conscientious_a and_o comfortable_a because_o it_o have_v least_o of_o covetousness_n or_o grudge_n in_o case_n any_o way_n dubious_a as_o to_o practice_n it_o be_v safe_a for_o christian_n to_o be_v on_o the_o self-denying_a side_n and_o rather_o to_o propend_v to_o god_n interest_n then_o to_o their_o own_o they_o may_v sin_v as_o injurious_a and_o unthankful_a to_o god_n and_o his_o minister_n as_o dishonour_v and_o defraud_v christ_n of_o his_o right_n and_o due_a who_o do_v not_o pay_v the_o tithe_n or_o ten_o but_o they_o can_v sin_v who_o doubt_v between_o covetous_a and_o conscientious_a suggestion_n to_o what_o propotion_n the_o lord_n under_o the_o gospel_n require_v the_o grateful_a retribution_n of_o believer_n conclude_v by_o a_o just_a pay_v of_o their_o tithe_n to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o imitate_v at_o once_o god_n prescript_n of_o old_a and_o to_o fulfil_v the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o his_o ordinance_n in_o the_o new_a refer_v to_o what_o still_o continue_v of_o that_o ancient_a provision_n which_o chifley_n consist_v in_o tithe_n as_o a_o constant_a maintenance_n since_o then_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o a_o settle_a competent_a maintenance_n for_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v as_o lawful_a now_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a and_o be_v no_o less_o necessary_a now_o than_o it_o be_v of_o old_a and_o be_v as_o much_o deserve_v now_o and_o consequent_o just_a as_o of_o old_a the_o sure_a way_n for_o wise_a christian_n not_o to_o err_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n by_o minister_n crave_v too_o much_o devour_v whole_a house_n by_o pious_a insinuation_n nor_o yet_o on_o the_o left_a hand_n by_o people_n give_v too_o little_a be_v to_o take_v god_n for_o their_o umpire_n and_o the_o pattern_n his_o holy_a will_n for_o the_o standard_n of_o equity_n between_o minister_n and_o people_n that_o neither_o the_o flock_n may_v deny_v their_o milk_n and_o fleece_n nor_o the_o shepherd_n flay_v their_o skin_n and_o devour_v their_o flesh_n since_o the_o bounty_n of_o god_n bestow_v on_o man_n the_o ten_o part_n and_o all_o they_o have_v yea_o and_o offer_v christ_n also_o to_o they_o how_o can_v they_o as_o saint_n austin_n urge_v it_o in_o any_o generosity_n equity_n or_o gratitude_n grudge_n to_o retribute_v one_o of_o ten_o to_o god_n glory_n and_o their_o saviour_n honour_n who_o assign_v this_o ten_o to_o their_o minister_n maintenance_n return_v the_o blessing_n and_o benefit_n of_o it_o to_o the_o good_a of_o man_n soul_n together_o with_o their_o family_n and_o neighbour_n yea_o and_o oft_o to_o the_o enlargement_n of_o their_o estate_n if_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o limit_v his_o portion_n to_o a_o ten_o godly_a man_n will_v hardly_o have_v content_v themselves_o not_o to_o have_v give_v with_o zacheus_n even_o half_a of_o their_o good_n increase_v to_o god_n the_o require_v but_o a_o ten_o be_v not_o a_o burden_n but_o a_o indulgence_n of_o god_n in_o any_o gracious_a man_n esteem_n thus_o have_v i_o answer_v these_o three_o query_n raise_v from_o the_o first_o general_a ground_n of_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n sin_n or_o no_o sin_n in_o point_n of_o conscience_n regulate_v by_o the_o will_n and_o word_n of_o god_n from_o all_o which_o so_o clear_a resolution_n i_o may_v firm_o draw_v these_o conclusion_n 1._o that_o a_o compent_n comely_a and_o constant_a maintenance_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v lawful_o and_o aught_o in_o conscience_n to_o be_v raise_v out_o of_o other_o man_n estate_n by_o such_o as_o have_v a_o right_n and_o power_n so_o to_o do_v 2._o