a_o vessel_n that_o be_v full_a of_o new_a liquor_n upon_o the_o least_o vent_v give_v work_v over_o into_o foam_n and_o froth_n so_o true_o our_o heart_n almost_o upon_o every_o slight_a &_o trivial_a temptation_n make_v that_o inbred_a corruption_n that_o lodge_v there_o swell_v and_o boil_v and_o run_v over_o into_o abundance_n of_o scum_n and_o filth_n in_o our_o life_n and_o conversation_n have_v we_o not_o great_a cause_n therefore_o to_o be_v jealous_a and_o suspicious_a of_o ourselves_o and_o to_o keep_v a_o watchful_a eye_n over_o all_o the_o motion_n of_o those_o bosom-traitor_n our_o own_o heart_n he_o that_o trust_v to_o his_o own_o heart_n say_v solomon_n be_v a_o fool_n prov._n 28.25_o certain_o it_o be_v the_o great_a folly_n in_o the_o world_n to_o trust_v our_o heart_n after_o so_o frequent_a experience_n of_o their_o treachery_n and_o slipperiness_n venture_v they_o not_o therefore_o upon_o temptation_n what_o security_n have_v you_o that_o your_o sinful_a heart_n will_v not_o sin_n yea_o and_o it_o may_v be_v betray_v you_o into_o such_o great_a abomination_n as_o you_o can_v now_o think_v of_o without_o horror_n as_o man_n presume_v upon_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o pardon_v their_o lesser_a sin_n so_o they_o presume_v also_o upon_o their_o own_o strength_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o great_a sin_n they_o say_v of_o small_a sin_n be_v it_o not_o a_o little_a one_o and_o our_o soul_n shall_v live_v and_o they_o say_v of_o great_a sin_n be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a one_o and_o our_o soul_n shall_v never_o commit_v it_o alas_o how_o know_v you_o but_o if_o once_o you_o lay_v your_o head_n in_o the_o lap_n of_o a_o temptation_n these_o philistine_n will_v be_v upon_o you_o and_o you_o like_o samson_n think_v to_o go_v and_o shake_v yourselves_o as_o at_o other_o time_n but_o alas_o your_o great_a strength_n be_v depart_v from_o you_o and_o you_o leave_v a_o prey_n to_o the_o foul_a and_o worsâ—_n of_o sin_n whatsoever_o and_o thus_o now_o you_o have_v see_v in_o david_n prayer_n the_o besâ—_n saint_n proneness_n to_o the_o worst_a sin_n the_o next_o thing_n observable_a be_v the_o best_a saint_n weakness_n and_o inability_n to_o preserve_v themselves_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o both_o these_o namely_o their_o proneness_n to_o commit_v sin_n and_o their_o weakness_n to_o resist_v it_o be_v evident_a demonstration_n of_o the_o general_a proposition_n the_o almighty_a grace_n of_o god_n be_v their_o best_a yea_o and_o their_o only_a security_n now_o as_o the_o bottom_n and_o foundation_n of_o this_o present_a exercise_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o this_o point_n to_o be_v treat_v of_o doct._n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o christian_n own_o but_o god_n power_n only_o that_o can_v preserve_v he_o from_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o most_o dare_a and_o presumptuous_a sin_n sin_n advantage_n that_o man_n have_v to_o keep_v themselves_o from_o presumptuous_a sin_n and_o yet_o true_o if_o any_o sin_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v resist_v and_o overcome_v they_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o grosser_n sort_n for_o many_o time_n it_o be_v with_o sin_n as_o with_o overgrow_a body_n the_o vast_a the_o bulk_n of_o they_o be_v the_o less_o be_v their_o force_n and_o activity_n the_o soul_n have_v great_a advantage_n to_o lay_v hold_n on_o great_a sin_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o off_o at_o arm_n length_n when_o less_o sin_n flip_v in_o and_o seize_v upon_o the_o heart_n unperceivable_o for_o first_o resistance_n presumptuous_a sin_n give_v warning_n to_o prepare_v for_o resistance_n great_a and_o presumptuous_a sin_n seldom_o make_v a_o assault_n upon_o the_o soul_n but_o they_o give_v warning_n beforehand_o to_o prepare_v for_o resistance_n the_o stratagem_n of_o