know_v and_o profess_v not_o only_o to_o provide_v that_o the_o ignorant_a and_o erroneous_a people_n may_v be_v well_o instruct_v in_o the_o true_a religion_n but_o also_o to_o prohibit_v and_o suppress_v the_o public_a profession_n and_o practice_n of_o idolatry_n heresy_n blasphemy_n and_o suchlike_a as_o be_v so_o repugnant_a and_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o true_a religion_n which_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o promote_v and_o maintain_v but_o to_o give_v a_o toleration_n of_o these_o and_o of_o all_o religion_n whatsoever_o be_v so_o far_o from_o suppress_v it_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o allowance_n of_o it_o but_o a_o kind_n of_o set_v it_o up_o second_o it_o may_v be_v further_o prove_v unlawful_a from_o the_o command_n of_o god_n on_o the_o magistracy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o suppress_v all_o false_a prophet_n teacher_n and_o idolater_n deut._n 13._o 2_o 6_o 10._o three_o from_o the_o example_n of_o all_o good_a king_n and_o magistrate_n that_o do_v so_o and_o be_v approve_v for_o so_o do_v and_o last_o from_o the_o great_a injury_n and_o hurt_n that_o the_o cause_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v like_a to_o receive_v by_o such_o a_o toleration_n by_o give_v occasion_n to_o satan_n by_o false_a teacher_n to_o infest_v the_o church_n with_o the_o seed_n of_o false_a doctrine_n and_o to_o corrupt_v the_o pure_a worship_n of_o god_n with_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n which_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n as_o a_o watchman_n over_o the_o church_n shall_v labour_v to_o prevent_v this_o in_o short_a may_v serve_v sufficient_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o unreasonableness_n and_o great_a impiety_n of_o such_o a_o toleration_n but_o because_o a_o general_a toleration_n under_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n have_v be_v and_o be_v a_o matter_n so_o vehement_o argue_v for_o by_o many_o i_o shall_v a_o little_a inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o this_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n plead_v for_o by_o which_o i_o presume_v most_o understand_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o exemption_n from_o the_o obligation_n of_o all_o humane_a law_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n therefore_o i_o shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n examine_v those_o ground_n upon_o which_o such_o a_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n seem_v to_o be_v claim_v and_o plead_v for_o which_o be_v find_v rot_v and_o unsound_a such_o a_o toleration_n will_v then_o further_o appear_v unlawful_a to_o be_v give_v by_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n and_o then_o second_o i_o shall_v further_o examine_v what_o that_o lawful_a liberty_n be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o of_o divine_a right_a aught_o to_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o magistrate_n to_o every_o christian_a first_o concern_v such_o a_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n as_o be_v oppose_v to_o all_o human_a law_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n i_o shall_v inquire_v into_o these_o thing_n first_o what_o obligation_n of_o humane_a law_n there_o be_v upon_o the_o conscience_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o religion_n second_o whether_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n do_v exempt_a from_o the_o obligation_n of_o just_a law_n three_o whether_o the_o consideration_n of_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n under_o the_o infliction_n of_o a_o penalty_n on_o such_o a_o person_n to_o be_v unjust_a of_o these_o very_o brief_o first_o as_o to_o the_o obligation_n of_o humane_a law_n upon_o the_o conscience_n we_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o do_v immediate_o bind_v the_o conscience_n because_o the_o conscience_n be_v only_a subject_n to_o god_n and_o under_o his_o authority_n alone_o the_o magistrate_n have_v only_a power_n over_o the_o body_n and_o outward_a practice_n but_o yet_o nevertheless_o the_o conscience_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o obey_v all_o lawful_a and_o just_a command_n of_o the_o magistrate_n now_o those_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n about_o religion_n that_o be_v but_o the_o enforcement_n of_o god_n own_o command_n and_o institution_n have_v a_o double_a obligation_n upon_o the_o conscience_n both_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o immediate_a divine_a authority_n appoint_v they_o as_o also_o from_o the_o command_n of_o god_n require_v obedience_n