Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	bind_v	law_n	sin_n	5,701	5	5.5852	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61568	The mischief of separation a sermon preached at Guild-Hall Chappel, May 11. MDCLXXX. being the first Sunday in Easter-term, before the Lord Mayor, &c. / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...	Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.	1680 (1680)	Wing S5604_VARIANT; ESTC R35206	32,588	67

and_o yet_o think_v themselves_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o do_v they_o i_o do_v not_o hence_o infer_v that_o the_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n be_v not_o to_o be_v regard_v because_o it_o may_v be_v abuse_v to_o so_o ill_a purpose_n for_o no_o man_n that_o have_v any_o conscience_n will_v speak_v against_o the_o power_n of_o it_o and_o he_o that_o declare_v against_o it_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v regard_v in_o what_o he_o say_v but_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v infer_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o the_o present_n dictate_v of_o their_o conscience_n for_o notwithstanding_o they_o they_o may_v commit_v very_o great_a sin_n i_o be_o afraid_a the_o common_a mistate_v the_o case_n of_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n have_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n to_o conscientious_a man_n and_o betray_v they_o into_o great_a security_n while_o they_o be_v assure_v they_o do_v act_n according_a to_o their_o conscience_n for_o the_o question_n be_v general_o put_v how_o far_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n do_v oblige_v and_o when_o man_n hear_v that_o they_o must_v not_o act_v against_o their_o conscience_n though_o they_o be_v mistake_v they_o think_v themselves_o safe_a enough_o and_o inquire_v no_o further_o but_o if_o they_o will_v consider_v that_o no_o man_n conscience_n alter_v the_o nature_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a in_o thing_n that_o what_o god_n have_v make_v a_o duty_n or_o a_o sin_n remain_v so_o whatever_o a_o man_n conscience_n do_v judge_n concern_v they_o that_o no_o man_n conscience_n can_v strict_o oblige_v he_o either_o to_o omit_v a_o duty_n or_o to_o commit_v a_o sin_n the_o utmost_a resolution_n of_o the_o case_n come_v to_o this_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v so_o perplex_v and_o entangle_v by_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n that_o he_o may_v be_v under_o a_o necessity_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o act_v either_o with_o or_o against_o it_o not_o that_o god_n ever_o put_v a_o man_n under_o the_o necessity_n of_o sin_v for_o then_o it_o will_v be_v no_o sin_n to_o he_o if_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a but_o that_o by_o their_o own_o neglect_n and_o carelessness_n without_o look_v after_o due_a information_n and_o run_v on_o with_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o the_o jew_n and_o i_o wish_v it_o be_v not_o of_o many_o christian_n they_o may_v make_v false_a and_o rash_a judgement_n of_o thing_n and_o so_o sin_n either_o in_o do_v or_o not_o do_v what_o their_o conscience_n tell_v they_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v the_o most_o material_a question_n then_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n be_v what_o error_n of_o conscience_n do_v excuse_v a_o man_n from_o sin_n in_o follow_v the_o dictate_v of_o it_o for_o if_o the_o error_n be_v whole_o involuntary_a i._n e._n if_o it_o be_v cause_v by_o invincible_a ignorance_n or_o after_o use_v the_o best_a mean_n for_o due_a information_n of_o his_o conscience_n though_o the_o act_n may_v be_v a_o fault_n in_o itself_o yet_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o as_o a_o sin_n because_o it_o want_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o mind_n by_o which_o the_o will_n be_v determine_v but_o if_o man_n fall_v into_o wilful_a error_n of_o conscience_n i._n e._n if_o they_o form_v their_o judgement_n rather_o by_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n and_o interest_n than_o