war_n if_o they_o be_v but_o discover_v they_o usual_o prove_v unsuccessful_a as_o strong_a liquor_n take_v vent_n lose_v their_o strength_n and_o spirit_n so_o be_v it_o in_o this_o holy_a war_n also_o the_o soul_n may_v easy_o foresee_v gross_a sin_n and_o therefore_o may_v more_o easy_o avoid_v they_o if_o a_o man_n feel_v in_o himself_o sinful_a thought_n stir_v and_o sinful_a desire_n struggle_v hereupon_o a_o assault_n be_v make_v and_o the_o devil_n hereby_o give_v we_o warning_n what_o sin_v we_o shall_v especial_o watch_v against_o be_v they_o lascivious_a thought_n beware_v of_o uncleanness_n be_v they_o wrathful_a thought_n beware_v of_o murder_n be_v they_o murmur_a thought_n beware_v of_o blasphemy_n be_v they_o worldly_a thought_n and_o desire_n beware_v of_o oppression_n and_o injustice_n thus_o these_o giantlike_a sin_n stand_v forth_o in_o view_n and_o send_v open_a defiance_n to_o the_o soul_n and_o bid_v it_o prepare_v for_o the_o combat_n sinful_a thought_n and_o sinful_a desire_n go_v before_o as_o armour-bearer_n use_v to_o go_v before_o their_o champion_n and_o proclaim_v what_o great_a lust_n be_v about_o to_o make_v a_o assault_n upon_o the_o soul_n now_o such_o fore-warning_n as_o these_o be_v be_v a_o great_a advantage_n that_o we_o have_v to_o repel_v and_o subdue_v they_o job_n 34.32_o that_o which_o i_o see_v not_o teach_v thou_o i_o and_o what_o follow_v why_o if_o i_o have_v do_v iniquity_n i_o will_v do_v so_o no_o more_o when_o a_o man_n see_v his_o enemy_n before_o he_o this_o be_v a_o mighty_a advantage_n either_o to_o avoid_v or_o to_o conquer_v this_o advantage_n now_o we_o have_v not_o against_o small_a sin_n we_o can_v so_o easy_o escape_v sin_n of_o ignorance_n because_o we_o can_v see_v they_o nor_o yet_o the_o sin_n of_o our_o thought_n and_o desire_n because_o we_o can_v foresee_v they_o who_o of_o we_o all_o know_v what_o thought_n will_v next_o bubble_v up_o in_o our_o heart_n whether_o holy_a and_o gracious_a or_o whether_o sinful_a and_o profane_a these_o strike_v without_o warning_n and_o as_o a_o enemy_n within_o rise_v up_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o our_o heart_n unseen_a sin_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n either_o such_o by_o which_o we_o be_v tempt_v or_o such_o to_o which_o we_o be_v tempt_v the_o devil_n make_v use_v of_o one_o sin_n to_o tempt_v to_o another_o of_o a_o less_o to_o tempt_v to_o a_o great_a â—hus_o wicked_a thought_n be_v at_o once_o sin_n â—n_v themselves_o and_o also_o temptation_n unâ—o_v wicked_a action_n now_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a â—nd_v the_o best_a christian_n find_v it_o so_o to_o keep_v themselves_o free_a from_o sinful_a thought_n because_o these_o spring_n up_o immediate_o in_o â—he_n heart_n without_o any_o forego_n â—_z to_o they_o but_o while_o the_o devilâ—_n â—_z tempt_v we_o to_o sinful_a action_n by_o sinful_a thought_n than_o the_o soul_n have_v leisure_n to_o recollect_v itself_o to_o muster_v up_o all_o its_o â—races_n to_o set_v its_o guard_n to_o call_v in_o diâ—ine_a help_n and_o assistance_n and_o upon_o â—hese_fw-mi preparation_n it_o may_v more_o easy_o â—esist_v the_o sin_n and_o overcome_v the_o temptation_n and_o that_o be_v one_o great_a advantage_n â—e_v have_v to_o keep_v ourselves_o from_o preâ—mptuous_a sin_n second_o sin_n natural_a conscience_n oppose_v the_o commission_n of_o presumptuous_a sin_n natural_a conscience_n also_o abâ—rs_v more_o and_o do_v more_o oppose_v these_o â—trageous_a presumptuous_a sin_n than_o it_o â—oth_v those_o sin_n that_o it_o judge_v proceed_v â—ly_o from_o weakness_n and_o infirmity_n and_o this_o so_o give_v we_o a_o mighty_a advantage_n to_o keep_v â—r_o self_n from_o they_o little_a sin_n do_v not_o â—uch_o disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o quietness_n of_o man_n conscience_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o himself_o before_o his_o conversion_n in_o