to_o humane_a authority_n chief_o in_o such_o thing_n second_o neither_o do_v a_o erroneous_a conscience_n exempt_a from_o the_o obligation_n of_o just_a law_n for_o though_o every_o man_n have_v a_o judgement_n of_o private_a discretion_n in_o and_o about_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o religion_n yet_o if_o he_o judge_v erroneous_o of_o what_o be_v just_o require_v by_o law_n to_o be_v do_v his_o judgement_n and_o erroneous_a conscience_n therein_o do_v not_o exempt_v he_o from_o the_o obligation_n of_o those_o command_n for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o he_o sin_n in_o act_v against_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n yet_o he_o ought_v to_o lay_v it_o down_o and_o then_o to_o act_v and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n he_o sin_n if_o he_o do_v not_o three_o neither_o will_v the_o infliction_n of_o a_o penalty_n be_v unjust_a that_o be_v lay_v on_o a_o person_n for_o do_v or_o omit_v that_o which_o he_o be_v lead_v to_o by_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n this_o be_v the_o grand_a mistake_n about_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n that_o because_o every_o man_n have_v a_o liberty_n to_o judge_v for_o himself_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o religion_n that_o therefore_o if_o he_o judge_v erroneous_o yet_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v tolerate_v in_o so_o do_v no_o he_o ought_v to_o lay_v down_o his_o erroneous_a conscience_n or_o else_o as_o he_o sin_n so_o he_o just_o suffer_v from_o authority_n in_o follow_v the_o dictate_v of_o it_o but_o that_o he_o sin_n in_o follow_v a_o erroneous_a conscience_n i_o think_v no_o one_o of_o sense_n will_v deny_v for_o if_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o a_o man_n to_o act_v in_o religion_n according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n when_o it_o be_v erroneous_a then_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o commit_v idolatry_n speak_v blasphemy_n etc._n etc._n if_o his_o conscience_n lead_v he_o to_o it_o therefore_o if_o the_o plea_n of_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n will_v not_o free_v a_o man_n from_o the_o gild_n of_o those_o sin_n that_o he_o be_v lead_v into_o by_o it_o then_o certain_o it_o will_v not_o exempt_v a_o man_n from_o the_o just_a obligation_n of_o punishment_n from_o the_o magistrate_n for_o those_o sin_n who_o be_v the_o avenger_n of_o god_n against_o all_o evil_a doer_n and_o the_o magistrate_n do_v offer_v no_o violence_n to_o conscience_n by_o either_o require_v obedience_n or_o exact_v the_o penalty_n for_o disobedience_n to_o just_a and_o righteous_a command_n for_o if_o man_n erroneous_a conscience_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o obey_v it_o be_v no_o force_n upon_o conscience_n for_o the_o outward_a man_n to_o bear_v the_o penalty_n but_o beside_o if_o such_o a_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v due_a to_o every_o man_n as_o shall_v exempt_v he_o from_o the_o obligation_n of_o all_o humane_a law_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n it_o will_v then_o follow_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o authority_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o so_o it_o will_v null_a the_o chief_a part_n of_o his_o office_n for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n there_o can_v be_v no_o authority_n to_o command_v those_o be_v correlative_n and_o can_v be_v one_o without_o the_o other_o but_o to_o conclude_v this_o particular_a if_o it_o be_v so_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o conscience_n be_v bind_v by_o such_o humane_a law_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o be_v the_o enforcement_n of_o god_n own_o command_n and_o institution_n and_o that_o if_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n do_v not_o exempt_v a_o man_n from_o the_o obligation_n of_o such_o law_n nor_o render_v the_o penalty_n inflict_v for_o break_v of_o they_o to_o be_v unjust_a then_o certain_o there_o be_v no_o such_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n as_o a_o exemption_n from_o all_o humane_a law_n about_o religion_n due_a to_o any_o christian_a and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v grant_v by_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n second_o i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n propose_v to_o wit_n what_o that_o lawful_a liberty_n be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o of_o divine_a right_a aught_o to_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o magistrate_n for_o though_o we_o have_v assert_v and_o prove_v the_o duty_n and_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o make_v law_n for_o the_o promotion_n and_o maintenance_n of_o true_a religion_n yet_o we_o may_v not_o think_v that_o the_o magistrate_n can_v by_o law_n entrench_v upon_o any_o of_o the_o right_n liberty_n and_o privilege_n which_o of_o divine_a right_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o maintain_v every_o christian_n
