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christian_n	day_n	jew_n	week_n	3,186	5	10.2177	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50263	A very useful manual, or, The young mans companion containing plain and easy directions for spelling, reading, and uniting English, with easy rules, for their attaining to writing, and arithmetick, and the Englishing of the Latin Bible without a tutor, likewise the plotting and measuring of land, globes, steeples, walls, barrels, timber, stone, boards, glass, &c. ... : and several other considerable and necessary matters, intended for the good of all, and for promoting love to one another : as by the table annexed particularly appears / collected by William Mather.	Mather, W. (William), fl. 1695.	1681 (1681)	Wing M1286; ESTC R36919	124,932	462

18.21 IN the valley Hinnon not far from Jerusalem the Jews set up an Idol of Copper like a King which they called Moloch that is a King of Idols This Copper Idol stood with the Arms stretching out and under it was a great fire whereby the Image shewed fire-red and besides that the more to honour it they made a great fire between two Walls which burnt for his sake and through this fire the Idolatrous Priests cast living Children into Moloch's burning Arms which he with his Arms red hot burnt to Death And in this manner the Jews offered their own Children to the Idol Moloch and when they did it they made a great noise and cry and beat upon a Drum that the Fathers when their Children were offered should not hear them cry by reason of the great noise of the Drum and therefore Christ likened this valley of Hinnon to Hell fire saith the Margent to Matth. 5 chap. The Israelites were forbidden to offer their Children to it Lev. 18.21 upon pain of death chap. 20.2 3 4 5. It was destroyed by Josiah 〈◊〉 Kin. 23.10 Feasts that Christ allows of but contrary to Dives's Feasts Luke 16.19 26. THen said Jesus when thou makest a Dinner or Supper call not thy Friends nor thy Brethren neither thy Kinsmen nor thy rich Neighbours lest they also bid the again and a recompence be made thee But when thou makest a Feast call the poor the maimed the lame the blind and thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompence thee bu● thou shalt be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just Luk. 14.12 13 14. Who of the rich of this Worlds Goods takes Christ's Counsel in this matter So that by the vanity tha● follows most feastings in these days we may say as the Preacher once said Eccles 7.2 That 〈◊〉 is better to go to the House of Mourning than to th● House of Feasting Apparel and Furniture the excess therein not to be amongst Christians and the poor wants I will therefore saith the Apostle Paul that Women adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety not with broidered Hair or Gold or Pearls or costly array but which becometh Women professing Godliness with good works 1 Tim. 2.9 10. And saith the Apostle Peter let not your adorning be in that outward adorning of platting the Hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of Apparel but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the Ornament of a weak and quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3.3 4. For all that is in the World the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eye and the pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World 1 Joh. 2.16 Now from whence proceeds the excess in Apparel and Furniture in things that are of no service but from the Lust of the Eye and the pride of Life c. Jam. 2.1 2. Respecting such as come in platted Hair or wears Gold or costly array by such as profess themselves to be Christians and say that the Scripture is their Rule when they walk quite contrary even to that excess amongst some people that the expences thereof might maintain six times as many poor people as I suppose is now in England If the Scripture was their Rule they would observe the same charge that Paul gave unto Timothy saying Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain Riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy That they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate 1 Tim. 6.17 18. for the poors relief Days all to be kept holy unto the Lord by ceasing from sin THe Apostle Paul saith Let no man condemn you in respect of meats and drink or of an Holy-day or of the New-Moons or of the Sabbath days which are but shadows of things to come but the Body is Christ Col. 2 16. Now those that are come to the Substance Christ Jesus the everlasting Sabbath of rest and are ceased from sin and keeps every day holy unto the Lord I say such are persecuted by those that rest still in the shadows or rather short of those forme● shadows