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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n faith_n scripture_n tradition_n 4,321 5 9.3984 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A27392 An answer to the dissenters pleas for separation, or, An abridgment of the London cases wherein the substance of those books is digested into one short and plain discourse. Bennet, Thomas, 1673-1728. 1700 (1700) Wing B1888; ESTC R16887 202,270 335

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edification_n nor_o do_v our_o church_n impose_v they_o like_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o necessary_a and_o as_o part_n of_o religion_n but_o as_o mere_o indifferent_a and_o changeable_a thing_n as_o for_o our_o penance_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v not_o cruel_a like_o those_o of_o rome_n 3._o the_o church_n of_o rome_n subject_n her_o member_n by_o several_a of_o her_o doctrine_n to_o enslave_v passion_n for_o instance_n purgatory_n subject_n they_o to_o fear_n and_o auricular_a confession_n to_o shame_n and_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o sacrament_n upon_o the_o priest_n intention_n expose_v they_o to_o great_a anxiety_n but_o our_o church_n reject_v the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n and_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o sacrament_n upon_o the_o priest_n intention_n and_o do_v not_o oblige_v her_o member_n to_o confess_v their_o sin_n to_o man_n but_o when_o for_o the_o relief_n of_o their_o conscience_n or_o make_v satisfaction_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v their_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v 4._o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v licentious_a principle_n and_o practice_n which_o our_o adversary_n can_v charge_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n second_o in_o all_o those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n in_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v just_o charge_v with_o plain_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n for_o instance_n our_o church_n reject_v and_o utter_o abhor_v the_o popish_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o image-worship_n invocation_n of_o saint_n transubstantiation_n pardon_n indulgence_n sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n deny_v the_o bible_n to_o the_o vulgar_a prayer_n and_o sacrament_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n rob_v the_o laity_n of_o the_o cup_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n prohibit_v marriage_n to_o priest_n merit_n supererogation_n make_v simple_a fornication_n a_o mere_a venial_a sin_n damn_v all_o that_o be_v not_o of_o her_o communion_n etc._n etc._n nor_o be_v there_o any_o church_n that_o more_o severe_o condemn_v all_o instance_n of_o unrighteousness_n and_o immorality_n than_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v three_o in_o their_o public_a prayer_n and_o office_n to_o show_v this_o in_o all_o particular_n will_v be_v a_o tedious_a task_n therefore_o i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o the_o office_n of_o infant-baptism_n by_o which_o the_o reader_n may_v judge_v of_o the_o rest_n before_o they_o go_v into_o the_o church_n after_o many_o preparatory_a prescription_n the_o priest_n be_v dress_v in_o a_o surplice_n and_o purple_a robe_n call_v the_o infant_n say_v what_o ask_v thou_o etc._n etc._n the_o godfather_n answer_v faith_n p._n what_o shall_v thou_o get_v by_o faith_n g._n eternal_a life_n p._n if_o thou_o therefore_o etc._n etc._n then_o the_o priest_n blow_v three_o gentle_a puff_n upon_o the_o infant_n be_v face_n and_o say_v go_v out_o of_o he_o o_o unclean_a spirit_n etc._n etc._n then_o cross_v the_o infant_n be_v forehead_n and_o breast_n he_o say_v receive_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n etc._n etc._n then_o he_o pray_v that_o god_n will_v always_o etc._n etc._n and_o after_o a_o long_a prayer_n the_o priest_n lay_v his_o hand_n on_o the_o infant_n be_v head_n come_v the_o idle_a and_o profane_a form_n of_o the_o benediction_n of_o salt_n viz._n i_o conjure_v thou_o o_o creature_n of_o salt_n in_o the_o name_n etc._n etc._n with_o many_o cross_n then_o he_o put_v a_o little_a salt_n into_o the_o infant_n be_v mouth_n say_v take_v thou_o the_o salt_n of_o wisdom_n and_o add_v most_o impious_o be_v it_o thy_o propitiation_n unto_o eternal_a life_n after_o the_o pax_n tecum_fw-la he_o pray_v that_o this_o infant_n etc._n etc._n then_o the_o devil_n be_v conjure_v again_o and_o most_o woeful_o be-called_a then_o the_o priest_n cross_v the_o infant_n be_v forehead_n say_v and_o this_o sign_n etc._n etc._n then_o he_o put_v his_o hand_n on_o the_o infant_n be_v head_n and_o put_v up_o a_o very_a good_a prayer_n then_o he_o put_v part_n of_o his_o robe_n upon_o the_o