spiritual_a mediatorly_a administration_n of_o rule_n towards_o his_o purchase_a once_o and_o this_o be_v twofold_a in_o or_o over_o person_n particular_o or_o in_o and_o over_o body_n politic_a in_o and_o over_o particular_a person_n his_o throne_n be_v the_o same_o viz._n conscience_n in_o the_o regenerate_a and_o unregenerate_a only_o he_o rule_v these_o legal_o and_o the_o other_o evangelical_o these_o by_o a_o law_n of_o fear_n they_o by_o a_o law_n of_o love_n mere_o natural_a man_n by_o a_o dispensation_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n believer_n by_o a_o dispensation_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o here_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n rule_v in_o a_o christian_n heart_n and_o the_o conscience_n according_a to_o rule_n acquit_v or_o condemn_v neither_o be_v the_o true_a regulate_a force_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n any_o way_n extinct_a but_o the_o terrify_a embondage_v nature_n of_o it_o remove_v or_o at_o least_o abate_v any_o remainder_n of_o which_o be_v call_v the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n neither_o be_v there_o therefore_o two_o law_n in_o a_o believer_n moral_a and_o evangelical_n but_o the_o moral_a law_n be_v evangelize_v to_o he_o by_o his_o new_a relation_n to_o christ_n the_o curse_n be_v take_v away_o due_a to_o the_o sinner_n and_o he_o come_v under_o another_o obligation_n to_o a_o obediential_a conformity_n to_o the_o law_n viz._n the_o great_a tie_n of_o love_n and_o thankfulness_n and_o hence_o his_o obedience_n be_v call_v new_a obedience_n §_o 6._o another_o part_n of_o his_o special_a and_o immediate_a government_n consist_v in_o his_o give_a law_n to_o his_o church_n militant_a and_o deputation_n of_o minister_n for_o execution_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v call_v the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n eph._n 1.22_o hence_o his_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n dare_v not_o teach_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o they_o have_v immediate_o from_o he_o either_o by_o word_n or_o tradition_n matth._n 28._o and_o we_o may_v bold_o assert_v as_o james_n 4.12_o there_o be_v but_o one_o lawgiver_n and_o though_o it_o be_v so_o plain_a and_o indisputable_a a_o truth_n yet_o because_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n by_o practice_n and_o argument_n have_v make_v it_o their_o great_a aim_n to_o rob_v christ_n of_o this_o prerogative_n we_o shall_v make_v it_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n to_o illustrate_v and_o confirm_v this_o position_n against_o all_o humane_a usurpation_n §_o 7._o christ_n immediate_a government_n of_o his_o church_n militant_a be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o he_o have_v not_o appoint_v the_o executive_a administration_n to_o be_v by_o pastor_n and_o other_o officer_n depute_v by_o himself_o as_o appear_v from_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o ephes_n 4.11_o 12._o but_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o it_o be_v immediate_a these_o two_o manner_n of_o way_n 1._o in_o that_o he_o have_v not_o authorize_v or_o commissionated_a any_o such_o officer_n or_o governor_n on_o earth_n who_o may_v compose_v and_o enact_v new_a law_n for_o the_o discipline_a of_o his_o church_n in_o the_o order_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o institute_v worship_n his_o own_o law_n here_o be_v only_o bind_v 2._o in_o that_o all_o church-officer_n receive_v their_o executive_a power_n from_o christ_n immediate_o nullo_n papa_n aut_fw-la episcopo_fw-la mediante_fw-la neither_o have_v any_o of_o they_o any_o power_n of_o deputation_n or_o substitution_n of_o other_o to_o execute_v that_o office_n or_o power_n commit_v to_o themselves_o by_o christ_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o opposition_n between_o christ_n immediate_a reign_n in_o his_o church_n and_o his_o mediate_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o man_n and_o for_o this_o among_o other_o difference_n which_o amesius_n make_v between_o the_o magistratical_a and_o ministerial_a jurisdiction_n he_o say_v magistratus_fw-la jurisdictionem_fw-la habet_fw-la cum_fw-la imperio_fw-la atque_fw-la adeo_fw-la si_fw-la summus_fw-la sit_fw-la justâ_fw-la ratione_fw-la possit_fw-la leges_fw-la condere_fw-la &_o abolere_fw-la atque_fw-la jurisdictionem_fw-la aliis_fw-la mandare_fw-la sed_fw-la ministri_fw-la ecclesiastici_fw-la in_o sese_fw-la considerati_fw-la sunt_fw-la mandatorii_fw-la meri_fw-la qui_fw-la proprii_fw-la nihil_fw-la habent_fw-la sed_fw-la quiequid_fw-la legitime_fw-la agunt_fw-la id_fw-la omne_fw-la vice_fw-la christi_fw-la mandantis_fw-la agunt_fw-la atque_fw-la adeo_fw-la neque_fw-la leges_fw-la possunt_fw-la far_o neque_fw-la aliis_fw-la mandare_fw-la potestatem_fw-la illam_fw-la quam_fw-la acceperunt_fw-la medul_fw-la lib._n 2._o cap._n 17._o §_o 48._o §_o 8._o the_o chief_a of_o our_o assertion_n about_o the_o immediate_a government_n of_o christ_n concern_v his_o legislative_a power_n that_o wherever_o he_o govern_v in_o this_o manner_n he_o have_v reserve_v the_o law-giving-power_n to_o himself_o as_o his_o peculiar_a prerogative_n as_o to_o natural_a agent_n who_o can_v give_v and_o prescribe_v law_n for_o such_o orderly_a and_o natural_a direction_n of_o they_o to_o their_o several_a place_n and_o end_n but_o the_o creator_n alone_o who_o can_v give_v ordinance_n to_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n set_v a_o bind_v to_o the_o sea_n command_v the_o former_a and_o latter_a rain_n appoint_v the_o vicissitude_n of_o day_n and_o night_n summer_n and_o winter_n spring_n and_o autumn_n etc._n etc._n and_o will_v not_o such_o a_o creature_n be_v just_o chargeable_a with_o the_o great_a folly_n and_o presumption_n that_o shall_v pretend_v to_o such_o a_o power_n and_o therefore_o god_n challenge_v job_n on_o this_o account_n job_n 38._o as_o for_o conscience_n all_o be_v witness_n that_o will_v deal_v but_o impartial_o in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o lay_v a_o true_a obligation_n thereon_o but_o a_o divine_a law_n neither_o do_v humane_a law_n any_o far_o bind_v conscience_n than_o they_o be_v dependent_a upon_o or_o reducible_a unto_o some_o divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o all_o true_a obedience_n to_o they_o be_v for_o the_o lord_n sake_n as_o for_o the_o church_n he_o always_o prescribe_v what_o law_n and_o rule_n he_o will_v have_v the_o affair_n thereof_o manage_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v her_o law_n from_o christ_n though_o under_o a_o more_o legal_a and_o typical_a dispensation_n execute_v in_o the_o ministration_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o other_o minister_n of_o his_o own_o appointment_n in_o that_o levitical_a oeconomy_n so_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n he_o send_v forth_o his_o minister_n to_o teach_v only_o such_o law_n and_o order_n of_o his_o house_n as_o he_o himself_o have_v institute_v and_o appoint_v and_o he_o be_v complete_a in_o that_o respect_n in_o his_o house_n which_o in_o some_o respect_n be_v more_o proper_o he_o the_o old_a testament-church_n be_v call_v moses_n house_n because_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n be_v here_o more_o plain_o and_o full_o dispense_v and_o administer_v more_o immediate_o christ_n act_v there_o by_o the_o ministration_n of_o moses_n for_o the_o delivery_n of_o levitical_a law_n and_o for_o constitute_v and_o rule_v the_o body_n politic_a of_o his_o church_n but_o in_o the_o latter_a day_n of_o the_o gospel_n god_n speak_v to_o we_o by_o his_o son_n christ_n immediate_o himself_n deliver_v the_o order_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o gospel-church_n when_o he_o be_v here_o on_o earth_n and_o after_o his_o ascension_n by_o his_o spirit_n inspire_v his_o apostle_n and_o such_o as_o be_v extraordinary_o qualify_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n since_o which_o he_o have_v manage_v that_o government_n by_o his_o ordinary_a minister_n act_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o prescript_n leave_v behind_o he_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n chap._n four_o of_o christ_n mediate_v legislative_n power_n §_o 1._o have_v somewhat_o treat_v of_o the_o immediate_a jurisdiction_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v needful_a to_o speak_v a_o little_a of_o his_o mediate_v viz._n how_o far_o he_o rule_v body_n politic_a by_o the_o mediation_n of_o man_n or_o have_v commit_v a_o power_n of_o law-making_a and_o execute_v unto_o he_o and_o to_o show_v that_o man_n power_n can_v be_v indefinite_a and_o unlimited_a but_o derivative_a and_o limit_v and_o for_o the_o illustrate_v hereof_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v whence_o man_n have_v his_o civil_a power_n and_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v §_o 2._o all_o civil_a power_n have_v their_o just_a authority_n from_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o king_n the_o head_n of_o all_o principality_n power_n body_n politic_n society_n as_o be_v manifest_v by_o the_o follow_a scripture_n and_o such_o other_o prov._n 8.15_o 16._o dan._n 4.25_o rom._n 13.1_o 2_o 4._o wherefore_o it_o be_v the_o manifest_a will_n of_o christ_n 1._o that_o there_o shall_v be_v civil_a government_n in_o the_o world_n 2._o that_o the_o personal_a possession_n of_o it_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o all-disposing_a providence_n of_o god_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v a_o ordinance_n and_o appointment_n of_o christ_n that_o such_o execute_v distributive_a justice_n for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o well-doer_n
but_o it_o be_v not_o all_o kind_n of_o intelligence_n but_o some_o only_o in_o particular_a 1._o not_o a_o theoretic_n knowledge_n but_o a_o practic_n and_o therefore_o always_o refer_v to_o some_o action_n or_o omission_n and_o 2._o it_o be_v not_o refer_v to_o another_o man_n affair_n but_o his_o own_o who_o it_o be_v and_o last_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a apprehension_n or_o suspicion_n but_o a_o knowledge_n always_o at_o least_o of_o the_o fact_n and_o often_o determine_v by_o the_o rule_n know_v of_o the_o legality_n of_o the_o fact_n and_o so_o pass_v judgement_n and_o thence_o be_v call_v judicium_fw-la but_o sometime_o conscience_n be_v doubtful_a here_o and_o thence_o it_o be_v call_v a_o weak_a doubtful_a and_o scrupulous_a conscience_n §_o 4._o it_o may_v be_v therefore_o thus_o describe_v conscientia_fw-la est_fw-la modus_fw-la intellectus_fw-la judicialis_fw-la practicus_fw-la conscience_n be_v the_o understanding_n judicial_a manner_n of_o proceed_v concern_v ourselves_o and_o action_n a_o man_n in_o conscience_n as_o god_n substitute_n or_o deputy_n sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o himself_o first_o inquire_v as_o jury_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n whereof_o according_a to_o self-evidence_n he_o be_v find_v guilty_a or_o not-guilty_a and_o according_a to_o the_o law_n manifest_v be_v acquit_v or_o condemn_v this_o judgement_n of_o conscience_n may_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o power_n and_o act_n a_o man_n may_v have_v a_o conscience-power_n which_o do_v not_o exert_a and_o put_v forth_o act_n as_o a_o man_n in_o infancy_n or_o in_o sleep_n ergo_fw-la it_o may_v be_v call_v potestas_fw-la intellectiva_fw-la intellectual_a power_n reducible_a into_o act_n again_o intellectual_a power_n be_v either_o intuitiva_fw-la vel_fw-la ratiocinativa_fw-la that_o be_v the_o intuitive_a which_o be_v the_o vision_n or_o understanding_n of_o a_o truth_n axiomatical_o or_o in_o the_o abstract_n ratiocinativa_fw-la which_o be_v look_v on_o several_a truth_n compare_v together_o and_o one_o truth_n be_v lay_v by_o another_o by_o way_n of_o collation_n produce_v a_o three_o truth_n which_o we_o call_v a_o conclusion_n or_o inference_n the_o first_o and_o general_a truth_n that_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o we_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o way_n soever_o it_o come_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o give_v it_o a_o throne_n in_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v god_n law_n next_o that_o our_o action_n be_v lay_v by_o this_o rule_n or_o bring_v before_o this_o judgment-seat_n which_o two_o be_v solemn_o bring_v together_o a_o three_o necessary_a truth_n or_o judgement_n according_a to_o truth_n do_v result_v and_o be_v according_o pronounce_v the_o certainty_n of_o which_o depend_v on_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o premise_n or_o at_o least_o the_o exact_a and_o just_a compare_v they_o together_o the_o understanding_n thus_o behave_v itself_o put_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o actual_a conscience_n or_o conscience_n in_o act_n bring_v the_o habitual_a or_o potential_a conscience_n into_o act_n in_o this_o manner_n either_o concern_v a_o man_n state_n or_o action_n concern_v a_o man_n state_n the_o soul_n that_o sin_n shall_v die_v i_o have_v sin_v ergo._n or_o concern_v his_o particular_a action_n he_o that_o commit_v idolatry_n or_o adultery_n etc._n etc._n break_v god_n law_n but_o i_o have_v commit_v such_o and_o such_o a_o act_n which_o be_v so_o ergo_fw-la §_o 5._o hence_o conscience_n rule_v by_o christ_n prerogative_n be_v the_o practical_a reason_a understanding_n or_o modus_fw-la intellectus_fw-la practicus_fw-la in_o man_n whereby_o a_o judgement_n may_v be_v pass_v concern_v a_o man_n self_n by_o himself_o according_a to_o his_o apprehension_n of_o the_o reveal_v judgement_n and_o will_n of_o god_n its_o divine_a authority_n that_o rule_v in_o man_n heart_n as_o to_o the_o approbation_n or_o condemnation_n of_o himself_o or_o action_n the_o conscience_n of_o the_o very_a blind_a heathen_n admit_v of_o no_o other_o power_n to_o acquit_v or_o condemn_v in_o this_o kind_n but_o either_o the_o convince_a light_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n write_v in_o they_o or_o some_o suppose_a false_a divine_a light_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o blindness_n of_o their_o heart_n seduce_v they_o to_o false_a worship_n and_o idolatry_n §_o 6._o the_o method_n of_o conscience_n his_o act_n be_v thus_o first_o there_o be_v the_o general_a undoubted_a truth_n know_v or_o assent_v to_o as_o such_o and_o it_o be_v either_o that_o which_o be_v real_o so_o or_o supposed_o so_o only_o and_o not_o so_o real_o if_o it_o be_v the_o latter_a it_o be_v the_o main_a foundation_n of_o a_o err_a conscience_n it_o be_v the_o prospect_n of_o some_o apprehend_o divine_a truth_n or_o other_o moral_a levitical_a or_o evangelical_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o act_n of_o obedience_n and_o this_o law-obligation_n lay_v by_o god_n on_o man_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n the_o proposition_n of_o a_o practical_a syllogism_n make_v by_o conscience_n 2._o there_o be_v the_o application_n of_o this_o truth_n to_o ourselves_o either_o as_o to_o our_o state_n or_o particular_a action_n according_a to_o our_o own_o knowledge_n together_o with_o god_n to_o judge_v of_o our_o conformity_n or_o nonconformity_n to_o the_o say_a law-obligation_n and_o therefore_o concern_v the_o goodness_n or_o evil_n of_o our_o action_n and_o here_o we_o take_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o our_o hand_n to_o search_v out_o and_o