who now observe days and times calling them Holy-days and instead of keeping a day holy unto the Lord too many keep them to themselves in sports games and other vanities For saith the Apostle Paul he that regardeth not the day to the Lord be doth not regard it Rom. 1.4.6 Yet do most now called Christians approve of one day in seven for publick Worship the first day of the Week being convenient for a day of rest also for labouring men and Cattle but the Sabbath day of the Jews was kept on the seventh day of the Week called now by some people Saturday A Character of a True Christian 1st HIS daily care is to keep his mind stayed upon God that he may be kept in perfect peace Isa 26.3 And through God's Grace he is taught to deny Ungodliness and worldly Lusts Tit. 2.11 12. and to be sober righteous patient humble meek upright merciful forbearing forgiving peaceable gentle self-denying constant faithful holy and also temperate in meat drink apparel c. which are the fruits of the Spirit or Grace of God in his Conscience James 2 chap. 2dly He is come out of the works of darkness and the fruits of the Flesh Rom. 1. 〈◊〉 4.31 and 5 ch Gal. 5. That is he is not wanton or passionate or proud covetous or a backbiter or envious wrathful unmerciful revengeful prophane drunken voluptuous or unclean nor makes Religion a Cloak for self-interest or for Loaves 3dly He will consent to any righteous thing for a general good in the Parish where he dwells or elsewhere that the poorer sort may be helped or others his Neighbours and is at all times willing to relieve the needy according to his ability 1 Tim. 6.18 4thly He always is ready to endeavour for peace amongst people or when controversie arise amongst his Neighbours he will seek to them in a Christian way for them to refe● themselves for peace sake to persons chosen by them to end their differences and not go to Law believing that they are accounted unreasonable men that will not so end their differences Matth. 5.9 1 Cor. 6.1 Lastly He is always willing to submit to th● outward Governours of the Nation wherein h● dwells or patiently suffer under them if the require any thing that 's against God's Law 〈◊〉 his Conscience Act. 5.29 And of him that t●keth away his Goods for the Law of his God he will not ask them again Luk. 6.30 But if this true Christian be an absenter from the National Church so called then the outside Christians do call His Gravity Sullenness His Seriousness Melancholy His Silence Sottishness His Diligence Covetousness His Christian-suffering Obstinacy

in any of the Magicians could foresee the great dryness of the Earth which God was pleased to send this Year 1681 to shew how soon he can blast all if people turn not from the evil of their ways that Hay in less than six weeks time rose from ten shillings a Load to forty in some places and came to be plentiful before the Summer was ended therefore in God alone let us trust and in no Art of the Egyptians for the Devil was a lyar from the beginning and saith G. Abbot late Archbishop of Canterbury so called in a description of the World p. 115 116 for in India and all the Eastern parts so especially in this Country their Noblemen and Priests and very many people do give themselves to all Arts of Divination here were the great Sooth-sayers Enchanters and Wisemen as they call them here were the first Astrologians which are so described and derided in the Scripture it is thought that a great reason whereof these Chaldeans were expert in the laudable knowledge of Astronomy was partly because the Country is so plain that being without hills they might more fully and easily discover the whole face of the Heaven and partly because the old Fathers which lived so long not only before but in some good part also after the flood of Noah did dwell in or near to these parts and they by observation of their own did find out and discover many things of the Heavenly Bodies which they delivered as from hand to hand to their posterity but as Corruption doth stain the best things so in process of time the true Astronomy was defiled with superstitious Rules of Astrology which caused the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah so bitterly to inveigh against them And then in their fabulosity they would report that they had in their Records Observations for 2500 years which must needs be a very great untruth unless we will qualifie it as some have done expounding their year not of the revolution of the Sun but of the Moon whose course is ended in the space of a Month Quid enim iniquius quam ut oderint homines quod ignorant etiamsires meretur odium Tertul. Apologet The Lord frustrated the tokens of the Stars and maketh Diviners mad that turneth wise men backward