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cause_n great_a matter_n see_v 3,060 5 3.1155 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59907 A vindication of the rights of ecclesiastical authority being an answer to the first part of the Protestant reconciler / by Will. Sherlock ... Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1685 (1685) Wing S3379; ESTC R21191 238,170 475

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hard_a case_n as_o such_o case_n will_v happen_v under_o all_o government_n god_n who_o be_v our_o supreme_a governor_n will_v take_v care_n to_o rectify_v it_o when_o the_o governor_n of_o church_n or_o state_n can_v do_v it_o without_o loosen_a the_o sinew_n of_o government_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n must_v take_v care_n to_o prescribe_v rule_n for_o the_o decent_a performance_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o in_o such_o a_o age_n of_o mistake_n and_o scruple_n as_o this_o it_o be_v possible_a some_o very_a honest_a but_o weak_a christian_n may_v take_v offence_n at_o the_o best_a and_o most_o prudent_a constitution_n and_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n and_o involve_v themselves_o in_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n what_o must_v the_o church_n do_v in_o this_o case_n must_v she_o alter_v her_o law_n as_o often_o as_o any_o christian_n pretend_v to_o scruple_n they_o or_o must_v she_o make_v no_o law_n about_o such_o matter_n but_o suffer_v 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and_o severity_n upon_o such_o account_n as_o upon_o any_o other_o whatever_o witness_v the_o man_n who_o gather_v stick_v on_o the_o sabbath-day_n and_o be_v stone_v to_o death_n for_o it_o the_o fate_n of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n who_o quarrel_v with_o moses_n and_o aaron_n which_o be_v more_o like_o the_o case_n of_o our_o dissenter_n and_o offer_v incense_n the_o earth_n open_v her_o mouth_n and_o swallow_v they_o up_o and_o a_o fire_n consume_v the_o two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o man_n that_o offer_v incense_n numb_a to_o which_o we_o may_v add_v the_o case_n of_o vzzah_n who_o be_v strike_v dead_a upon_o the_o place_n for_o touch_v the_o ark_n of_o god_n which_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o he_o to_o do_v though_o he_o do_v it_o with_o a_o very_a pious_a intention_n to_o preserve_v it_o from_o fall_v 7._o thus_o saul_n offering_n sacrifice_n in_o samuel_n absence_n etc._n though_o he_o have_v a_o very_a plausible_a excuse_n for_o it_o and_o his_o spare_a agag_n the_o king_n of_o the_o amalakite_n etc._n and_o the_o best_a of_o the_o sheep_n and_o ox_n etc._n etc._n cost_v he_o his_o kingdom_n this_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o god_n be_v so_o little_o concern_v about_o the_o observation_n of_o his_o ceremonial_a law_n or_o think_v any_o thing_n little_a which_o he_o command_v when_o he_o so_o severe_o revenge_v the_o breach_n of_o they_o god_n indeed_o do_v prefer_v true_a and_o real_a righteousness_n before_o any_o ceremonial_a observance_n but_o he_o do_v not_o therefore_o countenance_v the_o breach_n of_o his_o mean_a law_n what_o our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o pharisee_n who_o pay_v thythe_n of_o mint_n and_o anise_v 23._o and_o cummin_n and_o neglect_v the_o weighty_a matter_n of_o the_o law_n judgement_n mercy_n and_o faith_n be_v a_o stand_a rule_n in_o all_o these_o case_n these_o thing_n ought_v you_o to_o have_v do_v and_o not_o to_o leave_v the_o other_o undo_v they_o shall_v observe_v they_o both_o the_o great_a and_o the_o less_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n and_o not_o neglect_v or_o despise_v either_o so_o that_o god_n example_n in_o the●e_n matter_n be_v so_o far_o from_o help_v our_o reconciler_n cause_n that_o it_o make_v against_o he_o god_n do_v not_o equal_a the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n with_o the_o more_o weighty_a duty_n of_o judgement_n mercy_n and_o faith_n no_o more_o than_o the_o church_n equal_v a_o ceremony_n with_o the_o dear_a interest_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o yet_o god_n institute_v these_o ceremony_n and_o command_v the_o observation_n of_o they_o and_o punish_v the_o breach_n of_o they_o even_o when_o the_o whole_a congregation_n mutinied_a and_o rebel_v upon_o it_o as_o they_o do_v in_o the_o case_n of_o corah_n that_o be_v when_o they_o come_v as_o much_o in_o competition_n with_o love_n and_o peace_n and_o unity_n as_o the_o reconciler_n pretend_v our_o ceremony_n at_o this_o day_n do_v 2._o but_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v our_o reconciler_n have_v another_o way_n of_o argue_v from_o the_o example_n of_o god_n to_o oblige_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o