act_n 23.1_o i_o have_v live_v say_v he_o in_o all_o good_a conscience_n before_o god_n until_o this_o very_a day_n and_o so_o in_o phil._n 3.6_o touch_v the_o law_n say_v he_o speak_v oâ—_n himself_o before_o his_o conversion_n i_o waâ—_n blameless_a how_o can_v that_o be_v what_o blameless_a and_o unconvert_v and_o in_o state_n of_o nature_n yes_o he_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o notorious_a scandalous_a sin_n and_o aâ—_n for_o lesser_a fault_n his_o conscience_n over_o look_v they_o and_o never_o blame_v he_o foâ—_n they_o and_o so_o true_o be_v it_o with_o many_o moral_a man_n his_o conscience_n have_v not_o word_n to_o say_v against_o all_o their_o small_a anâ—_n petty_a sin_n let_v their_o heart_n be_v sensual_a and_o their_o thought_n vain_a and_o their_o discourse_n unsavoury_a and_o their_o life_n unprofitable_a yet_o still_o conscience_n and_o the_o live_v very_o friendly_a together_o but_o let_v thâ—_n devil_n tempt_v such_o a_o sober_a sinner_n as_o thâ—_n be_v to_o murder_n or_o adultery_n or_o drunkenness_n or_o some_o such_o brand_a impiety_n conscience_n then_o fling_v firebrand_n anâ—_n storm_n and_o cry_v out_o with_o hazaeâ—_n what_o be_v thy_o servant_n a_o dog_n that_o he_o shouâ—_n do_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o be_v as_o subject_a pay_n to_o their_o
here_o be_v the_o pardon_n itself_o which_o for_o the_o great_a confirmation_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o hope_n be_v redouble_v i_o even_o i_o be_o he_o that_o blot_v out_o thy_o transgression_n and_o will_v not_o remember_v thâ—_n sin_n three_o here_o be_v the_o motive_n or_o impulsive_a cause_n that_o prevail_v with_o god_n thiâ—_n to_o proclaim_v pardon_n unto_o guilty_a malefactor_n and_n that_o be_v for_o his_o own_o sake_n i_o be_o hâ—_n that_o blot_v out_o thy_o transgression_n for_o mâ—_n own_o sake_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o first_o particular_a i_o even_o â—_o be_o he_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o god_n seem_v more_o to_o triumph_v in_o the_o glory_n oâ—_n his_o pardon_v grace_n and_o mercy_n thaâ—_n he_o do_v in_o any_o other_o of_o his_o attribute_n i_o even_o i_o be_o he_o such_o a_o stately_a preface_n must_v needs_o usher_v in_o somewhat_o wherein_o god_n and_o his_o honour_n be_v much_o advance_v be_v it_o therefore_o i_o be_o he_o that_o spread_v forth_o the_o heaven_n and_o martial_v all_o their_o host_n that_o hang_v up_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o air_n that_o breathe_v forth_o all_o the_o creature_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o it_o that_o pour_v out_o the_o great_a deep_n and_o measure_v they_o all_o in_o the_o hollow_a of_o my_o hand_n that_o ride_v upon_o the_o wing_n of_o the_o wind_n and_o make_v the_o cloud_n the_o dust_n of_o my_o foot_n this_o though_o it_o may_v awe_v and_o amuse_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n yet_o god_n count_v it_o not_o his_o chief_a glory_n but_o ay_o even_o i_o be_o he_o that_o blot_v out_o transgression_n and_o forgive_v iniquity_n so_o we_o find_v when_o god_n condescend_v to_o show_v moses_n his_o glory_n he_o proclaim_v not_o the_o lord_n great_a and_o terrible_a that_o form_v all_o thing_n by_o the_o word_n of_o his_o mouth_n and_o can_v destroy_v all_o thing_n by_o the_o breath_n of_o his_o nostril_n no_o but_o he_o pass_v before_o he_o with_o a_o still_a voice_n and_o proclaim_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o lord_n the_o lord_n god_n gracious_a and_o merciful_a long-suffering_a and_o abundant_a in_o goodness_n and_o truth_n forgive_a iniquity_n transgression_n and_o sin_n so_o that_o when_o god_n will_v be_v see_v in_o his_o chief_a state_n and_o glory_n he_o reveal_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o sin-pardoning_a god_n i_o even_o i_o be_o he_o that_o blot_v out_o thy_o transgression_n and_o will_v not_o remember_v thy_o sin_n 2._o as_o for_o