yet_o i_o shall_v insist_v only_o upon_o these_o three_o first_o the_o first_o be_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o bound_n or_o limit_n put_v to_o this_o plea_n nor_o any_o possibility_n of_o define_v the_o just_a number_n of_o particular_n to_o which_o it_o may_v extend_v for_o it_o be_v found_v in_o ignorance_n and_o error_n as_o have_v be_v show_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o it_o may_v reach_v to_o all_o those_o thing_n of_o which_o man_n may_v be_v ignorant_a and_o about_o which_o they_o may_v err._n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o duty_n but_o man_n may_v doubt_v and_o scruple_n the_o do_v of_o it_o pretend_v that_o their_o conscience_n be_v not_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n or_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o action_n almost_o so_o wicked_a and_o unjust_a but_o they_o may_v pretend_v that_o their_o conscience_n either_o prompt_v they_o to_o it_o as_o necessary_a or_o allow_v they_o in_o it_o as_o lawful_a as_o there_o be_v one_o in_o the_o last_o bless_a time_n of_o rebellion_n and_o reformation_n who_o murder_v his_o own_o mother_n for_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n allege_v that_o it_o be_v idolatry_n and_o that_o his_o conscience_n tell_v he_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o destroy_v idolater_n and_o let_v any_o man_n live_v if_o he_o can_v state_n exact_o how_o far_o conscience_n will_v doubt_v and_o be_v unsatisfied_a and_o give_v i_o any_o reason_n i_o say_v any_o solid_a reason_n why_o if_o it_o may_v plead_v dissatisfaction_n in_o this_o or_o that_o thing_n it_o may_v not_o upon_o the_o same_o principle_n plead_v it_o in_o any_o other_o thing_n whatsoever_o and_o so_o if_o the_o obligation_n of_o our_o law_n must_v then_o only_o begin_v when_o this_o plea_n shall_v end_v i_o fear_v we_o shall_v never_o see_v either_o the_o end_n of_o one_o or_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o other_o second_o the_o second_o ill_a consequence_n be_v this_o that_o as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o bound_v of_o this_o plea_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o particular_n about_o which_o it_o may_v be_v make_v so_o when_o it_o be_v make_v there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a evidence_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o it_o for_o all_o the_o evidence_n producible_a must_v be_v the_o word_n of_o he_o who_o make_v this_o plea_n for_o as_o much_o as_o he_o only_o can_v be_v judge_n of_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o conscience_n and_o tell_v whether_o they_o be_v real_o under_o such_o a_o persuasion_n and_o dissatisfaction_n or_o no._n but_o where_o man_n may_v pretend_v conscience_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o interest_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o their_o word_n shall_v be_v take_v in_o behalf_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o yet_o if_o we_o hold_v to_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o this_o plea_n rely_v no_o other_o proof_n of_o it_o can_v be_v have_v which_o if_o it_o be_v admit_v i_o suppose_v there_o need_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o this_o and_o the_o former_a consequence_n together_o be_v of_o that_o absurd_a nature_n and_o malign_v influence_n that_o they_o must_v forthwith_o open_v the_o floodgate_n to_o all_o confusion_n and_o like_o a_o mighty_a torrent_n bear_v down_o before_o they_o all_o law_n right_o justice_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o the_o society_n of_o mankind_n be_v settle_v by_o and_o support_v with_o but_o to_o proceed_v to_o yet_o a_o further_a and_o more_o destructive_a consequence_n in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o admission_n of_o this_o plea_n absolute_o bind_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o subject_n he_o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o those_o who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o he_o for_o let_v the_o