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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
duty_n action_n conscience_n good_a 1,039 5 4.0253 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A41450 A serious and compassionate inquiry into the causes of the present neglect and contempt of the Protestant religion and Church of England with several seasonable considerations offer'd to all English Protestants, tending to perswade them to a complyance with and conformity to the religion and government of this church as it is established by the laws of the Kingdom. Goodman, John, 1625 or 6-1690. 1674 (1674) Wing G1120; ESTC R28650 105,843 292

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it_o be_v i_o have_v read_v of_o a_o vulgar_a person_n who_o first_o have_v hear_v himself_o resemble_v to_o the_o prince_n for_o stature_n and_o complexion_n and_o afterward_o heighten_v up_o into_o the_o conceit_n by_o the_o flattery_n of_o some_o and_o art_n of_o other_o that_o have_v end_n to_o serve_v by_o he_o come_v at_o last_o to_o conceit_n himself_o to_o be_v the_o prince_n indeed_o and_o give_v sufficient_a trouble_n to_o the_o king_n in_o possession_n man_n have_v speak_v so_o magnificent_o of_o conscience_n that_o divers_a have_v grow_v into_o a_o belief_n that_o it_o be_v some_o ghost_n or_o spirit_n and_o little_a thought_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o their_o own_o inconsiderable_a self_n it_o be_v call_v a_o tutelar_a genius_n a_o familiar_a a_o domestic_a deity_n a_o god_n within_o man_n and_o at_o least_o god_n vicegerent_n enthrone_v in_o our_o bosom_n now_o under_o these_o disguise_n man_n have_v be_v ready_a to_o fall_v down_o and_o worship_n themselves_o and_o like_o the_o pagan_n have_v give_v divine_a honour_n to_o their_o own_o passion_n but_o the_o least_o that_o can_v follow_v from_o such_o premise_n be_v that_o the_o magistrate_n must_v strike_v sail_n to_o this_o admire_a numen_fw-la hence_o probable_o quakerism_n take_v its_o rise_n the_o man_n of_o which_o way_n be_v general_o a_o stubborn_a and_o incurable_a generation_n bring_v scripture_n or_o reason_n or_o any_o authority_n against_o they_o they_o slight_a all_o and_o only_o appeal_v to_o the_o light_n within_o they_o that_o mighty_a deity_n that_o internal_a christ_n their_o conscience_n hence_o also_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o mischievous_a principle_n arise_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o in_o spite_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o for_o a_o good_a cause_n and_o under_o a_o good_a intention_n that_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o our_o conscience_n especial_o if_o providence_n also_o smile_v upon_o our_o undertake_n and_o encourage_v we_o with_o hope_n of_o success_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o man_n of_o what_o quality_n soever_o to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o reformer_n and_o turn_v the_o world_n upside_o down_o nay_o so_o far_o have_v some_o be_v bewilder_v by_o these_o cloudy_a and_o misty_a description_n that_o whatsoever_o humour_n have_v be_v predominant_a in_o their_o body_n whatever_o passion_n of_o their_o mind_n whatever_o prejudice_n of_o education_n or_o interest_n or_o profit_n all_o this_o have_v past_a for_o conscience_n and_o under_o that_o name_n be_v uncontrollable_a but_o now_o if_o such_o man_n will_v consider_v and_o love_v plain_a english_a and_o to_o understand_v what_o they_o say_v conscience_n be_v neither_o god_n nor_o angel_n nor_o spirit_n nor_o any_o thing_n that_o will_v bear_v all_o that_o weight_n be_v thus_o lay_v upon_o it_o but_o be_v plain_o this_o and_o no_o more_o namely_o it_o be_v a_o man_n own_o mind_n or_o understanding_n under_o the_o distinct_a consideration_n of_o reflect_v upon_o himself_o his_o own_o action_n and_o duty_n when_o we_o take_v notice_n of_o thing_n that_o do_v not_o concern_v we_o moral_o than_o this_o notice_n be_v call_v understanding_n only_o or_o mind_n or_o opinion_n or_o science_n or_o some_o such_o name_n but_o when_o we_o