o which_o with_o infinite_a other_o circumstance_n man_n ought_v to_o consider_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o christian_a liberty_n and_o suitable_o to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o wisdom_n and_o charity_n that_o determine_v they_o in_o all_o the_o other_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n for_o the_o action_n it_o self_n be_v only_o the_o remote_a occasion_n and_o not_o the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o the_o scandal_n in_o that_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a and_o by_o consequence_n innocent_a it_o can_v be_v direct_o and_o from_o itself_o productive_a of_o any_o criminal_a effect_n and_o therefore_o its_o be_v abuse_v and_o pervert_v to_o purpose_n and_o opportunity_n of_o sin_n be_v pure_o accidental_a and_o the_o proper_a and_o immediate_a cause_n of_o every_o man_n fall_v be_v something_o within_o himself_o it_o be_v either_o folly_n or_o malice_n or_o ignorance_n or_o wilfulness_n too_o little_a understanding_n or_o too_o much_o passion_n that_o betray_v some_o man_n into_o sin_n by_o occasion_n of_o other_o man_n action_n so_o that_o the_o school_n distinction_n of_o scandal_n into_o passive_a or_o that_o which_o be_v take_v and_o active_a or_o that_o which_o be_v give_v be_v apparent_o false_a and_o impertinent_a and_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n that_o have_v perplex_v and_o intricate_v all_o discourse_n of_o this_o article_n because_o scandal_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v never_o give_v but_o when_o it_o be_v take_v as_o be_v only_o a_o occasion_n of_o offence_n take_v by_o one_o manfrom_o the_o action_n of_o another_o now_o if_o his_o take_a offence_n where_o it_o be_v not_o give_v proceed_v from_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n then_o be_v his_o case_n pitiable_a and_o a_o good-natured_a man_n will_v out_o of_o tenderness_n and_o charity_n forbear_v such_o thing_n as_o he_o seize_v on_o to_o abuse_v to_o his_o own_o destruction_n for_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o scandal_n proceed_v pure_o from_o that_o extraordinary_a height_n of_o charity_n and_o tenderness_n of_o good_a nature_n that_o be_v so_o signal_o recommend_v in_o the_o gospel_n which_o will_v oblige_v we_o to_o forbear_v any_o action_n that_o we_o may_v lawful_o omit_v when_o we_o know_v it_o will_v prove_v a_o occasion_n of_o sin_n and_o mischief_n to_o some_o well-meaning_a but_o less_o know_a christian_n but_o if_o it_o proceed_v from_o humour_n or_o pride_n or_o wilfulness_n or_o any_o other_o vicious_a principle_n then_o be_v the_o man_n to_o be_v treat_v as_o a_o peevish_a and_o stubborn_a person_n and_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o part_n with_o his_o own_o freedom_n because_o his_o neighbour_n be_v froward_a and_o humorous_a and_o if_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o fall_v there_o be_v no_o reason_n i_o shall_v forego_v the_o use_n of_o my_o liberty_n because_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o make_v that_o his_o stumbling-block_n so_o that_o we_o see_v all_o scandal_n be_v equal_o take_v but_o not_o equal_o criminal_a in_o that_o some_o take_v it_o only_o because_o they_o be_v weak_a and_o some_o because_o they_o be_v peevish_a according_a to_o which_o different_a case_n we_o be_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o with_o a_o different_a demeanour_n in_o this_o affair_n §_o 3._o and_o for_o this_o we_o have_v variety_n of_o example_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o action_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o opposite_a scandal_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n if_o they_o comply_v with_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o rigorous_a observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a rite_n this_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o gentile_n by_o lead_v they_o into_o a_o false_a and_o mischievous_a opinion_n of_o their_o necessity_n if_o they_o do_v not_o comply_v then_o that_o prove_v a_o scandal_n to_o those_o jew_n that_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o full_o instruct_v in_o the_o right_a nature_n and_o extent_n of_o their_o christian_a liberty_n and_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o so_o will_v be_v tempt_v to_o fall_v back_o from_o that_o religion_n that_o incline_v man_n to_o a_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n now_o between_o these_o two_o extreme_n they_o be_v force_v to_o walk_v with_o great_a prudence_n and_o wariness_n incline_v sometime_o to_o one_o and_o sometime_o to_o the_o other_o as_o they_o apprehend_v most_o beneficial_a to_o the_o end_n &_o interest_n of_o christianity_n thus_o though_o st._n paul_n condescend_v to_o the_o circumcision_n of_o timothy_n to_o humour_n and_o gratify_v the_o jew_n who_o can_v not_o be_v so_o sudden_o wrought_v off_o from_o the_o prejudices_fw-la and_o strong_a impression_n of_o their_o education_n and_o therefore_o be_v for_o a_o time_n indulge_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancient_a rite_n and_o custom_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v among_o the_o gentile_n he_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v to_o yield_v so_o far_o to_o the_o jewish_a obstinacy_n as_o to_o suffer_v the_o circumcision_n of_o titus_n but_o oppose_v it_o with_o his_o utmost_a zeal_n and_o vehemence_n because_o this_o will_v in_o probability_n have_v frustrate_v the_o success_n of_o all_o his_o labour_n in_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n among_o foreign_a nation_n if_o he_o who_o have_v before_o so_o vehement_o assert_v their_o christian_a liberty_n and_o instruct_v they_o in_o their_o freedom_n from_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o particular_o from_o this_o ceremony_n shall_v now_o seem_v inconsistent_a with_o himself_o by_o act_v direct_o contrary_a to_o his_o former_a doctrine_n and_o bring_v man_n into_o a_o subjection_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n after_o himself_o have_v so_o often_o declare_v its_o be_v reverse_v and_o superannuated_a for_o what_o else_o can_v be_v probable_o expect_v than_o that_o his_o gentile_a proselyte_n be_v discourage_v partly_o by_o his_o prevarication_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o weight_n of_o that_o noke_n to_o which_o they_o foresee_v or_o at_o least_o suspect_v they_o must_v submit_v shall_v be_v strong_o tempt_v to_o a_o utter_a apostasy_n and_o therefore_o wise_o weigh_v with_o himself_o that_o the_o scandal_n be_v less_o dangerous_a in_o anger_v the_o jew_n than_o in_o hazard_v the_o gentile_n he_o choose_v rather_o to_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o peevishness_n than_o to_o hazard_v the_o revolt_n of_o these_o gal._n 2._o 4_o 5._o §_o 4._o and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n as_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v observe_v of_o this_o great_a apostle_n different_a deportment_n in_o this_o particular_a towards_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o galatia_n because_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n there_o live_v no_o small_a number_n of_o natural_a jew_n who_o when_o they_o be_v first_o convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v not_o so_o well_o instruct_v in_o the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n the_o method_n whereby_o the_o apostle_n invite_v they_o at_o first_o to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n be_v bare_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o its_o evidence_n and_o divine_a authority_n
be_v modesty_n it_o be_v meekness_n it_o be_v humility_n it_o be_v love_n it_o be_v peacebleness_n it_o be_v ingenuity_n it_o be_v a_o duty_n so_o pregnant_a with_o virtue_n in_o itself_o and_o of_o such_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n that_o there_o be_v scarce_o anything_o can_v come_v in_o competition_n with_o it_o who_o obligation_n it_o will_v not_o at_o the_o first_o appearance_n utter_o cancel_v and_o evacuate_v as_o i_o shall_v more_o full_o demonstrate_v in_o the_o ensue_a proposition_n in_o the_o mean_a while_o we_o see_v what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o case_n of_o tender_a conscience_n if_o they_o be_v act_v by_o calm_a and_o peaceable_a principle_n they_o will_v not_o desire_v liberty_n if_o they_o be_v not_o they_o will_v not_o deserve_v it_o for_o if_o they_o be_v humble_a and_o modest_a they_o will_v choose_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o will_n of_o their_o superior_n rather_o than_o by_o thwart_v they_o do_v what_o in_o themselves_o lie_v to_o discompose_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o will_v rather_o venture_v to_o embroil_v the_o commonwealth_n and_o contradict_v authority_n than_o forego_v their_o own_o peremptory_a determination_n and_o make_v their_o superior_n comply_v and_o bend_v to_o their_o confidence_n it_o be_v because_o they_o be_v criminal_o bold_a and_o imperious_a in_o their_o own_o conceit_n and_o be_v of_o a_o temper_n too_o stubborn_a insolent_a and_o presumptuous_a to_o be_v endure_v in_o any_o society_n of_o man_n sect._n 4._o doubt_n and_o scruple_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v sufficient_a warranty_n of_o disobedience_n that_o they_o be_v outweigh_v by_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n for_o if_o i_o doubt_v concern_v the_o injustice_n of_o my_o action_n i_o must_v also_o of_o necessity_n doubt_v of_o the_o injustice_n of_o my_o disobedience_n and_o unless_o i_o be_o absolute_o certain_a that_o the_o law_n be_v evil_a i_o be_o sure_a disobedience_n to_o it_o be_v and_o therefore_o i_o be_o always_o as_o forcible_o bind_v to_o obey_v a_o scruple_v law_n for_o fear_v of_o the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n as_o to_o disobey_v it_o for_o fear_v it_o command_v a_o essential_a evil_n so_o that_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n must_v always_o at_o least_o as_o much_o fright_v we_o from_o disobey_v as_o from_o obey_v any_o humane_a law_n though_o indeed_o if_o we_o will_v speak_v proper_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n perfect_o determine_v and_o evacuate_v all_o doubtfulness_n and_o irresolution_n of_o conscience_n for_o if_o it_o before_o hang_v in_o suspense_n concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n and_o unresolved_a whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o evil_n as_o not_o have_v competent_a reason_n to_o incline_v to_o one_o side_n rather_o than_o to_o the_o other_o yet_o when_o authority_n cast_v its_o command_n into_o the_o scale_n if_o in_o some_o man_n conscience_n they_o weigh_v any_o thing_n they_o can_v but_o add_v weight_n more_o than_o enough_o to_o determine_v the_o judgement_n and_o incline_v the_o balance_n for_o if_o the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n be_v equal_a before_o than_o thet_o side_n that_o gain_v this_o accession_n have_v most_o reason_n now_o so_o that_o law_n do_v not_o force_v we_o to_o obey_v they_o with_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n but_o remove_v our_o doubt_n at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o require_v our_o obedience_n because_o they_o destroy_v the_o equal_a probability_n of_o the_o two_o opinion_n and_o determine_v the_o conscience_n to_o a_o confidence_n of_o act_v by_o direct_v it_o to_o follow_v the_o safe_a and_o most_o probable_a persuasion_n in_o that_o no_o practice_n or_o opinion_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o doubt_n or_o uncertainty_n can_v be_v of_o equal_a importance_n with_o the_o prime_a duty_n of_o obedience_n and_o humility_n and_o the_o matter_n of_o all_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n be_v ever_o of_o too_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a a_o consequence_n to_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o balance_n against_o the_o great_a and_o weighty_a mischief_n of_o disobedience_n if_o indeed_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n enjoin_v any_o thing_n absolute_o and_o apparent_o evil_a and_o against_o the_o great_a and_o unalterable_a rule_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n in_o such_o exigent_n dam_fw-ge veniam_fw-la imperator_fw-la will_v be_v a_o fair_a and_o civil_a excuse_n but_o matter_n of_o a_o less_o importance_n will_v not_o pay_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o persecution_n it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o suffer_v for_o little_a thing_n and_o that_o man_n have_v but_o the_o just_a reward_n of_o his_o own_o folly_n that_o will_v suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o a_o indifferent_a ceremony_n or_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o metaphysical_a notion_n and_o the_o suggestion_n of_o optatus_n to_o the_o donatist_n who_o be_v so_o forward_o to_o cast_v away_o their_o life_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o little_a schism_n be_v smart_a and_o severe_a 3._o nulli_fw-la dictum_fw-la est_fw-la nega_fw-la deum_fw-la nulli_fw-la dictum_fw-la est_fw-la incende_fw-la testamentum_fw-la nulli_fw-la dictum_fw-la est_fw-la aut_fw-la thus_o pone_fw-la aut_fw-la basilicas_fw-la dirue_fw-la istae_fw-la enim_fw-la res_fw-la solent_fw-la martyria_fw-la generare_fw-la matter_n wherein_o the_o be_v of_o religion_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v direct_o concern_v be_v worth_a the_o die_n for_o and_o will_v quit_v the_o cost_n of_o martyrdom_n but_o no_o indifferent_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n be_v of_o value_n enough_o to_o pay_v for_o the_o life_n of_o man_n and_o the_o zealot_n of_o the_o parson_n donati_n who_o be_v so_o ambitious_a to_o suffer_v imprisonment_n confiscation_n of_o good_n banishment_n and_o death_n itself_o out_o of_o a_o pertinacious_a resolution_n against_o some_o establish_a custom_n and_o usage_n of_o the_o church_n can_v never_o be_v reward_v in_o any_o other_o heaven_n but_o the_o paradise_n of_o fool_n thing_n that_o be_v essential_o evil_a no_o change_n or_o variety_n of_o circumstance_n can_v make_v good_a and_o therefore_o no_o command_n of_o any_o superior_a can_v ever_o warrant_v or_o legitimate_a their_o practice_n but_o then_o these_o be_v always_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o weighty_a importance_n and_o of_o a_o apparent_a and_o palpable_a obliquity_n such_o as_o blasphemy_n murder_n injustice_n cruelty_n ingratitude_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v so_o clear_o and_o intrinsical_o evil_a that_o no_o end_n how_o good_a or_o great_a soever_o can_v ever_o carry_v with_o it_o goodness_n enough_o to_o abate_v or_o evacuate_v their_o malice_n but_o as_o for_o all_o matter_n that_o be_v not_o so_o apparent_o good_a or_o evil_n but_o be_v capable_a of_o doubt_n and_o uncertainty_n their_o morality_n be_v of_o so_o small_a importance_n that_o it_o can_v never_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o the_o obligation_n and_o convenience_n of_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o obedience_n and_o thus_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o jewish_a sanhedrim_n to_o preach_v the_o name_n of_o jesus_n act_v 5._o 29._o they_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o of_o a_o express_a command_n from_o god_n himself_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a importance_n and_o apparent_a necessity_n our_o bless_a saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n with_o a_o commission_n from_o its_o supreme_a governor_n to_o make_v law_n and_o the_o holy_a apostle_n have_v a_o infallible_a assurance_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n from_o his_o great_a manifest_a and_o undeniable_a miracle_n the_o most_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a credential_n that_o heaven_n can_v send_v to_o the_o son_n of_o man_n they_o can_v not_o but_o lie_v under_o a_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o give_v assent_n to_o his_o message_n and_o obedience_n to_o his_o command_n and_o that_o out_o of_o duty_n to_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o universe_n from_o who_o unquestionable_a law_n no_o other_o authority_n can_v ever_o derogate_v because_o it_o be_v all_o of_o a_o inferior_a nature_n but_o to_o apply_v this_o rule_n which_o the_o apostle_n never_o make_v use_n of_o but_o in_o a_o case_n of_o certain_a absolute_a and_o notorious_a injustice_n to_o matter_n of_o a_o small_a doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a nature_n be_v absolute_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o quiet_a of_o government_n and_o infinite_o distant_a from_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o apostle_n their_o plea_n be_v in_o a_o case_n of_o great_a evident_a and_o unquestionable_a necessity_n but_o what_o warrant_n be_v that_o for_o my_o disobedience_n when_o i_o only_o fear_v or_o fancy_v the_o law_n to_o be_v unjust_a which_o if_o it_o be_v so_o be_v not_o of_o moment_n enough_o to_o weigh_v against_o the_o mischief_n and_o enormity_n that_o follow_v upon_o disobedience_n and_o therefore_o in_o all_o doubtful_a and_o less_o considerable_a case_n that_o side_n on_o which_o obedience_n stand_v must_v ever_o carry_v it_o and_o no_o man_n that_o be_v either_o wise_a or_o good_a will_v ever_o trouble_v
monstrare_fw-la vias_fw-la eadem_fw-la nisi_fw-la sacra_fw-la colenti_fw-la quaesitum_fw-la ad_fw-la fontem_fw-la solos_fw-la deducere_fw-la verpos_fw-la they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o direct_v the_o way_n to_o any_o but_o a_o circumcise_a brother_n nor_o bestow_v a_o cup_n of_o cold_a water_n upon_o a_o thirsty_a samaritan_n the_o elect_n be_v confine_v to_o their_o own_o party_n and_o all_o beside_o be_v the_o wicked_a and_o reprobate_n of_o the_o earth_n hate_v of_o god_n and_o unfit_a to_o be_v belove_v by_o his_o people_n and_o this_o possess_v their_o mind_n with_o a_o holy_a inhumanity_n and_o then_o if_o the_o saint_n ever_o get_v into_o power_n no_o tyrant_n so_o cruel_a and_o butcherly_a and_o they_o have_v the_o same_o esteem_n of_o the_o wicked_a as_o of_o infect_v or_o vermin_n and_o use_v they_o according_o but_o when_o they_o be_v out_o of_o power_n they_o be_v then_o force_v to_o support_v their_o malice_n with_o slander_n and_o calumny_n and_o proud_a comparison_n when_o they_o meet_v and_o gossip_v together_o how_o do_v they_o congratulate_v each_o other_o that_o they_o be_v not_o as_o this_o or_o that_o formalist_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o idle_a tattle_n be_v usual_o spend_v either_o in_o censure_v or_o pity_v or_o slander_v some_o of_o their_o neighbour_n as_o poor_a carnal_a and_o unconvert_v wretch_n and_o when_o they_o deign_v to_o converse_v with_o the_o unregenerate_a and_o man_n of_o the_o world_n i._n e._n all_o out_o of_o their_o own_o rout_n they_o make_v they_o keep_v their_o distance_n and_o the_o language_n of_o their_o deportment_n be_v that_o of_o their_o predecessor_n in_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n stand_v by_o thyself_o come_v not_o near_o to_o i_o for_o i_o be_o holy_a than_o thou_o in_o brief_a whoever_o be_v proud_a and_o conceit_a upon_o the_o score_n of_o religion_n natural_o fall_v into_o the_o most_o savage_a insolence_n and_o baseness_n of_o nature_n and_o be_v utter_o uncapable_a of_o be_v 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rude_a and_o boisterous_a zealot_n out_o of_o their_o folly_n mere_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o calm_a and_o sober_a reason_n be_v as_o likely_a a_o matter_n as_o to_o endeavour_v by_o fair_a word_n to_o persuade_v the_o northern_a wind_n into_o a_o southern_a point_n if_o you_o will_v ever_o silence_v they_o you_o must_v be_v as_o vehement_a as_o they_o nothing_o but_o zeal_n can_v encounter_v zeal_n and_o he_o that_o will_v oppose_v the_o pharisee_n must_v do_v it_o with_o their_o eagerness_n though_o not_o their_o malice_n clamour_n and_o confidence_n make_v strong_a impression_n upon_o the_o common_a people_n than_o strength_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o rabble_n ever_o run_v to_o that_o party_n that_o raise_v the_o big_a noise_n and_o therefore_o see_v we_o be_v not_o so_o ill-bred_a as_o to_o oppose_v clamour_n to_o clamour_n we_o must_v supply_v our_o want_n of_o noise_n and_o throat_n as_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o his_o invective_n against_o the_o pharisee_n by_o sharpness_n and_o severity_n and_o though_o there_o be_v but_o little_a ground_n to_o hope_v that_o the_o keen_a reason_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o pierce_v their_o thick_a and_o inveterate_a prejudices_fw-la yet_o however_o the_o sharp_a edge_n they_o have_v the_o deep_a they_o will_v stick_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o concern_v and_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o punish_v and_o correct_v they_o for_o i_o be_o not_o so_o vain_a as_o to_o design_n or_o expect_v their_o own_o conviction_n as_o good_a attempt_n the_o removal_n of_o mountain_n as_o of_o some_o man_n scruple_n and_o i_o remember_v the_o italian_a proverb_n chi_fw-mi lava_fw-la la_fw-fr testa_n d'al_fw-fr asino_n perde_o il_fw-fr sapone_v and_o therefore_o i_o never_o propose_v to_o myself_o any_o other_o aim_n in_o this_o follow_a discourse_n than_o by_o represent_v the_o palpable_a inconsistency_n of_o fanatic_a temper_n and_o principle_n with_o the_o welfare_n and_o security_n of_o government_n to_o awaken_v authority_n to_o 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of_o their_o schism_n the_o shameful_a prevarication_n of_o their_o pretence_n and_o utter_a inconsistency_n of_o their_o principle_n with_o public_a peace_n &_o settlement_n and_o in_o brief_a so_o evident_o convict_v the_o leader_n in_o the_o faction_n of_o such_o inexcusable_a knavery_n and_o their_o follower_n of_o such_o a_o dull_a and_o stubborn_a simplicity_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o thing_n shall_v hold_v out_o against_o so_o much_o force_n of_o reason_n and_o demonstration_n but_o invincible_a impudence_n and_o obstinacy_n and_o when_o man_n ensconce_v themselves_o in_o their_o own_o will_n they_o be_v there_o impregnable_a wilfulness_n be_v enchant_v armour_n upon_o which_o the_o sharp_a steel_n make_v no_o impression_n and_o they_o be_v secure_a from_o the_o power_n of_o conviction_n that_o be_v unalterable_o resolve_v never_o to_o be_v convince_v otherwise_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a to_o any_o man_n that_o have_v but_o a_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n there_o debate_v that_o