civil_a power_n make_v what_o law_n it_o will_v if_o conscience_n shall_v come_v and_o put_v in_o its_o exception_n against_o they_o it_o must_v be_v hear_v and_o exempt_v the_o person_n who_o make_v the_o exception_n from_o the_o bind_v power_n of_o those_o law_n for_o since_o conscience_n command_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n the_o issue_n of_o the_o question_n must_v be_v whether_o god_n or_o the_o magistrate_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v and_o then_o the_o decision_n be_v like_a to_o be_v very_o easy_a this_o consequence_n be_v so_o direct_a and_o withal_o so_o strong_a that_o there_o be_v no_o bar_n against_o it_o so_o that_o whereas_o heretofore_o the_o magistrate_n pass_v for_o god_n vicegerent_n here_o on_o earth_n the_o weak_a conscience_n be_v now_o resolve_v to_o keep_v that_o office_n for_o itself_o and_o to_o prefer_v the_o magistrate_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o be_v it_o be_v under_o officer_n for_o the_o magistrate_n must_v make_v only_o such_o law_n as_o such_o conscience_n will_v have_v make_v and_o such_o law_n only_o must_v be_v obey_v as_o these_o conscience_n shall_v judge_v fit_a to_o be_v obey_v so_o that_o upon_o these_o term_n it_o be_v not_o the_o king_n but_o the_o tender_a conscience_n that_o have_v get_v the_o negative_a voice_n upon_o the_o make_n of_o all_o our_o law_n and_o which_o be_v more_o upon_o the_o observe_v they_o too_o when_o they_o be_v make_v i_o dare_v affirm_v that_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a for_o any_o government_n or_o politic_a body_n without_o a_o stand_a force_n to_o subsist_v or_o support_v itself_o in_o the_o allowance_n of_o this_o principle_n as_o it_o be_v for_o the_o natural_a body_n to_o live_v and_o thrive_v with_o a_o dagger_n stick_v in_o its_o vital_n nor_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v full_a of_o contradiction_n and_o ridiculous_a paradox_n than_o to_o think_v to_o reconcile_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o government_n with_o the_o sturdy_a plea_n of_o dissent_v conscience_n it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o if_o the_o sceptre_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o the_o subject_n hand_n in_o order_n to_o his_o be_v govern_v by_o it_o i_o can_v add_v yet_o further_o that_o consider_v thing_n and_o person_n bare_o in_o themselves_o it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o but_o god_n rather_o speak_v in_o the_o conscience_n of_o a_o lawful_a christian_a magistrate_n make_v a_o law_n than_o in_o the_o conscience_n of_o any_o private_a person_n whatsoever_o dissent_v from_o it_o and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o general_a reason_n against_o admit_v the_o plea_n of_o weak_a or_o as_o some_o false_o call_v they_o tender_a conscience_n the_o second_o general_n reason_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o those_o quality_n which_o usual_o accompany_v the_o say_v plea_n of_o which_o there_o be_v two_o first_o partiality_n second_o hypocrisy_n first_o and_o first_o for_o partiality_n few_o make_v this_o plea_n themselves_o who_o be_v once_o get_v into_o power_n will_v endure_v it_o in_o other_o consult_v history_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o such_o in_o germany_n and_o your_o own_o memory_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o late_a saint_n in_o england_n in_o their_o general_a comprehensive_a toleration_n you_o know_v prelacy_n stand_v always_o join_v with_o popery_n and_o both_o be_v except_v together_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o toleration_n allow_v for_o the_o liturgy_n and_o establish_a worship_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n though_o the_o user_n of_o it_o plead_v conscience_n never_o so_o much_o for_o its_o use_n and_o the_o know_a law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o that_o their_o conscience_n but_o those_o zealot_n be_v above_o that_o legal_a ordinance_n of_o do_v as_o they_o will_v be_v do_v by_o nor_o be_v their_o conscience_n