impose_v these_o ceremony_n when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o dissenter_n among_o we_o who_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o they_o as_o 1._o the_o example_n of_o god_n love_n in_o send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n 178._o that_o we_o may_v live_v through_o he_o why_o then_o shall_v they_o who_o be_v command_v to_o be_v follower_n of_o god_n as_o dear_a child_n and_o walk_v in_o love_n refuse_v to_o part_v with_o their_o unnecessary_a ceremony_n and_o to_o refrain_v the_o exercise_n of_o their_o impose_v power_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a now_o if_o our_o reconciler_n will_v give_v i_o a_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v not_o i_o will_v tell_v he_o why_o they_o shall_v god_n have_v in_o infinite_a goodness_n send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n but_o still_o they_o must_v be_v save_v in_o that_o method_n which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v to_o this_o end_n christ_n have_v give_v we_o his_o law_n institute_v a_o church-society_n appoint_a steward_n of_o his_o family_n and_o ruler_n of_o his_o household_n and_o give_v they_o authority_n to_o govern_v religious_a assembly_n to_o prescribe_v the_o rule_n of_o worship_n and_o the_o method_n of_o discipline_n and_o all_o this_o for_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o therefore_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n must_v not_o renounce_v this_o authority_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o because_o in_o its_o rank_n and_o order_v it_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o god_n send_v christ_n into_o the_o world_n viz._n the_o salvation_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o be_v institute_v by_o christ_n for_o that_o purpose_n but_o you_o will_v object_v that_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o authority_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n be_v so_o far_o from_o contribute_v to_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n soul_n especial_o in_o such_o a_o age_n as_o this_o that_o it_o destroy_v they_o what_o destroy_v they_o the_o use_v of_o indifferent_a thing_n no_o man_n may_v observe_v these_o ceremony_n without_o prejudice_v their_o salvation_n what_o then_o be_v it_o the_o imposition_n of_o these_o thing_n nor_o that_o neither_o for_o to_o command_v that_o which_o will_v not_o destroy_v man_n soul_n can_v destroy_v they_o what_o be_v it_o then_o a_o obstinate_a refusal_n to_o obey_v such_o imposition_n right_o for_o this_o make_v man_n schismatic_n and_o will_v damn_v they_o and_o thus_o disobedience_n to_o any_o other_o of_o christ_n law_n will_v damn_v man_n though_o christ_n die_v for_o they_o and_o thus_o according_a to_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v god_n who_o do_v so_o infinite_o love_v sinner_n as_o to_o send_v christ_n to_o save_v they_o aught_o to_o have_v give_v they_o no_o law_n nor_o make_v any_o condition_n of_o salvation_n for_o fear_v man_n shall_v break_v they_o and_o be_v damn_v for_o it_o for_o be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a thing_n to_o give_v his_o son_n for_o sinner_n than_o to_o indulge_v they_o in_o some_o little_a folly_n and_o extravagance_n will_v god_n who_o love_v sinner_n so_o as_o to_o give_v his_o own_o son_n for_o they_o damn_v they_o for_o steal_v a_o shilling_n or_o two_o for_o play_v the_o goodfellow_n sometime_o or_o for_o some_o kind_n and_o amorous_a embrace_n sure_o he_o be_v so_o good_a that_o he_o will_v repeal_v all_o these_o soul-destroying_a law_n and_o when_o we_o see_v this_o do_v it_o will_v be_v time_n for_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o renounce_v their_o authority_n too_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n ibid._n ii_o his_o next_o argument_n be_v that_o god_n be_v so_o merciful_a to_o weak_a and_o err_a person_n as_o not_o to_o judge_v condemn_v or_o exclude_v they_o from_o his_o favour_n for_o any_o error_n of_o their_o judgement_n which_o be_v consistent_a with_o true_a love_n to_o he_o and_o which_o they_o do_v not_o wilful_o embrace_v nor_o do_v persist_v in_o against_o conviction_n of_o their_o conscience_n but_o will_v upon_o a_o general_a repentance_n for_o their_o unknown_a sin_n receive_v they_o to_o his_o favour_n though_o they_o live_v and_o die_v under_o such_o error_n and_o mistake_n why_o then_o shall_v we_o who_o be_v command_v to_o be_v merciful_a as_o our_o heavenly_a father_n be_v merciful_a reject_v they_o from_o communion_n who_o god_n will_v receive_v why_o shall_v we_o not_o forbear_v to_o condemn_v and_o censure_v they_o who_o god_n will_v absolve_v this_o be_v so_o fulsom_o ridiculous_a that_o i_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a to_o answer_v it_o be_v it_o not_o very_o fit_a to_o expose_v such_o popular_a cant._n for_o 1._o though_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o god_n do_v incline_v we_o to_o hope_v well_o of_o those_o who_o live_v and_o die_v in_o invincible_a error_n yet_o we_o know_v
