quarrelsome_a humour_n and_o superstitious_a niceness_n of_o some_o of_o the_o brethren_n who_o upon_o very_o slight_a ground_n of_o reason_v or_o be_v addict_v to_o their_o own_o custom_n at_o home_n or_o fond_a of_o what_o they_o have_v observe_v abroad_o raise_v such_o wrangle_a dispute_n about_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v clear_o determine_v either_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o holy_a scripture_n or_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n or_o by_o the_o consideration_n of_o what_o be_v best_a for_o reformation_n of_o life_n that_o they_o seem_v to_o reckon_v nothing_o well_o do_v but_o what_o they_o do_v themselves_o i_o shall_v add_v no_o more_o but_o that_o plain_a rule_n he_o give_v elsewhere_o to_o this_o purpose_n as_o to_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n define_v nothing_o certain_a one_o way_n or_o the_o other_o casulanum_fw-la the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n 86._o and_o the_o decree_n of_o our_o ancestor_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v for_o law_n now_o by_o this_o and_o much_o more_o that_o may_v be_v produce_v we_o may_v see_v what_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o that_o liberty_n be_v which_o the_o ancient_a church_n allow_v in_o matter_n of_o indifference_n not_o that_o there_o be_v no_o rule_n in_o the_o particular_a church_n for_o the_o order_v and_o regulate_v of_o thing_n of_o this_o sort_n for_o we_o find_v the_o bishop_n do_v use_v their_o authority_n in_o these_o thing_n over_o their_o charge_n as_o st._n ambrose_n word_n to_o st._n augustine_n mother_n about_o the_o forementioned_a case_n do_v plain_o imply_v 86._o resist_v not_o thy_o bishop_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o what_o he_o do_v that_o do_v thou_o without_o any_o scruple_n or_o dispute_n and_o beside_o those_o particular_a custom_n the_o variety_n and_o multitude_n of_o which_o st._n austin_n complain_v of_o 119._o there_o be_v the_o determination_n of_o episcopal_a synod_n concern_v thing_n not_o determine_v in_o scripture_n which_o he_o do_v not_o complain_v of_o but_o their_o liberty_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o this_o sort_n establish_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o any_o church_n be_v not_o impose_v upon_o foreign_a church_n and_o catholic_n communion_n be_v not_o break_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o different_a rite_n and_o custom_n for_o though_o st._n austin_n be_v sorry_a to_o see_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o weak_a christian_n trouble_v about_o question_n of_o this_o kind_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o he_o have_v any_o occasion_n give_v he_o to_o complain_v that_o communion_n be_v break_v upon_o these_o account_n as_o before_o his_o time_n it_o have_v be_v by_o pope_n victor_n rashness_n in_o presume_v to_o excommunicate_v the_o asiatic_a bishop_n for_o observe_v easter_n upon_o the_o fourteen_o of_o march_n have_v not_o irenaeus_n and_o other_o wise_a and_o moderate_a person_n seasonable_o interpose_v to_o apply_v all_o this_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n since_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v make_v such_o thing_n condition_n of_o communion_n with_o she_o as_o be_v in_o st._n augustine_n phrase_n contrary_a to_o faith_n and_o good_a manner_n our_o separation_n from_o she_o upon_o this_o account_n do_v not_o at_o all_o hinder_v we_o from_o communicate_v with_o any_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n that_o do_v not_o bar_v we_o out_o by_o unlawful_a term_n of_o communion_n for_o in_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v leave_v at_o liberty_n this_o church_n perfume_v not_o to_o interpose_v her_o authority_n abroad_o nor_o refuse_v the_o communion_n of_o those_o church_n who_o custom_n and_o observation_n be_v different_a from_o we_o mere_o because_o they_o be_v different_a nay_o let_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o make_v a_o end_n of_o impose_v false_a doctrine_n and_o wicked_a practice_n and_o there_o will_v be_v a_o end_n of_o our_o separation_n from_o she_o let_v she_o give_v over_o command_v thing_n that_o god_n have_v forbid_v and_o make_v article_n of_o faith_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o reveal_v but_o be_v indeed_o contrary_a to_o sense_n and_o reason_n and_o she_o may_v for_o we_o use_v her_o authority_n at_o