as_o neither_o have_v mean_n to_o cometo_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o or_o if_o he_o have_v the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o condition_n not_o require_v that_o he_o shall_v so_o accurate_o inform_v himself_o about_o it_o in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o i_o say_v a_o man_n can_v formal_o be_v say_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n in_o obey_v his_o lawful_a superior_n though_o the_o instance_n in_o which_o he_o obey_v shall_v happen_v to_o contradict_v some_o law_n of_o god_n for_o the_o law_n of_o god_n here_o be_v as_o no_o law_n to_o he_o that_o be_v it_o do_v not_o oblige_v he_o because_o he_o neither_o know_v it_o nor_o be_v bind_v to_o know_v it_o and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n and_o then_o further_o this_o be_v also_o to_o be_v remember_v that_o when_o we_o own_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n as_o well_o in_o obey_v his_o superior_n when_o he_o only_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n command_v as_o when_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o action_n be_v unlawful_a i_o say_v this_o we_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o when_o ever_o this_o case_n happen_v the_o man_n sin_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o his_o obey_v his_o superior_n with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n which_o be_v common_o run_v away_o with_o for_o the_o man_n will_v as_o certain_o sin_n if_o in_o this_o case_n he_o do_v the_o action_n with_o a_o persuasion_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a as_o he_o do_v in_o do_v it_o with_o a_o doubt_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o no._n but_o the_o sin_n lie_v here_o viz._n in_o do_v a_o action_n which_o god_n law_n have_v forbid_v and_o which_o the_o man_n will_v have_v know_v to_o be_v a_o ill_a action_n if_o he_o have_v be_v so_o honest_a and_o so_o careful_a in_o mind_v his_o duty_n as_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v it_o be_v his_o act_v contrary_a to_o a_o law_n of_o god_n that_o here_o make_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o sin_n and_o it_o be_v his_o vicious_a criminal_a ignorance_n of_o that_o law_n which_o give_v the_o form_n to_o it_o but_o as_o for_o the_o obey_v his_o superior_n whether_o with_o a_o doubt_n or_o without_o one_o that_o be_v no_o part_n or_o ingredient_n of_o the_o sin_n at_o all_o five_o we_o add_v this_o further_a that_o whatever_o power_n or_o right_o we_o give_v to_o our_o superior_n for_o the_o overrule_a a_o private_a doubt_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o either_o to_o destroy_v the_o truth_n or_o to_o supersede_n the_o use_n of_o those_o rule_n i_o have_v before_o lay_v down_o in_o order_n to_o the_o direct_v a_o man_n proceed_v in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o double_a doubt_n for_o this_o case_n of_o obey_v the_o command_n of_o our_o superior_n when_o we_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o they_o be_v a_o double_a doubt_n as_o proper_o as_o any_o other_o those_o rule_n be_v here_o to_o take_v place_n as_o much_o as_o in_o any_o other_o instance_n and_o therefore_o where_o ever_o a_o man_n doubt_n be_v in_o this_o case_n very_o unequal_a that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o apprehend_v himself_o in_o much_o great_a danger_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o obey_v his_o superior_n in_o this_o particular_a instance_n than_o if_o he_o obey_v they_o not_o as_o have_v abundant_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o their_o command_n be_v unlawful_a than_o that_o they_o be_v lawful_a in_o that_o case_n we_o can_v say_v â—e_n be_v oblige_v to_o obey_v but_o shall_v rather_o disobey_v suppose_v all_o other_o consideration_n be_v equal_a for_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v his_o superior_n any_o far_o than_o they_o command_v lawful_a thing_n and_o therefore_o if_o it_o be_v two_o to_o one_o more_o probable_a that_o their_o command_n be_v unlawful_a than_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a it_o be_v likewise_o more_o probable_a that_o a_o man_n in_o this_o instance_n be_v not_o to_o obey_v they_o and_o a_o great_a probability_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la be_v always_o to_o be_v choose_v before_o a_o less_o according_a to_o our_o first_o rule_n but_o then_o though_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o superior_n alone_o will_v not_o in_o this_o case_n be_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o retrieve_v the_o balance_n which_o be_v so_o far_o incline_v the_o other_o way_n and_o to_o turn_v it_o on_o its_o own_o side_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v and_o very_o usual_o be_v such_o other_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a sin_n and_o the_o more_o dreadful_a consequence_n of_o disobey_v in_o this_o instance_n than_o of_o obey_v as_o will_v to_o any_o reasonable_a man_n outweigh_v all_o the_o probability_n on_o the_o other_o side_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o to_o create_v a_o persuasion_n and_o make_v it_o reasonable_a for_o the_o man_n rather_o to_o do_v the_o action_n how_o strong_a soever_o his_o doubt_n be_v of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o it_o so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v but_o doubt_n than_o to_o omit_v it_o after_o lawful_a authority_n have_v enjoin_v it_o but_o however_o this_o happen_v it_o be_v always_o to_o be_v bear_v in_o mind_n as_o before_o that_o if_o it_o shall_v prove_v that_o our_o superior_n do_v command_v nothing_o in_o the_o particular_a instance_n but_o what_o they_o lawful_o may_v do_v it_o will_v not_o justify_v any_o man_n disobedience_n to_o say_v that_o he_o apprehend_v it_o be_v more_o dangerous_a or_o more_o sinful_a to_o obey_v they_o than_o to_o disobey_v they_o for_o our_o mistake_v and_o false_a reason_n will_v not_o take_v off_o from_o the_o obligation_n that_o be_v upon_o we_o to_o obey_v our_o lawful_a superior_n in_o their_o lawful_a command_n unless_o as_o i_o have_v often_o say_v we_o can_v satisfy_v ourselves_o that_o in_o those_o instance_n we_o neither_o be_v bind_v nor_o have_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o understand_v better_o and_o now_o have_v thus_o clear_v our_o way_n by_o remove_v from_o our_o question_n those_o thing_n that_o be_v foreign_a to_o it_o and_o which_o indeed_o by_o be_v usual_o blend_v with_o it_o have_v make_v it_o more_o intricate_a than_o otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v we_o be_v pretty_a well_o prepare_v to_o propose_v our_o point_n in_o the_o six_o place_n then_o exclude_v as_o we_o have_v do_v out_o of_o our_o case_n all_o those_o thing_n and_o circumstance_n we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o with_o none_o of_o which_o we_o have_v here_o to_o do_v the_o plain_a question_n before_o we_o be_v this_o whether_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o pure_a doubt_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o vnlawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n where_o the_o probability_n be_v on_o both_o side_n pretty_a equal_a and_o where_o likewise_o the_o man_n concern_v have_v do_v all_o that_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v for_o the_o satisfy_n himself_o whether_o i_o say_v in_o this_o case_n the_o command_n of_o a_o lawful_a superior_a ought_v not_o so_o far_o to_o overbalance_n the_o doubt_n as_o not_o only_o to_o make_v it_o reasonable_a for_o the_o man_n to_o do_v that_o of_o which_o he_o doubt_v but_o also_o to_o oblige_v