not_o certain_o how_o god_n will_v deal_v with_o they_o in_o the_o other_o world_n god_n have_v nowhere_o tell_v we_o any_o thing_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o this_o be_v not_o so_o certain_a as_o to_o make_v it_o a_o precedent_n and_o example_n for_o governor_n 2._o but_o suppose_v this_o be_v so_o as_o all_o of_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o hope_v it_o be_v yet_o this_o be_v no_o example_n to_o governor_n in_o church_n or_o state_n for_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o god_n judgement_n in_o the_o other_o world_n and_o act_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n in_o this_o the_o one_o respect_n man_n personal_a desert_n and_o determine_v their_o final_a doom_n the_o other_o only_o respect_v the_o preservation_n of_o good_a order_n and_o government_n in_o church_n or_o state_n and_o therefore_o the_o final_a judgement_n consider_v all_o circumstance_n which_o may_v deserve_v reward_n or_o punishment_n pity_n and_o compassion_n not_o only_o what_o be_v do_v but_o who_o do_v it_o with_o what_o intention_n and_o design_n whether_o know_o or_o ignorant_o or_o the_o like_a the_o other_o consider_v only_o what_o be_v do_v what_o prejudice_n it_o be_v to_o the_o public_a and_o how_o such_o a_o example_n deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o fit_v for_o earthly_a governor_n to_o punish_v those_o sin_n which_o god_n will_v pardon_v because_o they_o can_v maintain_v good_a government_n without_o it_o if_o through_o ignorance_n and_o mistake_n though_o so_o innocent_a and_o involuntary_a that_o god_n may_v see_v reason_n to_o pardon_v it_o any_o man_n shall_v disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o order_n of_o church_n or_o state_n it_o will_v utter_o overthrow_v all_o government_n if_o these_o man_n must_v not_o be_v restrain_v nor_o punish_v our_o reconciler_n may_v have_v consider_v that_o god_n forgive_v we_o all_o our_o sin_n which_o we_o sincere_o repent_v of_o though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o great_a and_o voluntary_a and_o methinks_v he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v undertake_v the_o cause_n of_o penitent_a thief_n and_o rebel_n and_o murderer_n as_o of_o impenitent_a schismatic_n he_o shall_v do_v well_o when_o he_o see_v the_o tear_n and_o sorrow_n and_o agony_n of_o such_o guilty_a wretch_n and_o hear_v their_o solemn_a profession_n of_o repentance_n to_o mind_v the_o judge_n and_o the_o jury_n of_o the_o mercy_n and_o pitifulness_n of_o our_o good_a god_n who_o forgive_v the_o sin_n of_o all_o true_a penitent_n and_o therefore_o they_o who_o be_v command_v to_o be_v follower_n of_o god_n like_o dear_a child_n to_o be_v merciful_a as_o our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v merciful_a to_o put_v on_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n as_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n shall_v not_o hang_v up_o those_o poor_a penitent_a wretch_n but_o forgive_v that_o on_o earth_n which_o god_n will_v forgive_v in_o heaven_n now_o i_o wonder_v how_o a_o judge_n and_o jury_n will_v gaze_v upon_o such_o a_o reconciler_n as_o this_o whether_o they_o will_v think_v he_o fit_a for_o bedlam_n or_o bridewell_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o good_a and_o pitiful_a god_n who_o example_n our_o reconciler_n propose_v do_v himself_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o in_o execute_v judgement_n he_o sometime_o punish_v those_o sin_n in_o this_o world_n which_o he_o himself_o forgive_v in_o the_o next_o and_o therefore_o certain_o earthly_a governor_n whether_o of_o church_n or_o state_n may_v punish_v those_o sin_n in_o this_o world_n which_o god_n will_v pardon_v in_o the_o next_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o david_n who_o the_o prophet_n nathan_n upon_o his_o repentance_n assure_v that_o god_n have_v pardon_v he_o 12._o and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n denounce_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n against_o he_o the_o rebellion_n of_o his_o son_n absolom_n and_o the_o death_n of_o the_o child_n beget_v in_o adultery_n thus_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o hope_n that_o so_o pious_a a_o man_n as_o vzzah_n though_o he_o be_v strike_v dead_a upon_o the_o place_n yet_o be_v not_o eternal_o damn_v for_o touch_v the_o ark._n 3._o and_o yet_o god_n final_a judgement_n be_v no_o rule_n and_o pattern_n for_o humane_a judicature_n because_o earthly_a governor_n do_v not_o know_v the_o heart_n