from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o just_a rule_n of_o conscience_n if_o they_o do_v not_o examine_v thing_n fair_o on_o both_o side_n pray_v for_o divine_a direction_n if_o they_o have_v not_o patience_n to_o hear_v any_o thing_n against_o their_o opinion_n but_o run_v on_o blind_o and_o furious_o they_o may_v in_o so_o do_v act_n according_a to_o their_o conscience_n and_o yet_o they_o may_v be_v in_o as_o great_a danger_n of_o commit_v heinous_a sin_n as_o s._n paul_n and_o the_o jew_n be_v thus_o if_o man_n through_o the_o power_n of_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n may_v think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o make_v schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n to_o disobey_v law_n and_o to_o break_v in_o piece_n the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n which_o they_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o they_o may_v satisfy_v themselves_o that_o they_o pursue_v their_o conscience_n and_o yet_o for_o want_v of_o due_a care_n of_o inform_v themselves_o and_o judge_v aright_o those_o very_a action_n may_v be_v wilful_a and_o damnable_a sin_n nothing_o now_o remain_v but_o to_o make_v application_n of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o our_o own_o case_n and_o that_o shall_v be_v to_o two_o sort_n of_o person_n 1._o to_o those_o who_o continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n 2._o to_o those_o who_o dissent_v from_o it_o i._o to_o those_o who_o continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n let_v we_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n and_o mind_n the_o same_o thing_n let_v we_o study_v the_o unity_n and_o peace_n and_o thereby_o the_o honour_n and_o safety_n of_o it_o while_o we_o keep_v to_o one_o rule_n all_o people_n know_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v of_o our_o church_n if_o man_n set_v up_o their_o own_o fancy_n above_o the_o rule_n they_o charge_v it_o with_o imperfection_n if_o they_o do_v not_o obey_v the_o rule_n they_o make_v themselves_o wise_a than_o those_o that_o make_v it_o it_o have_v not_o be_v either_o the_o doctrine_n or_o rule_n of_o our_o church_n which_o have_v ever_o give_v advantage_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o it_o but_o the_o indiscretion_n of_o some_o in_o go_v beyond_o they_o and_o the_o inconstancy_n of_o other_o in_o not_o hold_v to_o they_o such_o be_v the_o purity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n such_o the_o loyalty_n of_o its_o principle_n such_o the_o wisdom_n and_o order_n and_o piety_n of_o its_o devotion_n that_o none_o who_o be_v true_a friend_n to_o any_o of_o these_o can_v be_v enemy_n to_o it_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n we_o do_v not_o give_v too_o much_o occasion_n to_o our_o enemy_n to_o think_v the_o worse_a of_o our_o church_n for_o our_o sake_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v that_o most_o quarrel_n relate_v to_o constitution_n and_o frame_v of_o government_n be_v more_o against_o person_n than_o thing_n when_o they_o be_v unsatisfy_v with_o their_o management_n than_o they_o blame_v the_o government_n but_o if_o themselves_o be_v in_o place_n or_o those_o they_o love_v and_o esteem_v than_o the_o government_n be_v a_o good_a thing_n if_o it_o be_v in_o good_a man_n hand_n thus_o do_v man_n judgement_n vary_v as_o their_o interest_n do_v and_o so_o as_o to_o church_n we_o find_v uniformity_n and_o order_n condemn_v as_o tyrannical_a till_o man_n come_v into_o power_n themselves_o and_o then_o the_o very_a same_o thing_n and_o argument_n be_v use_v and_o think_v very_o good_a and_o substantial_a which_o before_o be_v weak_a and_o sophistical_a those_o who_o speak_v now_o most_o against_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v ten_o substantial_a reason_n for_o it_o 9_o when_o they_o think_v the_o magistrate_n on_o their_o own_o side_n those_o who_o now_o plead_v for_o toleration_n do_v once_o think_v it_o the_o mother_n of_o confusion_n the_o nurse_n of_o atheism_n the_o inlet_n of_o popery_n the_o common_a sink_v of_o all_o error_n and_o heresy_n but_o if_o