i_o conclude_v that_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v lawful_o require_v such_o maintenance_n as_o god_n ordinance_n even_o by_o a_o ten_o portion_n of_o yearly_a increase_n and_o receive_v what_o be_v so_o raise_v or_o charge_v out_o of_o man_n estate_n without_o any_o sin_n or_o shame_n however_o it_o be_v in_o some_o case_n comely_a and_o charitable_a in_o they_o to_o remit_v their_o right_n yea_o and_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n gratis_o 3._o i_o conclude_v that_o necessitous_a sordid_a and_o uncertain_a maintenance_n of_o minister_n be_v the_o sin_n and_o shame_n of_o any_o christian_n because_o they_o be_v not_o provide_v for_o so_o as_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v but_o short_a of_o the_o lord_n provision_n which_o of_o old_a be_v at_o least_o a_o ten_o 4._o i_o conclude_v although_o a_o ten_o or_o tithe_n be_v not_o literal_o or_o precise_o in_o term_n conclude_v in_o the_o gospel_n for_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o primitive_a time_n yet_o this_o proportion_n be_v not_o where_o forbid_v by_o the_o lord_n yea_o it_o be_v clear_o include_v special_o point_v unto_o and_o exemplary_o commend_v as_o the_o best_a pattern_n and_o proportion_n to_o christian_n imitation_n 5._o i_o conclude_v that_o the_o private_a give_v and_o public_a confirmation_n or_o settle_v of_o tithe_n as_o part_v of_o minister_n maintenance_n in_o england_n which_o the_o law_n have_v declare_v and_o ratify_v beside_o the_o consent_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o many_o hundred_o of_o year_n as_o the_o act_n and_o will_n of_o all_o estate_n be_v a_o very_a good_a work_n hardly_o to_o be_v amend_v or_o imitate_v in_o these_o day_n full_a of_o noble_a and_o munificent_a piety_n agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n both_o in_o the_o general_a and_o propound_v and_o the_o equitable_a proportion_n ordain_v to_o which_o the_o apostle_n refer_v christian_n 6._o i_o conclude_v that_o for_o any_o man_n by_o mere_a will_n and_o force_v to_o take_v away_o the_o public_a maintenance_n by_o land_n and_o tithe_n settle_v upon_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o order_n to_o the_o service_n and_o worship_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o will_n and_o act_n of_o those_o who_o have_v lawful_a power_n so_o to_o do_v must_v needs_o be_v so_o far_o a_o sin_n and_o snare_n of_o rapine_n and_o injustice_n as_o by_o law_n they_o belong_v to_o minister_n in_o their_o several_a place_n also_o a_o work_n of_o high_a and_o infamous_a extortion_n against_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n violate_v the_o will_n of_o the_o dead_a which_o the_o apostle_n paul_n tell_v we_o no_o man_n just_o can_v do_v last_o 2.22_o gal._n 3.15_o mal._n 3.8_o rom._n 2.22_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n of_o sacrilege_n or_o rob_v god_n to_o who_o honour_n and_o service_n they_o be_v set_v apart_o and_o dedicate_v in_o a_o way_n agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n where_o the_o donor_n sometime_o the_o rightful_a owner_n of_o those_o land_n and_o the_o fruit_n of_o they_o divest_v themselves_o and_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o of_o any_o power_n of_o revocation_n resumption_n or_o alienation_n have_v invest_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o their_o successor_n in_o the_o name_n and_o for_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n with_o full_a possession_n and_o perpetual_a use_n of_o they_o under_o many_o curse_n and_o imprecation_n and_o without_o any_o reservation_n 7._o i_o conclude_v that_o for_o any_o private_a christian_n who_o stand_v relate_v to_o the_o society_n and_o