and_o thought_n of_o man_n as_o god_n do_v he_o know_v when_o man_n ignorance_n be_v invincible_a and_o involuntary_a which_o no_o man_n can_v know_v and_o therefore_o god_n can_v make_v such_o allowance_n in_o his_o last_o and_o final_a judgement_n which_o no_o man_n can_v or_o aught_o god_n judge_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n but_o man_n can_v only_o judge_v of_o their_o action_n and_o therefore_o a_o earthly_a governor_n may_v and_o aught_o in_o justice_n to_o punish_v that_o which_o god_n may_v very_o equitable_o pardon_v 4._o especial_o consider_v that_o this_o last_o and_o final_a judgement_n of_o god_n be_v design_v to_o rectify_v all_o the_o necessary_a defect_n as_o well_o as_o miscarriage_n of_o humane_a judicature_n a_o man_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o some_o troublesome_a error_n and_o mistake_n may_v and_o aught_o for_o the_o public_a good_a to_o suffer_v for_o it_o in_o this_o world_n though_o it_o may_v be_v hard_a that_o he_o shall_v suffer_v for_o it_o in_o the_o next_o and_o this_o very_a consideration_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v before_o answer_v all_o this_o difficulty_n schismatic_n how_o innocent_a soever_o their_o mistake_n be_v aught_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n on_o ●arth_n or_o all_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n be_v lose_v and_o the_o church_n leave_v without_o any_o government_n to_o defend_v itself_o but_o if_o the_o case_n be_v favourable_a god_n will_v make_v allowance_n for_o it_o in_o the_o other_o world_n and_o he_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o schism_n without_o a_o schismatical_a mind_n we_o hope_v may_v find_v mercy_n and_o therefore_o this_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n for_o the_o church_n not_o to_o pass_v her_o censure_n upon_o such_o man_n if_o they_o be_v visible_o guilty_a of_o that_o which_o deserve_v a_o censure_n a_o temporal_a judge_n do_v not_o intend_v to_o damn_v every_o man_n who_o he_o hang_v nor_o a_o ecclesiastical_a judge_n to_o damn_v those_o who_o he_o censure_v they_o be_v only_o concern_v to_o see_v that_o the_o judgement_n and_o censure_n be_v deserve_v in_o this_o world_n but_o they_o leave_v the_o final_a judgement_n to_o god_n himself_o this_o i_o think_v be_v enough_o to_o answer_v to_o this_o argument_n though_o our_o reconciler_n rhetoricate_v upon_o it_o he_o observe_v that_o the_o scripture_n represent_v god_n as_o very_o pitiful_a 179._o and_o we_o believe_v god_n to_o be_v very_o pitiful_a as_o any_o earthly_a parent_n can_v be_v but_o not_o indulgent_a to_o the_o humour_n or_o frowardness_n of_o child_n but_o it_o be_v this_o god_n of_o mercy_n who_o himself_o go_v into_o the_o mountain_n to_o save_v and_o to_o bring_v home_o the_o stray_a sheep_n and_o thus_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o do_v to_o bring_v home_o stray_v sheep_n into_o their_o fold_n not_o to_o indulge_v they_o in_o their_o wander_n but_o god_n provide_v a_o asylum_n for_o he_o who_o ignorant_o commit_v murder_n accidental_o he_o mean_v without_o intend_v any_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o the_o error_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o of_o the_o hand_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o relate_v to_o this_o business_n but_o god_n remit_v the_o sin_n of_o abimeleck_n because_o he_o do_v it_o ignorant_o 6._o but_o abimeleck_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o no_o sin_n for_o he_o have_v not_o touch_v sarah_n abraham_n wife_n but_o he_o have_v mercy_n of_o st._n paul_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n though_o he_o persecute_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o the_o mercy_n consist_v in_o bring_v he_o to_o repentance_n unless_o the_o reconciler_n will_v say_v too_o that_o he_o have_v mercy_n on_o those_o who_o crucify_v christ_n because_o they_o do_v it_o ignorant_o and_o on_o all_o those_o jew_n of_o who_o st._n paul_n witness_n that_o they_o have_v a_o zeal_n for_o god_n but_o not_o according_a to_o knowledge_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v worth_a consider_v that_o this_o argument_n of_o the_o reconcil●r's_n plead_v ●or_a a_o toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n especial_o if_o we_o can_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v honest_a and_o ignorant_a man_n among_o they_o such_o person_n will_v be_v receive_v by_o god_n according_a to_o our_o reconciler_n principle_n whatever_o religion_n they_o be_v of_o jew_n or_o turk_n or_o pagan_n though_o he_o do_v none_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o particular_a vindication_n but_o only_o the_o papist_n if_o charity_n teach_v we_o thus_o to_o hope_n say_v the_o most_o learned_a bishop_n sanderson_n of_o our_o forefather_n who_o live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o idolatrous_a act_n of_o worship_n why_o then_o shall_v we_o reject_v