examine_v our_o condition_n and_o action_n in_o relation_n to_o good_a or_o evil_n and_o herein_o do_v the_o chief_a nature_n of_o conscience_n consist_v because_o it_o be_v a_o submit_v ourselves_o and_o action_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n law_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o assumption_n of_o this_o practical_a syllogism_n and_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v a_o index_n record_n testimony_n witness_v 3._o there_o be_v the_o crisis_n inference_n or_o conclusion_n necessary_o deduce_v from_o the_o premise_n and_o this_o be_v call_v the_o judgement_n pass_v upon_o our_o state_n or_o action_n thus_o we_o have_v the_o whole_a syllogism_n which_o the_o understanding_n make_v in_o this_o way_n of_o act_v the_o proposition_n be_v de_fw-fr jure_fw-la the_o assumption_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la the_o conclusion_n be_v either_o a_o justification_n of_o person_n or_o action_n or_o it_o be_v a_o condemnation_n of_o any_o of_o they_o find_v guilty_a §_o 7._o the_o synteresis_fw-la be_v the_o light_n of_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n nâ—eticè_fw-la recepta_fw-la sive_fw-la practicum_fw-la axioma_fw-la cum_fw-la assensu_fw-la intellectivo_fw-la perceptum_fw-la a_o light_n receive_v into_o the_o understanding_n with_o assent_n thereunto_o or_o acknowledgement_n thereof_o as_o such_o a_o law_n may_v be_v understand_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o but_o not_o believe_v as_o a_o truth_n it_o may_v be_v know_v as_o a_o truth_n but_o not_o own_v as_o a_o law_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v acknowledge_v as_o a_o law_n but_o not_o yield_v to_o as_o divine_a and_o authoritative_a enough_o to_o bind_v to_o obedience_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v own_v as_o a_o law_n of_o god_n bind_v some_o people_n and_o at_o some_o time_n but_o not_o ourselves_o or_o at_o all_o time_n but_o unless_o the_o truth_n take_v for_o a_o law_n be_v thus_o circumstantiate_v and_o so_o receive_v by_o we_o it_o have_v not_o force_n enough_o upon_o conscience_n as_o a_o law_n bind_v to_o obedience_n so_o that_o synteresis_fw-la differ_v but_o ratione_fw-la from_o the_o law_n itself_o for_o it_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n understand_v and_o yield_v to_o as_o oblige_v unto_o practice_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o law_n in_o its_o letter_n and_o first_o principle_n in_o its_o original_a positive_a nature_n but_o in_o its_o aptitude_n to_o particular_a case_n and_o in_o its_o just_a inference_n and_o consequence_n deducible_a from_o general_n thereof_o all_o practical_a truth_n plead_v divine_a authority_n just_o oblige_v we_o to_o belief_n §_o 8._o that_o which_o stir_v up_o the_o understanding_n to_o compare_v condition_n and_o action_n with_o the_o divine_a law_n in_o the_o assumption_n by_o a_o practical_a enquiry_n be_v a_o certain_a obligation_n which_o this_o law-light_n have_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n under_o that_o it_o do_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o natural_a instinct_n act_v in_o the_o manner_n above-rehearsed_n which_o obligation_n be_v a_o necessity_n lay_v on_o the_o understanding_n of_o own_v and_o assent_v to_o every_o know_a law_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o to_o make_v a_o practical_a disquisition_n and_o judgement_n according_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o obligation_n lie_v much_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o object_n and_o first_o the_o natural_a inclination_n the_o understanding_n have_v to_o every_o know_a truth_n as_o such_o but_o this_o be_v not_o
all_o for_o truth_n that_o oblige_v to_o credence_n from_o the_o evidence_n of_o it_o oblige_v not_o to_o practice_n and_o obedience_n have_v not_o a_o sufficient_a authority_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v or_o not_o lay_v on_o we_o a_o necessity_n of_o obey_v and_o therefore_o it_o must_v bind_v as_o a_o law-truth_n challenge_v its_o end_n by_o promise_n of_o reward_n or_o threat_n of_o punishment_n again_o it_o be_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o self-love_n and_o preservation_n see_v ourselves_o liable_a to_o a_o law_n and_o such_o a_o law_n that_o can_v do_v we_o good_a or_o hurt_n we_o be_v bind_v by_o this_o first_o principle_n of_o nature_n to_o make_v a_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o our_o conformity_n that_o we_o may_v be_v satisfy_v of_o our_o own_o safety_n and_o danger_n every_o one_o be_v desirous_a in_o this_o case_n to_o know_v the_o worst_a of_o himself_o moreover_o see_v that_o all_o law_n that_o bind_v be_v back_v with_o sufficient_a power_n to_o put_v it_o into_o vigorous_a and_o impartial_a execution_n and_o that_o which_o prevail_v so_o much_o with_o conscience_n be_v the_o lawgiver_n absolute_a power_n to_o save_v and_o destroy_v he_o can_v punish_v the_o whole_a man_n body_n and_o soul_n which_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v so_o that_o the_o penalty_n be_v great_a and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n infinite_a it_o must_v needs_o lay_v the_o conscience_n under_o a_o very_a strict_a bond_n of_o enquiry_n likewise_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o sufficient_a power_n for_o execution_n but_o a_o unlimited_a power_n of_o law-making_a wherein_o his_o sovereignty_n do_v chief_o consist_v which_o sovereignty_n as_o it_o be_v most_o supreme_a so_o it_o be_v most_o just_a and_o good_a and_o therefore_o this_o oblige_v because_o god_n can_v make_v what_o law_n he_o will_v and_o he_o can_v will_v to_o make_v any_o law_n that_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o his_o creature_n to_o obey_v hence_o his_o law_n have_v always_o a_o necessary_a innate_a goodness_n in_o they_o because_o they_o flow_v from_o he_o who_o be_v primary_o absolute_o and_o independent_o good_a ergo_fw-la must_v be_v can_v but_o be_v holy_a just_a and_o good_a law_n wherefore_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v firm_o fix_v on_o man_n natural_a conscience_n however_o corruption_n may_v attempt_v the_o blot_n it_o out_o it_o can_v total_o do_v it_o but_o those_o who_o be_v renew_v by_o grace_n must_v needs_o see_v anotherguess_n lustre_n in_o it_o see_v not_o only_o divine_a goodness_n stamp_v on_o god_n law_n but_o gospel-goodness_n not_o only_o the_o suitableness_n of_o his_o command_n to_o his_o creature_n but_o to_o a_o sinner_n viz._n the_o love_n of_o god_n so_o evidence_v in_o give_v and_o require_v his_o law_n in_o such_o a_o way_n of_o grace_n and_o compassion_n that_o it_o engage_v they_o in_o the_o high_a measure_n to_o obedience_n yea_o new_a obedience_n and_o their_o conscience_n to_o a_o diligent_a and_o narrow_a disquisition_n thereof_o according_o last_o there_o be_v a_o innate_a reverence_n unto_o divinity_n which_o the_o creator_n have_v place_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v more_o command_n than_o any_o law_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a distance_n than_o between_o the_o creator_n and_o the_o creature_n and_o creation_n or_o give_v we_o be_v be_v such_o a_o obligation_n as_o none_o but_o a_o creator_n can_v lay_v upon_o the_o creature_n and_o consequent_o our_o great_a good_a either_o in_o be_v or_o well-being_n be_v certain_o hazard_v by_o the_o displeasure_n of_o our_o creator_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o practical_a proposition_n of_o conscience_n from_o which_o of_o necessity_n follow_v the_o particular_a conclusion_n as_o have_v be_v say_v §_o 9_o it_o remain_v to_o speak_v something_o of_o the_o diversity_n of_o conscience_n which_o admit_v of_o no_o difference_n from_o divine_a law_n simple_o consider_v but_o from_o the_o information_n or_o illumination_n which_o the_o understanding_n receive_v more_o or_o less_o therefrom_o the_o less_o enlighten_v conscience_n be_v either_o the_o mere_a natural_a conscience_n illuminate_v only_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n without_o a_o write_a law_n such_o as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o rom._n 2._o or_o the_o legal_a conscience_n though_o enlighten_v by_o the_o write_a law_n yet_o taste_v nothing_o of_o gospel-freedom_n and_o delivery_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o therefore_o in_o bondage_n to_o moses_n and_o not_o yet_o subject_v to_o the_o mediatorly_a authority_n of_o christ_n in_o justification_n sanctification_n or_o rule_v of_o spiritual_a walk_n the_o more_o enlighten_v conscience_n be_v that_o which_o have_v receive_v gospel-light_n and_o subject_v thereunto_o from_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n have_v submit_v his_o self_n and_o way_n to_o the_o guidance_n and_o conduct_n thereof_o in_o his_o whole_a progress_n to_o life_n and_o salvation_n the_o conscience_n admit_v also_o of_o magis_fw-la &_o minus_n the_o more_o evangelical_o enlighten_v conscience_n be_v that_o which_o be_v firm_o ratify_v and_o confirm_v in_o gospel-truth_n and_o a_o due_a application_n thereof_o by_o faith_n for_o comfort_n and_o practice_n and_o this_o be_v a_o firm_a stable_a conscience_n and_o of_o such_o a_o one_o be_v right_o say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o strong_a christian_a one_o that_o be_v right_o inform_v in_o his_o duty_n and_o privilege_n by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n the_o less_o evangelically-enlightned_n conscience_n be_v one_o that_o have_v but_o a_o small_a information_n in_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n have_v a_o sincere_a faith_n but_o little_a knowledge_n be_v not_o so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o rule_n of_o gospel-obedience_n nor_o with_o his_o privilege_n purchase_v by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o hence_o arise_v a_o doubt_v and_o scrupulous_a conscience_n a_o doubt_a conscience_n or_o opinans_n be_v in_o respect_n chief_o of_o the_o will_n and_o mind_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o full_o resolve_v concern_v it_o and_o therefore_o at_o best_a act_n but_o from_o opinion_n be_v unsettle_a and_o unresolved_a whether_o the_o light_n direct_v he_o this_o way_n or_o that_o way_n and_o therefore_o be_v unstable_a in_o all_o such_o way_n be_v not_o carry_v on_o with_o a_o plerophory_n and_o full_a resolution_n to_o persist_v and_o this_o may_v be_v according_a to_o some_o truth_n and_o duty_n but_o not_o according_a to_o other_o a_o christian_a may_v be_v strong_a in_o respect_n of_o some_o truth_n but_o weak_a in_o respect_n of_o other_o so_o that_o the_o same_o conscience_n may_v be_v strong_a or_o weak_a as_o it_o be_v clear_o inform_v in_o some_o thing_n and_o dark_o in_o other_o yea_o it_o may_v be_v weak_a at_o one_o time_n and_o strong_a at_o another_o as_o it_o receive_v more_o or_o less_o light_n a_o scrupulous_a conscience_n be_v chief_o in_o respect_n of_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o be_v needless_o and_o frivolous_o doubtful_a and_o therefore_o fearful_a and_o start_a upon_o all_o occasion_n §_o 10._o thus_o far_o of_o the_o difference_n of_o conscience_n take_v from_o synteresis_fw-la brief_o a_o few_o word_n of_o its_o difference_n also_o from_o syneidesis_n conscience_n may_v be_v distinguish_v from_o syneidesis_n into_o a_o good_a or_o a_o bad_a conscience_n the_o good_a conscience_n be_v that_o which_o make_v a_o diligent_a just_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o our_o condition_n and_o action_n by_o a_o due_a application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o rule_n or_o law-light_n receive_v by_o we_o a_o evil_a conscience_n be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o from_o its_o enslavery_n to_o a_o lust_n do_v not_o perform_v its_o duty_n aright_o towards_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o ourselves_o but_o be_v either_o slothful_a and_o will_v not_o take_v pain_n to_o search_v and_o examine_v our_o heart_n and_o way_n or_o it_o be_v partial_a and_o will_v be_v more_o strict_a in_o some_o respect_n and_o less_o in_o other_o of_o the_o same_o weight_n and_o concernment_n or_o it_o be_v fallacious_a and_o deal_v not_o plain_o and_o full_o concern_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o mince_o and_o equivocal_o feign_v it_o to_o be_v better_a than_o it_o be_v in_o substance_n or_o circumstance_n or_o it_o be_v stupid_a and_o blockish_a not_o value_v the_o weight_n of_o the_o law_n or_o inspect_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o action_n it_o may_v be_v also_o troublesome_o evil_a as_o well_o as_o negligent_o etc._n etc._n when_o it_o bring_v in_o too_o aggravate_v a_o testimony_n in_o accuse_v beyond_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o transgression_n represent_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n more_o heinous_a and_o heavy_a than_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v represent_v such_o a_o conscience_n may_v be_v honestè_fw-fr bona_fw-la but_o molestè_fw-fr mala_fw-la §_o 11._o last_o we_o distinguish_v conscience_n
if_o the_o law_n be_v just_a and_o equitable_a a_o christian_n be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o yield_v positive_a active_a obedience_n not_o only_o for_o wrath_n i._n e._n fear_v of_o threat_n and_o punishment_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n because_o the_o law_n of_o god_n oblige_v we_o to_o obedience_n to_o all_o the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n civil_a government_n be_v his_o appointment_n as_o much_o as_o oeconomical_a but_o it_o be_v not_o man_n law_n that_o next_o and_o immediate_o bind_v conscience_n to_o obedience_n but_o god_n and_o man_n law_n bind_v only_o by_o virtue_n of_o and_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o go_n hence_o a_o man_n that_o break_v the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n sin_n against_o god_n and_o eo_fw-la nomine_fw-la wrong_v his_o conscience_n as_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o that_o obey_v a_o unjust_a law_n of_o man_n i._n e._n a_o law_n no_o way_n warrantable_a by_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n break_v god_n law_n and_o if_o his_o conscience_n tell_v he_o so_o he_o sin_n against_o his_o conscience_n which_o always_o aggravate_v any_o sin_n against_o god_n hence_o if_o at_o any_o time_n he_o have_v to_o do_v with_o any_o such_o law_n he_o ought_v rather_o to_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o man_n displeasure_n than_o go_n god_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v rather_o than_o man_n if_o one_o must_v be_v disobey_v and_o obey_v god_n indemnify_v conscience_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n in_o our_o disobey_v of_o man_n in_o the_o same_o act_n so_o if_o a_o law_n of_o man_n lie_v before_o we_o which_o we_o doubt_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o we_o be_v here_o at_o least_o to_o suspend_v active_a obedience_n while_o we_o seek_v for_o further_a information_n for_o whether_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o be_v sin_n or_o no_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o we_o at_o present_a as_o whether_o we_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o know_v what_o it_o be_v by_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n shine_v in_o our_o heart_n it_o will_v amount_v to_o sin_n in_o we_o to_o do_v a_o doubtful_a action_n if_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n