commit_v a_o trespass_n in_o the_o accurse_a thing_n and_o wrath_n fall_v on_o all_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n and_o that_o man_n perish_v not_o alone_o in_o his_o iniquity_n what_o be_v achan_n sin_n which_o bring_v wrath_n upon_o all_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n we_o find_v achan_n himself_o confess_v it_o to_o joshuah_n josh_n 7.20_o 21._o achan_n answer_v joshuah_n and_o say_v indeed_o i_o have_v sin_v against_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n and_o thus_o and_o thus_o have_v i_o do_v when_o i_o see_v among_o the_o spoil_n a_o goodly_a babilonish_a garment_n and_o two_o hundred_o shekel_n of_o silver_n and_o a_o wedge_n of_o gold_n of_o fifty_o shekel_n weight_n then_o i_o cover_v they_o and_o take_v they_o and_o behold_v they_o be_v hide_v in_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o tent_n and_o the_o silver_n under_o it_o the_o sin_n of_o these_o informer_n seem_v to_o i_o equal_a if_o not_o great_a and_o as_o likely_a to_o bring_v down_o wrath_n upon_o the_o nation_n as_o achan_n sin_n and_o that_o for_o these_o reason_n 1._o the_o man_n of_o jericho_n be_v god_n enemy_n and_o they_o and_o their_o substance_n be_v accurse_v of_o god_n josh_n 6.17_o the_o city_n shall_v be_v accurse_v even_o it_o and_o all_o that_o be_v therein_o but_o the_o righteous_a and_o all_o they_o have_v be_v bless_v of_o the_o lord_n ps_n 3.8_o thy_o blessing_n be_v upon_o thy_o people_n not_o only_o their_o person_n be_v bless_v but_o their_o substance_n also_o deut._n 33.11_o bless_v lord_n his_o substance_n see_v also_o deut._n 8.4_o 5._o now_o be_v it_o not_o as_o great_a a_o sin_n for_o these_o man_n to_o oppress_v god_n friend_n who_o be_v the_o bless_a of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o take_v away_o their_o substance_n which_o be_v under_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v for_o achan_n to_o take_v away_o silver_n and_o gold_n and_o raiment_n from_o the_o man_n of_o jericho_n which_o be_v god_n enemy_n and_o both_o they_o and_o all_o that_o they_o have_v be_v under_o his_o curse_n 2._o achan_n commit_v his_o sin_n secret_o he_o hide_v what_o he_o take_v in_o his_o tent_n behold_v they_o be_v hide_v in_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o my_o tent_n he_o labour_v to_o cover_v his_o sin_n but_o these_o man_n declare_v their_o sin_n as_o sodom_n they_o be_v not_o afraid_a to_o sin_v open_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n and_o the_o more_o open_o and_o impudent_o a_o man_n sin_n be_v commit_v the_o more_o provoke_v to_o god_n to_o send_v down_o his_o judgement_n 3._o achan_n confess_v his_o sin_n and_o thereby_o give_v glory_n to_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n josh_n 7.20_o these_o man_n glory_v in_o their_o shame_n and_o will_v not_o be_v bring_v to_o acknowledge_v their_o iniquity_n 4._o achan_n be_v punish_v for_o his_o trespass_n all_o israel_n stone_v he_o with_o stone_n and_o burn_v his_o house_n with_o fire_n josh_n 7.25_o but_o these_o man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v punish_v that_o they_o ofttimes_o go_v away_o with_o a_o reward_n another_o instance_n of_o a_o whole_a nation_n suffer_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o one_o man_n we_o have_v in_o david_n case_n david_n number_v the_o people_n provoke_v god_n to_o send_v a_o pestilence_n which_o in_o three_o day_n time_n slay_v seventy-thousand_a man_n 1_o chron._n 21.2.7_o and_o david_n say_v to_o joab_n and_o to_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o people_n go_v number_n israel_n from_o beersheba_n even_o to_o dan_n and_o bring_v the_o number_n unto_o i_o that_o i_o may_v know_v it_o and_o god_n be_v displease_v with_o this_o thing_n therefore_o he_o smite_v israel_n v._o 14._o so_o the_o lord_n send_v pestilence_n upon_o