or_o kind_n of_o conscience_n as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o suppose_v it_o that_o it_o be_v no_o conscience_n at_o all_o conscience_n as_o we_o have_v often_o say_v be_v a_o man_n mind_n make_v a_o judgement_n about_o the_o morality_n of_o his_o action_n but_o that_o which_o we_o be_v now_o talk_v of_o be_v a_o man_n mind_n make_v no_o judgement_n as_o to_o that_o point_n but_o continue_v waver_a and_o undetermined_a now_o how_o a_o man_n judgement_n and_o his_o no_o judgement_n which_o be_v the_o contradictory_n to_o one_o another_o shall_v agree_v in_o the_o same_o common_a nature_n of_o conscience_n be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v the_o truth_n be_v by_o the_o same_o logic_n or_o propriety_n of_o speech_n that_o we_o say_v a_o doubt_v conscience_n we_o may_v also_o if_o we_o please_v say_v a_o unresolved_a resolution_n or_o a_o persuasion_n without_o a_o assent_n but_o however_o because_o use_v have_v give_v the_o name_n of_o conscience_n to_o the_o doubt_v mind_n and_o because_o conscience_n be_v sometime_o real_o concern_v about_o act_v in_o doubtful_a case_n i_o choose_v to_o follow_v the_o common_a way_n of_o speak_v ii_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o our_o second_o general_a head_n which_o be_v concern_v the_o rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n in_o speak_v to_o this_o i_o shall_v do_v these_o two_o thing_n viz._n i_o shall_v show_v first_o what_o kind_n of_o rule_n we_o here_o speak_v of_o that_o be_v which_o conscience_n need_v in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n second_o what_o that_o rule_n be_v or_o wherein_o it_o do_v consist_v 1._o as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n we_o do_v not_o mean_v such_o a_o rule_n by_o which_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v enable_v to_o resolve_v all_o his_o doubt_n concern_v every_o point_n so_o as_o that_o he_o shall_v cease_v to_o doubt_v a_o long_o concern_v that_o point_n but_o we_o mean_v only_o such_o a_o rule_n by_o which_o a_o man_n may_v be_v direct_v how_o to_o determine_v himself_o in_o every_o doubtful_a case_n so_o as_o to_o act_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n whether_o he_o can_v get_v rid_v of_o his_o doubt_n or_o not_o there_o be_v just_a as_o much_o difference_n between_o these_o two_o thing_n as_o there_o be_v between_o doubt_v for_o instance_n whether_o a_o thing_n in_o general_n be_v lawful_a or_o not_o lawful_a and_o doubt_v what_o i_o be_o to_o do_v in_o a_o particular_a case_n where_o i_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n the_o first_o of_o which_o doubt_n the_o casuist_n call_v a_o speculative_a doubt_n the_o other_o a_o practical_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o a_o man_n may_v often_o very_o easy_o come_v to_o a_o resolution_n of_o this_o latter_a kind_n of_o doubt_n that_o be_v be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v what_o it_o become_v he_o to_o do_v as_o to_o this_o present_a action_n without_o be_v able_a to_o resolve_v his_o doubt_n of_o the_o former_a kind_n thus_o for_o instance_n a_o man_n may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o resolve_v this_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o not_o lawful_a to_o play_v at_o card_n or_o die_n which_o be_v the_o speculative_a doubt_n as_o the_o school_n call_v it_o but_o he_o may_v be_v very_o able_a to_o resolve_v this_o question_n what_o be_v most_o reasonable_a for_o he_o to_o do_v in_o the_o case_n of_o such_o a_o doubt_n again_o a_o man_n may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o resolve_v this_o doubt_n whether_o the_o present_a war_n in_o which_o his_o prince_n be_v engage_v be_v a_o just_a war_n or_o no_o but_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v very_o well_o able_a to_o satisfy_v himself_o as_o to_o the_o practical_a doubt_n that_o be_v what_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o do_v in_o case_n his_o prince_n command_v he_o to_o serve_v in_o that_o war_n concern_v which_o he_o do_v thus_o doubt_n now_o it_o be_v the_o doubt_n of_o this_o latter_a kind_n these_o practical_a doubt_n as_o they_o be_v call_v that_o conscience_n be_v direct_o and_o immediate_o concern_v with_o and_o consequent_o for_o the_o resolve_v of_o which_o it_o chief_o need_v a_o rule_n to_o direct_v it_o for_o if_o a_o man_n can_v but_o get_v satisfy_v what_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o his_o duty_n to_o do_v as_o to_o the_o present_a action_n he_o doubt_v about_o it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n as_o to_o his_o conscience_n whether_o he_o can_v get_v his_o general_n or_o speculative_a doubt_n about_o that_o action_n resolve_v or_o no._n these_o kind_n of_o doubt_n if_o they_o can_v be_v resolve_v must_v be_v overrule_v the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o very_a idle_a thing_n for_o man_n to_o talk_v that_o a_o man_n must_v do_v no_o action_n till_o all_o his_o doubt_n about_o it_o be_v resolve_v thus_o far_o we_o grant_v it_o concern_v he_o that_o his_o doubt_n shall_v be_v resolve_v viz._n that_o he_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o that_o side_n of_o the_o action_n he_o determine_v himself_o to_o be_v all_o thing_n consider_v the_o more_o fit_a and_o reasonable_a to_o be_v choose_v and_o to_o direct_v a_o man_n in_o make_v such_o a_o choice_n be_v our_o principal_a business_n under_o this_o head._n but_o if_o it_o be_v mean_v that_o a_o man_n must_v so_o resolve_v all_o his_o doubt_n about_o a_o action_n as_o to_o see_v clear_o through_o all_o the_o speculative_a point_n which_o occasion_n his_o doubt_n so_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o untie_v all_o the_o difficulty_n which_o before_o entangle_v his_o understanding_n and_o from_o intrinsic_a argument_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o pronounce_v concern_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o question_n i_o say_v if_o this_o be_v their_o meaning_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o absurd_a than_o to_o say_v that_o a_o man_n be_v not_o to_o do_v a_o action_n till_o he_o have_v resolve_v or_o depose_v all_o his_o doubt_n about_o it_o for_o in_o many_o case_n this_o be_v utter_o impossible_a to_o be_v do_v the_o person_n concern_v perhaps_o have_v no_o sufficient_a mean_n for_o the_o obtain_v such_o a_o resolution_n of_o his_o doubt_n as_o we_o speak_v of_o or_o if_o he_o have_v the_o case_n may_v be_v such_o as_o will_v not_o allow_v he_o sufficient_a time_n of_o consideration_n for_o the_o do_v it_o for_o he_o must_v either_o act_n or_o not_o act_v present_o and_o he_o be_v in_o equal_a perplexity_n both_o as_o to_o the_o one_o and_o as_o to_o the_o other_o what_o now_o in_o such_o a_o case_n can_v a_o man_n possible_o do_v more_o than_o this_o viz._n by_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o friend_n to_o get_v satisfy_v what_o be_v most_o reasonable_a and_o most_o agreeable_a to_o his_o duty_n for_o he_o to_o do_v in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n and_o to_o proceed_v according_o for_o as_o for_o other_o kind_n of_o resolution_n of_o his_o doubt_n as_o thing_n stand_v with_o he_o he_o have_v not_o the_o least_o prospect_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o when_o all_o be_v say_v we_o see_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la that_o this_o be_v the_o usual_a way_n of_o proceed_v among_o man_n even_o those_o that_o be_v very_o honest_a and_o conscientious_a i_o dare_v say_v if_o we_o take_v all_o the_o doubtful_a case_n that_o happen_v where_o there_o be_v one_o case_n in_o which_o a_o man_n proceed_v to_o action_n upon_o such_o a_o resolution_n of_o his_o doubt_n as_o we_o before_o speak_v of_o there_o be_v ten_o case_n where_o the_o doubt_n be_v overrule_v and_o the_o man_n proceed_v to_o action_n without_o such_o a_o resolution_n sit_v down_o satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o though_o he_o can_v answer_v the_o difficulty_n on_o both_o side_n yet_o all_o thing_n consider_v it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a for_o he_o in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n to_o act_v thus_o rather_o than_o otherwise_o for_o this_o he_o take_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o his_o general_n duty_n or_o this_o be_v that_o which_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n who_o he_o have_v consult_v do_v advise_v he_o to_o and_o now_o have_v sufficient_o explain_v what_o kind_n of_o resolution_n of_o doubt_n that_o be_v which_o a_o man_n conscience_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o in_o order_n to_o his_o act_n safe_o in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n ii_o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o question_n upon_o this_o head_n which_o be_v what_o that_o rule_n be_v by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o proceed_v in_o thus_o resolve_v our_o doubt_n or_o determine_v ourselves_o to_o one_o side_n or_o other_o in_o any_o doubtful_a case_n that_o happen_v to_o we_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o enquiry_n i_o shall_v do_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o i_o shall_v give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o general_n rule_n by_o which_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n be_v to_o be_v guide_v second_o i_o shall_v apply_v this_o
a_o discourse_n of_o conscience_n the_o second_o part_n concern_v a_o doubt_v conscience_n london_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishops-head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n i_o have_v in_o a_o former_a discourse_n speak_v to_o the_o case_n of_o those_o dissenter_n who_o separate_v from_o the_o establish_v church_n for_o this_o reason_n that_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o they_o can_v lawful_o join_v in_o our_o communion_n i_o now_o come_v to_o speak_v to_o the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o we_o for_o a_o less_o reason_n viz._n because_o they_o doubt_v whether_o they_o may_v lawful_o communicate_v with_o we_o or_o no_o and_o so_o long_o as_o they_o thus_o doubt_v they_o dare_v not_o come_v near_o we_o because_o they_o fear_v they_o shall_v sin_v against_o god_n if_o they_o shall_v do_v any_o action_n with_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n to_o this_o indeed_o a_o short_a answer_n may_v be_v give_v from_o the_o former_a discourse_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o let_v the_o obligation_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n be_v as_o great_a as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v it_o yet_o if_o communion_n with_o our_o church_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v be_v real_o a_o duty_n than_o a_o man_n doubt_n concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o will_v not_o make_v it_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o or_o justify_v his_o separation_n from_o it_o for_o if_o a_o man_n settle_a persuasion_n that_o a_o action_n be_v unlawful_a will_v not_o ordinary_o acquit_v he_o from_o sin_n if_o he_o omit_v that_o action_n suppose_v god_n law_n have_v command_v it_o as_o i_o there_o show_v much_o less_o will_v a_o man_n bare_a doubt_n concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n justify_v his_o omission_n of_o it_o in_o such_o a_o case_n but_o because_o this_o answer_n seem_v rather_o to_o cut_v the_o knot_n than_o to_o untie_v it_o it_o be_v my_o meaning_n in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n particular_o to_o examine_v and_o discuss_v this_o plea_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o to_o show_v what_o little_a force_n there_o be_v in_o it_o to_o keep_v any_o man_n from_o conformity_n that_o will_v otherwise_o conform_v hope_v that_o some_o reader_n who_o case_n this_o be_v may_v by_o what_o he_o here_o find_v offer_v towards_o his_o satisfaction_n either_o be_v prevail_v with_o to_o lay_v aside_o his_o doubt_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o communion_n or_o at_o least_o be_v convince_v that_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a and_o safe_a to_o communicate_v with_o we_o doubt_v as_o