in_o their_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v determine_v but_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la and_o must_v be_v liable_a still_o to_o no_o other_o judgement_n than_o that_o of_o discretion_n those_o thing_n that_o christ_n have_v leave_v under_o it_o can_v by_o humane_a law_n be_v remove_v from_o it_o therefore_o indifferent_a thing_n may_v be_v agree_v on_o by_o common_a consent_n in_o congregation_n or_o by_o the_o officer_n thereof_o according_a as_o the_o expediency_n or_o conveniency_n appear_v unto_o they_o and_o for_o so_o long_o and_o no_o long_o hence_o they_o can_v undergo_v the_o title_n or_o denomination_n of_o a_o law_n but_o only_o of_o prudential_a rule_n which_o have_v no_o bind_a reason_n for_o observation_n but_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o agree_a circumstance_n as_o it_o may_v be_v judge_v most_o convenient_a by_o the_o church_n to_o assemble_v at_o such_o a_o hour_n so_o long_o as_o the_o day_n be_v of_o such_o a_o length_n but_o when_o that_o circumstance_n alter_v than_o it_o may_v be_v more_o convenient_a at_o another_o many_o such_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v and_o no_o church_n can_v walk_v comfortable_o as_o long_o as_o any_o authority_n undertake_v to_o prohibit_v they_o of_o this_o liberty_n of_o their_o prudential_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o alterable_a appendix_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n chap._n xii_o wherein_o be_v handle_v the_o first_o question_n about_o thing_n indifferent_a §_o 1._o the_o first_o question_n that_o seem_v to_o offer_v itself_o to_o be_v so_o this_o whether_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n cease_v to_o be_v so_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v positive_o and_o certain_o determine_v as_o to_o its_o practice_n by_o humane_a authority_n explic._n by_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n i_o understand_v as_o beforementioned_a any_o thing_n or_o action_n which_o circumstantial_o adhere_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o may_v be_v use_v or_o omit_v or_o alter_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n without_o any_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n again_o this_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v determine_v as_o to_o expediency_n by_o a_o society_n or_o lawful_a authority_n but_o not_o impose_v as_o a_o stand_n and_o bind_v law_n but_o be_v commend_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o concur_v conscientious_o studious_a of_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n it_o carry_v the_o more_o force_n along_o with_o it_o to_o persuade_v we_o at_o least_o to_o present_v act_v till_o by_o further_a and_o great_a illumination_n we_o be_v otherwise_o incline_v nay_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v determine_v by_o those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n and_o propose_v as_o their_o judgement_n according_a to_o their_o light_n receive_v not_o magisterial_o but_o demonstrative_o only_a convince_o enough_o as_o to_o the_o expediency_n it_o carry_v with_o it_o the_o force_n of_o a_o law_n unto_o conscience_n not_o of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n man_n be_v a_o candlestick_n only_o to_o hold_v forth_o that_o light_n and_o bind_v it_o to_o submit_v thereunto_o but_o otherwise_o if_o man_n in_o authority_n undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n that_o a_o thing_n in_o itself_o by_o christ_n law_n leave_v indifferent_a i._n e._n to_o christian_a discretion_n to_o do_v or_o omit_v shall_v become_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n or_o a_o expedient_a necessity_n and_o according_a to_o their_o will_n and_o opinion_n bind_v inferior_n to_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o this_o by_o a_o penalty_n we_o affirm_v that_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n notwithstanding_o all_o humane_a authoritative_a determination_n change_v it_o into_o a_o necessity_n keep_v its_o pristine_a indifferency_n and_o remain_v the_o same_o to_o a_o christian_n conscience_n and_o practice_n the_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n follow_v §_o 2._o argum._n 1._o that_o power_n that_o can_v change_v gospel-indifferencies_a into_o gospel-necessity_n can_v also_o change_v gospel-necessity_n into_o gospel-indifferencies_a but_o no_o humane_a authority_n can_v do_v the_o latter_a ergo_fw-la not_o the_o former_a the_o assumption_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o protestant_n it_o be_v a_o presumption_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n for_o humane_a authority_n to_o pretend_v to_o dispense_v with_o or_o null_a any_o of_o the_o