law_n of_o order_n and_o sobriety_n religion_n sanctify_v all_o their_o passion_n anger_n malice_n and_o bitterness_n be_v holy_a fervor_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n this_o cancel_v and_o dispense_v with_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o sobriety_n and_o what_o have_v prudence_n to_o do_v with_o religion_n this_o be_v too_o hot_a and_o eager_a to_o be_v tie_v up_o to_o its_o flat_a and_o dull_a formality_n zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n will_v both_o excuse_v and_o justify_v any_o enormity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o faction_n or_o rebellion_n in_o carry_v on_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o godly_a party_n and_o the_o great_a work_n of_o a_o thorough_a reformation_n must_v not_o be_v trust_v to_o the_o care_n of_o carnal_a and_o lukewarm_a politician_n and_o by_o these_o and_o the_o like_a pretence_n do_v they_o easy_o destroy_v the_o reverence_n of_o all_o thing_n sacred_a and_o civil_a to_o propagate_v any_o wild_a proposition_n be_v arm_v with_o religion_n and_o lead_v on_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n kill_v king_n and_o overthrow_v kingdom_n and_o this_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o bane_n and_o reproach_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n and_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v not_o feel_v the_o misery_n and_o confusion_n of_o a_o holy_a war_n and_o the_o annal_n of_o all_o age_n be_v full_a of_o sad_a story_n to_o this_o purpose_n §_o 5._o and_o therefore_o to_o exempt_a religion_n and_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n be_v but_o to_o expose_v the_o peace_n of_o kingdom_n to_o every_o wild_a and_o fanatic_a pretender_n who_o may_v when_o ever_o he_o please_v under_o pretence_n of_o reformation_n thwart_v and_o unsettle_v government_n without_o control_n see_v no_o one_o can_v have_v any_o power_n to_o restrain_v the_o persuasion_n of_o his_o conscience_n and_o religion_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o liberty_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n that_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n will_v be_v find_v to_o require_v more_o of_o its_o care_n and_o influence_n because_o there_o be_v not_o any_o other_o vice_n to_o which_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n of_o man_n be_v more_o prone_a than_o to_o superstition_n or_o debauch_a conception_n concern_v god_n and_o his_o worship_n nor_o any_o that_o more_o incline_v they_o to_o a_o unruly_a and_o seditious_a temper_n it_o inflame_v their_o crazy_a head_n with_o a_o furious_a and_o sectarian_n zeal_n and_o adopt_v their_o rank_a and_o most_o untoward_a passion_n into_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o when_o passion_n become_v holy_a than_o it_o can_v never_o be_v exorbitant_a but_o the_o more_o furious_a and_o ungovernable_a it_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o vehement_a be_v their_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o they_o that_o be_v most_o peevish_a and_o refractory_a be_v upon_o that_o account_n the_o most_o godly_a and_o then_o all_o passion_n and_o stubbornness_n in_o religious_a quarrel_n must_v be_v christen_v zeal_n all_o zeal_n must_v be_v sacred_a and_o nothing_o that_o be_v sacred_a can_v be_v excessive_a and_o now_o when_o man_n act_v furious_o upon_o these_o mistake_v as_o all_o that_o be_v possess_v with_o they_o must_v what_o can_v the_o issue_n be_v but_o eternal_a misery_n and_o confusion_n every_o opinion_n must_v make_v a_o sect_n and_o every_o sect_n a_o faction_n and_o every_o faction_n when_o it_o be_v able_a a_o war_n and_o every_o war_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n can_v never_o be_v prosecute_v with_o too_o much_o violence_n and_o then_o all_o sobriety_n be_v lukewarmness_n to_o be_v obedient_a to_o government_n carnal_a compliance_n and_o not_o to_o proceed_v to_o rebellion_n for_o carry_v on_o the_o great_a work_n of_o a_o thorough_a reformation_n be_v to_o want_v zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o thus_o be_v their_o vice_n sanctify_v by_o their_o conscience_n malice_n folly_n and_o madness_n be_v ever_o the_o prevail_a ingredient_n of_o their_o superstitious_a zeal_n and_o religion_n only_o oblige_v they_o to_o be_v more_o sturdy_a and_o impudent_a against_o the_o law_n of_o government_n and_o they_o be_v now_o encourage_v to_o cherish_v those_o passion_n in_o spite_n of_o authority_n from_o which_o the_o severity_n of_o law_n may_v effectual_o have_v restrain_v they_o be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o cross_a obligation_n of_o a_o untoward_a conscience_n §_o 6._o and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o it_o be_v find_v so_o nice_a and_o difficult_a a_o thing_n to_o govern_v man_n in_o their_o persuasion_n about_o religion_n beyond_o all_o the_o other_o affair_n and_o transaction_n of_o humane_a life_n because_o erroneous_a conscience_n be_v bold_a and_o confident_a enough_o to_o outface_v authority_n whereas_o person_n of_o debauch_a and_o scandalous_a life_n be_v condemn_v by_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o well_o as_o the_o public_a law_n can_v have_v nothing_o to_o bear_v they_o up_o against_o the_o will_n of_o their_o superior_n and_o restraint_n of_o government_n but_o when_o man_n mind_n be_v possess_v with_o such_o unhappy_a principle_n of_o religion_n as_o be_v more_o destructive_a of_o the_o peace_n and_o order_n of_o civil_a society_n than_o open_a lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o when_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o godly_a be_v more_o pregnant_a with_o villainy_n and_o mischief_n than_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o when_o their_o conscience_n be_v satisfy_v in_o their_o mischievous_a and_o ungovernable_a persuasion_n and_o when_o they_o serious_o believe_v that_o they_o approve_v themselves_o to_o god_n by_o be_v refractory_a and_o irreclamable_a in_o their_o fanatic_a zeal_n then_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o defy_v authority_n and_o trample_v upon_o all_o its_o threaten_n and_o penality_n and_o those_o law_n that_o will_v awe_v a_o profane_a and_o irreligious_a person_n at_o least_o into_o a_o outward_a compliance_n shall_v but_o exasperate_v a_o boisterous_a conscience_n into_o a_o more_o vehement_a and_o seditious_a disobedience_n now_o when_o it_o be_v so_o difficult_a for_o magistrate_n either_o to_o remove_v these_o religious_a vice_n or_o to_o bridle_v their_o unruliness_n they_o must_v needs_o find_v it_o a_o incomparable_o hard_a task_n to_o restrain_v the_o extravagancy_n of_o zeal_n than_o of_o lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o therefore_o see_v the_o multitude_n be_v so_o inclinable_a to_o these_o mistake_n of_o religion_n and_o see_v when_o they_o be_v infect_v with_o they_o they_o grow_v so_o turbulent_a and_o unruly_a i_o leave_v it_o to_o governor_n themselves_o to_o judge_v whether_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o with_o as_o much_o vigilance_n and_o severity_n either_o to_o prevent_v their_o rise_n or_o suppress_v their_o growth_n as_o to_o punish_v any_o the_o foul_a crime_n of_o immorality_n and_o if_o they_o will_v but_o serious_o consider_v into_o what_o exorbitance_n peevish_a and_o untoward_a principle_n about_o religion_n natural_o improve_v themselves_o they_o can_v not_o but_o perceive_v it_o to_o be_v as_o much_o their_o concernment_n to_o punish_v they_o with_o the_o severe_a infliction_n as_o any_o whatsoever_o principle_n of_o rebellion_n in_o the_o state_n §_o 7._o and_o this_o certain_o have_v ever_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o fatal_a miscarriage_n of_o all_o governor_n in_o that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v aware_a of_o this_o fierce_a and_o implacable_a enemy_n but_o have_v go_v about_o to_o govern_v unruly_a conscience_n by_o more_o easy_a and_o remiss_a law_n than_o those_o that_o be_v only_o able_a to_o suppress_v scandalous_a and_o confess_v villainy_n and_o have_v think_v they_o sufficient_o restrain_v by_o threaten_a punishment_n without_o inflict_v they_o and_o indeed_o in_o most_o kingdom_n so_o little_o have_v prince_n understand_v their_o own_o interest_n in_o reference_n to_o religion_n ecclesiastical_a law_n have_v be_v set_v up_o only_o for_o scarecrow_n be_v establish_v rather_o for_o show_v and_o form_n sake_n than_o with_o any_o design_n of_o give_v they_o life_n by_o put_v they_o into_o execution_n and_o if_o any_o be_v so_o hardy_a as_o not_o to_o be_v scare_v into_o obedience_n by_o the_o severity_n of_o their_o threaten_n they_o have_v be_v embolden_v to_o disobedience_n by_o the_o remissness_n of_o their_o execution_n till_o they_o have_v not_o only_o play_v with_o the_o law_n itself_o as_o a_o senseless_a trifle_n but_o have_v scorn_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o power_n that_o set_v it_o up_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o certain_a in_o experience_n than_o that_o impunity_n give_v not_o only_a warranty_n but_o encouragement_n to_o disobedience_n and_o by_o habituate_a man_n to_o control_v the_o edict_n of_o authority_n teach_v they_o by_o degree_n to_o despise_v it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n why_o ecclesiastical_a law_n have_v general_o prove_v such_o
if_o the_o latter_a than_o the_o former_a argument_n return_v and_o as_o to_o one_o half_a of_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o commonwealth_n there_o must_v be_v a_o perfect_a anarchy_n and_o no_o government_n at_o all_o and_o there_o be_v no_o provision_n to_o be_v make_v against_o all_o those_o public_a mischief_n and_o disturbance_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o error_n and_o enormity_n in_o religion_n the_o commonwealth_n must_v for_o ever_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o folly_n of_o enthusiast_n and_o villainy_n of_o impostor_n and_o any_o man_n that_o can_v but_o pretend_v conscience_n may_v whenever_o he_o please_v endeavour_v its_o ruin_n so_o that_o if_o prince_n shall_v forego_v their_o sovereignty_n over_o man_n conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o leave_v themselves_o less_o power_n than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n &_o defence_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n they_o govern_v in_o brief_a the_o supreme_a government_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n wherever_o it_o be_v lodge_v must_v of_o necessity_n be_v universal_a absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a in_o all_o afair_n whatsoever_o that_o concern_v the_o interest_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o end_n of_o government_n for_o if_o it_o be_v limit_v it_o may_v be_v control_v but_o it_o be_v a_o thick_a and_o palpable_a contradiction_n to_o call_v such_o a_o power_n supreme_a in_o that_o whatever_o control_v it_o must_v as_o to_o that_o case_n be_v its_o superior_a and_o therefore_o affair_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o strong_o influential_a upon_o affair_n of_o state_n and_o have_v so_o great_a a_o power_n either_o to_o advance_v or_o hinder_v the_o public_a felicity_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n they_o must_v be_v as_o uncontrollable_o subject_a to_o the_o supreme_a power_n as_o all_o other_o civil_a concern_v because_o otherwise_o it_o will_v not_o have_v authority_n enough_o to_o secure_v the_o public_a interest_n of_o the_o society_n to_o attain_v the_o necessary_a and_o most_o important_a end_n of_o its_o institution_n §_o 11._o now_o from_o these_o premise_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o all_o supreme_a power_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n issue_n from_o the_o same_o original_a and_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n of_o thing_n namely_o the_o indispensable_a necessity_n of_o society_n to_o the_o preservation_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o of_o government_n to_o the_o preservation_n of_o humane_a society_n a_o supreme_a power_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o decision_n of_o all_o those_o quarrel_n and_o controversy_n that_o be_v natural_o consequent_a upon_o the_o passion_n appetite_n and_o folly_n of_o man_n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n of_o end_v their_o difference_n but_o by_o the_o decree_n of_o a_o final_a &_o unappealable_a judicature_n for_o if_o every_o man_n be_v to_o be_v his_o own_o judge_n man_n determination_n will_v be_v as_o contradictory_n as_o their_o judgement_n &_o their_o judgement_n as_o their_o humour_n or_o interest_n and_o so_o must_v their_o dissension_n of_o necessity_n be_v endless_a and_o therefore_o to_o avoid_v these_o and_o all_o other_o inconvenience_n that_o will_v natural_o follow_v upon_o a_o state_n of_o war_n it_o be_v necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v one_o supreme_a and_o public_a judgement_n to_o who_o determination_n the_o private_a judgement_n of_o every_o single_a person_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o submit_v itself_o and_o hence_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n know_v to_o what_o passion_n and_o irregularity_n mankind_n be_v obnoxious_a never_o suffer_v they_o to_o live_v without_o the_o restraint_n of_o government_n but_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o thing_n so_o order_v affair_n that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n without_o be_v subject_n to_o some_o superior_a every_o father_n be_v by_o nature_n vest_v with_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v his_o child_n and_o the_o first_o government_n in_o the_o world_n be_v establish_v pure_o upon_o the_o natural_a right_n of_o paternal_a authority_n which_o afterward_o grow_v up_o to_o a_o kingly_a power_n by_o the_o increase_n of_o posterity_n and_o he_o that_o be_v at_o first_o but_o father_n of_o a_o family_n in_o process_n of_o time_n as_o that_o multiply_v become_v father_n of_o a_o city_n or_o province_n and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n monarchy_n be_v its_o only_a government_n necessary_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o constitution_n of_o humane_a nature_n it_o be_v so_o natural_a for_o family_n to_o enlarge_v themselves_o into_o city_n by_o unite_n into_o a_o body_n according_a to_o their_o several_a kindred_n whence_o by_o consequence_n the_o supreme_a head_n of_o those_o family_n must_v become_v prince_n and_o governor_n of_o a_o large_a &_o more_o diffuse_a society_n and_o therefore_o cedrenus_n make_v adam_n the_o first_o monarch_n in_o the_o world_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o thus_o afterward_o in_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n among_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o head_n of_o family_n become_v king_n and_o monarch_n of_o the_o nation_n of_o which_o they_o be_v founder_n from_o whence_o be_v propagate_v the_o several_a kingdom_n of_o the_o first_o and_o elder_a time_n as_o appear_v not_o only_o from_o the_o mosaic_a history_n but_o also_o from_o all_o other_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n but_o as_o for_o commonwealth_n they_o be_v comparative_o of_o a_o very_a late_a discovery_n be_v first_o contrive_v among_o the_o grecian_n who_o democracy_n and_o optimacy_n be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o ruin_n of_o monarchick_a government_n which_o be_v but_o suitable_a to_o the_o proud_a factious_a and_o capricious_a humour_n of_o that_o nation_n where_o scarce_o any_o one_o can_v pretend_v to_o a_o little_a skill_n in_o poetry_n or_o wrestle_a their_o two_o great_a accomplishment_n but_o he_o must_v immediate_o be_v a_o undertaker_n for_o new_a model_v the_o commonwealth_n which_o doubtless_o be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a cause_n of_o their_o perpetual_a confusion_n and_o frequent_a charge_n in_o government_n §_o 12._o have_v thus_o firm_o found_v all_o civil_a government_n upon_o paternal_a authority_n i_o may_v now_o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n bottom_n upon_o the_o same_o foundation_n for_o as_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o father_n of_o family_n be_v vest_v with_o a_o kingly_a power_n over_o their_o own_o posterity_n so_o also_o be_v they_o with_o the_o priestly_a office_n execute_v all_o the_o holy_a function_n of_o priesthood_n in_o their_o own_o person_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o history_n both_o sacred_a and_o profane_a thus_o we_o find_v all_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n priest_n to_o their_o own_o family_n which_o office_n descend_v together_o with_o the_o royal_a dignity_n to_o the_o first-born_a of_o each_o family_n and_o this_o custom_n of_o invest_v the_o sovereign_a power_n with_o the_o supreme_a priesthood_n be_v as_o divers_a author_n both_o ancient_n and_o modern_a observe_v universal_o practise_v over_o all_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n for_o well_o nigh_o 2500_o year_n without_o any_o one_o precedent_n to_o the_o contrary_n in_o that_o among_o all_o society_n of_o man_n there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o public_a worship_n as_o of_o public_a justice_n the_o power_n whereof_o because_o it_o must_v be_v seat_v somewhere_o can_v proper_o belong_v to_o he_o alone_o in_o who_o the_o supreme_a power_n reside_v in_o that_o he_o alone_o have_v authority_n to_o assign_v to_o every_o subject_a his_o proper_a function_n and_o among_o other_o this_o of_o the_o priesthood_n the_o exercise_n whereof_o as_o he_o have_v power_n to_o transfer_v to_o another_o so_o may_v he_o if_o he_o please_v reserve_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o therefore_o this_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o elder_a age_n always_o practise_v in_o order_n to_o the_o better_a security_n of_o their_o government_n as_o well_o know_v the_o tendency_n of_o superstition_n and_o false_a notion_n of_o the_o divine_a worship_n to_o tumult_n and_o sedition_n and_o therefore_o to_o prevent_v the_o disturbance_n that_o may_v spring_v from_o faction_n in_o religion_n they_o be_v solicitous_a to_o keep_v its_o management_n in_o their_o own_o immediate_a disposal_n and_o though_o in_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n the_o priestly_a office_n be_v upon_o reason_n peculiar_a to_o that_o state_n separate_v by_o a_o divine_a positive_a command_n from_o the_o kingly_a power_n yet_o the_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o priest_n remain_v still_o subject_a to_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n their_o king_n always_o exercise_v a_o supremacy_n over_o all_o person_n and_o in_o all_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a nothing_o can_v be_v more_o unquestionable_a than_o the_o precedent_n of_o david_n solomon_n hezekiah_n jehu_n jehosaphat_n josiah_n etc._n etc._n who_o exercise_v as_o full_a a_o legislative_a power_n in_o affair_n of_o