infant_n and_o bring_v he_o within_o the_o church_n say_v enter_v thou_o etc._n etc._n then_o follow_v the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o the_o paternoster_n then_o the_o devil_n be_v conjure_v again_o and_o the_o priest_n take_v spittle_n out_o of_o his_o mouth_n and_o therewith_o touch_v the_o infant_n be_v ear_n and_o nostril_n say_v etc._n etc._n then_o he_o conjure_v the_o devil_n again_o say_v be_v pack_v o_o devil_n etc._n etc._n then_o he_o ask_v the_o infant_n whether_o he_o renounce_v the_o devil_n etc._n etc._n then_o dip_v his_o thumb_n in_o holy_a oil_n and_o anoint_v the_o infant_n with_o it_o in_o his_o breast_n and_o betwixt_o his_o shoulder_n he_o say_v i_o anoint_v thou_o etc._n etc._n then_o he_o put_v off_o his_o purple_a robe_n and_o put_v on_o another_o of_o white_a colour_n and_o have_v ask_v four_o more_o question_n and_o receive_v the_o answer_n he_o pour_v water_n thrice_o upon_o the_o child_n head_n as_o he_o recite_v over_o it_o our_o saviour_n form_n of_o baptism_n then_o dip_v his_o thumb_n in_o the_o chrism_n or_o holy_a ointment_n he_o anoint_v the_o infant_n upon_o the_o crown_n of_o his_o head_n in_o the_o figure_n of_o a_o cross_n and_o pray_v o_o god_n omnipotent_a etc._n etc._n afterward_o he_o take_v a_o white_a linen_n cloth_n and_o put_v it_o on_o the_o child_n head_n say_v take_v the_o white_a garment_n etc._n etc._n last_o he_o put_v into_o the_o child_n or_o his_o godfather_n hand_n a_o light_a candle_n say_v receive_v the_o burn_a lamp_n etc._n etc._n beside_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o the_o common_a ritual_a there_o be_v divers_a other_o add_v in_o the_o pastoral_n which_o i_o shall_v not_o mention_v and_o now_o if_o any_o man_n will_v read_v our_o office_n of_o baptism_n he_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o no_o two_o thing_n can_v be_v more_o unlike_a than_o these_o two_o office_n be_v our_o litany_n indeed_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o dissenter_n as_o savour_v of_o popish_a superstition_n but_o nothing_o be_v more_o false_a if_o a_o man_n compare_v it_o with_o the_o popish_a one_o the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o consist_v in_o invocation_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n but_o the_o brevity_n i_o be_o confine_v to_o in_o this_o discourse_n will_v not_o permit_v i_o to_o abide_v any_o long_o upon_o this_o argument_n four_o in_o the_o book_n they_o receive_v for_o canonical_a for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n take_v all_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n into_o the_o canon_n but_o the_o church_n of_o england_n take_v only_o those_o which_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o all_o protestant_n acknowledge_v it_o be_v true_a she_o read_v some_o part_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n for_o instruction_n of_o manner_n but_o she_o do_v not_o establish_v any_o doctrine_n by_o they_o five_o and_o last_o in_o the_o authority_n on_o which_o they_o find_v their_o whole_a religion_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n find_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o her_o own_o infallibility_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o many_o of_o her_o own_o doctrine_n on_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o the_o decree_n of_o her_o council_n which_o she_o will_v have_v to_o be_v no_o less_o inspire_v than_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n but_o the_o church_n of_o england_n build_v her_o whole_a religion_n upon_o scripture_n which_o be_v her_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n she_o reverence_n ancient_a general_a council_n but_o do_v not_o think_v they_o infallible_a and_o as_o for_o that_o authority_n which_o our_o church_n claim_v in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n by_o require_v subscription_n to_o 39_o article_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o she_o mean_v no_o more_o authority_n than_o to_o oblige_v her_o member_n to_o outward_a submission_n when_o her_o decision_n do_v not_o contradict_v any_o essential_o of_o faith_n or_o manner_n but_o not_o a_o authority_n to_o oblige_v man_n to_o believe_v they_o infallible_o true_a and_o this_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o peace_n of_o any_o church_n it_o be_v true_a she_o think_v it_o convenient_a that_o none_o shall_v receive_v order_n be_v admit_v to_o benefice_n etc._n etc._n but_o such_o as_o do_v believe_v they_o not_o all_o as_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o many_o as_o inferior_a truth_n and_o she_o require_v subscription_n as_o a_o test_n of_o this_o belief_n but_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n require_v all_o person_n under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o believe_v all_o her_o false_a and_o wicked_a doctrine_n as_o much_o as_o the_o most_o undoubted_a article_n of_o faith_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o creed_n of_o pius_n the_o four_o as_o to_o the_o motive_n which_o our_o church_n propose_v for_o our_o belief_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o viz._n the_o excellency_n of_o they_o and_o the_o miracle_n which_o confirm_v they_o