communion_n of_o this_o nation_n and_o be_v so_o bind_v by_o the_o law_n establish_v which_o be_v the_o measure_n and_o standard_n of_o civil_a justice_n give_v every_o man_n their_o due_n to_o pay_v to_o the_o respective_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n such_o portion_n of_o tithe_n or_o profit_n as_o be_v assign_v they_o for_o maintenance_n for_o any_o such_o i_o say_v wilful_o to_o defraud_v or_o deny_v the_o minister_n their_o due_n or_o to_o encourage_v other_o so_o to_o do_v can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o fraudulent_a and_o injurious_a practice_n no_o way_n consistent_a with_o justice_n divine_a or_o humane_a contrary_a to_o all_o rule_n and_o example_n of_o holy_a man_n piety_n equity_n and_o charity_n scandalous_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o reproachful_a to_o that_o grace_n of_o god_n 2.12_o tit._n 2.12_o which_o teach_v man_n to_o deny_v all_o worldly_a lust_n and_o to_o live_v righteous_o sober_o and_o holy_o in_o this_o present_a world_n 8._o since_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o private_a and_o particular_a man_n in_o this_o nation_n either_o landlord_n or_o farmer_n be_v as_o to_o tithe_n they_o pay_v to_o minister_n not_o now_o the_o proprietor_n or_o donor_n as_o of_o private_a good_a will_n and_o arbitrary_a bounty_n but_o only_a trustee_n executor_n or_o payer_n of_o a_o public_a debt_n lay_v upon_o those_o estate_n and_o land_n which_o they_o now_o hold_v only_a discharger_n of_o a_o sacred_a trust_n or_o feoffement_n repose_v in_o they_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o of_o their_o forefather_n and_o of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n which_o include_v all_o successor_n suffrage_n and_o consent_n it_o follow_v that_o they_o have_v no_o power_n in_o nature_n law_n reason_n or_o religion_n to_o frustrate_v revoke_v or_o abrogate_v nor_o yet_o to_o alienate_v and_o pervert_v from_o the_o will_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o donor_n what_o have_v be_v so_o sacred_o and_o solemn_o settle_v nor_o have_v they_o cause_n either_o
man_n hold_v their_o civil_a estate_n and_o right_n there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n that_o parsimonious_a cruelty_n shall_v over-rule_v and_o antiquate_v pious_a and_o liberal_a antiquity_n in_o this_o point_n and_o right_n of_o tithe_n which_o in_o england_n as_o in_o all_o christian_a church_n have_v obtain_v the_o force_n of_o a_o law_n by_o the_o long_a custom_n and_o succession_n of_o time_n which_o the_o best_a christian_n free_o and_o cheerful_o yet_o conscientious_o observe_v as_o that_o which_o they_o esteem_v to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o conform_v to_o the_o best_a example_n of_o their_o forefather_n it_o be_v true_a no_o guild_v of_o antiquity_n or_o paint_v of_o custom_n can_v commend_v what_o be_v in_o its_o nature_n evil_a or_o change_v it_o into_o good_a but_o the_o universal_a verdict_n and_o approbation_n both_o by_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o holy_a and_o wise_a man_n give_v to_o that_o which_o be_v in_o itself_o good_a and_o lawful_a advance_v it_o by_o the_o antiquity_n and_o universality_n of_o a_o good_a custom_n to_o the_o sacredness_n and_o venerableness_n of_o a_o law_n give_v great_a assurance_n and_o confirmation_n to_o the_o conscience_n and_o practice_n of_o sober_a christian_n set_v it_o far_o above_o the_o despite_n and_o petulancy_n of_o innovator_n who_o be_v give_v to_o change_v and_o as_o mushroom_n be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o either_o as_o to_o their_o person_n or_o opinion_n against_o who_o as_o a_o grand_a prejudice_n and_o obstruction_n 11.16_o 1_o cor._n 