rod_n or_o in_o love_n and_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n i._o e._n consider_v with_o yourselves_o that_o see_v i_o have_v determine_v to_o visit_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n whether_o when_o i_o come_v you_o have_v rather_o i_o shall_v chastise_v you_o with_o the_o apostolical_a rod_n by_o exercise_v my_o power_n of_o inflict_a punishment_n and_o by_o consign_v the_o refractory_a to_o those_o sharp_a and_o grievous_a disease_n that_o be_v wont_n immediate_o to_o follow_v apostolical_a censure_n or_o whether_o i_o shall_v come_v with_o a_o more_o gentle_a and_o merciful_a design_n without_o be_v force_v by_o your_o stubborness_n upon_o a_o necessity_n of_o use_v this_o severity_n among_o you_o as_o you_o behave_v yourselves_o so_o may_v you_o expect_v to_o find_v i_o at_o my_o come_n and_o thus_o again_o 2_o cor._n 10._o 6._o he_o threaten_v they_o with_o his_o be_v in_o a_o readiness_n if_o he_o shall_v come_v among_o they_o to_o revenge_v all_o their_o disobedience_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n he_o immediate_o profess_v himself_o not_o ashamed_a to_o boast_v of_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o 13._o chapter_n of_o the_o same_o epistle_n he_o again_o shake_v the_o same_o rod_n over_o they_o threaten_v that_o if_o their_o refractoriness_n force_v he_o to_o strike_v they_o with_o some_o judgement_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o sharp_a and_o severe_a one_o if_o i_o come_v again_o i_o will_v not_o spare_v since_o you_o seek_v a_o proof_n of_o christ_n speak_v in_o i_o these_o extraordinary_a infliction_n be_v sign_n and_o evidence_n of_o his_o apostleship_n and_o he_o will_v make_v they_o know_v that_o he_o be_v commissioned_n by_o christ_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v their_o church_n by_o make_v they_o to_o feel_v the_o sad_a effect_n of_o his_o miraculous_a power_n if_o nothing_o else_o will_v satisfy_v they_o about_o the_o right_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o same_o apostle_n command_v to_o the_o same_o church_n concern_v the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a 1_o cor._n 5._o 5._o that_o they_o shall_v deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n i._n e._n that_o they_o shall_v denounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n against_o he_o which_o will_v amount_v to_o no_o small_a a_o punishment_n than_o his_o be_v resign_v up_o to_o the_o power_n and_o possession_n of_o some_o evil_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysost._n in_o 1._o ad_fw-la cor._n hom._n 15._o to_o be_v torment_v with_o ulcer_n or_o some_o other_o bodily_a disease_n and_o infliction_n which_o be_v then_o the_o usual_a consequent_a of_o excommunication_n the_o end_n of_o all_o which_o be_v as_o immediate_o follow_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n i._n e._n that_o be_v humble_v and_o bring_v to_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o his_o sin_n by_o the_o sadness_n of_o his_o condition_n and_o the_o heavy_a stroke_n of_o this_o cruel_a executioner_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n this_o may_v be_v a_o mean_n of_o work_v he_o to_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n and_o to_o the_o same_o end_n do_v the_o same_o apostle_n deliver_v hymeneus_n and_o alexander_n unto_o satan_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v not_o to_o blaspheme_v that_o be_v vex_v and_o torment_v by_o some_o evil_a spirit_n this_o may_v take_v down_o their_o proud_a and_o haughty_a stomach_n and_o make_v they_o cease_v to_o traduce_v and_o disparage_v his_o apostolical_a authority_n when_o they_o have_v smart_v so_o severe_o for_o contradict_v it_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o divine_a providence_n please_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o want_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n by_o his_o own_o almighty_a power_n so_o necessary_a be_v a_o coercive_a jurisdiction_n to_o the_o due_a government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n that_o god_n himself_o be_v fain_o to_o bestow_v it_o on_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n and_o thus_o be_v the_o primitive_a discipline_n maintain_v by_o miracle_n of_o severity_n as_o long_o as_o it_o want_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n but_o when_o christianity_n have_v once_o prevail_v and_o triumph_v over_o all_o the_o opposition_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n and_o have_v gain_v the_o empire_n of_o the_o world_n into_o its_o own_o possession_n and_o be_v become_v the_o imperial_a religion_n than_o begin_v its_o government_n to_o re-settle_a where_o nature_n have_v place_v it_o and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n for_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o emperor_n thought_n themselves_o concern_v to_o look_v to_o its_o government_n and_o protection_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o abet_v the_o spiritual_a power_n of_o the_o clergy_n with_o their_o secular_a authority_n then_o begin_v the_o divine_a providence_n to_o withdraw_v the_o miraculous_a power_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o he_o do_v by_o degree_n all_o the_o other_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n as_o their_o necessity_n cease_v as_o be_v now_o as_o well_o supply_v by_o the_o natural_a &_o ordinary_a power_n of_o the_o prince_n so_o that_o though_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o ministerial_a function_n still_o continue_v in_o the_o person_n that_o be_v thereunto_o original_o commissioned_n by_o our_o saviour_n the_o exercise_n of_o its_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v restore_v to_o the_o imperial_a diadem_n and_o the_o bishop_n become_v then_o as_o they_o be_v now_o minister_n of_o state_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n and_o challenge_v not_o any_o secular_a power_n but_o what_o they_o derive_v from_o the_o prince_n who_o suppose_v they_o best_a able_a to_o understand_v and_o manage_v the_o interest_n of_o religion_n grant_v they_o commission_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o himself_o and_o vest_v they_o with_o as_o much_o coercive_a power_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o judge_n be_v depute_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n to_o govern_v the_o affair_n of_o justice_n and_o to_o inflict_v the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n upon_o delinquent_n so_o that_o bishop_n neither_o have_v nor_o ever_o have_v any_o temporal_a authority_n but_o only_o as_o they_o be_v the_o king_n ecclesiastical_a judge_n appoint_v by_o he_o to_o govern_v affair_n of_o religion_n as_o civil_a or_o secular_a judge_n be_v to_o govern_v affair_n of_o justice_n §_o 17._o and_o now_o that_o the_o government_n of_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n devolve_v upon_o the_o royal_a authority_n assoon_o as_o it_o become_v christian_n be_v undeniable_o evident_a from_o all_o the_o law_n and_o record_n of_o the_o empire_n praes_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o time_n that_o the_o emperor_n become_v christian_a the_o disposal_n and_o government_n of_o church_n affair_n depend_v entire_o on_o their_o authority_n constantine_n be_v no_o soon_o settle_v in_o his_o imperial_a throne_n but_o he_o take_v the_o settlement_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n into_o his_o own_o cognizance_n he_o call_v synod_n and_o council_n in_o order_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n he_o ratify_v their_o canon_n into_o law_n he_o prohibit_v the_o conventicle_n of_o the_o donatist_n and_o demolish_v their_o meeting-house_n he_o make_v edict_n concern_v festival_n the_o rite_n of_o sepulture_n the_o immunity_n of_o church_n the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n the_o privilege_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o divers_a other_o thing_n appertain_v to_o the_o outward_a polity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o which_o jurisdiction_n he_o be_v careful_o follow_v by_o all_o his_o successor_n which_o can_v but_o be_v know_v to_o every_o man_n that_o be_v not_o as_o utter_o ignorant_a of_o the_o civil_a law_n as_o he_o in_o the_o comedy_n who_o suppose_v corpus_fw-la juris_fw-la civilis_fw-la to_o be_v a_o dutchman_n the_o code_n the_o authentic_o the_o french_a capitular_o be_v full_a of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o constitution_n the_o first_o book_n of_o the_o code_n treat_v of_o nothing_o but_o religion_n and_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o public_a worship_n the_o privilege_n of_o ecclesiastical_a man_n and_o thing_n the_o distinct_a office_n and_o function_n of_o the_o several_a degree_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n and_o the_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o religious_a affair_n and_o infinite_a other_o thing_n that_o immediate_o concern_v the_o interest_n of_o religion_n and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o authentic_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v every_o where_o scatter_v up_o and_o down_o through_o the_o whole_a volume_n which_o be_v divide_v into_o nine_o collation_n have_v not_o
above_o one_o viz._n the_o four_o that_o have_v not_o divers_a law_n relate_v to_o church_n affair_n and_o as_o for_o the_o capitular_o of_o charles_n the_o great_a together_o with_o the_o addition_n of_o lewis_n the_o godly_a his_o son_n and_o successor_n they_o contain_v little_a else_o but_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o lindembrogius_fw-la his_o collection_n of_o ancient_a law_n together_o with_o divers_a other_o law_n of_o theodorick_n and_o other_o gothish_a king_n §_o 18._o and_o next_o to_o the_o divine_a providence_n we_o owe_v the_o settlement_n and_o preservation_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o conduct_n of_o christian_a prince_n for_o by_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o primitive_a spirit_n and_o genius_n of_o christianity_n be_v wear_v out_o of_o fashion_n and_o the_o meekness_n and_o humility_n of_o its_o first_o professor_n begin_v to_o give_v place_n to_o a_o furious_a and_o tumultuary_a zeal_n and_o no_o soon_o do_v the_o heat_n of_o persecution_n begin_v to_o abate_v but_o the_o church_n be_v present_o shatter_v into_o swarm_n of_o faction_n by_o the_o violent_a passion_n and_o animosity_n of_o its_o member_n about_o bare_a speculation_n or_o useless_a practice_n and_o of_o all_o the_o quarrel_n that_o ever_o disturb_a the_o world_n there_o be_v never_o any_o perhaps_o so_o excuseless_a or_o so_o irregular_a as_o those_o of_o christendom_n of_o which_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o they_o be_v commence_v with_o more_o folly_n and_o indiscretion_n or_o pursue_v with_o more_o passion_n and_o frowardness_n the_o rage_n and_o fierceness_n of_o christian_n have_v kindle_v such_o a_o fire_n in_o the_o church_n that_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v be_v consume_v by_o its_o own_o combustion_n have_v not_o the_o christian_a emperor_n employ_v all_o their_o power_n to_o suppress_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o flame_n and_o though_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o their_o prudence_n and_o industry_n christianity_n be_v sad_o impair_v by_o its_o own_o tumult_n and_o sedition_n yet_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o care_n of_o christian_a prince_n it_o have_v in_o all_o humane_a probability_n be_v utter_o destroy_v and_o the_o flame_n that_o have_v once_o catch_v its_o superstructure_n must_v without_o remedy_n have_v burn_v up_o its_o very_a foundation_n and_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o record_n and_o history_n of_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o most_o dangerous_a disturbance_n that_o threaten_v the_o state_n have_v their_o beginning_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o empire_n be_v more_o shake_v by_o the_o intestine_a commotion_n that_o arise_v from_o religion_n than_o by_o foreign_a war_n and_o invasion_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v it_o that_o we_o find_v they_o so_o high_o concern_v to_o reconcile_v all_o the_o discord_n and_o allay_v all_o the_o heat_n about_o religion_n by_o silence_v needless_a and_o unprofitable_a controversy_n determine_v certain_a &_o necessary_a truth_n prescribe_v decent_a rite_n &_o ceremony_n of_o public_a worship_n and_o all_o other_o wise_a and_o prudent_a expedient_n to_o bring_v the_o mind_n and_o practice_n of_o man_n to_o sobriety_n and_o moderation_n §_o 19_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v the_o outward_a polity_n of_o the_o church_n tolerable_o well_o establish_v and_o the_o affair_n of_o religion_n competent_o well_o ground_v though_o better_o or_o worse_o according_a to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o vigilance_n of_o the_o several_a emperor_n till_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n usurp_v one_o half_a of_o the_o imperial_a power_n and_o annex_v the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o supremacy_n to_o their_o own_o see_n for_o take_v advantage_n of_o the_o distraction_n occasion_v partly_o by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o northern_a nation_n on_o the_o west_n partly_o by_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o turkish_a power_n on_o the_o east_n but_o main_o by_o the_o division_n of_o the_o empire_n itself_o they_o gain_v either_o by_o force_n or_o fraud_n the_o whole_a dominion_n of_o religion_n to_o themselves_o and_o by_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n usurp_v a_o absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a empire_n over_o the_o faith_n and_o conscience_n of_o mankind_n and_o whilst_o they_o at_o first_o pretend_v no_o other_o title_n to_o their_o sovereignty_n but_o what_o they_o derive_v from_o religion_n they_o be_v constrain_v to_o serve_v up_o their_o power_n to_o a_o unmeasurable_a tyranny_n thereby_o to_o secure_v themselves_o in_o those_o insolence_n and_o indignity_n wherewith_o they_o perpetual_o affront_v the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n and_o know_v the_o freeborn_a reason_n of_o man_n will_v never_o tame_o brook_v to_o be_v enslave_v to_o so_o ignoble_a a_o tyranny_n they_o proclaim_v it_o a_o traitor_n or_o what_o be_v the_o same_o a_o heretic_n to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o by_o their_o loud_a noise_n and_o menace_n fright_v it_o out_o of_o christendom_n in_o which_o design_n they_o at_o length_n advance_v so_o far_o till_o rome_n christian_n become_v little_o less_o fond_a and_o superstitious_a than_o rome_n heathen_a and_o christianity_n itself_o be_v almost_o debauch_v to_o the_o low_a guise_n of_o paganism_n and_o europe_n the_o seat_n of_o the_o most_o refine_a and_o polite_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v involve_v in_o a_o more_o than_o african_a ignorance_n and_o barbarity_n and_o thus_o do_v they_o easy_o usher_v in_o the_o grand_a departure_n and_o apostasy_n from_o religion_n by_o the_o fall_n away_o from_o reason_n and_o found_v the_o roman_a faith_n as_o well_o as_o empire_n upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o humane_a liberty_n §_o 20._o in_o which_o sad_a posture_n continue_v the_o affair_n of_o christendom_n till_o the_o reformation_n which_o though_o it_o have_v wrought_v wonderful_a alteration_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n yet_o have_v it_o not_o be_v able_a to_o resettle_v prince_n in_o their_o full_a &_o natural_a right_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o concern_v of_o religion_n for_o although_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n in_o religious_a matter_n be_v express_o assert_v in_o all_o the_o public_a confession_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n but_o especial_o in_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o be_v not_o content_v bare_o to_o affirm_v it_o but_o denounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n against_o all_o that_o deny_v it_o yet_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o exorbitant_a power_n that_o some_o pert_a and_o pragmatical_a divine_n have_v gain_v over_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n this_o great_a article_n have_v find_v little_a or_o no_o entertainment_n in_o their_o practice_n there_o start_v up_o a_o race_n of_o proud_a and_o imperious_a man_n about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n who_o not_o regard_v the_o prince_n power_n take_v upon_o themselves_o to_o frame_v precise_a hypothesis_n of_o orthodoxy_n and_o to_o set_v up_o their_o own_o pedantic_a system_n and_o institution_n for_o the_o standard_n of_o divine_a truth_n and_o want_v what_o the_o other_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o prescription_n they_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o this_o pretence_n not_o only_o excuse_v but_o justify_v any_o wild_a theorem_n they_o can_v not_o prove_v by_o sober_a reason_n and_o those_o that_o will_v be_v awe_v with_o it_o they_o embrace_v for_o orthodox_n and_o those_o that_o will_v not_o they_o brand_v for_o heretic_n by_o which_o little_a device_n they_o decoy_v the_o silly_a and_o ignorant_a rabble_n into_o their_o own_o party_n the_o effect_n of_o all_o which_o have_v be_v nothing_o but_o a_o brutish_a and_o fanatic_a ignorance_n make_v man_n to_o talk_v of_o little_a else_o but_o rapture_n and_o ecstasy_n and_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o a_o buzz_n and_o noise_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n whereby_o they_o be_v only_o impregnable_o possess_v with_o their_o own_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a fancy_n become_v saucy_a and_o impudent_a for_o religion_n confound_v order_n and_o despise_v government_n and_o will_v be_v guide_v by_o nothing_o but_o the_o whimsy_n and_o humour_n of_o a_o unaccountable_a conscience_n §_o 21._o and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o most_o protestant_a prince_n have_v be_v fright_v not_o to_o say_v hector_v out_o of_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o the_o clamour_n of_o giddy_a and_o distemper_a zealot_n superstition_n and_o enthusiasm_n have_v outface_v the_o law_n and_o put_v government_n out_o of_o countenance_n by_o the_o boldness_n of_o their_o pretension_n confident_n man_n have_v talk_v so_o loud_o of_o the_o inviolable_a sacredness_n and_o authority_n of_o their_o conscience_n that_o governor_n not_o thorough_o instruct_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n so_o late_o restore_v to_o they_o have_v be_v almost_o scare_v from_o intermeddle_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v upon_o this_o score_n plead_v its_o privilege_n and_o exemption_n from_o their_o command_n and_o how_o
free_a grace_n and_o goodness_n in_o that_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n he_o be_v please_v out_o of_o his_o infinite_a concern_v for_o its_o propagation_n in_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n to_o inspire_v its_o convert_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o virtue_n wherefore_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n when_o he_o compile_v a_o complete_a catalogue_n of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n reckon_v up_o only_o moral_a virtue_n gal._n 5._o 22._o love_n joy_n or_o cheerfulness_n peaceableness_n patience_n gentleness_n goodness_n faithfulness_n meekness_n and_o temperance_n and_o elsewhere_o titus_n 2._o 11._o the_o same_o apostle_n plain_o make_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o consist_v in_o gratitude_n towards_o god_n temperance_n towards_o ourselves_o and_o justice_n towards_o our_o neighbour_n for_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o bring_v salvation_n have_v appear_v to_o all_o man_n teach_v we_o that_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n we_o shall_v live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n where_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n be_v comprehend_v in_o live_v godly_o which_o be_v the_o virtue_n of_o humble_a gratitude_n towards_o god_n sober_o which_o contain_v the_o virtue_n of_o temperance_n chastity_n modesty_n and_o all_o other_o that_o consist_v in_o the_o dominion_n of_o reason_n over_o our_o sensual_a appetite_n righteous_o which_o imply_v all_o the_o virtue_n of_o justice_n and_o charity_n as_o affability_n courtesy_n meekness_n candour_n and_o ingenuity_n §_o 3._o so_o destructive_a of_o all_o true_a and_o real_a goodness_n be_v the_o very_a religion_n of_o those_o man_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o set_v grace_n at_o odds_o with_o virtue_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v they_o the_o same_o that_o they_o make_v they_o inconsistent_a and_o though_o a_o man_n be_v exact_a in_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o moral_a goodness_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v a_o graceless_a person_n i._n e._n void_a of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o imaginary_a godliness_n he_o be_v but_o in_o a_o clean_a way_n to_o hell_n and_o his_o conversion_n be_v more_o hopeless_a than_o the_o vile_a and_o most_o notorious_a sinner_n and_o the_o moral_o righteous_a man_n be_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o grace_n than_o the_o profane_a and_o better_o be_v lewd_a and_o debauch_a than_o live_v a_o honest_a and_o virtuous_a life_n if_o you_o be_v not_o of_o the_o godly_a party_n bona_fw-la opera_fw-la sunt_fw-la perniciosa_fw-la ad_fw-la salutem_fw-la say_v flaccus_n illiricus_fw-la moral_a goodness_n be_v the_o great_a let_v to_o conversion_n and_o the_o profane_v wretch_n make_v better_a saint_n than_o your_o moral_a formalist_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o have_v bring_v into_o fashion_n a_o godliness_n without_o religion_n zeal_n without_o humanity_n and_o grace_n without_o good_a nature_n or_o good_a manner_n have_v find_v out_o in_o lieu_n of_o moral_a virtue_n a_o spiritual_a divinity_n that_o be_v make_v up_o of_o nothing_o else_o but_o certain_a train_n and_o scheme_n of_o effeminate_a folly_n and_o illiterate_a enthusiasm_n and_o instead_o of_o a_o sober_a devotion_n a_o more_o spiritual_a and_o intimate_a way_n of_o communion_n with_o god_n that_o in_o truth_n consist_v in_o little_a else_o but_o meet_v together_o in_o private_a to_o prate_v phrase_n make_v face_n and_o rail_v at_o carnal_a reason_n i._n e._n in_o their_o sense_n all_o sober_a and_o sincere_a use_n of_o our_o understanding_n in_o spiritual_a matter_n whereby_o they_o have_v effectual_o turn_v all_o religion_n into_o unaccountable_a fancy_n and_o enthusiasm_n dress_v it_o up_o with_o pompous_a and_o empty_a scheme_n of_o speech_n and_o so_o embrace_v a_o few_o gawdy_a metaphor_n and_o allegory_n instead_o of_o the_o substance_n of_o true_a and_o real_a righteousness_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o most_o material_a difference_n between_o the_o sober_a christian_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o our_o modern_a sectary_n that_o we_o express_v the_o precept_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a term_n whilst_o they_o trifle_v they_o away_o by_o childish_a metaphor_n and_o allegory_n and_o will_v not_o talk_v of_o religion_n but_o in_o barbarous_a and_o uncouth_a similitude_n and_o what_o be_v more_o the_o different_a subdivision_n among_o the_o sect_n themselves_o be_v not_o so_o much_o distinguish_v by_o any_o real_a diversity_n of_o opinion_n as_o by_o variety_n of_o phrase_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n that_o be_v the_o peculiar_a shibboleth_n of_o each_o tribe_n one_o party_n affect_v to_o lard_v their_o discourse_n with_o clownish_a and_o slovenly_a similitude_n another_o delight_n to_o roll_n in_o wanton_a and_o lascivious_a allegory_n and_o a_o three_o be_v best_a please_v with_o odd_a unusual_a unitelligible_a and_o sometime_o blasphemous_a expression_n and_o whoever_o among_o they_o can_v invent_v