he_o do_v than_o to_o continue_v in_o separation_n from_o we_o in_o handle_v this_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n i_o shall_v observe_v the_o same_o method_n i_o do_v in_o the_o former_a discourse_n because_o indeed_o i_o can_v think_v of_o a_o better_a that_o be_v i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o these_o four_o thing_n i._o of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o how_o it_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o kind_n of_o conscience_n ii_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n or_o what_o measure_v a_o man_n be_v to_o proceed_v by_o for_o the_o determine_v himself_o in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n iii_o of_o the_o power_n that_o human_a law_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a have_v to_o overrule_a a_o man_n doubt_n in_o any_o matter_n iv_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n i._n e._n whether_o at_o all_o or_o how_o far_o a_o man_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o these_o four_o head_n do_v i_o think_v take_v in_o all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n i._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o head_n the_o nature_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n in_o speak_v to_o which_o i_o shall_v treat_v of_o these_o three_o thing_n 1._o of_o doubt_v in_o general_n 2._o of_o such_o doubt_n as_o do_v affect_v or_o concern_v a_o man_n conscience_n 3._o of_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o the_o scrupulous_a 1._o as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o which_o be_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o doubt_v in_o general_a we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o a_o man_n be_v proper_o say_v to_o doubt_v when_o he_o can_v give_v his_o assent_n to_o either_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n that_o be_v can_v make_v a_o judgement_n whether_o the_o thing_n he_o be_v consider_v be_v so_o or_o be_v not_o so_o but_o through_o the_o equal_a or_o at_o least_o fair_a probability_n that_o be_v on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o question_n continue_v irresolute_a and_o undetermined_a now_o perhaps_o he_o think_v this_o side_n the_o more_o probable_a and_o by_o and_o by_o the_o other_o but_o he_o be_v uncertain_a as_o to_o both_o and_o can_v fix_v upon_o either_o so_o that_o a_o doubt_v mind_n be_v not_o more_o usual_o than_o proper_o resemble_v to_o a_o balance_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o equal_a weight_n which_o be_v put_v into_o both_o scale_n be_v not_o cast_v on_o either_o side_n but_o hang_v in_o the_o same_o posture_n or_o wave_n up_o and_o down_o without_o either_o scale_n come_v to_o the_o bottom_n nevertheless_o in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n a_o man_n may_v lean_v more_o to_o one_o side_n of_o the_o question_n than_o the_o other_o and_o yet_o continue_v doubtful_a still_o just_o as_o there_o may_v be_v so_o much_o more_o weight_n put_v into_o one_o scale_n than_o the_o other_o as_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o incline_v the_o balance_n more_o to_o that_o side_n while_o yet_o that_o weight_n be_v not_o so_o considerable_a as_o to_o be_v able_a perfect_o to_o turn_v it_o so_o as_o to_o carry_v down_o the_o scale_n to_o the_o usual_a mark_n of_o down-weight_n and_o there_o to_o settle_v it_o there_o be_v indeed_o this_o difference_n between_o these_o two_o thing_n that_o a_o balance_n through_o the_o exact_a equality_n of_o the_o weight_n put_v into_o each_o scale_n may_v be_v so_o poise_v as_o to_o hang_v perfect_o in_o aequilibrio_fw-la without_o inclination_n either_o way_n and_o continue_v so_o to_o do_v but_o it_o will_v be_v difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a to_o put_v a_o case_n or_o a_o question_n where_o a_o man_n mind_n after_o all_o thing_n consider_v be_v so_o perfect_o indifferent_a to_o both_o side_n of_o it_o as_o not_o to_o be_v more_o incline_v to_o choose_v one_o than_o the_o other_o when_o once_o there_o appear_v so_o much_o more_o evidence_n on_o one_o side_n of_o the_o doubtful_a case_n that_o the_o mind_n be_v enable_v to_o determine_v itself_o and_o to_o give_v a_o settle_a assent_n on_o that_o side_n than_o the_o man_n cease_v to_o doubt_v any_o long_o for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o doubt_n before_o be_v now_o turn_v into_o a_o persuasion_n and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o case_n wherein_o conscience_n be_v concern_v that_o which_o be_v before_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n be_v now_o change_v into_o a_o resolve_a conscience_n here_o to_o resume_v our_o former_a comparison_n the_o balance_n no_o long_o hang_v in_o aequilibrio_fw-la or_o move_v unsetle_o this_o way_n or_o that_o way_n but_o be_v plain_o turn_v and_o fix_v on_o one_o side_n it_o be_v true_a in_o this_o case_n a_o man_n do_v not_o always_o determine_v himself_o with_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o persuasion_n or_o satisfaction_n to_o his_o own_o mind_n sometime_o the_o evidence_n be_v so_o strong_a as_o to_o command_v a_o entire_a assent_n of_o his_o understanding_n a_o assent_n so_o full_a that_o it_o have_v not_o the_o least_o mixture_n of_o doubtfulness_n in_o it_o and_o this_o we_o call_v a_o assurance_n or_o a_o full_a persuasion_n at_o other_o time_n the_o evidence_n may_v be_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o gain_v a_o assent_n but_o yet_o not_o so_o strong_a a_o assent_n as_o to_o exclude_v all_o doubt_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o this_o kind_n of_o assent_n we_o call_v a_o opinion_n or_o a_o probable_a persuasion_n and_o something_o like_o this_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o balance_n the_o scale_n that_o preponderates_n be_v not_o always_o carry_v down_o with_o the_o same_o force_n and_o briskness_n but_o according_a as_o the_o weight_n that_o turn_v the_o balance_n be_v great_a or_o less_o so_o in_o proportion_n it_o may_v plain_o be_v discern_v that_o the_o scale_n descend_v either_o more_o strong_o and_o nimble_o or_o more_o weak_o and_o slow_o but_o still_o in_o both_o these_o case_n the_o man_n have_v form_v a_o judgement_n of_o the_o point_n the_o balance_n be_v turn_v and_o wherever_o this_o happen_v there_o be_v a_o end_n of_o the_o doubt_n or_o aequilibrium_fw-la and_o consequent_o if_o it_o be_v in_o a_o case_n that_o concern_v a_o man_n conscience_n it_o cease_v to_o be_v any_o long_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o become_v resolve_v and_o determine_v though_o perhaps_o not_o full_o satisfy_v and_o
free_a from_o all_o kind_n of_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n about_o that_o thing_n 2._o and_o thus_o much_o of_o doubt_v in_o general_n i_o now_o come_v to_o consider_v it_o with_o respect_n to_o conscience_n i._n e._n to_o inquire_v how_o far_o or_o in_o what_o case_n a_o man_n conscience_n be_v affect_v with_o his_o doubt_n which_o be_v our_o second_o point_n under_o this_o head._n there_o be_v a_o thousand_o case_n in_o which_o a_o man_n may_v be_v doubtful_a as_o to_o which_o his_o conscience_n shall_v be_v no_o way_n concern_v a_o man_n doubt_n may_v indeed_o be_v as_o various_a as_o be_v the_o object_n he_o have_v to_o consider_v and_o to_o make_v a_o judgement_n of_o and_o therefore_o unless_o we_o will_v say_v that_o every_o thing_n that_o a_o man_n think_v of_o or_o say_v or_o do_v affect_v his_o conscience_n we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o every_o doubt_n do_v as_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v not_o touch_v nor_o affect_v with_o any_o thing_n but_o his_o own_o action_n so_o neither_o do_v a_o man_n doubt_n affect_v or_o touch_v his_o conscience_n any_o further_a than_o they_o concern_v his_o action_n so_o that_o doubt_n about_o matter_n of_o mere_a speculation_n as_o whether_o such_o a_o proposition_n be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o likewise_o doubt_v about_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o whether_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v which_o do_v not_o relate_v to_o the_o government_n of_o a_o man_n own_o action_n these_o doubt_n do_v not_o concern_v his_o conscience_n as_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v not_o affect_v with_o his_o own_o action_n under_o any_o other_o notion_n or_o consideration_n than_o only_o as_o god_n law_n be_v to_o regulate_v they_o viz._n as_o they_o be_v either_o command_v by_o that_o law_n or_o forbid_v by_o it_o so_o neither_o do_v a_o man_n doubt_n concern_v his_o action_n affect_v his_o conscience_n any_o far_a or_o upon_o any_o other_o account_n than_o only_o as_o god_n law_n may_v be_v trangress_v by_o do_v or_o not_o do_v the_o action_n he_o doubt_v of_o that_o be_v as_o he_o may_v sin_v against_o god_n either_o by_o omit_v the_o action_n when_o god_n law_n have_v command_v it_o or_o by_o do_v it_o when_o god_n law_n have_v forbid_v it_o so_o that_o in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n where_o a_o man_n apprehend_v no_o danger_n of_o transgress_a god_n law_n whether_o he_o do_v the_o action_n he_o doubt_v about_o or_o do_v it_o not_o there_o his_o conscience_n be_v not_o proper_o concern_v and_o this_o be_v so_o true_a that_o though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v one_o side_n of_o the_o action_n in_o question_n to_o be_v real_o all_o thing_n consider_v more_o expedient_a and_o more_o eligible_a than_o the_o other_o yet_o so_o long_o as_o we_o be_v satisfy_v that_o we_o may_v without_o breach_n of_o god_n law_n choose_v either_o side_n we_o be_v not_o concern_v in_o conscience_n to_o choose_v that_o side_n which_o be_v the_o most_o expedient_a or_o the_o most_o eligible_a for_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o beside_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n we_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o when_o this_o case_n be_v propose_v to_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v better_a for_o the_o christian_n in_o those_o time_n to_o marry_v or_o not_o to_o marry_v he_o thus_o resolve_v it_o that_o though_o indeed_o as_o thing_n than_o stand_v it_o be_v better_a not_o to_o marry_v yet_o they_o may_v do_v what_o they_o will_v for_o if_o they_o do_v marry_v they_o finned_a not_o and_o though_o as_o he_o say_v he_o that_o give_v not_o his_o virgin_n in_o marriage_n do_v better_a than_o he_o that_o give_v she_o in_o marriage_n yet_o he_o allow_v that_o he_o that_o give_v she_o in_o marriage_n do_v well_o and_o consequent_o do_v act_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n vid._n 1_o cor._n 7._o 3._o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o the_o other_o sort_n of_o conscience_n particular_o that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o scrupulous_a which_o be_v our_o three_o point_n under_o this_o head._n conscience_n be_v usual_o though_o how_o proper_o i_o will_v not_o now_o dispute_v distribute_v into_o these_o three_o kind_n the_o resolve_a the_o scrupulous_a and_o the_o doubt_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o a_o resolve_a conscience_n every_o body_n know_v that_o we_o mean_v no_o more_o by_o that_o phrase_n than_o this_o that_o a_o man_n be_v satisfy_v and_o resolve_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n concern_v the_o action_n he_o have_v be_v deliberate_v upon_o viz._n that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o as_o be_v a_o duty_n or_o that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o forbear_v it_o as_o be_v a_o sin_n or_o that_o he_o may_v either_o do_v it_o or_o forbear_v it_o as_o be_v a_o indifferent_a action_n neither_o command_v nor_o forbid_v by_o god._n now_o this_o persuasion_n if_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n we_o call_v it_o a_o right_a conscience_n if_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o rule_n we_o call_v it_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n but_o of_o this_o we_o need_v speak_v no_o more_o here_o since_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a argument_n of_o the_o former_a discourse_n as_o for_o the_o scrupulous_a conscience_n