israel_n and_o there_o fall_v of_o israel_n seventy_o thousand_o man_n let_v it_o be_v consider_v whether_o those_o informer_n that_o go_v to_o the_o assembly_n of_o these_o man_n to_o take_v the_o name_n of_o those_o that_o worship_n god_n in_o order_n to_o the_o punish_v they_o for_o their_o serve_a god_n do_v not_o sin_n in_o as_o high_a a_o degree_n as_o david_n do_v in_o the_o number_n the_o people_n for_o 1._o the_o number_n of_o the_o people_n be_v not_o without_o a_o precedent_n for_o it_o be_v do_v by_o moses_n at_o god_n appointment_n in_o the_o second_o year_n after_o israel_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n num._n 1_o 2._o but_o to_o number_v man_n name_n in_o order_n to_o punish_v they_o for_o be_v present_a then_o and_o where_o prayer_n be_v make_v to_o god_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o god_n word_n preach_v have_v not_o be_v practise_v by_o any_o person_n that_o have_v occur_v to_o my_o observation_n in_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n 2._o david_n may_v have_v pretend_v better_a thing_n to_o have_v excuse_v his_o sin_n than_o these_o informer_n have_v for_o their_o practice_n as_o by_o number_v the_o people_n he_o may_v see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o god_n promise_n who_o promise_v abraham_n a_o great_a and_o numerous_a posterity_n and_o all_o the_o generation_n from_o abraham_n to_o david_n be_v but_o fourteen_o generation_n matt._n 1.17_o now_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o thousand_o thousand_o and_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n that_o draw_v sword_n and_o four_o hundred_o threescore_o and_o ten_o thousand_o in_o judah_n beside_o levi_n and_o benjamin_n that_o be_v not_o number_v 2_o chron._n 21.5.6_o when_o david_n hear_v this_o great_a number_n he_o may_v have_v make_v this_o use_n of_o it_o what_o a_o demonstration_n be_v here_o of_o god_n faithfulness_n and_o power_n that_o from_o one_o and_o he_o as_o good_a as_o dead_a shall_v spring_v so_o great_a a_o multitude_n of_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n beside_o he_o may_v have_v say_v what_o cause_n have_v i_o to_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n that_o have_v put_v such_o honour_n upon_o i_o to_o make_v i_o a_o king_n of_o such_o a_o numerous_a people_n for_o in_o the_o multitude_n of_o people_n be_v the_o king_n honour_n prov._n 14.28_o he_o may_v also_o judge_v it_o a_o point_n of_o prudence_n conduce_v to_o his_o credit_n and_o his_o people_n safety_n to_o know_v his_o strength_n that_o have_v so_o many_o potent_a enemy_n on_o every_o side_n he_o may_v judge_v when_o and_o with_o who_o to_o make_v war_n and_o peace_n as_o it_o become_v a_o wise_a and_o wary_a prince_n to_o do_v luk._n 14.31_o but_o these_o thing_n do_v not_o excuse_n david_n from_o sin_n god_n see_v a_o irregularity_n in_o david_n whether_o it_o be_v pride_n or_o curiosity_n or_o neglect_v the_o offering_n that_o be_v prescribe_v when_o the_o people_n be_v number_v num._n 12.13_o 14._o i_o shall_v not_o determine_v 3._o david_n be_v trouble_v in_o conscience_n for_o his_o sin_n and_o make_v a_o humble_a confession_n of_o it_o to_o god_n 2_o sam._n 24.10_o and_o david_n heart_n smite_v he_o after_o that_o he_o have_v number_v the_o people_n and_o david_n say_v unto_o the_o lord_n i_o have_v sin_v great_o in_o that_o i_o have_v do_v and_o now_o i_o beseech_v thou_o o_o lord_n take_v away_o the_o iniquity_n of_o thy_o servant_n for_o i_o have_v do_v very_o foolish_o but_o we_o hear_v of_o no_o remorse_n from_o these_o man_n 4._o david_n offend_v but_o once_o in_o this_o kind_n but_o these_o man_n go_v on_o in_o their_o evil_a way_n and_o often_o renew_v their_o sin_n 5._o david_n when_o convince_v of_o his_o sin_n be_v willing_a to_o have_v suffer_v death_n so_o that_o god_n will_v not_o proceed_v