home_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o though_o she_o be_v guilty_a of_o great_a abuse_n even_o in_o this_o kind_n which_o need_v a_o reformation_n yet_o i_o for_o my_o part_n shall_v not_o break_v communion_n with_o she_o for_o these_o thing_n if_o she_o will_v thorough_o purge_v herself_o from_o the_o other_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o be_v of_o one_o communion_n with_o all_o foreign_a church_n that_o presume_v not_o to_o change_v the_o faith_n nor_o to_o contradict_v the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o this_o we_o shall_v demonstrate_v by_o actual_a communion_n with_o they_o if_o we_o have_v occasion_n to_o go_v abroad_o among_o they_o but_o this_o make_v our_o case_n very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o dissenter_n who_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n for_o so_o long_o as_o they_o withdraw_v from_o our_o communion_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o ecclesiastical_a order_n that_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o separate_a from_o we_o upon_o this_o principle_n that_o every_o thing_n be_v unlawful_a in_o god_n worship_n which_o be_v not_o command_v in_o scripture_n but_o enjoin_v by_o our_o superior_n only_a they_o must_v not_o upon_o those_o principle_n have_v communicate_v with_o any_o church_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n when_o there_o be_v far_o more_o vncommand_v rite_n and_o usage_n establish_v for_o the_o regulate_v of_o worship_n than_o now_o there_o be_v in_o our_o church_n and_o upon_o these_o principle_n they_o must_v not_o communicate_v with_o any_o reform_a church_n abroad_o since_o how_o different_a so_o ever_o the_o external_n mode_n of_o their_o worship_n may_v be_v from_o we_o yet_o some_o they_o all_o have_v and_o that_o consist_v of_o rule_n not_o determine_v by_o god_n word_n but_o by_o the_o law_n or_o custom_n of_o man._n to_o new_a england_n they_o must_v not_o go_v hope_v to_o find_v a_o communion_n there_o lawful_a to_o be_v embrace_v upon_o these_o principle_n the_o nonconformist_n to_o our_o liturgy_n and_o discipline_n that_o be_v there_o will_v stand_v to_o their_o own_o censure_n concern_v worship_n and_o discipline_n and_o will_v make_v out_o by_o their_o church_n authority_n such_o as_o it_o be_v what_o they_o can_v show_v chapter_n and_o verse_n for_o our_o separatist_n if_o they_o go_v thither_o shall_v find_v no_o other_o use_n of_o their_o liberty_n allow_v there_o but_o conformity_n and_o compliance_n with_o that_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o government_n which_o there_o obtain_v it_o be_v a_o plain_a case_n that_o they_o who_o separate_a from_o our_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o unommand_v rite_n and_o practice_n in_o god_n worship_n be_v something_o more_o oblige_v by_o this_o principle_n to_o avoid_v communion_n with_o all_o foreign_a church_n if_o rule_n for_o custom_n concern_v thing_n indifferent_a be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o all_o as_o most_o certain_o such_o rule_n more_o or_o few_o all_o of_o they_o have_v for_o in_o the_o former_a case_n our_o separatist_n be_v disobedient_a to_o their_o proper_a governor_n and_o pastor_n who_o authority_n over_o they_o be_v some_o thing_n more_o clear_a and_o indisputable_a than_o that_o of_o the_o governor_n of_o other_o church_n where_o they_o may_v happen_v to_o go_v and_o therefore_o if_o they_o will_v not_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v determine_v by_o a_o authority_n at_o home_n there_o be_v less_o reason_n to_o believe_v their_o conscience_n will_v suffer_v they_o to_o be_v determine_v therein_o by_o one_o abroad_o i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o though_o our_o reformation_n leave_v usfree_a to_o communicate_v with_o all_o church_n abroad_o that_o do_v not_o require_v sinful_a term_n of_o communion_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v yet_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o dissenter_n from_o we_o proceed_v upon_o ground_n destructive_a of_o communion_n with_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n indeed_o i_o believe_v most_o of_o our_o dissenter_n will_v communicate_v with_o several_a reform_a church_n abroad_o but_o in_o so_o do_v they_o must_v depart_v from_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o separate_a at_o home_n unless_o they_o can_v find_v a_o reform_a church_n which_o exercise_v no_o authority_n in_o form_n of_o prayer_n nor_o in_o any_o indifferent_a thing_n for_o the_o external_a regulation_n of_o public_a worship_n but_o where_o such_o a_o church_n be_v to_o be_v find_v i_o be_o yet_o to_o be_v inform_v and_o thus_o much_o concern_v those_o difference_n of_o the_o case_n that_o be_v consequent_a upon_o the_o difference_n in_o point_n of_o authority_n and_o of_o term_n of_o communion_n 3._o i_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o last_o plea_n i_o propound_v which_o i_o confess_v be_v not_o only_o common_a to_o both_o side_n but_o which_o also_o may_v be_v as_o true_o allege_v on_o