as_o that_o be_v make_v a_o distinct_a sort_n of_o conscience_n from_o the_o resolve_a and_o the_o doubt_v we_o may_v thus_o define_v it_o it_o be_v a_o conscience_n in_o some_o measure_n resolve_v but_o yet_o accompany_v with_o a_o fear_n of_o act_v according_a to_o that_o resolution_n it_o be_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o a_o great_a many_o that_o when_o they_o be_v pretty_a well_o satisfy_v in_o their_o judgement_n concern_v this_o or_o the_o other_o point_n which_o they_o make_v a_o mater_n of_o conscience_n and_o have_v nothing_o considerable_a to_o object_n against_o the_o evidence_n that_o be_v give_v they_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n be_v convince_v that_o they_o ought_v or_o that_o they_o may_v lawful_o act_n thus_o or_o thus_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o when_o they_o come_v to_o act_v they_o be_v very_o uneasy_a and_o make_v a_o world_n of_o difficulty_n not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o new_a reason_n appear_v that_o can_v pretend_v to_o unsettle_v much_o less_o overthrow_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o first_o determination_n but_o only_o their_o unaccountable_a fear_n must_v pass_v for_o reason_n this_o now_o be_v to_o have_v a_o scrupulous_a conscience_n in_o the_o proper_a sense_n but_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n which_o be_v that_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v in_o though_o in_o common_a speech_n it_o be_v often_o confound_v with_o the_o scrupulous_a be_v quite_o different_a from_o both_o these_o sort_n of_o conscience_n for_o in_o both_o those_o a_o man_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v pass_v a_o judgement_n in_o his_o own_o mind_n whether_o the_o action_n before_o he_o be_v according_a to_o god_n law_n or_o against_o it_o but_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n it_o appear_v from_o what_o i_o have_v say_v that_o a_o man_n have_v not_o nor_o can_v so_o long_o as_o he_o doubt_v make_v any_o judgement_n at_o all_o but_o be_v uncertain_a as_o to_o both_o side_n have_v as_o he_o think_v as_o many_o argument_n to_o incline_v he_o one_o way_n as_o the_o other_o and_o when_o once_o he_o come_v to_o have_v so_o much_o evidence_n as_o to_o create_v a_o persuasion_n or_o opinion_n on_o one_o side_n than_o he_o cease_v to_o have_v a_o doubt_v conscience_n so_o that_o a_o true_a definition_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n as_o it_o be_v common_o call_v be_v this_o the_o suspense_n of_o a_o man_n judgement_n in_o a_o question_n about_o the_o duty_n or_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o action_n occasion_v by_o the_o equal_a or_o near_o equal_a probability_n on_o both_o side_n and_o likewise_o the_o true_a difference_n between_o a_o doubt_v a_o resolve_a and_o a_o scrupulous_a conscience_n be_v this_o that_o the_o resolve_a conscience_n be_v satisfy_v about_o its_o point_n and_o act_n confident_o at_o least_o cheerful_o the_o scrupulous_a conscience_n be_v likewise_o satisfy_v in_o the_o general_n but_o either_o dare_v not_o act_n or_o act_n fearful_o the_o doubt_v conscience_n be_v not_o satisfy_v at_o all_o for_o the_o point_n before_o it_o be_v still_o a_o question_n of_o which_o it_o can_v make_v no_o judgement_n no_o resolution_n because_o of_o the_o equal_a appearance_n of_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n this_o be_v a_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o doubt_v conscience_n but_o after_o all_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o this_o which_o we_o call_v a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o which_o we_o have_v be_v all_o this_o while_n discourse_v of_o be_v true_o and_o strict_o speak_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o particular_a sort_n
with_o the_o few_o absurdity_n and_o evil_a consequence_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o do_v best_a serve_v all_o the_o interest_n spiritual_a and_o temporal_a take_v both_o together_o that_o a_o wise_a and_o a_o good_a man_n can_v propose_v to_o himself_o i_o say_v if_o any_o man_n do_v mean_a this_o by_o the_o safe_a side_n i_o do_v ready_o agree_v with_o he_o that_o it_o will_v for_o ever_o and_o in_o all_o case_n be_v a_o true_a and_o a_o wise_a and_o a_o good_a rule_n nay_o i_o add_v the_o only_a one_o to_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n to_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n but_o then_o in_o this_o sense_n of_o safety_n the_o safe_a side_n and_o the_o more_o reasonable_a be_v all_o one_o thing_n and_o consequent_o this_o rule_n of_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n and_o that_o i_o before_o lay_v down_o of_o follow_v the_o more_o reasonable_a be_v the_o same_o in_o sense_n though_o different_o express_v only_o i_o think_v this_o latter_a way_n of_o expression_n be_v more_o plain_a and_o less_o liable_a to_o misconstruction_n and_o therefore_o i_o choose_v it_o but_o it_o be_v indifferent_a to_o i_o how_o man_n word_n thing_n so_o long_o as_o we_o agree_v in_o our_o sense_n ii_o have_v thus_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o general_n rule_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v to_o determine_v himself_o in_o doubtful_a case_n i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o treat_v of_o the_o several_a head_n or_o sort_n of_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v concern_v and_o to_o make_v application_n of_o this_o rule_n to_o they_o and_o this_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o do_v admit_v the_o ground_n we_o have_v before_o lay_v down_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n wherein_o conscience_n be_v concern_v but_o it_o will_v of_o necessity_n fall_v under_o one_o of_o these_o two_o sort_n it_o be_v either_o a_o single_a doubt_n or_o a_o double_a one_o we_o call_v that_o a_o single_a doubt_n when_o a_o man_n doubt_v only_o on_o one_o side_n of_o the_o action_n but_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v as_o to_o the_o other_o as_o for_o instance_n he_o doubt_v concern_v this_o or_o the_o other_o particular_a action_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o do_v it_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o have_v no_o doubt_n but_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v that_o he_o may_v lawful_o let_v it_o alone_o or_o on_o the_o contrary_a he_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v that_o the_o action_n be_v lawful_a and_o that_o he_o may_v do_v it_o but_o he_o doubt_n whether_o god_n law_n have_v not_o make_v it_o a_o duty_n so_o that_o he_o can_v lawful_o omit_v it_o this_o be_v that_o which_o we_o call_v a_o single_a doubt_n we_o call_v that_o a_o double_a doubt_n where_o a_o man_n doubt_n on_o both_o side_n of_o a_o action_n that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o doubt_v on_o one_o side_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v this_o action_n god_n law_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v make_v it_o a_o duty_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n so_o be_v the_o action_n circumstantiate_v with_o respect_n to_o he_o or_o he_o with_o respect_n to_o it_o that_o he_o doubt_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o forbear_v the_o action_n as_o it_o be_v now_o present_v to_o he_o god_n law_n have_v for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v forbid_v it_o so_o that_o he_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n what_o to_o do_v because_o he_o fear_v he_o may_v sin_v whether_o he_o do_v the_o action_n or_o do_v it_o not_o i_o say_v it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o put_v any_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v concern_v which_o will_v not_o fall_v under_o one_o of_o these_o two_o head_n i._o now_o as_o to_o the_o case_n of_o a_o single_a doubt_n we_o may_v thus_o apply_v the_o general_n rule_n that_o when_o a_o man_n doubt_v only_o on_o one_o side_n of_o a_o action_n there_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o choose_v that_o side_n of_o the_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o have_v no_o doubt_n than_o the_o other_o concern_v which_o he_o doubt_v suppose_v all_o other_o consideration_n be_v equal_a and_o here_o come_v in_o that_o famous_a maxim_n which_o have_v obtain_v both_o among_o christian_n and_o heathen_n quod_fw-la dubitas_fw-la ne_fw-la feceris_fw-la which_o with_o the_o restriction_n i_o have_v now_o mention_v will_v for_o ever_o be_v good_a advice_n in_o all_o case_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o venture_v upon_o any_o action_n where_o a_o man_n have_v the_o least_o fear_n or_o suspicion_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a he_o may_v transgress_v some_o law_n of_o god_n by_o it_o when_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o act_n without_o any_o fear_n or_o suspicion_n of_o that_o kind_n suppose_v all_o along_o this_o consideration_n of_o the_o possibility_n of_o offend_v by_o this_o action_n be_v not_o overbalance_v and_o so_o the_o fear_n of_o it_o remove_v by_o other_o consideration_n which_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o action_n do_v suggest_v thus_o for_o instance_n here_o be_v a_o man_n doubt_n whether_o it_o be_v allowable_a in_o a_o christian_n to_o drink_v a_o health_n or_o put_v out_o money_n to_o interest_n or_o to_o go_v to_o law_n as_o have_v converse_v with_o such_o man_n or_o such_o book_n as_o do_v condemn_v these_o practice_n and_o that_o not_o without_o some_o colour_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god._n the_o man_n be_v not_o indeed_o so_o convince_v by_o their_o discourse_n as_o to_o have_v take_v up_o any_o opinion_n or_o persuasion_n that_o these_o practice_n be_v unlawful_a nor_o will_v he_o censure_v any_o man_n that_o use_v they_o because_o he_o see_v there_o be_v as_o good_a man_n and_o for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v as_o good_a argument_n for_o the_o other_o side_n but_o he_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a in_o his_o judgement_n about_o these_o point_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o pronounce_v any_o thing_n positive_o concern_v they_o either_o way_n he_o can_v say_v that_o he_o believe_v they_o lawful_a though_o he_o be_v not_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v unlawful_a which_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o a_o doubt_v mind_n now_o in_o these_o and_o all_o other_o such_o like_a case_n the_o rule_n be_v plain_a that_o while_o a_o man_n judgement_n continue_v thus_o in_o suspense_n it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a for_o he_o to_o forbear_v these_o practice_n for_o there_o be_v no_o pretence_n of_o obligation_n upon_o he_o from_o god_n law_n to_o engage_v in_o any_o of_o they_o and_o why_o shall_v he_o rash_o throw_v himself_o into_o danger_n by_o venture_v upon_o a_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o no_o he_o run_v no_o hazard_n by_o forbear_v these_o thing_n but_o if_o he_o practise_v they_o he_o do_v thus_o far_o be_v right_a but_o then_o as_o i_o say_v this_o be_v always_o to_o be_v understand_v with_o this_o proviso_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la for_o if_o there_o shall_v happen_v to_o be_v such_o other_o consideration_n in_o the_o action_n as_o have_v force_n enough_o to_o overbalance_n this_o consideration_n of_o uncertainty_n it_o will_v then_o be_v reasonable_a to_o choose_v that_o side_n of_o the_o action_n concern_v which_o i_o do_v before_o doubt_n rather_o than_o that_o of_o which_o i_o have_v no_o doubt_n at_o all_o thus_o if_o the_o man_n that_o make_v a_o question_n about_o any_o of_o the_o three_o thing_n i_o before_o mention_v shall_v light_v into_o such_o circumstance_n that_o for_o instance_n he_o must_v either_o drink_v such_o a_o single_a health_n or_o a_o quarrel_n be_v like_a to_o ensue_v nay_o and_o that_o perhaps_o to_o the_o danger_n of_o some_o of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o company_n or_o again_o that_o he_o have_v no_o mean_n of_o improve_n his_o money_n in_o which_o his_o whole_a fortune_n consist_v in_o any_o other_o way_n but_o by_o that_o of_o usury_n so_o that_o he_o and_o his_o family_n must_v in_o time_n starve_v unless_o they_o be_v maintain_v by_o this_o course_n or_o last_o if_o a_o orphan_n be_v trust_v to_o his_o care_n and_o the_o estate_n of_o that_o orphan_n be_v so_o entangle_v that_o he_o must_v be_v put_v upon_o the_o necessity_n either_o of_o wage_n a_o law_n suit_n for_o the_o clear_n it_o or_o suffer_v his_o near_a relation_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n to_o be_v defraud_v of_o his_o right_n i_o say_v if_o the_o case_n happen_v to_o be_v thus_o circumstantiate_v he_o that_o before_o doubt_v in_o general_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o drink_v a_o health_n or_o to_o put_v out_o money_n to_o usury_n or_o to_o engage_v in_o law_n suit_n may_v i_o shall_v think_v certain_o satisfy_v himself_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o expedient_a in_o this_o particular_a case_n notwithstanding_o his_o general_n doubt_v to_o
