brother_n shall_v determine_v how_o far_o we_o shall_v be_v obedient_a to_o those_o who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o we_o either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n but_o to_o give_v a_o more_o full_a answer_n to_o this_o we_o must_v know_v that_o though_o charity_n be_v the_o great_a duty_n especial_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n yet_o duty_n of_o justice_n as_o they_o be_v common_o call_v be_v of_o strict_a obligation_n than_o duty_n of_o charity_n and_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o pay_v our_o debt_n before_o we_o give_v a_o alm_n now_o obedience_n to_o superior_n be_v a_o debt_n we_o owe_v to_o they_o which_o they_o have_v right_a to_o exact_v of_o we_o so_o that_o they_o may_v accuse_v we_o of_o injury_n if_o we_o perform_v it_o not_o but_o a_o great_a care_n to_o hinder_v sin_n in_o other_o or_o not_o to_o scandalize_v they_o be_v a_o duty_n of_o charity_n which_o indeed_o we_o be_v oblige_v unto_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v but_o not_o till_o after_o we_o have_v give_v to_o every_o one_o what_o be_v his_o due_a and_o right_n it_o be_v therefore_o no_o more_o lawful_a for_o i_o say_v the_o forenamed_a most_o judicious_a bishop_n sanderson_n to_o disobey_v the_o lawful_a command_n of_o a_o superior_a to_o prevent_v thereby_o the_o offence_n of_o one_o or_o a_o few_o brethren_n than_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o i_o to_o do_v one_o man_n wrong_a to_o do_v another_o man_n a_o courtesy_n withal_o or_o than_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o i_o to_o rob_v the_o exchequer_n to_o relieve_v a_o hospital_n according_a to_o that_o know_a saying_n of_o st._n austin_n quis_fw-la est_fw-la qui_fw-la dicat_fw-la ut_fw-la habeamus_fw-la quod_fw-la demus_fw-la pauperibus_fw-la faciamus_fw-la furta_fw-la divitibus_fw-la who_o be_v it_o that_o siath_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o steal_v from_o the_o rich_a what_o we_o may_v bestow_v on_o the_o poor_a or_o to_o refuse_v to_o pay_v tax_n on_o pretence_n that_o you_o know_v those_o who_o have_v more_o need_n of_o your_o money_n to_o this_o mr._n jean_n reply_v suppose_v say_v he_o the_o care_n of_o not_o give_v offence_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o our_o brother_n but_o a_o debt_n of_o charity_n yet_o in_o regard_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o legal_a debt_n since_o he_o may_v and_o do_v challenge_v it_o as_o due_a and_o we_o do_v he_o wrong_v if_o we_o disobey_v he_o here_o i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o both_o be_v require_v by_o god_n at_o our_o hand_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v obedient_a to_o our_o superior_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o show_v charity_n to_o our_o brethren_n but_o then_o i_o say_v this_o be_v not_o the_o charity_n which_o god_n require_v when_o i_o give_v to_o those_o in_o want_n what_o be_v none_o of_o i_o own_o this_o be_v not_o a_o instance_n or_o expression_n of_o that_o love_n and_o kindness_n which_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n we_o owe_v to_o our_o brother_n to_o do_v he_o good_a by_o wrong_v our_o superior_n god_n have_v oblige_v servant_n to_o be_v merciful_a to_o the_o poor_a to_o their_o power_n as_o well_o as_o to_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a to_o their_o master_n but_o that_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o mercy_n which_o god_n require_v from_o they_o to_o give_v away_o their_o master_n good_n without_o his_o leave_n though_o it_o be_v to_o those_o who_o stand_v in_o great_a need_n of_o relief_n god_n have_v command_v all_o christian_n to_o have_v a_o great_a care_n of_o be_v any_o occasion_n of_o their_o brother_n sin_n or_o fall_v but_o then_o this_o must_v necessary_o be_v understand_v only_o of_o thing_n subject_a to_o our_o own_o order_n and_o management_n in_o all_o case_n wherein_o we_o be_v at_o our_o own_o disposal_n we_o be_v bind_v charitable_o to_o regard_v our_o brother_n but_o in_o instance_n where_o our_o practice_n be_v determine_v by_o authority_n our_o superior_n only_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o danger_n of_o scandal_n we_o must_v consider_v the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o