11.16_o the_o bless_a apostle_n s._n paul_n urge_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o general_a spirit_n of_o wisdom_n enough_o to_o stay_v and_o satisfy_v waver_v or_o scrupulous_a christian_n in_o thing_n for_o which_o as_o they_o have_v not_o a_o precise_a or_o special_a command_n from_o god_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o where_o forbid_v as_o this_o matter_n of_o tithe_n be_v not_o 4_o a_o four_o right_a or_o claim_v which_o minister_n have_v to_o tithe_n here_o in_o england_n be_v from_o that_o personal_a bounty_n and_o freewill_n of_o christian_n in_o this_o nation_n who_o if_o no_o divine_a rule_n and_o precedent_n have_v direct_v they_o to_o retribute_v even_o so_o much_o as_o their_o ten_o to_o minister_n which_o no_o doubt_n in_o conscience_n they_o have_v regard_n unto_o yet_o as_o proprietor_n of_o their_o land_n and_o estate_n they_o lawful_o and_o commendable_o may_v and_o effectual_o have_v so_o far_o honour_v god_n with_o their_o substance_n 9_o prov._n 3_o 9_o as_o to_o have_v devote_v to_o his_o minister_n for_o a_o constant_a retribution_n of_o their_o labour_n the_o ten_o of_o their_o profit_n or_o increase_n arise_v out_o of_o those_o land_n and_o estate_n there_o be_v no_o title_n less_o disputable_a then_o that_o of_o free_a gift_n where_o there_o be_v no_o fraud_n no_o infirmity_n of_o understanding_n a_o undoubted_a power_n upon_o just_a and_o valuable_a consideration_n and_o to_o a_o good_a end_n such_o as_o god_n not_o only_o allow_v in_o general_a but_o rather_o seem_v to_o require_v in_o particular_a which_o be_v the_o case_n here_o exact_o and_o hereby_o be_v give_v the_o proprieter_n former_a right_n not_o so_o much_o to_o minister_n as_o to_o god_n himself_o 5._o the_o minister_n of_o england_n have_v that_o right_n to_o tithe_n and_o other_o settle_a maintenance_n which_o arise_v from_o those_o political_a law_n or_o civil_a sanction_n which_o upon_o mature_a deliberation_n and_o with_o public_a counsel_n of_o all_o estate_n have_v establish_v long_o ago_o and_o oft_o confirm_v as_o just_a and_o good_a those_o particular_a donation_n of_o tithe_n make_v by_o any_o lord_n and_o owner_n as_o no_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o public_a good_a either_o for_o profit_n safety_n or_o honour_n to_o which_o it_o be_v confess_v all_o private_a act_n and_o interest_n must_v yield_v be_v frustrate_a and_o invalid_a if_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o public_a and_o general_a good_a of_o a_o nation_n these_o law_n of_o the_o land_n which_o be_v the_o result_v of_o public_a wisdom_n and_o justice_n have_v declare_v minister_n right_a to_o tithe_n every_o way_n pious_a just_a and_o good_a yea_o and_o do_v enable_v they_o in_o their_o several_a place_n and_o portion_n even_o by_o secular_a power_n to_o vindicate_v these_o right_n both_o personal_o to_o receive_v they_o and_o constant_o to_o preserve_v they_o for_o their_o successor_n as_o a_o maintenance_n every_o way_n both_o just_a and_o fit_a which_o right_n by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n as_o learned_a lawyer_n be_v best_a acquaint_v with_o so_o i_o hope_v some_o of_o those_o gentleman_n be_v so_o much_o lover_n of_o reform_a minister_n as_o to_o plead_v their_o cause_n and_o so_o valiant_a as_o to_o appear_v friend_n to_o they_o 6._o in_o the_o last_o place_n i_o may_v further_o twist_v and_o strengthen_v this_o fourfold_a cord_n of_o minister_n right_a by_o natural_a equity_n scriptural_a ordinance_n personal_a donation_n and_o public_a sanction_n which_o be_v not_o easy_o break_v by_o that_o divine_a acceptation_n or_o appropriation_n whereby_o god_n himself_o and_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n