reverend_a bishop_n once_o have_v condescend_v to_o these_o term_n of_o union_n will_v they_o not_o have_v rejoice_v to_o have_v see_v the_o church_n restore_v and_o themselves_o readmit_v to_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o sacred_a function_n upon_o such_o term_n as_o the_o abatement_n of_o such_o trivial_a thing_n ans._n i_o judge_v it_o very_o likely_a they_o may_v as_o a_o banish_a prince_n will_v be_v glad_a to_o be_v restore_v to_o his_o crown_n again_o though_o he_o part_v with_o some_o jewel_n out_o of_o it_o but_o when_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n restore_v they_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o function_n without_o any_o such_o restraint_n and_o limitation_n of_o their_o power_n it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o use_v their_o whole_a power_n as_o prudent_o and_o charitable_o as_o they_o can_v the_o restore_n of_o episcopacy_n restore_v the_o face_n of_o a_o church_n again_o which_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o schism_n without_o it_o and_o no_o doubt_n but_o all_o good_a man_n will_v be_v very_o glad_a of_o this_o though_o upon_o hard_a and_o disadvantageous_a term_n but_o sure_o to_o restore_v the_o church_n to_o its_o ancient_a beauty_n and_o lustre_n in_o a_o regular_a and_o decent_a administration_n of_o all_o holy_a office_n be_v more_o desirable_a than_o nothing_o but_o the_o mere_a be_v of_o a_o church_n still_o deform_v with_o the_o mark_n and_o ruin_n of_o a_o old_a schism_n and_o therefore_o when_o this_o can_v be_v have_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v have_v and_o it_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a thing_n to_o imagine_v that_o bishop_n must_v use_v no_o other_o authority_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o be_v in_o a_o full_a possession_n of_o their_o power_n than_o bare_o so_o much_o as_o they_o will_v have_v be_v content_v to_o have_v bargain_v for_o with_o schismatic_n when_o they_o be_v thrust_v out_o of_o all_o power_n though_o whither_o st._n cyprian_n will_v have_v make_v any_o such_o bargain_n with_o schismatic_n as_o infer_v a_o diminution_n of_o the_o episcopal_a authority_n i_o much_o question_n have_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o nation_n at_o the_o happy_a return_n of_o his_o majesty_n to_o his_o throne_n think_v fit_a to_o have_v make_v any_o trial_n and_o experiment_n what_o some_o condescension_n and_o abatement_n will_v have_v do_v the_o reverend_a bishop_n no_o doubt_n will_v have_v acquiesce_v in_o it_o not_o out_o of_o any_o opinion_n they_o have_v of_o such_o method_n but_o to_o satisfy_v those_o who_o do_v not_o see_v the_o event_n of_o thing_n at_o a_o distance_n by_o make_v the_o experiment_n but_o that_o factious_a and_o restless_a spirit_n of_o phanaticism_n which_o begin_v immediate_o to_o work_v convince_v our_o prince_n and_o parliament_n how_o dangerous_a such_o a_o experiment_n will_v be_v and_o prevent_v the_o trial_n of_o it_o and_o now_o we_o have_v such_o fresh_a and_o repeat_v experiment_n how_o dangerous_a these_o faction_n be_v both_o to_o church_n and_o state_n our_o reconciler_n will_v persuade_v our_o governor_n out_o of_o their_o sense_n to_o cherish_v those_o man_n who_o if_o they_o be_v not_o suppress_v will_v most_o infallible_o involve_v this_o unhappy_a church_n and_o kingdom_n in_o blood_n and_o confusion_n as_o for_o what_o our_o reconciler_n add_v concern_v the_o rubric_n about_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n 141._o and_o the_o canon_n about_o bow_v of_o the_o body_n in_o token_n of_o our_o reverence_n of_o god_n when_o we_o come_v into_o the_o place_n of_o public_a worship_n have_v be_v sufficient_o answer_v already_o chap._n viii_o contain_v some_o brief_a animadversion_n on_o the_o authority_n produce_v by_o our_o reconciler_n in_o his_o preface_n and_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o whole_a with_o a_o address_n to_o the_o dissenter_n thus_o i_o have_v with_o all_o plainness_n and_o sincerity_n examine_v the_o whole_a reason_n of_o this_o book_n for_o as_o for_o the_o remain_a chapter_n whatever_o be_v of_o any_o moment_n in_o they_o i_o have_v answer_v before_o in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o chapter_n of_o this_o vindication_n whether_o the_o answer_v i_o have_v give_v be_v satisfactory_a or_o not_o i_o must_v leave_v to_o other_o to_o judge_v but_o i_o can_v honest_o say_v i_o have_v use_v no_o trick_n and_o evasion_n nor_o have_v i_o use_v any_o argument_n but_o what_o be_v satisfactory_a to_o myself_o all_o that_o remain_v now_o be_v a_o brief_a examination_n of_o those_o authority_n