they_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n wherein_o we_o can_v show_v our_o charity_n without_o violate_v the_o right_a of_o our_o superior_n it_o remain_v then_o in_o the_o word_n of_o another_o great_a bishop_n in_o what_o case_n soever_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v god_n or_o man_n in_o that_o case_n and_o in_o that_o conjunction_n of_o circumstance_n we_o have_v nothing_o permit_v to_o our_o choice_n and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o any_o act_n of_o charity_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o remit_v of_o the_o right_n of_o god_n or_o our_o superior_a and_o to_o comply_v with_o our_o neighbour_n in_o such_o question_n beside_o that_o it_o can_v serve_v any_o purpose_n of_o piety_n if_o it_o decline_v from_o duty_n in_o any_o instance_n it_o be_v like_o give_v alm_n out_o of_o the_o portion_n of_o orphan_n or_o build_v hospital_n with_o the_o money_n and_o spoil_n of_o sacrilege_n 4._o it_o be_v further_a say_v by_o mr._n jean_n out_o of_o amesius_n if_o determination_n by_o superior_n be_v sufficient_a to_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o scandal_n than_o they_o do_v very_o ill_a that_o they_o do_v not_o so_o far_o as_o be_v possible_a determine_v all_o thing_n indifferent_a that_o so_o no_o danger_n may_v be_v leave_v of_o give_v offence_n by_o the_o use_n of_o they_o then_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v to_o be_v praise_v in_o that_o she_o have_v determine_v so_o many_o indifferent_a thing_n then_o st._n paul_n may_v have_v spare_v all_o his_o direction_n about_o forbearance_n out_o of_o respect_n to_o weak_a brethren_n and_o full_o determine_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n and_o so_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o fear_n of_o scandal_n this_o true_o seem_v a_o very_a odd_a way_n of_o argue_v and_o all_o that_o i_o shall_v say_v to_o it_o be_v that_o it_o suppose_v nothing_o else_o worthy_a to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o make_n of_o law_n or_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o superior_n about_o indifferent_a thing_n but_o only_o this_o one_o matter_n of_o scandal_n and_o the_o project_n itself_o shall_v it_o take_v will_v prove_v very_o vain_a and_o unsuccessful_a for_o though_o we_o true_o say_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o comply_v with_o the_o order_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o be_v but_o few_o and_o innocent_a and_o so_o give_v no_o real_a ground_n of_o offence_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o say_v the_o same_o upon_o supposition_n our_o church_n have_v determine_v all_o circumstance_n in_o god_n worship_n she_o possible_o can_v which_o will_v perhaps_o have_v be_v a_o yoke_n great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n to_o the_o jew_n nor_o if_o she_o have_v prescribe_v as_o many_o ceremony_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v do_v which_o manifest_o tend_v to_o the_o disgrace_n and_o scandal_n of_o our_o christian_a religion_n and_o as_o for_o the_o course_n st._n paul_n take_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o some_o thing_n upon_o good_a reason_n be_v determine_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o that_o the_o gentile_a convert_v shall_v abstain_v from_o blood_n and_o thing_n strangle_v and_o offer_v to_o idol_n which_o decree_n i_o presume_v they_o may_v not_o transgress_v out_o of_o charity_n to_o any_o of_o their_o brethren_n who_o may_v take_v offence_n at_o such_o abstinence_n and_o other_o thing_n for_o great_a reason_n be_v for_o a_o time_n leave_v at_o liberty_n which_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o those_o the_o apostle_n have_v to_o deal_v withal_o though_o afterward_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o when_o that_o reason_n cease_v determination_n be_v make_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o st._n paul_n have_v leave_v at_o liberty_n and_o if_o st._n paul_n have_v determine_v the_o dispute_n about_o meat_n and_o day_n one_o way_n they_o who_o have_v follow_v so_o great_a a_o authority_n whatever_o have_v happen_v have_v sure_o be_v free_a from_o the_o sin_n of_o scandal_n but_o still_o the_o scandal_n have_v not_o be_v prevent_v but_o all_o the_o contrary_a part_n have_v be_v