to_o punish_v israel_n for_o his_o sin_n 2_o sam._n 24.17_o and_o david_n speak_v unto_o the_o lord_n when_o he_o see_v the_o angel_n that_o smite_v the_o people_n and_o say_v lo_o i_o have_v sin_v and_o i_o have_v do_v wicked_o but_o these_o sheep_n what_o have_v they_o do_v let_v thy_o hand_n i_o pray_v thou_o be_v against_o i_o and_o against_o my_o father_n house_n whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o have_v no_o evil_a design_n upon_o the_o people_n when_o he_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v number_v but_o these_o man_n that_o go_v to_o these_o assembly_n to_o take_v name_n and_o watch_v they_o as_o they_o come_v forth_o in_o order_n to_o the_o get_v they_o to_o be_v punish_v make_v it_o manifest_a that_o they_o have_v a_o design_n upon_o they_o to_o do_v evil_a to_o they_o 2._o the_o act_n of_o these_o informer_n be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n because_o righteous_a man_n be_v the_o strength_n of_o a_o nation_n and_o be_v blessing_n to_o the_o place_n where_o they_o live_v zech._n 12.5_o the_o governor_n of_o judah_n shall_v say_v in_o their_o heart_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v my_o strength_n in_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n their_o god_n prov._n 11.11_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o upright_a the_o city_n be_v exalt_v when_o elisha_n be_v
they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o they_o be_v very_o dreadful_a which_o without_o repentance_n will_v be_v their_o portion_n as_o have_v be_v show_v in_o the_o second_o chapter_n rev._n 8.4_o come_v out_o of_o she_o my_o people_n that_o you_o be_v not_o partaker_n of_o her_o sin_n and_o that_o you_o receive_v not_o of_o her_o plague_n as_o they_o that_o partake_v of_o babylon_n sin_n shall_v be_v partaker_n of_o babylon_n plague_n so_o shall_v they_o that_o partake_v of_o the_o informer_n sin_n partake_v of_o the_o informer_n plague_n prov._n 29.24_o whoso_o be_v partner_n with_o a_o thief_n hate_v his_o own_o soul_n the_o same_o i_o may_v say_v of_o he_o that_o be_v partner_n with_o these_o informer_n he_o hate_v his_o own_o soul_n and_o why_o do_v he_o that_o be_v a_o partner_n with_o a_o thief_n hate_v his_o soul_n because_o he_o take_v a_o sure_a and_o speedy_a course_n to_o destroy_v his_o own_o soul_n let_v i_o here_o show_v you_o how_o many_o way_n a_o man_n may_v be_v partaker_n with_o these_o informer_n in_o their_o sin_n for_o these_o man_n do_v involve_v many_o other_o in_o the_o guilt_n of_o their_o heinous_a transgression_n 1._o they_o that_o harbour_v these_o man_n in_o their_o house_n and_o wish_v they_o good_a success_n in_o their_o undertake_n be_v partner_n with_o they_o in_o their_o evil_a deed_n 1_o joh._n 2._o ep._n v._o 10_o 11._o if_o there_o come_v any_o unto_o you_o and_o bring_v not_o this_o doctrine_n receive_v he_o not_o into_o your_o house_n neither_o bid_v he_o god_n speed_n for_o he_o that_o bid_v he_o god_n speed_n be_v partaker_n of_o his_o evil_a deed_n as_o he_o that_o harbour_v and_o encourage_v false_a teacher_n be_v partaker_n with_o they_o in_o their_o evil-deed_n so_o also_o they_o that_o receive_v into_o their_o house_n encourage_v and_o wish_v success_n to_o these_o man_n that_o oppose_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n that_o teach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o truth_n be_v partaker_n with_o they_o in_o their_o evil_a deed_n 2._o they_o become_v partaker_n with_o they_o in_o their_o sin_n who_o rejoice_v and_o take_v pleasure_n and_o delight_n to_o see_v these_o informer_n disturb_v the_o meeting_n of_o these_o man_n obad._n v._n 12_o but_o thou_o shall_v not_o have_v look_v upon_o the_o day_n of_o thy_o brother_n in_o the_o day_n that_o he_o become_v a_o stranger_n neither_o shall_v thou_o have_v rejoice_v over_o the_o child_n of_o