he_o so_o to_o do_v we_o hold_v the_o affirmative_a of_o this_o question_n and_o i_o now_o come_v to_o give_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o so_o hold_v which_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v under_o this_o head_n ii_o our_o proposition_n be_v this_o that_o if_o lawful_a authority_n do_v command_v we_o to_o do_v a_o thing_n which_o as_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n we_o can_v say_v it_o be_v lawful_a so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n we_o can_v say_v it_o be_v unlawful_a but_o our_o judgement_n remain_v suspend_v as_o have_v equal_a or_o near_o equal_a argument_n on_o both_o side_n in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o though_o if_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o our_o own_o choice_n we_o shall_v general_o forbear_v the_o action_n for_o the_o reason_n i_o before_o give_v yet_o be_v command_v by_o our_o superior_n who_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v authority_n over_o we_o it_o be_v not_o only_o reasonable_a but_o our_o duty_n to_o do_v it_o for_o first_o of_o all_o even_o in_o point_n of_o humility_n and_o modesty_n though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o consideration_n one_o will_v think_v that_o a_o subject_a owe_v as_o much_o deference_n to_o the_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n of_o his_o superior_n as_o this_o come_v to_o so_o much_o influence_n as_o this_o even_o a_o confessor_n or_o a_o private_a friend_n have_v over_o our_o conscience_n in_o a_o case_n where_o we_o be_v altogether_o uncertain_a on_o both_o side_n we_o usual_o so_o far_o submit_v ourselves_o to_o they_o as_o to_o be_v sway_v and_o overrule_v by_o what_o they_o advise_v and_o that_o oftentimes_o not_o so_o much_o upon_o consideration_n of_o the_o weight_n and_o force_n of_o their_o reason_n
one_o in_o this_o question_n a_o lawful_a command_n of_o our_o superior_n for_o fear_n of_o some_o evil_n that_o may_v by_o chance_n happen_v to_o some_o other_o through_o their_o own_o fault_n and_o we_o prove_v it_o by_o this_o reason_n which_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n must_v own_v for_o true_a and_o good_a because_o every_o one_o be_v bind_v to_o have_v a_o great_a care_n of_o his_o own_o than_o other_o salvation_n and_o consequent_o rather_o to_o avoid_v sin_n in_o himself_o than_o to_o prevent_v it_o in_o his_o brethren_n if_o it_o be_v here_o ask_v as_o it_o be_v by_o some_o whether_o any_o human_a authority_n can_v make_v that_o action_n cease_v to_o be_v scandalous_a which_o if_o do_v without_o any_o such_o command_n have_v be_v criminal_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o scandal_n that_o follow_v it_o i_o answer_v that_o no_o authority_n whether_o divine_a or_o human_a can_v secure_v that_o other_o shall_v not_o be_v offend_v by_o what_o i_o do_v out_o of_o obedience_n to_o their_o command_n but_o than_o it_o do_v free_v i_o from_o all_o guilt_n and_o blame_n by_o make_v that_o to_o become_v my_o duty_n to_o do_v which_o if_o i_o have_v do_v needless_o without_o any_o great_a reason_n and_o my_o brother_n have_v be_v hurt_v and_o his_o conscience_n wound_v by_o it_o may_v have_v be_v just_o charge_v with_o uncharitableness_n great_a or_o less_o according_a as_o the_o scandal_n be_v more_o or_o less_o probable_a to_o follow_v this_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o man_n otherwise_o obligatory_a do_v not_o lose_v their_o bind_a force_n because_o of_o some_o scandal_n that_o may_v possible_o happen_v from_o our_o compliance_n with_o they_o or_o else_o all_o authority_n be_v utter_o void_a and_o insignificant_a and_o every_o man_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o do_v all_o thing_n as_o himself_o please_v for_o to_o borrow_v the_o word_n of_o the_o excellent_a bishop_n sanderson_n to_o allow_v man_n under_o pretence_n that_o some_o offence_n may_v be_v take_v thereat_o to_o disobey_v law_n and_o constitution_n make_v by_o those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n over_o we_o be_v the_o next_o way_n to_o cut_v the_o sinew_n of_o all_o authority_n and_o to_o bring_v both_o magistrate_n and_o law_n into_o contempt_n for_o what_o law_n ever_o be_v make_v or_o can_v be_v make_v so_o just_a and_o reasonable_a but_o some_o man_n or_o other_o either_o do_v or_o may_v take_v offence_n thereat_o whether_o such_o a_o constitution_n or_o command_n of_o our_o superior_n be_v scandalous_a or_o no_o every_o one_o must_v judge_v for_o himself_o and_o so_o according_a to_o his_o own_o private_a opinion_n of_o the_o goodness_n or_o hurtfulness_n of_o what_o be_v require_v he_o be_v free_a to_o obey_v it_o or_o not_o which_o be_v direct_o to_o dissolve_v all_o government_n and_o to_o bring_v in_o certain_a disorder_n and_o everlasting_a confusion_n every_o one_o do_v what_o be_v good_a in_o his_o own_o eye_n 3._o it_o be_v say_v that_o avoid_v of_o scandal_n be_v a_o main_a duty_n of_o charity_n may_v superior_n therefore_o at_o their_o pleasure_n appoint_v how_o far_o i_o shall_v show_v my_o charity_n towards_o my_o brother_n soul_n then_o sure_o a_o inferior_a earthly_a court_n may_v cross_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o high_a court_n of_o heaven_n this_o mr._n jean_n urge_v also_o out_o of_o amesius_n but_o it_o be_v easy_o reply_v that_o here_o be_v no_o cross_v the_o determination_n of_o god_n since_o it_o be_v his_o express_a will_n that_o in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n we_o shall_v obey_v our_o governor_n and_o he_o who_o have_v make_v this_o our_o duty_n will_v not_o lay_v to_o our_o charge_n the_o mischief_n that_o may_v sometime_o without_o our_o fault_n through_o the_o folly_n and_o peevishness_n of_o man_n follow_v from_o it_o and_o certain_o it_o be_v as_o equal_a and_o reasonable_a that_o our_o superior_n shall_v appoint_v how_o far_o i_o shall_v exercise_v my_o charity_n towards_o my_o brethren_n as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o mistake_n and_o prejudice_n of_o any_o private_a christian_n shall_v set_v bound_n to_o their_o power_n and_o authority_n cancel_v the_o public_a law_n or_o that_o every_o ignorant_a and_o froward_a brother_n shall_v determine_v how_o far_o we_o shall_v be_v obedient_a to_o those_o who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o we_o either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n but_o to_o give_v a_o more_o full_a answer_n to_o this_o we_o must_v know_v that_o though_o charity_n be_v the_o great_a duty_n especial_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n yet_o duty_n of_o justice_n as_o they_o be_v common_o call_v be_v of_o strict_a obligation_n than_o duty_n of_o charity_n and_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o pay_v our_o debt_n before_o we_o give_v a_o alm_n now_o obedience_n to_o superior_n be_v a_o debt_n we_o owe_v to_o they_o which_o they_o have_v right_a to_o exact_v of_o we_o so_o that_o they_o may_v accuse_v we_o of_o injury_n if_o we_o perform_v it_o not_o but_o a_o great_a care_n to_o hinder_v sin_n in_o other_o or_o not_o to_o scandalize_v they_o be_v a_o duty_n of_o charity_n which_o indeed_o we_o be_v oblige_v unto_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v but_o not_o till_o after_o we_o have_v give_v to_o every_o one_o what_o be_v his_o due_a and_o right_n it_o be_v therefore_o no_o more_o lawful_a for_o i_o say_v the_o forenamed_a most_o judicious_a bishop_n sanderson_n to_o disobey_v the_o lawful_a command_n of_o a_o superior_a to_o prevent_v thereby_o the_o offence_n of_o one_o or_o a_o few_o brethren_n than_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o i_o to_o do_v