and maketh their knowledge foolish Isa 44.24 25. Fortune telling by the Lines in the Hand an Egyptian Folly THE Astrologers pretend that they can prognosticate of the future happiness or unhappiness of Nations and also peoples good and evil fortune by the Stars or Host of Heaven which the Heathen worshipped as Gods And they also hold that the Bodies of Men Beasts Hearbs Mettals c. are under the Planets Government and that we are to advise or take Counsel of them according to their Astrological Aphorisms when we gather Hearbs go to War c. 2 Sam. 5.19 Can they yet say that they do not adore or worship the Host of Heaven as the Heathen did 2 Kin. 17.16.21.3 Act. 7.42 When the Lord hath said Jer. 10.2 Learn not the way of the Heathen c. And do not the Astrologers also run into Egyptian-darkness by telling Peoples Fortunes by the Lines or Marks in their Hands still going for Counsel Isa 30.1 to the Host of Heaven like the Heathen and Egyptians saying one Line in the hand is the Line of Saturn another part they call th● Mount of Jupiter another of Mars Sol Venus c. and so are leading People back into Egypt and taking the Heathen Gods for Leaders and Governers as if man was altogether in a brutish State and had nothing of God manifest in him Rom. 1.19 though in God he is to live move and have his Being and know him to govern his whole heart and Soul but not moved ruled and Governed by any of the heathen Gods yet the Lights in the firmament to separate the day from the night every Christian owns them in their places for signs and for seasons and for days and for years Gen. 1.14 as God hath placed them in in which they keep their places in dividing the day from the night c. though man hath not kept his place and we are not to fear them as having Dominion over us Jer. 10.2 but the Lord God only who made them and still to admire his wonderful works in the Creation But to be brief saith W. S. But if this Mount that is the Mount of Venus so called by him in the hand be infortunated by evil Lines or Lines from evil places and irregular figures shews a Lecherous person an Adulterer a poor base sordid wretch who shall spend his substance on Whores c. Now if the Fortune-teller gives this judgment on such a person by the Lines aforesaid and is really such a person will not this judgment by the Lines more harden his heart through this Idolatrous belief that he may have by these Lines aforesaid that may cause him to say this is my fortune I cannot help it God hath so made me c. and so remains in Darkness and Errour Oh! What will they make man to be whom God hath created in his Image 1 Cor. 11.7 A Beast nay of some men they liken to be created worse than a Beast to be born with such evil marks upon his hand these marks happen but to some say they but this blind belief happens to too many that believe that the Stars and the said marks in the hand shew the whole course of mens lives And further saith he Therefore it behoves the industrious and studious Artist not to determine all things at first sight that is of the hand for no man can attain the knowledge of all particulars at one Inspection but yearly to make new Observations as the person encreases in age See W. Salmon of Chiromancy who for proof quotes Job 37.7 by the new Translation viz. He sealeth up the hand of every man that all men may know his work But in the old Translation I find it is With the force of the Rein he shutteth men up and all men may know his work mark the difference Now blessed be the Lord the living God that hath unvailed to many this gross Babylonish and Egyptian Spirit of Darkness that by its sensual Wisdom would draw people to trust to a Reed of Egypt Jer. 17.5 which turneth the truth of God into a lye and worshippeth and serveth the Creature forsaking the Creator which is blessed for ever Rom. 1.25 Behold you trust in lying words that cannot profit Jer. 7.8 Concerning a Soothsayer or Augurer that pretends to know things to come by the flying of Birds THe Rabbins speak in this wise He is a Soothsayer who will say because a morsel of Bread is falln out of his Mouth or his staff out of his hand or his Son called him back or a Crow croked unto him or a Goat passed by him or a Serpent was toward his Right hand or a Fox on his Left hand therefore he will