we_o have_v prove_v it_o can_v do_v then_o certain_o no_o scandal_n be_v give_v by_o omit_v such_o unnecessary_a thing_n for_o this_o we_o have_v a_o parallel_n instance_n in_o our_o saviour_n justify_v his_o disciple_n in_o omit_v a_o lawful_a but_o a_o unnecessary_a ceremony_n though_o enjoin_v by_o lawful_a authority_n notwithstanding_o the_o pharisce_n be_v scandalize_v by_o it_o namely_o in_o omit_v to_o wash_v before_o meat_n mat._n 15._o 13._o therefore_o it_o be_v thus_o lawful_a and_o necessary_a to_o omit_v such_o indifferent_a thing_n in_o religion_n as_o be_v doubtful_a and_o scandalous_a but_o yet_o also_o necessary_a to_o do_v and_o perform_v the_o essential_a and_o necessary_a part_n of_o divine_a worship_n the_o practice_n of_o christian_n then_o in_o keep_v to_o all_o the_o necessary_a part_n of_o protestant_a doctrine_n and_o worship_n omit_v only_o that_o which_o be_v in_o itself_o unnecessary_a and_o in_o its_o use_n doubtful_a and_o scandalous_a can_v just_o be_v condemn_v as_o unlawful_a or_o scandalous_a for_o herein_o they_o do_v but_o save_v and_o improve_v their_o own_o right_a and_o liberty_n which_o they_o have_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n without_o respect_n to_o the_o obligation_n of_o such_o law_n as_o either_o restrain_v a_o necessary_a duty_n or_o require_v a_o unnecessary_a ceremony_n and_o the_o do_v of_o a_o necessary_a duty_n and_o the_o omit_v a_o unnecessary_a circumstance_n do_v not_o render_v a_o man_n culpable_a of_o give_v scandal_n the_o scandal_n may_v perhaps_o be_v take_v or_o follow_v thereupon_o 3._o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o liberty_n use_v in_o religion_n ss_z not_o practical_a assent_n to_o a_o general_a toleration_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o practice_n grant_v thereby_o but_o what_o be_v a_o original_a right_n antecedent_n and_o without_o respect_n to_o such_o a_o toleration_n it_o can_v follow_v that_o christian_n thus_o use_v their_o liberty_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o the_o essential_o of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n omit_v only_o such_o thing_n different_a and_o doubtful_a can_v be_v say_v to_o give_v any_o practical_a or_o 〈…〉_o to_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n because_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o liberty_n be_v not_o found_v on_o the_o toleration_n but_o both_o on_o the_o lawfulness_n and_o obligation_n of_o the_o duty_n so_o to_o practice_v without_o respect_n to_o such_o a_o toleration_n much_o less_o be_v it_o any_o practical_a assent_n to_o a_o suppose_a power_n in_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n to_o dispense_v with_o such_o law_n as_o be_v of_o know_a use_n and_o necessity_n to_o the_o support_n of_o the_o fundamental_o both_o of_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o the_o protestant_a religion_n for_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n may_v dispense_v with_o the_o observation_n of_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o doubtful_a in_o religion_n though_o enjoin_v by_o law_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o penalty_n impose_v for_o omit_v they_o and_o that_o when_o the_o supreme_a law_n of_o piety_n and_o charity_n require_v it_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v thence_o that_o he_o may_v dispense_v with_o all_o law_n that_o require_v both_o the_o profession_n and_o practice_n of_o true_a religion_n in_o the_o essential_o of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o that_o prohibit_v idolatry_n and_o false_a religion_n and_o give_v a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n i_o hope_v that_o all_o true_a protestant_n that_o accept_v their_o liberty_n only_o in_o a_o exemption_n from_o such_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o doubtful_a in_o religion_n do_v utter_o disow_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o a_o toleration_n or_o of_o any_o such_o power_n in_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n to_o dispense_v with_o the_o law_n those_o that_o through_o ignorance_n or_o error_n have_v profess_v any_o actual_a consent_n to_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v pity_v and_o blame_v quest_n iv_o whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o subject_n