manifest_a law_n of_o christ_n the_o major_n be_v also_o evident_a because_o it_o must_v be_v a_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o kind_a to_o make_v and_o null_n a_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n if_o it_o be_v say_v a_o humane_a authority_n may_v make_v a_o gospel-indifferency_n necessary_a genere_fw-la civili_fw-la the_o answer_n fall_v far_o short_a for_o we_o speak_v of_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n have_v equal_a force_n upon_o the_o conscience_n for_o a_o civil_a legislative_a power_n can_v as_o well_o null_a any_o law_n of_o a_o civil_a nature_n only_o as_o it_o can_v make_v it_o so_o if_o man_n can_v make_v moral_a law_n he_o may_v as_o well_o null_a those_o which_o he_o have_v make_v or_o dispense_v with_o they_o at_o pleasure_n as_o make_v new_a we_o must_v always_o allow_v a_o sovereign_a prerogative_n to_o supreme_a lawgiver_n in_o any_o kind_n as_o to_o promulgate_v so_o to_o abrogate_v or_o dispense_v with_o their_o own_o law_n at_o pleasure_n and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o those_o law_n that_o man_n make_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n necessary_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n be_v civil_a only_o be_v only_o for_o decency_n splendour_n etc._n etc._n i_o reply_v that_o it_o can_v be_v so_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o for_o it_o be_v the_o respect_n and_o end_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o give_v it_o its_o specifical_a denomination_n when_o it_o have_v none_o such_o absolute_o consider_v that_o which_o respect_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o gospel-worship_n of_o christ_n or_o pretend_v so_o to_o do_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v a_o part_n of_o gospel-worship_n as_o kneel_v be_v a_o indifferent_a gesture_n a_o man_n may_v kneel_v when_o he_o do_v other_o thing_n beside_o act_n of_o worship_n or_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n he_o may_v kneel_v or_o stand_v or_o use_v another_o posture_n in_o worship_n but_o when_o this_o or_o that_o gesture_n be_v apply_v to_o worship_n it_o be_v religious_a by_o its_o respect_n use_v and_o application_n but_o still_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n under_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n till_o by_o some_o bind_a law_n the_o conscience_n become_v bind_v up_o to_o the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o this_o or_o that_o part_n of_o worship_n now_o he_o that_o undertake_v to_o bind_v conscience_n here_o undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o christ_n and_o to_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o such_o that_o make_v such_o law_n do_v claim_v such_o a_o power_n be_v manifest_a because_o they_o make_v obedience_n unto_o such_o law_n necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n let_v every_o soul_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n §_o 3._o argum._n 2._o if_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o evangelical_n indifferency_n may_v be_v change_v jure_fw-la into_o a_o evangelical_n necessity_n by_o any_o power_n beside_o christ_n than_o it_o must_v be_v because_o it_o be_v evangelical_o evil_a that_o this_o or_o that_o shall_v remain_v indifferent_a which_o christ_n have_v leave_v so_o or_o at_o least_o better_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o good_a of_o his_o church_n that_o it_o shall_v become_v a_o necessity_n i._n e._n a_o command_v good_a or_o prohibit_v evil_a than_o indifferent_a to_o be_v dispose_v by_o the_o discretion_n of_o particular_a church_n or_o christian_n but_o there_o be_v no_o true_a evangelical_n indifferency_n that_o have_v such_o a_o reason_n for_o the_o change_n of_o it_o into_o a_o necessity_n ergo_fw-la the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v this_o because_o whatever_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v alter_v from_o worse_a to_o better_o and_o what_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n for_o christ_n be_v or_o shall_v be_v make_v more_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o far_o better_a than_o it_o be_v before_o but_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o any_o thing_n that_o this_o wise_a lawgiver_n leave_v in_o indifferency_n to_o practice_n or_o omit_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n shall_v be_v more_o for_o his_o honour_n if_o it_o be_v convert_v into_o a_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n for_o to_o say_v so_o will_v be_v a_o high_a impeachment_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v of_o a_o king_n and_o parliament_n when_o any_o shall_v presume_v to_o say_v they_o have_v not_o make_v such_o law_n as_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v make_v and_o have_v leave_v the_o subject_a under_o a_o great_a liberty_n than_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonweal_n or_o honour_n of_o the_o king_n to_o say_v