there_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v say_v against_o the_o church_n constitution_n than_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o lay_v load_n upon_o the_o person_n of_o the_o governor_n and_o member_n of_o it_o and_o thence_o pretend_v to_o a_o necessity_n of_o separation_n for_o a_o pure_a communion_n let_v we_o endeavour_v to_o remove_v this_o objection_n not_o by_o recrimination_n which_o be_v too_o easy_a in_o such_o case_n but_o by_o live_v suitable_o to_o our_o holy_a religion_n by_o reform_v our_o own_o life_n and_o redress_v what_o in_o we_o lie_v the_o scandal_n and_o disorder_n of_o other_o let_v we_o by_o the_o innocency_n and_o unblameableness_n of_o our_o life_n the_o life_n and_o constancy_n of_o our_o devotion_n the_o meekness_n and_o gentleness_n of_o our_o behaviour_n in_o our_o own_o cause_n our_o zeal_n and_o courage_n in_o god_n add_v a_o lustre_n to_o our_o religion_n and_o bring_v other_o to_o a_o love_n of_o our_o church_n ii_o to_o those_o who_o dissent_v from_o our_o communion_n whether_o they_o hear_v or_o whether_o they_o will_v forbear_v i_o can_v dismiss_v this_o subject_n without_o offer_v some_o thing_n to_o they_o 1._o by_o way_n of_o consideration_n 1679._o 2._o by_o way_n of_o advice_n 1._o i_o shall_v offer_v these_o thing_n to_o their_o consideration_n 1._o let_v they_o consider_v how_o many_o thing_n must_v be_v bear_v with_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n which_o can_v be_v expect_v in_o this_o world_n to_o be_v without_o spot_n or_o

honest_a and_o conscientious_a man_n let_v they_o tell_v the_o people_n plain_o that_o they_o look_v on_o our_o church_n as_o true_a church_n and_o that_o they_o may_v lawful_o communicate_v with_o we_o in_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n and_o i_o do_v not_o question_v but_o in_o time_n if_o they_o find_v it_o lawful_a they_o will_v judge_v it_o to_o be_v their_o duty_n for_o it_o be_v the_o apostle_n command_v here_o whereto_o we_o have_v already_o attain_v let_v we_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n let_v we_o mind_n the_o same_o thing_n 2._o if_o the_o bare_a dissatisfaction_n of_o man_n conscience_n do_v justify_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o separation_n and_o break_v a_o establish_a rule_n it_o be_v to_o little_a purpose_n to_o make_v any_o rule_n at_o all_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o make_v any_o which_o ignorant_a and_o injudicious_a man_n shall_v not_o apprehend_v to_o be_v in_o some_o thing_n or_o other_o against_o the_o dictate_v of_o their_o conscience_n but_o because_o what_o we_o say_v may_v not_o weigh_v so_o much_o with_o they_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o what_o be_v say_v on_o this_o occasion_n by_o their_o own_o brethren_n in_o the_o assembly_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o judgement_n in_o this_o matter_n the_o dissent_v brethren_n be_v not_o so_o much_o want_v to_o their_o cause_n as_o not_o to_o plead_v tenderness_n of_o conscience_n with_o as_o much_o advantage_n and_o earnestness_n as_o any_o man_n now_o can_v do_v it_o to_o which_o they_o answer_v 1._o that_o though_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n may_v justify_v non-communion_n in_o the_o thing_n scruple_v 61._o yet_o it_o can_v never_o justify_v separation_n we_o much_o doubt_n say_v they_o whether_o such_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n as_o arise_v out_o of_o a_o opinion_n cui_fw-la potest_fw-la subesse_fw-la falsum_fw-la which_o may_v be_v false_a when_o the_o conscience_n be_v so_o tender_a that_o it_o may_v be_v withal_o a_o err_a conscience_n can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o justify_v such_o a_o material_a separation_n as_o our_o brethren_n plead_v for_o for_o though_o it_o may_v bind_v to_o forbear_v or_o suspend_v the_o act_n of_o communion_n in_o that_o particular_a wherein_o man_n conceive_v they_o can_v hold_v communion_n without_o sin_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v contrary_a unto_o conscience_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o bind_v to_o follow_v