consider_v whether_o a_o thing_n be_v good_a or_o evil_n moral_o lawful_a or_o unlawful_a that_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o such_o a_o rule_n of_o action_n or_o suitable_a to_o the_o end_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n than_o we_o call_v this_o notice_n or_o reflection_n of_o our_o mind_n conscience_n now_o when_o we_o speak_v thus_o plain_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a legendary_a conceit_n vanish_v for_o scarce_o any_o man_n that_o say_v his_o conscience_n be_v incontrollable_a will_v say_v his_o own_o opinion_n or_o reason_n be_v the_o ultimate_a rule_n of_o his_o action_n but_o will_v confess_v he_o may_v as_o a_o man_n err_v and_o be_v mistake_v and_o therefore_o have_v need_n of_o a_o guide_n or_o some_o law_n or_o light_n to_o direct_v he_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o man_n deceive_v themselves_o with_o metaphor_n with_o word_n and_o phrase_n some_o man_n perhaps_o will_v say_v that_o allow_v conscience_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o aforesaid_a yet_o even_o so_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o no_o humane_a law_n forasmuch_o as_o no_o man_n can_v force_v i_o to_o think_v otherwise_o than_o i_o do_v nor_o compel_v i_o to_o be_v of_o his_o opinion_n in_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o my_o mind_n my_o mind_n therefore_o or_o conscience_n be_v only_o obnoxious_a to_o god_n but_o the_o answer_n to_o this_o be_v easy_a that_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o neither_o man_n can_v know_v my_o thought_n nor_o put_v any_o constraint_n upon_o the_o free_a act_n of_o my_o mind_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o since_o my_o mind_n be_v not_o infallible_a i_o may_v and_o must_v needs_o have_v something_o to_o guide_v my_o mind_n in_o its_o judgement_n and_o determination_n and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o we_o call_v law_n and_o though_o this_o can_v force_v i_o to_o follow_v its_o direction_n yet_o it_o moral_o oblige_v i_o that_o be_v it_o will_v be_v my_o sin_n if_o i_o do_v not_o in_o short_a the_o most_o that_o mind_n or_o conscience_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v to_o be_v a_o judge_n yet_o be_v it_o but_o such_o a_o judge_n as_o be_v subject_n to_o the_o law_n and_o they_o must_v guide_v it_o as_o that_o guide_v the_o man_n or_o otherwise_o its_o petty_a sovereignty_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o will_v not_o secure_v it_o from_o the_o wrath_n of_o the_o great_a sovereign_n of_o the_o world_n by_o who_o king_n reign_n but_o if_o it_o be_v further_o object_v that_o we_o be_v notwithstanding_o bind_v to_o obey_v the_o dictate_v of_o our_o mind_n or_o conscience_n before_o any_o law_n or_o command_n of_o any_o humane_a authority_n whatsoever_o if_o they_o happen_v to_o interfere_v i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a in_o thing_n notorious_o and_o plain_o evil_a and_o the_o reason_n be_v not_o because_o my_o mind_n or_o conscience_n supersede_v the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n but_o because_o some_o high_a law_n of_o god_n or_o reason_n by_o which_o my_o conscience_n be_v guide_v have_v in_o that_o case_n make_v a_o nullity_n in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n for_o if_o my_o conscience_n have_v not_o the_o direction_n and_o warranty_n of_o such_o superior_a law_n the_o mere_a opinion_n of_o my_o mind_n or_o conscience_n will_v afford_v i_o no_o security_n for_o where_o those_o be_v silent_a there_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v the_o immediate_a rule_n of_o my_o conscience_n and_o then_o to_o oppose_v or_o contradict_v that_o be_v to_o affront_v the_o public_a tribunal_n with_o a_o private_a consistory_n and_o to_o set_v my_o own_o opinion_n against_o god_n institution_n if_o yet_o it_o be_v further_o urge_v that_o if_o after_o all_o my_o consideration_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o public_a law_n i_o can_v satisfy_v myself_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v