they_o will_v submit_v to_o our_o bishop_n and_o by_o their_o conformity_n contribute_v to_o uphold_v the_o order_n of_o this_o national_a church_n but_o then_o the_o independent_o indeed_o must_v in_o consequence_n of_o their_o principle_n deny_v that_o bishop_n single_o or_o joint_o whether_o with_o the_o civil_a authority_n or_o without_o it_o have_v any_o right_a to_o prescribe_v to_o their_o congregation_n in_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a since_o in_o these_o thing_n they_o hold_v their_o member_n to_o be_v accountable_a to_o no_o authority_n under_o god_n but_o that_o of_o the_o congregation_n to_o which_o they_o belong_v and_o now_o i_o shall_v compare_v the_o two_o case_n of_o separation_n with_o respect_n to_o three_o thing_n which_o will_v i_o conceive_v comprehend_v all_o the_o forementioned_a plea_n on_o both_o side_n that_o be_v with_o respect_n 1._o to_o authority_n 2._o to_o term_n of_o communion_n and_o under_o this_o head_n to_o the_o common_a pretence_n of_o separate_n for_o great_a purity_n 3._o to_o the_o plea_n of_o conscience_n 1._o with_o respect_n to_o authority_n we_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o one_o particular_a constitute_v church_n from_o another_o neither_o of_o which_o have_v any_o authority_n to_o prescribe_v to_o the_o other_o in_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a and_o therefore_o as_o i_o say_v before_o though_o the_o term_n of_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n be_v not_o unlawful_a yet_o if_o she_o will_v have_v no_o communion_n with_o we_o unless_o we_o will_v be_v govern_v by_o her_o law_n and_o if_o our_o church_n governor_n shall_v use_v their_o own_o liberty_n and_o authority_n to_o prescribe_v to_o we_o what_o they_o judge_v more_o suitable_a to_o the_o general_n rule_v of_o scripture_n and_o more_o conducible_a to_o the_o great_a end_n of_o christianity_n the_o separation_n ensue_v upon_o that_o church_n affect_v a_o usurpation_n over_o we_o can_v not_o be_v schismatical_a on_o our_o part_n who_o be_v not_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n but_o upon_o the_o part_n of_o that_o church_n it_o will_v be_v so_o for_o her_o exercise_v a_o authority_n where_o she_o have_v no_o right_a so_o to_o do_v but_o the_o case_n of_o the_o dissenter_n be_v far_o otherwise_o who_o separate_a from_o this_o national_a church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o baptise_a and_o where_o they_o live_v for_o by_o thus_o do_v we_o say_v that_o they_o withdraw_v their_o obedience_n from_o their_o lawful_a governor_n from_o who_o if_o they_o divide_v especial_o if_o they_o set_v up_o a_o communion_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o their_o superior_n and_o of_o the_o congregation_n under_o they_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o manifest_a schism_n unless_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n be_v unlawful_a for_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n sufficient_a to_o clear_v they_o of_o this_o fault_n that_o those_o thing_n which_o fall_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o church_n authority_n be_v not_o well_o order_v because_o although_o this_o be_v true_a yet_o in_o these_o thing_n their_o practice_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o that_o authority_n for_o we_o think_v it_o very_o evident_a that_o no_o society_n can_v be_v unite_v and_o maintain_v without_o this_o principle_n that_o a_o lawful_a authority_n be_v to_o be_v submit_v unto_o and_o obey_v by_o inferior_n in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n and_o that_o the_o mere_a imprudence_n or_o inexpedience_n of_o its_o determination_n can_v absolve_v they_o from_o their_o obligation_n to_o comply_v therewith_o now_o that_o it_o be_v a_o lawful_a authority_n upon_o which_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o national_a