Women c. and send for skilful Women Jer. 9.17 These the Romans called chief or skilful mourners Of Bells to Assemble But saith T. G. the Priests might lawfully blow their Trumpets and Horns on the Sabbath Day for the Assembling of the People num 10.2 by proportion saith he it is now warrantable for Christians to ring Bells to assemble the People together on the Lords Day and to take Journies to join with the publick Congregation as the Jews say concerning the overthrow of Jericho which according to their writings fell on the Sabbath Day R. D. Kimcbi in Josh 6. he which commanded the Sabbath to be Sanctified commanded it also to be prophaned saith the Author Now whether this practice of Bells ringing for Worship for Marriages and for Burials be to be observed under the Gospel let the witness for God in every heart be the Judge c. And saith T. G. Vriah the Priest and Zachariah the Son of Jeberechia are thought to have been God-fathers at the Circumcision of Maher-shalal-hash-baz Es 8.2 and from them the custom of having God-fathers in Baptism to have taken its Original Stukius de conviv lib. 1. cap. 16. The Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans 1. PAul an Apostle not of Man nor by Man but by Jesus Christ 2. To the Brethren which are at Laodicea Grace and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 3. I thank my God in all my Prayers that you remain stedfast in him and in all his works waiting upon his promise to the day of Judgment 4. And be not seduced by some unprofitable talkers who go about to cause you to fall from the Gospel which was Preached unto you by me 4. Oh that they that were instructed by me might serve to the profit of the Gospel of Truth and become diligent in good works of Eternal Life 6. And henceforth are my bonds manifest which I suffer for Christs sake Wherefore I rejoyce in heart and account it Eternal Salvation 8. That such is done through your Prayers by the working of the holy Spirit whether by Life or Death 9. For I have a Will and a Joy to die in Christ who will through the same Mercy give you to have the same love and to be of one mind 10. Therefore beloved Brethren as you have heard in my presence that keep and finish in the fear of God so shall you have Eternal Life for God will work it and perfect it in you without delay 11. My beloved rejoyce in the Lord and take heed of them that are desirous after filthy Lucre. 12. Let your Prayers be manifest unto God and remainfirm in the knowledge of Christ 13. And do that which is meet convenient just and reasonable and what you have heard and received that keep in your hearts so shall you have praise 14. The Grace of God and our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirits Amen Col. 4.16 This Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans was found in the oldest Bible that was Printed at Worms To the Bowed in Spirit under Sin DOst thou still feel in thy heart reproofs for Sin Be of good courage for God hath not yet forsaken thee therefore obey the reproof of instruction in thy heart for it is the way to everlasting Life with God for ever Isa 30.21 John 16.6 To the hardned in Evil. Canst thou Swear Lye Cheat break thy Promise oppress the Innocent or commit Adultery and feels no sharp reproofs for any of them in thy Conscience then art thou in a miserable condition and it 's to be feared that God hath cast the Reins of the Bridle on thy neck and given thee up to thy own hearts Lust which is thy portion because of thy so often provoking of the Lord by thy Rebellion against his good Spirit that he has left thee to hardness of heart as he did Pharoah never to escape everlasting vengeance without a timely and speedy Repentance in Dust and Ashes before thou go hence believing that all things are possible with God though thy sins were as Scarlet c. Isa 1.18 55 6 7 8. If thou turns unto him with all thy heart An Advertisement of Love THey that burn in Effigie the Person of the Pope and also the Person of a Presbyter after the same manner with a short Cloak diminutive band c. are all Christians of one size or nominal Christians being far from loving of Enemies as Christ commands of whom they would take the name Christian but wants the nature of that Love that will overcome Enemies which Love will certainly overcome if all called Christians would seek Gods Glory and not the exaltation of self in this world and put their trust in God alone for deliverance saying with the three Children unto the King We are not careful to answer thee in this matter behold the God whom we serve is able to deliver us but if not be it known to thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods c. Dan. 3.17 For he that knows not God knows not what God he Worshipeth so may compel to the Worship of an unknown God See the Mock-procession of the 17th day of November and the Royal Intel. Number 30. Common-Prayer-Book of good things therein if truly minded 1. See Good-Friday the Collect so called Almighty and everlasting God by whose Spirit the whole Body of the Church is govern'd and Sanctified 2 Thes 2.13 Observe By this it is declared that they only are of the Church of God that are governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God so that all that are so governed go to the Church and Worship God according to the said Common-Prayer being the Church is in God the Pillar and ground of Truth 1 Tim. 2.15 Colos 1.24 2. The Coll. 3d Sunday after Easter gives a clear testimony to the Light that God sheweth to all men that be in error Observe do not those that believe that this Light in every man is not sufficient to lead out of error believe contrary to the Common-Prayer John 1.9 3 19 20 21. 