but_o it_o be_v not_o all_o kind_n of_o intelligence_n but_o some_o only_o in_o particular_a 1._o not_o a_o theoretic_n knowledge_n but_o a_o practic_n and_o therefore_o always_o refer_v to_o some_o action_n or_o omission_n and_o 2._o it_o be_v not_o refer_v to_o another_o man_n affair_n but_o his_o own_o who_o it_o be_v and_o last_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a apprehension_n or_o suspicion_n but_o a_o knowledge_n always_o at_o least_o of_o the_o fact_n and_o often_o determine_v by_o the_o rule_n know_v of_o the_o legality_n of_o the_o fact_n and_o so_o pass_v judgement_n and_o thence_o be_v call_v judicium_fw-la but_o sometime_o conscience_n be_v doubtful_a here_o and_o thence_o it_o be_v call_v a_o weak_a doubtful_a and_o scrupulous_a conscience_n §_o 4._o it_o may_v be_v therefore_o thus_o describe_v conscientia_fw-la est_fw-la modus_fw-la intellectus_fw-la judicialis_fw-la practicus_fw-la conscience_n be_v the_o understanding_n judicial_a manner_n of_o proceed_v concern_v ourselves_o and_o action_n a_o man_n in_o conscience_n as_o god_n substitute_n or_o deputy_n sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o himself_o first_o inquire_v as_o jury_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n whereof_o according_a to_o self-evidence_n he_o be_v find_v guilty_a or_o not-guilty_a and_o according_a to_o the_o law_n manifest_v be_v acquit_v or_o condemn_v this_o judgement_n of_o conscience_n may_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o power_n and_o act_n a_o man_n may_v have_v a_o conscience-power_n which_o do_v not_o exert_a and_o put_v forth_o act_n as_o a_o man_n in_o infancy_n or_o in_o sleep_n ergo_fw-la it_o may_v be_v call_v potestas_fw-la intellectiva_fw-la intellectual_a power_n reducible_a into_o act_n again_o intellectual_a power_n be_v either_o intuitiva_fw-la vel_fw-la ratiocinativa_fw-la that_o be_v the_o intuitive_a which_o be_v the_o vision_n or_o understanding_n of_o a_o truth_n axiomatical_o or_o in_o the_o abstract_n ratiocinativa_fw-la which_o be_v look_v on_o several_a truth_n compare_v together_o and_o one_o truth_n be_v lay_v by_o another_o by_o way_n of_o collation_n produce_v a_o three_o truth_n which_o we_o call_v a_o conclusion_n or_o inference_n the_o first_o and_o general_a truth_n that_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o we_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o way_n soever_o it_o come_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o give_v it_o a_o throne_n in_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v god_n law_n next_o that_o our_o action_n be_v lay_v by_o this_o rule_n or_o bring_v before_o this_o judgment-seat_n which_o two_o be_v solemn_o bring_v together_o a_o three_o necessary_a truth_n or_o judgement_n according_a to_o truth_n do_v result_v and_o be_v according_o pronounce_v the_o certainty_n of_o which_o depend_v on_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o premise_n or_o at_o least_o the_o exact_a and_o just_a compare_v they_o together_o the_o understanding_n thus_o behave_v itself_o put_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o actual_a conscience_n or_o conscience_n in_o act_n bring_v the_o habitual_a or_o potential_a conscience_n into_o act_n in_o this_o manner_n either_o concern_v a_o man_n state_n or_o action_n concern_v a_o man_n state_n the_o soul_n that_o sin_n shall_v die_v i_o have_v sin_v ergo._n or_o concern_v his_o particular_a action_n he_o that_o commit_v idolatry_n or_o adultery_n etc._n etc._n break_v god_n law_n but_o i_o have_v commit_v such_o and_o such_o a_o act_n which_o be_v so_o ergo_fw-la §_o 5._o hence_o conscience_n rule_v by_o christ_n prerogative_n be_v the_o practical_a reason_a understanding_n or_o modus_fw-la intellectus_fw-la practicus_fw-la in_o man_n whereby_o a_o judgement_n may_v be_v pass_v concern_v a_o man_n self_n by_o himself_o according_a to_o his_o apprehension_n of_o the_o reveal_v judgement_n and_o will_n of_o god_n its_o divine_a authority_n that_o rule_v in_o man_n heart_n as_o to_o the_o approbation_n or_o condemnation_n of_o himself_o or_o action_n the_o conscience_n of_o the_o very_a blind_a heathen_n admit_v of_o no_o other_o power_n to_o acquit_v or_o condemn_v in_o this_o kind_n but_o either_o the_o convince_a light_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n write_v in_o they_o or_o some_o suppose_a false_a divine_a light_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o blindness_n of_o their_o heart_n seduce_v they_o to_o false_a worship_n