any_o long_a spiritual_o weak_a when_o their_o interest_n be_v once_o grow_v temporal_o strong_a and_o then_o notwithstanding_o all_o their_o plea_n of_o tenderness_n and_o out-cry_n against_o persecution_n whoever_o come_v under_o they_o and_o close_v not_o with_o they_o find_v they_o to_o be_v man_n who_o bowel_n be_v brass_n and_o who_o heart_n be_v as_o hard_o as_o their_o forehead_n second_o the_o other_o qualification_n which_o general_o go_v along_o with_o this_o plea_n and_o so_o render_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o be_v admit_v be_v hypocrisy_n divine_v general_o agree_v upon_o this_o as_o a_o certain_a evidence_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o heart_n when_o it_o have_v a_o equal_a respect_n unto_o all_o god_n command_n and_o make_v duty_n as_o duty_n one_o of_o the_o principal_a reason_n of_o its_o obedience_n the_o consequence_n of_o which_o be_v that_o its_o obedience_n must_v needs_o be_v universal_a now_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n if_o conscience_n be_v real_o even_o in_o their_o own_o sense_n tender_v and_o doubt_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o practice_n because_o it_o carry_v in_o it_o some_o appearance_n and_o semblance_n of_o evil_a though_o yet_o it_o dare_v not_o positive_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v so_o sure_o it_o must_v and_o will_v be_v equal_o afraid_a of_o every_o other_o practice_n which_o carry_v in_o it_o the_o same_o appearance_n of_o evil_a
concomitant_a of_o weakness_n of_o conscience_n as_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o ignorance_n which_o seldom_o stop_v in_o itself_o man_n in_o the_o dark_a be_v general_o fearful_a and_o apt_a to_o suspect_v the_o worst_a but_o yet_o this_o suspicion_n be_v not_o essential_o requisite_a to_o make_v a_o conscience_n weak_a though_o where_o it_o be_v so_o it_o make_v that_o weakness_n great_a and_o more_o troublesome_a for_o ignorance_n be_v proper_o that_o in_o which_o this_o weakness_n consist_v ignorance_n make_v the_o fore_n suspicion_n inflame_v it_o three_o the_o three_o and_o last_o thing_n that_o go_v to_o the_o make_v up_o of_o this_o weakness_n of_o conscience_n be_v a_o religious_a abstinence_n from_o the_o use_n of_o that_o thing_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n whereof_o it_o be_v thus_o ignorant_a or_o suspicious_a it_o bring_v a_o man_n to_o that_o condition_n in_o the_o 2_o d_o of_o coloss._n and_o the_o 21_o sy_n v._n 〈◊〉_d touch_v not_o taste_v not_o handle_v not_o it_o lay_v a_o tie_n and_o a_o restraint_n upon_o his_o practice_n and_o enslave_v he_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o a_o mistake_a conscience_n under_o no_o less_o a_o penalty_n than_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a wrath_n and_o eternal_a damnation_n bond_n not_o to_o be_v shake_v off_o and_o fence_n not_o to_o be_v break_v through_o by_o any_o one_o who_o value_v the_o eternal_a welfare_n of_o his_o soul_n now_o from_o these_o three_o thing_n put_v together_o i_o conceive_v we_o may_v collect_v this_o full_a description_n of_o a_o weak_a conscience_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o oblige_v a_o man_n to_o forbear_v any_o thing_n or_o action_n from_o a_o suspicion_n that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a or_o at_o least_o a_o ignorance_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a which_o suspicion_n or_o ignorance_n be_v not_o cause_v or_o occasion_v by_o his_o own_o will_n but_o either_o by_o the_o natural_a weakness_n of_o his_o understanding_n or_o the_o want_n of_o such_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o inform_v he_o this_o description_n ought_v well_o to_o be_v observe_v and_o remember_v in_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o as_o be_v that_o which_o must_v give_v light_n into_o all_o the_o follow_a particular_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o thing_n pâ—â—posed_v which_o be_v to_o show_v what_o this_o weak_a conscience_n be_v i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o