one_o man_n wrong_a to_o do_v another_o man_n a_o courtesy_n withal_o or_o than_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o i_o to_o rob_v the_o exchequer_n to_o relieve_v a_o hospital_n according_a to_o that_o know_a saying_n of_o st._n austin_n quis_fw-la est_fw-la qui_fw-la dicat_fw-la ut_fw-la habeamus_fw-la quod_fw-la demus_fw-la pauperibus_fw-la faciamus_fw-la furta_fw-la divitibus_fw-la who_o be_v it_o that_o say_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o steal_v from_o the_o rich_a what_o we_o may_v bestow_v on_o the_o poor_a or_o to_o refuse_v to_o pay_v tax_n on_o pretence_n that_o you_o know_v those_o who_o have_v more_o need_n of_o your_o money_n to_o this_o mr._n jean_n reply_v suppose_v say_v he_o the_o care_n of_o not_o give_v offence_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o our_o brother_n but_o a_o debt_n of_o charity_n yet_o in_o regard_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o legal_a debt_n since_o he_o may_v and_o do_v challenge_v it_o as_o due_a and_o we_o do_v he_o wrong_v if_o we_o disobey_v he_o here_o i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o both_o be_v require_v by_o god_n at_o our_o hand_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v obedient_a to_o our_o superior_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o show_v charity_n to_o our_o brethren_n but_o then_o i_o say_v this_o be_v not_o the_o charity_n which_o god_n require_v when_o i_o give_v to_o those_o in_o want_n what_o be_v none_o of_o i_o own_o this_o be_v not_o a_o instance_n or_o expression_n of_o that_o love_n and_o kindness_n which_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n we_o owe_v to_o our_o brother_n to_o do_v he_o good_a by_o wrong_v our_o superior_n god_n have_v oblige_v servant_n to_o be_v merciful_a to_o the_o poor_a to_o their_o power_n as_o well_o as_o to_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a to_o their_o master_n but_o that_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o mercy_n which_o god_n require_v from_o they_o to_o give_v away_o their_o master_n good_n without_o his_o leave_n though_o it_o be_v to_o those_o who_o stand_v in_o great_a need_n of_o relief_n god_n have_v command_v all_o christian_n to_o have_v a_o great_a care_n of_o be_v any_o occasion_n of_o their_o brother_n sin_n or_o fall_v but_o then_o this_o must_v necessary_o be_v understand_v only_o of_o thing_n subject_a to_o our_o own_o order_n and_o management_n in_o all_o case_n wherein_o we_o be_v at_o our_o own_o disposal_n we_o be_v bind_v charitable_o to_o regard_v our_o brother_n but_o in_o instance_n where_o our_o practice_n be_v determine_v by_o authority_n our_o superior_n only_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o danger_n of_o scandal_n we_o must_v consider_v the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o they_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n wherein_o we_o can_v show_v our_o charity_n without_o violate_v the_o right_a of_o our_o superior_n it_o remain_v then_o in_o the_o word_n of_o another_o great_a bishop_n in_o what_o case_n soever_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v god_n or_o man_n in_o that_o case_n and_o in_o that_o conjunction_n of_o circumstance_n we_o have_v nothing_o permit_v to_o our_o choice_n and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o any_o act_n of_o charity_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o remit_v of_o the_o right_n of_o god_n or_o our_o superior_a and_o to_o comply_v with_o our_o neighbour_n in_o such_o
be_v church-member_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o communion_n be_v bind_v to_o all_o the_o act_n of_o external_a and_o visible_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n the_o exercise_n of_o church_n authority_n consist_v in_o receive_v in_o or_o shut_v out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o receive_v into_o the_o church_n be_v to_o admit_v they_o to_o all_o external_a act_n of_o communion_n to_o shut_v or_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o deny_v they_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o allow_v they_o to_o pray_o or_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n or_o perform_v any_o religious_a office_n in_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n now_o all_o this_o church_n authority_n will_v signify_v nothing_o be_v not_o external_n and_o actual_a communion_n both_o the_o privilege_n and_o duty_n of_o every_o christian_a and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o authority_n christ_n have_v give_v to_o his_o church_n 5._o and_o to_o confirm_v all_o this_o nothing_o be_v more_o plain_a in_o scripture_n than_o that_o separation_n from_o a_o church_n be_v to_o withdraw_v from_o the_o visible_a communion_n of_o it_o and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o notion_n of_o separation_n without_o this_o now_o if_o separation_n from_o religious_a assembly_n be_v to_o break_v communion_n then_o to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n require_v our_o actual_a communicate_v with_o the_o church_n in_o all_o religious_a duty_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o separation_n be_v easy_o prove_v from_o the_o most_o express_a testimony_n 2_o cor._n 6._o 17._o wherefore_o come_v out_o from_o among_o they_o and_o be_v you_o separate_v say_v the_o lord_n and_o touch_v no_o unclean_a thing_n and_o i_o will_v receive_v you_o where_o come_v out_o from_o among_o they_o and_o be_v you_o separate_v plain_o signify_v to_o forsake_v the_o assembly_n of_o idolater_n not_o to_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o their_o idolatrous_a worship_n so_o that_o not_o to_o join_v with_o any_o man_n or_o church_n in_o their_o idolatrous_a worship_n be_v to_o separate_a from_o their_o communion_n which_o be_v a_o very_a godly_a separation_n when_o the_o worship_n be_v idolatrous_a and_o sinful_a but_o a_o schismatical_a separation_n when_o it_o be_v not_o thus_o st._n john_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o ancient_a heretic_n they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o for_o if_o 19_o 1_o john_n 2._o 19_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v continue_v with_o we_o but_o they_o go_v out_o that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o we_o where_o their_o go_v out_o from_o they_o plain_o signify_v their_o forsake_v christian_n assembly_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n admonish_v the_o christian_n not_o to_o forsake_v the_o assemble_v of_o themselves_o together_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o be_v in_o which_o he_o 25._o heb._n 10._o 25._o refer_v to_o the_o separation_n of_o those_o ancient_a heretic_n and_o thus_o according_o to_o have_v fellowship_n or_o communion_n with_o any_o be_v to_o partake_v with_o they_o in_o their_o religious_a mystery_n by_o this_o argument_n st._n paul_n dissuade_v the_o corinthian_n for_o eat_v of_o the_o idol_n feast_n because_o they_o be_v sacrifice_n to_o evil_a spirit_n and_o by_o partake_v of_o those_o sacrifice_n they_o have_v communion_n with_o they_o but_o i_o say_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o the_o 21._o 1_o cor._n 10._o 20_o 21._o gentile_n sacrifice_n they_o sacrifice_n to_o devil_n and_o not_o to_o god_n and_o i_o will_v not_o that_o you_o shall_v have_v fellowship_n with_o devil_n you_o can_v drink_v the_o cup_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o cup_n of_o devil_n you_o can_v be_v partaker_n of_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o of_o the_o table_n of_o devil_n so_o that_o though_o we_o must_v first_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o