i_o must_v then_o govern_v myself_o by_o my_o conscience_n and_o not_o by_o the_o law_n i_o reply_v that_o if_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v be_v not_o as_o plain_a and_o visible_a as_o the_o command_n of_o god_n for_o obey_v authority_n be_v my_o opinion_n or_o conscience_n will_v be_v no_o excuse_n to_o i_o because_o i_o forsake_v a_o certain_a rule_n to_o follow_v a_o uncertain_a but_o if_o after_o all_o endeavour_n of_o satisfy_v myself_o to_o obey_v the_o humane_a law_n yet_o the_o thing_n command_v by_o the_o magistrate_n however_o innocent_a it_o may_v be_v in_o itself_o seem_v to_o i_o as_o plain_o unlawful_a as_o obedience_n be_v plain_o a_o duty_n i_o say_v this_o case_n be_v pittyable_a and_o will_v make_v some_o abatement_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n but_o do_v not_o total_o excuse_v it_o much_o less_o make_v a_o nullity_n of_o the_o law_n it_o can_v make_v the_o law_n null_n for_o that_o depend_v upon_o its_o own_o reasonableness_n and_o the_o authority_n enact_v it_o and_o not_o upon_o the_o conception_n of_o man_n nor_o can_v it_o total_o excuse_v from_o sin_n for_o sin_n be_v the_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n according_a to_o the_o definition_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o therefore_o that_o can_v be_v allow_v in_o the_o case_n be_v that_o by_o reason_n of_o such_o a_o man_n unhappy_a circumstance_n his_o disobedience_n will_v then_o be_v only_o a_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n which_o be_v pittyable_a among_o man_n upon_o consideration_n of_o common_a humanity_n and_o be_v pardonable_a with_o god_n as_o other_o error_n be_v upon_o a_o general_a repentance_n 2._o now_o let_v we_o proceed_v to_o consider_v what_o a_o tender_a conscience_n be_v and_o how_o that_o will_v alter_v
and_o interest_n make_v man_n of_o such_o or_o such_o opinion_n that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o make_v a_o learned_a clergy_n when_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o necessity_n upon_o they_o to_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v substantial_o whatever_o they_o expect_v shall_v be_v receive_v and_o in_o fine_a that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o make_v peaceable_a subject_n a_o rich_a country_n and_o a_o happy_a prince_n be_v to_o open_v a_o pantheon_n to_o give_v liberty_n to_o all_o religion_n but_o two_o thing_n will_v be_v consider_v of_o in_o this_o point_n first_o that_o whatsoever_o fine_a thing_n be_v say_v of_o this_o or_o whatever_o collateral_a advantage_n may_v be_v reap_v by_o it_o they_o be_v of_o no_o other_o force_n than_o to_o incline_v the_o magistrate_n prudential_o in_o some_o case_n to_o use_v indulgence_n for_o it_o never_o be_v nor_o will_v be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v the_o express_a duty_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o tolerate_v all_o opinion_n whatsoever_o for_o some_o be_v such_o as_o destroy_v all_o religion_n which_o he_o be_v to_o protect_v other_o subvert_v all_o civil_a society_n which_o he_o be_v to_o maintain_v therefore_o it_o can_v never_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o carry_v a_o indifferent_a hand_n in_o religion_n and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n use_v such_o general_a expression_n as_o be_v above-specified_n and_o constantine_n make_v such_o a_o declaration_n yet_o both_o he_o and_o they_o limit_v and_o interpret_v themselves_o afterward_o and_o indeed_o it_o can_v be_v show_v de_fw-la facto_fw-la that_o any_o government_n in_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n do_v tolerate_v all_o opinion_n whatsoever_o for_o shall_v they_o do_v so_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o magistrate_n be_v to_o have_v no_o conscience_n or_o religion_n himself_o that_o other_o man_n may_v have_v no_o check_n in_o they_o whatever_o it_o be_v 2._o but_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o magistrate_n may_v if_o he_o will_v indulge_v all_o sect_n and_o opinion_n and_o also_o be_v dispose_v