not_o of_o faith._n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o doubtful_a case_n wherein_o a_o man_n may_v act_n with_o faith_n notwithstanding_o his_o doubt_n i_o hope_v it_o will_v be_v allow_v that_o those_o case_n be_v except_v out_o of_o st._n paul_n proposition_n now_o that_o there_o be_v such_o case_n and_o that_o our_o case_n of_o obey_v authority_n be_v one_o of_o they_o i_o thus_o prove_v whosoever_o so_o act_n as_o that_o he_o be_v satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o what_o he_o do_v be_v according_a to_o his_o duty_n in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n such_o a_o man_n act_n with_o faith_n in_o reference_n to_o that_o action_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o of_o which_o i_o have_v before_o give_v a_o account_n but_o now_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o a_o man_n may_v have_v a_o doubt_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n and_o yet_o be_v in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v that_o be_v very_o reasonable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o his_o duty_n nay_o as_o the_o case_n may_v be_v that_o he_o be_v real_o bind_v to_o do_v that_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o thus_o doubt_n rather_o than_o not_o to_o do_v it_o because_o the_o not_o do_v that_o action_n all_o thing_n consider_v appear_v to_o he_o more_o dangerous_a or_o attend_v with_o worse_a consequence_n this_o now_o be_v grant_v it_o undeniable_o follow_v that_o wherever_o a_o man_n light_n into_o these_o circumstance_n he_o be_v not_o a_o sinner_n even_o according_a to_o the_o strict_a sense_n of_o these_o word_n though_o he_o act_n with_o some_o kind_n of_o doubt_n because_o he_o act_v in_o faith_n that_o be_v he_o be_v resolve_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o thus_o it_o behove_v he_o to_o act_v in_o the_o present_a case_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v unreasonable_a or_o sinful_a to_o act_v otherwise_o so_o that_o let_v our_o adversary_n make_v the_o most_o of_o st._n paul_n word_n that_o they_o can_v it_o be_v a_o very_a illogical_a inference_n to_o say_v that_o whoever_o act_v with_o a_o doubt_n upon_o his_o conscience_n in_o any_o case_n be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n and_o much_o more_o be_v it_o so_o to_o affirm_v it_o in_o our_o present_a case_n of_o obey_v authority_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o many_o man_n be_v and_o i_o believe_v all_o man_n may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o in_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n it_o be_v not_o only_o more_o reasonable_a but_o their_o duty_n to_o obey_v their_o superior_n well_o but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v do_v not_o we_o here_o talk_v contradiction_n can_v a_o man_n have_v faith_n about_o a_o action_n that_o be_v be_v resolve_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o such_o a_o action_n be_v to_o be_v do_v or_o may_v lawful_o be_v do_v and_o yet_o doubt_v concern_v it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o answer_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o contradiction_n that_o it_o be_v a_o case_n that_o every_o day_n happen_v where_o a_o man_n have_v a_o doubt_n on_o both_o side_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o instance_n before_o we_o a_o man_n often_o have_v very_o great_a doubt_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o this_o or_o the_o other_o action_n when_o he_o consider_v the_o action_n in_o general_a but_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o weigh_v the_o circumstance_n he_o be_v in_o and_o the_o reason_n he_o have_v in_o those_o circumstance_n for_o the_o do_v the_o action_n he_o may_v be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v better_a for_o he_o to_o do_v the_o action_n than_o to_o let_v it_o alone_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o doubt_n he_o have_v about_o it_o that_o be_v though_o he_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n itself_o consider_v without_o his_o present_a circumstance_n yet_o as_o it_o come_v circumstantiate_v to_o he_o he_o do_v not_o doubt_n but_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_o do_v by_o he_o but_o of_o this_o i_o have_v speak_v large_o before_o in_o my_o explication_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n but_o be_v not_o all_o doubt_v contrary_a to_o faith_n i_o answer_v no_o it_o be_v not_o for_o such_o kind_n of_o doubt_v as_o we_o here_o speak_v of_o do_v we_o see_v very_o well_o consist_v with_o faith._n my_o meaning_n be_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o a_o man_n have_v faith_n about_o a_o action_n that_o all_o his_o doubt_n concern_v that_o action_n shall_v be_v destroy_v it_o be_v abundant_o sufficient_a that_o they_o be_v overbalance_v that_o which_o i_o will_v say_v be_v this_o wherever_o a_o man_n have_v such_o a_o degree_n of_o persuasion_n touch_v any_o action_n he_o be_v deliberate_v about_o that_o he_o believe_v it_o more_o advisable_a to_o a_o reasonable_a man_n all_o thing_n consider_v to_o do_v that_o action_n than_o to_o forbear_v it_o such_o a_o man_n have_v all_o the_o faith_n that_o be_v needful_a to_o the_o do_v that_o action_n with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n though_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n he_o may_v have_v such_o doubt_n concern_v that_o action_n as_o will_v perhaps_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o he_o to_o resolve_v and_o will_v create_v he_o likewise_o some_o trouble_n and_o uneasiness_n in_o the_o do_n of_o it_o though_o indeed_o to_o speak_v proper_o i_o think_v these_o ought_v not_o any_o long_a to_o be_v call_v doubt_n after_o they_o be_v thus_o overrule_v or_o over_o balance_v but_o rather_o to_o go_v under_o the_o name_n and_o notion_n of_o pure_a scruple_n which_o the_o casuist_n of_o all_o persuasion_n do_v not_o only_o allow_v but_o advise_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v act_v against_o in_o plain_a english_a that_o doubtfulness_n about_o a_o action_n which_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o and_o which_o he_o censure_v as_o a_o sin_n be_v such_o a_o doubtfulness_n as_o after_o the_o action_n be_v do_v render_v the_o man_n self-condemned_n his_o conscience_n can_v not_o but_o reproach_v he_o for_o do_v as_o he_o do_v but_o now_o in_o our_o case_n the_o man_n be_v not_o at_o all_o self-condemned_n because_o he_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o his_o conscience_n that_o he_o have_v act_v according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n though_o he_o act_v with_o a_o doubt_n yet_o he_o be_v satisfy_v he_o have_v make_v the_o most_o reasonable_a choice_n that_o he_o can_v in_o his_o circumstance_n and_o wherever_o a_o man_n do_v so_o he_o both_o act_n in_o faith_n and_o without_o any_o danger_n of_o condemnation_n from_o his_o own_o conscience_n so_o that_o after_o all_o the_o bustle_n that_o be_v make_v about_o do_v or_o forbear_v a_o action_n with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n you_o see_v there_o be_v no_o great_a intricacy_n in_o the_o case_n nor_o any_o necessity_n of_o sin_v on_o both_o hand_n always_o suppose_v a_o man_n to_o be_v sincere_a and_o honest_a for_o if_o he_o be_v real_o so_o he_o will_v always_o do_v that_o which_o he_o judge_v most_o according_a to_o his_o duty_n or_o at_o least_o that_o which_o he_o judge_v to_o be_v consistent_a with_o it_o and_o wherever_o a_o man_n do_v thus_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o act_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n notwithstanding_o any_o doubt_v he_o may_v have_v about_o the_o action_n because_o more_o than_o the_o former_a a_o man_n can_v do_v and_o more_o than_o the_o latter_a he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v as_o for_o what_o sin_n a_o erroneous_a conscience_n may_v engage_v a_o man_n in_o or_o what_o troublesome_a reflection_n a_o melancholy_a imagination_n may_v occasion_v to_o he_o in_o these_o case_n i_o be_o not_o to_o answer_v for_o they_o they_o be_v of_o another_o consideration_n iv_o have_v thus_o large_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n and_o of_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v to_o act_n whenever_o it_o happen_v and_o that_o both_o when_o he_o be_v leave_v at_o his_o own_o liberty_n and_o when_o he_o be_v under_o the_o command_v of_o other_o all_o that_o remain_v to_o be_v do_v be_v to_o speak_v something_o about_o the_o authority_n or_o obligation_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n which_o be_v our_o four_o and_o last_o general_n head._n but_o in_o truth_n the_o discussion_n of_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v spare_v after_o what_o i_o have_v say_v relate_v to_o this_o argument_n in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n particular_o under_o my_o last_n head._n however_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v some_o account_n of_o this_o point_n though_o i_o intend_v it_o a_o very_a short_a one_o because_o indeed_o what_o i_o have_v to_o offer_v be_v not_o so_o much_o any_o new_a matter_n as_o a_o application_n of_o the_o principle_n i_o have_v before_o lay_v down_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n the_o point_n in_o question_n be_v concern_v the_o authority_n
of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n or_o whether_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n do_v bind_v at_o all_o and_o how_o far_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o say_v in_o general_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n of_o itself_o lay_v no_o obligation_n at_o all_o upon_o a_o man_n any_o way_n indeed_o it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o contradiction_n to_o suppose_v that_o it_o shall_v for_o i_o pray_v what_o be_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n but_o this_o that_o a_o man_n be_v uncertain_a or_o unresolved_a in_o his_o mind_n whether_o as_o to_o this_o particular_a action_n he_o be_v bind_v or_o not_o bind_v to_o suppose_v now_o that_o a_o man_n be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n either_o way_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o doubt_n be_v plain_o to_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n take_v himself_o to_o be_v bind_v while_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o be_v dispute_v with_o himself_o whether_o he_o be_v bind_v or_o no._n to_o speak_v this_o plain_a if_o i_o can_v since_o conscience_n as_o i_o have_v often_o say_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o man_n judgement_n concern_v action_n whether_o they_o be_v duty_n or_o sin_n or_o indifferent_a and_o since_o the_o law_n of_o god_n command_v or_o forbid_v action_n or_o neither_o command_v or_o forbid_v they_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n by_o which_o a_o man_n can_v judge_v what_o action_n be_v duty_n and_o what_o be_v sin_n and_o what_o be_v indifferent_a it_o plain_o follow_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o do_v any_o action_n which_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v to_o he_o that_o god_n law_n have_v some_o way_n or_o other_o