communion_n with_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n must_v first_o be_v receive_v into_o covenant_n and_o by_o baptism_n be_v incorporate_v into_o the_o christian_a church_n before_o we_o have_v any_o right_a to_o communicate_v with_o this_o church_n yet_o no_o man_n can_v preserve_v his_o church-state_n without_o actual_a communion_n no_o man_n have_v communion_n with_o christ_n or_o his_o church_n but_o he_o who_o actual_o communicate_v in_o all_o religious_a office_n and_o christian_a institution_n a_o state_n of_o communion_n confer_v a_o right_a to_o communicate_v but_o actual_a communion_n consist_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o communion_n and_o a_o right_a to_o communicate_v without_o actual_a communion_n be_v worth_a nothing_o as_o no_o right_a or_o privilege_n be_v without_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o for_o enjoyment_n consist_v in_o act_n and_o all_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o gospel_n all_o the_o blessing_n of_o christian_a communion_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o by_o actual_a communion_n so_o that_o if_o we_o will_v partake_v of_o the_o blessing_n of_o christ_n if_o we_o will_v reap_v the_o advantage_n of_o church-communion_n we_o must_v live_v in_o actual_a communion_n and_o not_o content_v ourselves_o with_o a_o dormant_a and_o useless_a right_n which_o we_o never_o bring_v into_o act._n this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o actual_a communion_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o it_o may_v be_v have_v for_o where_o it_o can_v be_v have_v non-communion_n be_v no_o sin_n for_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o impossibility_n he_o who_o live_v in_o a_o country_n or_o travel_n through_o any_o country_n where_o there_o be_v no_o true_a christian_a church_n to_o communicate_v with_o can_v enjoy_v actual_a communion_n the_o right_a and_o duty_n of_o communion_n continue_v though_o necessity_n may_v suspend_v the_o act._n but_o the_o great_a difficulty_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o suspend_v our_o communion_n with_o any_o particular_a church_n when_o we_o see_v the_o church_n divide_v into_o a_o great_a many_o party_n and_o faction_n which_o refuse_v communion_n with_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o deplorable_a state_n of_o the_o church_n at_o this_o day_n among_o we_o presbyterian_o independent_o anabaptist_n quaker_n all_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o from_o each_o other_o and_o from_o hence_o some_o conclude_v it_o lawful_a to_o suspend_v communion_n with_o all_o the_o divide_a party_n which_o be_v just_a such_o a_o reason_n for_o a_o total_a suspension_n of_o church-communion_n as_o the_o different_a and_o contrary_a opinion_n in_o religion_n be_v for_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n because_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o kind_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o a_o great_a many_o divide_a sect_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n therefore_o some_o man_n will_v be_v of_o no_o religion_n and_o because_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v divide_v into_o a_o great_a many_o opposite_a and_o separate_a communion_n therefore_o other_o will_v be_v of_o no_o church_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v as_o strong_a in_o one_o case_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o other_o that_o be_v indeed_o it_o hold_v in_o neither_o for_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o discover_v which_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n notwithstanding_o all_o these_o different_a and_o contrary_a persuasion_n about_o it_o and_o it_o be_v equal_o possible_a to_o find_v out_o which_o of_o these_o divide_a communion_n be_v a_o true_a and_o sound_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o when_o we_o know_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v communion_n with_o it_o indeed_o if_o such_o division_n and_o separation_n excuse_v we_o from_o actual_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n actual_a communion_n never_o be_v and_o be_v never_o likely_a to_o be_v a_o duty_n long_o together_o for_o there_o never_o be_v any_o state_n of_o the_o church_n so_o happy_a long_o together_o as_o to_o be_v without_o division_n even_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n there_o be_v those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o set_v up_o private_a conventicle_n of_o their_o own_o and_o so_o it_o have_v be_v in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o it_o be_v likely_a to_o continue_v and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n while_o there_o be_v any_o heretic_n or_o schismatic_n who_o divide_v from_o the_o church_n farewell_n to_o all_o church_n communion_n in_o this_o world_n shall_v any_o man_n indeed_o travel_v into_o a_o strange_a country_n and_o there_o find_v a_o schism_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v very_o fit_v for_o he_o to_o suspend_v communion_n with_o either_o party_n till_o he_o have_v opportunity_n to_o acquaint_v himself_o with_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n so_o as_o to_o judge_v which_o party_n be_v the_o schismatic_a and_o then_o he_o be_v bind_v if_o he_o understand_v their_o language_n to_o communicate_v
form_n of_o admission_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o institute_n which_o under_o the_o gospel_n be_v baptism_n as_o under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v circumcision_n i_o be_v discourse_v of_o god_n visible_a way_n of_o form_v a_o church_n which_o i_o assert_v to_o be_v by_o grant_v a_o church-covenant_n which_o be_v that_o divine_a charter_n on_o which_o the_o church_n be_v found_v but_o than_o lest_o any_o one_o shall_v question_v how_o man_n be_v admit_v into_o this_o covenant_n i_o add_v that_o god_n have_v invest_v some_o person_n with_o power_n and_o authority_n to_o receive_v other_o into_o this_o covenant_n by_o baptism_n and_o by_o receive_v they_o into_o covenant_n they_o make_v they_o member_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v found_v on_o this_o covenant_n now_o what_o of_o all_o this_o will_v any_o sober_a dissenter_n deny_v here_o be_v no_o dispute_n who_o be_v invest_v with_o this_o power_n what_o form_n of_o church-government_n christ_n institute_v whether_o episcopal_a or_o presbyterian_a here_o be_v no_o dispute_n about_o the_o validity_n of_o order_n or_o succession_n or_o in_o what_o case_n baptism_n may_v be_v valid_a which_o be_v not_o administer_v by_o a_o valid_a authority_n this_o do_v not_o concern_v my_o present_a argument_n which_o proceed_v upon_o a_o quite_o different_a hypothesis_n viz._n the_o necessity_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o one_o church_n and_o body_n of_o christ_n for_o all_o those_o who_o be_v or_o will_v be_v own_v to_o be_v christian_n or_o member_n of_o christ_n body_n i_o make_v no_o inquiry_n by_o who_o they_o have_v be_v baptise_a or_o whether_o they_o be_v right_o baptise_a or_o not_o but_o take_v all_o these_o thing_n for_o grant_v i_o inquire_v whether_o baptism_n do_v not_o make_v we_o church-member_n whether_o it_o make_v we_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a or_o universal_a church_n whether_o a_o church-member_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n whether_o he_o that_o separate_v from_o any_o sound_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v not_o a_o schismatic_a from_o the_o whole_a church_n whether_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o maintain_v