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and_o in_o another_o place_n you_o tell_v i_o that_o this_o doctrine_n will_v have_v do_v special_a service_n in_o queen_n mary_n day_n and_o will_v bear_v a_o man_n charge_n through_o all_o the_o turk_n dominion_n sir_n in_o what_o country_n or_o under_o what_o governor_n soever_o we_o shall_v happen_v to_o live_v we_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o obey_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o it_o in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n for_o power_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n extend_v to_o all_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v not_o countermand_v by_o god_n himself_o but_o if_o they_o command_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v unlawful_a or_o forbid_a we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o yield_v obedience_n yea_o we_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o yield_v it_o because_o we_o be_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n when_o their_o command_n happen_v to_o clash_v or_o interfere_v but_o then_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v plain_o and_o evident_o forbid_v by_o some_o express_a law_n of_o god_n before_o we_o can_v 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to_o take_v off_o obedience_n to_o law_n and_o be_v by_o too_o many_o think_v a_o good_a dispensation_n from_o it_o i_o promise_v to_o give_v some_o further_a account_n of_o it_o to_o which_o end_n i_o must_v inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o rule_n of_o conscience_n and_o show_v when_o it_o be_v a_o good_a rule_n to_o guide_v our_o action_n and_o when_o not_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v add_v some_o thing_n touch_v a_o erroneous_a doubt_v and_o scrupulous_a conscience_n one_a and_o first_o for_o the_o nature_n of_o conscience_n it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o man_n mind_n or_o judgement_n concern_v the_o good_a or_o evil_a the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o thing_n and_o according_a as_o the_o mind_n be_v well_o or_o ill_o instruct_v or_o persuade_v of_o they_o so_o it_o be_v either_o a_o good_a or_o bad_a conscience_n now_o the_o rule_n of_o conscience_n be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n make_v know_v either_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o plain_a scripture_n or_o 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preceptive_a part_n of_o law_n and_o have_v a_o eye_n only_o or_o chief_o to_o the_o coercive_a part_n by_o which_o mean_n if_o you_o be_v not_o at_o any_o time_n subject_n it_o be_v mere_o for_o wrath_n and_o not_o for_o conscience_n sake_n again_o three_o this_o have_v lead_v you_o into_o a_o far_a mistake_n and_o make_v you_o take_v the_o suspending_a the_o penalty_n for_o the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o law_n for_o you_o imagine_v that_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n and_o all_o the_o law_n against_o conventicle_n to_o have_v lose_v their_o force_n from_o your_o be_v exempt_v from_o the_o penalty_n of_o they_o which_o show_v that_o you_o place_v the_o obligation_n of_o law_n not_o in_o the_o matter_n or_o thing_n enjoin_v by_o they_o but_o whole_o and_o sole_o in_o the_o penalty_n annex_v to_o they_o so_o that_o when_o these_o be_v take_v off_o the_o other_o of_o course_n be_v go_v with_o they_o yea_o 4thly_a you_o have_v a_o wild_a conceit_n than_o all_o this_o for_o you_o imagine_v 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the_o person_n and_o purse_n of_o dissenter_n which_o be_v thereby_o exempt_v from_o the_o temporal_a fine_n and_o penalty_n annex_v to_o the_o breach_n of_o some_o law_n which_o be_v all_o that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n can_v do_v but_o may_v not_o be_v extend_v to_o the_o take_v off_o the_o gild_n or_o obligation_n to_o eternal_a punishment_n which_o none_o but_o god_n the_o sole_a lawgiver_n and_o judge_n of_o conscience_n have_v power_n to_o remove_v now_o schism_n which_o be_v a_o breach_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n can_v have_v its_o gild_n or_o obligation_n to_o eternal_a punishment_n take_v off_o by_o suspend_v the_o temporal_a penalty_n much_o less_o can_v it_o become_v lawful_a or_o make_v harmless_a by_o humane_a law_n i_o hope_v you_o do_v not_o think_v that_o impunity_n