rather_o it_o be_v a_o persuasion_n with_o some_o mixture_n of_o doubtfulness_n if_o the_o man_n be_v not_o full_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o eat_v yet_o he_o think_v it_o much_o more_o probable_a that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n than_o that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o he_o can_v not_o be_v condemn_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n for_o eat_v if_o he_o do_v not_o think_v his_o eat_n to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o be_v not_o in_o some_o degree_n persuade_v of_o it_o well_o but_o the_o apostle_n say_v v._o 5._o one_o man_n esteem_v one_o day_n above_o another_o another_o man_n esteem_v every_o day_n alike_o let_v every_o man_n be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o a_o man_n must_v be_v persuade_v that_o the_o action_n be_v lawful_a else_o he_o do_v not_o act_n with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n and_o be_v not_o that_o the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o be_v here_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith_n or_o with_o a_o full_a persuasion_n the_o apostle_n therefore_o by_o the_o former_a text_n direct_v we_o to_o interpret_v this_o latter_a in_o the_o proper_a sense_n of_o doubt_v but_o i_o answer_v that_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o oblige_v they_o to_o get_v full_a persuasion_n in_o their_o several_a way_n for_o there_o be_v too_o much_o of_o that_o already_o among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n to_o tell_v they_o that_o if_o they_o act_v without_o a_o full_a persuasion_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n they_o sin_v against_o conscience_n but_o his_o design_n be_v to_o persuade_v they_o quiet_o to_o permit_v each_o other_o to_o enjoy_v their_o several_a persuasion_n in_o those_o little_a matter_n without_o censure_v one_o another_o so_o that_o the_o word_n must_v be_v render_v let_v every_o one_o be_v fill_v with_o his_o own_o mind_n or_o satisfy_v with_o his_o own_o persuasion_n this_o indeed_o differ_v from_o our_o english_a translation_n but_o grotius_n and_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a as_o well_o as_o st._n chrysostom_n and_o theodoret_n do_v thus_o interpret_v it_o and_o moreover_o the_o matter_n require_v it_o for_o otherwise_o the_o precept_n be_v neither_o reasonable_a nor_o possible_a since_o if_o there_o appear_v reason_n of_o doubt_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o command_v a_o man_n not_o to_o doubt_v nay_o it_o be_v then_o as_o much_o his_o duty_n to_o doubt_v as_o in_o other_o case_n to_o believe_v thus_o than_o it_o appear_v that_o these_o word_n he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o eat_v do_v not_o overthrow_v my_o assertion_n but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o true_a and_o substantial_a answer_n to_o the_o argument_n yet_o i_o shall_v give_v another_o which_o untie_v the_o difficulty_n upon_o the_o dissenter_n own_o principle_n suppose_v therefore_o what_o be_v utter_o false_a that_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o a_o real_o doubt_v person_n and_o not_o of_o one_o that_o be_v persuade_v and_o that_o the_o man_n do_v sin_n in_o eat_v those_o meat_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o which_o he_o doubt_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o a_o man_n sin_n in_o obey_v authority_n where_o he_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o command_n for_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a disparity_n in_o the_o case_n since_o the_o man_n st._n paul_n speak_v of_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o forbear_v eat_v and_o sin_v in_o choose_v to_o run_v a_o needless_a hazard_n of_o transgress_a god_n law_n but_o when_o the_o superior_a command_n a_o man_n be_v not_o at_o liberty_n in_o the_o former_a case_n the_o man_n may_v forbear_v without_o any_o danger_n but_o in_o the_o latter_a case_n there_o be_v great_a danger_n in_o forbear_v than_o in_o act_v and_o therefore_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o act_v in_o the_o latter_a case_n though_o it_o may_v be_v sin_n to_o act_v in_o the_o former_a but_o further_a the_o reason_n why_o he_o that_o eat_v doubt_o sin_n in_o so_o do_v be_v this_o because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o say_v it_o be_v always_o sinful_a to_o act_v in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n