be_v true_a but_o if_o the_o precept_n of_o man_n be_v find_v upon_o the_o best_a examination_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o god_n a_o christian_n conscience_n be_v the_o most_o certain_o disoblige_v his_o duty_n lie_v plain_a before_o he_o god_n law_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o some_o can_v joyful_o suffer_v all_o wrong_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n in_o the_o case_n of_o refusal_n of_o active_a obedience_n unto_o their_o law_n because_o they_o be_v persuade_v either_o from_o a_o truely-enlightned_n conscience_n or_o from_o a_o err_a which_o be_v bind_v as_o to_o present_a action_n for_o a_o man_n must_v walk_v by_o that_o light_n he_o have_v or_o by_o none_o at_o all_o that_o such_o refusal_n of_o active_a obedience_n and_o the_o suffering_n of_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o reveal_v mind_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o most_o justifiable_a at_o god_n and_o man_n tribunal_n §_o 6._o here_o will_v fall_v in_o a_o great_a enquiry_n that_o although_o it_o be_v true_a that_o all_o humane_a power_n both_o legislative_a and_o executive_a be_v limit_v by_o a_o superior_a power_n yet_o there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o have_v the_o felicity_n of_o keep_v within_o prescribe_v bound_n or_o have_v such_o subject_n that_o will_v not_o be_v except_v against_o the_o law_n of_o their_o superior_n as_o not_o agreeable_a to_o god_n law_n and_o this_o they_o will_v make_v the_o plea_n for_o their_o disobedience_n both_o superior_n and_o inferior_n will_v plead_v conscience_n though_o never_o so_o unrighteous_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n unto_o this_o allegation_n many_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v for_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o though_o every_o law_n primary_o require_v active_a obedience_n yet_o upon_o a_o transgression_n it_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o due_a execution_n of_o the_o penalty_n but_o for_o the_o future_a expect_v active_a obedience_n and_o a_o reiterated_a refusal_n of_o obedience_n the_o law_n look_v upon_o as_o presumptuous_a and_o be_v real_o so_o if_o this_o continuation_n at_o enmity_n with_o the_o law_n be_v voluntary_a and_o deliberate_a after_o sufficient_a information_n and_o conviction_n and_o if_o this_o refusal_n be_v conjoin_v with_o resistance_n it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o rebellion_n which_o we_o explode_v as_o unwarrantable_a for_o a_o christian_n about_o presumption_n we_o distinguish_v there_o be_v that_o which_o be_v real_o so_o and_o that_o which_o be_v only_o call_v so_o by_o a_o unjust_a law_n and_o mistake_a judge_n persist_v in_o refusal_n of_o obedience_n after_o conviction_n of_o our_o duty_n be_v presumption_n and_o a_o sin_n against_o god_n whoever_o the_o lawmaker_n be_v but_o if_o such_o persistance_n be_v justify_v by_o the_o light_n of_o god_n law_n in_o conscience_n it_o be_v not_o a_o presumptuous_a sin_n or_o any_o sin_n at_o all_o against_o god_n however_o man_n may_v term_v it_o a_o presumptuous_a breach_n of_o his_o law_n for_o a_o conscientious_a christian_a can_v no_o more_o obey_v a_o unrighteous_a law_n after_o suffer_v than_o before_o §_o 7._o in_o all_o case_n of_o voluntary_a deliberate_a refusal_n of_o active_a obedience_n to_o a_o law_n there_o be_v and_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o wrong_n do_v to_o the_o lawgiver_n or_o subject_n to_o the_o lawgiver_n if_o his_o power_n law_n and_o end_n be_v good_a and_o they_o not_o answer_v for_o the_o first_o end_n of_o every_o law_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v active_a obedience_n as_o beforesaid_a the_o law_n of_o god_n first_o oblige_v we_o so_o to_o the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n and_o the_o end_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o punishment_n be_v for_o the_o reduce_v the_o sufferer_n to_o active_a obedience_n and_o the_o exemplary_a restraint_n of_o other_o from_o disobedience_n hence_o it_o follow_v that_o a_o deliberate_a resolve_v and_o constant_a undergo_n of_o suffer_v in_o this_o way_n of_o refusal_n be_v a_o practical_a charge_v the_o magistrate_n with_o the_o high_a usurpation_n and_o tyranny_n in_o impose_v law_n of_o that_o nature_n and_o therefore_o the_o great_a disparage_a testimony_n bear_v against_o his_o law_n a_o great_a reputation_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o cause_n plead_v for_o let_v it_o be_v truth_n or_o error_n and_o the_o most_o exemplary_a disappointment_n of_o the_o magistrate_n law-making_a end_n whereby_o other_o be_v great_o embolden_v to_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o refusal_n §_o 8._o in_o all_o case_n where_o magistrate_n abuse_v their_o power_n they_o do_v a_o wrong_n to_o the_o supreme_a judge_n in_o go_v beyond_o his_o commission_n and_o entrench_v on_o his_o prerogative_n and_o do_v apparent_a injury_n to_o the_o subject_a 1._o in_o that_o a_o inferior_a subordinate_a lawgiver_n have_v bereave_v he_o by_o a_o law_n of_o those_o just_a liberty_n and_o privilege_n grant_v to_o he_o by_o the_o charter_n of_o his_o supreme_a lawgiver_n 2._o in_o afflict_v and_o grieve_v his_o subject_n by_o impose_v a_o unjust_a law_n and_o cause_v he_o to_o suffer_v by_o it_o when_o he_o plead_v exemption_n by_o a_o law_n in_o full_a force_n and_o a_o discharge_n from_o a_o high_a court_n and_o be_v praiseworthy_a for_o the_o say_a refusal_n not_o to_o be_v condemn_v no_o nor_o reproach_v as_o a_o evil_a doer_n or_o presumptuous_a for_o his_o permanency_n in_o nonobedience_n 3._o in_o lay_v his_o subject_n under_o a_o necessity_n of_o continue_a and_o reiterated_a suffering_n he_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n or_o else_o to_o answer_v the_o default_n at_o a_o high_a tribunal_n constant_o to_o persist_v in_o his_o refusal_n to_o yield_v such_o obedience_n though_o he_o be_v to_o pass_v under_o renew_a and_o reiterated_a penalty_n for_o a_o man_n to_o return_v to_o obedience_n after_o a_o deliberate_a suffering_n be_v a_o visible_a practical_a condemnation_n of_o himself_o for_o his_o former_a refusal_n which_o will_v great_o reflect_v on_o his_o honour_n both_o as_o a_o man_n or_o a_o christian_a unless_o by_o the_o access_n of_o further_a light_n he_o find_v his_o conscience_n do_v err_v and_o so_o be_v convince_v of_o his_o duty_n than_o it_o become_v he_o both_o as_o a_o man_n and_o christian_n to_o retract_v humanum_fw-la est_fw-la errare_fw-la beluinum_fw-la in_o errore_fw-la persistere_fw-la §_o 9_o now_o see_v such_o inevitable_a wrong_n light_v somewhere_o in_o case_n of_o these_o deliberate_a refusal_n it_o will_v be_v inquire_v who_o or_o what_o must_v determine_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o each_o party_n both_o stand_v high_o on_o their_o justification_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v a_o actual_a reconciliation_n be_v utter_o impossible_a rebus_fw-la sic_fw-la stantibus_fw-la because_o it_o will_v be_v as_o the_o great_a overswaying_a earthly_a power_n will_v have_v it_o deo_fw-la
permittente_fw-la on_o the_o command_a part_n his_o will_n will_v carry_v it_o sic_fw-la volo_fw-la sic_fw-la jubeo_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o the_o subject_n be_v liable_a to_o error_n on_o his_o part_n in_o rashness_n stubbornness_n wilfulness_n singularity_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o both_o party_n do_v notwithstanding_o all_o imperfection_n and_o frailty_n attend_v endeavour_v to_o approve_v themselves_o to_o the_o king_n of_o king_n there_o be_v a_o determination_n which_o to_o each_o party_n must_v satisfactory_o bind_v and_o be_v thus_o manifest_a 1._o both_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o supreme_a lawgiver_n the_o one_o to_o make_v just_a and_o equal_a law_n and_o righteous_o to_o distribute_v they_o the_o other_o to_o a_o free_a deliberate_a active_a obedience_n thereunto_o both_o or_o either_o of_o which_o fail_v in_o their_o duty_n shall_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o supreme_a lawgiver_n according_a to_o the_o respective_a law_n whereby_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o say_a duty_n 2._o so_o long_o as_o darkness_n and_o corruption_n attend_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n there_o will_v be_v different_a apprehension_n concern_v the_o duty_n and_o practice_n they_o be_v to_o walk_v in_o according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o light_n receive_v there_o will_v never_o be_v a_o perfect_a agreement_n neither_o be_v any_o one_o man_n conscience_n a_o standard_n to_o another_o to_o walk_v by_o no_o further_o than_o there_o be_v a_o concurrent_a emanation_n of_o convince_a light_n from_o the_o truth_n to_o both_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o magistrate_n as_o such_o be_v no_o bind_v rule_n to_o the_o subject_a neither_o aught_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o subject_a to_o be_v swallow_v up_o in_o the_o magistrate_n and_o thereby_o seduce_v to_o a_o implicit_a faith_n every_o man_n be_v to_o see_v with_o his_o own_o eye_n to_o believe_v with_o his_o own_o faith_n and_o act_n to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n use_v all_o mean_n for_o the_o right_a information_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o understanding_n in_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o his_o walk_n whatever_o man_n say_v of_o a_o public_a conscience_n and_o that_o command_v of_o superior_n be_v enough_o to_o indemnify_v inferior_n in_o all_o active_a obedience_n thereto_o though_o the_o law_n be_v evil_a the_o word_n of_o god_n know_v no_o such_o thing_n neither_o will_v any_o man_n that_o be_v acquaint_v with_o conscientious_a walk_v in_o the_o approvement_n of_o himself_o to_o god_n in_o all_o his_o way_n and_o action_n ever_o give_v credence_n to_o any_o of_o those_o wild_a assertion_n neither_o do_v i_o ever_o see_v any_o probable_a argument_n produce_v to_o enforce_v those_o sentiment_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o rational_a man_n much_o less_o on_o such_o as_o have_v their_o sense_n exercise_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n 4._o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o present_a conscience_n or_o practical_a understanding_n impartial_o fix_v must_v be_v the_o only_a expositor_n of_o law_n and_o duty_n by_o which_o every_o one_o be_v bind_v to_o walk_v in_o his_o respective_a place_n that_o god_n have_v set_v he_o in_o whether_o magistrate_n or_o subject_n whether_o a_o man_n be_v in_o a_o public_a or_o private_a capacity_n he_o be_v to_o be_v accountable_a to_o god_n for_o all_o his_o absolute_a and_o relative_a duty_n he_o shall_v not_o be_v judge_v for_o either_o of_o they_o by_o another_o man_n conscience_n the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n be_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n to_o this_o determination_n must_v the_o lawgiver_n stand_v as_o to_o the_o righteousness_n or_o unrighteousness_n of_o his_o law_n and_o the_o subject_a as_o to_o his_o active_a or_o passive_a obedience_n and_o here_o we_o speak_v not_o by_o what_o measure_n child_n in_o nonage_n and_o fool_n be_v from_o infirmity_n of_o nature_n necessitate_v to_o walk_v but_o of_o such_o as_o have_v the_o due_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o understanding_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v help_v if_o some_o man_n will_v surrender_v themselves_o and_o conscience_n from_o slothfulness_n interest_n or_o flattery_n to_o be_v slave_n to_o man_n they_o shall_v sufficient_o smart_v for_o it_o here_o and_o severe_o answer_v for_o it_o hereafter_o but_o if_o any_o plead_v that_o man_n of_o reason_n understanding_n judgement_n and_o conscience_n aught_o to_o quit_v and_o abandon_v all_o light_n and_o dominion_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n be_v inferior_n and_o be_v at_o the_o disposition_n whole_o of_o their_o superior_n this_o we_o say_v can_v have_v no_o ground_n in_o nature_n politic_n or_o beligion_n it_o be_v just_a as_o if_o all_o subject_n be_v bind_v to_o pluck_v out_o their_o eye_n and_o see_v only_o by_o their_o governor_n be_v a_o child_n be_v to_o obey_v his_o parent_n but_o it_o be_v in_o the_o lord_n he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o obey_v he_o in_o unlawful_a thing_n and_o so_o a_o servant_n his_o master_n if_o such_o obey_v their_o superior_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n make_v unlawful_a in_o so_o do_v they_o must_v needs_o disobey_v god_n now_o it_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o think_v that_o god_n law_n shall_v require_v it_o be_v own_o violation_n if_o this_o command_n child_n obey_v your_o parent_n be_v take_v without_o limitation_n and_o the_o parent_n command_v the_o child_n to_o commit_v idolatry_n or_o to_o steal_v and_o the_o child_n by_o that_o precept_n be_v bind_v to_o active_a obedience_n than_o god_n law_n here_o overthrow_v itself_o for_o by_o yield_a obedience_n to_o one_o precept_n another_o be_v necessary_o break_v we_o have_v joseph_n practice_n and_o scriptural_a command_n to_o justify_v we_o in_o this_o assertion_n §_o 10._o moreover_o if_o conscience_n be_v to_o determine_v after_o the_o best_a information_n that_o we_o can_v have_v between_o god_n and_o we_o as_o to_o our_o present_a practice_n much_o more_o it_o be_v to_o determine_v in_o case_n of_o difference_n between_o subordinate_a lawgiver_n and_o we_o though_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n in_o the_o determination_n i._n e._n suppose_v it_o be_v god_n law_n his_o authority_n to_o make_v such_o a_o law_n be_v not_o to_o be_v dispute_v by_o the_o creature_n but_o the_o question_n or_o case_n of_o conscience_n be_v usual_o of_o the_o meaning_n and_o extent_n of_o his_o law_n as_o to_o variety_n of_o practice_n referrable_a thereunto_o whereas_o man_n law_n may_v be_v dispute_v whether_o he_o may_v de_fw-fr jure_fw-la by_o virtue_n of_o his_o commission_n from_o god_n make_v and_o enjoin_v such_o a_o law_n yet_o the_o argument_n hold_v good_a that_o in_o case_n of_o doubt_n about_o practice_n and_o dispute_v between_o god_n and_o we_o if_o he_o require_v we_o to_o be_v regulate_v by_o the_o verdict_n of_o conscience_n enlighten_v from_o the_o word_n then_o much_o more_o in_o such_o case_n of_o dispute_n betwixt_o man_n and_o we_o and_o although_o we_o may_v sin_v in_o obey_v the_o dictate_v of_o a_o err_a conscience_n guide_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n misunderstand_v yet_o that_o sin_n after_o our_o impartial_a endeavour_n for_o information_n appear_v to_o we_o to_o be_v a_o duty_n though_o it_o cease_v not_o therefore_o to_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a sin_n in_o we_o to_o disobey_v the_o dictate_v of_o the_o present_a supposed_o enlighten_v conscience_n because_o it_o must_v be_v rank_v among_o the_o sin_n against_o light_n and_o conscience_n whereas_o now_o the_o act_n be_v but_o a_o sin_n of_o ignorance_n at_o worst_a again_o god_n will_v at_o the_o last_o day_n judge_n according_a to_o the_o verdict_n of_o conscience_n right_o inform_v if_o our_o conscience_n condemn_v we_o god_n be_v great_a etc._n etc._n 1_o joh._n rom._n 2._o but_o if_o our_o present_a conscience_n be_v err_v either_o as_o to_o the_o meaning_n or_o nature_n of_o the_o law_n or_o fact_n and_o bring_v in_o a_o impartial_a verdict_n according_a as_o it_o have_v find_v upon_o its_o best_a information_n and_o enquiry_n but_o not_o true_a as_o after_o it_o appear_v according_a to_o law_n or_o fact_n its_o duty_n be_v to_o pass_v again_o and_o again_o upon_o the_o same_o inquisition_n till_o it_o speak_v as_o it_o shall_v speak_v before_o god_n tribunal_n so_o the_o last_o verdict_n call_v present_a conscience_n stand_v bind_v to_o we_o till_o by_o further_a light_n in_o the_o law_n or_o evidence_n concern_v the_o fact_n another_o be_v bring_v more_o agreeable_a to_o law_n and_o justice_n and_o if_o upon_o frequent_a and_o impartial_a search_n the_o same_o return_n be_v still_o make_v after_o earnest_n and_o sincere_a seek_v of_o god_n to_o discover_v our_o error_n it_o be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n unto_o we_o that_o its_o truth_n that_o have_v be_v speak_v and_o that_o we_o shall_v great_o sin_v against_o god_n to_o swerve_v from_o it_o what_o ever_o the_o edict_n and_o precept_n of_o man_n say_v