so_o to_o do_v yet_o beside_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o will_v follow_v this_o very_a thing_n will_v be_v very_o unacceptable_a to_o the_o people_n of_o this_o nation_n among_o who_o there_o be_v so_o much_o sincerity_n and_o heartiness_n in_o religion_n it_o may_v go_v down_o perhaps_o among_o such_o as_o have_v a_o great_a indifferency_n and_o lukewarmness_n in_o religion_n with_o such_o people_n who_o god_n be_v their_o gain_n and_o who_o religion_n be_v their_o trade_n or_o interest_n but_o devout_a and_o serious_a people_n have_v rather_o suffer_v some_o hardship_n themselves_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o conscience_n than_o buy_v their_o own_o quiet_a at_o the_o price_n of_o god_n dishonour_n and_o whatever_o kindness_n they_o may_v have_v to_o some_o dissenter_n or_o fondness_n to_o some_o by-path_n themselves_o yet_o rather_o than_o open_v so_o wide_a a_o gap_n as_o that_o popery_n and_o atheism_n itself_o shall_v enter_v in_o by_o it_o they_o will_v deny_v themselves_o and_o think_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o other_o good_a christian_n to_o do_v so_o too_o 2._o comprehension_n whereby_o i_o suppose_v be_v mean_v the_o make_v the_o term_n of_o communion_n more_o free_a and_o easy_a a_o open_v the_o arm_n of_o the_o church_n to_o receive_v more_o into_o her_o bosom_n thereby_o to_o enlarge_v both_o the_o society_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v high_o recommend_v by_o some_o good_a man_n as_o the_o most_o proper_a expedient_a for_o a_o protestant_a church_n in_o our_o condition_n as_o by_o mean_n whereof_o it_o may_v be_v both_o better_a strengthen_v and_o secure_v against_o its_o enemy_n abroad_o and_o enjoy_v peace_n and_o contentment_n at_o home_n and_o true_o for_o my_o part_n if_o such_o a_o course_n please_v our_o governor_n i_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o oppose_v any_o thing_n to_o it_o but_o only_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n that_o look_v very_o probable_o in_o the_o general_a notion_n and_o speculation_n and_o that_o will_v flatter_v one_o into_o a_o great_a opinion_n of_o they_o and_o expectation_n from_o they_o which_o when_o they_o come_v to_o be_v try_v they_o be_v no_o way_n answerable_a to_o many_o difficulty_n occur_v in_o the_o reduce_n thing_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o practice_n that_o be_v not_o foresee_v in_o the_o theory_n and_o nothing_o more_o common_a than_o for_o man_n mind_n to_o deceive_v they_o or_o their_o constancy_n to_o fail_v they_o so_o as_o that_o they_o shall_v take_v no_o great_a pleasure_n in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o that_o which_o they_o languish_v with_o desire_n of_o while_o it_o be_v sweeten_v to_o they_o by_o the_o poignant_a sauce_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n beside_o this_o be_v not_o yet_o do_v nor_o do_v we_o know_v when_o it_o will_v be_v set_v about_o and_o its_o pity_n the_o wound_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v bleed_v so_o long_o as_o till_o that_o can_v be_v effect_v especial_o if_o there_o be_v any_o balm_n in_o gilead_n any_o way_n of_o bind_v they_o up_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n and_o there_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o remain_v no_o other_o but_o that_o of_o the_o three_o consideration_n which_o be_v the_o course_n i_o have_v pitch_v upon_o to_o recommend_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n by_o which_o i_o mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o endeavour_n of_o better_a inform_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o dispute_n and_o occasion_n of_o our_o disturbance_n together_o with_o the_o unhappy_a consequence_n of_o sin_n and_o danger_n in_o persevere_v in_o our_o present_a case_n which_o if_o it_o can_v be_v do_v we_o may_v hope_v to_o see_v the_o church_n recover_v its_o ancient_a felicity_n and_o peace_n and_o shall_v not_o need_v for_o cure_v of_o our_o distemper_n to_o resort_v either_o to_o such_o severity_n as_o be_v