3. Collect 5th Sunday after Easter that is a Prayer for the inspiration of Gods Holy Spirit to cleanse the thoughts of the Heart and to think those things that be good Observe How do they own the Common-Prayer-Book that in these days make a mock at Inspiration and say it is ceased Job 32.8 4. And that good Prayer which is said often but little practised said on St. Stephens Day Grant us O Lord to learn to love our Enemies by the example of thy Martyr St. Stephen who prayed for his Persecuters c. Observe Now what People lives and walks nearest the life of the words of the Common-Prayer-Book let the witness for God against all sin in every heart be the Judge a Tree being to be known by its Fruit Mat. 12.33 For some People are so far from loving Enemies that they persecute their Friends because they go not to a Church so called

made of Stone Acts 7.48 when the Common-Prayer-Book doth not require it it being sufficient to be of that Church that the Members thereof are governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God and also because they cannot in good Consciences pay tyths of the encrease of their Lands Labour and sweat of their brows being that the tenths or tyths to the Priesthood is disannulled by Christ Jesus Heb. 7. For Christs Ministers receive temporal things only of those that freely give Mat. 10.8 And having by their Ministry planted a Vine-yard may eat the Fruit thereof but not make the Gospel chargeable 1 Cor. 2.18 27. For forced maintenance has caused most of the Divisions and strivings in the Nations for possession John 18.36 Lastly And to persecute those that cannot break Christs Command nor teach others so to do Mat. 5.19 that is to say Swear not at all Mat. 5 33 34 55 36 37. James 5.12 For because of swearing the Land mourns Jer. 23.10 Neither hath Oaths been of safety to any Magistrate or People as appeareth by the late times by swearing to and again as Governments have altered for he that will Lye matters not an Oath except to keep favour with his Party and he that breaks his yea or nay a Christian-bond ought to suffer as much as he that breaks his Oath the Sin being the same in the sight of God Mat. 5.19 James 2.10 See T. Godwyns Civil Eccless Rites Lib. 4. Cap. 10. Wherein he sheweth many of the unwarrantable Heathenish customs that the Jews borrowed of the Heathens several of which the Christians so called have imitated since yet we see the goodness of God that he more and more is bringing People out of outside formality into the inward life and power of Godliness with himself from those that are setled in Mans Traditions who cry lo here is the way lo there is the way in some outward observation when Christ Jesus saith Behold the Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 18.21 And saith Paul for the Kingdom of God is not Meat nor Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 And he Christ Jesus said unto them Will ye reject the Commandment of God that ye may observe your own Tradition Mark 7.9 Mat. 15.9 Will you compel People to your Tradition of Swearing when God has Commanded not to swear at all Mat. 5.33 34 35 36 37. James 5.12 Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least Commandments and teach men so he shall be called the least c. Mat. 5.19 And moreover saith our Saviour Observe all things whatsoever I have Commanded you and lo I am with you always unto the end of the world Mat. 28.20 And as Chrysostom and others say for what end wilt thou force him to Swear whom thou believest not that he will speak the truth and several Martyrs have born a testimony against all Oaths c. And the Martyrs in and before Queen Maries days did also bear a Testimony against Oaths as Walter Brute and others he held that it is not lawful for Christians for any cause in any case to swear by the Creator neither the Creature in his last Testimony against the Pope and Church of Rome See Act. Mon. vol. 1. fol. 653. so that those Protestants that practise swearing are out of the Life of the Apostles and Martyrs of Jesus though they be garnishing the Sepulchres of the Righteous like the Jews the Prophets Printing and Re-printing their Labours although in Life and Practise as contrary to them as Light is to Darkness for