to_o consent_v to_o the_o repeal_n those_o law_n that_o establish_v and_o preserve_v the_o true_a christian_a religion_n answ_n i_o answer_v that_o they_o may_v not_o but_o that_o which_o have_v be_v prove_v under_o the_o forego_n question_n have_v anticipate_v much_o of_o that_o may_v be_v say_v in_o answer_n to_o this_o for_o the_o force_n of_o this_o question_n lose_v its_o strength_n upon_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o former_a hypothesis_n and_o needs_o little_a to_o be_v say_v in_o answer_n to_o it_o for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v that_o if_o it_o be_v the_o magistrate_n duty_n and_o so_o especial_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o legislative_a power_n to_o maintain_v the_o true_a religion_n it_o be_v then_o their_o duty_n to_o maintain_v those_o law_n that_o both_o establish_v and_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o maintenance_n of_o it_o because_o the_o magistrate_n office_n and_o power_n be_v exert_v by_o law_n now_o those_o law_n be_v either_o such_o as_o require_v the_o profession_n &_o practice_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n or_o such_o as_o prohibit_v and_o punish_v the_o profession_n and_o exercise_n of_o false_a religion_n neither_o of_o which_o may_v be_v lawful_o repeal_v unless_o better_a law_n for_o the_o security_n and_o establishment_n of_o true_a religion_n be_v first_o provide_v for_o by_o repeal_n the_o law_n that_o establish_v the_o profession_n and_o exercise_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o magistrate_n disâ—…eth_v his_o care_n and_o regard_n for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o so_o frustrate_v and_o make_v void_a one_o of_o the_o special_a end_n of_o his_o office_n and_o likewise_o betray_v the_o cause_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o rapine_n and_o violence_n of_o its_o open_a and_o profess_v enemy_n and_o then_o also_o the_o repeal_n the_o law_n that_o prohibit_v false_a religion_n and_o idolatry_n be_v not_o only_o a_o allowance_n of_o it_o but_o a_o constructive_a set_n it_o up_o at_o least_o become_v partly_o guilty_a of_o it_o hence_o be_v that_o rule_n in_o morality_n cujus_fw-la manu_fw-la est_fw-la ne_fw-la quid_fw-la fiat_fw-la â—i_fw-la deputatur_fw-la cum_fw-la jain_o fit_a in_o who_o hand_n and_o power_n it_o be_v that_o a_o evil_a act_n be_v not_o do_v to_o they_o it_o be_v impute_v if_o it_o be_v do_v and_o this_o rule_n do_v most_o proper_o respect_v magistrate_n and_o those_o that_o have_v power_n over_o other_o who_o be_v true_o say_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o that_o evil_a which_o they_o be_v able_a by_o good_a law_n to_o prevent_v and_o do_v not_o and_o therefore_o that_o magistrate_n ought_v to_o prohibit_v at_o least_o the_o public_a profession_n and_o exercise_n of_o idolatry_n and_o false_a religion_n be_v no_o doubt_n the_o ground_n of_o those_o good_a law_n which_o prohibit_v the_o same_o which_o our_o forefather_n with_o so_o much_o zeal_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n obtain_v against_o popery_n and_o idolatry_n but_o with_o what_o zeal_n for_o or_o security_n unto_o the_o protestant_a religion_n they_o may_v now_o be_v repeal_v i_o do_v not_o understand_v if_o then_o it_o be_v not_o moral_o lawful_a for_o the_o legislative_a power_n to_o repeal_v those_o law_n that_o establish_v and_o preserve_v the_o protestant_a religion_n i_o need_v not_o then_o further_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o the_o people_n to_o consent_v thereunto_o which_o will_v thence_o follow_v but_o i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o by_o make_v some_o short_a answer_n to_o three_o of_o these_o argument_n which_o i_o judge_v be_v the_o most_o specious_a that_o be_v urge_v for_o repeal_n the_o penal_a law_n and_o those_o also_o be_v of_o so_o little_a weight_n that_o there_o need_v little_a to_o be_v say_v in_o answer_n to_o they_o first_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o penal_a law_n make_v against_o popery_n have_v be_v pervert_v from_o their_o proper_a end_n and_o use_v against_o papist_n to_o oppress_v and_o persecute_v protestant_n for_o dissent_v only_o in_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o ceremony_n in_o religion_n answ_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o law_n but_o of_o those_o that_o have_v the_o executive_a power_n and_o be_v so_o do_v as_o now_o appear_v plain_o to_o serve_v the_o design_n of_o popeâ—y_n then_o carry_v on_o but_o though_o the_o peral_n law_n have_v be_v so_o pervert_v yet_o see_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v of_o such_o necessary_a use_n for_o the_o