the_o pardon_n itself_o thing_n blot_v out_o of_o sin_n imply_v two_o thing_n that_o be_v express_v in_o two_o thing_n i_o be_o he_o that_o blot_v out_o and_o will_v not_o remember_v blot_v out_o imply_v first_o write_v that_o sin_n be_v write_v that_o our_o transgression_n be_v write_v down_o and_o write_v they_o be_v in_o a_o twofold_a book_n the_o one_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o god_n remembrance_n which_o he_o blot_v out_o when_o he_o justify_v a_o sinner_n the_o other_o be_v the_o book_n of_o our_o own_o conscience_n which_o he_o blot_v out_o when_o he_o give_v we_o peace_n and_o assurance_n and_o oftentimes_o these_o follow_v one_o upon_o the_o other_o when_o god_n blot_v his_o remembrance-book_n in_o heaven_n that_o blot_n diffuse_v and_o spread_v itself_o even_o to_o the_o book_n of_o conscience_n and_o blot_v out_o all_o that_o be_v write_v there_o also_o man_n blot_v his_o conscience_n by_o commit_v sin_n but_o god_n blot_v it_o by_o pardon_v it_o he_o lay_v a_o blot_n of_o christ_n blood_n upon_o a_o blot_n of_o our_o guilt_n and_o this_o be_v such_o a_o blot_n as_o leave_v the_o conscience_n of_o a_o sinner_n pure_a and_o clean_a than_o it_o find_v it_o second_o blot_v out_o of_o transgression_n imply_v a_o legal_a discharge_n of_o the_o debt_n a_o book_n that_o be_v once_o blot_v and_o cross_v stand_v void_a in_o law_n whatever_o the_o sum_n and_o debt_n be_v before_o yet_o the_o cross_n of_o the_o book_n signify_v the_o payment_n of_o the_o debt_n so_o be_v it_o here_o i_o will_v blot_v out_o thy_o transgression_n that_o be_v i_o will_v acquit_v thou_o of_o all_o thy_o debt_n i_o will_v never_o charge_v they_o upon_o thou_o i_o will_v dash_v they_o all_o out_o i_o will_v not_o leave_v so_o much_o as_o one_o item_n not_o one_o sin_n legible_a against_o thou_o this_o be_v the_o proper_a meaning_n of_o this_o expression_n and_o notion_n of_o blot_v out_o of_o transgression_n and_o sin_n and_o this_o be_v one_o thing_n that_o pardon_n of_o sin_n be_v express_v by_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o word_n and_o i_o will_v not_o remember_v thy_o sin_n not_o that_o there_o be_v true_o any_o forgetfulness_n in_o god_n no_o his_o memory_n retain_v every_o sin_n we_o have_v commit_v sure_a and_o firm_a than_o if_o all_o our_o sin_n be_v write_v in_o leave_n of_o brass_n but_o god_n speak_v here_o as_o he_o do_v elsewhere_o frequent_o in_o scripture_n by_o a_o gracious_a condescension_n and_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v interpret_v only_o by_o the_o effect_n i_o will_v not_o remember_v their_o sin_n that_o be_v i_o will_v deal_v so_o merciful_o with_o they_o as_o if_o indeed_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v the_o least_o of_o their_o provocation_n i_o will_v be_v to_o they_o as_o one_o that_o have_v utter_o forget_v all_o their_o injury_n so_o that_o this_o not_o remember_v of_o sin_n deny_v not_o the_o eminent_a act_n of_o god_n knowledge_n but_o only_o the_o transient_a act_n of_o his_o justice_n and_o be_v no_o more_o than_o his_o promise_a not_o to_o punish_v sin_n as_o if_o god_n have_v say_v i_o will_v not_o be_v avenge_v on_o they_o nor_o punish_v they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o here_o we_o may_v see_v what_o abundant_a security_n god_n give_v his_o people_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v implead_v for_o those_o sin_n which_o once_o they_o have_v attain_v the_o pardon_n of_o they_o be_v blot_v out_o of_o his_o book_n of_o remembrance_n and_o that_o they_o may_v not_o fear_v he_o will_v accuse_v they_o without_o book_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o be_v utter_o forget_v and_o shall_v never_o be_v remember_v by_o he_o against_o they_o any_o more_o three_o consider_v the_o impulsive_a cause_n that_o move_v god_n hand_n as_o it_o be_v to_o blot_v out_o our_o transgression_n and_o that_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n without_o