such_o a_o positive_a prescript_n as_o possible_o may_v be_v divers_a from_o the_o will_n and_o counsel_n of_o god_n of_o which_o kind_n we_o conceive_v this_o of_o gather_v separate_v church_n out_o of_o other_o true_a church_n to_o be_v one_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v endless_a to_o hope_v to_o give_v satisfation_n to_o err_a conscience_n 66._o the_o ground_n say_v they_o upon_o which_o this_o separation_n be_v desire_v be_v such_o upon_o which_o all_o other_o possible_a scruple_n which_o err_v conscience_n may_v in_o any_o other_o case_n be_v subject_a unto_o may_v claim_v the_o privilege_n of_o a_o like_a indulgence_n and_o so_o this_o toleration_n be_v the_o first_o shall_v indeed_o but_o lie_v the_o foundation_n and_o open_v the_o gap_n whereat_o as_o many_o division_n in_o the_o church_n as_o there_o may_v be_v scruple_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n shall_v upon_o the_o self_n same_o equity_n be_v let_v in_o and_o again_o 68_o that_o this_o will_v make_v way_n for_o infinite_a division_n and_o sub-division_n and_o give_v countenance_n to_o a_o perpetual_a schism_n 73._o and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n 3._o that_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n be_v no_o protection_n against_o schism_n 68_o no_o cause_n of_o separate_a nor_o do_v it_o take_v off_o causeless_a separation_n from_o be_v schism_n 73._o which_o may_v arise_v from_o error_n of_o conscience_n as_o well_o as_o carnal_a and_o corrupt_a reason_n and_o therefore_o they_o conceive_v the_o cause_n of_o separation_n must_v be_v show_v to_o be_v such_o as_o ex_fw-la natura_fw-la rei_fw-la will_v bear_v it_o out_o 4._o that_o the_o apostle_n notwithstanding_o the_o difference_n of_o man_n judgement_n do_v prescribe_v rule_n of_o uniformity_n 111._o for_o say_v they_o they_o suppress_v the_o contention_n of_o man_n by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 11._o 16._o and_o ordain_v the_o same_o practice_n in_o all_o the_o church_n notwithstanding_o our_o brethren_n distinction_n of_o difference_n of_o light_n 1._o cor._n 7._o 17._o and_o do_v not_o the_o apostle_n bind_v the_o burden_n of_o some_o necessary_a thing_n on_o the_o church_n albeit_o there_o be_v in_o those_o church_n gradual_a difference_n of_o light_n 5._o that_o the_o apostle_n by_o this_o rule_n in_o the_o text_n 114._o do_v not_o intend_v to_o allow_v brethren_n who_o agree_v in_o all_o substantial_o of_o faith_n and_o worship_n to_o separate_v from_o one_o another_o in_o those_o very_a substantial_o wherein_o they_o agree_v be_v this_o say_v they_o to_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n and_o to_o mind_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o separate_v from_o church_n in_o those_o very_a thing_n wherein_o we_o agree_v with_o they_o 115._o we_o desire_v no_o more_o of_o they_o than_o we_o be_v confident_a be_v practise_v by_o the_o saint_n at_o philippi_n namely_o to_o hold_v practical_a communion_n in_o thing_n wherein_o they_o doctrinal_o agree_v 6._o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o tyranny_n over_o man_n conscience_n ibid._n and_o rule_n of_o uniformity_n for_o the_o dissent_v brethren_n charge_v the_o assembly_n with_o set_v up_o a_o uniformity_n for_o uniformity_n sake_n i._n e._n affect_v uniformity_n so_o much_o as_o not_o to_o regard_v man_n conscience_n and_o without_o respect_n have_v to_o the_o variety_n of_o light_n in_o matter_n of_o a_o lesser_a nature_n which_o say_v they_o will_v prove_v a_o perfect_a tyranny_n and_o it_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o stretch_v a_o low_a man_n to_o the_o same_o length_n with_o a_o tall_a or_o to_o cut_v a_o tall_a man_n to_o the_o stature_n of_o one_o that_o be_v low_a for_o uniformity_n sake_n to_o which_o the_o other_o answer_n that_o they_o do_v not_o desire_v uniformity_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o tyranny_n but_o only_o for_o order_n and_o order_n for_o edification_n but_o for_o aught_o they_o can_v perceive_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v one_o must_v be_v judge_v the_o foundation_n of_o tyranny_n