security_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n against_o popery_n they_o may_v not_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v repeal_v but_o as_o for_o those_o law_n that_o impose_v penalty_n on_o protestant_n adhere_v to_o all_o the_o essential_a and_o necessary_a part_n of_o protestant_a doctrine_n and_o worship_n but_o upon_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n dissent_v in_o some_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o ceremony_n in_o religion_n which_o to_o they_o be_v doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o the_o wisdom_n piety_n and_o charity_n of_o another_o parliament_n may_v either_o give_v a_o great_a latitude_n in_o the_o term_n of_o church-communion_n among_o all_o protestant_n or_o abate_v the_o rigour_n of_o those_o law_n that_o impose_v penalty_n for_o nonconformity_n only_o in_o such_o matter_n second_o it_o be_v further_o allege_v by_o some_o that_o there_o be_v some_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n in_o religion_n still_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o all_o those_o penal_a law_n establish_v and_o confirm_v they_o and_o require_v full_a conformity_n to_o they_o as_o to_o the_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n upon_o pain_n of_o penalty_n annex_v to_o those_o law_n and_o that_o therefore_o they_o shall_v be_v repeal_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o abuse_n answ_n though_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n about_o the_o circumstance_n of_o religion_n confirm_v by_o the_o same_o law_n whereby_o the_o substantial_a and_o necessary_a part_n be_v confirm_v yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v therefore_o that_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o abuse_n those_o law_n shall_v be_v make_v void_a that_o confirm_v the_o essential_a part_n unless_o as_o we_o say_v before_o better_a law_n can_v first_o be_v obtain_v that_o may_v at_o least_o so_o well_o secure_v the_o essential_a part_n because_o a_o lesser_a evil_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v to_o wit_n the_o burden_n of_o those_o abuse_n rather_o than_o a_o great_a namely_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o the_o introduction_n of_o popery_n therefore_o where_o a_o less-necessary_a good_n can_v yet_o be_v attain_v unto_o there_o the_o most_o necessary_a good_a already_o attain_v must_v be_v preserve_v three_o it_o be_v further_o object_v that_o those_o law_n never_o do_v nor_o never_o will_v answer_v their_o end_n of_o bring_v all_o person_n into_o a_o uniformity_n in_o religion_n for_o which_o they_o be_v intend_v and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n give_v by_o some_o for_o repeal_n they_o answ_n to_o which_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o the_o same_o be_v object_v by_o papist_n against_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o of_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o they_o never_o answer_v their_o end_n of_o reconcile_a difference_n in_o religion_n and_o indeed_o upon_o as_o good_a ground_n it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n because_o it_o do_v not_o attain_v its_o end_n of_o be_v such_o for_o that_o all_o man_n will_v not_o be_v rule_v by_o it_o but_o for_o further_a answer_n those_o law_n have_v attain_v their_o end_n so_o far_o hitherto_o as_o to_o support_v and_o maintain_v the_o essential_a and_o necessary_a part_n of_o protestant_a doctrine_n and_o worship_n against_o the_o prevalency_n of_o popery_n for_o which_o end_n most_o of_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v especial_o intend_v but_o that_o they_o have_v not_o also_o attain_v their_o end_n of_o procure_v unity_n and_o uniformity_n in_o lesser_a matter_n relate_v to_o modes_n and_o ceremony_n in_o divine_a worship_n have_v be_v doubtless_o the_o too_o much_o over_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o such_o thing_n unnecessary_a and_o doubtful_a in_o religion_n which_o will_v perpetuate_v division_n to_o the_o world_n end_n whilst_o they_o be_v make_v necessary_a condition_n of_o communion_n among_o protestant_n but_o alas_o either_o unity_n or_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o these_o be_v be_v not_o of_o that_o moment_n and_o concernment_n that_o some_o man_n imagine_v that_o lie_v so_o much_o stress_n and_o weight_n upon_o thing_n of_o ceremony_n and_o circumstance_n and_o so_o little_a value_n the_o substantial_a and_o great_a thing_n of_o religion_n the_o principal_a bond_n of_o christian_a unity_n be_v a_o unity_n in_o the_o profession_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o protestant_a faith_n to_o the_o preservation_n of_o which_o those_o law_n be_v especial_o to_o be_v esteem_v as_o useful_a and_o therefore_o shall_v not_o be_v repeal_v unless_o better_a law_n conduce_v more_o effectual_o to_o those_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n can_v be_v make_v and_o provide_v finis_fw-la