can_v void_a the_o obligation_n of_o divine_a law_n or_o that_o a_o thing_n cease_v to_o be_v a_o sin_n because_o it_o cease_v to_o be_v punish_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o then_o theft_n adultery_n and_o murder_n will_v be_v no_o crime_n if_o the_o punishment_n of_o they_o be_v at_o any_o time_n forbear_v and_o suspend_v and_o if_o sentence_n against_o a_o evil_a work_n be_v not_o execute_v present_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o child_n of_o man_n may_v be_v safe_o set_v in_o they_o to_o do_v evil_a eccles_n viij_o 11._o but_o how_o come_v they_o to_o plead_v for_o toleration_n now_o who_o not_o long_o since_o thought_n and_o style_v it_o intolerable_a be_v that_o which_o be_v then_o the_o mother_n of_o confusion_n the_o nurse_n of_o schism_n eccl._n jus._n diu._n reg._n eccl._n and_o the_o stepmother_n of_o edification_n as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o call_v it_o become_v of_o a_o sudden_a the_o parent_n of_o all_o true_a religion_n and_o virtue_n no_o certain_o the_o matter_n be_v that_o it_o be_v other_o man_n case_n then_o and_o it_o be_v their_o own_o now_o and_o that_o make_v a_o mighty_a alteration_n be_v you_o not_o ashamed_a of_o such_o gross_a partiality_n which_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o forehead_n of_o brass_n to_o blush_v i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o letter_n with_o the_o word_n of_o your_o belove_a john_n calvin_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o a_o true_a church_n 10._o instit_fw-la l._n 4._o cap._n 1._o sect._n 10._o where_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v true_o preach_v and_o the_o sacrament_n due_o administer_v none_o may_v presume_v to_o despise_v the_o authority_n or_o resist_v the_o admonition_n or_o refuse_v the_o counsel_n or_o slight_v the_o correction_n of_o it_o much_o less_o to_o withdraw_v from_o it_o and_o break_v its_o unity_n and_o go_v unpunished_a add_v that_o god_n so_o high_o
governor_n certain_o such_o little_a scruple_n ought_v not_o to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o they_o but_o the_o 14_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n say_v you_o if_o well_o mind_v will_v put_v a_o end_n to_o these_o difference_n and_o indeed_o so_o it_o will_v if_o it_o be_v well_o understand_v and_o observe_v for_o the_o thing_n discourse_v of_o in_o that_o chapter_n be_v thing_n not_o only_o indifferent_a in_o their_o nature_n but_o leave_v so_o as_o to_o their_o use_n as_o the_o eat_n of_o herb_n and_o sundry_a sort_n of_o meat_n the_o observe_v of_o day_n and_o the_o like_a in_o which_o every_o one_o have_v their_o liberty_n no_o superior_a power_n have_v interpose_v either_o to_o command_v or_o forbid_v they_o in_o which_o case_n they_o sin_v not_o in_o use_v or_o austain_v from_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n will_v they_o not_o to_o censure_v or_o condemn_v one_o another_o for_o use_v this_o liberty_n either_o way_n but_o the_o case_n with_o we_o be_v very_o different_a for_o though_o the_o thing_n be_v indifferent_a in_o themselves_o and_o leave_v so_o as_o to_o our_o judgement_n about_o they_o yet_o our_o practice_n be_v determine_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o superior_n which_o be_v to_o sway_v and_o over-rule_v in_o these_o matter_n there_o be_v indeed_o many_o thing_n leave_v arbitrary_a and_o indifferent_a to_o we_o about_o which_o man_n may_v and_o do_v entertain_v some_o scruple_n as_o play_v at_o card_n and_o die_n lend_v upon_o usury_n and_o the_o like_a which_o be_v under_o no_o command_n man_n may_v do_v in_o they_o as_o they_o think_v most_o convenient_a here_o the_o case_n be_v parallel_n with_o we_o and_o the_o roman_n and_o all_o the_o apostle_n direction_n about_o the_o one_o may_v well_o enough_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o other_o but_o as_o for_o form_n of_o prayer_n kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o like_a these_o be_v command_v by_o our_o superior_n for_o the_o decency_n and_o order_n of_o public_a worship_n it_o become_v our_o duty_n to_o observe_v they_o and_o our_o sin_n to_o neglect_v or_o act_v contrary_a to_o they_o and_o thus_o have_v i_o hope_v give_v you_o some_o satisfaction_n as_o to_o the_o plea_n of_o conscience_n and_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n i_o shall_v next_o consider_v your_o notion_n of_o