which_o be_v their_o own_o word_n 116._o as_o to_o variety_n of_o light_n they_o desire_v their_o brethren_n to_o answer_v they_o in_o this_o one_o thing_n whether_o some_o must_v be_v deny_v liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o practice_n or_o none_o if_o none_o then_o say_v they_o we_o must_v renounce_v our_o covenant_n and_o let_v in_o prelacy_n again_o and_o all_o other_o way_n if_o a_o denial_n of_o liberty_n unto_o some_o may_v be_v just_a than_o uniformity_n may_v be_v settle_v notwithstanding_o variety_n of_o light_n 117._o without_o any_o tyranny_n at_o all_o as_o to_o their_o similitude_n they_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v pretty_a and_o plausible_a but_o such_o argument_n be_v popular_a and_o inartificial_a have_v more_o of_o flourish_n than_o substance_n in_o they_o for_o do_v not_o they_o endeavour_v to_o raise_v low_a church_n to_o a_o great_a height_n will_v they_o permit_v other_o church-government_n if_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n because_o man_n must_v not_o for_o uniformity_n sake_n be_v pare_v or_o stretch_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o other_o man_n will_v they_o endure_v the_o low_a sucker_n at_o the_o root_n of_o their_o tree_n to_o grow_v till_o they_o have_v kill_v the_o tree_n itself_o ad_fw-la populum_fw-la phaleras_fw-la from_o whence_o we_o see_v the_o church_n of_o england_n endeavour_n after_o uniformity_n be_v acquit_v from_o tyranny_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n for_o such_o we_o do_v not_o question_v they_o choose_v to_o manage_v this_o debate_n upon_o which_o the_o turn_n of_o their_o whole_a affair_n depend_v 3._o a_o wilful_a error_n or_o mistake_n of_o conscience_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n excuse_v from_o sin_n thus_o if_o a_o man_n think_v himself_o bind_v to_o divide_v the_o church_n by_o a_o sinful_a separation_n that_o separation_n be_v nevertheless_o a_o sin_n for_o his_o think_a himself_o bind_v to_o do_v it_o 9_o for_o s._n paul_n think_v himself_o bind_v to_o do_v many_o thing_n against_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n yet_o he_o call_v himself_o a_o blasphemer_n and_o the_o great_a of_o sinner_n 15._o for_o what_o he_o do_v under_o that_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n 2._o the_o jew_n think_v themselves_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o do_v god_n service_n but_o it_o be_v a_o horrible_a mistake_n when_o they_o take_v kill_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v any_o part_n of_o it_o from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o man_n may_v do_v very_o bad_a thing_n

sinful_a separation_n for_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n urge_v their_o dissent_v brethren_n to_o comply_v with_o their_o rule_n of_o church-government_n and_o charge_v they_o with_o schism_n if_o they_o do_v it_o not_o whereas_o they_o only_o desire_v to_o enjoy_v such_o liberty_n as_o to_o their_o separate_a congregation_n as_o be_v now_o plead_v for_o by_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n 21._o this_o say_v they_o will_v give_v countenance_n to_o a_o perpetual_a schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n still_o draw_v away_o some_o from_o the_o church_n under_o the_o rule_n which_o also_o will_v breed_v irritation_n between_o the_o party_n and_o will_v introduce_v all_o manner_n of_o confusion_n and_o they_o think_v it_o a_o very_a unreasonable_a thing_n for_o they_o to_o desire_v distinct_a and_o separate_a congregation_n as_o to_o those_o part_n of_o worship_n where_o they_o can_v join_v in_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o they_o think_v no_o person_n be_v to_o be_v indulge_v as_o to_o any_o error_n or_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n 22._o but_o with_o this_o proviso_n that_o in_o all_o other_o part_n of_o worship_n they_o join_v with_o the_o congregation_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o be_v under_o the_o government_n to_o be_v establish_v to_o this_o the_o dissent_v brethren_n answer_v 25._o that_o such_o a_o variation_n or_o