any_o new_a language_n present_o set_v up_o for_o a_o man_n of_o new_a discovery_n and_o he_o that_o light_v upon_o the_o pretty_a nonsense_n be_v think_v by_o the_o ignorant_a rabble_n to_o unfold_v new_a gospel-mystery_n and_o thus_o be_v the_o nation_n shatter_v into_o infinite_a faction_n with_o senseless_a and_o fantastic_a phrase_n and_o the_o most_o fatal_a miscarriage_n of_o they_o all_o lie_v in_o abuse_v scripture-expression_n not_o only_o without_o but_o in_o contradiction_n to_o their_o sense_n so_o that_o have_v we_o but_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o abridge_v preacher_n the_o use_n of_o fulsome_a and_o luscious_a metaphor_n it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v a_o effectual_a cure_n of_o all_o our_o present_a distemper_n let_v not_o the_o reader_n smile_v at_o the_o odness_n of_o the_o proposal_n for_o be_v man_n oblige_v to_o speak_v sense_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n all_o the_o swell_a mystery_n of_o fanaticism_n will_v immediate_o sink_v into_o flat_a and_o empty_a nonsense_n and_o they_o will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o such_o jejune_n and_o ridiculous_a stuff_n as_o their_o admire_a and_o most_o profound_a notion_n will_v appear_v to_o be_v when_o they_o want_v the_o varnish_n of_o fine_a metaphor_n and_o glitter_a allusion_n in_o brief_a be_v this_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o unravel_v all_o their_o affect_a phrase_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n which_o they_o have_v learn_v like_o parrot_n to_o prate_v by_o rote_n without_o have_v any_o notion_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o signify_v it_o will_v be_v no_o unpleasant_a task_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o by_o they_o they_o either_o mean_v nothing_o at_o all_o or_o some_o part_n or_o instrument_n of_o moral_a virtue_n so_o that_o all_o religion_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v resolve_v into_o enthusiasm_n or_o morality_n the_o former_a be_v mere_a imposture_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o be_v true_a must_v be_v reduce_v to_o the_o latter_a and_o whatever_o beside_o appertain_v to_o it_o must_v be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o end_n of_o virtue_n such_o be_v prayer_n hear_v sermon_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o religious_a ordinance_n that_o have_v direct_o no_o other_o place_n in_o religion_n than_o as_o they_o be_v instrumental_a to_o a_o virtuous_a life_n §_o 4._o it_o be_v certain_a then_o that_o the_o duty_n of_o morality_n be_v the_o most_o weighty_a and_o material_a concern_v of_o religion_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o bind_v law_n concern_v they_o upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o subject_n so_o that_o every_o man_n conscience_n be_v and_o must_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a superior_n in_o the_o most_o important_a matter_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o when_o the_o main_a end_n and_o design_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v avowed_o subject_a to_o the_o supreme_a power_n that_o yet_o man_n shall_v be_v so_o impatient_a to_o exempt_v its_o mean_n and_o subordinate_a instrument_n from_o the_o same_o authority_n what_o reason_n can_v the_o wit_n of_o man_n assign_v to_o restrain_v it_o from_o one_o that_o will_v not_o much_o more_o restrain_v it_o from_o both_o be_v not_o the_o right_a practice_n of_o moral_a duty_n as_o necessary_a a_o part_n of_o religion_n as_o any_o outward_a form_n of_o worship_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o wrong_a notion_n of_o the_o divine_a worship_n as_o destructive_a of_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o commonwealth_n as_o the_o most_o vicious_a and_o licentious_a debauchery_n be_v not_o the_o rude_a multitude_n more_o incline_v to_o disturb_v government_n by_o superstition_n than_o by_o licentiousness_n and_o be_v there_o not_o vast_o great_a danger_n of_o the_o magistrate_n err_v in_o matter_n of_o morality_n than_o in_o form_n and_o ceremony_n of_o worship_n in_o that_o those_o be_v the_o main_a essential_a and_o ultimate_a duty_n of_o religion_n whereas_o these_o be_v at_o high_a but_o their_o instrument_n and_o can_v challenge_v no_o other_o place_n in_o religion_n than_o as_o they_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o purpose_n of_o morality_n nay_o be_v it_o not_o still_o more_o
conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o religious_a worship_n as_o in_o affair_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n i._n e._n a_o liberty_n of_o judgement_n but_o not_o of_o practice_n they_o have_v a_o inviolable_a freedom_n to_o examine_v the_o goodness_n of_o all_o law_n moral_a and_o ecclesiastical_a and_o to_o judge_v of_o they_o by_o their_o suitableness_n to_o the_o natural_a reason_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o as_o for_o the_o practice_n and_o all_o outward_a action_n either_o of_o virtue_n or_o devotion_n they_o be_v equal_o governable_a by_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o commonwealth_n and_o man_n may_v with_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o reason_n challenge_v a_o exemption_n from_o all_o humane_a law_n in_o matter_n of_o common_a honesty_n upon_o the_o score_n of_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o conscience_n as_o they_o plead_v a_o liberty_n from_o all_o authority_n in_o duty_n of_o religious_a worship_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n because_o they_o have_v a_o freedom_n of_o judgement_n in_o both_o but_o of_o practice_n in_o neither_o §_o 2._o and_o upon_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o principle_n be_v found_v the_o duty_n or_o rather_o privilege_n of_o christian_n liberty_n viz._n to_o assert_v the_o freedom_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o a_o sincere_a and_o impartial_a use_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n be_v the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a duty_n of_o humane_a nature_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v so_o high_o solicitous_a not_o to_o have_v it_o far_o restrain_v than_o needs_o must_v and_o therefore_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o pure_a speculation_n it_o leave_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n entire_o free_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v usurp_v upon_o by_o any_o authority_n whatsoever_o and_o whatsoever_o opinion_n any_o man_n entertain_v of_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o injure_v no_o man_n by_o it_o and_o therefore_o no_o man_n can_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o commence_v any_o quarrel_n with_o he_o for_o it_o every_o man_n here_o judge_n for_o himself_o and_o not_o for_o other_o and_o matter_n of_o mere_a opinion_n have_v no_o reference_n to_o the_o public_a there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o public_a judgement_n to_o determine_v they_o but_o as_o for_o those_o action_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o have_v any_o influence_n upon_o the_o public_a good_a or_o ill_a of_o mankind_n though_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o public_a law_n yet_o the_o law_n of_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v determine_v far_a than_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o in_o those_o very_a thing_n in_o which_o it_o have_v grant_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n a_o power_n over_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n it_o permit_v they_o not_o to_o exercise_v any_o authority_n over_o their_o judgement_n but_o leave_v they_o utter_o free_a to_o judge_v of_o they_o as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v object_n of_o mere_a opinion_n and_o relate_v not_o to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n and_o hence_o though_o the_o command_n of_o our_o lawful_a superior_n may_v change_v indifferent_a thing_n into_o necessary_a duty_n yet_o they_o can_v restrain_v the_o liberty_n of_o our_o mind_n from_o judge_a thing_n thus_o determine_v to_o remain_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a and_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o do_v they_o be_v not_o fetch_v from_o any_o antecedent_n necessity_n in_o themselves_o but_o from_o the_o superven_a command_n of_o authority_n to_o which_o obedience_n in_o all_o thing_n lawful_a be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n so_o that_o christian_a liberty_n or_o the_o inward_a freedom_n of_o our_o judgement_n may_v be_v preserve_v inviolable_a under_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n which_o be_v outward_a and_o concern_v only_o the_o action_n not_o judgement_n of_o man_n because_o the_o outward_a determination_n to_o one_o particular_a rather_o than_o another_o do_v not_o abrogate_v the_o inward_a indifferency_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o act_v according_a to_o the_o law_n arise_v not_o from_o any_o opinion_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o but_o either_o from_o some_o emergent_a and_o changeable_a circumstance_n of_o order_n and_o decency_n or_o from_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o absolute_a indispensableness_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n therefore_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o christian_a liberty_n relate_v only_o to_o our_o inward_a judgement_n of_o thing_n and_o provide_v this_o be_v keep_v inviolate_a it_o matter_n not_o as_o to_o that_o concern_v what_o restraint_n be_v lay_v upon_o our_o cutward_a action_n in_o that_o though_o the_o gospel_n have_v free_v our_o conscience_n from_o the_o power_n of_o thing_n yet_o it_o have_v not_o from_o that_o of_o government_n we_o be_v free_a from_o the_o matter_n but_o not_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o humane_a law_n and_o as_o long_o as_o we_o obey_v the_o determination_n of_o our_o superior_n with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o we_o retain_v the_o power_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n and_o be_v still_o free_a as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n though_o not_o as_o to_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n §_o 3._o neither_o be_v this_o prerogative_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n so_o much_o any_o new_a favour_n grant_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o its_o natural_a privilege_n by_o exempt_v we_o from_o the_o yoke_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n whereby_o thing_n in_o themselves_o indifferent_a be_v tie_v upon_o the_o conscience_n with_o as_o indispensable_a a_o obligation_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o essential_a goodness_n &_o equity_n during_o the_o whole_a period_n of_o the_o mosaic_a dispensation_n which_o be_v cancel_v by_o the_o gospel_n those_o indifferent_a thing_n that_o have_v be_v make_v necessary_a by_o a_o divine_a positive_a command_n return_v to_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o be_v use_v or_o omit_v only_o as_o occasion_n shall_v direct_v and_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v it_o that_o st._n paul_n though_o he_o be_v so_o earnest_a a_o assertor_n of_o his_o christian_a liberty_n against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o jewish_a ceremony_n never_o scruple_v to_o use_v they_o when_o ever_o he_o think_v it_o serviceable_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o christianity_n as_o be_v apparent_a in_o his_o circumcision_n of_o timothy_n to_o which_o he_o will_v never_o have_v condescend_v out_o of_o observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o yet_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o scruple_n to_o do_v it_o for_o other_o purpose_n as_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n shall_v direct_v he_o and_o though_o in_o his_o discourse_n of_o christian_a liberty_n he_o instance_n only_o in_o circumcision_n meat_n and_o drink_n and_o other_o ceremonial_a ordinance_n which_o be_v then_o the_o particular_n most_o in_o dispute_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o jew_n yet_o by_o the_o clear_a analogy_n of_o reason_n the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o the_o judicial_a law_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n command_v by_o moses_n that_o be_v not_o either_o rule_n of_o eternal_a goodness_n or_o express_o establish_v in_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v its_o clear_a and_o most_o important_a design_n to_o reprieve_v mankind_n from_o all_o the_o burdensome_a and_o arbitrary_a imposition_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v scarce_o capable_a of_o any_o other_o goodness_n than_o their_o be_v instance_n of_o obedience_n and_o to_o restore_v we_o to_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o to_o tie_v no_o other_o law_n upon_o we_o than_o such_o who_o natural_a and_o intrinsic_a goodness_n shall_v carry_v with_o they_o their_o own_o eternal_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o our_o superior_n impose_v upon_o we_o whether_o in_o matter_n of_o religious_a worship_n or_o any_o other_o duty_n of_o morality_n it_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o entrenchment_n upon_o our_o christian_a liberty_n provide_v it_o be_v not_o impose_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o antecedent_n necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o §_o 4._o now_o the_o design_n of_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v upon_o this_o article_n of_o christian_a liberty_n be_v not_o bare_o to_o show_v the_o manifest_a impertinency_n of_o all_o those_o little_a objection_n man_n force_v from_o it_o against_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n jurisdiction_n over_o the_o outward_a concern_v of_o religion_n whereas_o this_o relate_v entire_o to_o thing_n of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n and_o be_v only_o concern_v in_o the_o inward_a action_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o withal_o my_o purpose_n be_v main_o by_o exempt_n all_o internal_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o
commonwealth_n they_o can_v not_o want_v prudence_n to_o judge_n what_o circumstance_n be_v conducive_a to_o order_n and_o decency_n in_o public_a worship_n and_o if_o we_o take_v a_o survey_n of_o all_o the_o form_n of_o divine_a service_n practise_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v not_o any_o of_o they_o can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o depend_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o all_o custom_n and_o law_n of_o civil_a government_n do_v and_o therefore_o to_o quarrel_v with_o those_o form_n of_o public_a worship_n that_o be_v establish_v by_o authority_n only_o because_o they_o be_v humane_a institution_n be_v at_o once_o notorious_a schism_n and_o rebellion_n for_o where_o a_o religion_n be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n whoever_o open_o refuse_v obedience_n plain_o rebel_n against_o the_o government_n rebellion_n be_v proper_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o open_a denial_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n nor_o can_v man_n of_o this_o principle_n live_v peaceable_o in_o any_o church_n in_o christendom_n in_o that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v not_o peculiar_a rite_n and_o custom_n and_o law_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n §_o 7._o but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o account_v elsewhere_o and_o shall_v rather_o choose_v to_o observe_v here_o from_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v of_o the_o use_n and_o nature_n of_o outward_a worship_n the_o prodigious_a impertinency_n of_o that_o clamour_n some_o man_n have_v for_o so_o many_o year_n keep_v up_o against_o the_o institution_n of_o significant_a ceremony_n when_o it_o be_v the_o only_a use_n of_o ceremony_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o outward_a expression_n of_o religion_n to_o be_v significant_a in_o that_o all_o worship_n be_v only_o a_o outward_a sign_n of_o inward_a honour_n and_o be_v indifferent_o perform_v either_o by_o word_n or_o action_n for_o respect_n may_v as_o well_o be_v signify_v by_o deed_n and_o posture_n and_o visible_a solemnity_n as_o by_o solemn_a expression_n thus_o to_o approach_v the_o divine_a majesty_n with_o such_o gesture_n as_o be_v wont_a to_o betoken_v reverence_n and_o humility_n be_v as_o proper_a a_o piece_n of_o worship_n as_o to_o celebrate_v his_o greatness_n by_o solemn_a praise_n and_o to_o offer_v sacrifice_n and_o oblation_n be_v among_o the_o ancient_n the_o same_o sort_n of_o worship_n as_o to_o return_v thanksgiving_n they_o be_v both_o equal_o outward_a sign_n of_o inward_a love_n and_o gratitude_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o exception_n against_o the_o signification_n of_o ceremony_n than_o of_o word_n see_v this_o be_v the_o proper_a office_n of_o both_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o as_o all_o form_n and_o ceremony_n and_o outward_a action_n of_o external_n worship_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n equal_o significant_a so_o be_v they_o equal_o arbitrary_a only_o some_o happen_v to_o be_v more_o universal_o practise_v and_o other_o to_o be_v confine_v to_o some_o particular_a time_n and_o place_n kneel_v lie_v prostrate_a be_v bareheaded_a lift_v up_o the_o hand_n or_o eye_n be_v not_o more_o natural_o significant_a of_o worship_n and_o adoration_n than_o put_v off_o the_o shoe_n bow_v the_o head_n or_o bend_v the_o body_n and_o if_o some_o be_v more_o general_o use_v than_o other_o that_o proceed_v not_o from_o their_o natural_a significancy_n but_o from_o custom_n and_o casual_a prescription_n and_o to_o bow_v the_o body_n when_o we_o mention_v the_o name_n of_o jesus_n be_v as_o much_o a_o natural_a signification_n of_o honour_n to_o his_o person_n as_o kneel_v or_o be_v bareheaded_a or_o lift_v up_o the_o hand_n or_o eye_n when_o we_o offer_v up_o our_o prayer_n to_o he_o but_o if_o all_o outward_a action_n become_v to_o betoken_v honour_n by_o institution_n than_o whatsoever_o outward_a sign_n be_v appoint_v by_o the_o commonwealth_n unless_o they_o be_v customary_a mark_n of_o contempt_n and_o so_o carry_v in_o they_o some_o antecedent_n vndecency_n be_v proper_a sign_n of_o worship_n for_o if_o action_n be_v make_v significant_a by_o agreement_n those_o be_v most_o so_o who_o signification_n be_v ratify_v by_o public_a consent_n §_o 8._o so_o that_o all_o the_o magistrate_n power_n of_o institute_v significant_a ceremony_n amount_n to_o no_o more_o than_o a_o power_n of_o determine_v what_o shall_v or_o shall_v not_o be_v visible_a sign_n of_o honour_n and_o this_o certain_o can_v be_v no_o more_o usurpation_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n than_o if_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n shall_v take_v upon_o itself_o as_o some_o prince_n have_v do_v to_o define_v the_o signification_n of_o word_n for_o as_o word_n do_v not_o natural_o denote_v those_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v use_v to_o represent_v but_o have_v their_o import_n stamp_v upon_o they_o by_o consent_n and_o institution_n and_o and_o may_v if_o man_n will_v agree_v to_o it_o among_o themselves_o be_v make_v mark_n of_o thing_n quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o they_o now_o signify_v so_o the_o same_o gesture_n and_o action_n be_v indifferent_o capable_a of_o signify_v either_o honour_n or_o contumely_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o certain_a and_o settle_a meaning_n it_o be_v necessary_a their_o signification_n shall_v be_v determine_v and_o unless_o this_o be_v do_v either_o by_o some_o positive_a command_n or_o public_a consent_n or_o some_o other_o way_n there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o public_a worship_n in_o the_o world_n in_o that_o its_o proper_a end_n and_o usefulness_n be_v to_o express_v man_n agreement_n in_o give_v honour_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n and_o therefore_o unless_o the_o sign_n by_o which_o this_o honour_n be_v signify_v be_v public_a and_o uniform_a it_o be_v not_o public_a worship_n because_o there_o be_v no_o public_a signification_n of_o honour_n so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v unlawful_a for_o governor_n to_o define_v significant_a ceremony_n in_o divine_a worship_n that_o it_o be_v rather_o necessary_a in_o that_o unless_o they_o be_v define_v it_o will_v cease_v to_o be_v public_a worship_n and_o when_o different_a man_n worship_n god_n by_o different_a action_n according_a to_o their_o different_a fancy_n it_o be_v not_o public_a but_o private_a worship_n in_o that_o they_o be_v not_o public_a but_o private_a sign_n of_o honour_n so_o that_o uniformity_n in_o the_o outward_a action_n of_o religious_a worship_n be_v of_o the_o same_o use_v as_o certainty_n in_o the_o signification_n of_o word_n because_o otherwise_o they_o be_v no_o public_a expression_n of_o honour_n and_o therefore_o to_o sum_v up_o the_o whole_a result_n of_o this_o discourse_n if_o all_o internal_a action_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v beyond_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o humane_a power_n if_o by_o they_o the_o substance_n of_o religious_a worship_n be_v perform_v if_o all_o outward_a form_n of_o worship_n have_v no_o other_o use_v than_o only_o to_o be_v instrument_n to_o express_v inward_a religion_n and_o if_o the_o signification_n of_o action_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o of_o word_n then_o when_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o determine_v any_o particular_a form_n of_o outward_a worship_n it_o be_v after_o all_o that_o hideous_a and_o ridiculous_a noise_n that_o be_v raise_v against_o it_o of_o no_o worse_a consequence_n than_o if_o he_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o define_v the_o signification_n of_o all_o word_n use_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o action_n intrinsical_o evil_a and_o their_o exemption_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o humane_a law_n against_o mr._n hobbs_n with_o a_o full_a confutation_n of_o his_o whole_a hypothesis_n of_o government_n the_o content_n no_o magistrate_n can_v command_v action_n internal_o evil._n the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v not_o because_o man_n be_v in_o any_o thing_n free_a from_o the_o supreme_a authority_n in_o earth_n but_o because_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o a_o superior_a in_o heaven_n to_o take_v off_o all_o obligation_n antecedent_n to_o humane_a law_n be_v utter_o to_o destroy_v all_o government_n mr._n hobbs_n his_o hypothesis_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o original_a of_o government_n propose_v it_o be_v absurdity_n demonstrate_v from_o its_o inconsistency_n with_o the_o natural_a constitution_n of_o thing_n the_o principle_n of_o government_n be_v to_o be_v adapt_v not_o to_o a_o imaginary_a but_o to_o the_o real_a state_n of_o nature_n this_o hypothesis_n apparent_o deny_v either_o the_o be_v of_o god_n or_o the_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n it_o irrecoverable_o destroy_v the_o safety_n of_o all_o society_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o world_n it_o leave_v we_o in_o as_o miserable_a condition_n under_o the_o state_n of_o government_n as_o we_o be_v in_o his_o suppose_a natural_a state_n of_o