be_v invest_v into_o a_o right_a these_o joint_o as_o one_o god_n claim_v a_o property_n and_o challenge_v as_o their_o portion_n and_o due_a what_o be_v once_o thus_o by_o any_o man_n or_o man_n dedicate_v to_o their_o service_n according_a as_o they_o have_v institute_v in_o the_o word_n what_o be_v give_v to_o christ_n prophet_n and_o minister_n in_o his_o name_n be_v give_v to_o god_n so_o that_o it_o be_v now_o 5.4_o act_n 5.4_o as_o saint_n peter_n tell_v ananias_n no_o more_o any_o private_a man_n own_o nor_o in_o his_o power_n save_v only_o in_o order_n to_o those_o end_n and_o use_n for_o which_o the_o lord_n have_v accept_v it_o and_o which_o he_o must_v be_v think_v no_o less_o to_o approve_v in_o the_o particular_a obedience_n or_o devotion_n than_o he_o do_v command_v or_o require_v in_o the_o general_a precept_n or_o duty_n hence_o that_o complaint_n mal._n 3._o you_o have_v rob_v i_o say_v the_o lord_n even_o this_o whole_a nation_n for_o god_n be_v not_o only_o well_o please_v with_o the_o internal_a goodness_n and_o equity_n of_o his_o own_o will_n ind_z command_n but_o also_o with_o man_n cheerful_a conformity_n to_o they_o both_o in_o mind_n and_o manner_n which_o be_v then_o most_o comfortable_a and_o commendable_a when_o it_o come_v the_o near_a unto_o that_o equitable_a rule_n measure_n and_o proportion_n which_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n have_v set_v before_o man_n which_o tithe_n evident_o be_v when_o they_o be_v so_o pay_v to_o god_n and_o settle_v for_o maintenance_n on_o christ_n minister_n as_o leave_v they_o no_o more_o to_o arbitrary_a and_o uncertain_a allowance_n or_o niggardly_a stipend_n than_o god_n do_v leave_v his_o minister_n at_o the_o altar_n which_o be_v the_o prescript_n or_o pattern_n to_o which_o the_o lord_n refer_v christian_n who_o be_v tie_v to_o it_o as_o to_o a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n still_o in_o force_n under_o the_o gospel_n i_o have_v do_v with_o this_o three_o quaere_fw-la also_o which_o i_o thus_o resolve_v that_o however_o there_o be_v not_o so_o immediate_a precise_a and_o explicit_a command_n for_o the_o exact_a quantum_fw-la of_o tithe_n name_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o however_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o claim_v a_o proper_a and_o immediate_a right_n to_o tithe_n by_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o leviticall_a law_n yet_o they_o have_v by_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o ministry_n and_o merit_n of_o their_o labour_n from_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o his_o word_n a_o general_a and_o implicit_a right_n by_o way_n of_o equity_n and_o proportion_n also_o a_o particular_a explicit_a title_n to_o tithe_n as_o they_o be_v devote_v to_o god_n and_o settle_a upon_o his_o minister_n here_o in_o england_n both_o agreeable_a to_o and_o ground_v upon_o the_o equity_n of_o god_n ancient_a precept_n and_o example_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o also_o upon_o that_o express_a ordinance_n renew_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o new_a which_o carry_v a_o force_n of_o equivalency_n and_o whatever_o proportion_n the_o nature_n of_o thing_n may_v still_o bear_v under_o the_o gospel_n with_o those_o under_o the_o law_n where_o estate_n in_o land_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v still_o the_o same_o and_o common_a to_o christian_n with_o the_o jew_n herein_o then_o to_o imitate_v god_n precedent_n can_v be_v unsafe_a to_o come_v up_o to_o the_o proportion_n he_o require_v of_o old_a can_v but_o be_v honourable_a and_o every_o way_n to_o observe_v the_o near_a conformity_n to_o his_o will_n in_o the_o large_a meaning_n and_o extent_n of_o that_o ordinance_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n even_o so_o etc._n etc._n can_v but_o be_v most_o