judah_n in_o the_o day_n of_o their_o destruction_n neither_o shall_v thou_o have_v speak_v proud_o in_o the_o day_n of_o their_o distress_n they_o that_o take_v pleasure_n in_o other_o wickedness_n be_v under_o the_o same_o or_o rather_o a_o great_a guilt_n than_o those_o person_n that_o commit_v the_o wickedness_n rom._n 1.32_o who_o know_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n that_o they_o that_o do_v such_o thing_n be_v worthy_a of_o death_n not_o only_o do_v the_o same_o but_o take_v pleasure_n in_o they_o that_o do_v they_o hoc_fw-la pejus_fw-la illo_fw-la say_v grotius_n upon_o the_o place_n this_o latter_a to_o take_v pleasure_n in_o they_o that_o do_v they_o be_v worse_a than_o the_o former_a for_o a_o man_n may_v do_v evil_a under_o a_o temptation_n but_o to_o take_v pleasure_n in_o another_o man_n sin_n argue_v a_o exceed_a great_a corruption_n in_o that_o man_n heart_n god_n be_v great_o offend_v with_o moab_n for_o rejoice_v at_o the_o assyrian_a spoil_v the_o israelite_n jer._n 48.26_o 27._o moab_n also_o shall_v swallow_v in_o his_o vomit_n and_o he_o also_o shall_v be_v in_o derision_n for_o be_v not_o israel_n a_o derision_n unto_o thou_o be_v he_o find_v among_o thief_n for_o since_o thou_o speak_v of_o he_o thou_o skip_v for_o joy_n 3._o such_o as_o at_o the_o instigation_n of_o these_o informer_n take_v away_o or_o buy_v those_o good_n which_o be_v take_v away_o from_o man_n fear_v god_n for_o their_o worship_a god_n and_o that_o either_o because_o they_o be_v sell_v at_o a_o low_a rate_n or_o because_o they_o will_v not_o have_v the_o informer_n go_v without_o a_o reward_n obad._n 13._o thou_o shall_v not_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o gate_n of_o my_o people_n in_o the_o day_n of_o their_o calamity_n yea_o thou_o shall_v not_o have_v look_v on_o their_o affliction_n in_o the_o day_n of_o their_o calamity_n nor_o have_v lay_v hand_n on_o their_o substance_n 4._o such_o as_o plead_v their_o cause_n defend_v and_o justify_v they_o in_o their_o evil_a way_n they_o be_v deep_o guilty_a and_o partaker_n with_o they_o in_o all_o the_o evil_a and_o mischief_n that_o they_o do_v it_o be_v worse_a to_o plead_v for_o sin_n than_o to_o commit_v it_o as_o grotius_n observe_v nam_fw-la affectu_fw-la abreptus_fw-la peccat_fw-la aliquis_fw-la sine_fw-la eo_fw-la non_fw-la peccaturus_fw-la at_o qui_fw-la defendunt_fw-la talia_fw-la &_o docent_fw-la vitio_fw-la career_n sane_fw-la gravius_fw-la delinquunt_fw-la joash_n think_v that_o man_n worthy_a to_o die_v that_o shall_v plead_v for_o sin_n judg._n 6.31_o will_v you_o plead_v for_o baal_n will_v you_o save_v he_o he_o that_o will_v plead_v for_o he_o let_v he_o be_v put_v to_o death_n while_o it_o be_v yet_o morning_n to_o justify_v a_o wicked_a man_n be_v a_o abominable_a sin_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n prov._n 17.15_o he_o that_o justifi_v the_o wicked_a and_o he_o that_o condemn_v the_o just_a even_o they_o both_o be_v abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n 5._o they_o that_o afford_v their_o aid_n help_v and_o assistance_n to_o these_o man_n in_o their_o evil_a design_n be_v partaker_n of_o their_o sin_n to_o help_v a_o ungodly_a man_n in_o a_o evil_a undertake_n will_v bring_v down_o wrath_n from_o the_o lord_n 2_o chron._n 19.2_o shall_v thou_o help_v the_o ungodly_a and_o love_v they_o that_o hate_v the_o lord_n therefore_o be_v wrath_n upon_o thou_o from_o before_o the_o lord_n when_o the_o apostle_n paul_n make_v confession_n of_o his_o sin_n of_o persecution_n he_o mention_n the_o keep_v the_o clothes_n of_o they_o that_o stone_a stephen_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o his_o consent_n to_o that_o wicked_a fact_n and_o his_o be_v involve_v in_o the_o guilt_n of_o his_o blood_n act._n 22.20_o and_o when_o the_o blood_n of_o thy_o martyr_n stephen_n