command_v and_o make_v a_o duty_n or_o to_o forbear_v any_o action_n which_o he_o be_v not_o convince_v in_o his_o judgement_n that_o god_n law_n have_v some_o where_n or_o other_o forbid_v and_o so_o make_v a_o sin._n and_o therefore_o since_o in_o a_o case_n where_o a_o man_n be_v pure_o doubtful_a he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v any_o such_o conviction_n that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n do_v either_o command_n or_o forbid_v the_o action_n doubt_v of_o for_o if_o he_o have_v he_o will_v no_o long_o doubt_n it_o follow_v likewise_o by_o undeniable_a consequence_n that_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v not_o bind_v on_o either_o side_n of_o the_o action_n but_o he_o may_v either_o do_v it_o or_o forbear_v it_o with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o obligation_n at_o all_o upon_o a_o man_n to_o act_n thus_o rather_o than_o otherwise_o in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n that_o obligation_n must_v arise_v upon_o one_o of_o these_o two_o account_n viz._n either_o there_o be_v some_o law_n of_o god_n concern_v a_o doubt_v conscience_n which_o have_v tie_v a_o man_n up_o to_o such_o precise_a measure_n of_o act_v or_o at_o least_o a_o man_n have_v a_o persuasion_n that_o there_o be_v some_o such_o law_n of_o god._n now_o i_o grant_v that_o in_o both_o these_o case_n there_o do_v a_o direct_a obligation_n pass_v upon_o the_o man_n conscience_n but_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o this_o obligation_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o the_o man_n be_v doubtful_a in_o his_o conscience_n but_o from_o his_o be_v resolve_v in_o his_o conscience_n that_o be_v to_o say_v if_o there_o be_v real_o any_o such_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v the_o obligation_n of_o a_o right_a conscience_n or_o if_o there_o be_v not_o but_o the_o man_n only_a judge_n that_o there_o be_v it_o be_v then_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n but_o as_o for_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n the_o great_a therefore_o or_o indeed_o the_o only_a point_n that_o be_v to_o be_v inquire_v into_o in_o order_n to_o the_o resolution_n of_o our_o present_a question_n be_v this_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o law_n of_o god_n which_o do_v determine_v our_o action_n one_o way_n or_o other_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_n and_o what_o that_o law_n be_v now_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o inquiry_n i_o say_v that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v any_o express_a law_n of_o god_n in_o holy_a scripture_n that_o have_v lay_v any_o obligation_n upon_o we_o as_o to_o this_o particular_a of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n either_o one_o way_n or_o other_o the_o only_a text_n that_o i_o know_v of_o which_o be_v think_v to_o make_v for_o this_o purpose_n be_v the_o two_o passage_n in_o the_o 14_o of_o the_o roman_n which_o i_o have_v before_o large_o give_v a_o account_n of_o viz._n that_o in_o the_o 5_o verse_n let_v every_o man_n be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o that_o other_o in_o the_o last_o verse_n he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith._n but_o now_o i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o plain_a by_o several_a argument_n that_o these_o text_n do_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v our_o present_a case_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n proper_o so_o call_v so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o express_a particular_a law_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n about_o act_v with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n we_o seem_v to_o be_v leave_v as_o to_o that_o affair_n to_o the_o general_a law_n of_o god_n as_o they_o be_v declare_v whether_o by_o nature_n or_o scripture_n now_o the_o most_o that_o any_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o by_o the_o general_a law_n of_o god_n whether_o natural_a or_o reveal_v in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_n be_v only_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o use_v his_o endeavour_n to_o get_v himself_o as_o well_o instruct_v in_o his_o duty_n as_o his_o circumstance_n and_o opportunity_n will_v allow_v he_o and_o second_o where_o he_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o information_n in_o that_o case_n to_o act_n as_o reasonable_o as_o he_o can_v i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o a_o man_n in_o every_o doubtful_a case_n that_o happen_v be_v strict_o oblige_v to_o thus_o much_o but_o i_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o more_o because_o indeed_o more_o than_o this_o he_o can_v do_v and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o more_o than_o be_v in_o his_o power_n wherever_o therefore_o a_o man_n in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n take_v care_n to_o observe_v these_o two_o thing_n he_o act_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n however_o he_o may_v act_v doubt_o in_o that_o case_n thus_o far_o i_o think_v we_o be_v clear_a beyond_o exception_n but_o it_o may_v be_v some_o will_v not_o be_v satisfy_v with_o this_o account_n of_o our_o point_n but_o will_v be_v put_v a_o far_a question_n we_o have_v before_o lay_v down_o several_a rule_n about_o a_o man_n act_v in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o which_o come_v to_o no_o more_o than_o what_o we_o have_v now_o say_v viz._n that_o in_o every_o doubtful_a case_n a_o man_n be_v to_o act_v as_o reasonable_o as_o he_o can_v the_o question_n now_o be_v whether_o a_o man_n be_v strict_o bind_v in_o conscience_n always_o to_o follow_v this_o rule_n or_o which_o be_v to_o the_o same_o effect_n whether_o a_o man_n in_o a_o matter_n concern_v which_o he_o have_v only_o a_o pure_a doubt_n may_v not_o without_o sin_n indifferent_o choose_v either_o side_n of_o the_o action_n though_o yet_o perhaps_o one_o side_n do_v appear_v to_o he_o more_o reasonable_a or_o more_o safe_a than_o the_o other_o this_o question_n be_v indeed_o more_o curious_a than_o useful_a but_o however_o since_o it_o proper_o fall_v under_o the_o argument_n we_o be_v now_o treat_v of_o and_o tend_v somewhat_o to_o the_o clear_n of_o it_o i_o shall_v venture_v to_o say_v something_o to_o it_o only_o i_o declare_v beforehand_o that_o i_o mean_v not_o in_o what_o i_o shall_v say_v to_o assert_v any_o thing_n dogmatical_o but_o only_o to_o propose_v in_o order_n to_o further_a examination_n and_o withal_o that_o whether_o that_o which_o we_o say_v be_v true_a or_o false_a it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o affect_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n we_o have_v undertake_v that_o now_o which_o i_o have_v to_o say_v to_o this_o question_n be_v this_o that_o though_o it_o be_v eternal_o fit_a and_o natural_a and_o conduce_v to_o a_o man_n happiness_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o other_o that_o he_o shall_v in_o all_o case_n and_o especial_o in_o doubtful_a case_n govern_v his_o action_n by_o the_o best_a reason_n that_o he_o have_v and_o certain_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o better_a any_o man_n be_v the_o more_o steady_o will_v he_o pursue_v this_o rule_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n i_o dare_v not_o say_v that_o a_o man_n be_v strict_o bind_v in_o conscience_n so_o to_o do_v so_o as_o that_o he_o be_v proper_o guilty_a of_o sin_n if_o he_o do_v not_o my_o reason_n be_v
this_o because_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n which_o do_v oblige_v we_o in_o all_o case_n to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v best_o and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v always_o that_o which_o be_v best_a we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v always_o that_o which_o be_v most_o reasonable_a for_o certain_o that_o which_o be_v best_a be_v always_o most_o reasonable_a and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v most_o reasonable_a much_o less_o be_v we_o bind_v to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v safe_a because_o that_o which_o be_v safe_a be_v not_o always_o either_o best_a or_o most_o reasonable_a and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n that_o do_v oblige_v we_o to_o any_o of_o these_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v certain_a we_o do_v not_o sin_n if_o we_o act_n otherwise_o for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n now_o that_o the_o first_o of_o these_o principle_n be_v true_a we_o have_v as_o good_a proof_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v viz._n the_o authority_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o have_v in_o the_o seven_o of_o the_o first_o of_o the_o corinthian_n thus_o determine_v and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a the_o other_o two_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o likewise_o because_o they_o follow_v from_o it_o by_o unavoidable_a consequence_n take_v now_o this_o for_o grant_v i_o ask_v what_o law_n do_v a_o man_n transgress_v that_o in_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n choose_v either_o side_n indifferent_o without_o respect_n to_o what_o be_v safe_a or_o most_o reasonable_a always_o suppose_v that_o the_o side_n he_o choose_v be_v not_o in_o itself_o evil_a and_o forbid_a by_o god._n i_o say_v according_a to_o these_o principle_n he_o transgress_v no_o law_n at_o all_o and_o consequent_o can_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o sin_n at_o all_o if_o the_o man_n be_v at_o all_o guilty_a it_o be_v upon_o one_o of_o these_o account_n viz._n either_o because_o he_o act_v against_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o conscience_n or_o because_o he_o act_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o prefer_v that_o which_o be_v less_o reasonable_a and_o safe_a before_o that_o which_o be_v more_o so_o now_o upon_o the_o former_a account_n he_o be_v not_o at_o all_o guilty_a for_o his_o conscience_n have_v pass_v no_o dictate_v no_o verdict_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o act_v against_o any_o such_o dictate_v or_o verdict_n the_o man_n be_v in_o such_o a_o state_n that_o he_o either_o believe_v he_o may_v act_v as_o he_o do_v without_o violation_n of_o his_o duty_n or_o at_o least_o he_o have_v no_o belief_n to_o the_o contrary_a so_o that_o his_o conscience_n do_v not_o any_o way_n condemn_v he_o and_o as_o for_o the_o other_o thing_n of_o his_o not_o choose_v that_o side_n of_o the_o doubtful_a case_n which_o appear_v to_o he_o most_o reasonable_a it_o be_v true_a if_o there_o be_v any_o law_n of_o god_n which_o oblige_v he_o to_o make_v such_o a_o choice_n he_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n if_o he_o choose_v otherwise_o but_o now_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o law_n of_o god._n nay_o so_o far_o from_o that_o that_o it_o appear_v from_o st._n paul_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o law_n but_o that_o every_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o liberty_n in_o this_o matter_n always_o suppose_v that_o he_o take_v care_v not_o to_o choose_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o judge_v to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o his_o duty_n which_o in_o our_o case_n we_o do_v likewise_o suppose_v but_o then_o have_v say_v this_o we_o must_v add_v further_o that_o though_o we_o here_o have_v conclude_v that_o no_o man_n in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v strict_o oblige_v by_o any_o law_n of_o god_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o sin_n to_o choose_v one_o side_n more_o than_o another_o but_o may_v indifferent_o choose_v either_o yet_o in_o the_o first_o place_n whoever_o do_v believe_v or_o be_v persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n either_o that_o he_o ought_v not_o at_o all_o to_o act_n against_o a_o doubt_n or_o that_o in_o every_o doubtful_a case_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n such_o a_o man_n so_o long_o as_o he_o so_o believe_v can_v without_o sin_n act_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n