west_n or_o wear_v this_o or_o that_o colour_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n thousand_o of_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v we_o speak_v not_o here_o of_o natural_a civil_a or_o moral_a liberty_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o a_o christian_a as_o a_o man_n may_v claim_v as_o much_o of_o that_o as_o another_o and_o have_v as_o much_o law-obligation_n as_o to_o precept_n of_o practice_n but_o the_o matter_n under_o debate_n be_v what_o the_o evangelical_n liberty_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v in_o the_o transaction_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n §_o 3._o a_o christian_n liberty_n be_v not_o a_o boundless_a and_o lawless_a liberty_n in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o he_o be_v most_o free_a but_o have_v its_o special_a limit_n and_o bound_n set_v unto_o it_o by_o christ_n in_o certain_a rule_n and_o precept_n general_o prescribe_v by_o he_o to_o which_o all_o his_o action_n may_v be_v reduce_v either_o as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o and_o so_o fall_v direct_o under_o that_o law_n or_o to_o the_o general_a circumstance_n and_o so_o be_v subject_n more_o remote_o hence_o there_o be_v no_o action_n that_o a_o christian_n do_v of_o religious_a concernment_n that_o be_v complete_o indifferent_a but_o have_v aliquatenus_fw-la rationem_fw-la boni_fw-la aut_fw-la mali_fw-la §_o 4._o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n if_o i_o mistake_v not_o set_v a_o double_a bind_v to_o christian_a liberty_n viz._n moral_a and_o evangelical_n 1._o moral_a in_o that_o christ_n law_n allow_v none_o the_o liberty_n of_o commit_v moral_a transgression_n it_o own_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v all_o moral_a precept_n prohibition_n or_o permission_n and_o none_o may_v use_v christian_a liberty_n as_o occasion_n of_o licentiousness_n gal._n 5.13_o 1_o pet._n 2.16_o 2._o the_o evangelical_n bind_v to_o liberty_n in_o matter_n leave_v by_o christ_n indifferent_a be_v expediency_n by_o which_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v substantial_o indifferent_a may_v be_v relative_o and_o circumstantial_o necessary_a pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la and_o become_v bonum_fw-la aut_fw-la malum_fw-la contingens_fw-la aut_fw-la respectivum_fw-la and_o that_o be_v medium_n officium_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o a_o thing_n lawful_a in_o itself_o become_v unlawful_a the_o rule_n be_v plain_a 1_o cor._n 10.23_o 28_o 29._o therefore_o 1._o all_o action_n and_o therefore_o indifferent_a must_v be_v direct_v to_o the_o great_a and_o general_a moral_a end_n of_o god_n glory_n 1_o cor._n 10.31_o rom._n 14.6_o a_o man_n may_v eat_v or_o drink_v or_o wear_v this_o or_o that_o thing_n indifferent_o so_o that_o it_o be_v to_o god_n glory_n keep_v a_o day_n or_o not_o keep_v it_o choose_v this_o or_o that_o time_n to_o pray_v in_o for_o the_o same_o end_n and_o hence_o election_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o indifferency_n according_a to_o their_o more_fw-mi or_o less_o tendency_n or_o aptness_n to_o accomplish_v that_o great_a end_n 2._o a_o second_o end_n but_o subordinate_a in_o expediency_n to_o be_v respect_v be_v edification_n of_o ourselves_o or_o other_o 1_o cor._n 10.23_o and_o that_o which_o respect_v neither_o of_o these_o end_n with_o at_o least_o some_o tendency_n be_v religious_o vain_a as_o wear_v one_o colour_n more_o than_o another_o religious_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o in_o one_o part_n of_o worship_n more_o than_o another_o what_o do_v this_o conduce_v to_o edification_n by_o which_o way_n if_o any_o it_o shall_v be_v sublime_v to_o god_n glory_n and_o to_o bring_v vain_a oblation_n to_o god_n in_o his_o worship_n be_v abominable_a to_o he_o in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n §_o 5._o god_n have_v not_o by_o law_n determine_v particular_o all_o the_o case_n of_o a_o christian_n conversation_n but_o leave_v many_o to_o the_o management_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n which_o be_v a_o skill_n of_o discern_v between_o good_a and_o evil_n heb._n 5.12_o and_o between_o good_a and_o better_a discretion_n be_v the_o high_a pitch_n of_o practical_a judgement_n which_o although_o it_o be_v guide_v by_o general_a rule_n for_o attain_v the_o great_a end_n yet_o it_o take_v its_o particular_a measure_n very_o much_o from_o former_a experience_n and_o the_o sight_n of_o various_a circumstance_n and_o occurrence_n and_o according_o it_o judge_v what_o may_v be_v more_o or_o less_o expedient_a in_o all_o action_n and_o though_o in_o themselves_o they_o be_v indifferent_o referrable_a this_o way_n or_o that_o way_n yet_o by_o that_o time_n they_o be_v reduce_v into_o practice_n by_o a_o christian_n spiritual_a reason_n and_o discretion_n act_v from_o sense_n exercise_v heb._n 5.12_o there_o be_v manifest_a good_a or_o evil_n at_o least_o relative_a discover_v in_o they_o or_o at_o least_o put_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o say_v general_a end_n and_o rule_n of_o walk_v §_o 6._o as_o strength_n appear_v most_o in_o the_o management_n of_o a_o man_n self_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o observance_n of_o discretion_n so_o weakness_n in_o the_o failure_n hereof_o be_v most_o discoverable_a and_o by_o a_o accumulation_n of_o these_o little_a failure_n a_o christian_n do_v exceed_o miscarry_v and_o profession_n become_v very_o much_o disparage_v §_o 7._o hence_o indifferent_a action_n may_v become_v offend_v grieve_v and_o scandalize_a unto_o other_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o external_a accident_n temporal_a or_o local_a respect_n and_o so_o may_v be_v unlawful_a by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n for_o that_o which_o certain_o be_v not_o expedient_a be_v unlawful_a though_o degree_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v in_o this_o case_n §_o 8._o as_o the_o scandalize_a other_o be_v a_o mischief_n that_o make_v a_o indifferent_a action_n unexpedient_a so_o also_o the_o betray_v our_o own_o liberty_n paul_n in_o his_o act_n keep_v a_o watchful_a eye_n here_o when_o he_o find_v that_o some_o design_v by_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n to_o bring_v he_o into_o bondage_n he_o give_v not_o the_o least_o place_n to_o they_o as_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o circumcision_n of_o titus_n gal._n 2.3_o 4._o we_o be_v to_o stand_v fast_o in_o our_o liberty_n and_o not_o to_o be_v enthral_v in_o bondage_n though_o it_o be_v but_o by_o the_o do_v a_o action_n in_o itself_o adiaphorous_a §_o 9_o whatever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o every_o action_n or_o forbearance_n must_v appear_v to_o every_o man_n conscience_n that_o he_o may_v do_v or_o forbear_v believe_o in_o all_o religious_a concernment_n therefore_o all_o absolute_a necessity_n must_v be_v bind_v on_o his_o conscience_n by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o some_o law_n positive_o command_v or_o forbid_v and_o all_o relative_a necessity_n i._n e._n indifferency_n circumstantial_a must_v arrive_v at_o conscience_n with_o their_o expediency_n which_o must_v be_v the_o balance_n of_o election_n in_o thing_n equal_o good_a in_o themselves_o their_o comparative_a goodness_n must_v be_v respective_a or_o evil_n must_v make_v some_o appearance_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n and_o a_o christian_n freedom_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o say_a judgement_n according_a to_o the_o several_a case_n he_o meet_v withal_o be_v his_o liberty_n which_o christ_n have_v purchase_v and_o a_o christian_a can_v be_v deprive_v of_o jure_fw-la by_o any_o exotic_a law_n §_o 10._o where_o thing_n be_v absolute_o indifferent_a and_o there_o be_v no_o apparent_a respective_a difference_n between_o adiaphorous_a thing_n it_o be_v a_o christian_n liberty_n to_o take_v the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o he_o sin_v not_o against_o any_o rule_n of_o expedience_n in_o take_v either_o for_o both_o be_v lawful_a and_o expedient_a enough_o neither_o do_v i_o know_v why_o any_o additional_a law_n shall_v make_v he_o a_o transgressor_n in_o choose_v or_o refuse_v of_o either_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o a_o action_n or_o thing_n may_v be_v equal_o lawful_a and_o expedient_a moral_o which_o for_o some_o other_o reason_n may_v not_o arise_v from_o nature_n his_o own_o inclination_n or_o some_o other_o small_a attend_v circumstance_n of_o which_o it_o may_v not_o be_v fit_a to_o give_v a_o account_n to_o any_o humane_a authority_n as_o the_o transgressor_n of_o any_o law_n §_o 11._o as_o particular_a person_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n may_v judge_v of_o thing_n indifferent_a to_o prefer_v one_o before_o another_o according_a to_o their_o respect_n to_o know_v precept_n or_o to_o choose_v one_o before_o another_o arbitrary_o where_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n in_o compare_v respect_n so_o particular_a church_n and_o congregation_n have_v the_o liberty_n of_o use_v their_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n in_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n and_o be_v to_o walk_v by_o rule_n of_o expediency_n for_o time_n place_n and_o external_a accommodation_n but_o can_v make_v any_o bind_a law_n to_o themselves_o or_o other_o because_o those_o thing_n be_v alterable_a
in_o their_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v determine_v but_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la and_o must_v be_v liable_a still_o to_o no_o other_o judgement_n than_o that_o of_o discretion_n those_o thing_n that_o christ_n have_v leave_v under_o it_o can_v by_o humane_a law_n be_v remove_v from_o it_o therefore_o indifferent_a thing_n may_v be_v agree_v on_o by_o common_a consent_n in_o congregation_n or_o by_o the_o officer_n thereof_o according_a as_o the_o expediency_n or_o conveniency_n appear_v unto_o they_o and_o for_o so_o long_o and_o no_o long_o hence_o they_o can_v undergo_v the_o title_n or_o denomination_n of_o a_o law_n but_o only_o of_o prudential_a rule_n which_o have_v no_o bind_a reason_n for_o observation_n but_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o agree_a circumstance_n as_o it_o may_v be_v judge_v most_o convenient_a by_o the_o church_n to_o assemble_v at_o such_o a_o hour_n so_o long_o as_o the_o day_n be_v of_o such_o a_o length_n but_o when_o that_o circumstance_n alter_v than_o it_o may_v be_v more_o convenient_a at_o another_o many_o such_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v and_o no_o church_n can_v walk_v comfortable_o as_o long_o as_o any_o authority_n undertake_v to_o prohibit_v they_o of_o this_o liberty_n of_o their_o prudential_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o alterable_a appendix_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n chap._n xii_o wherein_o be_v handle_v the_o first_o question_n about_o thing_n indifferent_a §_o 1._o the_o first_o question_n that_o seem_v to_o offer_v itself_o to_o be_v so_o this_o whether_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n cease_v to_o be_v so_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v positive_o and_o certain_o determine_v as_o to_o its_o practice_n by_o humane_a authority_n explic._n by_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n i_o understand_v as_o beforementioned_a any_o thing_n or_o action_n which_o circumstantial_o adhere_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o may_v be_v use_v or_o omit_v or_o alter_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n without_o any_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n again_o this_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v determine_v as_o to_o expediency_n by_o a_o society_n or_o lawful_a authority_n but_o not_o impose_v as_o a_o stand_n and_o bind_v law_n but_o be_v commend_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o concur_v conscientious_o studious_a of_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n it_o carry_v the_o more_o force_n along_o with_o it_o to_o persuade_v we_o at_o least_o to_o present_v act_v till_o by_o further_a and_o great_a illumination_n we_o be_v otherwise_o incline_v nay_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v determine_v by_o those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n and_o propose_v as_o their_o judgement_n according_a to_o their_o light_n receive_v not_o magisterial_o but_o demonstrative_o only_a convince_o enough_o as_o to_o the_o expediency_n it_o carry_v with_o it_o the_o force_n of_o a_o law_n unto_o conscience_n not_o of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n man_n be_v a_o candlestick_n only_o to_o hold_v forth_o that_o light_n and_o bind_v it_o to_o submit_v thereunto_o but_o otherwise_o if_o man_n in_o authority_n undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n that_o a_o thing_n in_o itself_o by_o christ_n law_n leave_v indifferent_a i._n e._n to_o christian_a discretion_n to_o do_v or_o omit_v shall_v become_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n or_o a_o expedient_a necessity_n and_o according_a to_o their_o will_n and_o opinion_n bind_v inferior_n to_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o this_o by_o a_o penalty_n we_o affirm_v that_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n notwithstanding_o all_o humane_a authoritative_a determination_n change_v it_o into_o a_o necessity_n keep_v its_o pristine_a indifferency_n and_o remain_v the_o same_o to_o a_o christian_n conscience_n and_o practice_n the_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n follow_v §_o 2._o argum._n 1._o that_o power_n that_o can_v change_v gospel-indifferencies_a into_o gospel-necessity_n can_v also_o change_v gospel-necessity_n into_o gospel-indifferencies_a but_o no_o humane_a authority_n can_v do_v the_o latter_a ergo_fw-la not_o the_o former_a the_o assumption_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o protestant_n it_o be_v a_o presumption_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n for_o humane_a authority_n to_o pretend_v to_o dispense_v with_o or_o null_a any_o of_o the_o manifest_a law_n of_o christ_n the_o major_n be_v also_o evident_a because_o it_o must_v be_v a_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o kind_a to_o make_v and_o null_n a_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n if_o it_o be_v say_v a_o