moderation_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o m._n h._n sept._n 28_o 1697._o letter_n ix_o sir_n we_o have_v see_v that_o neither_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n or_o plea_n of_o conscience_n can_v null_a the_o obligation_n or_o dispense_v with_o our_o obedience_n to_o the_o wholesome_a law_n either_o of_o church_n or_o state_n let_v we_o see_v then_o what_o your_o notion_n of_o moderation_n can_v do_v towards_o it_o whether_o that_o will_v not_o take_v off_o some_o part_n of_o they_o or_o allow_v we_o to_o observe_v only_o so_o much_o of_o they_o as_o we_o think_v fit_a for_o it_o be_v not_o for_o nothing_o that_o you_o so_o frequent_o cry_v up_o moderation_n which_o be_v a_o plausible_a term_n for_o some_o abatement_n you_o talk_v much_o of_o a_o due_a temper_n towards_o dissenter_n by_o which_o you_o mean_v no_o doubt_n the_o indulge_v they_o in_o their_o schism_n and_o division_n and_o to_o draw_v in_o some_o churchman_n of_o your_o side_n you_o often_o commend_v such_o as_o fail_v and_o falter_v in_o their_o duty_n for_o moderate_a men._n now_o because_o the_o apostle_n will_v 4.5_o phil._n 4.5_o that_o our_o moderation_n shall_v be_v know_v unto_o all_o man_n it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o true_a notion_n of_o that_o virtue_n that_o we_o may_v right_o know_v ourselves_o what_o we_o be_v to_o make_v know_v unto_o other_o to_o this_o end_n we_o must_v note_n first_o that_o moderation_n be_v sometime_o take_v for_o the_o moderate_a use_n of_o god_n creature_n or_o keep_v the_o mean_a in_o eat_v or_o drink_v in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o temperance_n and_o sobriety_n which_o help_v to_o regulate_v our_o appetite_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o necessary_a action_n and_o refreshment_n of_o humane_a life_n but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o excellent_a and_o useful_a virtue_n yet_o it_o fall_v not_o under_o our_o present_a consideration_n second_o moderation_n be_v sometime_o take_v for_o the_o well-governing_a our_o passion_n and_o affection_n keep_v they_o within_o their_o due_a bound_n and_o not_o suffer_v they_o to_o run_v into_o inordinacy_n or_o excess_n in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o meekness_n or_o gentleness_n which_o teach_v man_n to_o moderate_v their_o anger_n and_o regulate_v all_o other_o passion_n by_o fix_v they_o upon_o right_a object_n and_o keep_v they_o within_o their_o due_a measure_n and_o proportion_n this_o likewise_o be_v a_o excellent_a virtue_n and_o high_o conduce_v both_o to_o the_o public_a and_o private_a peace_n three_o moderation_n be_v sometime_o take_v for_o the_o mild-interpreting_a and_o execute_v of_o law_n construe_v they_o in_o the_o more_o favourable_a sense_n and_o abate_v the_o rigour_n and_o severity_n of_o they_o injuria_fw-la summum_fw-la jus_o summa_fw-la injuria_fw-la which_o in_o many_o case_n will_v be_v great_a injury_n and_o oppression_n in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o equity_n which_o take_v off_o the_o edge_n and_o extremity_n of_o law_n and_o give_v all_o those_o allowance_n which_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o reason_n and_o intention_n of_o they_o this_o too_o be_v a_o great_a virtue_n and_o necessary_a to_o the_o welfare_n and_o good_a government_n of_o all_o society_n these_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_o approve_a sense_n of_o moderation_n but_o beside_o these_o some_o have_v late_o start_v a_o new_a and_o wild_a notion_n of_o it_o that_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o church_n till_o the_o rise_v of_o our_o unhappy_a schism_n and_o dissension_n since_o which_o some_o have_v take_v moderation_n for_o a_o pare_n off_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o conformity_n to_o the_o church_n and_o comply_v too_o far_o with_o the_o dissenter_n from_o it_o thus_o he_o that_o prevaricate_v and_o perform_v his_o duty_n by_o half_n by_o curtail_v and_o cut_v short_a the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n mangle_v and_o leave_v out_o what_o part_n he_o please_v of_o they_o in_o the_o public_a ministration_n he_o that_o baptize_v without_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o many_o time_n neglect_v the_o decent_a habit_n and_o gesture_n appoint_v to_o be_v use_v in_o divine_a service_n such_o a_o one_o be_v style_v and_o