we_o have_v now_o lay_v down_o and_o second_o we_o be_v far_o from_o encourage_v any_o man_n to_o act_v thus_o hand_n over_o head_n in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n much_o less_o from_o commend_v he_o for_o so_o do_v for_o though_o we_o say_v that_o strict_o speak_v a_o man_n do_v not_o sin_n which_o way_n soever_o he_o act_n in_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n i_o think_v he_o be_v but_o in_o a_o low_a dispensation_n as_o to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n that_o never_o look_v further_a into_o his_o action_n nor_o take_v more_o care_n about_o they_o than_o only_o that_o they_o be_v not_o direct_o sinful_a he_o that_o be_v hearty_o good_a will_v with_o st._n paul_n not_o only_o consider_v what_o thing_n be_v lawful_a but_o what_o thing_n be_v expedient_a and_o do_v edify_v it_o will_v not_o ordinary_o be_v sufficient_a to_o engage_v such_o a_o man_n in_o a_o action_n to_o satisfy_v he_o that_o he_o may_v do_v that_o action_n without_o transgress_v any_o law_n of_o god_n but_o he_o will_v examine_v whether_o the_o do_v or_o forbear_v the_o action_n do_v more_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o virtue_n and_o charity_n and_o according_o as_o that_o appear_v to_o he_o so_o will_v he_o determine_v his_o choice_n in_o a_o word_n the_o better_a and_o the_o more_o virtuous_a any_o man_n be_v the_o more_o delicate_a and_o tender_a sense_n will_v he_o have_v not_o only_o of_o that_o which_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v precise_o make_v his_o duty_n and_o so_o in_o a_o proper_a sense_n do_v oblige_v his_o conscience_n but_o also_o of_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v reasonable_a and_o excellent_a and_o praiseworthy_a so_o that_o it_o will_v real_o grate_v upon_o his_o mind_n to_o do_v many_o thing_n which_o in_o strict_a speak_n can_v be_v account_v unlawful_a or_o forbid_a and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n if_o we_o suppose_v a_o man_n to_o be_v a_o devout_a christian_a and_o a_o sincere_a lover_n of_o god_n he_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v with_o himself_o in_o a_o case_n where_o he_o doubt_v to_o choose_v either_o side_n indiscriminate_o though_o if_o he_o shall_v i_o do_v not_o know_v as_o i_o say_v before_o what_o law_n of_o god_n he_o transgress_v but_o he_o will_v weigh_v and_o consider_v the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n and_o that_o which_o appear_v to_o he_o after_o such_o consideration_n to_o be_v most_o reasonable_a and_o conduce_v to_o god_n glory_n and_o his_o own_o and_o the_o world_n good_a that_o shall_v have_v the_o preference_n to_o come_v to_o a_o conclusion_n the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v be_v this_o as_o conscience_n be_v the_o immediate_a guide_n of_o our_o action_n so_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o conscience_n itself_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o nothing_o else_o though_o therefore_o we_o can_v be_v safe_a in_o follow_v our_o conscience_n where_o our_o conscience_n be_v not_o guide_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n because_o as_o i_o have_v often_o say_v our_o false_a judgement_n of_o thing_n do_v not_o cancel_v our_o obligation_n to_o act_v according_a to_o what_o the_o law_n of_o god_n require_v of_o we_o unless_o we_o can_v just_o plead_v unblameable_a ignorance_n of_o those_o law_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n wherever_o conscience_n tell_v we_o that_o i_o must_v do_v this_o action_n because_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v command_v it_o we_o must_v do_v it_o or_o we_o sin_n and_o again_o wherever_o conscience_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o must_v avoid_v this_o action_n because_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v forbid_v it_o we_o must_v forbear_v that_o action_n or_o we_o sin_n but_o if_o conscience_n can_v say_v that_o this_o action_n be_v command_v or_o forbid_v there_o we_o be_v not_o tie_v under_o the_o penalty_n of_o sin_v either_o to_o do_v or_o to_o forbear_v that_o action_n but_o yet_o if_o a_o man_n conscience_n shall_v thus_o suggest_v to_o he_o though_o i_o can_v say_v direct_o that_o this_o action_n be_v a_o duty_n or_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n because_o i_o be_o at_o a_o loss_n how_o the_o law_n of_o god_n stand_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n and_o consequent_o i_o can_v lay_v any_o direct_a obligation_n upon_o you_o either_o way_n yet_o my_o advice_n be_v that_o you_o will_v choose_v this_o way_n rather_o than_o the_o other_o for_o this_o way_n all_o thing_n consider_v appear_v most_o fit_a and_o
in_o such_o a_o condition_n that_o he_o apprehend_v he_o run_v a_o equal_a danger_n of_o sin_v whether_o he_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n or_o receive_v it_o not_o and_o withal_o so_o unskilful_a a_o judge_n be_v he_o of_o the_o morality_n of_o action_n that_o he_o apprehend_v no_o great_a difference_n in_o the_o degree_n of_o the_o sin_n whether_o he_o do_v the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o in_o this_o case_n now_o all_o the_o man_n can_v do_v be_v to_o consider_v what_o inducement_n he_o have_v in_o point_n of_o prudence_n or_o interest_n to_o do_v or_o to_o forbear_v the_o action_n he_o doubt_v about_o for_o since_o all_o other_o consideration_n in_o the_o case_n be_v equal_a those_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v to_o turn_v the_o balance_n according_a to_o our_o four_o proposition_n but_o if_o the_o case_n turn_v upon_o this_o point_n i_o dare_v say_v no_o man_n will_v be_v long_o doubtful_a whether_o he_o shall_v frequent_v the_o sacrament_n in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n or_o forbear_v it_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o he_o act_v more_o prudent_o and_o more_o consult_v his_o own_o advantage_n both_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a by_o do_v the_o former_a as_o for_o the_o temporal_a advantage_n which_o a_o man_n receive_v by_o obey_v the_o law_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o will_v not_o now_o insist_v on_o they_o though_o they_o be_v neither_o few_o nor_o inconsiderable_a that_o which_o i_o desire_v chief_o to_o be_v here_o consider_v be_v this_o that_o in_o point_n of_o spiritual_a advantage_n it_o be_v much_o more_o advisable_v for_o our_o doubt_v person_n to_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n than_o to_o abstain_v from_o it_o for_o by_o frequent_v this_o ordinance_n he_o take_v the_o best_a method_n both_o to_o grow_v more_o worthy_a if_o he_o be_v now_o unworthy_a and_o likewise_o to_o cure_v the_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n he_o be_v now_o trouble_v with_o but_o if_o he_o neglect_v this_o mean_n of_o grace_n he_o not_o only_o take_v a_o effectual_a course_n to_o increase_v and_o perpetuate_v his_o fear_n and_o doubt_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o the_o long_o he_o defer_v his_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n still_o the_o more_o doubtful_a will_v he_o be_v of_o his_o be_v qualify_v for_o it_o but_o also_o be_v in_o great_a danger_n to_o lose_v that_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n that_o he_o now_o have_v upon_o his_o spirit_n because_o he_o deny_v himself_o the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n and_o help_v which_o be_v most_o principal_o necessary_a for_o the_o preserve_n and_o maintain_v it_o now_o i_o say_v suppose_v all_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o case_n equal_a this_o very_a consideration_n alone_o will_v prevail_v with_o a_o reasonable_a man_n to_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n rather_o than_o forbear_v it_o even_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o mighty_o doubt_v whether_o he_o shall_v not_o receive_v unworthy_o thus_o have_v i_o give_v a_o large_a exemplification_n of_o all_o our_o rule_n concern_v a_o double_a doubt_n in_o this_o instance_n of_o receive_v the_o holy_a communion_n if_o i_o have_v dwell_v too_o long_o upon_o this_o subject_a i_o hope_v the_o frequency_n and_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o case_n will_v in_o some_o measure_n excuse_v i_o iii_o have_v thus_o prepare_v our_o way_n by_o settle_v the_o notion_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n i_o come_v now_o more_o direct_o to_o the_o main_a business_n that_o be_v before_o we_o and_o that_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n what_o share_n humane_a law_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a have_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n or_o what_o power_n they_o have_v to_o over-rule_v a_o man_n doubt_n in_o any_o case_n which_o according_a to_o the_o method_n i_o propose_v be_v the_o three_o general_n enquiry_n i_o be_o to_o resolve_v this_o be_v indeed_o the_o great_a point_n that_o be_v dispute_v between_o we_o and_o those_o of_o the_o separation_n nay_o i_o may_v say_v it_o be_v the_o point_n upon_o which_o that_o whole_a controversy_n turn_v so_o far_o as_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n be_v concern_v in_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v discuss_v it_o as_o careful_o as_o i_o can_v but_o yet_o in_o such_o a_o general_a way_n as_o that_o what_o i_o have_v to_o offer_v may_v serve_v for_o all_o other_o doubtful_a case_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o well_o as_o this_o which_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v in_o their_o assertion_n general_o be_v this_o general_o i_o say_v for_o there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o dissenter_n and_o those_o as_o learned_a and_o eminent_a as_o any_o who_o have_v declare_v themselves_o of_o another_o opinion_n viz._n that_o wherever_o a_o man_n doubt_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n that_o very_o doubt_v of_o he_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o make_v he_o forbear_v that_o action_n though_o lawful_a authority_n have_v command_v it_o on_o the_o other_o side_n our_o assertion_n be_v that_o wherever_o lawful_a authority_n have_v command_v a_o action_n that_o command_n be_v general_o speak_v a_o sufficient_a warrant_n for_o a_o man_n to_o do_v that_o action_n though_o he_o doubt_n whether_o in_o itself_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o no._n that_o i_o may_v speak_v clear_o to_o this_o point_n i_o shall_v first_o premise_v some_o thing_n in_o order_n to_o our_o more_o distinct_a understanding_n the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n second_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o assertion_n three_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o answer_v the_o chief_a argument_n that_o be_v bring_v on_o the_o other_o side_n i._o what_o i_o think_v needful_a to_o be_v premise_v for_o the_o right_n apprehend_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n i_o shall_v comprise_v in_o these_o follow_a particular_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o discern_v how_o far_o we_o agree_v with_o the_o dissenter_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o in_o what_o we_o differ_v from_o they_o first_o we_o do_v ready_o own_v with_o they_o that_o no_o authority_n upon_o earth_n can_v oblige_v its_o subject_n to_o do_v any_o action_n which_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v forbid_v or_o to_o forbear_v any_o action_n which_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v command_v second_o we_o agree_v likewise_o with_o they_o in_o this_o that_o wherever_o any_o subject_n have_v take_v up_o a_o opinion_n or_o persuasion_n that_o such_o a_o action_n which_o his_o governor_n have_v oblige_v he_o to_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n though_o it_o be_v a_o false_a opinion_n or_o persuasion_n yet_o it_o will_v so_o far_o bind_v he_o that_o he_o can_v in_o that_o instance_n obey_v their_o law_n without_o offend_a god._n but_o then_o we_o say_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o though_o he_o can_v obey_v without_o sin_n so_o long_o as_o this_o persuasion_n continue_v yet_o