church_n stand_v i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v deny_v that_o will_v grant_v a_o national_a church_n itself_o to_o be_v but_o a_o lawful_a constitution_n for_o there_o be_v the_o concurrence_n both_o of_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n to_o give_v they_o force_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n first_o agree_v upon_o the_o same_o rule_n and_o order_n for_o church_n government_n and_o worship_n which_o be_v afterward_o approve_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o commons_o in_o parliament_n be_v then_o make_v a_o law_n by_o the_o king_n so_o that_o if_o the_o confederation_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o this_o kingdom_n to_o govern_v themselves_o and_o to_o serve_v god_n in_o religious_a assembly_n by_o the_o same_o rule_n and_o according_a to_o the_o same_o term_n can_v become_v the_o matter_n of_o a_o law_n oblige_v all_o christian_n among_o we_o to_o conformity_n here_o be_v no_o auhority_n want_v to_o induce_v such_o a_o obligation_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o every_o one_o who_o separate_v from_o that_o parochial_a congregation_n where_o he_o live_v and_o betake_v himself_o to_o a_o opposite_a communion_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o schism_n in_o so_o do_v although_o the_o church_n of_o this_o kingdom_n have_v not_o be_v unite_v as_o they_o be_v into_o a_o national_a form_n but_o each_o bishop_n with_o his_o presbyter_n have_v make_v rule_n for_o religious_a assembly_n independent_o upon_o the_o rest_n but_o now_o the_o fault_n of_o such_o separation_n be_v heinous_o aggravate_v as_o the_o case_n stand_v by_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o that_o those_o order_n or_o imposition_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o he_o separate_v from_o the_o parish_n where_o he_o live_v be_v make_v by_o the_o common_a advice_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o christ_n flock_n in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o that_o for_o a_o common_a rule_n to_o they_o all_o which_o method_n be_v a_o most_o proper_a mean_n to_o unite_v their_o particular_a church_n more_o close_o one_o to_o another_o and_o to_o edify_v and_o strengthen_v they_o by_o such_o union_n therefore_o that_o separation_n which_o will_v have_v be_v unblamable_a of_o itself_o be_v so_o much_o the_o worse_a as_o it_o tend_v to_o break_v so_o profitable_a a_o union_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o authority_n of_o so_o many_o church_n governor_n to_o contempt_n as_o contribute_v towards_o it_o by_o their_o advice_n and_o consent_n 2._o that_o since_o the_o rule_n thus_o agree_v upon_o be_v make_v law_n also_o by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n such_o schism_n be_v aggravate_v far_o by_o disobedience_n to_o the_o lawful_a command_n of_o the_o civil_a authority_n under_o which_o we_o live_v and_o to_o which_o all_o particular_a church_n in_o this_o kingdom_n do_v owe_v obedience_n in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n and_o now_o i_o believe_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n will_v grant_v that_o upon_o these_o account_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o case_n of_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o point_n of_o authority_n but_o then_o i_o must_v confess_v the_o independent_o be_v likely_a enough_o to_o say_v that_o these_o imposition_n be_v as_o true_o usurpation_n upon_o particular_a congregation_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v enforce_v upon_o this_o kingdom_n by_o a_o pretend_a authority_n from_o rome_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o say_v and_o prove_v we_o may_v here_o be_v at_o a_o considerable_a loss_n however_o this_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o a_o english_a bishop_n may_v have_v good_a authority_n to_o govern_v his_o diocese_n and_o a_o presbyter_n his_o parish_n here_o in_o england_n and_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v foolish_a and_o unjust_a in_o a_o foreign_a bishop_n to_o claim_v any_o authority_n over_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o and_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v not_o deny_v that_o the_o king_n have_v good_a authority_n here_o though_o the_o pope_n have_v none_o nor_o that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n concern_v religion_n and_o god_n worship_n do_v bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o the_o king_n subject_n something_o more_o than_o if_o they_o have_v want_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o legislative_a power_n at_o home_n and_o come_v to_o we_o from_o abroad_o with_o nothing_o but_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o fisherman_n to_o recommend_v they_o i._n e._n that_o in_o this_o latter_a case_n we_o may_v have_v refuse_v they_o as_o want_v authority_n but_o not_o so_o in_o the_o former_a but_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v lawful_a they_o ought_v to_o be_v comply_v with_o and_o whereas_o the_o independent_o suppose_v the_o independency_n of_o their_o congregation_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n both_o in_o opposition_n to_o episcopal_a superiority_n and_o to_o national_a church-government_n this_o we_o must_v leave_v to_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n between_o they_o and_o we_o and_o i_o may_v as_o well_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o their_o pretend_a right_n to_o independency_n have_v be_v as_o clear_o argue_v of_o novelty_n and_o weakness_n as_o the_o pope_n pretend_v right_o to_o supremacy_n have_v be_v argue_v i_o say_v of_o more_o novelty_n and_o almost_o as_o much_o weakness_n but_o to_o step_v a_o little_a out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o
to_o require_v nothing_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o christian_n but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o god_n word_n and_o lawful_a to_o be_v do_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o in_o such_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o do_v what_o be_v command_v and_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o run_v into_o a_o separate_a communion_n upon_o these_o principle_n we_o depart_v from_o rome_n and_o stick_v where_o we_o be_v and_o i_o trust_v that_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v neither_o go_v back_o to_o rome_n nor_o run_v after_o the_o separation_n there_o be_v no_o need_n either_o of_o the_o former_a to_o preserve_v unity_n or_o of_o the_o late_a to_o avoid_v tyranny_n to_o draw_v to_o a_o conclusion_n of_o this_o matter_n the_o main_a reason_n of_o our_o separation_n from_o rome_n be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v not_o continue_v in_o her_o communion_n without_o do_v thing_n that_o god_n have_v plain_o forbid_v the_o reformation_n of_o our_o church_n be_v at_o first_o effect_v by_o and_o 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authority_n and_o liberty_n and_o this_o be_v what_o our_o church_n have_v express_o declare_v in_o these_o our_o do_n we_o condemn_v not_o other_o nation_n nor_o prescribe_v any_o thing_n but_o to_o our_o own_o people_n only_o for_o we_o think_v it_o convenient_a that_o every_o country_n shall_v use_v such_o ceremony_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v best_a to_o the_o set_v forth_o of_o god_n honour_n and_o glory_n liturgy_n and_o to_o the_o reduce_n of_o the_o people_n to_o a_o most_o perfect_a and_o godly_a live_n without_o error_n or_o superstition_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v put_v away_o other_o thing_n which_o from_o time_n to_o time_n they_o perceive_v to_o be_v most_o abuse_v as_o in_o man_n ordinance_n it_o often_o chance_v diverse_o in_o divers_a country_n in_o pursuance_n of_o which_o excellent_a and_o true_o catholic_n declaration_n i_o will_v not_o only_o communicate_v with_o foreign_a church_n who_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o nothing_o but_o matter_n of_o from_o and_o 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or_o how_o they_o come_v in_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n say_v he_o there_o be_v one_o most_o wholesome_a rule_n to_o be_v observe_v januarium_fw-la that_o wherever_o we_o see_v any_o of_o they_o obtain_v which_o be_v neither_o contrary_n to_o faith_n nor_o good_a manner_n 119._o and_o have_v some_o tendency_n to_o edification_n we_o shall_v not_o only_o abstain_v from_o find_v fault_n with_o they_o but_o commend_v and_o practise_v they_o ourselves_o and_o yet_o he_o complain_v in_o this_o very_a epistle_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o ceremonious_a observation_n in_o which_o particular_a church_n differ_v from_o one_o another_o and_o wish_n that_o a_o reformation_n be_v make_v by_o authority_n thus_o in_o the_o forego_n epistle_n speak_v of_o the_o different_a observation_n