people_n make_v a_o law_n that_o whosoever_o will_v not_o seek_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n 2_o chron._n 15._o 13._o and_o these_o be_v approve_v for_o so_o do_v whereas_o those_o king_n that_o take_v no_o care_n of_o religion_n but_o do_v either_o set_v up_o idolatry_n or_o do_v not_o suppress_v it_o be_v brand_v for_o such_o as_o do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n object_n but_o it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o what_o the_o magistrate_n thus_o do_v under_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n be_v but_o the_o execution_n of_o god_n own_o law_n which_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v but_o that_o this_o be_v no_o precedent_n for_o christian_a magistrate_n under_o the_o gospel_n because_o those_o law_n be_v now_o abrogate_a and_o there_o be_v no_o new_a law_n prescribe_v by_o god_n under_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o inflict_a of_o any_o punishment_n either_o pecuniary_a or_o corporal_a for_o any_o offence_n against_o religion_n and_o therefore_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o this_o end_n answ_n though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o gospel_n prescribe_v no_o punishment_n for_o offence_n against_o religion_n and_o that_o the_o judicial_a law_n also_o as_o it_o be_v peculiar_a to_o that_o nation_n so_o be_v not_o precise_o bind_v on_o any_o nation_n under_o the_o gospel_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o magistrate_n may_v not_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o offence_n against_o religion_n for_o then_o upon_o that_o ground_n he_o may_v not_o make_v law_n for_o offence_n against_o second-table-commands_a as_o murder_n adultery_n thâ—ft_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v not_o prescribe_v any_o and_o therefore_o on_o this_o account_n some_o have_v be_v so_o wild_a to_o think_v that_o no_o corporal_a punishment_n shall_v be_v inflict_v under_o the_o gospel_n by_o christian_a man_n but_o it_o be_v general_o agree_v by_o all_o that_o the_o natural_a and_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o wit_n that_o which_o be_v found_v on_o reason_n and_o moral_a justice_n be_v still_o obligatory_a on_o all_o nation_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o judicial_a law_n be_v but_o a_o exposition_n and_o enforcement_n of_o the_o natural_a and_o moral_a law_n of_o god_n hence_o most_o of_o the_o penalty_n inflict_v by_o that_o law_n for_o offence_n against_o any_o of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n we_o may_v find_v that_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o penalty_n may_v in_o many_o thing_n be_v draw_v from_o the_o moral_a nature_n of_o the_o crime_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o will_n of_o god_n prescribe_v the_o kind_n of_o penalty_n now_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o where_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o penalty_n for_o such_o and_o such_o offence_n be_v natural_a and_o moral_a there_o those_o penal_a law_n be_v so_o far_o still_o in_o force_n that_o they_o remain_v on_o record_n both_o as_o precedent_n and_o engagement_n on_o all_o nation_n to_o make_v law_n in_o conformity_n to_o they_o and_o sure_o where_o we_o can_v so_o clear_o see_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o penalty_n yet_o where_o the_o offence_n against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v the_o same_o there_o the_o will_n of_o god_n impose_v penalty_n for_o such_o and_o such_o offence_n against_o his_o law_n be_v the_o best_a rule_n and_o pattern_n for_o the_o law_n of_o all_o magistrate_n in_o the_o world_n now_o if_o the_o abolition_n of_o the_o jevish_a pedagogy_n and_o their_o civil_a state_n for_o which_o these_o penal_a law_n be_v more_o peculiar_o adapt_v do_v not_o null_a the_o power_n of_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o the_o violation_n of_o second-table-commands_a as_o for_o murder_n wheredom_n theft_n etc._n etc._n why_o shall_v it_o any_o more_o null_a his_o power_n to_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o the_o violation_n of_o first-table-commands_a as_o for_o idolatry_n superstition_n blasphemy_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o first-table-commands_a have_v still_o the_o precedent_a obligation_n to_o the_o second_o and_o the_o violation_n of_o they_o have_v the_o same_o