he_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n guilty_a of_o sin_n in_o disobey_v if_o he_o shall_v prove_v to_o be_v mistake_v suppose_v that_o it_o be_v through_o his_o own_o fault_n that_o he_o fall_v into_o that_o mistake_n three_o 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self-conceit_n and_o arrogance_n and_o a_o very_a mean_a opinion_n of_o our_o superior_n and_o a_o great_a contempt_n of_o their_o authority_n to_o refuse_v that_o respect_n to_o they_o which_o we_o give_v to_o every_o private_a man_n almost_o that_o we_o think_v wise_a than_o ourselves_o second_o i_o desire_v that_o may_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o which_o the_o casuist_n and_o in_o particular_a our_o excellent_a bishop_n sanderson_n have_v urge_v in_o this_o affair_n viz._n it_o be_v a_o know_a rule_n in_o law_n that_o in_o all_o dispute_v case_n he_o that_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o the_o thing_n contend_v for_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o the_o other_o that_o contend_v with_o he_o suppose_v all_o other_o thing_n be_v equal_a in_o controvert_v matter_n the_o right_o be_v always_o presume_v to_o be_v on_o the_o side_n of_o the_o possessor_n unless_o there_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n show_v to_o the_o contrary_n thus_o for_o instance_n if_o i_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o a_o estate_n which_o another_o man_n make_v a_o claim_n to_o and_o it_o be_v equal_o doubtful_a whether_o that_o estate_n belong_v to_o he_o or_o i_o yet_o so_o long_o as_o i_o have_v the_o possession_n of_o it_o i_o have_v a_o good_a title_n to_o it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n nor_o can_v i_o without_o injustice_n be_v dispossess_v of_o it_o till_o my_o adversary_n have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o he_o have_v a_o better_a title_n to_o it_o than_o i._n let_v we_o now_o apply_v this_o rule_n to_o our_o present_a case_n here_o be_v a_o contest_v or_o dispute_v between_o the_o superior_a and_o the_o subject_a about_o a_o matter_n of_o right_a as_o to_o a_o particular_a action_n the_o superior_a say_v it_o be_v his_o right_n to_o command_v his_o subject_n in_o this_o instance_n and_o according_o do_v command_v he_o the_o subject_n say_v that_o he_o doubt_n whether_o his_o superior_a have_v right_o to_o command_v he_o in_o this_o instance_n because_o he_o doubt_n whether_o this_o command_n be_v not_o against_o the_o law_n of_o god._n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o superior_a be_v in_o actual_a possession_n of_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n to_o command_v though_o it_o be_v uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a whether_o as_o to_o this_o instance_n he_o do_v not_o exceed_v the_o just_a limit_n of_o his_o power_n why_o certain_o by_o the_o former_a rule_n so_o long_o as_o the_o case_n be_v thus_o doubtful_a the_o subject_n must_v yield_v and_o at_o no_o hand_n by_o his_o disobedience_n dispossess_v his_o superior_a of_o that_o authority_n he_o be_v possess_v of_o till_o he_o be_v convince_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o he_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o disobey_v in_o this_o instance_n than_o to_o obey_v which_o in_o our_o case_n it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v have_v because_o we_o here_o suppose_v that_o the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n be_v equal_a but_o three_o if_o this_o argument_n appear_v too_o subtle_a let_v the_o question_n before_o we_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o common_a rule_n viz._n that_o in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n the_o safe_a side_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v now_o put_v the_o point_n upon_o this_o issue_n i_o ask_v which_o be_v safe_a with_o respect_n to_o conscience_n for_o a_o man_n to_o obey_v his_o superior_n in_o such_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n as_o we_o here_o speak_v of_o or_o to_o disobey_v they_o i_o think_v this_o question_n will_v soon_o be_v answer_v by_o any_o man_n that_o will_v attend_v to_o what_o i_o be_o go_v to_o represent_v viz._n there_o be_v a_o plain_a law_n of_o god_n and_o acknowledge_v by_o we_o to_o be_v so_o that_o command_v we_o to_o obey_v our_o superior_n in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n but_o as_o to_o the_o particular_a case_n about_o which_o we_o be_v now_o suppose_v to_o doubt_n it_o be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o questionable_a to_o we_o even_o after_o our_o best_a endeavour_n to_o satisfy_v ourselves_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o law_n of_o god_n which_o forbid_v that_o thing_n which_o our_o superior_n have_v enjoin_v we_o this_o now_o be_v so_o we_o thus_o argue_v if_o it_o shall_v prove_v that_o our_o superior_n do_v in_o this_o instance_n command_v a_o unlawful_a thing_n yet_o the_o hazard_n we_o run_v in_o obey_v they_o be_v very_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n with_o that_o we_o run_v in_o disobey_v they_o suppose_v it_o shall_v indeed_o prove_v that_o they_o command_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v just_a and_o right_a and_o conduce_v to_o the_o public_a good._n for_o by_o do_v the_o former_a by_o obey_v our_o superior_n the_o only_a bazard_n we_o run_v be_v of_o transgress_v some_o unknown_a law_n of_o god_n some_o law_n which_o do_v no_o way_n appear_v to_o we_o all_o that_o we_o
be_v persuade_v they_o ought_v not_o as_o believe_v that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v declare_v they_o unclean_a be_v still_o in_o force_n or_o else_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v unclean_a in_o themselves_o that_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o case_n here_o discuss_v seem_v very_o clear_a from_o the_o 2d_o and_o 5_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n where_o the_o apostle_n state_n it_o and_o more_o particular_o from_o the_o 14_o verse_n where_o he_o give_v a_o summary_n resclution_n of_o it_o and_o in_o my_o judgement_n the_o very_a same_o resolution_n that_o he_o do_v in_o the_o text._n i_o know_v say_v he_o and_o be_o persuade_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o unclean_a of_o itself_o but_o to_o he_o that_o esteem_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v unclean_a to_o he_o it_o be_v unclean_a so_o that_o it_o feem_v the_o person_n who_o case_n st._n paul_n speak_v to_o be_v not_o uncertain_a or_o unresolved_a whether_o the_o meat_n under_o deliberation_n be_v clean_a or_o unclean_a but_o he_o be_v persuade_v they_o be_v unclean_a he_o esteem_v they_o to_o be_v such_o and_o he_o must_v of_o necessity_n do_v so_o so_o long_o as_o he_o believe_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o be_v in_o force_n as_o by_o all_o that_o appear_v in_o this_o chapter_n he_o do_v believe_v but_o may_v some_o say_v if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n why_o then_o do_v st._n paul_n use_v the_o word_n doubt_v in_o the_o text_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n than_o to_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o it_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o the_o account_n i_o have_v before_o give_v of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v as_o proper_o be_v render_v he_o that_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o meat_n as_o he_o that_o doubt_v about_o meat_n now_o if_o this_o version_n be_v admit_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o objection_n be_v quite_o take_v away_o and_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v admit_v since_o as_o i_o say_v it_o be_v as_o natural_a as_o the_o other_o and_o withal_o it_o make_v the_o apostle_n sense_n to_o run_v more_o coherent_o with_o what_o he_o have_v say_v before_o but_o further_a let_v if_o you_o please_v the_o common_a translation_n be_v retain_v let_v the_o text_n be_v interpret_v of_o one_o that_o doubt_v and_o not_o of_o one_o that_o make_v a_o difference_n yet_o still_o this_o will_v make_v nothing_o against_o what_o we_o have_v now_o say_v for_o it_o be_v undeniable_o plain_a that_o what_o st._n paul_n here_o call_v doubt_v be_v in_o our_o way_n of_o speak_v a_o degree_n of_o persuasion_n my_o meaning_n be_v this_o the_o doubt_v which_o st._n paul_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o that_o where_o a_o man_n judgement_n be_v suspend_v upon_o account_n of_o the_o equal_a probability_n on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o question_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o doubt_v and_o that_o which_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v with_o but_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o doubt_v strengthen_v with_o so_o many_o probability_n that_o it_o want_v but_o very_o little_a of_o a_o persuasion_n or_o to_o speak_v more_o proper_o it_o be_v a_o real_a persuasion_n though_o with_o some_o mixture_n of_o doubtfulness_n in_o it_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o man_n have_v so_o strong_a conviction_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o eat_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o so_o little_a satisfaction_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o on_o the_o other_o that_o if_o he_o be_v not_o full_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o eat_v yet_o it_o appear_v by_o many_o degree_n more_o probable_a to_o he_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n than_o that_o it_o be_v not_o that_o this_o now_o be_v the_o case_n be_v evident_a beyond_o all_o exception_n from_o the_o word_n that_o follow_v he_o that_o doubt_v say_v the_o text_n be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v that_o be_v condemn_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n as_o i_o show_v before_o now_o how_o can_v that_o be_v if_o the_o man_n be_v not_o in_o some_o degree_n persuade_v that_o his_o eat_n be_v unlawful_a it_o be_v certain_a no_o man_n can_v be_v further_o condemn_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n for_o do_v any_o action_n than_o he_o do_v believe_v that_o action_n to_o be_v forbid_v by_o some_o law_n of_o god._n to_o say_v therefore_o that_o a_o man_n be_v condemn_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n for_o eat_v must_v of_o necessity_n imply_v that_o he_o do_v believe_v his_o eat_n to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o do_v more_o than_o simple_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o no._n well_o but_o do_v not_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o this_o very_a chapter_n let_v every_o one_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o but_o that_o every_o one_o shall_v assure_v himself_o that_o the_o action_n he_o take_v in_o hand_n be_v a_o lawful_a action_n or_o else_o he_o do_v not_o act_n with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n and_o be_v not_o that_o the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o be_v here_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o be_v eat_v not_o of_o faith_n or_o with_o a_o full_a persuasion_n there_o be_v therefore_o good_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v interpret_v this_o text_n in_o the_o proper_a sense_n of_o doubt_v the_o apostle_n himself_o direct_v we_o so_o to_o do_v by_o this_o passage_n this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a objection_n that_o can_v be_v make_v against_o our_o way_n of_o expound_v this_o text_n and_o probable_o it_o be_v with_o a_o respect_n to_o that_o passage_n that_o so_o many_o interpreter_n have_v translate_v it_o as_o they_o have_v do_v but_o whether_o they_o have_v any_o just_a reason_n from_o thence_o so_o to_o do_v be_v the_o question_n or_o rather_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v no_o question_n with_o any_o one_o who_o attend_v either_o to_o the_o design_n or_o the_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o passage_n the_o passage_n be_v in_o the_o 5_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n where_o the_o apostle_n be_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o present_a controversy_n one_o man_n say_v he_o esteem_v one_o day_n