constant_a communion_n with_o that_o particular_a church_n in_o which_o we_o live_v and_o with_o which_o we_o can_v when_o we_o please_v communicate_v occasional_o whether_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o catholic_n communion_n to_o communicate_v with_o two_o church_n which_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o separation_n from_o each_o other_o if_o you_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o say_v to_o these_o matter_n you_o shall_v have_v a_o fair_a hear_n but_o all_o your_o query_n which_o proceed_v upon_o a_o mistake_a hypothesis_n of_o your_o own_o do_v not_o concern_v i_o and_o yet_o to_o oblige_v you_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a i_o shall_v brief_o consider_v they_o 1._o your_o first_o query_n be_v whether_o a_o pious_a dissenter_n suppose_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n by_o such_o as_o he_o believe_v to_o be_v full_o invest_v with_o sufficient_a power_n be_v in_o as_o bad_a a_o condition_n as_o a_o moral_a heathen_a or_o in_o a_o worse_o than_o a_o papist_n ans_fw-fr the_o catholic_n church_n have_v be_v so_o indulgent_a to_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n as_o to_o determine_v against_o the_o necessity_n of_o rebaptization_n if_o they_o have_v be_v once_o though_o irregular_o baptize_v this_o you_o may_v find_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o in_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o defence_n of_o dr._n still_o p._n 22._o etc._n etc._n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o if_o they_o continue_v schismatic_n whatever_o their_o other_o pretence_n to_o piety_n be_v their_o condition_n be_v not_o as_o dangerous_a as_o the_o condition_n of_o moral_a heathen_n and_o papist_n 2._o whether_o the_o submission_n to_o the_o power_n and_o censure_n of_o this_o church_n which_o all_o must_v own_v to_o be_v a_o sound_a church_n be_v part_n of_o the_o divine_a covenant_n which_o unite_v the_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o god_n and_o to_o each_o other_o ans_fw-fr this_o be_v a_o captious_a question_n which_o must_v be_v distinct_o answer_v a_o general_a submission_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n though_o it_o can_v proper_o be_v call_v a_o part_n of_o that_o divine_a covenant_n whereon_o the_o church_n be_v found_v which_o primary_o respect_v the_o promise_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n through_o faith_n in_o his_o blood_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a church-duty_n and_o essential_a to_o church-communion_n and_o so_o may_v be_v call_v a_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n if_o by_o the_o covenant_n we_o understand_v all_o those_o duty_n which_o be_v require_v of_o baptize_v christian_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n as_o obedience_n to_o church-governor_n be_v but_o then_o obedience_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o a_o universal_a duty_n incumbent_a on_o all_o christian_n but_o only_o on_o those_o which_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o live_v in_o obedience_n to_o this_o particular_a church_n for_o the_o particular_a exercise_n of_o church-authoritie_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v confine_v within_o certain_a limit_n as_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v be_v and_o though_o all_o orthodox_n church_n must_v live_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o yet_o no_o particular_a church_n can_v pretend_v to_o any_o original_a authority_n over_o another_o church_n or_o the_o member_n of_o it_o as_o be_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o protestant_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o i_o perceive_v sir_n you_o know_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o authority_n and_o power_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o you_o add_v if_o it_o be_v then_o as_o he_o who_o be_v not_o admit_v into_o this_o church_n be_v no_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n and_o have_v no_o right_a to_o the_o benefit_n of_o be_v a_o member_n of_o christ_n body_n so_o be_v it_o with_o every_o one_o who_o be_v exclude_v by_o church-censure_n though_o excommunicate_v for_o a_o slight_a contempt_n or_o neglect_n nay_o for_o a_o wrongful_a cause_n true_o sir_n i_o know_v not_o how_o any_o man_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n of_o england_n any_o otherwise_o than_o as_o he_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n viz_o by_o baptism_n which_o do_v not_o make_v we_o member_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n but_o of_o the_o universal_a church_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o communicate_v with_o that_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n wherein_o we_o live_v and_o whoever_o live_v in_o england_n and_o renounce_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o schismatic_a from_o the_o cathelick_n church_n and_o whoever_o be_v excommunicate_v from_o one_o sound_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v excommunicate_v from_o the_o whole_a but_o then_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n between_o excommunication_n and_o schism_n the_o first_o be_v a_o judicial_a sentence_n the_o second_o be_v a_o man_n be_v own_o choice_n the_o first_o be_v not_o valid_a unless_o it_o be_v inflict_v for_o a_o just_a cause_n the_o second_o be_v always_o valid_a and_o do_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n cut_v man_n off_o from_o all_o communion_n with_o christ_n body_n i_o say_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n for_o i_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o determine_v the_o final_a state_n of_o man_n for_o i_o know_v not_o what_o gracious_a allowance_n god_n will_v make_v for_o some_o schismatic_n no_o more_o than_o i_o do_v what_o favour_n he_o may_v allow_v to_o other_o sinner_n but_o you_o proceed_v if_o it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a covenant_n than_o a_o man_n that_o live_v here_o may_v be_v a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n though_o he_o be_v not_o in_o communion_n with_o this_o sound_a church_n this_o be_v another_o horn_n of_o your_o formidable_a dilemma_n if_o obedience_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o particular_a national_a church_n of_o england_n be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a covenant_n than_o those_o baptise_a christian_n who_o live_v in_o england_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o may_v be_v catholic_n christian_n for_o all_o that_o as_o if_o because_o the_o subject_n of_o spain_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o obey_v the_o king_n of_o england_n therefore_o english_a man_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o obey_v he_o neither_o but_o may_v be_v very_o good_a subject_n for_o all_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o divine_a law_n to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o all_o true_a catholic_n church_n and_o to_o obey_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v and_o therefore_o though_o obedience_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o a_o law_n to_o all_o the_o world_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o law_n to_o all_o english_a christian_n inhabit_v in_o