humane_a authority_n may_v make_v a_o gospel-indifferency_n necessary_a genere_fw-la civili_fw-la the_o answer_n fall_v far_o short_a for_o we_o speak_v of_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n have_v equal_a force_n upon_o the_o conscience_n for_o a_o civil_a legislative_a power_n can_v as_o well_o null_a any_o law_n of_o a_o civil_a nature_n only_o as_o it_o can_v make_v it_o so_o if_o man_n can_v make_v moral_a law_n he_o may_v as_o well_o null_a those_o which_o he_o have_v make_v or_o dispense_v with_o they_o at_o pleasure_n as_o make_v new_a we_o must_v always_o allow_v a_o sovereign_a prerogative_n to_o supreme_a lawgiver_n in_o any_o kind_n as_o to_o promulgate_v so_o to_o abrogate_v or_o dispense_v with_o their_o own_o law_n at_o pleasure_n and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o those_o law_n that_o man_n make_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n necessary_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n be_v civil_a only_o be_v only_o for_o decency_n splendour_n etc._n etc._n i_o reply_v that_o it_o can_v be_v so_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o for_o it_o be_v the_o respect_n and_o end_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o give_v it_o its_o specifical_a denomination_n when_o it_o have_v none_o such_o absolute_o consider_v that_o which_o respect_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o gospel-worship_n of_o christ_n or_o pretend_v so_o to_o do_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v a_o part_n of_o gospel-worship_n as_o kneel_v be_v a_o indifferent_a gesture_n a_o man_n may_v kneel_v when_o he_o do_v other_o thing_n beside_o act_n of_o worship_n or_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n he_o may_v kneel_v or_o stand_v or_o use_v another_o posture_n in_o worship_n but_o when_o this_o or_o that_o gesture_n be_v apply_v to_o worship_n it_o be_v religious_a by_o its_o respect_n use_v and_o application_n but_o still_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n under_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n till_o by_o some_o bind_a law_n the_o conscience_n become_v bind_v up_o to_o the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o this_o or_o that_o part_n of_o worship_n now_o he_o that_o undertake_v to_o bind_v conscience_n here_o undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o christ_n and_o to_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o such_o that_o make_v such_o law_n do_v claim_v such_o a_o power_n be_v manifest_a because_o they_o make_v obedience_n unto_o such_o law_n necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n let_v every_o soul_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n §_o 3._o argum._n 2._o if_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o evangelical_n indifferency_n may_v be_v change_v jure_fw-la into_o a_o evangelical_n necessity_n by_o any_o power_n beside_o christ_n than_o it_o must_v be_v because_o it_o be_v evangelical_o evil_a that_o this_o or_o that_o shall_v remain_v indifferent_a which_o christ_n have_v leave_v so_o or_o at_o least_o better_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o good_a of_o his_o church_n that_o it_o shall_v become_v a_o necessity_n i._n e._n a_o command_v good_a or_o prohibit_v evil_a than_o indifferent_a to_o be_v dispose_v by_o the_o discretion_n of_o particular_a church_n or_o christian_n but_o there_o be_v no_o true_a evangelical_n indifferency_n that_o have_v such_o a_o reason_n for_o the_o change_n of_o it_o into_o a_o necessity_n ergo_fw-la the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v this_o because_o whatever_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v alter_v from_o worse_a to_o better_o and_o what_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n for_o christ_n be_v or_o shall_v be_v make_v more_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o far_o better_a than_o it_o be_v before_o but_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o any_o thing_n that_o this_o wise_a lawgiver_n leave_v in_o indifferency_n to_o practice_n or_o omit_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n shall_v be_v more_o for_o his_o honour_n if_o it_o be_v convert_v into_o a_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n for_o to_o say_v so_o will_v be_v a_o high_a impeachment_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v of_o a_o king_n and_o parliament_n when_o any_o shall_v presume_v to_o say_v they_o have_v not_o make_v such_o law_n as_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v make_v and_o have_v leave_v the_o subject_a under_o a_o great_a liberty_n than_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonweal_n or_o honour_n of_o the_o king_n to_o say_v
so_o therefore_o be_v to_o make_v a_o double_a reflection_n on_o christ_n first_o that_o his_o law_n be_v defective_a for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v establish_v and_o that_o the_o liberty_n grant_v by_o christ_n unto_o his_o member_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n have_v too_o great_a a_o latitude_n to_o be_v consistent_a with_o that_o exact_a gospel-worship_n which_o we_o shall_v honour_v he_o by_o and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o which_o christ_n have_v leave_v evangelical_o indifferent_a may_v be_v unlawful_a in_o respect_n of_o other_o law_n we_o say_v that_o all_o the_o true_a jus_o of_o other_o law_n must_v be_v found_v on_o christ_n and_o his_o be_v precedaneous_a to_o they_o and_o therefore_o as_o in_o authority_n or_o practice_n it_o must_v take_v place_n before_o they_o moreover_o we_o say_v that_o christ_n have_v not_o so_o ill_o establish_v christian_a liberty_n as_o that_o thereby_o we_o be_v license_v to_o violate_v any_o natural_a or_o civil_a bond_n §_o 4._o argum._n 3._o that_o which_o by_o christ_n authority_n have_v leave_v a_o character_n impress_v on_o conscience_n can_v by_o any_o authority_n be_v abrogate_a without_o removal_n of_o the_o say_a character_n but_o as_o the_o law_n so_o the_o liberty_n by_o gospel-charter_n grant_v by_o christ_n have_v leave_v such_o a_o character_n impress_v indelible_o on_o conscience_n as_o can_v be_v remove_v by_o any_o other_o authority_n therefore_o christian_a liberty_n can_v be_v abrogate_a etc._n etc._n ergo_fw-la a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n can_v be_v take_v away_o or_o cease_v by_o the_o determination_n of_o mere_a humane_a law_n i._n e._n humane_a law_n that_o christ_n never_o allow_v man_n to_o make_v the_o major_n be_v evident_a in_o that_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n when_o it_o shine_v into_o the_o heart_n fix_v a_o indelible_a character_n upon_o conscience_n for_o positive_a obedience_n and_o also_o as_o to_o indifferent_a thing_n for_o he_o that_o know_v not_o one_o by_o the_o law_n know_v not_o the_o other_o nor_o can_v never_o tell_v when_o he_o sin_n and_o when_o he_o do_v not_o and_o if_o any_o other_o can_v interpose_v and_o make_v a_o law_n to_o bind_v conscience_n sub_fw-la reatu_fw-la by_o new_a law_n or_o release_v it_o by_o new_a liberty_n either_o to_o make_v additional_a character_n or_o delete_a christ_n christian_n religion_n will_v thereby_o become_v no_o other_o than_o a_o undigested_a heap_n of_o uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n it_o be_v true_a character_n be_v sometime_o remove_v from_o conscience_n as_o in_o case_n of_o justification_n of_o a_o sinner_n by_o faith_n rom._n 8._o so_o in_o case_n of_o a_o err_a conscience_n that_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v his_o duty_n which_o be_v not_o and_o that_o to_o be_v indifferent_a which_o be_v necessary_a all_o error_n when_o entertain_v lay_v hold_v on_o conscience_n sub_fw-la pretextu_fw-la authoritatis_fw-la christi_fw-la under_o pretence_n of_o christ_n authority_n and_o so_o do_v all_o humane_a usurp_a law_n when_o they_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o conscience_n and_o when_o by_o a_o far_a inform_a light_n the_o error_n be_v expel_v from_o the_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n the_o authority_n of_o christ_n still_o remain_v expel_v the_o error_n which_o no_o humane_a authority_n can_v do_v and_o confirm_v the_o conscience_n in_o the_o truth_n maugre_o all_o the_o opposition_n of_o any_o humane_a power_n so_o that_o where_o christ_n law_n have_v once_o prevail_v so_o far_o as_o to_o fix_v his_o authority_n there_o it_o be_v never_o know_v that_o whatever_o man_n external_a practice_n or_o conformity_n be_v that_o ever_o any_o humane_a power_n can_v blot_v out_o the_o character_n of_o christ_n prerogative_n and_o fix_v another_o supremacy_n there_o for_o that_o be_v but_o a_o vain_a law_n in_o religious_a thing_n that_o can_v bind_v the_o conscience_n under_o guilt_n in_o case_n of_o transgression_n i_o shall_v never_o conscientious_o observe_v that_o for_o my_o duty_n the_o omission_n of_o which_o do_v not_o make_v i_o conscious_a of_o a_o transgression_n as_o to_o the_o minor_a that_o the_o liberty_n grant_v by_o christ_n leave_v a_o character_n on_o conscience_n as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n be_v manifest_a 1._o because_o law_n be_v the_o bound_n of_o liberty_n and_o one_o must_v be_v know_v and_o act_v as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o as_o have_v be_v say_v before_o 2._o because_o their_o liberty_n be_v not_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n permissive_a only_a but_o in_o some_o measure_n positive_a i._n e._n so_o far_o as_o that_o christian_n shall_v walk_v in_o it_o he_o have_v but_o two_o path_n to_o walk_v in_o either_o of_o positive_o direct_v obedience_n or_o of_o liberty_n under_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n regulate_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n for_o either_o in_o matter_n of_o institute_v worship_n christ_n have_v by_o a_o manifestation_n of_o his_o will_n limit_v our_o action_n or_o have_v leave_v church_n and_o christian_n in_o the_o equilibrio_n of_o indifferency_n to_o poise_v themselves_o according_a to_o conscience-light_n as_o to_o respective_a difference_n by_o discretion_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o equality_n to_o choose_v pro_fw-la arbitrio_fw-la again_o our_o assurance_n be_v not_o only_o negative_a but_o positive_a that_o it_o be_v christ_n will_n that_o we_o shall_v maintain_v our_o liberty_n in_o religious_a thing_n stand_v fast_o in_o that_o liberty_n etc._n etc._n neither_o can_v any_o take_v it_o away_o without_o intrude_a on_o conscience_n and_o entrench_v on_o his_o prerogative_n which_o for_o we_o to_o yield_v to_o be_v to_o betray_v his_o crown_n and_o sceptre_n §_o 5._o argum._n 4._o hence_o if_o such_o a_o law_n be_v make_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v and_o ergo_fw-la the_o thing_n retain_v its_o pristine_a nature_n that_o law_n which_o direct_o put_v a_o christian_a on_o a_o necessity_n of_o sin_v in_o obey_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v but_o a_o law_n that_o change_v evangelical_n indifferency_n into_o necessity_n do_v direct_o put_v a_o christian_a on_o a_o necessity_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o obey_v ergo_fw-la it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v that_o the_o major_n may_v be_v universal_a i_o add_v direct_o because_o many_o good_a law_n be_v occasion_n of_o sin_v indirect_o but_o when_o the_o law_n require_v such_o obedience_n which_o in_o the_o very_a substance_n of_o it_o be_v sin_n because_o the_o obedience_n direct_o aim_v at_o be_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o the_o law_n such_o a_o law_n must_v needs_o be_v sinful_a the_o minor_a do_v thus_o appear_v because_o such_o a_o law_n bind_v a_o man_n up_o in_o obedience_n to_o it_o in_o one_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n whereas_o that_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n according_a to_o christ_n rule_n of_o expediency_n may_v be_v unlawful_a to_o be_v do_v and_o then_o the_o humane_a law_n and_o the_o say_a gospel-rule_n contradict_v one_o another_o expediency_n alter_v daily_o as_o to_o attend_v circumstance_n at_o some_o time_n it_o be_v lawful_a to_o do_v that_o thing_n which_o at_o another_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o good_a of_o other_o to_o avoid_v as_o for_o example_n the_o apostle_n reckon_v eat_v this_o or_o that_o sort_n of_o meat_n sell_v in_o the_o shambles_n as_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n if_o i_o make_v no_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v jewish_o unclean_a or_o heathenish_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n 1_o cor._n 10.25_o 27._o but_o if_o i_o be_o enforce_v by_o law_n to_o eat_v this_o or_o that_o sort_n of_o meat_n in_o the_o shambles_n which_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o idol_n i_o be_o necessitate_v to_o sin_n 1._o i_o offend_v my_o brother_n that_o make_v this_o law_n confirm_v he_o in_o sin_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o who_o conscience_n i_o ought_v by_o the_o apostle_n rule_v to_o forbear_v this_o act_n and_o therefore_o sin_n against_o all_o such_o as_o idolatrous_o eat_v this_o sacrifice_a meat_n for_o what_o can_v tell_v i_o more_o plain_o than_o the_o law_n that_o this_o or_o that_o meat_n by_o its_o attend_a circumstance_n be_v sacrifice_v to_o idol_n again_o to_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o this_o or_o that_o public_a place_n be_v a_o indifferency_n to_o hear_v it_o to_o my_o edification_n as_o near_o as_o possible_a be_v the_o precept_n of_o christ_n but_o if_o i_o be_o bind_v by_o a_o humane_a law_n to_o hear_v always_o in_o my_o own_o parish-church_n and_o thereby_o debar_v of_o my_o liberty_n of_o hear_v there_o where_o i_o can_v most_o profit_n and_o whereas_o the_o parish-minist_a be_v ignorant_a profane_a or_o erroneous_a who_o to_o hear_v constant_o must_v needs_o be_v sin_n to_o i_o i_o be_o certain_o by_o this_o law_n put_v upon_o a_o necessity_n of_o sin_v in_o yield_v active_a obedience_n unto_o it_o §_o 6._o argum._n 5._o that_o indifferency_n