and_o idolatry_n §_o 6._o the_o method_n of_o conscience_n his_o act_n be_v thus_o first_o there_o be_v the_o general_a undoubted_a truth_n know_v or_o assent_v to_o as_o such_o and_o it_o be_v either_o that_o which_o be_v real_o so_o or_o supposed_o so_o only_o and_o not_o so_o real_o if_o it_o be_v the_o latter_a it_o be_v the_o main_a foundation_n of_o a_o err_a conscience_n it_o be_v the_o prospect_n of_o some_o apprehend_o divine_a truth_n or_o other_o moral_a levitical_a or_o evangelical_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o act_n of_o obedience_n and_o this_o law-obligation_n lay_v by_o god_n on_o man_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n the_o proposition_n of_o a_o practical_a syllogism_n make_v by_o conscience_n 2._o there_o be_v the_o application_n of_o this_o truth_n to_o ourselves_o either_o as_o to_o our_o state_n or_o particular_a action_n according_a to_o our_o own_o knowledge_n together_o with_o god_n to_o judge_v of_o our_o conformity_n or_o nonconformity_n to_o the_o say_a law-obligation_n and_o therefore_o concern_v the_o goodness_n or_o evil_n of_o our_o action_n and_o here_o we_o take_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o our_o hand_n to_o search_v out_o and_o examine_v our_o condition_n and_o action_n in_o relation_n to_o good_a or_o evil_n and_o herein_o do_v the_o chief_a nature_n of_o conscience_n consist_v because_o it_o be_v a_o submit_v ourselves_o and_o action_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n law_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o assumption_n of_o this_o practical_a syllogism_n and_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v a_o index_n record_n testimony_n witness_v 3._o there_o be_v the_o crisis_n inference_n or_o conclusion_n necessary_o deduce_v from_o the_o premise_n and_o this_o be_v call_v the_o judgement_n pass_v upon_o our_o state_n or_o action_n thus_o we_o have_v the_o whole_a syllogism_n which_o the_o understanding_n make_v in_o this_o way_n of_o act_v the_o proposition_n be_v de_fw-fr jure_fw-la the_o assumption_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la the_o conclusion_n be_v either_o a_o justification_n of_o person_n or_o action_n or_o it_o be_v a_o condemnation_n of_o any_o of_o they_o find_v guilty_a §_o 7._o the_o synteresis_fw-la be_v the_o light_n of_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n nâ—eticè_fw-la recepta_fw-la sive_fw-la practicum_fw-la axioma_fw-la cum_fw-la assensu_fw-la intellectivo_fw-la perceptum_fw-la a_o light_n receive_v into_o the_o understanding_n with_o assent_n thereunto_o or_o acknowledgement_n thereof_o as_o such_o a_o law_n may_v be_v understand_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o but_o not_o believe_v as_o a_o truth_n it_o may_v be_v know_v as_o a_o truth_n but_o not_o own_v as_o a_o law_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v acknowledge_v as_o a_o law_n but_o not_o yield_v to_o as_o divine_a and_o authoritative_a enough_o to_o bind_v to_o obedience_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v own_v as_o a_o law_n of_o god_n bind_v some_o people_n and_o at_o some_o time_n but_o not_o ourselves_o or_o at_o all_o time_n but_o unless_o the_o truth_n take_v for_o a_o law_n be_v thus_o circumstantiate_v and_o so_o receive_v by_o we_o it_o have_v not_o force_n enough_o upon_o conscience_n as_o a_o law_n bind_v to_o obedience_n so_o that_o synteresis_fw-la differ_v but_o ratione_fw-la from_o the_o law_n itself_o for_o it_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n understand_v and_o yield_v to_o as_o oblige_v unto_o practice_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o law_n in_o its_o letter_n and_o first_o principle_n in_o its_o original_a positive_a nature_n but_o in_o its_o aptitude_n to_o particular_a case_n and_o in_o its_o just_a inference_n and_o consequence_n deducible_a from_o general_n thereof_o all_o practical_a truth_n plead_v divine_a authority_n just_o oblige_v we_o to_o belief_n §_o 8._o that_o which_o stir_v up_o the_o understanding_n to_o compare_v condition_n and_o action_n with_o the_o divine_a law_n in_o the_o assumption_n by_o a_o practical_a enquiry_n be_v a_o certain_a obligation_n which_o this_o law-light_n have_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n under_o that_o it_o do_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o natural_a instinct_n act_v in_o the_o manner_n above-rehearsed_n which_o obligation_n be_v a_o necessity_n lay_v on_o the_o understanding_n of_o own_v and_o assent_v to_o every_o know_a law_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o to_o make_v a_o practical_a disquisition_n and_o judgement_n according_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o obligation_n lie_v much_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o object_n and_o first_o the_o natural_a inclination_n the_o understanding_n have_v to_o every_o know_a truth_n as_o such_o but_o this_o be_v not_o