disobedience_n but_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o little_a absurd_a to_o say_v that_o those_o continue_v member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o separate_v from_o it_o schism_n and_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n be_v just_a what_o treason_n and_o rebellion_n be_v in_o the_o state_n and_o such_o person_n by_o your_o own_o confession_n cease_v to_o be_v sound_a member_n you_o add_v nay_o possible_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v several_a religious_a assembly_n live_v by_o different_a custom_n and_o rule_n and_o yet_o continue_v member_n of_o the_o national_a church_n be_v not_o more_o inconsistent_a than_o that_o particular_a place_n shall_v have_v their_o particular_a custom_n and_o by-law_n differ_v from_o the_o common_a law_n of_o the_o land_n without_o make_v a_o distinct_a government_n ans_fw-fr whatever_o variety_n and_o difference_n in_o the_o rule_n of_o worship_n in_o several_a congregation_n be_v consistent_a with_o one_o communion_n may_v be_v grant_v when_o the_o prudence_n of_o governor_n see_v it_o fit_a and_o expedient_a but_o mr._n humphry_n project_n which_o i_o perceive_v you_o be_v nibble_v at_o of_o make_v a_o national_a church_n by_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o shall_v declare_v presbyterian_o independent_n etc._n etc._n to_o be_v part_n of_o the_o national_a church_n be_v certain_o the_o cunning_a way_n of_o cure_v schism_n that_o ever_o be_v think_v on_o but_o you_o may_v find_v that_o expedient_a for_o union_n at_o large_a consider_v in_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o defence_n of_o dr._n still_o and_o thus_o sir_n i_o proceed_v to_o your_o three_o letter_n and_o here_o you_o run_v nothing_o but_o dregs_o and_o lees_n and_o i_o hope_v you_o will_v not_o think_v it_o any_o neglect_n of_o you_o if_o i_o do_v not_o answer_v you_o paragraph_v by_o paragraph_n as_o i_o have_v do_v your_o first_o letter_n there_o be_v little_a new_a in_o this_o but_o only_o a_o repetition_n of_o your_o old_a query_n and_o though_o you_o know_v repetition_n be_v very_o convenient_a to_o lengthen_v a_o sermon_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o such_o art_n to_o lengthen_v this_o answer_n which_o be_v too_o long_o already_o your_o first_o charge_n upon_o i_o be_v that_o i_o only_o amuse_v people_n with_o equivocal_a word_n and_o term_n that_o i_o play_v 16._o letter_n 3._o p._n 16._o with_o the_o word_n church_n and_o schism_n which_o have_v be_v no_o fault_n have_v i_o play_v the_o right_a way_n with_o they_o that_o be_v have_v i_o ridicule_v they_o as_o you_o do_v who_o think_v they_o word_n only_o fit_a to_o be_v play_v with_o who_o have_v find_v out_o a_o church_n without_o any_o government_n which_o be_v only_o a_o intrigue_n 12._o p._n 12._o between_o clergyman_n on_o all_o side_n who_o will_v not_o allow_v causeless_a separation_n from_o a_o sound_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n 17._o p._n 17._o church_n to_o be_v schism_n but_o place_n schism_n whole_o in_o want_n of_o charity_n and_o make_v it_o nothing_o else_o but_o some_o division_n and_o contention_n between_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n who_o still_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o one_o another_o a_o true_a independent_a notion_n to_o justify_v causeless_a separation_n division_n in_o the_o church_n be_v certain_o very_o sinful_a and_o a_o degree_n of_o schism_n as_o unnatural_a as_o if_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n shall_v fight_v with_o each_o other_o while_o they_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o same_o body_n but_o to_o divide_v from_o the_o same_o body_n be_v the_o perfection_n of_o schism_n unless_o a_o quarrel_n be_v a_o rent_n and_o schism_n but_o separation_n be_v none_o you_o desire_v i_o to_o define_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o a_o church_n when_o consider_v as_o catholic_n and_o universal_a and_o when_o take_v in_o a_o more_o restrain_a sense_n but_o this_o i_o think_v i_o have_v do_v already_o if_o you_o have_v eye_n to_o see_v it_o and_o you_o may_v find_v it_o do_v more_o large_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o dr._n still_o but_o will_v not_o any_o man_n who_o have_v ever_o see_v this_o discourse_n which_o you_o undertake_v to_o confute_v wonder_v to_o hear_v you_o ask_v i_o whether_o a_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o be_v of_o a_o particular_a 18._o p._n 18._o church_n as_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n when_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o that_o tract_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o every_o christian_n by_o be_v so_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o have_v a_o right_a to_o communicate_v with_o all_o sound_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o that_o part_n of_o it_o in_o which_o he_o live_v in_o the_o next_o place_n you_o attempt_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o influence_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o the_o visible_a but_o invisible_a church_n but_o not_o 19_o p._n 19_o to_o examine_v your_o proof_n of_o it_o which_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n you_o may_v consider_v that_o the_o visible_a and_o invisible_a church_n on_o earth_n be_v not_o two_o but_o one_o church_n not_o that_o every_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v a_o member_n also_o of_o the_o invisible_a that_o be_v every_o profess_a christian_a be_v not_o a_o true_a believer_n but_o whoever_o be_v not_o a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o do_v not_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o it_o when_o it_o may_v be_v have_v be_v not_o that_o we_o know_v of_o a_o member_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n we_o have_v no_o way_n to_o prove_v that_o any_o man_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o invisible_a who_o be_v not_o a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o what_o we_o do_v not_o and_o can_v know_v do_v not_o concern_v we_o secret_a thing_n belong_v to_o god_n and_o with_o he_o it_o become_v we_o to_o leave_v they_o but_o this_o also_o you_o may_v find_v more_o large_o discourse_v in_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o defence_n you_o urge_v the_o case_n of_o pope_n victor_n who_o as_o you_o say_v in_o a_o council_n or_o full_a representative_a of_o that_o church_n excommunicate_v 21._o p._n 21._o the_o poor_a asian_o upon_o the_o paschal_n controversy_n and_o that_o each_o church_n be_v far_o enough_o from_o own_v each_o other_o member_n for_o their_o own_o what_o shall_v the_o poor_a lay-christians_a do_v in_o this_o divide_a state_n can_v they_o not_o communicate_v with_o both_o or_o either_o without_o danger_n of_o schism_n themselves_o ans_fw-fr it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o put_v hard_a case_n almost_o about_o any_o thing_n and_o if_o a_o particular_a hard_a case_n which_o either_o may_v possible_o happen_v or_o have_v sometime_o happen_v be_v sufficient_a to_o overthrow_v a_o stand_n and_o general_a rule_n and_o to_o confute_v the_o most_o plain_a and_o convince_a evidence_n for_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o religion_n can_v be_v firm_a and_o stable_a in_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n man_n dispute_v against_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n against_o the_o necessity_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n against_o the_o apostolical_a power_n and_o ministry_n and_o all_o church-government_n against_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v many_o fundamental_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n because_o many_o otherwise_o very_o good_a man_n from_o the_o power_n and_o prejudice_n of_o education_n or_o through_o weakness_n of_o understanding_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o