forbearance_n can_v neither_o be_v a_o schism_n nor_o endanger_v it_o and_o that_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o schism_n have_v be_v a_o strict_a obligation_n of_o all_o to_o uniformity_n that_o as_o long_o as_o in_o their_o separate_a congregation_n they_o do_v practice_v most_o of_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o the_o most_o substantial_a in_o their_o rule_n it_o can_v not_o be_v call_v a_o total_a separation_n especial_o consider_v that_o they_o profess_v their_o church_n to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o that_o they_o have_v occasional_a communion_n with_o they_o 30._o which_o be_v the_o very_a same_o plea_n make_v use_v of_o at_o this_o day_n among_o we_o to_o which_o the_o assembly_n party_n smart_o reply_v that_o since_o they_o acknowledge_v their_o church_n to_o be_v so_o true_a 47._o that_o they_o can_v occasional_o join_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n they_o conceive_v they_o be_v bind_v to_o act_v with_o they_o in_o joint_a communion_n by_o one_o common_a rule_n and_o not_o by_o different_a rule_n and_o in_o separate_a congregation_n 55._o and_o they_o add_v that_o to_o leave_v all_o ordinary_a communion_n in_o any_o church_n with_o dislike_n when_o opposition_n or_o offence_n offer_v itself_o be_v to_o separate_v from_o such_o a_o church_n in_o the_o scripture_n sense_n such_o separation_n be_v not_o in_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n unless_o it_o be_v use_v by_o false_a teacher_n all_o who_o profess_v christianity_n hold_v communion_n together_o as_o in_o one_o church_n notwithstanding_o difference_n of_o judgement_n 56._o or_o corruption_n in_o practice_n and_o that_o if_o they_o can_v hold_v occasional_a communion_n without_o sin_n they_o know_v no_o reason_n why_o it_o may_v not_o be_v ordinary_a without_o sin_n too_o and_o then_o separation_n will_v be_v needless_a to_o which_o they_o subjoin_v these_o remarkable_a word_n which_o i_o hearty_o wish_v our_o brethren_n at_o this_o day_n will_v think_v serious_o upon_o to_o separate_v from_o those_o church_n ordinary_o and_o visible_o with_o who_o occasional_o you_o may_v join_v without_o sin_n seemth_v to_o be_v a_o most_o unjust_a separation_n so_o that_o whatever_o false_a colour_n and_o pretence_n some_o man_n make_v use_v of_o to_o justify_v their_o present_a practice_n if_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o brethren_n may_v be_v take_v upon_o the_o most_o weighty_a debate_n and_o most_o serious_a deliberation_n it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o plain_a and_o downright_a separation_n and_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v i_o never_o see_v any_o cause_n more_o weak_o defend_v no_o not_o that_o of_o polygamy_n and_o anabaptism_n than_o that_o of_o those_o who_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v lawful_a to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o we_o and_o yet_o go_v about_o to_o vindicate_v the_o separate_a meeting_n among_o we_o from_o the_o guilt_n of_o a_o sinful_a separation_n for_o although_o they_o allow_v our_o church_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o communicate_v with_o they_o which_o be_v the_o most_o plausible_a plea_n they_o have_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o extenuate_v that_o it_o do_v aggravate_v the_o fault_n for_o as_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o assembly_n say_v though_o they_o do_v not_o pronounce_v a_o affirmative_a judgement_n against_o we_o 71._o yet_o the_o very_a separate_n be_v a_o tacit_n and_o practical_a condemn_v of_o our_o church_n if_o not_o as_o false_a yet_o as_o impure_a but_o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v as_o to_o other_o plea_n for_o their_o present_a practice_n my_o text_n seem_v to_o afford_v the_o strong_a of_o all_o viz._n that_o man_n be_v to_o be_v press_v to_o go_v no_o far_o than_o they_o have_v already_o attain_v and_o not_o to_o be_v strain_v up_o to_o a_o uniformity_n beyond_o the_o dictate_v of_o their_o conscience_n but_o to_o be_v let_v alone_o as_o the_o apostle_n