10._o last_o wise_a man_n must_v consider_v not_o what_o the_o vulgar_a easiness_n desire_n or_o dislike_v in_o a_o fit_a of_o worldly-wantonness_n thrift_n faction_z or_o discontent_n in_o which_o distemper_n they_o will_v cast_v off_o with_o murmur_v and_o reproach_n both_o moses_n and_o aaron_n their_o able_a governor_n and_o faithful_a minister_n but_o ruler_n ought_v to_o regard_v what_o be_v best_a for_o people_n temporal_a and_o eternal_a welfare_n though_o in_o the_o present_a fit_a it_o displease_v they_o also_o what_o be_v real_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o welfare_n of_o a_o nation_n the_o disorder_a appetite_n of_o people_n if_o humour_v as_o feverish_a person_n will_v soon_o make_v they_o as_o miserable_a as_o they_o be_v unreasonable_a conclusion_n conclusion_n thus_o have_v i_o endeavour_v as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v with_o your_o leave_n and_o patience_n gentleman_n to_o present_v to_o your_o view_n these_o consideration_n touch_v minister_n maintenance_n by_o tithe_n here_o in_o england_n from_o which_o i_o have_v seek_v in_o the_o first_o place_n with_o all_o cleareness_n of_o reason_n calmness_n of_o affâ—â—tion_n and_o uprightness_n of_o conscience_n to_o remove_v all_o aspersion_n and_o suspicion_n of_o any_o thing_n sinful_a or_o unlawful_a in_o they_o have_v demonstrate_v the_o equity_n and_o piety_n of_o they_o both_o in_o general_a as_o a_o reward_n and_o in_o particular_a as_o so_o proportion_v according_a to_o god_n command_n or_o pattern_n of_o old_a and_o his_o reference_n or_o appointment_n to_o those_o precedent_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o which_o the_o devotion_n of_o primitive_a christian_n the_o custom_n of_o all_o settle_a church_n the_o will_n of_o the_o donor_n and_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o civil_a law_n of_o this_o nation_n be_v conform_v in_o the_o 2._o place_n i_o have_v salve_v the_o chief_a inconvenience_n and_o endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v the_o pretence_n of_o prudence_n in_o point_n of_o innovate_a or_o alter_v the_o way_n of_o this_o maintenance_n by_o tithe_n not_o but_o that_o here_o i_o well_o remember_v how_o i_o have_v oher_z where_o write_v and_o publish_v in_o another_o method_n my_o judgement_n touch_v this_o subject_n where_o be_v to_o deal_v as_o in_o other_o grand_a dispute_n with_o man_n wise_a in_o their_o own_o conceit_n i_o be_v force_v with_o weight_n of_o reason_n and_o some_o earnestness_n of_o expression_n many_o time_n to_o bray_v they_o in_o a_o mortar_n not_o out_o of_o my_o own_o genius_n or_o propensity_n to_o strive_v or_o contest_v but_o urge_v by_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o that_o folly_n which_o have_v by_o word_n and_o deed_n be_v late_o discover_v with_o most_o uncomely_a bosting_n and_o unjust_a reproach_n against_o the_o office_n honour_n authority_n maintenance_n and_o very_o be_v of_o the_o minister_n of_o england_n in_o who_o behalf_n i_o hold_v it_o my_o duty_n not_o to_o be_v silent_a and_o so_o to_o speak_v as_o may_v show_v how_o much_o i_o reverence_v their_o worth_n and_o how_o little_a i_o fear_v the_o petulancy_n of_o their_o enemy_n who_o beyond_o any_o example_n in_o any_o christian_a nation_n have_v endeavour_v under_o pretence_n of_o special_a sanctity_n and_o reformation_n to_o disgrace_v and_o destroy_v the_o able_a preacher_n and_o most_o excellent_a professor_n of_o true_a religion_n in_o the_o nation_n but_o to_o you_o gentlemen_z as_o person_n now_o in_o power_n and_o counsel_n i_o do_v with_o all_o