of_o a_o gospel-nature_n can_v be_v alter_v from_o their_o nature_n by_o any_o subsequent_a law_n of_o man_n thus_o appear_v to_o change_v religious_a indifferency_n into_o necessity_n be_v to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o christ_n worship_n that_o christ_n never_o make_v nor_o give_v any_o man_n power_n to_o make_v but_o none_o may_v make_v a_o law_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n which_o he_o never_o make_v nor_o empower_v any_o to_o make_v ergo_fw-la the_o major_n be_v without_o doubt_n if_o the_o indifferency_n confess_v be_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n then_o when_o it_o be_v by_o any_o law_n make_v necessary_a it_o be_v still_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o be_v appoint_v so_o by_o a_o law_n become_v institute_v worship_n by_o a_o law_n which_o christ_n never_o make_v the_o minor_a appear_v in_o that_o none_o may_v do_v so_o i._n e._n institute_v worship_n or_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n by_o a_o law_n that_o be_v not_o christ_n 1._o it_o be_v his_o prerogative_n to_o exercise_v a_o legislative_a power_n in_o his_o church_n 2._o christ_n know_v only_o how_o he_o will_v be_v worship_v and_o it_o must_v be_v found_v on_o his_o reveal_v will_n which_o be_v our_o law_n 3._o none_o may_v add_v to_o his_o law_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n deut._n 4.1_o 2._o much_o less_o under_o the_o new_a where_o there_o be_v less_o of_o ceremony_n and_o circumstance_n rev._n chap._n xiii_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n in_o matter_n indifferent_a §_o 1._o when_o we_o come_v to_o discuss_v the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v very_o requisite_a to_o unfold_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n church_n there_o be_v no_o word_n under_o which_o lie_v more_o amphibology_n many_o understand_v a_o church_n a_o material_a building_n or_o place_n of_o meeting_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v consecrate_v and_o set_v apart_o for_o that_o use_n and_o for_o the_o propriety_n and_o antiquity_n of_o this_o usage_n and_o acceptation_n of_o ecclesia_fw-la learned_a mr._n mead_n very_o much_o contend_v we_o shall_v not_o stay_v upon_o this_o sense_n because_o none_o that_o will_v oppose_v we_o in_o the_o present_a controversy_n will_v insist_v upon_o this_o sense_n so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v that_o the_o legislative_a power_n be_v to_o be_v find_v here_o a_o church_n be_v also_o in_o other_o sense_n speak_v of_o some_o say_v every_o nation_n where_o christian_a religion_n be_v own_v by_o roll_a authority_n and_o by_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n profess_v be_v a_o church_n some_o call_v a_o province_n a_o church_n a_o diocese_n a_o church_n a_o parish_n a_o church_n so_o that_o it_o be_v more_o or_o less_o extend_v and_o comprehensive_a and_o it_o be_v usual_o the_o sense_n of_o protestant_n that_o assert_v a_o church_n legislative_a authority_n in_o matter_n indifferent_a other_o say_v there_o be_v no_o national_a church_n under_o the_o gospel_n though_o there_o be_v church_n in_o every_o nation_n and_o that_o proper_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a church_n but_o such_o who_o free_o and_o voluntary_o combine_v together_o in_o bond_n of_o society_n for_o the_o worship_v of_o god_n according_a to_o his_o reveal_v will_n and_o walk_v according_o various_a be_v the_o sentiment_n and_o dispute_n about_o a_o church_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o the_o consideration_n of_o which_o will_v not_o be_v so_o much_o our_o concern_n at_o this_o time_n but_o there_o be_v another_o way_n of_o the_o usage_n of_o church_n wherein_o there_o be_v great_a ambiguity_n which_o be_v very_o much_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n that_o we_o right_o understand_v it_o viz_o the_o emphatical_a use_n of_o the_o word_n the_o church_n so_o many_o man_n write_n and_o argumentation_n be_v fill_v and_o confound_v with_o it_o now_o a_o day_n that_o who_o can_v tell_v what_o they_o mean_v by_o the_o church_n the_o romanist_n say_v the_o church_n have_v determine_v this_o or_o that_o and_o when_o we_o inquire_v what_o that_o church_n be_v they_o say_v the_o catholic_n church_n which_o be_v right_o understand_v be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o that_o rule_n aequivocum_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la positum_fw-la stat_fw-la pro_fw-la famosiori_fw-la significato_fw-la the_o emphasis_n put_v the_o word_n upon_o the_o high_a and_o