our_o reconciler_n have_v produce_v in_o his_o preface_n to_o prove_v that_o our_o own_o king_n and_o many_o famous_a doctor_n of_o our_o own_o church_n beside_o many_o foreign_a divine_n have_v plead_v for_o that_o condescension_n for_o which_o he_o plead_v in_o this_o book_n now_o i_o think_v it_o the_o best_a way_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o examine_v his_o reason_n for_o this_o condescension_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o do_v this_o it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n who_o plead_v for_o it_o without_o reason_n and_o yet_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o unwilling_a to_o leave_v such_o a_o reproach_n upon_o so_o many_o great_a man_n that_o they_o declare_v their_o opinion_n and_o judgement_n for_o a_o cause_n which_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o support_v it_o and_o therefore_o to_o give_v a_o fair_a account_n of_o this_o also_o i_o review_v his_o preface_n and_o find_v there_o be_v two_o way_n of_o answer_v it_o either_o by_o examine_v his_o particular_a testimony_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v any_o thing_n upon_o his_o credit_n or_o by_o take_v the_o testimony_n for_o grant_v and_o show_v that_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v of_o his_o mind_n the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o have_v no_o great_a stomach_n to_o as_o be_v a_o tedious_a and_o troublesome_a work_n which_o will_v swell_v this_o vindication_n to_o a_o great_a bulk_n which_o be_v grow_v too_o big_a already_o and_o the_o only_a end_n it_o can_v serve_v be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o protestant_a reconciler_n do_v not_o quote_v his_o author_n faithful_o but_o i_o have_v already_o give_v such_o evidence_n of_o this_o in_o my_o vindication_n of_o bishop_n taylor_n as_o will_v spoil_v his_o credit_n with_o all_o wary_a man_n and_o therefore_o i_o resolve_v upon_o the_o other_o way_n of_o answer_v he_o to_o show_v that_o the_o testimony_n produce_v by_o he_o as_o he_o produce_v they_o do_v not_o prove_v what_o he_o intend_v they_o for_o but_o i_o call_v to_o mind_n that_o i_o have_v a_o book_n write_v upon_o this_o very_a subject_n entitle_v remark_n upon_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o protestant_a reconciler_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o friend_n which_o i_o read_v over_o and_o to_o my_o great_a comfort_n find_v my_o work_n do_v to_o my_o hand_n for_o that_o author_n have_v with_o great_a judgement_n say_v whatever_o i_o can_v think_v proper_a to_o be_v say_v in_o this_o cause_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o give_v some_o little_a hint_n of_o what_o i_o intend_v more_o large_o to_o discourse_n and_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o those_o remark_n for_o further_a satisfaction_n the_o intention_n of_o this_o preface_n our_o reconciler_n tell_v we_o p._n 3._o be_v to_o strengthen_v the_o design_n of_o his_o book_n by_o the_o concurrent_a suffrage_n of_o many_o worthy_a person_n both_o of_o our_o own_o and_o other_o church_n who_o have_v declare_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o judgement_n and_o have_v pursue_v the_o same_o design_n which_o he_o have_v do_v in_o his_o book_n now_o the_o design_n of_o his_o book_n as_o i_o have_v show_v from_o his_o own_o word_n in_o my_o introduction_n p._n 13_o 14._o be_v to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v utter_o unlawful_a for_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o impose_v the_o observation_n of_o indifferent_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n in_o religion_n especial_o when_o these_o ceremony_n be_v scruple_v and_o many_o profess_a christian_n rather_o choose_v to_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n than_o submit_v to_o they_o now_o to_o prove_v this_o he_o first_o allege_n the_o authority_n of_o three_o king_n king_n james_n king_n charles_n the_o first_o the_o royal_a martyr_n and_o best_a of_o king_n and_o man_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o style_v he_o and_o our_o present_a sovereign_n and_o i_o know_v not_o where_o he_o can_v have_v name_v three_o other_o king_n more_o averse_a to_o his_o reconcile_a design_n what_o king_n jame_v his_o judgement_n be_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o conference_n at_o hampton-court_n where_o he_o so_o severe_o determine_v against_o dissenter_n and_o keep_v his_o word_n all_o his_o reign_n without_o grant_v any_o liberty_n to_o these_o pretend_a scruple_n which_o be_v very_o strange_a have_v he_o be_v of_o our_o reconciler_n mind_n that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o impose_v these_o ceremony_n upon_o a_o scrupulous_a conscience_n how_o much_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o suffer_v