in Christ Jesus it is neither being of this or the other Religious Opinion going to Church or Meeting or not going taking Bread and Wine or not taking Bread and Wine Baptizing with Water or not Baptizing with Water Circumcision or Uncircumcision availeth any thing but A NEW CREATURE Gal. 6.15 without God shall by his Spirit require any outward Practice And as many as walk according to this rule of the NEW CREATURE peace shall be upon them and Mercy and upon the Israel of God ver 16. For thus saith he that is high and excellent he that inhabiteth the Eternity whose name is the Holy One I dwell in the high and holy places with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to give Life to them that are of a contrite Spirit Isa 57.15 Psal 34.18.51.17 Oh that all People would bring their Lives and Practices to be tried by Christs Sermon upon the Mount Matth. 5 6 and 7. Chap. An Experiment of Bees How to take some Honey from each Stock of Bees yearly or to double them which may be called an artificial Swarm if the year comes not very bad for gathering of Honey 1st GET strong straw Hives made but not too big let them be almost flat at the top to set one upon another conveniently let each Hive have a round hole on the top about one Inch and a half over dress them as for a swarm and they are ready 2dly Cut a natch on the back of the Bee-stool about 5 or 6 Inches long and 2 over with a shutter like a bread gratter to draw in and out to see the strength of your Bees by the light of the door let not the Sun shine on the Hives except about the door 3dly About May-day so called set those new Hives upon the Bees-stools under each stock of Bees that is not poor clay up the edge of the stocks to the new Hives that a Bee pass not out except at the Door of the new Hives 4thly About the middle of June see if they have half filled the new Hives which if they have choose a warm morning as when Bees are apt to lie out and take off one stock and give it a shake that some Bees may drop out and carry it a pole or two and clay it up and let it work till the middle of August to be smothered or saved for store then return to the new Hive and with a piece of Tile cover the top hole and clay it well and brush off the Bees with Hysop and cover the Hive 5thly If they have not half filled the lower Hive by the middle of June then let them so stand and work till the middle of August and then take the Honey in the new Hive and save the Bees alive after this manner choose a clear cool morning having the night before taken some clay from between the Hives to cool them take off both the Hives together and set them on the grass and immediately take the Stock off the new Hive and set it on the Stool again then take up the new Hive and shake out some of the Bees and if there be Bees enough in the Stock smother the Bees in the new Hive but if you had rather save them all alive carry the Hive into some secret Place cover it with straw being turned upside down and many will

continually thou wilt hunger and thirst after Righteousness and will alwaies in thy heart give thanks unto God at the receiving of meat and drink and all other of Gods Mercies though thou dost not express it in words except God shall require it of thee for the edification of others Matth. 5.6 1 Tim. 2.8 Eph. 6.18 Answer Truly when my mind is still and out of earthly thoughts I find inclination● to pray alwaies and also a hungering and thirsting after Righteousness Christ Jesus hath said all such are blessed and as God said unto Cain if thou do well shalt thou not be excepted and if thou dost not well sin lieth at thy door Gen. 4.7 Question Let me hear our Lords Prayes Answer OUr Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy name thy Kingdom come thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven give us this day our daily Bread and forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Amen A few words to those that are minded to impose upon Conscience Question DOth not the old Serpent move in People to persecute for Religion Heb. 10.29.2 Cor. 4.4 Rev. 12.14 Answer Yes He works in many that are of a self interest that cannot rest from compelling others more Righteous than they to some outward observation ceremony or opinion before others see it their duty so to do John 15.20 Question Then is it not the same Spirit that put the Martyrs to Death as at this day that seeks to force others to their opinions Exodus 23.2 Rev 12.11.17 Answer Yes it is the same Spirit that forceth for the true Christians only persuade in the love of God Romans 14.4 13. 