moral_a obliquity_n and_o gild_n as_o under_o the_o law_n therefore_o law_n to_o punish_v those_o sin_n have_v the_o same_o reason_n and_o moral_a justice_n in_o they_o as_o the_o other_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o magistrate_n be_v under_o equal_a obligation_n to_o impose_v such_o law_n as_o the_o other_o object_n but_o it_o will_v be_v further_o object_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v only_o appoint_v under_o the_o gospel_n the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v the_o spiritual_a sword_n for_o the_o propagate_a and_o maintain_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o man_n be_v invite_v to_o believe_v and_o embrace_v this_o religion_n upon_o free_a choice_n and_o election_n and_o upon_o principle_n of_o pure_a conviction_n and_o conscience_n and_o not_o compel_v or_o force_v to_o it_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v promote_v by_o a_o temporal_a power_n or_o man_n punish_v for_o disobedience_n to_o it_o answ_n for_o answer_v this_o mistake_n of_o deny_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o not_o distinguish_v between_o those_o two_o distinct_a office_n viz._n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o of_o the_o magistracy_n which_o be_v office_n of_o a_o different_a order_n that_o have_v each_o their_o peculiar_a property_n and_o employment_n though_o both_o to_o the_o great_a and_o general_a end_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o also_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n the_o ministerial_a office_n be_v proper_o found_v on_o christ_n commission_n as_o mediator_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o be_v commit_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n both_o of_o doctrine_n and_o of_o discipline_n but_o the_o office_n of_o the_o magistracy_n be_v of_o another_o order_n and_o found_v on_o god_n law_n as_o he_o be_v rector_n of_o the_o world_n to_o who_o be_v commit_v the_o sword_n of_o justice_n and_o that_o not_o only_o between_o man_n and_o man_n but_o between_o god_n and_o man._n magistracy_n therefore_o be_v not_o proper_o a_o gospel_n but_o a_o moral_a institution_n now_o as_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o abrogate_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_n do_v establish_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n rom._n 3._o 13._o so_o by_o consequence_n it_o do_v not_o null_a either_o the_o office_n or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o moral_a duty_n of_o the_o office_n of_o magistracy_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n do_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v it_o as_o it_o do_v all_o other_o matter_n of_o moral_a duty_n and_o religion_n it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o our_o saviour_n only_o appoint_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n in_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o minister_n and_o so_o propagate_v his_o religion_n and_o in_o that_o capacity_n commissionated_a and_o send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n and_o gospel-minister_n he_o do_v not_o intermeddle_v with_o the_o office_n of_o the_o magistracy_n but_o leave_v that_o to_o stand_v on_o its_o own_o bottom_n as_o found_v on_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o king_n yet_o his_o kingdom_n be_v spiritual_a and_o not_o of_o this_o world_n and_o therefore_o as_o he_o take_v not_o the_o power_n of_o the_o temporal_a sword_n himself_o as_o he_o may_v have_v do_v upon_o divine_a right_n so_o he_o give_v no_o such_o power_n to_o any_o of_o the_o ministerial_a order_n and_o we_o find_v also_o that_o god_n almighty_a in_o who_o power_n be_v the_o heart_n of_o king_n and_o magistrate_n do_v not_o use_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n for_o the_o promotion_n and_o advancement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n at_o the_o first_o which_o he_o may_v have_v do_v by_o effectual_o call_v and_o convert_v they_o by_o his_o grace_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o so_o incline_v their_o heart_n to_o improve_v their_o power_n and_o office_n for_o his_o glory_n as_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o do_v but_o he_o do_v not_o and_o that_o no_o doubt_n in_o great_a wisdom_n that_o so_o the_o gospel_n be_v propagate_v by_o such_o weak_a and_o contemptible_a instrument_n as_o the_o apostle_n be_v without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n yea_o and_o against_o such_o great_a opposition_n from_o they_o may_v be_v give_v to_o the_o world_n one_o of_o the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v thence_o but_o that_o it_o be_v