that_o distinguish_v their_o party_n and_o this_o can_v but_o be_v a_o mighty_a endearment_n of_o their_o prince_n to_o they_o when_o he_o neglect_v and_o discountenance_n his_o best_a subject_n only_o because_o they_o be_v the_o godly_a party_n for_o so_o every_o party_n be_v to_o itself_o to_o join_v himself_o to_o their_o profess_a and_o irreconcilable_a enemy_n and_o they_o will_v be_v wonderful_o forward_a to_o assist_v a_o patron_n of_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n or_o a_o enemy_n to_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n for_o these_o be_v the_o soft_a word_n that_o different_a sect_n can_v afford_v one_o another_o and_o withal_o i_o may_v add_v that_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v much_o in_o love_n with_o he_o when_o they_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o lie_v perpetual_o under_o his_o displeasure_n and_o that_o he_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o little_o better_a than_o enemy_n so_o that_o if_o a_o prince_n permit_v different_a party_n and_o interest_n of_o religion_n in_o his_o dominion_n however_o he_o carry_v himself_o towards_o they_o he_o shall_v have_v at_o least_o all_o party_n discontent_v but_o one_o for_o if_o himself_o be_v of_o any_o he_o displease_v all_o but_o that_o if_o of_o none_o he_o displease_v all_o and_o zealous_a and_o religious_a people_n of_o all_o sort_n must_v needs_o be_v wonderful_o in_o love_n with_o a_o atheist_n and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o he_o must_v at_o least_o be_v think_v so_o if_o he_o be_v not_o of_o any_o distinct_a and_o visible_a profession_n chap._n vi_o of_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o thing_n undetermined_a by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o content_n the_o mystery_n of_o puritanism_n lie_v in_o this_o assertion_n that_o nothing_o aught_o to_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v express_o command_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o wildness_n novelty_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o principle_n it_o make_v mere_a obedience_n to_o lawful_a authority_n sinful_a it_o take_v away_o all_o possibility_n of_o settlement_n in_o any_o church_n or_o nation_n it_o be_v the_o main_a pretence_n of_o all_o pious_a villainy_n it_o cancel_v all_o humane_a law_n and_o make_v most_o of_o the_o divine_a law_n useless_a and_o impracticable_a it_o oblige_v man_n to_o be_v seditious_a in_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n that_o have_v not_o some_o custom_n and_o usage_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o all_o that_o pretend_v this_o principle_n do_v and_o must_v act_v contrary_a to_o it_o the_o exorbitancy_n of_o this_o principle_n make_v all_o yield_a and_o condescension_n to_o the_o man_n that_o plead_v it_o unsafe_a and_o impolitic_a wherein_o the_o perfection_n and_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n consist_v of_o the_o vanity_n of_o their_o distinction_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v to_o see_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n execute_v but_o to_o make_v none_o of_o his_o own_o the_o dangerous_a consequent_n of_o their_o way_n of_o argue_v who_o will_v prove_v that_o god_n ought_v to_o have_v determine_v all_o circumstance_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a to_o determine_v all_o circumstance_n of_o any_o outward_a action_n they_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o various_a the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o way_n to_o make_v man_n of_o this_o persuasion_n comply_v with_o his_o will_n but_o by_o forbid_v what_o he_o will_v have_v do_v the_o puritan_n upbraid_v with_o mr._n hooker_n book_n of_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n and_o challenge_v to_o answer_v it_o their_o outcry_n against_o popery_n will-worship_n superstition_n add_v to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n retort_v upon_o themselves_o the_o main_a objection_n against_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o religion_n propose_v viz._n that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o he_o may_v impose_v thing_n sinful_a and_o superstitious_a this_o objection_n lie_v as_o strong_o against_o all_o manner_n of_o government_n our_o inquiry_n be_v after_o the_o best_a way_n of_o settle_v thing_n not_o that_o possible_o may_v be_v but_o that_o real_o be_v though_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n may_v be_v abuse_v yet_o it_o be_v then_o less_o mischievous_a than_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o subjection_n to_o the_o worst_a of_o governor_n because_o tyranny_n be_v less_o mischievous_a than_o rebellion_n or_o anarchy_n the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n entitle_v vindiciae_fw-la contra_fw-la tyrannos_fw-la confute_v that_o it_o may_v and_o often_o do_v so_o happen_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o punish_v man_n for_o such_o persuasion_n into_o which_o they_o have_v innocent_o abuse_v themselves_o action_n be_v punishable_a by_o humane_a law_n not_o for_o their_o sinfulness_n but_o for_o their_o ill_a consequence_n to_o the_o public_a this_o apply_v to_o the_o case_n of_o a_o well-meaning_a conscience_n sect._n 1_o all_o thing_n as_o well_o sacred_a as_o civil_a that_o be_v not_o already_o determine_v as_o to_o their_o morality_n i._n e._n that_o be_v not_o make_v necessary_a duty_n by_o be_v command_v or_o sinful_a action_n by_o be_v forbid_v either_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n may_v be_v lawful_o determine_v either_o way_n by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n and_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o subject_n be_v tie_v to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o all_o such_o determination_n this_o assertion_n i_o lay_v down_o to_o oppose_v the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o and_o the_o great_a pretence_n of_o nonconformity_n and_o wherein_o as_o one_o observe_v the_o very_a mystery_n of_o puritanism_n consist_v viz._n that_o nothing_o aught_o to_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v authorize_v by_o some_o precept_n or_o example_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o complete_a and_o adequate_a rule_n of_o worship_n and_o therefore_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v only_o to_o see_v that_o execute_v that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v in_o religion_n but_o to_o bring_v in_o nothing_o of_o their_o own_o they_o be_v tie_v up_o neither_o to_o add_v nor_o diminish_v neither_o in_o the_o matter_n nor_o manner_n so_o that_o whatever_o they_o enjoin_v in_o divine_a worship_n if_o it_o be_v not_o express_o warrant_v by_o a_o divine_a command_n how_o innocent_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v in_o itself_o it_o present_o upon_o that_o account_n lose_v not_o only_o its_o liberty_n but_o its_o lawfulness_n it_o be_v as_o requisite_a to_o christian_a practice_n that_o thing_n indifferent_a shall_v still_o be_v keep_v indifferent_a as_o thing_n necessary_a be_v hold_v necessary_a this_o very_a principle_n be_v the_o only_a fountain_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o puritanism_n from_o which_o it_o be_v at_o first_o derive_v and_o into_o which_o it_o be_v at_o last_o resolve_v a_o pretence_n so_o strange_o wild_a and_o humorsom_a that_o it_o be_v to_o i_o a_o equal_a wonder_n either_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o absurd_a as_o serious_o to_o believe_v it_o or_o if_o they_o do_v not_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o impudent_a as_o thus_o long_a and_o thus_o confident_o to_o pretend_v it_o when_o it_o have_v not_o the_o least_o shadow_n of_o foundation_n either_o from_o reason_n or_o from_o scripture_n and_o be_v scarce_o ever_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o till_o some_o man_n have_v make_v a_o unreasonable_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v force_v to_o justify_v themselves_o by_o as_o unreasonable_a pretence_n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o incredible_a than_o that_o thing_n that_o be_v before_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a shall_v become_v sinful_a upon_o no_o other_o score_n than_o their_o be_v command_v i._n e._n that_o mere_a obedience_n to_o lawful_a authority_n shall_v make_v innocent_a action_n criminal_a for_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v suppose_v of_o itself_o indifferent_a and_o therefore_o if_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n be_v unlawful_a it_o can_v be_v so_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o because_o it_o be_v obedience_n so_o that_o if_o christian_a liberty_n be_v so_o awkard_n a_o thing_n as_o these_o man_n make_v it_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o christian_a rebellion_n it_o be_v a_o duty_n that_o bind_v man_n to_o disobedience_n and_o forbid_v thing_n under_o that_o formality_n because_o authority_n command_v they_o now_o what_o a_o reproach_n to_o the_o gospel_n be_v this_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v the_o only_a plea_n for_o sedition_n what_o a_o scandal_n to_o religion_n that_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n shall_v be_v make_v the_o only_a principle_n of_o disobedience_n and_o that_o nothing_o shall_v so_o much_o incline_v man_n to_o be_v refractory_a to_o authority_n as_o their_o be_v conscientious_a what_o a_o perverse_a folly_n be_v it_o to_o imagine_v that_o nothing_o but_o opposition_n to_o government_n can_v secure_v our_o liberty_n and_o
undetermined_a but_o because_o every_o action_n must_v be_v do_v some_o way_n or_o other_o and_o be_v vest_v with_o some_o circumstance_n or_o other_o and_o because_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n be_v not_o so_o apt_a to_o be_v abuse_v with_o fantastic_a and_o ridiculous_a conceit_n in_o any_o thing_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n therefore_o we_o think_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o prevention_n of_o all_o the_o folly_n &_o indecency_n that_o ignorance_n and_o superstitious_a zeal_n will_v introduce_v into_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o the_o public_a law_n shall_v determine_v some_o circumstance_n of_o order_n and_o decency_n which_o have_v at_o least_o this_o advantage_n that_o they_o provide_v against_o the_o mischief_n of_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n and_o therefore_o we_o place_v no_o antecedent_n necessity_n in_o any_o of_o the_o particular_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o our_o church_n but_o only_o think_v it_o high_o convenient_a if_o not_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o some_o be_v prescribe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o handsomeness_n and_o beauty_n in_o these_o that_o be_v prescribe_v and_o therefore_o because_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o some_o be_v determine_v and_o because_o these_o be_v rather_o than_o divers_a other_o already_o settle_v we_o think_v they_o have_v a_o indispensable_a necessity_n superinduce_v upon_o they_o consequent_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o authority_n no_o man_n affirm_v that_o we_o can_v serve_v god_n acceptable_o without_o a_o surplice_n but_o yet_o because_o it_o be_v but_o requisite_a that_o public_a worship_n shall_v be_v perform_v with_o beauty_n and_o solemnity_n and_o because_o the_o use_n of_o this_o vestment_n be_v but_o handsome_a and_o beautiful_a and_o prevent_v slovenliness_n and_o indecency_n it_o be_v but_o agreeable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v enjoin_v as_o any_o other_o decent_a habit_n may_v have_v be_v and_o when_o this_o be_v single_v out_o by_o authority_n it_o than_o become_v consequential_o necessary_a whereas_o those_o who_o forbid_v thing_n indifferent_a as_o sinful_a and_o lay_v obligation_n upon_o man_n conscience_n to_o abstain_v from_o what_o be_v innocent_a and_o make_v that_o necessary_a not_o to_o be_v do_v which_o god_n have_v leave_v at_o liberty_n and_o make_v lawful_a to_o be_v do_v usurp_v upon_o man_n conscience_n by_o impose_v fetter_n on_o they_o where_o god_n have_v leave_v they_o free_a and_o become_v guilty_a of_o the_o most_o palpable_a piece_n of_o superstition_n by_o teach_v their_o own_o prohibition_n for_o doctrine_n and_o so_o make_v it_o a_o necessary_a duty_n and_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n to_o abstain_v from_o what_o god_n have_v no_o where_o forbid_v and_o make_v it_o a_o mortal_a and_o damnable_a sin_n to_o do_v what_o be_v innocent_a and_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v or_o at_o least_o just_o may_v inflict_v eternal_a torment_n upon_o man_n for_o make_v their_o address_n to_o he_o rather_o in_o a_o cleanly_a white_a vestment_n than_o in_o a_o tailor_n cloak_n or_o perhaps_o in_o mechanical_a querpo_n sect._n ii_o and_o then_o as_o for_o their_o outcry_n against_o will-worship_n it_o be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o that_o against_o superstition_n for_o it_o be_v one_o sort_n of_o it_o and_o be_v criminal_a no_o far_o than_o it_o be_v superstitious_a now_o when_o they_o exclaim_v against_o superstition_n they_o mean_v only_o that_o part_n of_o it_o that_o consist_v in_o will-worship_n and_o when_o against_o will-worship_n it_o be_v only_a as_o it_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o superstition_n so_o that_o these_o two_o impertinent_a clamour_n signify_v but_o the_o same_o thing_n under_o different_a denomination_n and_o so_o amount_v but_o to_o one_o but_o however_o this_o be_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o will-worship_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o than_o in_o man_n make_v their_o own_o fancy_n and_o invention_n necessary_a part_n of_o religion_n whereby_o they_o make_v that_o requisite_a to_o procure_v the_o divine_a acceptance_n that_o god_n have_v no_o where_o require_v and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n whether_o this_o be_v do_v by_o injunction_n or_o prohibition_n and_o they_o that_o affirm_v the_o do_v or_o not_o do_v of_o a_o action_n which_o god_n have_v no_o where_o either_o command_v or_o forbid_a to_o be_v necessary_a duty_n be_v equal_o guilty_a of_o this_o crime_n and_o therefore_o if_o these_o man_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o forbear_v what_o god_n have_v no_o where_o forbid_v they_o teach_v their_o own_o fancy_n for_o doctrine_n and_o impose_v something_o as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n on_o their_o own_o and_o other_o man_n conscience_n that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v not_o impose_v and_o withal_o so_o unworthy_o misrepresent_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o to_o labour_v to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o god_n have_v such_o a_o abhorrency_n to_o a_o thing_n so_o innocent_a as_o a_o white_a garment_n that_o to_o worship_v he_o in_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o bring_v we_o under_o his_o everlasting_a wrath_n and_o displeasure_n for_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v sinful_a be_v as_o well_o in_o their_o as_o our_o esteem_v mortal_a &_o damnable_a but_o then_o as_o for_o our_o own_o part_n they_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_o guilty_a of_o this_o piece_n of_o folly_n than_o we_o be_v clear_a and_o innocent_a from_o its_o very_a suspicion_n because_o all_o ritual_n and_o ceremony_n and_o posture_n and_o manner_n of_o perform_v the_o outward_a expression_n of_o devotion_n be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n capable_a of_o be_v part_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o unless_o we_o use_v and_o impose_v they_o as_o such_o it_o be_v lamentable_o precarious_a to_o charge_v the_o determination_n of_o they_o with_o will-worship_n because_o that_o consist_v in_o make_v those_o thing_n part_n of_o religion_n that_o god_n have_v not_o make_v so_o so_o that_o when_o the_o church_n express_o declare_v against_o this_o use_n of_o they_o and_o only_o injoin_v they_o as_o mere_a circumstance_n of_o religious_a worship_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o it_o can_v by_o impose_v they_o make_v any_o addition_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o only_o provide_v that_o what_o god_n have_v require_v be_v perform_v in_o a_o decent_a and_o orderly_a manner_n sect._n 12._o and_o then_o as_o for_o christian_a liberty_n why_o shall_v we_o suffer_v they_o so_o far_o to_o invade_v we_o as_o to_o renounce_v those_o thing_n as_o criminal_a which_o we_o believe_v to_o be_v innocent_a and_o if_o thing_n indifferent_a when_o enjoin_v lose_v not_o only_o their_o liberty_n but_o their_o lawfulness_n then_o why_o not_o when_o forbid_v and_o that_o by_o a_o incompetent_a authority_n when_o our_o superior_n impose_v rule_n of_o decency_n and_o law_n of_o discipline_n they_o do_v not_o infringe_v our_o christian_a liberty_n because_o they_o do_v not_o abolish_v the_o indifferency_n of_o thing_n themselves_o wherein_o alone_o it_o consist_v and_o though_o they_o become_v thereby_o necessary_a duty_n it_o be_v not_o from_o the_o nature_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o but_o from_o the_o obligation_n of_o obedience_n or_o some_o emergent_a reason_n of_o order_n and_o decency_n whereas_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o these_o man_n do_v not_o only_o abridge_v our_o liberty_n but_o also_o lay_v insolent_a confinement_n upon_o the_o supreme_a power_n by_o make_v thing_n indifferent_a so_o absolute_o unlawful_a that_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v the_o just_a command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o cease_v to_o be_v sinful_a how_o oft_o and_o how_o plain_o have_v they_o be_v tell_v that_o when_o authority_n injoin_v thing_n leave_v indifferent_a and_o undetermined_a by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o encroach_a upon_o our_o christian_a liberty_n that_o it_o rather_o confirm_v it_o in_o that_o this_o suppose_n that_o the_o thing_n themselves_o may_v or_o may_v not_o be_v either_o do_v or_o enjoin_v according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n but_o when_o they_o be_v once_o determine_v by_o public_a law_n though_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v indifferent_a yet_o obedience_n to_o it_o be_v not_o whereas_o when_o they_o will_v not_o permit_v their_o governor_n to_o enjoin_v these_o thing_n and_o if_o they_o do_v will_v not_o obey_v their_o injunction_n do_v they_o not_o apparent_o entrench_v upon_o our_o liberty_n by_o make_v what_o christ_n have_v leave_v indifferent_a necessary_a and_o under_o pretence_n of_o assert_v their_o christian_a liberty_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o confine_v the_o right_n of_o authority_n but_o to_o all_o this_o as_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v nothing_o can_v make_v they_o attend_v but_o they_o still_o deaf_o proceed_v in_o their_o old_a clamour_n which_o be_v too_o clear_a a_o argument_n that_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n that_o dictate_v their_o exception_n but_o humour_n prejudice_n and_o peevishness_n sect._n 13