which_o be_v to_o show_v what_o it_o be_v to_o wound_n or_o sin_n against_o it_o it_o imply_v i_o conceive_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o grieve_v afflict_v or_o discompose_v it_o or_o in_o a_o word_n to_o rob_v it_o of_o its_o peace_n for_o there_o be_v that_o concernment_n for_o god_n honour_n dwell_v in_o every_o true_o pious_a heart_n which_o make_v it_o trouble_v at_o the_o sight_n of_o any_o action_n by_o which_o it_o suppose_v god_n to_o be_v dishonour_v river_n of_o tear_n say_v david_n run_v down_o my_o eye_n because_o man_n keep_v not_o thy_o statute_n and_o be_o i_o not_o grieve_v with_o those_o who_o rise_v up_o against_o thou_o every_o sin_n direct_o strike_v at_o god_n but_o collateral_o the_o scandal_n of_o it_o reach_v all_o about_o we_o and_o as_o piety_n command_v we_o not_o to_o offend_v god_n so_o charity_n enjoin_v we_o not_o to_o grieve_v our_o neighbour_n second_o the_o other_o thing_n employ_v in_o the_o wound_v of_o a_o weak_a conscience_n be_v to_o encourage_v or_o embolden_v it_o to_o act_v something_o against_o its_o present_a judgement_n oâ—_n persuasion_n which_o be_v in_o other_o term_n to_o offend_v or_o cast_v a_o stumbling-block_n before_o it_o that_o be_v to_o do_v something_o which_o may_v administer_v to_o it_o a_o occasion_n of_o fall_v or_o bring_v itself_o under_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n so_o that_o as_o the_o former_a be_v a_o breach_n upon_o the_o peace_n this_o be_v proper_o a_o wound_n upon_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o conscience_n now_o the_o conscience_n may_v be_v induce_v to_o act_n counter_a to_o its_o present_a persuasion_n two_o way_n 1_o sy_n by_o example_n 2_o d_o by_o command_n first_o and_o first_o for_o example_n which_o be_v the_o case_n here_o express_o mention_v and_o principal_o intend_v according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o 10_o the_o v_o of_o this_o 8_o the_o of_o 1_o cor._n where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o conscience_n of_o he_o who_o be_v weak_a be_v embolden_v to_o eat_v thing_n offer_v to_o idol_n by_o see_v he_o who_o have_v knowledge_n sit_v at_o meat_n in_o the_o idol_n temple_n so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o see_v of_o another_o do_v so_o which_o make_v the_o weak_a person_n conclude_v that_o he_o may_v do_v so_o too_o now_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o persuasive_a force_n which_o be_v in_o example_n be_v from_o a_o kind_n of_o implicit_a faith_n in_o the_o goodness_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o another_o act_n ground_v upon_o a_o supposal_n of_o his_o piety_n and_o judgement_n which_o in_o the_o weak_a conscience_n of_o one_o who_o behold_v he_o natural_o frame_v such_o a_o kind_n of_o ratiocination_n as_o this_o ay_o for_o my_o part_n by_o the_o best_a of_o my_o understanding_n can_v be_v no_o way_n satisfy_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o my_o do_v such_o a_o action_n nevertheless_o such_o a_o one_o who_o i_o esteem_v a_o person_n true_o pious_a and_o more_o judicious_a than_o myself_o make_v no_o scruple_n of_o do_v it_o at_o all_o which_o sure_o he_o will_v if_o it_o be_v indeed_o unlawful_a and_o therefore_o if_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o do_v thus_o and_o thus_o why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v so_o likewise_o for_o i_o albeit_o my_o own_o reason_n i_o confess_v will_v perswadâ—_n i_o otherwise_o so_o that_o here_o be_v the_o force_n of_o example_n to_o persuade_v and_o thereby_o in_o this_o case_n to_o wound_n in_o that_o it_o induce_v a_o man_n to_o act_n by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n in_o the_o private_a judgement_n of_o another_o against_o the_o express_a dictate_v and_o persuasion_n of_o his_o own_o a_o thing_n direct_o against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n which_o have_v appoint_v every_o man_n reason_n or_o conscience_n to_o be_v the_o immediate_a guide_n or_o governor_n of_o his_o action_n second_o the_o second_o