indifferent_a thing_n to_o take_v it_o up_o or_o let_v it_o alone_o but_o because_o of_o the_o father_n command_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o ans_fw-fr it_o be_v true_a because_o there_o be_v a_o command_n of_o christ_n that_o enjoin_v the_o child_n obedience_n in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n and_o therefore_o upon_o the_o father_n command_v it_o become_v necessary_a that_o the_o child_n yield_v obedience_n but_o this_o be_v but_o a_o command_n for_o one_o particular_a action_n and_o therefore_o under_o expediency_n if_o the_o father_n shall_v make_v a_o law_n that_o one_o child_n shall_v pick_v straw_n all_o his_o day_n and_o another_o play_n at_o push-pin_n such_o law_n will_v become_v null_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o absurd_a than_o to_o affirm_v that_o they_o alter_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o what_o can_v alter_v it_o more_o than_o to_o lay_v it_o under_o a_o law_n when_o a_o thing_n be_v indifferent_a unto_o practice_n before_o to_o make_v it_o necessary_a as_o to_o practise_v when_o it_o be_v lawful_a before_o to_o make_v it_o unlawful_a we_o have_v show_v that_o necessity_n and_o indifferency_n be_v but_o relative_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o law_n and_o he_o make_v a_o law_n that_o give_v thing_n contrary_a relation_n and_o respect_n to_o what_o they_o have_v before_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o much_o as_o a_o law_n can_v and_o make_v one_o law_n contrary_a to_o another_o man_n do_v but_o trifle_n that_o plead_v that_o thing_n be_v not_o make_v necessary_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n when_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o be_v enjoin_v under_o the_o great_a church-penalty_n what_o be_v great_a than_o excommunication_n yea_o pecuniary_a mulct_n imprisonment_n deprivation_n etc._n etc._n yea_o and_o offender_n against_o the_o law_n persecute_v with_o great_a rigour_n than_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o constant_a and_o open_a transgression_n of_o moral_a and_o gospel-precept_n §_o 5._o i_o may_v take_v another_o very_a plain_a medium_n to_o prove_v the_o minor_a thus_o he_o that_o make_v a_o thing_n unlawful_a either_o to_o be_v do_v or_o leave_v undo_v which_o christ_n have_v make_v lawful_a by_o his_o law_n do_v that_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o he_o that_o change_v indifferency_n into_o necessity_n do_v so_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o plain_a than_o the_o major_n for_o to_o make_v a_o thing_n unlawful_a etc._n etc._n lawful_a and_o unlawful_a being_n contradicentia_fw-la and_o he_o that_o by_o a_o new_a law_n render_v that_o unlawful_a for_o my_o practice_n which_o christ_n law_n have_v render_v lawful_a do_v a_o thing_n e_fw-la region_fw-la contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o minor_a it_o be_v as_o evident_a for_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n the_o indifferent_a action_n be_v lawful_a for_o i_o to_o do_v or_o omit_v as_o to_o eat_v such_o a_o sort_n of_o meat_n or_o keep_v such_o a_o day_n or_o wear_v such_o a_o garment_n but_o there_o be_v a_o new_a law_n of_o the_o church_n come_v which_o now_o make_v it_o unlawful_a for_o i_o either_o to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v those_o thing_n for_o he_o that_o make_v a_o law_n bind_v always_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o either_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n make_v the_o other_o part_n unlawful_a which_o antecedaneous_a to_o this_o law_n be_v lawful_a now_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n can_v make_v that_o unlawful_a which_o he_o have_v make_v lawful_a for_o they_o may_v as_o well_o make_v that_o lawful_a to_o do_v or_o omit_v again_o if_o the_o church_n may_v make_v that_o unlawful_a which_o he_o have_v make_v lawful_a than_o she_o may_v take_v away_o the_o relative_n goodness_n that_o be_v in_o any_o part_n of_o a_o indifferent_a action_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n and_o stamp_n upon_o it_o a_o positive_a evil_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o what_o christ_n have_v do_v etc._n etc._n again_o nothing_o can_v be_v ecclesiastical_o and_o therefore_o religious_o unlawful_a which_o be_v not_o make_v ecclesiastical_o and_o religious_o evil_a and_o nothing_o can_v be_v so_o jure_v but_o by_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n no_o more_o than_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v ecclesiastical_o good_a and_o necessary_a without_o the_o say_v reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n §_o 6._o argum._n 4._o the_o church_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o a_o law-making_a power_n ergo._n i_o prove_v it_o thus_o he_o that_o can_v jure_v or_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la annex_v a_o punishment_n in_o some_o measure_n correspondent_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n that_o will_v be_v commit_v against_o that_o law_n can_v make_v such_o a_o law_n as_o if_o a_o corporation_n under_o the_o king_n make_v a_o law_n to_o hang_v or_o burn_v in_o the_o hand_n for_o some_o offence_n which_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o do_v then_o that_o be_v null_a the_o major_n be_v very_o plain_a but_o the_o church_n can_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la or_o at_o least_o the_o jure_fw-la execute_v such_o penalty_n as_o be_v correspondent_a to_o her_o law_n for_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a be_v of_o a_o spiritual_a nature_n belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o the_o lawmaker_n will_v still_o have_v the_o first_o stroke_n of_o his_o law_n fall_v upon_o conscience_n by_o bind_v it_o under_o guilt_n where_o be_v ever_o any_o true_o enlighten_v conscience_n ever_o bind_v under_o guilt_n for_o transgress_v a_o mere_a church-law_n in_o matter_n of_o ceremony_n second_o they_o can_v de_fw-la jure_fw-la annex_v and_o execute_v the_o penalty_n of_o exclusion_n from_o communion_n as_o christ_n never_o make_v a_o mere_a ceremony_n the_o condition_n of_o communion_n so_o he_o never_o threaten_v the_o non-observation_n with_o non-communion_n let_v any_o precept_n or_o any_o instance_n be_v give_v of_o this_o nature_n that_o any_o suffer_v church-censure_n under_o the_o new-testament_n for_o non-observation_n of_o a_o ceremonial_a law_n three_o as_o for_o other_o penalty_n which_o we_o call_v secular_a as_o whip_v imprison_v fine_v confiscate_a we_o know_v the_o church_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o they_o they_o be_v never_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o never_o will_v be_v §_o 7._o argum._n 5._o that_o law_n which_o direct_o and_o unavoidable_o hinder_v much_o good_a and_o cause_v much_o evil_n in_o the_o obediential_a subjection_n thereto_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o church_n but_o to_o change_v religious_a indifferency_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n into_o necessity_n do_v so_o ergo._n the_o major_n be_v undeniable_a for_o though_o a_o good_a action_n may_v per_fw-mi accidens_fw-la hinder_v some_o other_o good_a and_o cause_v some_o evil_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o so_o direct_o and_o in_o its_o true_a constitute_v nature_n but_o good_a action_n produce_v good_a effect_n as_o evil_a action_n evil_a so_o the_o tree_n be_v know_v by_o its_o fruit_n the_o minor_a that_o such_o a_o change_n work_v such_o ill_a effect_n be_v thus_o prove_v 1._o because_o it_o hinder_v the_o most_o expedient_a use_n of_o a_o action_n leave_v by_o christ_n indifferent_a to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n whereas_o the_o expediency_n by_o christ_n prescript_n may_v lie_v in_o the_o contrary_a part_n of_o the_o action_n wherein_o a_o goodness_n be_v place_v by_o the_o church_n law_n and_o a_o evil_n place_v in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o action_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o goodness_n by_o christ_n so_o that_o the_o church_n law_n can_v have_v universal_a obedience_n yield_v to_o it_o without_o sin_n because_o when_o christ_n expediency_n fall_v on_o the_o part_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n it_o will_v be_v sin_n to_o obey_v the_o church_n as_o for_o example_n it_o be_v a_o indifferent_a thing_n which_o way_n we_o turn_v our_o face_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n east_n west_n north_n or_o south_n the_o church_n make_v a_o law_n the_o minister_n must_v turn_v his_o face_n towards_o the_o east_n in_o such_o a_o part_n of_o worship_n this_o hinder_v the_o expedient_a use_n of_o that_o posture_n 1._o it_o hinder_v from_o turn_v that_o way_n which_o be_v most_o for_o edification_n and_o cause_v the_o minister_n to_o turn_v his_o back_n to_o the_o people_n which_o be_v very_o unexpedient_a it_o may_v confirm_v a_o jew_n pagan_a or_o papist_n in_o their_o superstitious_a observance_n to_o observe_v we_o to_o do_v thus_o de_fw-mi industriâ_fw-la out_o of_o a_o strict_a observation_n and_o therefore_o then_o unexpedient_a 2._o it_o hinder_v much_o good_a because_o it_o frustrate_v christ_n end_n in_o the_o management_n of_o religious_a and_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n for_o christ_n manage_v all_o those_o by_o necessity_n and_o indifferency_n in_o willing_a and_o require_v a_o necessary_a obedience_n to_o his_o positive_a law_n and_o a_o indifferent_a use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n
subordinate_a church_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o capacity_n of_o any_o one_o or_o few_o supreme_a magistrate_n to_o convene_v a_o ecumenical_a council_n because_o no_o magistrate_n can_v by_o any_o civil_a authority_n much_o less_o by_o any_o ecclesiastical_a of_o which_o he_o have_v none_o call_v forth_o the_o bishop_n of_o another_o nation_n to_o such_o a_o council_n whereas_o a_o ecumenical_a pastor_n who_o authority_n reach_v equal_o to_o all_o national_a church_n and_o to_o magistrate_n as_o member_n thereof_o may_v authoritative_o command_v the_o presence_n of_o any_o reverend_a father_n whatsoever_o and_o demand_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o magistrate_n thereto_o under_o the_o pain_n of_o church-censure_n and_o to_o permit_v his_o bishop_n to_o assemble_v in_o or_o out_o of_o his_o dominion_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o one_o or_o more_o supreme_a magistrate_n have_v any_o universal_a tie_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a of_o other_o state_n and_o dominion_n to_o his_o jurisdiction_n so_o that_o they_o be_v necessitate_v under_o any_o law_n to_o submit_v thereunto_o unless_o such_o which_o they_o have_v reduce_v unto_o homage_n and_o vassalage_n by_o dint_n of_o sword_n or_o such_o as_o by_o voluntary_a subjection_n have_v yield_v themselves_o 3._o magistrate_n have_v not_o then_o a_o power_n to_o call_v a_o ecumenical_a council_n when_o they_o please_v or_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o emperor_n there_o never_o be_v or_o will_v be_v that_o can_v in_o respect_n of_o his_o civil_a power_n do_v so_o yet_o they_o have_v no_o ecclesiastical_a power_n to_o do_v it_o authoritative_o but_o only_o by_o concurrence_n or_o consent_n whereas_o all_o church-assembly_n be_v authoritative_o to_o be_v call_v by_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o say_a church_n or_o else_o they_o can_v act_v so_o when_o call_v by_o assemble_v unless_o we_o reduce_v church-government_n unto_o a_o democracy_n §_o 18._o obj._n it_o may_v be_v also_o say_v that_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n may_v be_v convene_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o patriarch_n and_o bishop_n among_o themselves_o answ_n 1._o this_o be_v no_o authoritative_a way_n of_o assemble_v such_o as_o bishop_n will_v always_o contend_v for_o but_o only_a precarious_a 2._o if_o they_o assemble_v this_o way_n either_o it_o must_v be_v no_o council_n till_o all_o be_v agree_v which_o may_v be_v long_o enough_o first_o or_o any_o few_o agree_v to_o assemble_v and_o give_v notice_n of_o such_o resolution_n to_o other_o who_o be_v averse_a to_o such_o proposal_n may_v gather_v together_o and_o call_v themselves_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n undertake_v to_o make_v decree_n determine_v matter_n of_o consequence_n and_o impose_v on_o the_o dissent_v church_n and_o what_o dangerous_a consequence_n will_v this_o be_v of_o in_o the_o church_n especial_o where_o heretical_a pastor_n abound_v as_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o arrian_n macedonian_a and_o nestorian_a heresy_n 3._o if_o national_a pastor_n may_v convene_v by_o consent_n to_o constitute_v a_o ecumenical_a council_n why_o may_v not_o bishop_n and_o archbishop_n convene_v by_o consent_n to_o make_v up_o a_o national_a synod_n without_o the_o authoritative_a call_n of_o the_o primate_n which_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v allow_v 2_o and_o last_o by_o who_o authority_n shall_v a_o catholic_n assembly_n have_v its_o sanction_n if_o not_o by_o the_o catholic_n pastor_n for_o it_o be_v not_o every_o council_n that_o call_v itself_o ecumenical_a that_o can_v or_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v such_o neither_o ever_o be_v there_o or_o ever_o will_v be_v any_o so_o general_n that_o all_o the_o pastor_n be_v assemble_v but_o it_o be_v in_o this_o as_o in_o all_o other_o church-assembly_n if_o they_o be_v call_v by_o the_o pastor_n and_o public_a notice_n give_v to_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n the_o absence_n of_o some_o alter_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o ergo_fw-la there_o shall_v be_v a_o ecumenical_a pastor_n for_o these_o end_n and_o purpose_n chap._n xv._o of_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n §_o 1._o the_o power_n of_o magistrate_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v be_v very_o much_o controvert_v and_o various_o determine_v by_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o conscience_n i_o shall_v not_o fill_v up_o these_o sheet_n with_o transcribe_v other_o man_n sentiment_n i_o shall_v only_o propound_v what_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n and_o reason_n with_o as_o much_o perspicuity_n and_o brevity_n as_o i_o can_v there_o be_v three_o thing_n for_o enquiry_n that_o will_v principal_o lie_v before_o we_o 1._o whether_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n may_v exercise_v a_o legislative_a power_n in_o matter_n evangelical_o indifferent_a 2._o whether_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o ecclesiastical_a justice_n the_o sword_n of_o the_o magistrate_n may_v be_v use_v 3._o what_o be_v the_o true_a bound_n and_o limit_n of_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o first_o question_n be_v thus_o to_o be_v understand_v whether_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n may_v or_o can_v change_v thing_n religious_o indifferent_a into_o necessity_n by_o a_o competent_a law_n i.e._n by_o a_o law_n bind_v conscience_n primary_o or_o secundary_o by_o christ_n authority_n for_o we_o have_v show_v that_o no_o authority_n can_v reach_v conscience_n so_o as_o to_o bind_v it_o or_o loose_v it_o but_o christ_n alone_a that_o be_v no_o competent_a law_n that_o answer_v not_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o the_o obedience_n require_v which_o be_v always_o expect_v here_o to_o be_v conscientious_a all_o christ_n law_n flow_v from_o his_o peculiar_a legislative_a prerogative_n over_o his_o church_n have_v a_o immediate_a influence_n on_o conscience_n and_o do_v primary_o bind_v as_o such_o all_o just_a humane_a law_n do_v secundary_o bind_v conscience_n i._n e._n not_o quatenus_fw-la humane_a but_o they_o so_o far_o bind_v conscience_n as_o man_n have_v derive_v such_o authority_n from_o the_o lord_n christ_n for_o the_o compose_n and_o enact_v the_o say_a law_n now_o if_o the_o magistrate_n can_v make_v a_o law_n in_o one_o of_o these_o kind_n to_o bind_v christian_n in_o matter_n indifferent_a he_o can_v do_v it_o by_o a_o competent_a law_n §_o 2._o have_v thus_o explain_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o our_o enquiry_n we_o determine_v in_o the_o negative_a and_o that_o for_o these_o follow_a reason_n arg._n 1._o it_o be_v christ_n peculiar_a prerogative_n to_o be_v the_o lawgiver_n to_o his_o church_n i._n e._n to_o make_v such_o law_n as_o immediate_o concern_v it_o he_o never_o give_v this_o power_n to_o any_o or_o commissionated_a any_o to_o exercise_n a_o humane_a authority_n in_o this_o kind_n as_o have_v be_v abundant_o show_v he_o only_o can_v do_v it_o 1._o he_o be_v the_o only_a spiritual_a king_n there_o be_v no_o other_o mediate_v spiritual_a king_n between_o he_o and_o his_o church_n 2._o he_o know_v only_o what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o such_o a_o law_n he_o know_v only_o which_o way_n he_o will_v be_v worship_v and_o no_o way_n can_v be_v acceptable_a to_o he_o but_o that_o which_o be_v of_o his_o immediate_a appointment_n it_o be_v high_a presumption_n in_o any_o other_o to_o prescribe_v 3._o it_o be_v his_o glory_n to_o reserve_v this_o to_o himself_o and_o he_o give_v to_o magistrate_n that_o power_n which_o they_o have_v it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a he_o shall_v reserve_v to_o himself_o what_o he_o please_v 4._o if_o magistrate_n can_v exercise_v any_o such_o power_n it_o must_v be_v by_o deputation_n from_o christ_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o let_v they_o produce_v their_o commission_n which_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o what_o be_v say_v of_o magistrate_n power_n from_o the_o old_a testament_n authority_n will_v easy_o be_v refute_v if_o the_o particular_a case_n be_v due_o consider_v which_o i_o shall_v not_o now_o stay_v upon_o 5._o if_o christ_n have_v give_v such_o a_o power_n to_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n it_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o magistrate_n or_o as_o a_o christian_a it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o a_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o then_o 1._o as_o many_o sort_n of_o magistrate_n as_o the_o church_n do_v militate_v under_o so_o many_o sort_n of_o lawgiver_n in_o spiritual_a thing_n she_o shall_v be_v subject_a to_o whether_o christian_a heretical_a profane_a or_o heathenish_a and_o as_o the_o government_n of_o state_n alter_v in_o the_o supreme_a magistracy_n so_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n must_v according_a to_o the_o several_a interest_n and_o corrupt_a design_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n 2._o the_o number_n and_o certainty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n can_v never_o be_v know_v for_o as_o he_o may_v make_v law_n he_o may_v repeal_v law_n where_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n so_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o certain_a stand_a rule_n for_o the_o