in_o danger_n to_o have_v be_v utter_o estrange_v from_o christianity_n and_o that_o be_v reason_n sufficient_a why_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o make_v any_o determination_n in_o that_o case_n for_o governor_n be_v not_o only_o to_o take_v care_n to_o free_v those_o that_o obey_v they_o from_o the_o sin_n of_o scandal_n but_o also_o to_o provide_v that_o as_o little_a occasion_n as_o be_v possible_a may_v be_v give_v to_o any_o to_o be_v scandalize_v there_o be_v other_o objection_n offer_v by_o mr._n jean_n out_o of_o amesius_n and_o rutherford_n against_o this_o doctrine_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n to_o superior_n in_o thing_n lawful_a notwithstanding_o the_o scandal_n that_o may_v follow_v but_o they_o either_o may_v be_v answer_v from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v or_o else_o they_o chief_o
concern_v the_o case_n of_o governor_n and_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o act_n uncharitable_o and_o give_v great_a offence_n contrary_a to_o st._n paul_n rule_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o determinate_o to_o impose_v unnecessary_a rite_n by_o which_o they_o know_v many_o good_a man_n will_v be_v scandalize_v but_o this_o be_v not_o my_o present_a business_n to_o discourse_n of_o though_o i_o can_v forbear_v say_v these_o two_o thing_n which_o i_o think_v very_o easy_a to_o make_v out_o 1._o that_o our_o church_n of_o england_n have_v take_v all_o reasonable_a care_v not_o to_o give_v any_o just_a offence_n to_o any_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o the_o offence_n that_o have_v be_v since_o take_v at_o some_o thing_n in_o our_o constitution_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v foresee_v by_o those_o who_o make_v our_o first_o reformation_n from_o popery_n and_o so_o they_o can_v not_o be_v any_o reason_n against_o the_o first_o establishment_n nor_o 2._o be_v they_o now_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o the_o alteration_n of_o it_o unless_o we_o can_v imagine_v it_o reasonable_a to_o alter_v public_a law_n make_v with_o great_a wisdom_n and_o deliberation_n as_o often_o as_o they_o be_v dislike_v by_o or_o prove_v offensive_a to_o private_a person_n if_o this_o be_v admit_v there_o then_o can_v never_o be_v any_o settle_a government_n and_o order_n in_o the_o church_n because_o there_o never_o can_v be_v any_o establishment_n that_o will_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o give_v such_o offence_n they_o who_o now_o take_v offence_n at_o what_o the_o church_n of_o england_n enjoin_v on_o the_o same_o or_o a_o like_a account_n will_v take_v offence_n at_o whatever_o can_v be_v enjoin_v and_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n will_v be_v good_a against_o any_o establishment_n they_o themselves_o shall_v make_v for_o though_o they_o will_v not_o use_v these_o reason_n against_o their_o own_o establishment_n yet_o in_o a_o short_a time_n other_o will_v take_v up_o their_o weapon_n to_o fight_v against_o they_o and_o what_o serve_v to_o destroy_v the_o present_a church_n will_v be_v as_o effectual_a to_o overthrow_v that_o which_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o in_o its_o room_n so_o that_o whatever_o alteration_n be_v make_v if_o this_o be_v allow_v for_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o it_o viz._n to_o avoid_v the_o offence_n that_o some_o man_n take_v at_o the_o present_a constitution_n yet_o still_o we_o shall_v be_v but_o where_o we_o be_v and_o new_a offence_n will_v arise_v and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v continual_a change_n and_o alter_v to_o gratify_v the_o unreasonable_a humour_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n and_o shall_v any_o one_o party_n of_o dissenter_n among_o we_o get_v their_o form_n of_o government_n and_o worship_n establish_v by_o law_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v preach_v to_o we_o the_o very_a same_o doctrine_n we_o do_v now_o to_o they_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o private_a person_n must_v bend_v and_o conform_v to_o the_o law_n and_o not_o the_o law_n to_o private_a person_n that_o it_o be_v our_o own_o fault_n that_o we_o be_v offend_v that_o our_o weakness_n proceed_v from_o our_o unwillingness_n to_o receive_v instruction_n that_o