be_v expect_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o weakness_n and_o imperfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v bear_v it_o as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v because_o if_o we_o go_v about_o to_o alter_v any_o present_a setlement_n we_o must_v almost_o of_o necessity_n make_v it_o worse_o and_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o such_o attempt_n have_v seldom_o end_v in_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o perpetual_a confusion_n till_o thing_n have_v at_o length_n resettled_a in_o the_o same_o or_o as_o bad_a if_o not_o a_o worse_o condition_n than_o they_o be_v in_o before_o the_o misery_n of_o tyranny_n be_v less_o than_o those_o of_o anarchy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v better_a to_o submit_v to_o the_o unreasonable_a imposition_n of_o nero_n or_o caligula_n than_o to_o hazard_v the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o state_n and_o consequent_o all_o the_o calamity_n of_o war_n and_o confusion_n by_o deny_v our_o subjection_n to_o tyrant_n and_o there_o never_o be_v any_o lawful_a magistrate_n so_o bad_a who_o law_n and_o government_n be_v not_o more_o conducive_a to_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o common_a good_a than_o his_o oppression_n be_v to_o subvert_v it_o and_o it_o be_v wise_o eligible_a to_o suffer_v a_o less_o evil_a rather_o than_o lose_v a_o great_a good_a it_o be_v a_o know_v and_o a_o wise_a say_n of_o tacitus_n bonos_fw-la principes_fw-la voto_fw-la expetere_fw-la debemus_fw-la qualescunque_fw-la pati_fw-la &_o quomodo_fw-la sterilitatem_fw-la aut_fw-la nimios_fw-la imbres_fw-la &_o cetera_fw-la naturae_fw-la mala_fw-la sic_fw-la luxum_fw-la &_o avaritiam_fw-la dominantium_fw-la tolerare_fw-la and_o this_o in_o one_o word_n be_v not_o only_o a_o satisfactory_a answer_n but_o a_o ample_a confutation_n of_o that_o pestilent_a book_n vindiciae_fw-la contra_fw-la tyrannos_fw-la the_o scope_n whereof_o be_v only_o to_o invite_v subject_n to_o rebel_v against_o tyrannical_a government_n by_o represent_v the_o evil_n of_o tyranny_n which_o though_o they_o be_v as_o great_a as_o he_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v yet_o they_o be_v abundant_o less_o than_o those_o that_o follow_v upon_o rebellion_n as_o himself_o and_o his_o party_n be_v sufficient_o teach_v by_o the_o event_n and_o for_o one_o commonwealth_n he_o can_v instance_n in_o that_o have_v gain_v by_o rebellion_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o produce_v a_o hundred_o that_o it_o have_v hazard_v if_o not_o utter_o ruin_v and_o therefore_o this_o author_n not_o to_o mention_v mariana_n and_o buchanan_n and_o other_o have_v perform_v nothing_o in_o behalf_n of_o his_o cause_n by_o display_v the_o misery_n of_o a_o tyrannical_a power_n unless_o he_o have_v withal_o evince_v they_o to_o be_v more_o calamitous_a than_o those_o of_o war_n and_o confusion_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o world_n that_o depend_v upon_o the_o freedom_n of_o man_n will_n can_v be_v so_o secure_o establish_v as_o not_o to_o be_v liable_a to_o sad_a inconvenience_n and_o therefore_o that_o constitution_n of_o affair_n be_v most_o eligible_a that_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o few_o and_o upon_o this_o score_n i_o say_v it_o be_v that_o the_o divine_a law_n have_v so_o severe_o enjoin_v we_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o worst_a of_o governor_n because_o notwithstanding_o that_o tyranny_n be_v a_o oppress_a burden_n of_o humane_a life_n yet_o it_o be_v less_o intolerable_a than_o a_o state_n of_o war_n and_o confusion_n sect._n 16._o but_o to_o speak_v more_o express_o to_o the_o particular_a matter_n in_o debate_n it_o be_v necessary_a the_o world_n must_v be_v govern_v govern_v it_o can_v be_v without_o religion_n &_o religion_n as_o harmless_a and_o peaceable_a as_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o yet_o when_o mix_v with_o the_o folly_n and_o passion_n of_o man_n it_o do_v not_o usual_o inspire_v they_o with_o overmuch_a gentleness_n and_o goodness_n of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o submit_v to_o the_o same_o authority_n that_o command_v over_o all_o the_o other_o affection_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o suppose_v all_o man_n just_a and_o honest_a and_o upon_o that_o account_n cancel_v all_o the_o law_n of_o equity_n as_o suppose_v they_o wise_a and_o sober_a in_o their_o religious_a conceit_n and_o upon_o that_o score_n take_v off_o all_o restraint_n from_o the_o excess_n and_o enormity_n of_o zeal_n it_o be_v therefore_o as_o necessary_a to_o the_o preservation_n of_o public_a peace_n that_o man_n shall_v be_v govern_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o in_o all_o other_o common_a affair_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o as_o for_o all_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o may_v follow_v from_o it_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o belong_v to_o all_o manner_n of_o government_n and_o such_o as_o be_v and_o must_v be_v unavoidable_a as_o long_o as_o mankind_n be_v endue_v with_o liberty_n of_o will_n for_o so_o long_o he_o can_v be_v entrust_v with_o any_o power_n how_o good_a soever_o that_o he_o may_v not_o abuse_v and_o therefore_o for_o man_n to_o go_v about_o to_o abrogate_v the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n because_o he_o may_v abuse_v it_o to_o evil_a and_o irreligious_a end_n by_o establish_v idolatry_n instead_o of_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o which_o case_n it_o be_v pity_n that_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v expose_v to_o ruin_v only_o for_o preserve_v a_o good_a conscience_n it_o be_v just_a as_o reasonable_a as_o if_o they_o shall_v cashier_v all_o manner_n of_o government_n and_o set_v man_n free_a from_o all_o oath_n and_o obligation_n of_o allegiance_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a some_o usurper_n may_v gain_v the_o supreme_a power_n and_o then_o force_v his_o subject_n to_o abjure_v all_o their_o former_a oath_n to_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n and_o it_o be_v pity_n that_o man_n of_o the_o gallant_a and_o most_o honest_a principle_n shall_v be_v fine_v decimate_v hang_v banish_a and_o murder_v only_o for_o their_o loyalty_n to_o their_o prince_n and_o thus_o will_v the_o parallel_n run_v equal_a in_o all_o case_n between_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n both_o may_v be_v and_o often_o be_v lamentable_o abuse_v and_o therefore_o if_o that_o be_v reason_n enough_o to_o abolish_v one_o it_o be_v so_o to_o abolish_v both_o so_o that_o the_o whole_a result_n of_o all_o amount_v only_o to_o this_o enquiry_n whether_o it_o will_v not_o be_v a_o politic_a course_n to_o take_v away_o all_o government_n because_o all_o government_n may_v be_v abuse_v sect._n 17._o though_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reply_n to_o the_o objection_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o be_v altogether_o impertinent_a or_o unnecessary_a to_o abet_v it_o with_o this_o one_o consideration_n more_o that_o it_o may_v and_o often_o do_v so_o happen_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o punish_v man_n for_o such_o persuasion_n into_o which_o they_o have_v perhaps_o innocent_o abuse_v themselves_o for_o it_o be_v easy_o possible_a for_o well-meaning_a people_n through_o ignorance_n and_o inadvertency_n to_o be_v betray_v into_o such_o unhappy_a error_n as_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o public_a disturbance_n which_o though_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o their_o crime_n as_o infelicity_n yet_o be_v there_o no_o remedy_n but_o it_o must_v expose_v they_o to_o the_o correction_n of_o the_o public_a rod_n and_o axe_n magistrate_n be_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o not_o of_o every_o particular_a man_n concern_v and_o the_o end_n of_o all_o their_o law_n be_v to_o provide_v for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o public_a that_o be_v their_o charge_n and_o that_o they_o must_v secure_v and_o if_o any_o harmless_a and_o well-meaning_a man_n make_v himself_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n that_o be_v a_o misfortune_n they_o can_v prevent_v and_o therefore_o must_v deal_v with_o he_o as_o they_o do_v with_o all_o other_o offender_n that_o be_v pity_n and_o punish_v he_o private_a interest_n must_v yield_v to_o public_a good_a and_o therefore_o when_o they_o can_v stand_v together_o and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o one_o must_v suffer_v it_o be_v better_a certain_o that_o one_o or_o a_o few_o shall_v perish_v than_o the_o whole_a community_n neither_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o law_n shall_v be_v so_o wary_o contrive_v but_o that_o some_o innocent_a person_n may_v sometime_o fall_v under_o their_o penalty_n yet_o because_o it_o be_v more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o public_a welfare_n that_o now_o and_o then_o a_o guiltless_a person_n shall_v suffer_v than_o that_o all_o the_o guilty_a shall_v escape_v in_o that_o the_o former_a injure_v but_o one_o the_o latter_a all_o therefore_o be_v it_o necessary_a to_o govern_v all_o society_n by_o law_n and_o penalty_n without_o regard_n to_o the_o ill_a fortune_n that_o may_v befall_v a_o few_o single_a person_n which_o can_v hardly_o be_v avoid_v whilst_o the_o law_n be_v in_o force_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v
necessary_a that_o either_o the_o same_o or_o some_o other_o in_o their_o stead_n be_v establish_v that_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n beside_o it_o be_v not_o unworthy_a observation_n that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o proper_o the_o end_n of_o government_n to_o punish_v enormity_n as_o to_o prevent_v disturbance_n and_o when_o they_o bring_v malefactor_n to_o justice_n as_o we_o term_v it_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o inflict_v a_o punishment_n upon_o the_o crime_n for_o that_o belong_v peculiarly_a to_o the_o cognizance_n of_o another_o tribunal_n as_o provide_v for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n by_o cut_v off_o such_o person_n as_o be_v pest_n and_o enemy_n to_o it_o and_o by_o the_o example_n of_o their_o punishment_n deter_v other_o from_o the_o like_a practice_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v some_o sin_n of_o which_o governor_n take_v not_o so_o much_o notice_n that_o be_v more_o heinous_a in_o themselves_o and_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n than_o other_o that_o they_o punish_v with_o capital_a infliction_n because_o they_o be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n so_o destructive_a of_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o the_o good_a of_o public_a society_n so_o that_o action_n be_v punishable_a by_o humane_a law_n not_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o crime_n but_o of_o their_o ill_a consequence_n to_o the_o public_a when_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v otherwise_o even_o innocent_a be_v in_o this_o regard_n injurious_a it_o as_o much_o concern_v authority_n to_o give_v it_o check_v by_o severity_n of_o law_n and_o punishment_n as_o any_o the_o foul_a immorality_n temporal_a punishment_n than_o be_v inflict_v upon_o such_o person_n that_o be_v turbulent_a against_o prescribe_a rule_n of_o public_a worship_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o they_o be_v against_o those_o that_o offend_v against_o all_o other_o public_a edict_n of_o government_n they_o be_v both_o equal_o intend_v to_o secure_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o society_n and_o when_o either_o of_o they_o be_v violate_v they_o equal_o tend_v to_o its_o disturbance_n and_o therefore_o as_o man_n act_n against_o the_o civil_a law_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o its_o governor_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v all_o their_o offence_n against_o its_o ecclesiastical_a law_n liable_a to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o same_o authority_n so_o that_o the_o matter_n debate_v in_o its_o last_o result_n be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o question_n of_o religion_n as_o of_o policy_n not_o so_o much_o of_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o quiet_a and_o preservation_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n and_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o good_a christian_a and_o yet_o his_o opinion_n be_v intolerable_a upon_o the_o score_n of_o its_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o the_o necessary_a end_n of_o government_n for_o it_o be_v easy_o imaginable_a how_o a_o honest_a and_o well-meaning_a man_n may_v through_o mere_a ignorance_n fall_v into_o such_o error_n which_o though_o god_n will_v pardon_v yet_o governor_n must_v punish_v his_o integrity_n may_v expiate_v the_o crime_n but_o can_v prevent_v the_o mischief_n of_o his_o error_n nay_o so_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o man_n to_o deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o conscience_n that_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n in_o which_o be_v government_n right_o understand_v and_o due_o manage_v mistake_v and_o abuse_n of_o religion_n will_v not_o supply_v the_o galley_n with_o vast_o great_a number_n than_o villainy_n chap._n vii_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o obligation_n of_o scandal_n and_o of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o pretend_v it_o against_o the_o command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n the_o content_n the_o leader_n of_o the_o separation_n be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o silliness_n of_o the_o principle_n with_o which_o they_o abuse_v the_o people_n think_v to_o shelter_v themselves_o by_o fly_v to_o the_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n scandal_n be_v any_o thing_n that_o occasion_n the_o sin_n of_o another_o and_o be_v not_o in_o itself_o determinate_o good_a or_o evil._n all_o scandal_n be_v equal_o take_v but_o not_o equal_o criminal_a man_n be_v to_o govern_v themselves_o in_o this_o affair_n by_o their_o own_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n of_o st._n paul_n contrary_a behaviour_n towards_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o avoid_v their_o contrary_a scandal_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n in_o this_o point_n between_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n and_o galatian_n the_o proper_a obligation_n of_o scandal_n be_v extend_v only_o to_o indifferent_a thing_n the_o case_n in_o which_o it_o be_v concern_v be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v determine_v by_o settle_a law_n and_o constitution_n how_o scandalous_o these_o man_n prevaricate_v with_o the_o world_n in_o their_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n that_o may_v excuse_v their_o refusal_n of_o conformity_n but_o give_v no_o account_n of_o their_o separation_n of_o their_o scruple_v to_o renounce_v the_o covenant_n this_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o drive_v they_o from_o divine_a service_n into_o conventicle_n how_o shameful_o these_o man_n juggle_v with_o the_o world_n and_o impose_v upon_o their_o follower_n if_o they_o will_v but_o persuade_v their_o proselyte_n to_o be_v of_o their_o own_o mind_n it_o will_v end_v all_o our_o difference_n they_o first_o lead_v the_o people_n into_o the_o scandal_n and_o then_o make_v this_o the_o formal_a reason_n why_o they_o must_v follow_v they_o if_o the_o people_n scruple_n be_v groundless_a then_o to_o comply_v with_o they_o be_v to_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o sinful_a disobedience_n a_o further_a account_n of_o their_o shameful_a prevarication_n the_o ridiculousness_n of_o the_o people_n pretend_v it_o concern_v themselves_o that_o they_o be_v scandalize_v by_o their_o avoid_v private_a offence_n they_o run_v into_o public_a scandal_n they_o scandalize_v their_o own_o weak_a brethren_n most_o of_o all_o by_o comply_v with_o they_o old_a and_o inveterate_a scandal_n be_v not_o to_o be_v comply_v with_o but_o oppose_v and_o such_o be_v those_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n the_o command_v of_o authority_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o obedience_n infinite_o outweigh_v and_o utter_o evacuate_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n sect._n 1_o though_o the_o former_a principle_n viz._n that_o no_o man_n may_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n do_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o be_v not_o warrant_v by_o some_o precept_n or_o precedent_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v rivet_v into_o the_o people_n mind_n as_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o the_o puritan_n separation_n yet_o their_o leader_n seem_v to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o their_o own_o folly_n and_o be_v drive_v from_o this_o and_o all_o their_o other_o little_a hold_n and_o shelter_n they_o have_v at_o length_n think_v it_o the_o safe_a and_o the_o wise_a course_n to_o fly_v to_o the_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n this_o be_v their_o fort_n royal_a in_o which_o they_o have_v at_o last_o secure_v and_o entrench_v themselves_o as_o for_o their_o own_o part_n they_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v not_o so_o fond_a as_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v so_o superstitious_a and_o antichristian_a and_o that_o themselves_o may_v lawful_o use_v they_o be_v it_o not_o that_o there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o sincere_a but_o weak_a christian_n that_o apprehend_v they_o to_o be_v sinful_a and_o for_o this_o reason_n they_o dare_v not_o conform_v to_o our_o ceremonial_a constitution_n for_o fear_v of_o ensnare_a and_o scandalize_a weak_a conscience_n which_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n account_v of_o it_o no_o less_o than_o spiritual_a murder_n and_o whatever_o be_v due_a to_o authority_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v too_o high_a a_o tribute_n none_o can_v be_v more_o ready_a than_o themselves_o to_o submit_v to_o all_o lawful_a command_n but_o here_o they_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v when_o they_o can_v obey_v but_o at_o the_o price_n of_o soul_n it_o be_v a_o dreadful_a doom_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v denounce_v against_o those_o who_o offend_v any_o of_o his_o little_a one_o i._n e._n babe_n and_o weakling_n in_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o though_o they_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o hazard_v their_o own_o life_n in_o obedience_n to_o authority_n yet_o nothing_o can_v oblige_v they_o to_o be_v so_o cruel_a and_o so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o destroy_v any_o for_o who_o christ_n die_v which_o be_v certain_o do_v by_o cast_v snare_n and_o scandal_n before_o their_o weak_a brethren_n this_o be_v the_o last_o refuge_n of_o the_o leader_n of_o the_o separation_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o examine_v its_o strength_n and_o reasonableness_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v as_o
excuse_n or_o justify_v they_o in_o their_o separation_n this_o thing_n have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o divine_a service_n and_o therefore_o however_o it_o may_v restrain_v man_n from_o something_o else_o it_o be_v no_o motive_n to_o drive_v they_o from_o that_o now_o what_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o that_o these_o man_n be_v resolve_v to_o comply_v with_o and_o encourage_v the_o people_n in_o a_o wicked_a and_o rebellious_a schism_n for_o so_o it_o must_v be_v if_o it_o be_v groundless_a and_o unwarrantable_a by_o herd_v they_o into_o conventicle_n for_o their_o own_o private_a end_n and_o that_o in_o spite_n of_o authority_n whereas_o have_v they_o any_o true_a sense_n of_o conscience_n and_o ingenuity_n they_o will_v labour_v to_o dispossess_v the_o people_n of_o their_o mistake_n and_o to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o a_o fair_a and_o candid_a opinion_n of_o the_o church_n when_o she_o require_v nothing_o of_o they_o but_o what_o they_o themselves_o be_v convince_v in_o conscience_n be_v lawful_a and_o innocent_a for_o if_o they_o value_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n the_o command_v of_o authority_n and_o the_o setlement_n of_o the_o nation_n before_o their_o own_o selfish_a end_n instead_o of_o keep_v up_o division_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o do_v by_o their_o conventicle_n they_o will_v be_v as_o zealous_a as_o he_o that_o be_v most_o so_o to_o remove_v the_o ground_n of_o schism_n and_o faction_n and_o to_o reunite_v their_o party_n to_o the_o church_n by_o persuade_v they_o to_o a_o orderly_a and_o peaceable_a conformity_n which_o if_o it_o be_v innocent_a as_o themselves_o believe_v it_o be_v it_o must_v in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o affair_n be_v necessary_a if_o it_o be_v any_o man_n duty_n to_o be_v peaceable_a in_o the_o church_n and_o obedient_a to_o lawful_a authority_n sect._n 6._o second_o how_o come_v the_o people_n to_o be_v scandalize_v by_o who_o be_v they_o betray_v and_o affright_v into_o their_o mistake_n who_o buzz_v their_o scruple_n and_o jealousy_n into_o their_o head_n and_o who_o teach_v they_o to_o call_v our_o ceremony_n popish_a superstitious_a and_o antichristian_a what_o other_o inducement_n have_v they_o to_o dislike_v the_o church_n constitution_n but_o mere_o the_o example_n of_o their_o leader_n their_o practice_n be_v the_o only_a foundation_n of_o the_o people_n opinion_n and_o when_o their_o flock_n straggle_v from_o our_o church_n it_o be_v only_a to_o follow_v their_o pastor_n they_o first_o lead_v the_o people_n into_o a_o error_n and_o then_o this_o must_v be_v a_o apology_n for_o themselves_o to_o follow_v they_o and_o thus_o whilst_o they_o dance_v in_o a_o circle_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o at_o the_o same_o time_n their_o preacher_n follow_v their_o people_n and_o the_o people_n follow_v their_o preacher_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o godly_a minister_n who_o dare_v not_o conform_v for_o fear_n of_o scandalize_a the_o weak_a brethren_n will_v but_o venture_v to_o do_v it_o the_o weak_a brethren_n will_v cease_v to_o be_v scandalize_v so_o that_o these_o man_n first_o lie_v the_o stumbling-block_n in_o the_o people_n way_n and_o then_o because_o it_o scare_n silly_a and_o timorous_a soul_n this_o serve_v for_o a_o pretence_n to_o startle_v &_o be_v astonish_v at_o it_o themselves_o and_o withal_o to_o increase_v the_o childish_a fear_n of_o the_o multitude_n by_o their_o own_o seem_n &_o counterfeit_a horror_n now_o with_o what_o a_o shameless_a brow_n do_v these_o man_n