because_o there_o be_v some_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n may_v act_v with_o faith_n notwithstanding_o his_o doubt_n for_o he_o that_o be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o act_v according_a to_o his_o duty_n in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n do_v act_n with_o faith_n and_o therefore_o when_o a_o man_n be_v satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a all_o thing_n consider_v to_o do_v a_o action_n than_o to_o forbear_v it_o and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v sinful_a in_o his_o circumstance_n to_o act_v otherwise_o that_o man_n do_v not_o sin_n in_o act_v though_o he_o act_v with_o some_o kind_n of_o doubt_n because_o he_o act_n in_o faith_n be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o act_v according_a to_o his_o duty_n in_o his_o present_a circumstance_n thus_o then_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o to_o obey_v authority_n in_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n be_v not_o sinful_a because_o a_o man_n may_v soon_o be_v satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o more_o reasonable_a but_o his_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o a_o man_n can_v have_v faith_n that_o be_v be_v satisfy_v about_o a_o action_n and_o yet_o doubt_v of_o it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o answer_v that_o the_o case_n often_o happen_v a_o man_n have_v often_o very_o great_a doubt_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n in_o general_n and_o yet_o may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n he_o be_v in_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_o do_v all_o doubt_v be_v not_o contrary_a to_o faith_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o doubt_n be_v overbalanced_a though_o a_o man_n doubt_n be_v hard_a and_o troublesome_a yet_o if_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o all_o thing_n consider_v it_o be_v more_o advisable_a to_o do_v the_o action_n than_o to_o forbear_v it_o he_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o act_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n because_o he_o act_v according_a to_o his_o best_a judgement_n and_o more_o than_o this_o a_o man_n can_v do_v iv_o i_o be_o now_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o four_o and_o last_o place_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n and_o to_o inquire_v whether_o at_o all_o or_o how_o far_o a_o man_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o i_o say_v therefore_o in_o general_n that_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n do_v not_o oblige_v at_o all_o for_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n be_v the_o suspense_n of_o a_o man_n judgement_n about_o a_o particular_a action_n he_o doubt_v whether_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o or_o forbear_v it_o now_o to_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n think_v himself_o bind_v in_o conscience_n while_o he_o be_v dispute_v whether_o he_o be_v bind_v or_o no_o be_v to_o suppose_v a_o contradiction_n a_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o do_v or_o forbear_v any_o action_n but_o as_o he_o think_v that_o god_n law_n have_v command_v or_o forbid_v it_o and_o therefore_o he_o that_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o it_o be_v command_v or_o forbid_v can_v be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n either_o way_n there_o be_v no_o particular_a law_n of_o god_n which_o determine_v our_o action_n one_o way_n or_o other_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_n and_o the_o general_a law_n whether_o natural_a or_o reveal_v can_v oblige_v we_o to_o no_o more_o than_o to_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v our_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v and_o when_o we_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n to_o act_v as_o reasonable_o as_o we_o can_v he_o that_o do_v thus_o act_n with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n though_o he_o act_v doubtful_o have_v thus_o large_o discuss_v the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o apply_v what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o the_o case_n of_o our_o present_a dissenter_n there_o be_v several_a person_n that_o be_v unsatisfy_a about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o our_o communion_n some_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o ceremony_n other_o of_o other_o thing_n none_o of_o they_o can_v say_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v unlawful_a for_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o a_o resolve_v conscience_n with_o which_o we_o have_v nothing_o here_o to_o do_v but_o they_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o they_o be_v lawful_a or_o no_o and_o so_o long_o as_o they_o thus_o doubt_v they_o dare_v not_o join_v in_o our_o worship_n fear_v they_o shall_v sin_v against_o god_n in_o so_o do_v of_o these_o person_n some_o have_v a_o single_a doubt_n that_o be_v they_o doubt_v whether_o they_o may_v lawful_o join_v with_o we_o but_o they_o be_v satisfy_v they_o may_v lawful_o separate_v from_o we_o other_o have_v a_o double_a doubt_n that_o be_v they_o doubt_v whether_o they_o may_v lawful_o join_v with_o we_o and_o they_o doubt_v