the_o weak_a be_v to_o be_v govern_v not_o to_o prescribe_v to_o their_o governor_n that_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o what_o be_v with_o good_a reason_n appoint_v and_o order_v shall_v be_v present_o abrogate_a or_o change_v out_o of_o compliance_n with_o man_n foolish_a prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v how_o strict_a and_o rigorous_a both_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o be_v and_o have_v be_v where_o they_o have_v have_v any_o advantage_n and_o what_o little_a consideration_n or_o regard_n they_o have_v have_v of_o their_o dissent_v brethren_n though_o they_o will_v have_v we_o so_o tender_a of_o they_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o precept_n of_o obedience_n to_o superior_n in_o thing_n lawful_a be_v more_o obligatory_a than_o the_o precept_n of_o avoid_v scandal_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v in_o such_o instance_n though_o offence_n may_v be_v take_v at_o it_o because_o no_o sin_n be_v to_o be_v commit_v for_o the_o avoid_v scandal_n i_o may_v from_o this_o head_n further_o argue_v that_o if_o we_o must_v not_o commit_v any_o sin_n to_o avoid_v give_v offence_n than_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o separate_a from_o our_o parish-church_n upon_o that_o account_n because_o all_o voluntary_a separation_n from_o a_o church_n in_o which_o nothing_o that_o be_v unlawful_a be_v require_v as_o a_o condition_n of_o communion_n be_v the_o sin_n of_o schism_n and_o that_o be_v a_o sin_n of_o the_o black_a dye_n and_o great_a guilt_n note_v the_o in_o scripture_n for_o a_o act_n of_o carnality_n a_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o of_o the_o devil_n for_o the_o necessity_n of_o our_o come_n to_o church_n and_o worship_v god_n in_o the_o same_o public_a place_n with_o our_o neighbour_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n discipline_n and_o custom_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n we_o live_v in_o do_v not_o depend_v only_o upon_o the_o statute_n of_o the_o realm_n which_o enforce_v it_o and_o the_o command_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n who_o require_v it_o but_o by_o the_o law_n of_o our_o religion_n all_o needless_a separation_n or_o division_n among_o christian_n break_v into_o little_a party_n and_o faction_n from_o whence_o come_v strife_n envy_v confusion_n and_o every_o evil_a work_n be_v to_o be_v most_o careful_o avoid_v as_o the_o very_a bane_n of_o christianity_n the_o rend_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o as_o utter_o destructive_a not_o only_o of_o the_o peace_n but_o of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n so_o that_o shall_v all_o the_o law_n about_o conformity_n and_o against_o conventicle_n be_v rescind_v and_o void_v shall_v the_o magistrate_n indulge_v or_o connive_v at_o the_o separate_a assembly_n yet_o still_o this_o will_v not_o make_v our_o join_n with_o they_o not_o to_o be_v sinful_a since_o to_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o christian_n and_o one_o communion_n be_v the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o every_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o can_v never_o be_v think_v a_o justifiable_a thing_n to_o cut_v off_o ourselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n out_o of_o compliance_n with_o any_o err_a or_o ignorant_a brethren_n but_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o withdraw_a from_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n either_o total_o or_o in_o part_n have_v be_v so_o evident_o show_v in_o some_o late_a discourse_n write_v on_o that_o subject_n that_o i_o do_v despair_n of_o convince_a those_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o it_o who_o can_v withstand_v the_o force_n of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v already_o offer_v to_o they_o i_o only_o conclude_v thus_o much_o that_o there_o be_v far_o more_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o uncharitableness_n in_o such_o separation_n and_o division_n than_o there_o can_v be_v in_o all_o the_o offence_n that_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v give_v by_o our_o conformity_n from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o at_o large_a discourse_v it_o plain_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v