of_o divers_a place_n for_o instance_n that_o some_o fast_n upon_o the_o saturday_n and_o some_o do_v not_o 118._o etc._n etc._n and_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n which_o be_v to_o be_v account_v indifferent_a nothing_o say_v he_o do_v more_o become_v the_o gravity_n and_o prudence_n of_o a_o christian_a then_o to_o do_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o that_o church_n into_o which_o he_o shall_v happen_v to_o come_v then_o he_o relate_v st._n ambrose_n his_o celebrate_a answer_n to_o monica_n about_o thing_n of_o this_o sort_n when_o i_o be_o at_o rome_n i_o fast_o on_o the_o saturday_n when_o i_o be_o here_o at_o milan_n i_o do_v not_o fast_a and_o so_o when_o thou_o come_v into_o any_o church_n observe_v its_o custom_n if_o thou_o will_v neither_o give_v just_a cause_n of_o offence_n nor_o take_v offence_n without_o cause_n this_o advice_n st._n austin_n magnify_v high_o and_o the_o more_o he_o think_v of_o it_o the_o better_a he_o like_v it_o for_o say_v he_o i_o have_v often_o with_o great_a sorrow_n consider_v how_o the_o mind_n of_o weak_a christian_n have_v be_v disturb_v by_o the_o
his_o soul_n to_o look_v to_o it_o that_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o separation_n be_v just_o for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o case_n wherein_o a_o mere_a persuasion_n of_o conscience_n will_v not_o secure_v a_o man_n act_v according_a to_o it_o from_o sin_v against_o god_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o plea_n that_o we_o can_v in_o conscience_n hold_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n may_v in_o our_o mouth_n be_v a_o very_a good_a plea_n against_o the_o papist_n as_o without_o question_n it_o be_v if_o our_o conscience_n be_v right_o inform_v as_o to_o the_o point_n controvert_v between_o they_o and_o we_o but_o the_o same_o plea_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o dissenter_n against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n may_v not_o be_v good_a as_o most_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o if_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o our_o church_n have_v give_v they_o just_a cause_n for_o their_o separation_n when_o there_o be_v indeed_o no_o such_o matter_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v at_o least_o hope_n that_o they_o will_v all_o of_o they_o now_o serious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o consider_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n between_o they_o and_o we_o which_o they_o be_v now_o in_o a_o especial_a manner_n bind_v to_o do_v since_o the_o charity_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o this_o city_n have_v make_v the_o do_v of_o it_o easy_a to_o all_o person_n that_o will_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o judge_n for_o themselves_o and_o that_o by_o bring_v down_o the_o particular_a question_n in_o controversy_n between_o they_o and_o we_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o ordinary_a christian_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o use_v this_o opportunity_n that_o be_v give_v they_o to_o consider_v these_o thing_n they_o will_v have_v the_o more_o to_o answer_v to_o god_n and_o they_o most_o of_o all_o that_o dissuade_v they_o from_o it_o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n whereas_o the_o papist_n declaim_v against_o our_o separation_n from_o they_o under_o pretence_n of_o 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it_o be_v rebellion_n he_o be_v go_v about_o this_o hinder_v not_o but_o another_o man_n may_v lawful_o and_o just_o pretend_v conscience_n for_o his_o loyalty_n and_o duty_n to_o the_o government_n and_o though_o in_o some_o place_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v sovereign_a prince_n who_o extend_v their_o authority_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o damnable_a error_n and_o the_o suppress_n of_o god_n holy_a truth_n and_o all_o the_o while_n believe_v that_o they_o use_v their_o power_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v yet_o this_o shall_v not_o hinder_v but_o that_o prince_n who_o believe_v and_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o withal_o protect_v and_o encourage_v it_o with_o their_o authority_n as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v be_v full_o persuade_v that_o so_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v that_o they_o i_o say_v shall_v for_o this_o receive_v god_n