way_n by_o which_o the_o conscience_n may_v be_v induce_v to_o act_n contrary_a to_o its_o present_a persuasion_n be_v by_o command_n as_o when_o a_o person_n in_o power_n enjoin_v the_o do_v something_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o which_o a_o man_n be_v not_o persuade_v but_o concern_v this_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v first_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a that_o a_o mere_a command_n can_v wound_v the_o conscience_n this_o way_n that_o be_v by_o embolden_v it_o to_o act_n against_o its_o present_a persuasion_n for_o so_o to_o embolden_v it_o be_v to_o make_v it_o willing_a to_o act_n in_o this_o manner_n but_o a_o command_n as_o such_o make_v not_o a_o man_n willing_a to_o do_v the_o thing_n command_v but_o lay_v only_o a_o obligation_n upon_o the_o action_n that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v nevertheless_o since_o a_o command_n seldom_o come_v propose_v naked_a in_o itself_o but_o with_o the_o conjunction_n of_o reward_n upon_o performance_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v or_o of_o penalty_n upon_o the_o omission_n one_o whereof_o work_n upon_o a_o man_n hope_n the_o other_o upon_o his_o fear_n by_o both_o of_o which_o way_n the_o will_n of_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v prevail_v upon_o therefore_o in_o this_o sense_n a_o command_n enjoin_v a_o man_n to_o do_v something_o against_o his_o judgement_n may_v be_v say_v to_o wound_n his_o conscience_n not_o as_o a_o bare_a command_n for_o so_o it_o have_v nothing_o to_o allure_v or_o gain_v the_o will_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o can_v force_v it_o but_o as_o a_o command_v attend_v with_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o entice_v and_o gain_v upon_o it_o add_v to_o this_o also_o that_o a_o command_n come_v from_o a_o person_n note_v for_o his_o piety_n and_o knowledge_n have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o example_n for_o as_o much_o as_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o person_n derive_v the_o same_o credit_n upon_o his_o law_n second_o the_o other_o thing_n here_o to_o be_v observe_v be_v that_o a_o command_n may_v be_v consider_v two_o way_n first_o as_o descend_v from_o one_o private_a person_n upon_o another_o as_o from_o a_o father_n upon_o a_o son_n from_o a_o master_n upon_o his_o servant_n from_o a_o guardian_n upon_o his_o pupil_n or_o the_o like_a and_o i_o question_v not_o but_o the_o principal_a design_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o chapter_n extend_v not_o beyond_o private_a person_n but_o direct_o propose_v rule_n only_o for_o the_o charitable_a and_o inoffensive_a deportment_n of_o one_o private_a person_n towards_o another_o
nevertheless_o since_o by_o manifest_a analogy_n of_o reason_n the_o case_n of_o magistrate_n or_o public_a person_n may_v here_o come_v into_o consideration_n therefore_o in_o the_o second_o place_n â—a_o command_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o descend_v from_o a_o magistrate_n or_o public_a person_n upon_o person_n under_o his_o jurisdiction_n and_o so_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n in_o the_o make_n of_o law_n or_o give_v out_o command_v stand_v not_o under_o any_o obligation_n from_o his_o office_n to_o frame_v those_o law_n to_o the_o good_a or_o advantage_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n but_o only_o of_o the_o community_n or_o majority_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v proper_o the_o trust_v commit_v to_o he_o so_o that_o if_o his_o reason_n or_o conscience_n upon_o the_o best_a information_n he_o can_v get_v tell_v he_o that_o the_o make_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o law_n tend_v to_o the_o good_a of_o these_o and_o that_o so_o apparent_o that_o without_o it_o they_o will_v be_v unavoidable_o hurt_v in_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n if_o this_o law_n now_o become_v a_o occasion_n of_o sin_n to_o some_o particular_a person_n its_o be_v so_o be_v whole_o