frequent_o pass_v for_o a_o moderate_a man_n and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o darling_n of_o the_o dissenter_n for_o we_o shall_v hear_v they_o commend_v their_o moderation_n upon_o all_o occasion_n the_o plain_a reason_n whereof_o be_v because_o they_o do_v just_a as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o that_o be_v by_o neglect_v some_o part_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o the_o church_n they_o give_v they_o some_o countenance_n in_o reject_v all_o yea_o they_o take_v these_o half_a conformist_n to_o be_v inward_a approver_n of_o their_o way_n they_o think_v and_o say_v that_o their_o heart_n be_v with_o they_o and_o will_v glad_o come_v to_o they_o be_v it_o not_o for_o some_o advantage_n and_o preferment_n in_o the_o church_n that_o keep_v they_o from_o '_o they_o now_o this_o beside_o the_o hollowness_n and_o hypocrisy_n of_o the_o conformity_n be_v a_o most_o dangerous_a piece_n of_o moderation_n for_o it_o harden_v dissenter_n in_o their_o schism_n betray_v the_o church_n and_o lay_v it_o open_a to_o the_o assault_n and_o evil_a design_n of_o its_o great_a enemy_n again_o he_o that_o conform_v to_o the_o dissenter_n in_o long_a pulpit-prayer_n before_o sermon_n hasty_o run_v over_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n to_o make_v more_o room_n for_o his_o long-winded_a conception_n he_o go_v for_o a_o moderate_a man_n and_o many_o such_o you_o tell_v i_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n with_o who_o you_o have_v some_o acquaintance_n and_o for_o who_o you_o have_v no_o small_a honour_n sir_n i_o hope_v the_o number_n of_o those_o man_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o you_o imagine_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o church_n give_v they_o no_o leave_n or_o encouragement_n for_o any_o such_o practice_n for_o this_o will_v we_o in_o our_o pulpit-prayer_n to_o use_v either_o those_o concise_a word_n mention_v in_o the_o canon_n or_o some_o short_a form_n of_o our_o own_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n and_o the_o ancient_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v according_a to_o it_o for_o we_o find_v the_o father_n before_o their_o sermon_n have_v only_o some_o vota_fw-la pacis_fw-la or_o benediction_n of_o the_o people_n or_o some_o short_a ejaculation_n implore_v the_o divine_a assistance_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o homily_n of_o st._n chrysostom_n st._n ambrose_n st._n
i_o hope_v the_o sequel_n of_o this_o letter_n will_v plain_o discover_v but_o first_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o before_o the_o make_n of_o that_o act_n your_o conventicle_n be_v as_o frequent_v and_o with_o as_o little_a regret_n as_o they_o have_v be_v since_o and_o i_o find_v you_o declare_v in_o your_o letter_n of_o june_n the_o 30_o that_o though_o you_o have_v a_o law_n permit_v and_o allow_v your_o preach_a yet_o you_o still_o count_v it_o your_o duty_n before_o and_o your_o practice_n be_v according_o so_o that_o whatever_o claim_v you_o make_v to_o a_o law_n it_o be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o mere_a pretence_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o you_o matter_n not_o the_o law_n but_o will_v do_v as_o you_o think_v fit_a as_o well_o without_o as_o with_o it_o however_o since_o you_o have_v it_o you_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o and_o though_o the_o title_n of_o it_o show_v it_o only_o to_o be_v a_o exemption_n from_o some_o penalty_n yet_o you_o 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to_o it_o one_a and_o first_o in_o all_o law_n two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v viz._n a_o precept_n require_v some_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v or_o leave_v undo_v and_o a_o penalty_n to_o be_v inflict_v upon_o the_o do_n or_o not_o do_v of_o it_o in_o the_o first_o of_o these_o consist_v the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o a_o law_n which_o lie_v in_o command_a something_o to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v and_o this_o be_v to_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o govern_v the_o action_n and_o oblige_v the_o conscience_n of_o such_o as_o be_v subject_v to_o the_o high_a power_n whereas_o the_o latter_a be_v only_o a_o circumstance_n add_v to_o it_o to_o make_v it_o observe_v by_o which_o it_o appear_v two_o