himself_o but_o say_v god_n i_o will_v do_v it_o for_o my_o own_o sake_n this_o admit_v of_o a_o twofold_a sense_n efficient_a and_o final_a first_o for_o my_o own_o sake_n that_o be_v because_o it_o be_v my_o pleasure_n i_o will_v do_v it_o because_o i_o will_v do_v it_o and_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o royal_a prerogative_n of_o god_n alone_o to_o render_v his_o will_n for_o his_o reason_n for_o because_o his_o will_n be_v altogether_o sovereign_a and_o independent_a that_o must_v needs_o be_v most_o reasonable_a that_o he_o will_v if_o any_o shall_v question_v why_o the_o lord_n pass_v by_o fall_v angel_n and_o stoop_v so_o low_a as_o to_o take_v up_o fall_v man_n and_o why_o among_o man_n he_o have_v reject_v many_o wise_a and_o noble_a and_o have_v choose_v those_o that_o be_v mean_a and_o contemptible_a why_o he_o have_v gather_v up_o and_o lodge_v in_o his_o own_o bosom_n those_o that_o wallow_v in_o the_o filth_n and_o defilement_n of_o the_o worst_a sin_n when_o other_o be_v leave_v to_o perish_v under_o far_o less_o guilt_n the_o most_o reasonable_a answer_n that_o can_v be_v give_v of_o all_o be_v this_o i_o have_v do_v it_o for_o my_o own_o sake_n i_o have_v do_v it_o because_o it_o be_v my_o will_n and_o pleasure_n to_o do_v it_o even_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o god_n give_v unto_o moses_n i_o will_v be_v gracious_a because_o i_o will_v be_v gracious_a and_o i_o will_v show_v mercy_n because_o i_o will_v show_v mercy_n exod._n 33.19_o which_o be_v the_o same_o answer_v our_o saviour_n give_v to_o himself_o luke_n 10.21_o even_o so_o father_n because_o so_o it_o seem_v good_a in_o thy_o sight_n second_o for_o my_o own_o sake_n we_o may_v take_v it_o in_o a_o final_a sense_n that_o be_v i_o will_v do_v it_o because_o of_o that_o great_a honour_n and_o glory_n that_o will_v accrue_v to_o my_o great_a name_n by_o it_o the_o ultimate_a and_o chief_a end_n of_o god_n in_o all_o his_o action_n be_v his_o own_o glory_n god_n bestow_v pardon_n and_o salvation_n upon_o we_o chief_o for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o own_o glory_n even_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o free_a grace_n our_o salvation_n be_v therefore_o accomplish_v that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o declare_v to_o the_o world_n how_o merciful_a and_o gracious_a god_n be_v not_o so_o much_o for_o our_o good_a as_o for_o his_o glory_n not_o for_o our_o sake_n
he_o intend_v to_o sin_n and_o therefore_o by_o cross_v a_o erroneous_a conscience_n though_o possible_o he_o do_v well_o in_o the_o action_n yet_o he_o sin_n in_o intention_n since_o he_o do_v that_o that_o he_o himself_o think_v do_v cross_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o he_o shall_v walk_v second_o another_o reason_n be_v this_o because_o by_o act_v contrary_a to_o conscience_n though_o misinform_v and_o erroneous_a we_o do_v contemn_v the_o authority_n and_o will_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v sin_n we_o be_v all_o to_o guide_v our_o conscience_n by_o the_o word_n that_o be_v god_n write_a will_n and_o we_o be_v all_o to_o guide_v our_o life_n by_o our_o conscience_n no_o man_n think_v his_o conscience_n to_o be_v erroneous_a but_o think_v it_o to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n now_o if_o we_o do_v not_o act_v according_o we_o sin_v as_o much_o as_o if_o indeed_o it_o be_v inform_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n conscience_n be_v god_n deputy_n and_o vicegerent_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o what_o conscience_n say_v we_o think_v it_o be_v god_n that_o command_v whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o and_o to_o act_v contrary_a to_o it_o be_v virtual_o and_o implicit_o to_o disobey_v god_n because_o we_o think_v what_o conscience_n speak_v god_n speak_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o sad_a to_o fall_v under_o the_o