accidental_a and_o extrinsic_a to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o law_n and_o consequent_o concern_v not_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n nor_o make_v he_o chargeable_a with_o those_o sin_n in_o the_o least_o for_o sure_o where_o the_o public_a good_a of_o all_o or_o most_o of_o the_o people_n come_v into_o competition_n with_o the_o private_a good_a of_o some_o particular_n so_o that_o both_o can_v possible_o be_v serve_v by_o the_o same_o mean_n there_o charity_n as_o well_o as_o bare_a reason_n will_v teach_v that_o the_o private_a must_v stoop_v to_o the_o public_a rather_o than_o the_o public_a be_v make_v a_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o private_a in_o god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v the_o public_a concern_v of_o mankind_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v summer_n and_o winter_n in_o their_o respective_a season_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v million_o of_o sick_a and_o weak_a person_n to_o who_o distemper_n the_o approach_n of_o either_o of_o those_o season_n will_v prove_v certain_o mortal_a be_v it_o now_o think_v we_o rational_a that_o god_n shall_v suspend_v a_o summer_n or_o a_o winter_n only_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o distemper_n of_o those_o crazy_a bodily-weak_a brethren_n and_o thereby_o to_o incommode_v all_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o case_n be_v much_o alike_o here_o however_o this_o indeed_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o if_o the_o magistrate_n or_o supreme_a power_n shall_v make_v a_o law_n which_o he_o know_v will_v be_v a_o direct_a occasion_n of_o sin_n to_o the_o generality_n or_o majority_n of_o his_o people_n the_o make_n of_o such_o a_o law_n will_v be_v in_o he_o a_o sin_n and_o a_o breach_n of_o his_o trust_n but_o still_o i_o affirm_v that_o his_o office_n oblige_v he_o only_o to_o provide_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o main_a body_n of_o his_o people_n and_o if_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o particular_n come_v to_o have_v a_o interest_n distinct_a from_o or_o opposite_a to_o that_o he_o be_v not_o during_o such_o its_o opposition_n at_o all_o bind_v to_o regard_n or_o provide_v for_o it_o nor_o to_o answer_n for_o the_o inconvenience_n which_o may_v attend_v such_o person_n either_o in_o their_o civil_a or_o spiritual_a concern_v and_o thus_o much_o concern_v the_o second_o thing_n propose_v which_o be_v to_o show_v what_o it_o be_v to_o wound_n or_o sin_n against_o a_o weak_a conscience_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v either_o to_o grieve_v it_o or_o to_o embolden_v it_o to_o sin_n and_o if_o it_o be_v now_o object_v against_o this_o that_o the_o text_n call_v a_o sin_v against_o a_o weak_a conscience_n a_o sin_v against_o christ_n to_o who_o we_o can_v no_o way_n proper_o be_v say_v to_o administer_v any_o occasion_n or_o inducement_n to_o sin_n i_o answer_v that_o this_o expression_n of_o sin_v against_o be_v apply_v to_o christ_n import_v only_o a_o grieve_v or_o disobey_v he_o though_o as_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o weak_a conscience_n it_o signify_v the_o other_o thing_n too_o it_o be_v not_o unusual_a in_o scripture_n for_o the_o same_o word_n to_o be_v repeat_v in_o the_o very_a same_o sentence_n under_o a_o diverse_a signification_n have_v thus_o finish_v the_o two_o first_o thing_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o three_o and_o last_o which_o be_v to_o set_v down_o those_o conclusion_n which_o by_o way_n of_o consequence_n and_o deduction_n natural_o result_v from_o the_o forego_n particular_n which_o conclusion_n be_v these_o 1._o that_o no_o man_n have_v be_v bring_v up_o or_o for_o any_o length_n of_o time_n continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n teach_v and_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n if_o he_o have_v but_o also_o the_o common_a use_n of_o his_o reason_n can_v just_o plead_v weakness_n of_o conscience_n in_o the_o sense_n in_o