above_o another_o another_o man_n esteem_v every_o day_n alike_o let_v every_o man_n be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n so_o we_o render_v it_o but_o how_o true_o i_o shall_v now_o examine_v it_o can_v well_o be_v conceive_v by_o the_o come_n in_o of_o these_o word_n that_o st._n paul_n have_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o his_o mind_n when_o he_o write_v they_o as_o we_o will_v now_o make_v they_o to_o express_v it_o be_v certain_o none_o of_o his_o business_n in_o this_o place_n to_o oblige_v the_o contend_a party_n to_o get_v full_a persuasion_n in_o their_o several_a way_n and_o then_o all_o will_v be_v right_a for_o there_o be_v too_o much_o of_o that_o already_o among_o they_o neither_o be_v it_o his_o meaning_n here_o to_o tell_v they_o that_o if_o in_o any_o case_n they_o act_v without_o a_o full_a persuasion_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n they_o sin_v against_o conscience_n for_o beside_o that_o this_o be_v certain_o false_a it_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o his_o purpose_n but_o this_o be_v that_o which_o he_o design_v in_o this_o passage_n to_o persuade_v both_o the_o contend_a party_n quiet_o to_o permit_v each_o other_o to_o enjoy_v their_o several_a opinion_n and_o persuasion_n in_o those_o little_a matter_n which_o do_v no_o way_n concern_v their_o duty_n without_o censure_v or_o judge_v one_o another_o this_o now_o be_v a_o meaning_n that_o perfect_o suit_v with_o all_o the_o other_o good_a advice_n he_o give_v they_o in_o this_o chapter_n and_o this_o meaning_n he_o do_v express_v in_o as_o apt_a word_n as_o can_v be_v think_v on_o one_o man_n esteem_v one_o day_n above_o another_o another_o man_n esteem_v every_o day_n alike_o let_v every_o man_n be_v fill_v with_o his_o own_o mind_n or_o satisfy_v with_o his_o own_o persuasion_n the_o original_a word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o the_o preposition_n as_o be_v read_v in_o some_o good_a copy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o say_v grotius_n be_v a_o hebrew_n way_n of_o expression_n and_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o this_o cuique_fw-la fruatur_fw-la sva_fw-la sententia_fw-la let_v every_o man_n enjoy_v his_o own_o opinion_n or_o as_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a most_o proper_o translate_v unusquisque_fw-la in_o svo_fw-la sensu_fw-la abundet_fw-la i_o e._n let_v every_o one_o abound_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n or_o last_o as_o the_o commentary_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o st._n ambrose_n unusquisque_fw-la remittatur_fw-la suis_fw-la
grant_v that_o it_o may_v be_v as_o advisable_v in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n as_o in_o any_o other_o until_o it_o be_v make_v to_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v appoint_v a_o rule_n for_o doubt_v person_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o different_z from_z that_o he_o have_v give_v to_o other_o man_n or_o to_o speak_v the_o thing_n more_o plain_o till_o it_o be_v make_v to_o appear_v that_o those_o who_o be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o to_o doubt_v be_v debar_v of_o the_o privilege_n of_o act_v according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o reason_n and_o discretion_n which_o man_n that_o do_v not_o doubt_n be_v allow_v to_o do_v but_o to_o come_v more_o strict_o to_o the_o point_n i_o do_v believe_v there_o do_v abundance_n of_o doubtful_a case_n proper_o so_o call_v frequent_o happen_v in_o which_o no_o man_n of_o understanding_n although_o we_o suppose_v he_o never_o so_o honest_a do_v think_v he_o be_v oblige_v to_o determine_v himself_o to_o that_o side_n of_o the_o action_n on_o which_o he_o apprehend_v there_o be_v least_o danger_n of_o sin_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a he_o will_v often_o forsake_v that_o side_n which_o be_v safe_o in_o this_o sense_n for_o that_o which_o do_v more_o recommend_v itself_o to_o he_o upon_o other_o account_n thus_o for_o instance_n sometime_o doubtful_a case_n do_v happen_v in_o which_o the_o great_a probability_n on_o one_o side_n will_v turn_v the_o balance_n against_o the_o great_a safety_n on_o the_o other_o thus_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v doubt_v whether_o it_o may_v be_v lawful_a to_o eat_v any_o thing_n strangle_v or_o that_o have_v blood_n in_o it_o because_o there_o be_v some_o passage_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o seem_v to_o forbid_v these_o meat_n and_o shall_v repair_v to_o some_o intelligent_a person_n about_o this_o matter_n who_o shall_v give_v he_o such_o a_o account_n of_o those_o text_n and_o of_o all_o the_o other_o difficulty_n in_o this_o affair_n that_o the_o man_n come_v away_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v far_o more_o probable_a that_o all_o kind_n of_o meat_n be_v allow_v by_o the_o christian_a religion_n than_o that_o any_o be_v forbid_v i_o ask_v now_o whether_o this_o degree_n of_o satisfaction_n have_v not_o weight_n enough_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o a_o man_n doubt_n in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o so_o as_o that_o he_o may_v with_o a_o quiet_a conscience_n eat_v of_o these_o meat_n as_o there_o be_v occasion_n i_o believe_v most_o man_n will_v be_v of_o this_o opinion_n but_o yet_o the_o doubt_n here_o be_v not_o determine_v on_o the_o safe_a side_n but_o on_o the_o more_o unsafe_a for_o it_o be_v certain_a a_o man_n be_v in_o less_o danger_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o whole_o forbear_v these_o meat_n than_o if_o for_o the_o serve_v a_o present_a convenience_n he_o do_v eat_v of_o they_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o there_o be_v fair_a ground_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n for_o make_v it_o a_o question_n whether_o these_o meat_n be_v lawful_a or_o no_o and_o it_o be_v real_o yet_o a_o question_n among_o many_o and_o it_o be_v late_o so_o to_o the_o man_n himself_o but_o no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n ever_o make_v a_o question_n whether_o these_o meat_n may_v not_o at_o any_o time_n be_v lawful_o forbear_v there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n pretend_v that_o oblige_v a_o man_n to_o eat_v of_o they_o again_o as_o a_o great_a probability_n will_v turn_v the_o balance_n against_o the_o safe_a side_n of_o a_o doubt_n so_o oftentimes_o such_o doubtful_a case_n do_v happen_v in_o which_o when_o the_o probability_n be_v equal_a on_o both_o side_n the_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a temporal_a advantage_n on_o the_o one_o side_n will_v have_v weight_n enough_o with_o a_o very_a honest_a man_n to_o overbalance_n the_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a safety_n on_o the_o other_o still_o take_v safety_n in_o the_o sense_n we_o before_o give_v thus_o for_o instance_n suppose_v one_o shall_v demand_v of_o another_o man_n a_o sum_n of_o money_n which_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v due_a to_o he_o and_o the_o man_n of_o who_o it_o be_v demand_v after_o the_o strict_a and_o most_o conscientious_a enquiry_n he_o can_v make_v be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o it_o be_v due_a but_o such_o be_v the_o confidence_n of_o the_o demander_n and_o such_o appearance_n of_o reason_n he_o offer_v that_o the_o man_n come_v to_o doubt_v equal_o whether_o it_o be_v due_a or_o no_o so_o that_o there_o be_v here_o equal_a probability_n on_o both_o side_n the_o thing_n in_o question_n now_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v advisable_v in_o point_n of_o conscience_n for_o the_o man_n to_o pay_v the_o money_n demand_v till_o he_o have_v better_a evidence_n of_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o demand_n if_o a_o man_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n it_o be_v certain_a he_o must_v pay_v it_o for_o it_o be_v undeniable_o more_o safe_a that_o be_v far_o remove_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o sin_n to_o satisfy_v the_o demand_n though_o it_o be_v to_o his_o own_o loss_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o perfect_o set_v himself_o free_a from_o the_o apprehension_n even_o of_o the_o possibility_n of_o wrong_v his_o neighbour_n which_o be_v the_o sin_n that_o he_o fear_v in_o this_o case_n whereas_o if_o he_o do_v not_o pay_v the_o money_n he_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o he_o detain_v the_o man_n right_a from_o he_o or_o no._n but_o then_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o he_o shall_v pay_v the_o money_n when_o it_o be_v no_o way_n due_a as_o he_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o due_a as_o that_o it_o be_v how_o shall_v he_o answer_v to_o his_o wife_n and_o child_n for_o part_v with_o such_o a_o sum_n which_o as_o his_o circumstance_n may_v be_v he_o can_v spare_v without_o great_a prejudice_n to_o they_o this_o be_v the_o case_n and_o these_o be_v the_o argument_n that_o be_v to_o be_v urge_v on_o both_o side_n of_o it_o and_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o consider_a man_n to_o judge_v which_o ought_v to_o prevail_v i_o be_o pretty_a confident_a that_o most_o man_n will_v thus_o determine_v viz._n that_o since_o in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v as_o probable_a that_o the_o demand_n aforesaid_a be_v unjust_a as_o that_o they_o be_v just_o and_o since_o no_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o depart_v from_o that_o he_o be_v possess_v of_o till_o it_o do_v appear_v by_o good_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v due_a to_o another_o man_n and_o since_o withal_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a so_o to_o do_v when_o it_o will_v be_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o a_o man_n self_n and_o his_o family_n these_o thing_n be_v so_o it_o will_v be_v more_o advisable_a for_o the_o man_n in_o this_o case_n to_o keep_v his_o money_n till_o it_o be_v either_o by_o law_n adjudge_v or_o he_o have_v more_o convince_a proof_n to_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o pay_v it_o i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o use_v either_o more_o instance_n or_o more_o word_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o always_o a_o rule_n to_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n to_o choose_v the_o safe_a side_n of_o the_o doubt_n take_v the_o safe_a side_n for_o that_o which_o be_v at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o danger_n of_o sin_v it_o be_v abundant_o plain_a that_o many_o doubtful_a case_n may_v and_o do_v happen_v in_o which_o though_o one_o side_n may_v appear_v far_o remove_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o transgress_a god_n law_n yet_o while_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o other_o side_n be_v unlawful_a and_o withal_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o upon_o other_o account_v that_o side_n be_v more_o eligible_a to_o a_o prudent_a person_n no_o good_a man_n if_o he_o be_v but_o as_o wise_a as_o he_o be_v good_a will_v make_v any_o difficulty_n of_o wave_a the_o safe_a side_n for_o the_o more_o prudent_a and_o that_o without_o think_v himself_o ever_o the_o less_o conscientious_a for_o so_o do_v but_o after_o all_o this_o if_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n any_o man_n have_v another_o notion_n of_o safety_n than_o that_o we_o have_v now_o be_v speak_v of_o that_o be_v to_o say_v will_v enlarge_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n and_o will_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o safe_a side_n not_o that_o which_o have_v only_o this_o to_o recommend_v it_o that_o it_o be_v far_o remove_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o sin_v but_o that_o which_o be_v free_a from_o all_o danger_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o all_o kind_n whatsoever_o so_o as_o that_o shall_v always_o be_v the_o safe_a side_n of_o a_o doubtful_a case_n which_o after_o all_o thing_n consider_v do_v appear_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o man_n duty_n in_o the_o circumstance_n he_o be_v in_o or_o which_o be_v attend_v