be_v shed_v i_o be_v stand_v by_o and_o consent_v to_o his_o death_n and_o keep_v the_o raiment_n of_o they_o that_o slay_v he_o paul_n do_v not_o help_v to_o throw_v the_o stone_n he_o do_v but_o keep_v the_o raiment_n of_o those_o person_n that_o stone_v he_o and_o this_o little_a assistance_n that_o he_o give_v they_o be_v a_o great_a trouble_n to_o his_o conscience_n take_v heed_n therefore_o of_o give_v any_o assistance_n to_o these_o man_n either_o by_o guide_v they_o to_o the_o place_n where_o these_o person_n be_v assemble_v that_o they_o seek_v after_o it_o be_v record_v to_o judas_n eternal_a infamy_n that_o he_o be_v guide_v to_o they_o that_o take_v jesus_n act._n 1.16_o or_o by_o tell_v they_o the_o name_n of_o the_o person_n who_o they_o find_v assemble_v together_o or_o draw_v up_o their_o information_n they_o give_v unto_o the_o magistrate_n or_o aid_v they_o in_o the_o disperse_v these_o assembly_n or_o any_o other_o way_n help_v they_o in_o their_o evil_a way_n 6._o such_o as_o excite_v counsel_n and_o put_v forward_o these_o informer_n to_o undertake_v their_o evil_a work_n be_v partaker_n with_o they_o in_o their_o sin_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v say_v to_o make_v the_o calf_n which_o aaron_n make_v because_o he_o make_v it_o by_o their_o instigation_n exod._n 32.2.35_o the_o people_n gather_v themselves_o together_o unto_o aaron_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o up_z make_v we_o god_n which_o shall_v go_v before_o we_o and_o the_o lord_n plague_v the_o people_n because_o they_o make_v the_o calf_n which_o aaron_n make_v the_o guilt_n be_v equal_o and_o the_o plague_n great_a upon_o the_o people_n for_o stir_v up_o aaron_n to_o make_v the_o calf_n than_o upon_o aaron_n himself_o that_o make_v the_o golden_a calf_n david_n be_v charge_v with_o kill_a uriah_n 2_o sam._n 12.9_o thou_o have_v kill_v uriah_n the_o hittite_n with_o the_o sword_n yet_o david_n himself_o do_v not_o touch_v he_o they_o be_v the_o ammonite_n that_o kill_v he_o but_o because_o david_n plot_v and_o contrive_v his_o death_n and_o write_v letter_n to_o joab_n to_o set_v he_o in_o the_o forefront_n of_o the_o battle_n where_o he_o be_v slay_v ch._n 11.14_o 15._o uriah_n blood_n be_v lay_v to_o david_n charge_n jezabel_n stir_v up_o ahab_n to_o work_v wickedness_n make_v she_o a_o partaker_n of_o ahab_n guilt_n 1_o king_n 21.25_o there_o be_v none_o like_o unto_o ahab_n that_o do_v sell_v himself_o to_o work_v wickedness_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o jezabel_n his_o wife_n stir_v up_o 7._o such_o as_o hire_v those_o informer_n to_o undertake_v this_o
jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n yet_o he_o show_v so_o much_o justice_n in_o his_o carriage_n he_o will_v not_o give_v sentence_n against_o he_o till_o he_o have_v examine_v he_o and_o his_o accuser_n and_o have_v hear_v what_o he_o can_v say_v for_o himself_o luk._n 23.13_o and_o pilate_n when_o he_o have_v call_v together_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o the_o ruler_n and_o the_o people_n say_v unto_o they_o you_o have_v bring_v this_o man_n unto_o i_o as_o one_o that_o pervert_v the_o people_n and_o behold_v i_o have_v examine_v he_o before_o you_o &_o have_v find_v no_o fault_n in_o this_o man_n touch_v those_o thing_n whereof_o you_o accuse_v he_o neither_o the_o heinousness_n of_o the_o crime_n object_v against_o christ_n as_o blaspheme_v go_v about_o to_o make_v himself_o a_o king_n pervert_v the_o people_n etc._n etc._n nor_o the_o greatness_n or_o multitude_n of_o his_o accuser_n the_o chief_a priest_n ruler_n elder_n and_o the_o people_n be_v combine_v together_o nor_o the_o impetuousness_n of_o his_o adversary_n who_o thirst_v after_o his_o blood_n and_o cry_v out_o with_o one_o consent_n crucify_v he_o crucify_v he_o can_v prevail_v with_o pilate_n to_o give_v