large_a signification_n but_o when_o we_o come_v to_o a_o far_a disquision_n of_o their_o meaning_n they_o tell_v we_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o church_n and_o all_o other_o that_o dissent_v or_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o the_o church_n or_o of_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n many_o protestant_n also_o that_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o some_o particular_a national_a church_n viz._n of_o france_n england_n spain_n etc._n etc._n but_o when_o we_o inquire_v what_o this_o church_n be_v they_o will_v tell_v we_o it_o be_v the_o body_n of_o the_o clergy_n meet_v together_o in_o a_o convocation_n by_o a_o few_o representative_n to_o make_v law_n and_o canon_n and_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n the_o executive_a power_n whereof_o be_v in_o the_o bishop_n and_o their_o court_n so_o that_o when_o these_o few_o man_n have_v make_v law_n or_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a power_n compose_v form_n of_o prayer_n or_o establish_v ceremony_n at_o their_o pleasure_n they_o say_v the_o church_n do_v it_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o man_n make_v use_v of_o this_o great_a command_a word_n the_o church_n and_o by_o this_o equivocal_a term_n sound_v so_o loud_o of_o a_o uncontrollable_a prerogative_n they_o suggest_v unto_o poor_a well-meaning_a people_n on_o the_o one_o side_n that_o all_o that_o the_o pope_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o all_o that_o the_o bishop_n and_o their_o court_n do_v be_v do_v by_o the_o church_n as_o if_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a universal_a visible_a church_n it_o be_v not_o my_o present_a task_n here_o to_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o scripture-acceptation_n or_o the_o most_o true_a logical_a notion_n thereof_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o genus_fw-la or_o a_o integrum_fw-la or_o totum_fw-la aggregativum_fw-la i_o shall_v only_o in_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n apply_v myself_o to_o the_o most_o rectify_a sense_n of_o those_o that_o do_v defend_v the_o legislative_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o start_v from_o all_o right_a reason_n and_o rule_n of_o logic_n their_o sense_n must_v be_v that_o the_o catholic_n militant_a church_n be_v the_o church_n whether_o it_o may_v be_v organical_a according_a to_o scripture-constitution_n we_o argue_v not_o now_o constitute_v of_o subordinate_a part_n first_o national_a or_o if_o you_o please_v patriarchal_a before_o that_o of_o national_a make_v up_o of_o provincial_a provincial_a of_o diocesan_n diocesan_n of_o parochial_a and_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o sincere_a meaning_n of_o the_o church_n without_o prevarication_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o beforementioned_a §_o 2._o now_o the_o main_a thing_n in_o debate_n between_o the_o assertor_n of_o the_o church_n authority_n and_o the_o dissentor_n from_o it_o be_v whether_o the_o church_n may_v exercise_v such_o a_o power_n as_o may_v change_v indifferency_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n into_o necessity_n which_o we_o hold_v in_o the_o negative_a and_o say_v that_o christ_n have_v never_o grant_v such_o power_n unto_o the_o church_n he_o have_v grant_v a_o executive_a power_n unto_o his_o church_n but_o never_o a_o legislative_a power_n for_o all_o lawful_a power_n that_o any_o church_n have_v it_o must_v have_v it_o from_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v all_o power_n give_v unto_o he_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o be_v the_o peculiar_a king_n of_o his_o church_n and_o have_v take_v care_n for_o the_o right_n order_v and_o governance_n of_o it_o in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a as_o to_o salvation_n so_o to_o order_n and_o discipline_n and_o therefore_o what_o be_v not_o derive_v from_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n can_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v lawful_o exercise_v it_o be_v true_a if_o it_o can_v be_v show_v where_o christ_n ever_o grant_v it_o by_o his_o charter_n to_o his_o church_n that_o in_o some_o particular_a concern_v she_o may_v exert_v a_o legislative_a power_n the_o dispute_n will_v soon_o be_v end_v but_o no_o such_o charter_n can_v ever_o be_v show_v §_o 3._o if_o any_o such_o power_n be_v grant_v by_o christ_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n militant_a or_o to_o particular_a subordinate_a church_n but_o it_o be_v not_o grant_v to_o either_o of_o they_o ergo._n not_o to_o the_o universal_a church_n because_o it_o be_v not_o organise_v with_o officer_n capable_a of_o a_o catholic_n rule_n unless_o we_o