be_v as_o liable_a to_o the_o judicial_a proceed_n of_o magistrate_n as_o any_o other_o be_v but_o in_o these_o evangelical_n part_n of_o worship_n annex_v by_o christ_n in_o substance_n or_o ceremony_n which_o distinguish_v the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o church_n from_o that_o of_o the_o commonweal_n here_o the_o magistrate_n can_v execute_v by_o himself_o or_o depute_v another_o to_o administer_v the_o executive_a part_n of_o christ_n law_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o all_o such_o law_n change_v indifferency_n into_o necessity_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v of_o a_o spiritual_a nature_n and_o ecclesiastical_a and_o therefore_o must_v be_v execute_v spiritual_o in_o foro_fw-la conscientiae_fw-la or_o ecclesiastical_o in_o foro_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la but_o he_o can_v do_v either_o of_o these_o for_o the_o first_o he_o can_v because_o christ_n have_v absolute_o reserve_v conscience_n to_o himself_o nor_o the_o latter_a because_o execution_n in_o the_o church_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o officer_n of_o christ_n as_o his_o deputy_n and_o officer_n of_o his_o own_o appointment_n §_o 6._o arg._n 4._o they_o that_o be_v not_o to_o make_v law_n for_o the_o terror_n of_o they_o that_o do_v well_o be_v not_o to_o make_v such_o law_n as_o change_v evangelical_n indifferency_n into_o necessity_n at_o ergo._n the_o minor_n be_v undeniable_a the_o major_n appear_v thus_o to_o be_v true_a because_o to_o make_v such_o law_n be_v to_o terrify_v christian_n in_o the_o use_v not_o only_o of_o their_o lawful_a liberty_n but_o also_o to_o shake_v they_o from_o their_o stand_n in_o that_o liberty_n that_o christ_n have_v purchase_v and_o command_v they_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o beside_o the_o abridge_n they_o the_o free_a use_n of_o christian_a discretion_n which_o be_v good_a from_o which_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v terrify_v §_o 7._o arg._n 5._o the_o magistrate_n can_v take_v away_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n grant_v to_o the_o church_n by_o jesus_n christ_n which_o he_o purchase_v for_o it_o etc._n etc._n by_o last_o will_v and_o testament_n bestow_v and_o be_v his_o people_n right_a of_o inheritance_n but_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n in_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n be_v a_o great_a and_o valuable_a privilege_n so_o grant_v and_o bestow_v on_o his_o church_n and_o people_n now_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o bereave_v the_o church_n of_o these_o that_o 1._o he_o be_v to_o maintain_v and_o defend_v the_o church_n in_o the_o free_a use_n of_o its_o liberty_n and_o to_o be_v as_o a_o nurse_n father_n to_o she_o therein_o 2._o the_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v ready_a to_o punish_v the_o bereave_v of_o the_o church_n of_o her_o just_a right_n as_o sacrilege_n which_o be_v rob_v a_o church_n a_o sacred_a body_n politic_a under_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n jurisdiction_n the_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v far_o from_o do_v that_o action_n which_o he_o be_v to_o punish_v in_o another_o as_o sacrilege_n and_o if_o a_o christian_n liberty_n be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n the_o take_n of_o it_o away_o be_v sacrilege_n that_o it_o be_v sacred_a i_o prove_v thus_o that_o which_o be_v of_o sacred_a use_n and_o peculiar_o relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o member_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o their_o privilege_n allot_v to_o they_o by_o christ_n special_a procurement_n and_o appointment_n be_v sacred_a and_o the_o take_v it_o away_o be_v no_o better_a than_o sacrilege_n as_o for_o other_o lawful_a liberty_n common_a to_o they_o with_o other_o in_o moral_n and_o civil_n other_o may_v use_v they_o that_o be_v not_o relate_v to_o the_o gospel_n but_o a_o christian_a liberty_n be_v in_o thing_n pertain_v unto_o christ_n and_o his_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o service_n §_o 8._o arg._n 6._o he_o that_o can_v make_v those_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n which_o christ_n have_v only_o make_v indifferent_a can_v make_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n to_o consist_v in_o those_o thing_n that_o he_o never_o do_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n stand_v not_o in_o meat_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n stand_v in_o that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o it_o and_o if_o the_o magistrate_n will_v make_v thing_n necessary_a which_o christ_n never_o do_v he_o go_v about_o to_o make_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n stand_v in_o that_o which_o christ_n never_o do_v and_o this_o be_v a_o great_a usurpation_n of_o a_o power_n not_o belong_v unto_o he_o for_o christ_n never_o empower_v the_o magistrate_n to_o determine_v what_o his_o kingdom_n shall_v consist_v in_o and_o make_v it_o to_o consist_v in_o that_o which_o he_o never_o do_v §_o 9_o arg._n 7._o a_o magistrate_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o exercise_v such_o a_o coercive_a power_n as_o will_v make_v i_o believe_v in_o my_o conscience_n that_o to_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n which_o i_o be_o convince_v that_o he_o have_v leave_v indifferent_a only_o that_o law_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n that_o lay_v no_o obligation_n on_o conscience_n be_v of_o no_o concern_n therein_o now_o christ_n have_v bind_v conscience_n by_o his_o law_n as_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a there_o be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o man_n to_o come_v in_o with_o his_o law_n whatever_o be_v evangelical_o necessary_a to_o the_o conscience_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v so_o because_o he_o be_v convince_v it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v necessary_a now_o can_v the_o mere_a coercive_a power_n of_o any_o one_o on_o earth_n make_v a_o man_n believe_v that_o be_v not_o necessary_a which_o christ_n have_v make_v conscience_n to_o submit_v to_o as_o necessary_a if_o so_o then_o may_v the_o same_o authority_n make_v a_o man_n believe_v that_o to_o be_v necessary_a which_o christ_n have_v make_v we_o believe_v not_o to_o be_v necessary_a but_o only_o indifferent_a for_o as_o no_o law_n of_o man_n can_v absolve_v a_o christian_a from_o the_o conscientious_a observation_n of_o any_o one_o law_n of_o christ_n so_o no_o law_n of_o man_n can_v bind_v a_o christian_a in_o conscience_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o that_o in_o religious_a matter_n which_o christ_n never_o bind_v he_o to_o but_o he_o will_v be_v still_o persuade_v that_o christ_n have_v leave_v it_o to_o he_o as_o a_o indifferency_n and_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o walk_v in_o it_o by_o discretion_n and_o that_o must_v be_v a_o church_n or_o christian_n own_n as_o the_o matter_n require_v relate_v to_o a_o community_n or_o private_a person_n obj._n but_o the_o magistrate_n judgement_n can_v best_o determine_v of_o expediency_n being_n great_a and_o wise_a ans_fw-fr in_o matter_n of_o that_o nature_n man_n may_v advise_v and_o the_o great_a and_o wise_a man_n be_v its_o likely_a the_o more_o forcible_a argument_n they_o may_v produce_v but_o there_o be_v no_o force_n to_o be_v in_o the_o case_n man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v force_v by_o a_o law_n to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v most_o expedient_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o 1._o the_o magistrate_n may_v be_v mistake_v and_o that_o which_o be_v expedient_a to_o he_o may_v not_o be_v to_o another_o 2._o that_o which_o be_v expedient_a one_o time_n may_v not_o be_v another_o therefore_o in_o the_o do_v expediency_n we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v determine_v to_o act_v always_o one_o way_n by_o a_o law_n object_n but_o the_o magistrate_n may_v punish_v for_o not_o practise_v answ_n none_o be_v to_o be_v punish_v for_o not_o practise_v what_o they_o believe_v unlawful_a chap._n xvi_o of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o magistrate_n sword_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o ecclestastical_a justice_n §_o 1._o the_o second_o enquiry_n propound_v about_o the_o magistrate_n power_n be_v this_o whether_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o ecclesiastical_a justice_n the_o sword_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n may_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v use_v i._o e._n whether_o for_o the_o punish_n and_o reform_v offender_n against_o church-law_n the_o magistrate_n may_v inflict_v such_o penalty_n on_o the_o outward_a man_n as_o he_o and_o the_o church_n shall_v agree_v upon_o as_o pecuniary_a mulct_n scourge_n imprisonment_n confiscation_n yea_o death_n itself_o in_o some_o case_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o heresy_n and_o seduction_n and_o to_o prevent_v mistake_n we_o shall_v premise_v these_o thing_n 1._o that_o church-member_n offend_v civil_a law_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o suffer_v the_o penalty_n thereof_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o magistrate_n as_o such_o as_o stand_v subject_v to_o they_o in_o a_o civil_a capacity_n equal_a with_o other_o subject_n 2._o that_o a_o church-member_n as_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o any_o other_o may_v just_o suffer_v for_o the_o same_o offence_n from_o the_o church_n and_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o for_o drunkenness_n swear_v fornication_n etc._n etc._n moral_a
any_o authority_n grant_v by_o christ_n challenge_v to_o himself_o a_o legistative_a power_n in_o religious_a matter_n touch_v faith_n or_o worship_n he_o can_v null_a or_o dispense_v with_o one_o of_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n neither_o may_v he_o make_v any_o new_a law_n to_o bind_v we_o to_o believe_v any_o thing_n more_o concern_v god_n than_o be_v manifest_o by_o his_o word_n reveal_v or_o bind_v we_o to_o practise_v any_o alteration_n or_o addition_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n more_o than_o what_o christ_n himself_o have_v enact_v this_o we_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o handle_v the_o doctrine_n of_o indifferency_n §_o 8._o four_o no_o civil_a magistrate_n can_v by_o any_o deputation_n from_o christ_n claim_v a_o executive_a power_n of_o the_o political_a law_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n for_o as_o christ_n have_v his_o own_o proper_a law_n in_o his_o church_n his_o militant_a kingdom_n distinct_a from_o other_o law_n for_o the_o right_n and_o exact_a gospel-management_n of_o all_o his_o political_a affair_n therein_o and_o be_v more_o faithful_a than_o moses_n in_o that_o very_a respect_n so_o he_o have_v set_v in_o his_o church_n his_o own_o minister_n and_o officer_n distinct_a from_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o officer_n and_o minister_n in_o the_o world_n as_o christ_n minister_n be_v no_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o such_o so_o no_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v a_o church-minister_n as_o such_o hence_o as_o a_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o execute_v christ_n political_a law_n or_o institution_n in_o his_o church_n so_o he_o have_v no_o power_n to_o execute_v any_o moral_a law_n in_o the_o church_n i._n e._n he_o can_v punish_v a_o criminal_a offence_n by_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n the_o moral_a law_n run_v through_o all_o society_n as_o the_o natural_a fundamental_a rule_n to_o discern_v good_a and_o evil_a and_o political_a law_n of_o all_o sort_n shall_v main_o respect_v it_o as_o the_o standard_n and_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o all_o law_n and_o justice_n which_o in_o respect_n of_o it_o be_v derivative_a though_o every_o particular_a polity_n have_v its_o own_o proper_a way_n and_o manner_n of_o distribution_n of_o moral_a justice_n the_o civil_a state_n by_o a_o civil_a political_a administration_n and_o magistracy_n family_n oeconomical_o by_o the_o head_n thereof_o the_o church_n ecclesiastical_o by_o its_o pastor_n and_o other_o officer_n all_o endeavour_v by_o their_o distinct_a way_n and_o manner_n of_o administration_n to_o secure_v the_o honour_n and_o justice_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n but_o none_o of_o these_o be_v to_o intermix_v their_o government_n and_o political_a way_n of_o distribution_n see_v the_o god_n of_o order_n have_v fix_v each_o one_o to_o his_o proper_a station_n and_o limit_n of_o jurisdiction_n hence_o the_o civil_a state_n can_v no_o more_o punish_v the_o breach_n of_o moral_a law_n ecclesiastical_o than_o the_o church_n can_v punish_v they_o civil_o and_o the_o church_n can_v no_o more_o use_v the_o magistrate_n sword_n than_o the_o magistrate_n can_v the_o church_n and_o vice_n versa_fw-la neither_o can_v the_o church_n or_o civil_a state_n punish_v the_o breach_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n oeconomical_o any_o more_o than_o a_o master_n of_o a_o family_n as_o such_o can_v punish_v they_o ecclesiastical_o