thing_n mere_o indifferent_a not_o only_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n but_o also_o in_o respect_n to_o we_o in_o the_o use_n of_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o consider_v the_o weakness_n of_o our_o brethren_n what_o be_v our_o duty_n must_v be_v do_v though_o scandal_n follow_v it_o what_o be_v evil_a and_o sinful_a aught_o to_o be_v leave_v undo_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o a_o great_a obligation_n than_o that_o of_o scandal_n but_o now_o in_o matter_n wherein_o our_o practice_n be_v not_o determine_v by_o any_o command_n we_o ought_v so_o to_o exercise_v our_o liberty_n as_o if_o possible_a to_o avoid_v give_v any_o offence_n to_o our_o brethren_n this_o be_v a_o undoubted_a part_n of_o that_o charity_n which_o one_o christian_a ought_v always_o to_o be_v ready_a to_o show_v to_o another_o by_o admonition_n instruction_n good_a example_n and_o by_o the_o forbearance_n of_o thing_n lawful_a at_o which_o he_o forsee_v his_o neighbour_n out_o of_o weakness_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o be_v scandalize_v to_o endeavour_v to_o prevent_v his_o fall_n into_o any_o sin_n or_o mischief_n and_o this_o we_o teach_v and_o press_v upon_o our_o people_n as_o much_o as_o dissenter_n themselves_o can_v in_o obedience_n to_o st._n paul_n rule_n about_o meat_n and_o day_n thing_n neither_o in_o themselves_o good_a or_o evil_n nor_o determine_v by_o any_o authority_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v every_o way_n a_o proper_a instance_n wherein_o christian_n may_v exercise_v their_o charity_n and_o compassion_n one_o to_o the_o other_o and_o in_o such_o case_n st._n paul_n declare_v that_o he_o will_v rather_o whole_o forego_v his_o liberty_n than_o by_o
doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o breed_v scruple_n and_o perplexity_n in_o well_o meaning_n but_o less_o know_v member_n of_o it_o and_o by_o degree_n produce_v a_o distaste_n or_o dislike_n of_o our_o worship_n and_o plain_o hinder_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n as_o administer_v in_o our_o church_n while_o it_o create_v prejudices_fw-la in_o people_n against_o they_o as_o impure_a and_o corrupt_a and_o why_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o due_a regard_n have_v to_o those_o many_o who_o be_v offend_v at_o our_o dissenter_n conventicle_n worship_n as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v scandalize_v by_o our_o church_n service_n i_o can_v at_o all_o guess_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v here_o that_o irreverent_a sit_v at_o the_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n man_n unmannerly_a wear_v their_o hat_n in_o time_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o oftentimes_o put_v they_o off_o but_o half_a way_n at_o their_o prayer_n their_o indecent_a posture_n and_o antic_a gesture_n at_o their_o devotion_n the_o extravagancy_n and_o folly_n not_o to_o say_v worse_o some_o of_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o extemporary_a effusion_n the_o strange_a uncouth_a metaphor_n and_o phrase_n they_o use_v in_o their_o preach_a in_o a_o word_n the_o slovenly_a performance_n of_o divine_a worship_n among_o the_o dissenter_n be_v much_o more_o scandalous_a than_o all_o the_o ceremony_n of_o our_o church_n can_v ever_o be_v 4._o consider_v the_o scandal_n that_o be_v hereby_o give_v to_o magistrate_n and_o our_o superior_n by_o bring_v their_o law_n and_o authority_n into_o contempt_n concern_v which_o the_o forename_a mr._n jean_n in_o his_o first_o edition_n of_o his_o discourse_n about_o abstinence_n from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a have_v these_o word_n if_o say_v he_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o sea_n with_o a_o millstone_n about_o one_o neck_n than_o to_o offend_v a_o little_a one_o a_o poor_a and_o illiterate_a artisan_n what_o expression_n shall_v we_o then_o find_v answerable_a to_o the_o heinousness_n of_o a_o scandal_n give_v to_o a_o pious_a magistrate_n to_o a_o religious_a prince_n to_o a_o parliament_n and_o convocation_n to_o a_o whole_a church_n and_o commonwealth_n 5._o by_o this_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n great_a scandal_n be_v give_v to_o the_o papist_n not_o that_o they_o be_v displease_v at_o