indifferency_n which_o a_o weak_a christian_a think_v according_a to_o his_o best_a light_n from_o god_n word_n to_o be_v necessary_a than_o the_o other_o part_n which_o authority_n lay_v a_o stress_n upon_o by_o a_o law_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o i_o must_v choose_v suffer_v rather_o than_o endanger_v any_o soul_n salvation_n in_o the_o least_o now_o if_o i_o refuse_v active_a obedience_n to_o the_o magistrate_n i_o only_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o suffer_v the_o penalty_n which_o it_o may_v be_v i_o can_v bear_v and_o comfort_v myself_o under_o but_o in_o case_n i_o wrong_v a_o soul_n by_o my_o action_n i_o can_v free_v myself_o from_o sin_n and_o be_o a_o occasion_n of_o another_o too_o either_o of_o which_o be_v but_o especial_o both_o much_o heavy_a than_o the_o great_a suffering_n last_o if_o i_o suffer_v the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n i_o both_o fulfil_v the_o law_n and_o save_v my_o brother_n too_o §_o 2._o now_o these_o obstacle_n be_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o way_n i_o proceed_v to_o determine_v the_o question_n that_o in_o case_n any_o power_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a shall_v presume_v so_o far_o as_o to_o enact_v law_n in_o the_o concern_v of_o divine_a worship_n so_o as_o to_o change_v christian_a indifferency_n into_o necessity_n that_o a_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o refuse_v active_a obedience_n thereto_o and_o i_o make_v good_a this_o assertion_n by_o the_o follow_a argument_n 1._o to_o yield_v such_o obedience_n be_v to_o serve_v god_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o no_o christian_n ought_v to_o serve_v god_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o man_n ergo._n the_o major_n be_v true_a because_o it_o be_v a_o serve_a god_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v devise_v by_o man_n and_o to_o the_o obeyer_n be_v no_o other_o for_o he_o in_o his_o conscience_n believe_v so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o will_n of_o god_n the_o minor_a be_v true_a because_o that_o be_v will-worship_n which_o be_v the_o product_n only_o of_o man_n will_n god_n will_v be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a of_o that_o will_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o his_o worship_n or_o else_o we_o bring_v vain_a oblation_n unto_o he_o 2._o the_o goodness_n determine_v by_o a_o humane_a law_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o man_n will_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o goodness_n of_o expediency_n determine_v by_o a_o conscientious_a christian_n for_o god_n sake_n for_o such_o a_o goodness_n of_o expediency_n be_v approve_v of_o by_o god_n and_o the_o contrary_a to_o it_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la be_v unlawful_a therefore_o from_o this_o close_n with_o such_o goodness_n we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deter_v by_o any_o humane_a law_n for_o a_o expedient_o necessary_a action_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v of_o far_o more_o force_n with_o we_o than_o a_o action_n make_v absolute_o necessary_a by_o the_o will_n of_o man_n yea_o it_o be_v to_o do_v a_o thing_n contrary_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o do_v that_o as_o necessary_a which_o god_n have_v reveal_v his_o will_n concern_v that_o we_o shall_v always_o do_v in_o a_o way_n of_o indifferency_n and_o expediency_n determinable_a by_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n for_o to_o do_v thing_n by_o way_n of_o necessity_n and_o to_o do_v by_o way_n of_o indifferency_n be_v to_o act_v by_o way_n of_o contrariety_n and_o therefore_o to_o obey_v such_o law_n be_v to_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n 3._o to_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n i._n e._n a_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n of_o any_o thing_n religious_o indifferent_a be_v unlawful_a 1_o cor._n 6.12_o but_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o constant_a active_a obedience_n to_o man_n law_n command_v a_o necessary_a performance_n of_o a_o indifferent_a action_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n of_o a_o thing_n i._n e._n into_o bondage_n i._n e._n under_o a_o yoke_n which_o christ_n never_o put_v we_o under_o now_o christ_n will_v not_o have_v we_o to_o make_v ourselves_o slave_n where_o he_o have_v make_v we_o free_a 4._o a_o christian_a be_v to_o use_v his_o liberty_n purchase_v by_o christ_n and_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o it_o ergo_fw-la to_o practice_v it_o constant_o notwithstanding_o all_o ensnare_a and_o embondage_v law_n of_o man_n and_o be_v bind_v to_o use_v his_o