gravity_n modsty_n calmness_n and_o humility_n present_v these_o consideration_n not_o but_o that_o i_o well_o understand_v by_o what_o i_o have_v see_v and_o read_v how_o impertinent_a and_o useless_a such_o address_n by_o the_o pen_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v to_o man_n confident_a of_o their_o power_n byase_v with_o prejudices_fw-la and_o transport_v with_o passion_n if_o learned_a and_o godly_a man_n shall_v write_v as_o many_o book_n as_o the_o world_n will_v contain_v they_o shall_v do_v but_o little_a good_a the_o calm_a remonstrance_n which_o reason_n religion_n humanity_n christianity_n equity_n or_o piety_n charity_n or_o conscience_n history_n or_o experience_n afford_v oft_o prove_v as_o the_o oration_n in_o tacitus_n of_o musonius_n a_o grave_n and_o learned_a senator_n to_o the_o mutinous_a soldier_n which_o at_o first_o be_v unwelcome_a next_o tedious_a after_o ridiculous_a at_o last_o dangerous_a to_o that_o unseasonable_a orator_n this_o make_v i_o sometime_o think_v it_o the_o best_a and_o prudent_a way_n for_o minister_n to_o stand_v still_o and_o wait_v for_o the_o salvation_n of_o god_n in_o a_o evil_a time_n to_o be_v silent_a after_o the_o example_n of_o their_o lord_n christ_n to_o hold_v their_o peace_n though_o they_o be_v as_o sheep_n under_o the_o shearer_n hand_n and_o by_o some_o appoint_v to_o be_v slay_v and_o the_o rather_o lest_o some_o man_n cruelty_n and_o unjustice_n against_o minister_n may_v possible_o 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and_o posterity_n may_v judge_v the_o obstinacy_n of_o that_o folly_n which_o will_v determine_v of_o thing_n it_o understand_v not_o and_o the_o violence_n of_o that_o fury_n which_o will_v cut_v in_o sunder_o that_o knot_n by_o force_n which_o with_o justice_n and_o good_a consciene_n it_o can_v untie_v but_o i_o must_v presume_v till_o i_o find_v the_o contrary_a that_o you_o as_o gentleman_n and_o christian_n will_v bear_v the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o soberness_n that_o your_o counsel_n and_o design_n be_v not_o sway_v by_o vulgar_a clamour_n and_o factious_a discontent_n but_o by_o rational_a equitable_a and_o religious_a demonstration_n look_v not_o only_a how_o to_o attemper_v your_o resolution_n to_o present_a distemper_n and_o to_o humour_v the_o paroxysm_n of_o disease_n but_o also_o how_o to_o recover_v the_o health_n and_o happiness_n of_o this_o sore_o toss_v and_o afflict_a church_n and_o nation_n to_o which_o the_o overthrow_v of_o maintenance_n and_o ministry_n will_v contribute_v very_o little_a this_o confidence_n have_v make_v i_o once_o more_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o grand_a concernment_n to_o adventure_v upon_o this_o part_n of_o pious_a importunity_n which_o god_n know_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o many_o confess_a infirmity_n aim_v at_o nothing_o but_o those_o great_a and_o good_a end_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v at_o last_o day_n be_v least_o ashamed_a before_o god_n angel_n and_o man_n at_o who_o great_a &_o impartial_a tribunal_n since_o you_o also_o must_v appear_v it_o hig_o concern_v you_o and_o all_o of_o we_o to_o avoid_v the_o contract_n any_o further_a guilt_n of_o sacrilege_n upon_o your_o soul_n and_o the_o nation_n which_o of_o all_o cry_a sin_n be_v least_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o man_n in_o power_n seldom_o pardon_v because_o seldom_o repent_v of_o and_o seldom_o repent_v of_o because_o true_a repentance_n require_v just_a restitution_n if_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v before_o your_o eye_n you_o will_v not_o be_v as_o 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holiness_n like_v to_o