some_o damnable_a heresy_n but_o must_v there_o be_v no_o stand_a law_n or_o rule_n because_o there_o may_v happen_v some_o hard_a and_o difficult_a case_n do_v not_o humane_a power_n make_v provision_n against_o such_o case_n by_o court_n of_o chancery_n or_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o yet_o maintain_v the_o authority_n and_o sacredness_n of_o law_n and_o will_v we_o not_o allow_v god_n himself_o a_o power_n of_o dispense_v with_o law_n in_o hard_a case_n without_o destroy_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n be_v not_o church-communion_n a_o necessary_a duty_n because_o it_o may_v so_o happen_v that_o sometime_o i_o can_v communicate_v with_o any_o church_n be_v not_o schism_n a_o very_a grievous_a and_o damn_v sin_n because_o it_o may_v happen_v that_o man_n may_v be_v unavoidable_o innocent_o and_o without_o a_o schismatical_a mind_n engage_v in_o a_o schism_n i_o have_v evident_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o church-unity_n and_o communion_n and_o the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o schism_n and_o if_o you_o can_v answer_v the_o scripture-evidence_n produce_v in_o this_o cause_n i_o will_v careful_o consider_v it_o but_o it_o be_v no_o confutation_n of_o a_o plain_a law_n to_o urge_v hard_a case_n against_o it_o which_o will_v overthrow_v all_o law_n that_o ever_o be_v make_v if_o you_o imagine_v or_o can_v produce_v any_o real_a case_n wherein_o it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a for_o the_o person_n concern_v to_o know_v that_o they_o be_v guilty_a
say_v nothing_o that_o the_o divine_a spirit_n confine_v his_o influence_n and_o operation_n to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o such_o conformity_n not_o only_o make_v such_o conformity_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o impute_v to_o the_o church_n the_o damnation_n of_o many_o thousand_o of_o soul_n who_o may_v expect_v to_o be_v save_v upon_o other_o term_n that_o the_o divine_a spirit_n confine_v his_o influence_n ordinary_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n i_o do_v assert_v but_o that_o this_o be_v in_o conformity_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o do_v not_o assert_v for_o conformity_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o essential_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o every_o church_n have_v authority_n to_o prescribe_v its_o own_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o worship_n in_o conformity_n to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v necessary_a to_o entitle_v man_n to_o the_o ordinary_a influence_n of_o god_n grace_n and_o consequent_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n yet_o conformity_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n because_o christian_n who_o live_v under_o the_o government_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o other_o church_n may_v and_o do_v preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n without_o conformity_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n obedience_n indeed_o and_o subjection_n to_o church-authority_n in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o consequent_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n to_o conform_v to_o all_o the_o lawful_a and_o innocent_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v but_o this_o do_v not_o make_v the_o particular_a law_n of_o conformity_n which_o be_v different_a in_o different_a church_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n unless_o you_o will_v say_v the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n but_o only_o in_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o destroy_v all_o the_o external_a order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o charge_v all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n with_o destroy_v man_n soul_n if_o any_o person_n be_v so_o humorsom_n and_o peevish_a as_o to_o break_v communion_n with_o they_o for_o such_o reason_n but_o such_o kind_n of_o cavil_n as_o these_o you_o may_v find_v answer_v at_o large_a in_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o defence_n and_o thither_o i_o refer_v you_o if_o you_o desire_v to_o see_v any_o more_o of_o it_o thus_o sir_n i_o have_v with_o great_a patience_n answer_v your_o question_n not_o that_o they_o need_v or_o deserve_v any_o answer_n but_o that_o you_o may_v not_o think_v yourself_o too_o much_o despise_v nor_o other_o weak_a people_n think_v your_o question_n unanswered_a and_o now_o i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o answer_n i_o shall_v take_v the_o confidence_n to_o give_v you_o a_o little_a ghostly_a counsel_n too_o which_o you_o need_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o than_o a_o answer_n i_o have_v not_o trouble_v my_o head_n to_o inquire_v scrupulous_o who_o you_o be_v nor_o do_v i_o use_v to_o trust_v common_a fame_n in_o such_o matter_n but_o though_o i_o know_v not_o you_o yet_o i_o perceive_v you_o know_v i_o and_o if_o as_o you_o say_v you_o have_v often_o 1._o p._n 1._o hear_v i_o with_o great_a satisfaction_n and_o as_o you_o hope_v not_o without_o edify_v thereby_o i_o think_v it_o will_v have_v become_v you_o to_o have_v treat_v i_o with_o a_o little_a more_o civility_n than_o you_o have_v do_v if_o it_o be_v in_o your_o nature_n to_o be_v civil_a to_o a_o clergyman_n and_o i_o wish_v more_o for_o your_o own_o sake_n than_o for_o i_o you_o have_v do_v so_o for_o i_o thank_v god_n i_o have_v learn_v not_o only_o by_o the_o precept_n and_o example_n of_o my_o great_a master_n but_o by_o frequent_a trial_n to_o go_v through_o good_a report_n and_o evil_a report_n and_o to_o bear_v the_o most_o invidious_a and_o spiteful_a reflection_n with_o a_o equal_a mind_n but_o as_o contemptible_a as_o a_o clergyman_n be_v now_o these_o thing_n will_v be_v account_v for_o another_o day_n for_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o you_o have_v a_o great_a spite_n at_o the_o whole_a order_n whatever_o personal_a kindness_n you_o may_v have_v for_o some_o man_n they_o be_v but_o a_o herd_n of_o clergyman_n and_o you_o know_v no_o other_o use_n of_o a_o bishop_n but_o to_o oversee_v admonish_v and_o censure_v those_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o preface_n preface_n go_v beyond_o their_o due_a bound_n i_o confess_v this_o way_n of_o raillery_n be_v grow_v very_o fashionable_a and_o i_o perceive_v you_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v in_o the_o mode_n and_o to_o be_v a_o accomplish_a gentleman_n but_o i_o never_o know_v a_o man_n that_o be_v serious_o religious_a who_o dare_v affront_v the_o servant_n for_o their_o master_n sake_n but_o you_o sir_n be_v in_o the_o very_a height_n of_o the_o fashion_n and_o think_v their_o office_n as_o contemptible_a as_o their_o person_n general_o be_v think_v to_o be_v you_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v without_o understand_v the_o notion_n of_o church-government_n as_o it_o be_v intreague_v by_o clergyman_n of_o all_o side_n and_o i_o hope_v you_o may_v be_v save_v without_o understand_v a_o great_a many_o other_o thing_n beside_o church-government_n or_o else_o i_o doubt_v your_o salvation_n may_v be_v hazardous_a but_o this_o be_v too_o plain_a a_o contempt_n of_o all_o church-authority_n for_o though_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v usurp_v a_o unlimited_a and_o tyrannical_a power_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o church-government_n yet_o what_o have_v the_o sound_a church_n of_o england_n as_o you_o own_v it_o do_v what_o occasion_n do_v i_o give_v for_o this_o censure_n who_o have_v express_o confine_v