it_o they_o be_v not_o indeed_o offend_v in_o that_o sense_n but_o this_o serve_v wonderful_o to_o harden_v they_o in_o their_o false_a and_o idolatrous_a worship_n it_o increase_v their_o confidence_n that_o their_o church_n be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n of_o christ_n because_o among_o they_o only_o be_v find_v peace_n and_o unity_n and_o this_o be_v a_o mighty_a temptation_n to_o many_o waver_a christian_n to_o turn_v papist_n insomuch_o that_o mr._n baxter_n have_v tell_v we_o that_o thousand_o have_v be_v draw_v to_o popery_n or_o confirm_v in_o it_o by_o this_o argument_n already_o and_o he_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o argument_n else_o in_o bellarmin_n and_o all_o other_o book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v have_v not_o do_v so_o much_o to_o make_v papist_n in_o england_n as_o the_o multitude_n of_o sect_n among_o ourselves_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o great_a scandal_n to_o our_o protestant_a religion_n and_o be_v that_o which_o the_o papist_n be_v on_o all_o occasion_n so_o forward_o to_o object_v against_o we_o and_o hit_v we_o in_o the_o tooth_n with_o and_o by_o our_o hearty_a unite_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n we_o may_v certain_o wrest_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n the_o most_o dangerous_a weapon_n they_o use_v against_o the_o reformation_n 6._o this_o tend_v to_o the_o scandal_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n it_o prejudice_v man_n against_o it_o as_o a_o uncertain_a thing_n a_o matter_n of_o endless_a dispute_n and_o debate_n it_o make_v some_o man_n utter_o reject_v it_o as_o consist_v most_o in_o little_a trifle_n and_o nicety_n about_o which_o they_o observe_v the_o great_a noise_n and_o contention_n to_o be_v make_v or_o as_o destructive_a of_o the_o public_a peace_n of_o society_n when_o they_o see_v what_o dangerous_a feud_n and_o quarrel_n commence_v from_o our_o religious_a difference_n and_o all_o the_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n that_o they_o have_v cause_v here_o in_o england_n shall_v by_o some_o be_v charge_v upon_o christianity_n itself_o thus_o our_o causeless_a separation_n and_o division_n open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o atheism_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o profaneness_n and_o irreligion_n after_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v of_o old_a and_o always_o will_v be_v where_o there_o be_v party_n in_o religion_n and_o one_o contend_v that_o their_o separation_n be_v lawful_a and_o the_o other_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a the_o common_a people_n soon_o become_v doubtful_a and_o ready_a to_o forsake_v all_o religion_n i_o may_v add_v here_o that_o such_o separation_n necessary_o occasion_n breach_n of_o charity_n they_o beget_v implacable_a enmity_n and_o animosity_n hence_o come_v strife_n emulation_n envy_v one_o party_n continual_o endeavour_v to_o overtop_v the_o other_o watch_v for_o one_o another_o halt_n rejoice_v in_o one_o another_o sin_n and_o misfortune_n constant_a undermine_a one_o another_o to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a government_n and_o endanger_v the_o civil_a peace_n of_o all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o than_o i_o can_v now_o mention_v the_o present_a distract_a condition_n of_o our_o nation_n be_v so_o great_a and_o undeniable_a a_o evidence_n that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o word_n to_o show_v the_o mischief_n that_o attend_v such_o division_n and_o now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o maintain_n of_o charity_n among_o brethren_n the_o keep_n out_o popery_n and_o atheism_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o society_n we_o be_v member_n of_o the_o honour_n and_o credit_n of_o our_o religion_n last_o whether_o give_v offence_n to_o all_o both_o conformist_n and_o nonconformist_n those_o only_o except_v of_o our_o own_o particular_a sect_n and_o division_n nay_o scandalize_a they_o also_o in_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o scandal_n be_v not_o of_o far_o great_a and_o more_o weighty_a consideration_n than_o the_o fear_n of_o displease_v or_o grieve_v some_o few_o weak_a dissatisfied_a brethren_n woe_n to_o those_o by_o who_o