entanglement_n of_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n for_o than_o we_o be_v under_o a_o sad_a necessity_n of_o sin_v on_o both_o hand_n if_o we_o act_v according_a to_o it_o we_o sin_v and_o if_o we_o act_v not_o according_a to_o it_o we_o sin_n we_o shall_v therefore_o above_o all_o thing_n hearty_o beg_v and_o desire_v of_o god_n who_o be_v the_o lord_n of_o conscience_n that_o he_o will_v right_o inform_v our_o conscience_n in_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v our_o duty_n that_o so_o by_o guide_v our_o life_n by_o our_o conscience_n we_o may_v guide_v they_o also_o according_a to_o his_o will._n these_o three_o position_n now_o respect_v those_o thing_n that_o appear_v evil_a to_o ourselves_o but_o then_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n that_o have_v a_o good_a appearance_n unto_o we_o that_o yet_o may_v have_v a_o evil_a appearance_n to_o other_o they_o may_v scruple_n and_o be_v offend_v at_o what_o we_o do_v though_o for_o our_o own_o part_n we_o ourselves_o be_v sufficient_o satisfy_v in_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o our_o time_n what_o through_o different_a custom_n and_o interest_n have_v bring_v man_n conscience_n also_o to_o such_o different_a size_n that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a but_o some_o will_v condemn_v what_o other_o allow_v as_o lawful_a yea_o what_o other_o not_o only_o allow_v but_o stiff_o maintain_v to_o be_v necessary_a and_o our_o duty_n how_o then_o shall_v we_o behave_v ourselves_o in_o this_o case_n what_o rule_n must_v we_o walk_v by_o so_o as_o to_o keep_v conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n not_o only_o to_o god_n but_o as_o far_o as_o be_v possible_a towards_o man_n also_o in_o this_o if_o any_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o christianity_n there_o lie_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difficulty_n to_o state_n the_o case_n aright_o or_o aright_o to_o practice_v it_o and_o the_o difficulty_n be_v increase_v from_o these_o two_o consideration_n which_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o as_o general_a premise_n to_o the_o follow_a discourse_n first_o if_o we_o give_v no_o power_n to_o the_o scrupulous_a judgement_n of_o weak_a and_o tender_a conscience_n to_o oblige_v we_o to_o duty_n to_o abstain_v from_o what_o appear_v evil_a to_o they_o than_o we_o shall_v sin_v evident_o against_o the_o law_n of_o charity_n and_o against_o many_o apostolical_a injunction_n and_o command_n that_o we_o shall_v have_v respect_n to_o their_o opinion_n and_o censure_n especial_o in_o rom._n 14._o and_o in_o 1_o cor._n chap._n 8_o &_o 10._o almost_o throughout_o indeed_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o one_o thing_n belong_v to_o christianity_n that_o have_v more_o rule_n and_o prescript_n often_o prescribe_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o we_o than_o this_o of_o abstain_v from_o offend_v the_o weak_a conscience_n of_o other_o second_o if_o we_o make_v other_o man_n conscience_n the_o rule_n of_o we_o and_o if_o we_o lie_v down_o this_o for_o a_o maxim_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v nothing_o that_o appear_v evil_a to_o another_o this_o first_o will_v be_v utter_o impossible_a since_o man_n be_v of_o such_o contrary_a persuasion_n that_o if_o the_o do_v of_o a_o action_n appear_v evil_a to_o one_o the_o omission_n thereof_o appear_v as_o evil_a to_o another_o so_o that_o unless_o we_o can_v at_o once_o both_o do_v it_o and_o not_o do_v it_o some_o will_v unavoidable_o take_v offence_n at_o it_o and_o be_v scandalize_v at_o we_o second_o this_o will_v abridge_v yea_o utter_o destroy_v all_o christian_a liberty_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a because_o if_o nothing_o shall_v be_v lawful_a that_o another_o scruple_n than_o almost_o every_o thing_n will_v become_v sinful_a since_o almost_o every_o thing_n be_v scruple_v by_o