thanks_o and_o reward_n while_o the_o former_a shall_v go_v without_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n conscience_n may_v be_v pretend_v for_o disobey_v the_o just_a law_n of_o that_o authority_n which_o god_n have_v set_v in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o church_n but_o this_o shall_v not_o hinder_v his_o plea_n from_o be_v good_a who_o pretend_v conscience_n for_o refuse_v to_o commit_v idolatry_n though_o all_o the_o power_n under_o heaven_n shall_v require_v he_o so_o to_o do_v man_n may_v by_o mistake_n think_v they_o do_v god_n good_a service_n in_o murder_v his_o servant_n for_o this_o have_v be_v do_v by_o you_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o if_o in_o such_o plain_a case_n as_o these_o your_o understanding_n have_v be_v so_o foul_o corrupt_v it_o be_v not_o so_o great_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o the_o judgement_n of_o other_o man_n be_v so_o pervert_v by_o interest_n and_o passion_n as_o to_o believe_v themselves_o countermand_v by_o god_n in_o thing_n require_v by_o their_o superior_n but_o in_o which_o it_o will_v not_o be_v their_o sin_n but_o a_o performance_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o obey_v and_o yet_o i_o hope_v this_o answer_n whether_o it_o be_v better_a to_o obey_v god_n or_o man_n judge_v you_o be_v once_o true_o and_o pertinent_o make_v and_o may_v be_v so_o again_o and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o case_n with_o respect_n to_o conscience_n which_o be_v the_o last_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v and_o now_o i_o know_v that_o all_o this_o will_v signify_v very_o little_a to_o any_o man_n that_o bring_v not_o a_o honest_a mind_n with_o he_o to_o consider_v it_o or_o who_o have_v rather_o take_v his_o opinion_n in_o these_o thing_n upon_o trust_n than_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o judge_n for_o himself_o but_o why_o shall_v a_o man_n disparage_v himself_o so_o much_o as_o not_o to_o use_v that_o understanding_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o in_o matter_n that_o concern_v his_o salvation_n why_o shall_v he_o be_v such_o a_o enemy_n to_o himself_o as_o not_o to_o let_v go_v a_o dangerous_a mistake_n when_o he_o may_v enjoy_v the_o truth_n instead_o of_o it_o if_o he_o will_v use_v reasonable_a diligence_n to_o consider_v what_o be_v say_v on_o both_o side_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n of_o your_o duty_n in_o this_o case_n in_o the_o word_n of_o a_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o practice_n and_o duty_n it_o concern_v every_o man_n to_o use_v his_o own_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n in_o search_v for_o truth_n and_o in_o weigh_v what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v rather_o than_o to_o be_v betray_v into_o error_n and_o sin_n 7._o by_o such_o a_o credulous_a reliance_n upon_o other_o as_o if_o himself_o have_v not_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o man_n and_o be_v incapable_a of_o consideration_n god_n have_v give_v to_o every_o man_n his_o share_n of_o wit_n both_o to_o find_v out_o some_o thing_n by_o himself_o and_o to_o weigh_v those_o which_o he_o hear_v from_o other_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o all_o man_n to_o love_v wisdom_n and_o to_o desire_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o they_o make_v fool_n of_o themselves_o who_o without_o discretion_n take_v the_o word_n of_o their_o leader_n for_o all_o that_o they_o say_v and_o follow_v they_o more_o like_a beast_n than_o like_o reasonable_a creature_n which_o word_n be_v not_o so_o to_o be_v take_v as_o if_o it_o be_v dishonourable_a or_o dangerous_a to_o any_o man_n to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o help_n of_o other_o in_o learn_v the_o truth_n for_o this_o be_v to_o destroy_v the_o use_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o take_v away_o the_o benefit_n of_o mutual_a endeavour_n to_o lead_v one_o another_o into_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o our_o duty_n but_o for_o all_o this_o it_o may_v be_v a_o very_a foolish_a and_o unmanly_a part_n and_o it_o may_v betray_v we_o into_o very_o dangerous_a error_n not_o to_o use_v our_o own_o judgement_n at_o all_o in_o matter_n of_o sin_n and_o duty_n and_o in_o opinion_n lead_v to_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o but_o instead_o thereof_o to_o 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