1 John 4.20 Question Are all true Christians that chiefly mind the Grace of God in their hearts though they do not practise the Ceremonies of Men Col. 2.8 Phil. 3.5 Answer Yes for all People of every Nation that fears God and works Righteousness it is by this Grace that they perform good things and such do find acceptance with God neither can such seek to enforce others to their faith any more than Christ Jesus did his Brethren after the flesh to believe in him John 7.5 Acts 10.35 Question Are not most people in this day striving by one way or other to enforce others into their faith by what means shall People come to be of one heart Jer. 32.39 Answer Only by every ones keeping to their own measure of Grace in themselves and none to exalt themselves above their measure received of God and none to be drawn from the obedience thereof by any mans words or actions lest their portion be with the young Prophet whom the old deceived 1 Kings 13.18 Jere. 9.4 Question May we by an outward force seek to deliver our selves from imposition Rom. 8.31 Rom. 12.19 Answer No all true Christians will love their Imposers and obey the Magistrate in all things that are due to Caesar Matthew 22.21 Acts 4.19 The true worship of God stands not in any outward observation of time or place or any bodily exercise therein but in doing the will of God bowing in his Spirit and obeying the voice thereof W. S. page 43. Question Doth God accept of the several Religious performances of People in these days John 4.24 Answer Those that wait not to f eel Gods Spirit leading them into those performances or duties find no more acceptance with God than the offerings of the lame and the blind did in the first Covenant Jude 30. Rom. 8.26 Question What is the work of the true Ministers Acts 28.18 Answer To remind People to take heed unto their only Teacher Gods Grace in their hearts and such will not desire People to follow them any further than they follow Christ and their holy Conversation wins more to God than their Preachings Job 36.22 1 Cor. 11.1 2 Peter 1.9 Heb. 8.11 A Cloud of Witnesses might be produced to prove that no force ought to be used to drive People into this or the other Religious opinion before the Lord by his Grace in their hearts manifesteth to them that it is their duty to conform For what is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14.5 23. A few Witnesses here follow Jeremiah Taylor once Chaplain to King Charles the first said I being most of all troubled that men should be persecuted and afflicted for disagreeing in such opinions which they cannot with sufficient grounds obtrude upon others necessarily because they cannot propound them infallibly Dr. Stilling fleet once Chaplain to King Charles the second in a Sermon before the King Anno 1674 5 saith To be a Christian was not to fight for the faith but to live by it not to quarrel for good works but to practise them in short to be a Christian was to depart from iniquity and to do good to be meek and humble and patient and peaceable towards all men to be charitable and kind to be sober and temperate in all things to be holy sincere and innocent in his actions towards God and Man Lucernus said he that commandeth any thing wherewith he bindeth the conscience this is an Antichrist Inde Benuse disp fol. 71. Calvin said that the Apostle gave to understand that to exercise Authority over ones faith was in no wise just nor tolerable yea said he it is Tyranny in the Church for faith ought to be free from all subjection of men Luther upon 1 Kings 5. In the building of the Temple their was no sound of Iron heard to signify that Christ will have in his Church a free and a willing People not compelled and constrained by Laws c. Stephanus King of Poland said it belongeth not to me to reform the conscience I have alwaies gladly given that over to God which belongeth to him and so shall I do now and also for the future I will suffer the Weeds to grow until the time of Harvest for I know that the number of Believers are but small therefore said he when some were proceeding to Persecution Ego sum Rex Populorum non Conscientiarum that is I am the King of the People not of their Consciences he also affirmed that Religion was not to be planted with fire and Sword Chron. van de Rel. Vriih 2 deel Ellis Hooks said in a Book of Martyrs Paul the Apostle taught that the Servant of the Lord must not strive but must be gentle towards all men suffering the evil men instructing them with meekness that are contrary minded c. 2 Tim. 2.4.2 If any Man shall pretend that the Scriptures judge according to his conceptions or conscience for other men and that they must take their religious measures by the line of his direction such a Person makes himself greater than either Church Scripture or Conscience W. P. Add to Prov. 148. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them fur this is the Law and