man_n he_o that_o mind_v those_o thing_n most_o on_o which_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o prayer_n for_o christ_n sake_n do_v depend_v will_v not_o need_v new_a phrase_n every_o time_n to_o raise_v his_o affection_n and_o the_o more_o a_o man_n be_v concern_v about_o the_o necessary_a preparation_n for_o the_o sacrament_n the_o less_o afraid_a will_v he_o be_v of_o offend_a god_n by_o kneel_v at_o it_o for_o he_o will_v find_v that_o true_a religion_n consist_v in_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o holiness_n righteousness_n and_o charity_n which_o make_v a_o man_n real_o better_a and_o more_o like_a to_o god_n 3._o if_o man_n be_v but_o real_o will_v to_o receive_v satisfaction_n this_o alone_a will_v half_o conquer_v their_o scruple_n but_o when_o they_o be_v fond_a of_o they_o and_o nourish_v they_o and_o will_v neither_o hear_v nor_o read_v what_o be_v to_o be_v say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o can_v be_v but_o little_a hope_n of_o recover_v they_o to_o a_o right_a apprehension_n of_o thing_n will_v they_o come_v once_o to_o distrust_v their_o own_o judgement_n to_o suppose_v that_o they_o may_v perhaps_o be_v all_o this_o while_n mistake_v will_v they_o calm_o and_o patient_o hear_v faithful_o and_o impartial_o consider_v what_o be_v say_v or_o write_v against_o they_o as_o eager_o seek_v for_o satisfaction_n as_o man_n do_v for_o the_o cure_n of_o any_o disease_n they_o be_v subject_a unto_o will_v they_o i_o say_v thus_o diligent_o use_v all_o fit_a mean_n and_o help_v for_o the_o removal_n of_o their_o scruple_n before_o they_o trouble_v the_o church_n with_o they_o it_o will_v not_o prove_v so_o very_o difficult_a a_o task_n to_o convince_v and_o settle_v such_o teachable_a mind_n when_o they_o have_v any_o fear_n or_o suspicion_n about_o their_o worldly_a concern_v they_o present_o repair_v to_o those_o who_o be_v best_a skill_a and_o most_o able_a to_o resolve_v they_o and_o in_o their_o judgement_n and_o determination_n they_o common_o acquiesce_v and_o satisfy_v themselves_o have_v any_o man_n a_o scruple_n about_o his_o estate_n whether_o it_o be_v firm_o settle_v or_o he_o have_v a_o true_a legal_a title_n to_o it_o the_o way_n he_o take_v for_o satisfaction_n be_v to_o advise_v with_o lawyer_n the_o most_o eminent_a for_o knowledge_n and_o honesty_n in_o their_o profession_n if_o they_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o opinion_n this_o be_v the_o great_a assurance_n he_o can_v have_v that_o it_o be_v right_a and_o safe_a thus_o be_v it_o with_o one_o that_o doubt_v whether_o such_o a_o custom_n or_o practice_n be_v for_o his_o health_n the_o opinion_n of_o know_a and_o experience_a physician_n be_v the_o only_a proper_a mean_n to_o determine_v he_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o here_o when_o any_o private_a christian_a be_v trouble_v and_o perplex_v with_o fear_n and_o scruple_n that_o concern_v his_o duty_n or_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n he_o ought_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o public_a guide_n and_o minister_n of_o religion_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o be_v best_a fit_v to_o direct_v and_o conduct_v he_o i_o say_v to_o come_v to_o they_o not_o only_o to_o dispute_v with_o they_o and_o pert_o to_o oppose_v they_o but_o with_o modesty_n to_o propound_v their_o doubt_n and_o meek_o to_o receive_v instruction_n humble_o beg_v of_o god_n to_o open_v their_o understanding_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o embrace_v the_o truth_n take_v great_a care_n that_o no_o evil_a affection_n love_v of_o a_o party_n or_o carnal_a interest_n influence_n or_o bias_n their_o judgement_n i_o do_v not_o by_o this_o desire_n man_n to_o pin_v their_o faith_n upon_o the_o priest_n sleeve_n but_o only_o diligent_o to_o attend_v to_o their_o reason_n and_o argument_n and_o to_o give_v some_o due_a regard_n to_o their_o authority_n for_o it_o be_v not_o so_o absurd_a as_o some_o may_v imagine_v for_o the_o common_a people_n to_o take_v upon_o trust_n from_o their_o lawful_a teacher_n what_o they_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n of_o themselves_o but_o the_o difficulty_n be_v how_o a_o private_a christian_a shall_v govern_v himself_o when_o the_o very_a minister_n of_o religion_n disagree_v by_o what_o rule_n shall_v he_o choose_v his_o