sentence_n against_o christ_n till_o he_o have_v examine_v he_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o accuser_n let_v it_o not_o be_v say_v that_o any_o christian_a magistrate_n come_v short_a of_o the_o justice_n pilate_n show_v or_o pretend_v to_o show_v who_o be_v the_o condemner_n of_o christ_n that_o such_o inconsiderable_a person_n as_o these_o informer_n shall_v prevail_v with_o they_o to_o condemn_v man_n fear_v god_n and_o give_v out_o warrant_v to_o destrain_v their_o good_n without_o examine_v they_o before_o their_o accuser_n and_o hear_v what_o they_o be_v able_a to_o say_v for_o themselves_o 4._o as_o for_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o informer_n that_o these_o man_n transgress_v the_o act_n make_v to_o prevent_v seditious_a conventicle_n i_o have_v answer_v that_o plea_n chap._n 3._o plea_n 5._o whither_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n where_o i_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o meeting_n of_o these_o minister_n call_v nonconformist_n be_v no_o transgression_n of_o that_o act_n according_a to_o that_o charitable_a interpretation_n that_o may_v be_v put_v upon_o it_o and_o i_o quote_v a_o passage_n out_o of_o dr._n jeremiah_n taylour_n concern_v the_o interpretation_n of_o law_n which_o be_v this_o all_o law_n do_v infinite_o decline_v all_o harsh_a sense_n and_o be_v ambitious_a of_o gentle_a benign_a interpretation_n which_o if_o allow_v as_o true_a in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o this_o law_n in_o my_o judgement_n the_o meeting_n of_o these_o man_n be_v not_o punishable_a by_o that_o law_n because_o those_o meeting_n that_o be_v punishable_a by_o that_o law_n must_v be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o though_o the_o informer_n swear_v because_o they_o do_v either_o not_o understand_v or_o not_o fear_v a_o oath_n yet_o they_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v for_o they_o must_v be_v able_a to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o they_o can_v do_v because_o 1._o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v read_v for_o the_o first_o and_o second_o lesson_n be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o what_o meeting_n be_v not_o in_o other_o manner_n than_o be_v allow_v by_o those_o portion_n of_o scripture_n prescribe_v to_o be_v read_v by_o the_o liturgy_n be_v not_o in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n 2._o if_o these_o informer_n will_v contend_v and_o swear_v that_o though_o these_o meeting_n be_v not_o in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n yet_o they_o be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n this_o will_v set_v the_o liturgy_n and_o the_o scripture_n at_o variance_n and_o such_o a_o conclusion_n will_v be_v draw_v from_o hence_o as_o may_v make_v they_o punishable_a for_o deprave_v the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o it_o be_v say_v these_o meeting_n be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n these_o minister_n desire_v no_o further_a favour_n than_o to_o argue_v this_o case_n with_o the_o informer_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o if_o they_o can_v justify_v whatever_o they_o do_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n they_o will_v content_o suffer_v what_o these_o magistrate_n shall_v see_v meet_a to_o inflict_v upon_o they_o and_o if_o all_o law_n do_v infinite_o decline_v all_o harsh_a sense_n i_o will_v appeal_v to_o all_o sober_a man_n whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o harsh_a sense_n to_o interpret_v a_o law_n make_v to_o suppress_v seditious_a conventicle_n in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o to_o punish_v man_n for_o perform_v religious_a duty_n and_o whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o harsh_a sense_n to_o interpret_v