church-authority_n that_o without_o it_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n be_v obscure_v and_o expose_v to_o censure_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o christian_n render_v impracticable_a protestant_n leave_v destitute_a of_o any_o mean_n of_o union_n and_o occasion_n give_v to_o papist_n to_o cry_v up_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n that_o which_o draw_v so_o many_o fatal_a consequent_n after_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v any_o great_a act_n of_o charity_n and_o yet_o thus_o it_o will_v be_v shall_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o compliance_n with_o the_o frowardness_n and_o scruple_n of_o schismatic_n give_v up_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o external_o of_o worship_n and_o leave_v every_o man_n to_o do_v as_o he_o please_v while_o the_o church_n maintain_v her_o authority_n a_o little_a discipline_n and_o government_n and_o a_o few_o good_a argument_n may_v in_o time_n cure_v the_o schism_n and_o if_o it_o will_v not_o let_v schismatic_n answer_v for_o it_o at_o the_o last_o day_n but_o if_o schismatic_n once_o gain_v this_o point_n and_o wheedle_n the_o church_n for_o peace_n sake_n out_o of_o her_o authority_n than_o we_o must_v bid_v a_o eternal_a farewell_n to_o peace_n and_o order_n and_o uniformity_n in_o religion_n for_o man_n will_v never_o agree_v in_o these_o matter_n without_o the_o determination_n of_o authority_n there_o be_v no_o other_o mean_n leave_v in_o the_o church_n to_o decide_v these_o difference_n when_o the_o church_n have_v part_v with_o her_o authority_n and_o thus_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n will_v be_v reproach_v and_o censure_v and_o the_o protestant_a name_n and_o religion_n expose_v to_o contempt_n and_o this_o be_v our_o reconciler_n protestant_a charity_n well_o but_o suppose_v this_o compliance_n with_o dissenter_n do_v not_o infer_v a_o renuntiation_n of_o their_o power_n and_o authority_n but_o only_o a_o suspension_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o the_o case_n be_v much_o the_o same_o for_o this_o forbearance_n must_v be_v for_o ever_o unless_o we_o can_v suppose_v that_o these_o man_n will_v return_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o church_n when_o the_o church_n leave_v off_o to_o command_v now_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o the_o church_n to_o renounce_v her_o power_n and_o to_o renounce_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o i_o suppose_v christ_n give_v this_o power_n to_o the_o church_n that_o she_o shall_v exercise_v it_o and_o if_o the_o power_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o welfare_n and_o unity_n and_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v sure_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o be_v for_o authority_n be_v a_o mere_a empty_a name_n and_o good_a for_o nothing_o when_o it_o do_v nothing_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o charity_n of_o governor_n do_v not_o require_v they_o to_o renounce_v their_o government_n neither_o in_o the_o authority_n nor_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o ii_o the_o charity_n of_o governor_n must_v consist_v in_o the_o act_n and_o exercise_n of_o government_n that_o be_v as_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v our_o present_a dispute_n in_o make_v and_o repeal_n law_n and_o i_o dare_v join_v issue_n here_o with_o our_o reconciler_n and_o challenge_v he_o and_o all_o his_o dissent_v client_n to_o fix_v the_o least_o imputation_n of_o uncharitableness_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n on_o this_o account_n as_o to_o discourse_v this_o matter_n a_o little_a more_o particular_o to_o confound_v all_o such_o unjust_a defamer_n of_o authority_n and_o government_n 1._o i_o shall_v begin_v with_o repeal_n law_n and_o alter_v such_o ritual_n and_o ceremony_n as_o be_v either_o sinful_a superstitious_a or_o inconvenient_a because_o here_o our_o reformation_n begin_v and_o what_o rule_v our_o church_n '_o observe_v in_o this_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o common-prayer_n where_o the_o reason_n be_v assign_v why_o some_o ceremony_n be_v abolish_v as_o 1._o because_o some_o of_o they_o which_o be_v at_o first_o well_o intend_v do_v in_o time_n degenerate_a into_o vanity_n and_o superstition_n 2._o other_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n the_o effect_n of_o a_o indiscreet_a devotion_n and_o such_o a_o zeal_n as_o be_v without_o knowledge_n and_o daily_o grow_v to_o more_o and_o more_o abuse_n and_o they_o be_v reject_v because_o they_o be_v unprofitable_a blind_v the_o people_n hinder_v they_o from_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o obscure_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n 