that_o the_o penalty_n appertain_v not_o to_o the_o be_v or_o essence_n of_o a_o law_n but_o be_v mere_o a_o accidental_a adjunct_n or_o appendix_n annex_v to_o it_o to_o enforce_v obedience_n be_v all_o man_n lead_v as_o they_o shall_v be_v by_o principle_n of_o conscience_n there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n or_o use_v of_o penalty_n but_o because_o too_o many_o through_o the_o pravity_n of_o their_o nature_n lose_v the_o sense_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o be_v lead_v by_o humour_n interest_n and_o corrupt_a design_n away_o from_o it_o punishment_n become_v necessary_a to_o reduce_v they_o to_o it_o furthermore_o you_o must_v note_v three_o that_o the_o main_a reason_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o law_n be_v found_v on_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n sufficient_o make_v know_v for_o he_o have_v a_o commission_n and_o authority_n from_o god_n to_o command_v in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n we_o be_v therefore_o bind_v in_o duty_n and_o conscience_n to_o obey_v he_o therein_o as_o god_n minister_n so_o that_o whensoever_o he_o due_o declare_v and_o publish_v his_o mind_n then_o do_v the_o obligation_n commence_v and_o cease_v not_o till_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o countermand_v and_o recall_v it_o four_o we_o must_v observe_v a_o double_a principle_n or_o motive_n of_o obedience_n the_o one_o for_o wrath_n or_o fear_n of_o punishment_n the_o other_o for_o conscience_n sake_n now_o our_o obedience_n to_o law_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n direction_n to_o be_v ground_v on_o both_o but_o chief_o on_o the_o latter_a for_o he_o will_v all_o christian_n to_o be_v subject_a not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n so_o that_o if_o the_o fear_n of_o wrath_n or_o the_o displeasure_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v go_v by_o remove_v of_o the_o penalty_n there_o remain_v another_o and_o strong_a tie_n to_o our_o duty_n even_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n which_o must_v hold_v we_o to_o it_o while_o the_o preceptive_a part_n of_o the_o law_n remain_v though_o the_o coercive_a cease_v now_o from_o these_o proposition_n due_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n will_v necessary_o follow_v one_a that_o while_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v to_o continue_v a_o law_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v till_o the_o preceptive_a part_n of_o it_o wherein_o it_o main_o consist_v be_v repeal_v so_o long_a the_o law_n continue_v in_o force_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o it_o remain_v two_o that_o the_o bare_a suspension_n of_o the_o penalty_n be_v no_o repeal_n of_o a_o law_n for_o while_o the_o preceptive_a part_n which_o be_v the_o essence_n of_o the_o law_n remain_v it_o still_o keep_v its_o force_n and_o our_o obedience_n to_o it_o be_v not_o supersede_v by_o the_o cease_n of_o the_o punishment_n in_o short_a then_o see_v the_o thing_n command_v in_o those_o law_n that_o require_v conformity_n to_o the_o church_n continue_v still_o unrepeal_v and_o nothing_o take_v off_o but_o the_o punishment_n which_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o essence_n of_o they_o it_o evident_o follow_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o they_o remain_v and_o that_o the_o subject_n be_v still_o bind_v to_o do_v what_o be_v still_o require_v by_o they_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v the_o want_n of_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o these_o 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he_o that_o make_v this_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o his_o action_n be_v no_o better_a observer_n of_o law_n than_o the_o thief_n or_o the_o traitor_n who_o be_v hang_v for_o the_o breach_n of_o they_o again_o two_o as_o you_o former_o mistake_v the_o suffer_v the_o penalty_n for_o keep_v of_o the_o law_n so_o now_o you_o be_v fall_v into_o the_o quite_o contrary_a mistake_n and_o take_v the_o not-suffering_a the_o penalty_n for_o the_o keep_n of_o it_o for_o you_o imagine_v the_o late_a act_n exempt_n you_o from_o the_o punishment_n of_o some_o law_n have_v free_v you_o from_o any_o far_a duty_n or_o obligation_n to_o they_o these_o error_n you_o unaware_o run_v into_o mere_o by_o over_o look_v the_o principal_a and_o