judgement_n in_o all_o his_o action_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o indifferency_n to_o choose_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n and_o not_o walk_v by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n the_o wise_a man_n eye_n be_v in_o his_o head_n the_o fool_n walk_v in_o darkness_n 5._o such_o active_a obedience_n be_v a_o betray_v the_o prerogative_n of_o christ_n for_o if_o a_o legislative_a power_n be_v christ_n prerogative_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v than_o the_o yield_a active_a obedience_n to_o a_o usurp_a law_n be_v the_o do_v homage_n to_o another_o lawgiver_n in_o that_o kind_n and_o give_v up_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n it_o be_v like_o a_o subject_n introduce_v the_o power_n of_o a_o foreign_a prince_n and_o do_v all_o that_o lie_v in_o he_o to_o subvert_v that_o law_n and_o sovereignty_n to_o which_o he_o be_v natural_o relate_v and_o what_o can_v be_v great_a treason_n to_o any_o state_n 6._o if_o a_o christian_a here_o obey_v it_o must_v be_v for_o christ_n sake_n or_o conscience_n sake_n rom._n 13._o it_o can_v be_v for_o christ_n sake_n because_o it_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o prerogative_n or_o betray_v it_o neither_o can_v it_o be_v for_o conscience_n sake_n to_o embondage_n itself_o where_n christ_n have_v leave_v it_o free_a whatever_o tend_v to_o the_o captivity_n or_o slavery_n of_o conscience_n be_v not_o for_o the_o good_a of_o conscience_n for_o in_o this_o they_o be_v not_o minister_n to_o i_o for_o good_a for_o the_o law_n tend_v not_o to_o my_o good_a in_o active_a obedience_n which_o if_o i_o see_v and_o yet_o yield_v i_o become_v a_o minister_n of_o evil_a to_o myself_o 7._o if_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o the_o supreme_a power_n to_o command_v and_o impose_v their_o say_a law_n it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o a_o christian_n to_o obey_v at_o ergo._n the_o consequence_n be_v manifest_a because_o the_o most_o formal_a reason_n of_o a_o evil_a law_n be_v the_o evil_a obedience_n require_v the_o minor_a have_v be_v prove_v that_o such_o a_o law_n be_v sin_n in_o superior_n to_o make_v but_o to_o confirm_v the_o consequence_n further_o to_o be_v a_o copartner_n with_o another_o in_o sin_n be_v sin_n but_o if_o the_o magistrate_n command_n and_o i_o obey_v i_o be_o copartner_n with_o he_o a_o thing_n command_v can_v be_v evil_a but_o two_o way_n either_o material_o or_o circumstantial_o if_o it_o be_v material_o evil_a there_o be_v no_o pretence_n for_o do_v it_o whatever_o humane_a power_n command_v and_o if_o it_o be_v circumstantial_o it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o commander_n usurp_v a_o false_a power_n or_o there_o be_v some_o circumstantial_a relation_n pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la that_o make_v it_o unlawful_a unto_o i_o or_o another_o it_o may_v be_v the_o thing_n may_v be_v material_o lawful_a but_o under_o both_o these_o sort_n of_o circumstance_n it_o may_v be_v unlawful_a as_o that_o i_o give_v away_o hereby_o christ_n prerogative_n i_o rob_v myself_o of_o the_o use_n of_o my_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n by_o which_o every_o christian_a be_v to_o walk_v and_o i_o it_o may_v be_v offend_v my_o brother_n i_o do_v not_o say_v a_o man_n may_v never_o do_v that_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n that_o be_v command_v by_o a_o humane_a law_n a_o christian_a have_v the_o use_n of_o his_o liberty_n as_o well_o after_o as_o before_o a_o humane_a law_n and_o he_o be_v to_o walk_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n still_o when_o he_o find_v it_o most_o for_o god_n glory_n and_o his_o or_o another_o edification_n he_o may_v take_v that_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n which_o be_v command_v sed_fw-la non_fw-la ratione_fw-la praecepti_fw-la humani_fw-la but_o from_o that_o expedient_a or_o convenient_a goodness_n which_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-mi &_o nunc_fw-la he_o find_v in_o it_o but_o that_o obedience_n which_o we_o here_o declare_v against_o be_v the_o do_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n constant_o or_o conscientious_o sub_fw-la paenâ_fw-la reatus_fw-la by_o virtue_n of_o such_o a_o law_n 8._o a_o christian_n can_v yield_v the_o aforesaid_a obedience_n but_o he_o must_v offer_v violence_n to_o his_o conscience_n i._n e._n practical_o to_o contradict_v the_o dictate_v and_o light_n thereof_o for_o every_o moral_a action_n must_v be_v approve_v or_o reprobate_v thereby_o but_o he_o must_v needs_o know_v that_o that_o which_o be_v not_o command_v or_o approve_v by_o christ_n as_o indifferent_a thing_n be_v though_o not_o command_v by_o he_o