abhorrent_n to_o all_o englishman_n or_o to_o such_o art_n as_o deform_v christianity_n in_o general_n or_o to_o be_v always_o change_v and_o alter_v to_o the_o great_a dishonour_n of_o protestant_a religion_n in_o particular_a and_o this_o i_o do_v not_o despair_v may_v be_v obtain_v if_o those_o protestant_n of_o this_o church_n and_o kingdom_n that_o at_o present_a differ_v from_o the_o church_n in_o some_o particular_n will_v impartial_o consider_v the_o follow_a proposition_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o schism_n the_o sin_n and_o mischievous_a consequent_n of_o it_o though_o the_o will_n of_o man_n deserve_o bear_v the_o blame_n of_o his_o miscarriage_n as_o be_v neither_o under_o fatal_a necessity_n nor_o subject_n to_o violence_n and_o compulsion_n but_o that_o it_o may_v suspend_v its_o own_o act_n till_o it_o be_v right_o inform_v yet_o i_o have_v so_o much_o charity_n to_o humane_a nature_n as_o to_o think_v that_o most_o of_o its_o irregularity_n proceed_v not_o mere_o from_o stubborn_a perversion_n but_o mistake_v of_o the_o object_n and_o that_o therefore_o mankind_n be_v very_o pittyable_a in_o its_o error_n have_v not_o that_o clearness_n of_o perception_n nor_o presence_n of_o mind_n that_o high_a and_o more_o immaterial_a spirit_n have_v and_o perhaps_o upon_o this_o account_n it_o please_v the_o divine_a goodness_n to_o afford_v man_n that_o which_o he_o deny_v to_o the_o fall_v angel_n secundam_fw-la tabulam_fw-la postnaufragium_fw-la and_o to_o open_v to_o they_o a_o door_n of_o hope_n by_o repentance_n and_o retrival_v of_o their_o fault_n and_o according_o i_o observe_v that_o those_o that_o cruel_o murder_v our_o saviour_n he_o pray_v for_o they_o in_o this_o form_n father_n forgive_v they_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o do_v and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o silly_a multitude_n that_o be_v so_o oversee_v but_o also_o the_o wise_a of_o his_o persecutor_n st._n peter_n bear_v witness_v act_v 3._o 17._o i_o wot_v that_o you_o do_v it_o ignorant_o as_o also_o do_v your_o ruler_n so_o that_o i_o be_o neither_o destitute_a of_o reason_n nor_o example_n for_o my_o charity_n if_o i_o think_v in_o the_o present_a case_n concern_v the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o that_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o distraction_n of_o this_o church_n that_o do_v they_o right_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o schism_n and_o wherein_o it_o consist_v or_o the_o guilt_n and_o mischief_n that_o attend_v it_o they_o will_v easy_o be_v induce_v to_o change_v their_o course_n this_o therefore_o i_o shall_v first_o offer_v to_o consideration_n touch_v the_o sin_n of_o divide_v the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v of_o the_o deep_a dye_n and_o great_a guilt_n i_o suppose_v we_o shall_v easy_o agree_v for_o indeed_o no_o body_n can_v well_o doubt_v of_o that_o who_o consider_v what_o care_n our_o saviour_n take_v to_o prevent_v it_o what_o pain_n he_o take_v
and_o be_v far_o from_o the_o humour_n of_o pretend_v conscience_n to_o advance_v his_o gain_n or_o excuse_v his_o purse_n if_o such_o a_o man_n can_v conform_v to_o the_o law_n yet_o he_o can_v pay_v the_o penalty_n if_o he_o can_v go_v to_o church_n he_o can_v pay_v his_o tithe_n otherwise_o it_o be_v his_o money_n he_o be_v tender_a of_o and_o not_o his_o conscience_n his_o god_n be_v his_o gain_n and_o his_o profit_n his_o conscience_n he_o that_o come_v up_o to_o these_o five_o point_n of_o honesty_n may_v be_v hear_v in_o his_o plea_n of_o tenderness_n and_o no_o man_n else_o and_o now_o i_o will_v in_o the_o last_o place_n show_v what_o consideration_n be_v to_o be_v have_v of_o such_o a_o case_n and_o that_o in_o these_o three_o particular_n 1._o every_o private_a christian_a be_v bind_v in_o charity_n and_o compassion_n towards_o such_o a_o man_n to_o deny_v himself_o of_o some_o part_n of_o his_o liberty_n to_o please_v and_o to_o gain_v he_o that_o be_v in_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o no_o law_n but_o leave_v free_a and_o