which_o it_o be_v here_o use_v by_o the_o apostle_n 2._o that_o as_o such_o weakness_n of_o conscience_n can_v upon_o no_o sufficient_a ground_n be_v actual_o plead_v so_o upon_o much_o less_o can_v it_o be_v continue_v in_o 3._o that_o suppose_v it_o may_v be_v both_o plead_v and_o continue_v in_o yet_o the_o plea_n of_o it_o ought_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o prejudice_n of_o any_o law_n either_o actual_o make_v or_o to_o be_v make_v by_o he_o for_o the_o general_n good_a of_o his_o people_n of_o each_o of_o which_o in_o their_o order_n first_o and_o first_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o that_o no_o man_n etc._n etc._n this_o conclusion_n be_v of_o so_o much_o force_n and_o use_v right_o apply_v that_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n it_o have_v not_o be_v more_o insist_v upon_o against_o those_o who_o disturb_v the_o church_n with_o this_o plea_n for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o will_v whole_o cashier_v and_o pluck_v it_o up_o by_o the_o very_a root_n and_o man_n mistake_v the_o method_n of_o dispute_v with_o these_o pretender_n to_o weak_a conscience_n now_o adays_o not_o consider_v that_o the_o very_a supposition_n that_o they_o either_o have_v or_o can_v have_v 〈◊〉_d â—eak_a conscience_n ought_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v grant_v they_o nor_o be_v we_o to_o debate_v with_o they_o how_o far_o and_o to_o what_o degree_n this_o their_o weakness_n ought_v to_o be_v yield_v to_o but_o absolute_o to_o deny_v that_o among_o we_o and_o under_o our_o circumstance_n there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n st._n paul_n indeed_o speak_v of_o such_o a_o conscience_n in_o those_o first_o time_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o according_o urge_v a_o compliance_n with_o it_o but_o where_o the_o case_n be_v whole_o different_a there_o the_o privilege_n applicable_a to_o both_o can_v be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o these_o place_n in_o which_o this_o apostle_n treat_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o show_v that_o the_o person_n to_o who_o he_o address_v himself_o be_v but_o new_a convert_v some_o of_o which_o be_v just_o convert_v and_o come_v off_o from_o judaisme_n who_o reverence_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n have_v be_v suck_v in_o by_o they_o with_o their_o very_a milk_n and_o be_v still_o keep_v up_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o that_o people_n to_o that_o strange_a height_n almost_o of_o adoration_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o that_o law_n even_o â—fter_o christ_n death_n and_o their_o ignorance_n of_o its_o abrogation_n be_v for_o a_o time_n invincible_a and_o for_o the_o other_o sort_n of_o new_a convert_v they_o be_v such_o as_o have_v be_v convert_v from_o heathenism_n and_o idolatry_n and_o consequent_o look_v upon_o every_o thing_n in_o use_n among_o those_o heathen_n with_o a_o suspicion_n and_o a_o jealousy_n so_o strong_a that_o consider_v the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a nature_n it_o be_v impossible_a present_o to_o remove_v it_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v in_o charity_n for_o some_o time_n to_o be_v comply_v with_o for_o as_o the_o prejudices_fw-la and_o prepossession_n of_o education_n be_v exceed_v hardly_o remove_v and_o break_v so_o be_v once_o break_v the_o aversion_n of_o the_o mind_n from_o they_o run_v into_o the_o other_o extreme_a be_v altogether_o as_o impetuous_a and_o as_o hardly_o governable_a by_o impartial_a reason_n whereupon_o shadow_n be_v oftentimes_o mistake_v for_o substance_n whilst_o man_n through_o immoderate_a fearfulness_n first_o create_v to_o themselves_o appearance_n of_o evil_a and_o then_o fly_v from_o they_o but_o what_o be_v all_o this_o to_o the_o case_n of_o those_o now_o adays_o among_o we_o who_o from_o their_o cradle_n have_v or_o migâ—â—_n have_v have_v the_o principle_n of_o true_a religion_n instill_v into_o they_o who_o have_v still_o grow_v up_o in_o a_o church_n