offence_n come_v but_o these_o thing_n i_o have_v very_o light_o touch_v because_o they_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o many_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n late_o publish_v to_o sum_v up_o all_o i_o have_v say_v since_o they_o who_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o such_o weak_a person_n as_o st._n paul_n all_o along_o describe_v and_o provide_v for_o since_o we_o can_v by_o our_o conformity_n real_o scandalize_v or_o offend_v they_o in_o that_o sense_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v those_o word_n since_o though_o we_o do_v give_v offence_n to_o they_o by_o our_o conformity_n yet_o that_o will_v not_o excuse_v we_o from_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o by_o refuse_v to_o conform_v we_o shall_v do_v both_o they_o and_o other_o great_a hurt_n and_o mischief_n i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o there_o can_v lie_v any_o obligation_n upon_o any_o private_a christian_n as_o the_o case_n now_o stand_v among_o we_o to_o absent_v himself_o from_o his_o parish-church_n or_o to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n or_o ceremony_n by_o law_n appoint_v for_o fear_v of_o offend_a his_o weak_a brethren_n i_o end_v all_o with_o one_o word_n of_o advice_n first_o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n second_o to_o those_o who_o be_v satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a 1._o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n and_o therefore_o urge_v so_o hard_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v offend_v by_o we_o i_o will_v beseech_v they_o that_o they_o will_v take_v some_o care_n and_o make_v some_o conscience_n to_o avoid_v give_v any_o needless_a offence_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o can_v but_o be_v think_v a_o reasonable_a request_n since_o they_o require_v all_o other_o to_o be_v so_o tender_a of_o they_o they_o ought_v not_o therefore_o to_o meet_v in_o such_o number_n nor_o at_o the_o same_o time_n at_o which_o we_o assemble_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o our_o public_a church_n let_v they_o not_o affront_v our_o service_n and_o common-prayer_n nor_o revile_v our_o bishop_n and_o minister_n nor_o put_v on_o their_o hat_n when_o at_o any_o time_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v present_a at_o our_o service_n in_o our_o church_n nor_o talk_v nor_o read_v in_o book_n nor_o make_v sour_a face_n at_o our_o devotion_n and_o when_o they_o observe_v these_o and_o other_o the_o like_a rule_n they_o may_v then_o with_o a_o better_a grace_n though_o with_o little_a reason_n find_v fault_n with_o our_o conformity_n as_o offensive_a to_o they_o i_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n that_o shall_v exasperate_v or_o provoke_v any_o of_o the_o dissenter_n who_o satisfaction_n i_o design_v i_o very_o well_o know_v their_o weakness_n that_o they_o can_v endure_v to_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o fault_n however_o i_o must_v tell_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o sort_n of_o person_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n profess_v religion_n and_o godliness_n that_o have_v do_v such_o scandalous_a thing_n as_o some_o of_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o protestant_n dissenter_n i_o forbear_v to_o name_v particular_n 2._o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n i_o will_v desire_v they_o so_o to_o order_v their_o return_n to_o the_o church_n as_o not_o to_o give_v any_o just_a offence_n to_o those_o who_o they_o forsake_v that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o they_o will_v do_v it_o hearty_o and_o sincere_o that_o all_o may_v see_v they_o conform_v with_o a_o willing_a mind_n be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v and_o not_o mere_o to_o satisfy_v the_o law_n or_o to_o save_v their_o purse_n or_o to_o get_v into_o a_o office_n or_o to_o capacitate_v they_o to_o vote_n or_o the_o like_a for_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o conformity_n as_o some_o practice_n and_o call_v occasional_a communion_n which_o be_v come_v to_o church_n and_o sacrament_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n be_v true_o scandalous_a to_o all_o good_a man_n of_o what_o persuasion_n soever_o finis_fw-la