undeterminate_a there_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n take_v place_n rom._n 15._o 1_o 2._o we_o that_o be_v strong_a aught_o to_o bear_v the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o weak_a and_o not_o to_o please_v ourselves_o and_o let_v every_o one_o of_o we_o please_v his_o neighbour_n for_o his_o good_a to_o edification_n i_o say_v in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n of_o any_o law_n for_o i_o may_v not_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o i_o must_v not_o break_v either_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o man_n out_o of_o a_o humour_n of_o complaisance_n to_o my_o brother_n for_o this_o be_v as_o we_o say_v to_o rob_v peter_n to_o pay_v paul_n or_o to_o commit_v theft_n or_o sacrilege_n that_o i_o may_v give_v alms._n but_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o both_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n have_v leave_v i_o at_o liberty_n and_o at_o my_o own_o dispose_n i_o may_v then_o just_o and_o aught_o in_o charity_n to_o consider_v his_o weakness_n rather_o than_o use_v my_o own_o strength_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o walk_v over_o rock_n and_o precipice_n where_o i_o know_v the_o infirmity_n of_o other_o be_v such_o that_o they_o can_v follow_v i_o for_o though_o my_o own_o strength_n will_v bear_v i_o up_o yet_o it_o be_v very_o charitable_a to_o descend_v from_o that_o height_n which_o i_o know_v other_o can_v climb_v up_o to_o without_o giddiness_n to_o do_v all_o that_o i_o may_v do_v without_o danger_n to_o myself_o and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o regard_v what_o oath_n can_v comply_v with_o or_o to_o use_v my_o own_o liberty_n to_o the_o offence_n of_o other_o be_v to_o be_v unchristian_a and_o uncharitable_a it_o be_v to_o surfeit_v of_o my_o own_o abundance_n when_o my_o brother_n be_v in_o want_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n only_o be_v we_o to_o understand_v all_o these_o discourse_n of_o the_o apostle_n about_o scandal_n and_o offence_n in_o those_o time_n the_o magistrate_n be_v pagan_a take_v no_o care_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o have_v pass_v any_o law_n concern_v the_o manage_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n therefore_o whatsoever_o god_n have_v leave_v free_a and_o undetermined_a be_v so_o still_o so_o that_o the_o christian_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o scope_n and_o room_n for_o mutual_a condescension_n and_o according_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v they_o that_o in_o all_o that_o materia_fw-la libera_fw-la they_o shall_v by_o love_n serve_v one_o another_o and_o with_o great_a equity_n for_o he_o that_o will_v provoke_v his_o brother_n to_o sin_n by_o do_v that_o which_o he_o himself_o can_v omit_v without_o sin_n be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n in_o so_o do_v but_o the_o case_n be_v quite_o otherwise_o when_o there_o be_v a_o law_n in_o be_v for_o if_o my_o brother_n will_v be_v offend_v unless_o i_o break_v a_o law_n to_o comply_v with_o he_o in_o that_o case_n charity_n begin_v at_o home_n as_o we_o say_v i_o must_v look_v to_o myself_o first_o and_o if_o he_o take_v offence_n he_o do_v take_v it_o where_o it_o be_v not_o give_v for_o i_o do_v but_o my_o duty_n and_o as_o i_o may_v and_o must_v give_v alm_n of_o what_o be_v my_o own_o and_o what_o i_o can_v spare_v from_o my_o own_o occasion_n but_o be_o neither_o bind_v to_o deprive_v myself_o of_o necessary_n that_o i_o may_v serve_v any_o man_n need_n nor_o much_o less_o to_o rob_v another_o of_o his_o right_n that_o i_o may_v furnish_v he_o that_o want_v so_o the_o same_o charity_n require_v that_o in_o all_o those_o case_n where_o no_o law_n of_o god_n or_o man_n have_v restrain_v my_o liberty_n i_o there_o consider_v the_o infirmity_n of_o a_o another_o rather_o than_o the_o please_a of_o myself_o and_o that_o this_o be_v it_o which_o st._n paul_n mean_v in_o all_o those_o passage_n appear_v by_o consideration_n of_o the_o instance_n he_o give_v in_o