some_o or_o other_o in_o vain_a therefore_o be_v it_o to_o reckon_v it_o as_o our_o privilege_n that_o we_o be_v free_v from_o the_o old_a ceremonial_a law_n and_o that_o heavy_a yoke_n of_o ordinance_n that_o none_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v if_o yet_o christian_a religion_n bring_v our_o conscience_n under_o the_o most_o imperious_a law_n of_o man_n humour_n censure_n and_o opinion_n it_o be_v far_o easy_a to_o abserve_v all_o the_o levitical_a law_n from_o one_o end_n of_o it_o to_o the_o other_o than_o to_o be_v bind_v to_o those_o worldly_a rudiment_n as_o the_o apostle_n call_v they_o in_o col._n 2._o touch_v not_o taste_v not_o handle_v not_o wear_v not_o speak_v not_o if_o such_o a_o person_n be_v offend_v at_o it_o and_o count_v it_o unlawful_a now_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o these_o two_o particular_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o this_o four_o position_n concern_v abstinence_n from_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_a in_o respect_n of_o other_o and_o that_o be_v if_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_n be_v to_o other_o and_o not_o to_o ourselves_o then_o in_o some_o case_n we_o be_v bind_v in_o duty_n and_o conscience_n to_o abstain_v from_o it_o and_o in_o other_o not_o whatever_o have_v the_o show_n or_o appearance_n of_o evil_a in_o it_o it_o must_v either_o be_v command_v and_o so_o it_o be_v necessary_a or_o else_o it_o be_v leave_v indifferent_a and_o arbitrary_a and_o according_o we_o may_v take_v these_o follow_a rule_n first_o if_o so_o be_v those_o thing_n that_o appear_v evil_a only_o to_o other_o either_o be_v in_o themselves_o or_o at_o least_o they_o appear_v to_o we_o to_o be_v command_v and_o so_o necessary_a we_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o regard_v yea_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o despise_v and_o scorn_v the_o scruple_n of_o all_o the_o world_n if_o they_o will_v be_v offend_v at_o we_o for_o do_v of_o that_o which_o be_v our_o duty_n let_v they_o be_v offend_v we_o may_v in_o this_o case_n use_v the_o same_o plea_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v act_v 4.19_o whether_o it_o be_v right_a before_o the_o lord_n to_o obey_v man_n rather_o than_o god_n judge_v you_o to_o perform_v a_o duty_n can_v be_v but_o a_o scandal_n to_o man_n at_o the_o most_o and_o those_o also_o usual_o of_o the_o profane_a sort_n but_o to_o omit_v a_o duty_n for_o fear_n of_o scandalize_a man_n be_v a_o scandal_n and_o a_o offence_n even_o unto_o god_n himself_o it_o be_v most_o preposterous_a charity_n to_o run_v upon_o sin_n in_o ourselves_o only_o to_o prevent_v scandal_n in_o other_o though_o all_o the_o world_n censure_n holiness_n and_o strictness_n of_o life_n to_o be_v only_o a_o sour_a and_o rigid_a humour_n and_o a_o affectation_n of_o singularity_n yet_o must_v we_o not_o upon_o any_o pretence_n of_o gratify_v their_o humour_n or_o win_v upon_o they_o remit_v the_o least_o part_n of_o that_o severity_n that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o our_o conscience_n require_v from_o we_o but_o what_o if_o suppose_v as_o too_o often_o it_o happen_v that_o this_o strictness_n and_o holy_a severity_n prove_v to_o be_v a_o occasion_n of_o sin_n unto_o other_o accidental_o what_o must_v we_o do_v in_o that_o case_n what_o be_v it_o that_o make_v so_o many_o hate_n religion_n and_o scoff_n at_o the_o professor_n thereof_o but_o only_o their_o life_n be_v too_o morose_n and_o reserve_v duty_n be_v too_o frequent_a and_o tedious_a so_o that_o some_o laugh_v and_o mock_v other_o storm_n and_o rage_n and_o all_o be_v fright_v from_o the_o embrace_v of_o that_o profession_n that_o require_v so_o much_o rigour_n and_o severity_n why_o be_v it_o so_o yet_o we_o must_v not_o abate_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o duty_n nor_o sin_n ourselves_o to_o keep_v other_o from_o sin_v be_v it_o your_o duty_n