direct_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n if_o any_o one_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v he_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o god_n and_o that_o manifestation_n of_o his_o will_n which_o he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o give_v he_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o will_v give_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n viz._n 2._o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v if_o man_n can_v come_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n prescribe_v to_o this_o therefore_o i_o answer_v in_o these_o particular_n 1._o this_o can_v never_o justify_v man_n in_o not_o do_v what_o they_o lawful_o may_v do_v for_o this_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n make_v communion_n necessary_a as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o that_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o general_a obligation_n lie_v upon_o all_o christian_n to_o do_v what_o in_o they_o lie_v for_o preservation_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o as_o far_o as_o you_o have_v attain_v walk_n by_o the_o same_o rule_n do_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o word_n say_v cajetan_n the_o apostle_n subjoin_v to_o the_o former_a leave_v the_o person_n he_o there_o speak_v to_o shall_v think_v themselves_o excuse_v from_o go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v as_o to_o the_o same_o rule_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o man_n be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v and_o i_o can_v see_v how_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o that_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n which_o our_o brethren_n pretend_v to_o for_o so_o many_o of_o they_o to_o live_v so_o many_o year_n in_o a_o neglect_n of_o that_o communion_n with_o our_o church_n which_o themselves_o judge_v to_o be_v lawful_a i_o dare_v say_v if_o most_o of_o the_o preacher_n at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o separate_a meeting_n be_v sober_o ask_v their_o judgement_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o people_n to_o join_v with_o we_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n they_o will_v not_o deny_v it_o and_o yet_o the_o people_n that_o frequent_v they_o general_o judge_v otherwise_o for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o faction_n among_o they_o shall_v so_o common_o prevail_v beyond_o interest_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o think_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o law_n they_o will_v do_v it_o but_o why_o then_o be_v this_o keep_v up_o as_o such_o a_o mighty_a secret_a in_o the_o breast_n of_o their_o teacher_n why_o do_v they_o not_o preach_v it_o to_o they_o in_o their_o congregation_n be_v it_o for_o fear_n they_o shall_v have_v none_o leave_v to_o preach_v to_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v of_o mortify_a and_o conscientious_a man_n be_v it_o lest_o they_o shall_v seem_v to_o condemn_v themselves_o while_o they_o preach_v against_o separation_n in_o a_o separate_a congregation_n this_o i_o confess_v look_v odd_o and_o the_o tenderness_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n in_o such_o a_o case_n may_v out_o of_o mere_a shamefacedness_n keep_v he_o from_o declare_v a_o truth_n which_o fly_v in_o his_o face_n while_o he_o speak_v it_o be_v it_o that_o they_o fear_v the_o reproach_n of_o the_o people_n which_o some_o few_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a person_n among_o they_o have_v find_v they_o must_v undergo_v if_o they_o touch_v upon_o this_o subject_a for_o i_o know_v not_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o most_o godly_a people_n among_o they_o can_v the_o least_o endure_v to_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o fault_n but_o be_v it_o not_o as_o plain_o write_v by_o s._n paul_n 10._o if_o i_o yet_o please_v man_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o christ_n as_o woe_n be_v unto_o i_o if_o i_o preach_v not_o the_o gospel_n if_o they_o therefore_o will_v acquit_v themselves_o like_o