guide_n i_o answer_v 1._o if_o a_o man_n be_v tolerable_o able_a to_o judge_n for_o himself_o let_v he_o impartial_o hear_v both_o side_n and_o think_v it_o no_o shame_n to_o change_v his_o mind_n when_o he_o see_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o can_v we_o thus_o prevail_v with_o the_o people_n diligent_o to_o examine_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n our_o church_n will_v every_o day_n gain_v more_o ground_n among_o all_o wise_a men._n for_o we_o care_v not_o how_o much_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n our_o people_n have_v so_o they_o be_v but_o humble_a and_o modest_a with_o it_o nor_o do_v we_o desire_v man_n to_o become_v our_o proselyte_n any_o further_a than_o we_o give_v they_o good_a scripture_n and_o reason_n for_o it_o 2._o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o judge_v they_o have_v better_o depend_v on_o those_o minister_n who_o be_v regular_o and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n set_v over_o they_o than_o on_o any_o other_o teacher_n that_o they_o can_v choose_v for_o themselves_o i_o speak_v now_o of_o these_o present_a controversy_n about_o form_n and_o ceremony_n which_o be_v above_o the_o sphere_n of_o common_a people_n not_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o all_o man_n which_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n when_o therefore_o in_o such_o case_n about_o which_o we_o can_v easy_o satisfy_v ourselves_o we_o follow_v the_o advice_n of_o the_o authorize_v guide_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o mislead_v we_o we_o have_v something_o to_o say_v for_o ourselves_o our_o error_n be_v more_o excusable_a as_o be_v occasion_v by_o those_o who_o judgement_n god_n command_v we_o to_o respect_v but_o when_o we_o choose_v instructor_n according_a to_o our_o own_o fancy_n if_o we_o then_o prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o be_v betray_v into_o sin_n we_o may_v thank_v our_o own_o wantonness_n for_o it_o and_o be_v more_o severe_o accountable_a for_o such_o mistake_n thus_o if_o a_o sick_a person_n shall_v miscarry_v under_o a_o license_v physician_n he_o have_v this_o contentment_n that_o he_o use_v the_o wise_a mean_n for_o recovery_n but_o if_o he_o will_v hearken_v only_o to_o quack_n and_o then_o grow_v worse_o and_o worse_o he_o must_v charge_v his_o own_o folly_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o ruin_n 4._o we_o shall_v thorough_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o lawful_a and_o how_o it_o differ_v from_o what_o be_v necessary_a and_o from_o what_o be_v sinful_a that_o be_v necessary_a or_o our_o duty_n which_o god_n have_v express_o command_v that_o be_v sinful_a which_o god_n have_v forbid_v that_o be_v lawful_a which_o god_n have_v not_o by_o any_o law_n oblige_v we_o either_o command_v or_o forbid_v for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n say_v the_o apostle_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n rom._n 4.15_o there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n but_o either_o omit_v what_o the_o law_n command_v or_o do_v what_o the_o law_n forbid_v for_o instance_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v where_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v forbid_v in_o scripture_n and_o sit_v be_v require_v where_o pray_v by_o a_o form_n be_v forbid_v and_o extempore_o prayer_n be_v enjoin_v then_o indeed_o the_o dispute_n will_v soon_o be_v at_o a_o end_n but_o if_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o other_o can_v be_v find_v as_o most_o certain_o they_o can_v then_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n and_o read_v prayer_n out_o of_o a_o book_n must_v be_v reckon_v among_o thing_n lawful_a and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o scruple_v they_o because_o they_o may_v be_v do_v without_o sin_n nay_o where_o they_o be_v require_v by_o our_o superior_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o because_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v they_o in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n this_o way_n of_o argue_v be_v very_o plain_a and_o convince_a and_o can_v be_v evade_v but_o by_o give_v another_o notion_n of_o lawful_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o nothing_o be_v lawful_a especial_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v not_o prescribe_v and_o appoint_v or_o that_o have_v be_v abuse_v to_o evil_a purpose_n but_o have_v full_o confute_v these_o two_o mistake_v in_o the_o second_o and_o eight_o chapter_n i_o shall_v pass_v they_o over_o here_o 5._o i_o desire_v those_o who_o scruple_n to_o comply_v with_o our_o church_n to_o consider_v that_o there_o never_o be_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v any_o public_a constitution_n that_o will_v be_v every_o way_n unexceptionable_a the_o