3._o some_o be_v put_v away_o because_o their_o very_a number_n be_v a_o intolerable_a burden_n and_o make_v the_o estate_n of_o christian_a people_n in_o worse_a case_n concern_v this_o matter_n than_o be_v the_o jew_n as_o st._n austin_n complain_v in_o his_o day_n when_o the_o number_n of_o ceremony_n be_v much_o less_o than_o it_o be_v in_o this_o church_n at_o the_o time_n of_o reformation_n which_o be_v a_o great_a injury_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o a_o ceremonial_a law_n as_o much_o of_o moses_n law_n be_v but_o a_o religion_n to_o serve_v god_n not_o in_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o figure_n or_o shadow_n but_o in_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o last_o the_o most_o weighty_a cause_n of_o the_o abolishment_n of_o certain_a ceremony_n be_v that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o abuse_v partly_o by_o the_o superstitious_a blindness_n of_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a and_o partly_o by_o the_o unsatiable_a avarice_n of_o such_o as_o seek_v more_o their_o own_o lucre_n than_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n that_o the_o abuse_n can_v not_o well_o be_v take_v away_o the_o thing_n remain_v still_o with_o what_o grave_n and_o mature_a consideration_n our_o church_n proceed_v in_o this_o affair_n be_v evident_a from_o this_o account_n which_o contain_v all_o the_o wise_a reason_n that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o for_o the_o alteration_n of_o any_o public_a constitution_n here_o be_v charity_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o deliver_v they_o from_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n to_o which_o they_o be_v betray_v by_o the_o ritual_n and_o ceremony_n of_o religion_n a_o tender_a regard_n to_o the_o case_n and_o liberty_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v oppress_v by_o such_o a_o multitude_n as_o be_v hard_a to_o know_v and_o to_o remember_v and_o very_o troublesome_a to_o observe_v and_o almost_o impossible_a to_o understand_v which_o make_v they_o whole_o useless_a and_o unprofitable_a here_o be_v a_o great_a regard_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n which_o be_v obscure_v by_o these_o ceremony_n to_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v transform_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o ceremony_n into_o a_o mere_a external_a and_o figurative_a worship_n and_o here_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o any_o ceremony_n which_o have_v be_v long_o use_v in_o a_o church_n and_o confirm_v by_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n or_o civil_a law_n aught_o notwithstanding_o that_o to_o be_v remove_v when_o either_o their_o number_n be_v excessive_a or_o the_o abuse_n of_o they_o such_o as_o can_v be_v take_v away_o without_o abolish_n the_o ceremony_n itself_o several_a instance_n of_o this_o may_v be_v give_v as_o to_o name_v only_a image_n in_o church_n which_o can_v not_o be_v safe_o retain_v at_o that_o time_n without_o the_o danger_n of_o idolatrous_a worship_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o people_n in_o those_o day_n be_v so_o superstitious_o addict_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n that_o have_v they_o be_v leave_v in_o church_n though_o the_o worship_n of_o they_o have_v be_v express_o forbid_v yet_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n will_v have_v worship_v they_o notwithstanding_o this_o very_a reason_n our_o church_n give_v in_o her_o homily_n against_o the_o peril_n of_o idolatry_n part_v 3._o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o remove_v image_n out_o of_o church_n that_o as_o well_o by_o the_o origine_fw-la and_o nature_n of_o idol_n and_o image_n themselves_o as_o by_o the_o proneness_n and_o inclination_n of_o man_n corrupt_a nature_n to_o idolatry_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o neither_o image_n if_o they_o be_v public_o set_v up_o can_v be_v separate_v nor_o man_n if_o they_o see_v image_n in_o temple_n and_o church_n can_v be_v stay_v and_o keep_v from_o idolatry_n wherefore_o they_o which_o thus_o reason_n though_o it_o be_v not_o expedient_a yet_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o have_v image_n public_o and_o do_v prove_v that_o lawfulness_n by_o a_o few_o pick_v and_o choose_v man_n if_o they_o object_n that_o indifferent_o to_o all_o man_n which_o a_o very_a few_o can_v have_v without_o hurt_n and_o offence_n they_o seem_v to_o take_v the_o multitude_n for_o vile_a soul_n of_o who_o loss_n and_o safeguard_n no_o reputation_n be_v to_o be_v have_v for_o who_o christ_n yet_o pay_v as_o dear_o as_o for_o the_o mighty_a prince_n or_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a learn_v of_o the_o earth_n