himself_o and_o wherewith_o he_o conclude_v the_o argument_n 1_o cor._n 8._o 13._o wherefore_o if_o meat_n make_v my_o brother_n to_o offend_v i_o will_v eat_v no_o flesh_n while_o the_o world_n stand_v the_o eat_n of_o flesh_n be_v under_o no_o law_n and_o consequent_o he_o shall_v not_o offend_v if_o he_o forbear_v it_o therefore_o he_o resolve_v that_o he_o will_v abridge_v himself_o of_o his_o own_o liberty_n rather_o than_o offend_v another_o 2._o it_o become_v the_o wisdom_n and_o compassion_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n so_o far_o to_o consider_v the_o satisfaction_n of_o people_n mind_n as_o well_o as_o the_o peace_n and_o safety_n of_o his_o dominion_n as_o not_o to_o make_v those_o thing_n the_o matter_n of_o his_o law_n which_o he_o foresee_v man_n weakness_n will_v make_v they_o boggle_v at_o unless_o there_o be_v weighty_a reason_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o counterbalance_v that_o consideration_n such_o as_o that_o the_o thing_n which_o some_o scruple_n be_v nevertheless_o necessary_a to_o government_n or_o grateful_a to_o a_o great_a or_o more_o considerable_a part_n of_o his_o subject_n if_o without_o these_o consideration_n he_o shall_v however_o constitute_v such_o law_n i_o will_v not_o say_v such_o law_n be_v therefore_o null_a for_o the_o weakness_n of_o people_n do_v not_o take_v away_o his_o power_n but_o i_o will_v say_v they_o be_v unkind_a and_o ungracious_a but_o those_o consideration_n be_v suppose_v that_o be_v if_o such_o constitution_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v scruple_v by_o some_o be_v yet_o either_o necessary_a to_o government_n or_o very_o grateful_a to_o the_o more_o considerable_a part_n of_o his_o subject_n he_o have_v then_o no_o obligation_n upon_o he_o to_o consider_v the_o offence_n of_o a_o few_o but_o the_o good_a and_o safety_n of_o the_o whole_a yet_o when_o those_o interest_n be_v secure_v there_o be_v great_a scope_n for_o his_o compassion_n and_o consequent_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o good_a magistrate_n as_o of_o a_o good_a shepherd_n to_o drive_v as_o the_o cattle_n can_v go_v 3._o if_o it_o shall_v be_v find_v necessary_a upon_o the_o consideration_n before_o intimate_v or_o any_o the_o like_a to_o make_v such_o thing_n matter_n of_o law_n that_o be_v before_o indifferent_a in_o themselves_o and_o which_o be_v so_o make_v be_v likely_a to_o be_v scruple_v by_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o obey_v it_o become_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n who_o consider_v he_o govern_v man_n and_o not_o beast_n to_o afford_v mean_n of_o instruction_n to_o such_o weak_a and_o scrupulous_a person_n and_o competent_a time_n for_o those_o instruction_n to_o take_v place_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o suspend_v rigorous_a execution_n for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o man_n power_n to_o believe_v what_o they_o list_v much_o less_o what_o other_o will_v have_v they_o and_o it_o have_v always_o be_v find_v that_o force_n without_o instruction_n have_v be_v prevalent_a only_o upon_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o set_v the_o more_o conscientious_a far_o off_o by_o prejudice_n but_o after_o such_o instruction_n afford_v and_o time_n allow_v if_o then_o such_o person_n be_v not_o right_o inform_v and_o satisfy_v yet_o the_o magistrate_n be_v unblameable_a for_o he_o command_v but_o what_o be_v reasonable_a in_o itself_o and_o he_o have_v do_v what_o lie_v in_o he_o that_o man_n judgement_n may_v be_v convince_v and_o conscience_n quiet_v it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o in_o the_o council_n hold_v by_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 15._o of_o which_o i_o have_v sometime_o make_v mention_n whilst_o there_o be_v hope_n of_o gain_v the_o jew_n to_o christianity_n and_o until_o they_o have_v time_n to_o be_v sufficient_o instruct_v in_o it_o if_o they_o will_v for_o so_o long_a time_n the_o apostle_n use_v they_o with_o great_a tenderness_n and_o as_o it_o appear_v make_v