prevaricate_v with_o public_a authority_n they_o have_v deceive_v the_o people_n into_o a_o public_a error_n and_o then_o will_v not_o undeceive_v they_o for_o fear_n of_o their_o displeasure_n and_o when_o they_o have_v possess_v their_o mind_n with_o unworthy_a scruple_n and_o jealousy_n against_o the_o command_n of_o their_o superior_n then_o must_v this_o weakness_n of_o the_o people_n be_v make_v the_o formal_a excuse_n of_o their_o own_o disobedience_n and_o by_o this_o artifice_n they_o prostitute_v the_o reverence_n of_o all_o government_n to_o the_o fortuitous_a humour_n and_o peevishness_n of_o their_o own_o disciple_n and_o so_o by_o make_v the_o public_a law_n submit_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o those_o who_o they_o govern_v they_o put_v it_o in_o their_o own_o power_n to_o enact_v or_o repeal_v they_o as_o they_o please_v and_o no_o law_n shall_v have_v any_o force_n to_o bind_v the_o subject_a without_o their_o approbation_n because_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o power_n when_o they_o please_v to_o work_v prejudices_fw-la in_o the_o people_n against_o it_o and_o therefore_o if_o their_o be_v offend_v be_v sufficient_a to_o take_v off_o their_o obligation_n it_o be_v or_o it_o be_v not_o a_o law_n only_o as_o themselves_o shall_v think_v good_a and_o thus_o they_o first_o govern_v the_o common_a people_n &_o then_o sooth_n and_o flatter_v their_o pride_n by_o inveigle_v they_o into_o a_o conceit_n that_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o they_o and_o by_o this_o stratagem_n they_o govern_v all_o but_o however_o from_o whosoever_o these_o good_a people_n learn_v their_o idle_a &_o imaginary_a scruple_n the_o offence_n they_o have_v take_v against_o the_o custom_n and_o prescription_n of_o the_o church_n be_v either_o just_a and_o reasonable_a or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o the_o former_a than_o they_o have_v rational_a ground_n for_o their_o dislike_n &_o separation_n and_o if_o they_o have_v than_o these_o man_n that_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o comply_v with_o they_o even_o against_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n aught_o to_o plead_v those_o reason_n and_o not_o mere_o scandal_n to_o justify_v their_o disobedience_n because_o they_o must_v carry_v in_o they_o a_o obligation_n antecedent_n to_o that_o of_o scandal_n in_o that_o they_o be_v suppose_v sufficient_a to_o warrant_v and_o patronize_v it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o that_o but_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o their_o dislike_n be_v found_v that_o be_v to_o be_v plead_v in_o their_o defence_n and_o justification_n but_o if_o the_o latter_a then_o be_v their_o dislike_n groundless_a and_o unreasonable_a and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o determine_v that_o they_o ought_v rather_o to_o undeceive_v they_o by_o discover_v their_o mistake_n than_o to_o encourage_v they_o in_o their_o sinful_a disobedience_n for_o so_o it_o must_v be_v if_o it_o be_v groundless_a by_o compliance_n with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o will_v fair_o discharge_v themselves_o from_o all_o danger_n of_o any_o criminal_a offence_n for_o however_o scandal_n groundless_o take_v and_o so_o it_o be_v always_o because_o there_o be_v never_o any_o reason_n to_o be_v offend_v at_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n may_v possible_o lay_v a_o restraint_n upon_o my_o liberty_n till_o i_o have_v inform_v the_o person_n of_o his_o error_n and_o disavow_v those_o ill_a consequence_n he_o will_v draw_v from_o my_o example_n and_o when_o i_o have_v so_o do_v i_o have_v prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o scandal_n which_o always_o suppose_v error_n weakness_n or_o mistake_v of_o conscience_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o error_n be_v discover_v and_o the_o weakness_n remove_v so_o be_v the_o scandal_n too_o and_o if_o he_o shall_v still_o pretend_v to_o be_v scandalize_v it_o be_v not_o because_o he_o be_v weak_a but_o peevish_a and_o if_o after_o this_o i_o comply_v with_o they_o and_o that_o against_o the_o command_n of_o my_o lawful_a superior_n i_o shall_v disobey_v authority_n only_o because_o my_o neighbour_n be_v unreasonable_a i._n e._n for_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o and_o this_o further_a discover_v how_o shameless_o these_o man_n shuffle_v and_o prevaricate_v with_o the_o world_n in_o that_o when_o most_o of_o they_o have_v declare_v in_o their_o private_a discourse_n that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o fond_a as_o to_o imagine_v our_o ceremony_n unlawful_a or_o antichristian_a and_o when_o their_o grandee_n and_o representative_n have_v profess_v to_o public_a authority_n in_o solemn_a conference_n that_o they_o scruple_n not_o these_o thing_n upon_o their_o own_o account_n but_o only_o for_o fear_v of_o give_v offence_n to_o some_o well-meaning_a people_n that_o be_v unhappy_o possess_v with_o some_o odd_a and_o groundless_a jealousy_n against_o they_o for_o if_o so_o then_o why_o be_v not_o these_o good_a people_n that_o follow_v they_o better_o inform_v why_o do_v they_o not_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n and_o disabuse_v they_o out_o of_o their_o false_a and_o absurd_a conceit_n why_o do_v they_o connive_v at_o their_o pride_n and_o presumption_n or_o at_o least_o why_o do_v they_o not_o more_o smart_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o rashness_n to_o censure_v the_o action_n of_o their_o neighbour_n to_o condemn_v and_o revile_v the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o superior_n and_o to_o scorn_v the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o spiritual_a instructor_n why_o do_v they_o not_o chide_v they_o out_o of_o their_o malapert_v peevish_a and_o impatient_a confidence_n and_o by_o
proud_a ignorant_a and_o seditious_a preacher_n against_o who_o if_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o law_n be_v particular_o level_v how_o easy_a will_v it_o be_v in_o some_o competent_a time_n to_o reduce_v the_o people_n to_o a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a temper_n and_o to_o make_v all_o our_o present_a schism_n that_o may_v otherwise_o prove_v eternal_a expire_v with_o or_o before_o the_o present_a age_n the_o want_n or_o neglect_v of_o which_o method_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o have_v give_v they_o so_o much_o strength_n &_o so_o long_a a_o continuance_n §_o 8._o four_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o or_o give_v place_n to_o old_a and_o inveterate_a scandal_n but_o rather_o aught_o in_o defence_n of_o his_o christian_a liberty_n to_o oppose_v they_o with_o a_o public_a defiance_n and_o to_o shame_v those_o that_o pretend_v they_o out_o of_o their_o confidence_n for_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o compliance_n and_o condescension_n in_o these_o case_n be_v tenderness_n and_o compassion_n to_o some_o man_n infirmity_n and_o as_o long_o as_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v this_o the_o only_a cause_n of_o their_o be_v scandalize_v so_o long_o be_o i_o bind_v by_o charity_n and_o good_a nature_n to_o condescend_v to_o their_o weakness_n and_o no_o long_o for_o after_o they_o have_v have_v a_o competent_a time_n and_o mean_n of_o better_a information_n i_o have_v reason_n enough_o to_o presume_v that_o it_o be_v not_o ignorance_n that_o be_v the_o gound_z of_o their_o take_a offence_n but_o pride_n or_o peevishness_n or_o something_o worse_o so_o that_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n be_v to_o disabuse_v the_o weak_a by_o rectify_v his_o judgement_n remove_v his_o scruple_n declare_v the_o innocence_n of_o my_o action_n clear_v it_o of_o all_o sinister_a suspicion_n and_o protest_v against_o all_o those_o abuse_n he_o will_v put_v upon_o the_o lawful_a use_n of_o my_o christian_a liberty_n and_o when_o i_o have_v so_o do_v i_o have_v clear_v myself_o from_o all_o his_o ill-natured_a jealousy_n and_o surmise_n and_o discharge_v all_o the_o office_n and_o obligation_n of_o charity_n and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o my_o offend_a neighbour_n shall_v still_o persevere_v in_o his_o perverse_a misinterpretation_n of_o my_o action_n and_o pretend_v that_o they_o still_o gall_n and_o ensnare_v his_o tender_a conscience_n the_o man_n be_v peevish_a and_o refractory_a and_o only_o make_v use_v of_o this_o precarious_a pretence_n to_o justify_v his_o uncharitable_a censure_n of_o my_o innocent_a liberty_n and_o then_o be_o i_o so_o far_o from_o be_v under_o any_o obligation_n to_o comply_v with_o the_o peevishness_n and_o insolence_n of_o his_o humour_n that_o i_o be_o strong_o bind_v to_o thwart_v and_o oppose_v it_o for_o otherwise_o i_o shall_v but_o betray_v my_o christian_a liberty_n to_o the_o tyranny_n of_o his_o wilful_a and_o imperious_a ignorance_n and_o give_v superstitious_a folly_n the_o advantage_n and_o authority_n of_o prescription_n for_o if_o that_o prevail_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o must_v yield_v and_o condescend_v to_o it_o because_o it_o be_v stubborn_a and_o obstinate_a it_o must_v in_o process_n of_o time_n gain_v the_o reputation_n of_o be_v the_o custom_n and_o receive_v opinion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o when_o it_o can_v plead_v that_o than_o it_o become_v necessary_a inveterate_a error_n be_v ever_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a and_o what_o prescription_n warrant_v it_o always_o impose_v custom_n ever_o do_v and_o ever_o will_v rule_v and_o preside_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n because_o it_o be_v popular_a and_o be_v ever_o attend_v with_o a_o numerous_a train_n of_o follower_n it_o grow_v proud_a and_o confident_a and_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o upbraid_v free_a reason_n with_o singularity_n and_o innovation_n so_o that_o all_o i_o can_v gain_v by_o a_o absolute_a resignation_n of_o my_o own_o liberty_n to_o another_o man_n folly_n will_v be_v only_o to_o give_v he_o a_o plausible_a pretence_n to_o claim_v a_o right_n of_o command_n and_o dominion_n over_o i_o and_o to_o make_v myself_o subject_a to_o his_o humour_n by_o my_o own_o civility_n and_o thus_o though_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n for_o a_o time_n permit_v the_o rite_n and_o custom_n of_o their_o nation_n yet_o afterward_o when_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v or_o may_v be_v better_o understand_v the_o church_n do_v not_o think_v it_o owe_v they_o so_o much_o civility_n and_o if_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v not_o give_v check_n to_o their_o stubborn_a persuasion_n they_o have_v give_v they_o authority_n and_o by_o too_o long_a a_o compliance_n will_v have_v vouch_v and_o abet_v their_o error_n and_o adopt_a judaisme_n into_o christianity_n and_o circumcision_n not_o only_a might_n but_o of_o necessity_n must_v have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o from_o age_n to_o age_n by_o as_o firm_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n as_o baptism_n and_o this_o show_v we_o how_o wayward_a and_o unreasonable_a those_o man_n be_v who_o still_o persevere_v to_o object_v scandal_n against_o the_o church_n constitution_n after_o she_o have_v so_o often_o protest_v against_o this_o exception_n by_o so_o many_o solemn_a declaration_n when_o at_o first_o it_o be_v pretend_v it_o may_v perhaps_o for_o a_o while_n excuse_n or_o alleviate_v their_o disobedience_n but_o after_o authority_n have_v so_o sufficient_o satisfy_v their_o scruple_n and_o remove_v their_o suspicion_n and_o so_o ample_o clear_v the_o innocence_n of_o its_o own_o intention_n if_o man_n will_v still_o continue_v jealous_a and_o quarrelsome_a they_o may_v thank_v themselves_o if_o they_o smart_v for_o their_o own_o presumption_n and_o folly_n and_o prince_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o abridge_v themselves_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o lawful_a power_n only_o because_o some_o of_o their_o subject_n will_v not_o learn_v to_o be_v modest_a and_o ingenuous_a and_o if_o his_o majesty_n shall_v think_v good_a to_o condescend_v so_o far_o to_o these_o man_n peevishness_n as_o to_o reverse_v his_o law_n against_o they_o out_o of_o compliance_n with_o they_o this_o will_v but_o feed_v and_o cherish_v their_o insolence_n and_o only_o encourage_v they_o to_o proceed_v if_o that_o be_v possible_a to_o more_o unreasonable_a demand_n for_o upon_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o insist_v upon_o these_o they_o may_v when_o they_o be_v grant_v they_o go_v on_o to_o make_v new_a remonstrance_n i._n e._n upon_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o and_o beside_o this_o will_v but_o give_v the_o countenance_n of_o authority_n to_o their_o scruple_n and_o superstitious_a pretence_n and_o leave_v the_o church_n of_o england_n under_o all_o those_o calumny_n to_o posterity_n with_o which_o themselves_o or_o their_o follower_n labour_v to_o charge_v it_o and_o oblige_v future_a age_n to_o admire_v and_o celebrate_v these_o peevish_a and_o seditious_a person_n as_o the_o founder_n of_o a_o more_o godly_a and_o thorough_a reformation_n not_o to_o mention_v how_o much_o prince_n have_v ever_o gain_v by_o their_o concession_n to_o the_o demand_n of_o fanatic_a zealot_n they_o may_v easy_o embolden_v but_o hardly_o satisfy_v they_o and_o if_o they_o yield_v up_o but_o one_o jewel_n of_o their_o imperial_a diadem_n to_o their_o importunity_n it_o be_v not_o usual_a for_o they_o to_o rest_n till_o they_o have_v gain_v crown_n and_o all_o and_o perhaps_o the_o head_n that_o wear_v it_o too_o for_o there_o be_v no_o end_n of_o the_o madness_n of_o unreasonable_a man_n how_o happy_a will_v the_o world_n be_v if_o wise_a man_n be_v but_o wise_a enough_o to_o be_v instruct_v by_o the_o mistress_n of_o fool_n but_o every_o age_n live_v as_o much_o at_o all_o adventure_n as_o if_o it_o be_v the_o first_o without_o any_o regard_n to_o the_o warning_n and_o experience_n of_o all_o former_a age_n sect._n 9_o five_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o obedience_n infinite_o outweigh_v and_o utter_o evacuate_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n for_o the_o matter_n wherein_o scandal_n be_v concern_v be_v only_a thing_n indifferent_a but_o nothing_o that_o be_v not_o antecedent_o sinful_a remain_v so_o after_o the_o command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n be_v superinduce_v upon_o it_o these_o change_n thing_n indifferent_a as_o to_o their_o nature_n into_o necessary_a duty_n as_o to_o their_o use_n and_o therefore_o place_v they_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o scandal_n that_o may_v in_o many_o case_n extend_v to_o the_o restraint_n of_o our_o liberty_n but_o never_o to_o the_o prejudice_n and_o hindrance_n of_o our_o duty_n so_o that_o no_o obedience_n how_o offensive_a soever_o unless_o it_o be_v upon_o some_o other_o account_v faulty_a be_v capable_a of_o be_v make_v criminal_a upon_o the_o score_n of_o scandal_n the_o obligation_n whereof_o be_v but_o accidental_a
and_o the_o certainty_n not_o the_o suspicion_n of_o sin_n be_v to_o be_v object_v that_o be_v presumption_n enough_o for_o any_o modest_a and_o sober_a man_n to_o conclude_v their_o innocence_n and_o still_o to_o retain_v the_o scruple_n be_v folly_n and_o peevishness_n and_o then_o the_o conscience_n be_v not_o doubtful_a but_o obstinate_a and_o peremptory_a the_o man_n be_v resolve_v to_o cherish_v his_o scruple_n and_o persist_v in_o his_o folly_n and_o if_o he_o will_v not_o be_v satisfy_v it_o be_v not_o because_o he_o be_v weak_a and_o timorous_a but_o because_o he_o be_v stubborn_a and_o disingenuous_a and_o then_o he_o pretend_v conscience_n only_o to_o vouch_v his_o humour_n and_o his_o insolence_n i._n e._n he_o be_v a_o villain_n and_o a_o hypocrite_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o deserve_a pity_n especial_o from_o authority_n that_o no_o offender_n can_v more_o need_v or_o provoke_v their_o severity_n in_o that_o such_o man_n resolve_v to_o tire_v out_o their_o governor_n by_o their_o inflexible_a stubbornness_n and_o to_o affront_v their_o law_n with_o trifle_n and_o contemptuous_a exception_n at_o the_o first_o setlement_n of_o a_o church_n or_o new_a religion_n than_o indeed_o man_n old_a folly_n prejudices_fw-la and_o weakness_n aught_o to_o be_v charitable_o consider_v and_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v force_v into_o new_a custom_n and_o usage_n by_o too_o much_o rigour_n and_o severity_n but_o aught_o to_o be_v gentle_o and_o tender_o treat_v till_o time_n and_o better_a information_n may_v wear_v off_o their_o scruple_n and_o little_a exception_n and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n who_o be_v at_o first_o indulge_v in_o their_o weak_a and_o trifle_a conceit_n because_o than_o they_o may_v reasonable_o be_v presume_v to_o arise_v from_o a_o pitiable_a ignorance_n and_o dissetlement_n of_o conscience_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a institution_n be_v full_o declare_v and_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o common_a yoke_n of_o discipline_n and_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o plead_v their_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n against_o public_a law_n and_o constitution_n and_o this_o too_o be_v our_o present_a case_n man_n labour_v to_o support_v a_o old_a schism_n by_o outwear_v scruple_n and_o jealousy_n and_o will_v persevere_v in_o their_o doubt_n because_o they_o be_v resolve_v never_o to_o be_v satisfy_v for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o after_o so_o much_o time_n and_o so_o much_o satisfaction_n they_o can_v still_o remain_v unresolved_a and_o if_o whole_a army_n of_o reason_n have_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o chase_v away_o all_o their_o little_a and_o imaginary_a fear_n yet_o methinks_v so_o long_a time_n and_o so_o much_o experience_n may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o that_o they_o be_v but_o shadow_n and_o illusion_n of_o their_o own_o melancholy_a fancy_n for_o have_v they_o be_v real_a and_o substantial_a thing_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v ever_o have_v escape_v the_o discovery_n of_o so_o long_a and_o so_o severe_a a_o scrutiny_n but_o if_o nor_o time_n nor_o reason_n can_v disabuse_v they_o it_o be_v not_o their_o ignorance_n but_o their_o obstinacy_n that_o be_v invincible_a thus_o v._n g._n when_o to_o kneel_v at_o the_o communion_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o handsome_a and_o decent_a action_n in_o that_o this_o sacrament_n be_v the_o most_o solemn_a piece_n of_o gratitude_n or_o worship_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o a_o peculiar_a acknowledgement_n of_o our_o vast_a and_o unspeakable_a obligation_n to_o our_o redeemer_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v perform_v with_o the_o profound_a reverence_n and_o humility_n and_o when_o these_o man_n themselves_o be_v not_o only_o ready_a to_o observe_v but_o also_o to_o enjoin_v the_o same_o posture_n in_o their_o ordinary_a prayer_n and_o other_o less_o solemn_a expression_n of_o devotion_n and_o when_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n have_v actual_o determine_v and_o require_v this_o reverend_a posture_n to_o stamp_v a_o peculiar_a sacredness_n and_o solemnity_n upon_o this_o duty_n no_o man_n can_v possible_o now_o scruple_n its_o practice_n without_o affect_a contempt_n and_o wilful_a disobedience_n because_o they_o can_v but_o be_v convince_v unless_o they_o be_v resolve_v against_o it_o of_o the_o vanity_n and_o dis-ingenuity_n of_o their_o old_a pretence_n namely_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v interpret_v to_o give_v religious_a worship_n to_o the_o element_n and_o by_o lie_v prostrate_a before_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n they_o shall_v become_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n in_o give_v divine_a worship_n to_o a_o senseless_a piece_n of_o matter_n for_o when_o they_o plead_v this_o excuse_n for_o their_o disobedience_n they_o can_v but_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o by_o it_o they_o do_v not_o only_o despise_v but_o slander_n and_o reproach_v the_o law_n that_o they_o outface_v and_o traduce_v authority_n and_o will_v force_v their_o governor_n to_o believe_v and_o confess_v that_o they_o favour_n what_o they_o express_o abhor_v see_v the_o very_a same_o law_n that_o enjoin_v this_o ceremony_n provide_v so_o express_o against_o this_o abuse_n and_o declare_v so_o industrious_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o design_v any_o reverence_n to_o the_o creature_n themselves_o that_o it_o abhor_v it_o but_o only_o require_v it_o as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o all_o other_o religious_a address_n to_o heaven_n and_o if_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o man_n will_v dread_v it_o as_o a_o piece_n of_o idolatry_n because_o forsooth_o it_o have_v be_v or_o may_v be_v abuse_v to_o that_o purpose_n i_o say_v no_o more_o than_o that_o if_o such_o thin_a and_o frivolous_a scruple_n may_v outweigh_v the_o law_n and_o evacuate_v our_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n there_o be_v none_o in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v not_o as_o apparent_o liable_a to_o as_o disingenuous_a surmise_n and_o they_o may_v as_o rational_o forbear_v look_v up_o towards_o heaven_n in_o their_o prayer_n lest_o they_o shall_v worship_v the_o cloud_n or_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v some_o man_n study_v for_o impertinent_a scruple_n to_o ensnare_v themselves_o and_o labour_n to_o raise_v great_a doubt_n from_o little_a reason_n and_o can_v be_v satisfy_v because_o they_o will_v not_o they_o have_v enslave_v themselves_o to_o their_o folly_n and_o bore_v their_o ear_n to_o their_o scruple_n and_o be_v resolve_v to_o grow_v old_a in_o a_o voluntary_a bondage_n to_o trifle_n and_o foolery_n now_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o people_n of_o this_o humour_n to_o straighten_v the_o law_n till_o they_o have_v make_v they_o too_o severe_a and_o rigorous_a to_o be_v obey_v to_o draw_v their_o knot_n till_o it_o become_v troublesome_a and_o uneasy_a to_o put_v they_o upon_o the_o wrack_n and_o stretch_v they_o beyond_o or_o beside_o their_o own_o intention_n by_o rare_a and_o extraordinary_a case_n by_o harsh_a and_o unkind_a interpretation_n and_o by_o far-fetched_a and_o disingenuous_a suspicion_n and_o under_o the_o shelter_n of_o such_o precarious_a pretence_n as_o no_o law_n can_v possible_o avoid_v they_o refuse_v the_o liberty_n that_o be_v give_v they_o to_o obey_v the_o law_n only_o that_o they_o may_v take_v the_o licence_n to_o disobey_v they_o in_o brief_a the_o main_a mystery_n of_o all_o this_o niceness_n though_o themselves_o have_v not_o wit_n enough_o to_o observe_v its_o first_o cause_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n nothing_o but_o a_o little_a pride_n and_o vainglory_n it_o be_v a_o glorious_a thing_n to_o suffer_v for_o a_o tender_a conscience_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v easy_a and_o natural_a for_o some_o people_n to_o affect_v some_o little_a scruple_n against_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n thereby_o to_o make_v themselves_o obnoxious_a to_o some_o little_a penalty_n and_o than_o what_o godly_a man_n be_v they_o that_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o be_v punish_v for_o a_o good_a conscience_n how_o do_v such_o man_n hug_v and_o nurse_v their_o dear_a scruple_n all_o the_o reason_n and_o all_o the_o persuasion_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o wrest_v it_o from_o they_o it_o be_v their_o ephod_n and_o their_o teraphim_n the_o only_a mark_n of_o their_o godliness_n and_o symbol_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o if_o you_o rob_v they_o of_o that_o you_o take_v away_o their_o god_n and_o what_o have_v they_o more_o sect._n 3_o if_o my_o conscience_n be_v real_o weak_a and_o tender_a what_o can_v become_v it_o more_o than_o humble_a obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o authority_n weakness_n of_o conscience_n always_o proceed_v in_o some_o measure_n from_o want_n of_o wit_n and_o therefore_o to_o make_v this_o the_o pretence_n of_o disobedience_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v i_o will_v control_v the_o wisdom_n of_o my_o superior_n because_o i_o have_v little_a or_o none_o myself_o certain_o where_o