or_o civil_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n may_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v magistrate_n or_o pastor_n and_o though_o there_o be_v a_o mixture_n or_o rather_o conjunction_n of_o these_o authority_n in_o the_o same_o person_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o polity_n yet_o they_o have_v be_v separate_v in_o distinct_a person_n by_o god_n himself_o for_o many_o age_n neither_o do_v any_o person_n bear_v distinct_a office_n make_v the_o office_n the_o same_o or_o necessary_o mingle_v they_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o several_a function_n §_o 9_o five_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n or_o any_o humane_a law_n to_o bind_v or_o loose_v conscience_n as_o magistrate_n can_v reach_v it_o direct_o to_o charge_v it_o with_o either_o duty_n or_o guilt_n so_o it_o be_v the_o great_a piece_n of_o tyranny_n to_o attempt_v it_o by_o penal_a law_n whereby_o christian_n may_v be_v draw_v in_o to_o ensnare_v their_o conscience_n in_o guilt_n by_o sin_v against_o god_n for_o fear_n of_o man_n and_o a_o christian_a be_v to_o obey_v the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n for_o conscience_n sake_n i._n e._n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n it_o be_v extrinsic_a to_o the_o law_n of_o man_n to_o bind_v conscience_n it_o be_v god_n that_o by_o his_o authority_n give_v they_o a_o mediate_a sanction_n and_o bind_v they_o on_o conscience_n but_o where_o god_n lend_v not_o to_o humane_a law_n his_o bind_a power_n they_o be_v of_o no_o more_o force_n unto_o conscience_n then_o with_o 's_o to_o bind_v samson_n it_o be_v not_o the_o wit_n or_o strength_n of_o all_o man_n and_o angel_n that_o can_v bind_v one_o conscience_n under_o guilt_n without_o a_o law_n of_o god_n or_o divine_a authority_n to_o give_v force_n to_o humane_a their_o penal_a law_n i.e._n corporal_a punishment_n or_o pecuniary_a mulct_n be_v very_o indirect_a and_o vain_a medium_n to_o enforce_v conscience_n and_o very_o sinful_o apply_v by_o magistrate_n or_o other_o for_o that_o end_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o worship_n §_o 10._o six_o that_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n have_v not_o the_o determination_n of_o cause_n meen_o ecelesiastical_a and_o these_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n either_o controvert_v doctrinal_n or_o cause_n disciplinary_a controvert_v for_o by_o cause_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v here_o thing_n under_o dispute_n and_o they_o controvert_v doctrinal_n or_o under_o debate_n and_o they_o controvert_v cause_n disciplinary_a and_o those_o ecclesiastical_a thing_n which_o be_v of_o this_o nature_n fall_v under_o one_o of_o these_o head_n doctrinal_a or_o disciplinary_a first_o in_o doctrinal_a cause_n controvert_v the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o appoint_v by_o christ_n as_o judge_n neither_o be_v he_o a_o competent_a judge_n 1._o if_o he_o be_v quatenus_fw-la a_o magistrate_n than_o every_o magistrate_n be_v a_o competent_a judge_n and_o then_o a_o heathen_a mahometan_n or_o heretical_a magistrate_n and_o than_o you_o will_v say_v the_o determination_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o sound_a and_o good_a 2._o again_o how_o few_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v study_v enough_o in_o polemical_a divinity_n be_v not_o breed_v to_o that_o learning_n or_o have_v so_o many_o recreation_n and_o secular_a concern_v to_o divert_v they_o from_o it_o so_o as_o to_o be_v fit_a to_o have_v the_o ultimate_a determination_n of_o the_o most_o difficult_a and_o weighty_a point_n that_o learned_a scholar_n in_o divinity_n yea_o such_o as_o be_v studious_a and_o conscientious_a christian_n after_o long_a study_n scrutiny_n and_o prayer_n can_v attain_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o so_o as_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n to_o the_o full_a and_o clear_a satisfaction_n of_o themselves_o or_o other_o be_v it_o fit_a to_o make_v a_o assembly_n of_o divine_n judge_n of_o a_o great_a and_o difficult_a case_n in_o law_n there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n for_o one_o as_o for_o the_o other_o 3._o what_o determination_n a_o magistrate_n make_v dogmatical_o it_o be_v simpliciter_fw-la but_o his_o private_a judgement_n and_o opinion_n though_o he_o be_v a_o public_a person_n and_o why_o shall_v any_o man_n private_a opinion_n be_v he_o what_o he_o will_v in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o bind_a rule_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o another_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n 4._o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o man_n can_v make_v a_o law_n to_o bind_v faith_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v not_o found_v on_o the_o light_n of_o understanding_n and_o where_o they_o be_v so_o found_v no_o man_n believe_v because_o of_o the_o law_n of_o man_n but_o because_o of_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n what_o law_n can_v make_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o two_o and_o three_o make_v six_o but_o if_o it_o be_v that_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o three_o and_o three_o make_v six_o we_o do_v believe_v it_o but_o not_o because_o of_o the_o penal_a law_n but_o because_o of_o the_o evidence_n the_o truth_n carry_v with_o it_o non_fw-la lex_fw-la penalis_fw-la sed_fw-la veritas_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la formalis_fw-la fidei_fw-la 5._o the_o faith_n of_o a_o christian_a or_o the_o understanding_n of_o a_o rational_a man_n can_v no_o more_o rest_n in_o the_o opinion_n or_o determination_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n without_o a_o sufficient_a light_n of_o truth_n to_o convince_v he_o than_o in_o the_o opinion_n and_o determination_n of_o another_o man_n for_o he_o that_o tender_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o love_v truth_n can_v receive_v that_o which_o he_o be_v convince_v of_o or_o at_o least_o suspect_v in_o his_o most_o serious_a judgement_n to_o be_v
will_v upon_o false_a supposition_n allow_v the_o popish_a constitution_n or_o something_o like_o it_o as_o for_o ecumenical_a council_n we_o see_v what_o insuperable_a difficulty_n have_v attend_v the_o call_n of_o they_o in_o all_o age_n the_o just_a ground_n of_o exception_n in_o many_o thing_n of_o the_o determination_n of_o doubtful_a case_n in_o doctrine_n and_o in_o almost_o all_o they_o have_v do_v in_o their_o pretence_n to_o a_o law-making_a power_n in_o matter_n of_o church-order_n and_o discipline_n we_o have_v not_o any_o ground_n to_o believe_v that_o christ_n have_v entrust_v any_o officer_n of_o his_o church_n with_o a_o catholic_n power_n since_o the_o aposte_n day_n and_o such_o as_o have_v pretend_v to_o it_o have_v always_o be_v oppose_v by_o the_o pure_a and_o most_o reform_a part_n of_o the_o church_n and_o whatever_o man_n attempt_n be_v or_o may_v be_v they_o will_v never_o find_v a_o catholic_n ecclesiastcal_n power_n here_o on_o earth_n without_o a_o new_a manifestation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n which_o can_v exercise_v such_o a_o power_n of_o change_a indifferency_n into_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n wherein_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o particular_a church_n and_o christian_n will_v or_o may_v rest_v satisfy_v to_o submit_v unto_o in_o active_a obedience_n it_o be_v as_o irrational_a to_o affirm_v that_o christ_n have_v commit_v such_o a_o power_n to_o particular_a church_n i._n e._n of_o make_v bind_a law_n sub_fw-la poenâ_fw-la for_o other_o church_n or_o for_o their_o own_o member_n or_o church_n subordinate_a to_o they_o not_o for_o other_o coordinate_a church_n will_v they_o say_v christ_n never_o give_v coordinate_a churehe_n a_o coercive_a power_n one_o over_o another_o for_o then_o all_o will_v aspire_v to_o rule_v and_o none_o be_v rule_v for_o the_o power_n will_v belong_v to_o one_o as_o well_o as_o another_o and_o if_o any_o say_v as_o the_o papist_n do_v that_o christ_n have_v advance_v one_o church_n in_o dignity_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o all_o the_o rest_n let_v they_o prove_v it_o to_o the_o conviction_n of_o any_o intelligent_a christian_a and_o they_o will_v do_v more_o than_o the_o papist_n have_v do_v ever_o since_o their_o pretence_n thereunto_o but_o it_o will_v be_v plead_v by_o the_o protestant_a party_n that_o christ_n have_v entrust_v every_o particular_a church_n with_o this_o power_n whereby_o it_o may_v determine_v of_o indifferent_a thing_n of_o her_o own_o practice_n to_o which_o we_o answer_v 1._o that_o christ_n have_v give_v no_o legislative_a power_n to_o any_o church_n 2._o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n to_o walk_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v deny_v to_o particular_a church_n than_o to_o particular_a christian_n but_o for_o all_o this_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n indifferency_n lose_v not_o their_o nature_n though_o they_o may_v be_v necessary_a pro_fw-la hic_fw-la or_o nunc_fw-la in_o these_o or_o those_o circumstance_n and_o be_v and_o must_v stand_v capable_a of_o daily_a alteration_n as_o the_o case_n shall_v require_v and_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v determine_v of_o this_o or_o that_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n as_o most_o expedient_a and_o so_o long_o as_o the_o reason_n thereof_o last_o it_o may_v be_v in_o some_o measure_n bind_v unto_o particular_a man_n conscience_n but_o the_o reason_n cease_v the_o continuance_n of_o the_o canon_n in_o force_n in_o foro_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la will_v bind_v no_o man_n conscience_n yea_o every_o one_o will_v complain_v of_o it_o as_o a_o needless_a imposition_n neither_o will_v any_o noble-minded_a christian_a be_v a_o servant_n to_o the_o will_n and_o humour_n of_o man_n or_o sell_v the_o birthright_n the_o liberty_n that_o christ_n have_v purchase_v for_o pin_n and_o point_n neither_o be_v it_o a_o sufficient_a rule_n for_o discretion_n to_o walk_v by_o because_o the_o church_n command_v and_o give_v no_o reason_n from_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n for_o it_o beside_o what_o church_n have_v this_o power_n commit_v to_o they_o a_o parish_n a_o diocese_n a_o province_n no_o it_o will_v not_o be_v grant_v of_o either_o of_o they_o the_o great_a assertor_n of_o this_o power_n will_v say_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o every_o national_a church_n to_o make_v law_n in_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n and_o so_o ordain_v their_o own_o ceremony_n this_o be_v a_o assertion_n that_o introduce_v a_o whole_a herd_n of_o absurdity_n with_o it_o for_o first_o what_o be_v the_o great_a end_n pretend_v of_o such_o law_n but_o the_o make_n of_o uniformity_n in_o the_o church_n what_o be_v more_o destructive_a to_o it_o than_o this_o that_o every_o particular_a church_n shall_v be_v independent_a and_o make_v law_n within_o themselves_o whereas_o one_o will_v ordain_v ceremony_n of_o one_o kind_n and_o another_o of_o another_o and_o there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o sort_n of_o ceremony_n as_o there_o be_v particular_a church_n be_v not_o this_o the_o great_a exception_n against_o the_o dissenter_n from_o prelatical_a church_n that_o the_o particular_a pastor_n of_o each_o congregation_n set_v up_o for_o themselves_o and_o exercise_v jurisdiction_n within_o themselves_o without_o dependence_n upon_o any_o superior_a power_n there_o be_v no_o avoid_v it_o upon_o this_o hypothesis_n but_o national_a church_n must_v be_v reckon_v independent_a church_n 2._o do_v christ_n commit_v any_o such_o power_n to_o any_o such_o church_n on_o earth_n 3._o again_o if_o national_a church_n may_v exert_v such_o a_o power_n than_o they_o may_v make_v bind_v law_n to_o all_o subordinate_a church_n viz._n provincial_a diocesan_n parochial_a and_o if_o so_o then_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o they_o be_v more_o comprehensive_a church_n include_v the_o less_o then_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o most_o comprehensive_a church_n viz._n the_o catholic_n shall_v give_v law_n to_o the_o national_a and_o for_o a_o great_a and_o more_o eminent_a end_n viz._n to_o promote_v a_o uniformity_n catholic_n for_o if_o a_o national_a uniformity_n be_v so_o splendid_a and_o so_o much_o conduce_v to_o the_o bene_fw-la esse_fw-la of_o the_o church_n than_o a_o catholic_n much_o more_o §_o 4._o argum._n 3._o to_o make_v a_o law_n contrary_n to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n be_v unlawful_a and_o sinful_a but_o for_o the_o church_n by_o a_o law_n to_o change_v indifferency_n into_o necessity_n be_v to_o make_v a_o law_n contrary_n to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n ergo._n the_o major_n be_v grant_v for_o these_o lawmaker_n say_v they_o do_v not_o by_o their_o law_n establish_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n for_o have_v he_o any_o where_o forbid_v such_o ceremony_n we_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o minor_n if_o all_o necessity_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n be_v make_v so_o by_o christ_n will_n reveal_v and_o all_o indifferency_n become_v such_o because_o they_o be_v not_o restrain_v under_o christ_n law_n then_o they_o be_v so_o because_o christ_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v so_o for_o a_o christian_n can_v take_v no_o measure_n of_o indifferency_n but_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n for_o he_o can_v know_v they_o but_o by_o know_v the_o law_n bind_v unto_o necessity_n by_o command_n or_o prohibition_n so_o that_o indifferency_n be_v make_v so_o by_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o necessity_n and_o the_o same_o law_n that_o make_v the_o one_o thing_n a_o necessity_n make_v another_o a_o indifferency_n and_o christ_n in_o his_o wisdom_n see_v it_o best_o for_o his_o gospel-church_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o and_o he_o that_o undertake_v to_o make_v these_o indifferent_a thing_n necessary_a enter_v upon_o a_o high_a presumption_n no_o less_o than_o the_o alter_v the_o moral_a nature_n of_o a_o thing_n constitute_v by_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o be_v this_o less_o than_o make_v law_n contrary_a to_o the_o say_a will_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v only_o necessary_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n which_o he_o have_v make_v so_o and_o that_o indifferent_a which_o he_o have_v leave_v so_o by_o his_o will_n a_o indifference_n in_o his_o worship_n be_v no_o other_o than_o something_o not_o necessary_a in_o his_o worship_n for_o there_o be_v no_o medium_n they_o be_v adversa_fw-la therefore_o he_o that_o will_v something_o to_o be_v necessary_a which_o christ_n will_v not_o necessary_a do_v will_n something_o contrary_n to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n by_o all_o rule_n of_o logic_n and_o right_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v answer_v that_o they_o do_v not_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o remain_v as_o it_o be_v but_o this_o or_o that_o determination_n for_o practice_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v when_o it_o be_v command_v as_o the_o father_n command_v a_o child_n to_o take_v up_o a_o pin_n it_o be_v a_o