those_o meeting_n that_o be_v not_o in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n suppose_v some_o pretender_n to_o religion_n have_v plot_v insurrection_n under_o a_o colour_n of_o religious_a exercise_n such_o practice_n and_o principle_n i_o abhor_v as_o much_o as_o other_o man_n i_o speak_v not_o one_o word_n in_o their_o behalf_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o take_v off_o the_o harshness_n of_o the_o interpretation_n so_o to_o interpret_v a_o law_n make_v to_o prevent_v sedition_n and_o insurrection_n as_o to_o punish_v such_o as_o meet_v for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o glorify_v god_n and_o work_v out_o their_o own_o salvation_n if_o a_o strict_a law_n be_v make_v to_o prevent_v drunkenness_n and_o because_o many_o have_v make_v themselves_o drink_v with_o wine_n or_o strong_a drink_n to_o interpret_v this_o law_n so_o as_o to_o punish_v a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o weak_o stomach_n and_o drink_v wine_n moderate_o to_o help_v his_o digestion_n or_o to_o punish_v a_o man_n that_o go_v to_o the_o tavern_n upon_o weighty_a business_n will_v be_v judge_v a_o harsh_a interpretation_n of_o the_o law_n to_o punish_v sober_a man_n for_o the_o use_n of_o that_o which_o other_o have_v abuse_v so_o here_o because_o some_o have_v abuse_v private_a meeting_n to_o interpret_v a_o law_n against_o seditious_a meeting_n so_o as_o to_o punish_v those_o that_o use_v meeting_n in_o a_o holy_a and_o religious_a manner_n seem_v to_o i_o a_o harsh_a interpretation_n of_o the_o law_n obj._n 2._o it_o may_v be_v some_o will_v say_v we_o can_v we_o dare_v not_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a but_o many_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n be_v righteous_a and_o peaceable_a man_n and_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o prove_v their_o meeting_n be_v in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o if_o we_o can_v avoid_v it_o we_o will_v not_o molest_v these_o man_n or_o their_o meeting_n for_o it_o be_v against_o our_o conscience_n to_o break_v they_o up_o or_o to_o fine_v they_o but_o these_o informer_n be_v busy_a man_n and_o they_o may_v possible_o make_v we_o lose_v a_o hundred_o pound_n if_o we_o do_v not_o answer_v their_o desire_n in_o disturb_v these_o meeting_n and_o fine_v those_o that_o be_v present_a at_o they_o if_o it_o be_v not_o that_o we_o fear_v the_o loss_n of_o a_o hundred_o pound_n we_o will_v not_o meddle_v with_o these_o man_n and_o their_o meeting_n answ_n 1._o i_o have_v not_o hear_v of_o any_o magistrate_n that_o have_v suffer_v on_o this_o account_n and_o if_o any_o informer_n shall_v arise_v to_o that_o impudence_n as_o to_o sue_v any_o magistrate_n for_o not_o molest_v these_o man_n or_o their_o meeting_n i_o have_v more_o charitable_a thought_n of_o the_o law_n and_o of_o those_o that_o execute_v they_o than_o to_o think_v that_o any_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v fine_v for_o not_o punish_v those_o man_n against_o who_o nothing_o of_o sedition_n can_v be_v prove_v nor_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o that_o they_o meet_v together_o to_o pray_v to_o god_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n for_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o to_o preach_v and_o hear_v his_o holy_a word_n 2._o to_o such_o as_o be_v under_o a_o temptation_n of_o act_v contrary_a to_o their_o conscience_n for_o fear_v of_o the_o loss_n of_o a_o hundred_o pound_n i_o may_v say_v as_o the_o prophet_n say_v to_o amaziah_n when_o he_o ask_v he_o but_o what_o shall_v we_o do_v for_o the_o hundred_o talent_n and_o the_o man_n of_o god_n answer_v the_o lord_n be_v able_a to_o give_v thou_o much_o more_o than_o this_o 2_o chron._n 25.9_o a_o hundred_o talent_n be_v more_o than_o a_o hundred_o pound_n and_o if_o god_n