changeable_a and_o so_o alter_v its_o colour_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n by_o its_o several_a aspect_n and_o posture_n to_o various_a and_o different_a end_n and_o therefore_o they_o never_o carry_v any_o obligation_n in_o they_o when_o they_o interfere_v with_o high_a &_o more_o useful_a duty_n and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o be_v reduce_v into_o a_o necessity_n of_o sin_v because_o though_o two_o inferior_a and_o subordinate_a duty_n may_v sometime_o happen_v to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o each_o other_o or_o with_o some_o duty_n of_o a_o absolute_a and_o unalterable_a goodness_n yet_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n be_v so_o handsome_o contrive_v that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o thing_n shall_v ever_o happen_v so_o cross_o as_o to_o make_v two_o essential_a and_o indispensable_a duty_n stand_v at_o mutual_a opposite_a on_o and_o therefore_o no_o man_n can_v ever_o be_v force_v to_o act_v against_o one_o out_o of_o compliance_n with_o the_o other_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o contrariety_n between_o a_o natural_a and_o instrumental_a duty_n there_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o the_o great_a evacuate_v the_o less_o if_o between_o two_o instrumental_a duty_n it_o can_v scarce_o so_o fall_v out_o but_o that_o some_o emergent_a circumstance_n shall_v make_v one_o of_o they_o the_o more_o necessary_a but_o if_o they_o be_v both_o equal_o eligible_a there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n and_o a_o man_n may_v do_v as_o he_o please_v it_o be_v indeed_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n by_o his_o own_o voluntary_a choice_n to_o entangle_v himself_o in_o this_o sad_a perplexity_n but_o there_o be_v no_o culpable_a error_n that_o be_v unavoidable_a and_o every_o sinful_o erroneous_a conscience_n be_v voluntary_a and_o vincible_a and_o if_o man_n will_v not_o part_v with_o their_o sinful_a error_n it_o be_v not_o because_o they_o can_v but_o because_o they_o will_v not_o avoid_v they_o and_o if_o they_o resolve_v to_o abuse_v themselves_o no_o wonder_n if_o their_o sin_n be_v unavoidable_a but_o then_o the_o necessity_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o so_o all_o sin_n be_v inevitable_a when_o the_o peremptory_a determination_n of_o the_o will_n have_v make_v it_o necessary_a but_o as_o for_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o law_n of_o goodness_n in_o themselves_o they_o be_v so_o wise_o contrive_v that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a any_o circumstance_n shall_v ever_o fall_v out_o so_o awkardly_a as_o to_o make_v one_o sin_n the_o only_a way_n to_o escape_v another_o or_o a_o necessary_a passage_n to_o a_o necessary_a duty_n now_o to_o apply_v this_o general_a rule_n of_o conscience_n to_o our_o particular_a case_n there_o be_v not_o any_o precept_n in_o the_o gospel_n set_v down_o in_o more_o positive_a and_o unlimited_a expression_n or_o urge_v with_o more_o vehement_a motive_n and_o persuasion_n than_o obedience_n to_o government_n because_o there_o be_v but_o few_o if_o any_o duty_n of_o a_o weighty_a and_o more_o important_a necessity_n than_o this_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o god_n have_v enjoin_v it_o with_o such_o a_o absolute_a and_o unrestrained_a severity_n thereby_o to_o intimate_v that_o nothing_o can_v restrain_v the_o universality_n of_o its_o obligatory_a power_n but_o evident_a &_o unquestionable_a disobedience_n to_o himself_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n be_v the_o original_n and_o fundamental_a law_n of_o humane_a society_n and_o the_o only_a advantage_n that_o distinguish_v government_n from_o anarchy_n this_o take_v away_o all_o dissension_n by_o reduce_v every_o man_n private_a will_n and_o judgement_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o public_a authority_n whereas_o without_o it_o every_o single_a person_n be_v his_o own_o governor_n and_o no_o man_n else_o have_v any_o power_n or_o command_v over_o his_o action_n i._n e._n he_o be_v out_o of_o the_o state_n of_o government_n and_o society_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v obedience_n and_o condescension_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o public_a authority_n one_o of_o the_o most_o absolute_a and_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o mankind_n as_o be_v so_o indispensable_o necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o preservation_n of_o humane_a society_n now_o a_o conscience_n that_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o the_o decree_n and_o determination_n of_o its_o governor_n subvert_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o civil_a society_n that_o subsist_v upon_o no_o other_o principle_n but_o man_n submit_v their_o own_o judgement_n to_o the_o decision_n of_o authority_n in_o order_n to_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o setlement_n without_o which_o there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v eternal_a disorder_n and_o confusion_n and_o therefore_o where_o the_o dictate_v of_o a_o private_a conscience_n happen_v to_o thwart_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o public_a law_n they_o in_o that_o case_n lose_v their_o bind_a power_n because_o if_o in_o that_o case_n they_o shall_v oblige_v it_o will_v unavoidable_o involve_v all_o society_n in_o perpetual_a tumult_n and_o disorder_n whereas_o the_o main_a end_n of_o all_o divine_a as_o well_o as_o humane_a law_n be_v the_o prosperity_n and_o preservation_n of_o humane_a society_n so_o that_o where_o any_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o dissolution_n of_o government_n and_o undermine_v of_o humane_a happiness_n though_o in_o other_o circumstance_n it_o be_v virtuous_a yet_o in_o this_o it_o become_v criminal_a as_o destroy_v a_o thing_n of_o great_a goodness_n than_o itself_o and_o hence_o though_o a_o doubtful_a and_o scrupulous_a conscience_n shall_v oblige_v in_o all_o other_o case_n yet_o when_o its_o command_n run_v counter_a to_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n there_o its_o obligatory_a power_n immediate_o cease_v because_o to_o act_v against_o it_o be_v useful_a to_o vast_o more_o noble_a and_o excellent_a purpose_n than_o to_o comply_v with_o it_o in_o that_o every_o man_n that_o thwart_v and_o disobey_v the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n do_v his_o part_n to_o disturb_v its_o public_a peace_n that_o be_v maintain_v by_o nothing_o else_o but_o obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o its_o law_n now_o this_o be_v manifest_o a_o big_a mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n than_o the_o forego_n of_o any_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n can_v amount_v to_o and_o therefore_o unless_o authority_n impose_v upon_o i_o something_o that_o carry_v with_o it_o more_o evil_a and_o mischief_n than_o there_o be_v convenience_n in_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o whole_a society_n i_o be_o indispensable_o bind_v to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o his_o command_n and_o though_o i_o scrupulous_o fear_v lest_o the_o magistrate_n injunction_n shall_v be_v superstitious_a yet_o because_o i_o be_o not_o sure_a they_o be_v so_o and_o because_o a_o little_a irregularity_n in_o the_o external_a expression_n of_o divine_a worship_n carry_v with_o it_o less_o mischief_n and_o enormity_n than_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o kingdom_n i_o be_o absolute_o oblige_v to_o lay_v aside_o my_o doubt_n rather_o than_o disobey_v the_o law_n because_o to_o preserve_v it_o natural_o tend_v to_o vast_a mischief_n and_o confusion_n whereas_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o my_o act_n against_o it_o be_v but_o doubtful_a and_o though_o it_o be_v certain_a yet_o it_o be_v small_a and_o comparative_o inconsiderable_a and_o therefore_o to_o act_v against_o the_o inclination_n of_o our_o own_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v criminal_a that_o it_o be_v a_o eminent_a instance_n of_o virtue_n and_o imply_v in_o it_o beside_o its_o subserviency_n to_o the_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n the_o great_a duty_n of_o modesty_n peaceableness_n and_o humility_n and_o as_o for_o what_o some_o be_v forward_o enough_o to_o object_n that_o this_o be_v to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o frivolous_a exception_n and_o prevent_v in_o what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v in_o that_o that_o rule_n be_v concern_v only_o in_o thing_n absolute_o and_o essential_o evil_a who_o nature_n no_o case_n can_v alter_v no_o circumstance_n can_v extenuate_v and_o no_o end_n can_v sanctify_v but_o thing_n that_o be_v only_o subservient_o good_a or_o evil_n derive_v all_o their_o virtue_n from_o the_o great_a virtue_n they_o wait_v upon_o and_o therefore_o where_o a_o mean_a or_o a_o instrumental_a duty_n stand_v in_o competition_n with_o a_o essential_a virtue_n its_o contrariety_n destroy_v its_o goodness_n and_o instead_o of_o be_v less_o virtuous_a become_v altogether_o sinful_a for_o though_o it_o have_v abstract_o some_o degree_n of_o goodness_n yet_o when_o it_o chance_v to_o oppose_v any_o duty_n that_o have_v more_o and_o more_o excellent_a degree_n it_o become_v evil_a and_o unreasonable_a by_o as_o many_o degree_n as_o that_o excel_v it_o and_o one_o will_v think_v this_o case_n shall_v be_v past_a dispute_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o present_a controversy_n that_o be_v of_o so_o vast_a a_o
any_o war_n be_v commence_v upon_o just_a and_o warrantable_a ground_n and_o yet_o how_o few_o be_v they_o that_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o judge_v their_o lawfulness_n all_o man_n here_o think_v their_o prince_n command_v a_o sufficient_a warrant_n to_o serve_v he_o and_o satisfy_v themselves_o in_o this_o that_o in_o case_n the_o cause_n prove_v to_o be_v unjust_a the_o fault_n liesentire_o upon_o he_o that_o command_v and_o not_o at_o all_o on_o he_o who_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o obey_v and_o if_o it_o be_v otherwise_o that_o no_o subject_a be_v bind_v to_o take_v up_o arm_n till_o himself_o have_v approve_v the_o justness_n of_o the_o cause_n commonwealth_n must_v be_v brave_o secure_v and_o their_o safety_n must_v lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o humoursome_a and_o pragmatical_a fellow_n and_o yet_o to_o this_o piece_n of_o arrogance_n do_v man_n tempt_v themselves_o when_o they_o affect_v to_o be_v think_v more_o godly_a than_o their_o neighbour_n it_o be_v a_o gallant_a thing_n to_o understand_v religion_n better_o than_o their_o superior_n and_o to_o pity_v their_o ignorance_n in_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o by_o seem_v to_o compassionate_v their_o weakness_n to_o despise_v their_o authority_n but_o if_o prince_n will_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v control_v by_o the_o pride_n and_o insolence_n of_o these_o contentious_a zealot_n they_o do_v but_o tempt_v they_o to_o slight_v both_o their_o person_n and_o their_o government_n and_o if_o they_o will_v endure_v to_o be_v check_v in_o their_o law_n spiritual_a and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o every_o systematical_a theologue_n and_o most_o not_o to_o say_v the_o best_a of_o our_o adversary_n be_v little_o better_o they_o may_v as_o well_o bear_v to_o see_v themselves_o affront_v in_o their_o law_n civil_a and_o government_n of_o the_o state_n by_o every_o village-attorney_n and_o solicitor_n well_o then_o all_o man_n that_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o government_n be_v bind_v in_o all_o matter_n doubtful_a and_o disputable_a to_o submit_v the_o dictate_v of_o private_a conscience_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o public_a authority_n nor_o do_v this_o oblige_v any_o man_n to_o act_v against_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n but_o only_o by_o alter_v the_o case_n alter_v his_o persuasion_n i.e._n though_o every_o man_n consider_v absolute_o and_o by_o himself_o be_v bind_v to_o follow_v his_o own_o private_a judgement_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v consider_v as_o the_o member_n of_o a_o society_n then_o must_v be_v govern_v than_o he_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v his_o own_o private_a thought_n to_o public_a determination_n and_o it_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o every_o man_n conscience_n that_o be_v not_o turbulent_a and_o seditious_a that_o it_o ought_v in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o of_o a_o great_a &_o apparent_a necessity_n whatever_o be_v own_o private_a judgement_n of_o they_o be_v to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o determination_n of_o its_o governor_n in_o order_n to_o public_a peace_n and_o unity_n for_o unless_o this_o be_v do_v there_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o eternal_a disorder_n and_o confusion_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o all_o man_n shall_v have_v the_o same_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n and_o consider_v the_o temper_n and_o passion_n of_o mankind_n as_o impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v not_o pursue_v their_o difference_n and_o controversy_n with_o too_o much_o heat_n &_o vehemence_n and_o therefore_o unless_o whatever_o their_o own_o judgement_n and_o apprehension_n be_v they_o be_v bind_v in_o all_o such_o case_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o decision_n and_o determination_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n in_o order_n to_o its_o peace_n and_o setlement_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a way_n of_o avoid_v endless_a squabble_n and_o confusion_n and_o unless_o this_o be_v a_o fundamental_a rule_n &_o dictate_v of_o every_o man_n conscience_n that_o as_o he_o be_v bind_v in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n to_o follow_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o best_a result_n of_o his_o own_o private_a persuasion_n where_o he_o neither_o have_v nor_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v any_o other_o guide_n or_o rule_v of_o his_o action_n so_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o forego_v they_o all_o provide_v his_o plain_a and_o necessary_a duty_n be_v secure_v out_o of_o obedience_n to_o authority_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o due_a government_n of_o the_o society_n there_o never_o can_v be_v any_o peace_n or_o setlement_n in_o any_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o every_o conscience_n that_o be_v not_o thus_o persuade_v be_v upon_o that_o account_n to_o be_v reckon_v as_o seditious_a and_o unpeaceable_a and_o so_o to_o be_v treat_v according_o sect._n 7._o he_o that_o with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n and_o confidence_n resign_v up_o his_o own_o reason_n to_o any_o superior_a on_o earth_n in_o all_o thing_n be_v a_o fool_n and_o he_o be_v as_o great_a a_o fool_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o that_o will_v do_v it_o in_o nothing_o for_o as_o all_o man_n be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o god_n alone_o in_o matter_n of_o indispensable_a duty_n that_o be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v in_o our_o present_a dispute_n so_o be_v they_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n to_o condescend_v to_o the_o decree_n and_o determination_n of_o their_o lawful_a superior_n neither_o be_v this_o to_o put_v man_n upon_o that_o supreme_a folly_n of_o renounce_v the_o use_n and_o guidance_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n out_o of_o obedience_n to_o any_o man_n infallibility_n for_o by_o reason_n we_o mean_v nothing_o but_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n make_v use_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o prudential_a method_n to_o guide_v itself_o in_o all_o its_o action_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o any_o sort_n of_o maxim_n and_o principle_n in_o philosophy_n but_o it_o extend_v itself_o to_o any_o knowledge_n that_o may_v be_v gain_v by_o prudence_n experience_n and_o observation_n and_o hence_o right_a reason_n when_o it_o be_v employ_v about_o the_o action_n of_o man_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n now_o the_o reason_n of_o any_o wise_a and_o sober_a man_n will_v tell_v he_o that_o it_o be_v most_o prudent_a discreet_a and_o reasonable_a to_o forego_v his_o own_o private_a persuasion_n in_o thing_n doubtful_a and_o disputable_a out_o of_o obedience_n to_o his_o lawful_a superior_n because_o without_o this_o the_o world_n can_v never_o be_v govern_v and_o suppose_v man_n judgement_n and_o understanding_n to_o be_v never_o so_o much_o above_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o all_o humane_a authority_n and_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v to_o submit_v his_o reason_n to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o command_v of_o god_n yet_o every_o man_n owe_v at_o least_o so_o much_o civility_n to_o the_o will_n of_o his_o prince_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o his_o country_n as_o to_o bring_v himself_o to_o a_o compliance_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o public_a judgement_n rather_o than_o to_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n for_o the_o gratification_n of_o his_o own_o fancy_n and_o opinion_n which_o be_v no_o enslave_v of_o his_o reason_n to_o any_o man_n usurpation_n over_o his_o faith_n and_o conscience_n but_o only_o a_o bring_v it_o to_o a_o modest_a compliance_n in_o order_n to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o humane_a society_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o duty_n of_o subjection_n yet_o it_o be_v one_o of_o peaceableness_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o our_o obligation_n to_o the_o authority_n itself_o yet_o it_o be_v most_o clear_o derive_v from_o a_o high_a obligation_n that_o all_o man_n be_v under_o to_o advance_v the_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n and_o more_o particular_o of_o that_o society_n they_o live_v in_o that_o be_v antecedent_n to_o those_o of_o government_n which_o be_v institute_v only_o in_o order_n to_o the_o common_a good_a and_o therefore_o though_o our_o duty_n in_o such_o case_n can_v not_o be_v deduce_v from_o our_o obligation_n to_o any_o humane_a authority_n yet_o it_o clear_o arise_v from_o that_o duty_n of_o charity_n we_o owe_v to_o our_o fellow_n creature_n and_o though_o we_o be_v not_o to_o submit_v our_o understand_n to_o any_o humane_a power_n yet_o we_o be_v to_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a law_n of_o charity_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o forego_v all_o more_o private_a and_o inferior_a obligation_n when_o they_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o it_o and_o thus_o st._n paul_n notwithstanding_o he_o declaim_v with_o so_o much_o vehemence_n against_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o judaical_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n never_o scruple_v to_o use_v they_o as_o oft_o as_o it_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n