the_o exercise_n of_o church-authority_n to_o church-communion_n to_o receive_v in_o and_o put_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o 39_o resol_n of_o case_n p._n 39_o the_o church_n be_v no_o society_n i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v what_o it_o be_v and_o if_o be_v a_o society_n how_o can_v any_o society_n subsist_v without_o authority_n in_o some_o person_n to_o receive_v in_o and_o to_o shut_v out_o of_o the_o society_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v though_o you_o pretend_v to_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n you_o make_v the_o church_n itself_o a_o very_a needless_a and_o insignificant_a thing_n for_o you_o know_v no_o necessity_n of_o communicate_v with_o any_o church_n you_o will_v not_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v schism_n to_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n you_o think_v it_o a_o pretty_a indifferent_a thing_n whether_o man_n be_v baptise_a or_o not_o or_o by_o who_o they_o be_v baptise_a what_o your_o opinion_n be_v about_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n i_o do_v not_o know_v though_o if_o you_o be_v consistent_a with_o yourself_o i_o doubt_v that_o be_v a_o very_a indifferent_a ceremony_n too_o true_o to_o deal_v plain_o with_o you_o i_o think_v you_o have_v more_o need_n to_o be_v teach_v your_o catechism_n than_o to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o writer_n of_o book_n and_o let_v i_o in_o time_n warn_v you_o what_o the_o consequence_n of_o this_o way_n you_o be_v in_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v which_o be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o contempt_n of_o all_o reveal_v and_o institute_v religion_n and_o consequent_o of_o christianity_n natural_a religion_n may_v subsist_v without_o any_o positive_a institution_n but_o reveal_v religion_n never_o do_v and_o never_o can_v for_o when_o god_n transact_v with_o mankind_n in_o the_o way_n of_o a_o visible_a covenant_n there_o must_v be_v some_o visible_a minister_n and_o visible_a sacrament_n of_o this_o covenant_n and_o when_o the_o evangelical_n minister_n and_o sacrament_n fall_v into_o contempt_n man_n must_v think_v mean_o of_o christianity_n and_o return_v to_o what_o they_o call_v natural_a religion_n which_o be_v a_o religion_n without_o a_o priest_n and_o without_o a_o sacrifice_n which_o can_v save_v a_o sinner_n but_o by_o uncovenant_v grace_n and_o mercy_n which_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o and_o which_o no_o man_n shall_v find_v who_o reject_v a_o priest_n and_o sacrifice_n of_o god_n provide_v and_o to_o convince_v you_o of_o this_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n of_o the_o evangelical_n priesthood_n and_o sacrament_n be_v original_o owe_v to_o deist_n and_o socinian_n to_o those_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v in_o god_n and_o to_o worship_v he_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o natural_a religion_n but_o believe_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o christ_n or_o to_o those_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n but_o believe_v he_o only_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a man_n and_o a_o great_a reformer_n of_o natural_a
before_o luther_n 2._o a_o discourse_n about_o tradition_n show_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o and_o what_o tradition_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o what_o tradition_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v 3._o the_o difference_n of_o the_o case_n between_o the_o separation_n of_o protestant_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o separation_n of_o dissenter_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 4._o the_o protestant_a resolution_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n the_o case_n of_o lay-communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n consider_v and_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o show_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o above_o a_o hundred_o eminent_a nonconformist_n of_o several_a persuasion_n publish_a for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o scrupulous_a and_o to_o prevent_v the_o suffering_n which_o such_o needless_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o second_o edition_n correct_v by_o the_o author_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n m._n dc_o lxxxiv_o to_o the_o dissenter_n from_z the_o church_n of_o england_n dear_a brethren_n you_o be_v at_o this_o time_n call_v upon_o by_o authority_n to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n and_o the_o law_n order_v to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n against_o such_o as_o refuse_v it_o it_o be_v both_o your_o duty_n and_o interest_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o you_o deny_v obedience_n to_o the_o law_n communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o expose_v our_o religion_n to_o danger_n and_o yourselves_o to_o suffer_v in_o which_o unless_o the_o cause_n be_v good_a the_o call_v clear_a and_o 3._o mr._n mede_n be_v farewell_o serm._n on_o 1_o cor._n 1._o 3._o the_o end_v right_a it_o can_v bring_v peace_n to_o yourselves_o or_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n not_o bring_v peace_n to_o yourselves_o for_o we_o can_v suffer_v joyful_o the_o 4._o mr._n read_v his_o case_n p._n 4._o spoil_n of_o our_o good_n the_o confinement_n of_o our_o person_n the_o ruin_n of_o our_o family_n unless_o conscience_n be_v able_a true_o to_o say_v i_o will_v have_v do_v any_o thing_n but_o sin_n against_o god_n that_o i_o may_v have_v avoid_v those_o suffering_n from_o men._n not_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n to_o who_o all_o be_v accountable_a 92._o continuat_fw-la of_o morn_n exer._n ser._n 4._o p._n 92._o for_o what_o portion_n he_o have_v entrust_v they_o with_o of_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o life_n and_o be_v not_o to_o throw_v away_o without_o sufficient_a reason_n and_o who_o have_v make_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o do_v what_o we_o can_v without_o sin_n in_o obedience_n to_o that_o authority_n which_o he_o have_v set_v over_o we_o as_o you_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o ibid._n read_v ibid._n in_o the_o same_o condition_n with_o yourselves_o to_o assist_v person_n in_o this_o enquiry_n i_o have_v observe_v that_o of_o late_a several_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v undertake_v the_o most_o material_a point_n that_o you_o do_v question_n and_o have_v handle_v they_o with_o that_o candour_n and_o calmness_n which_o become_v their_o profession_n and_o the_o gravity_n of_o the_o argument_n and_o which_o may_v the_o better_o invite_v those_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v to_o peruse_v and_o consider_v they_o but_o because_o truth_n and_o reason_n do_v too_o often_o suffer_v by_o the_o prejudices_fw-la we_o have_v against_o particular_a person_n to_o remove_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v that_o obstruction_n i_o have_v in_o this_o treatise_n show_v that_o these_o author_n be_v not_o alone_o but_o have_v the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a nonconformist_n for_o they_o who_o do_v general_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o require_v in_o the_o parochial_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o separation_n from_o it_o the_o sense_n of_o many_o of_o these_o i_o have_v here_o collect_v and_o for_o one_o hundred_o i_o can_v easy_o have_v produce_v two_o if_o the_o cause_n be_v to_o go_v by_o the_o poll_n so_o that_o if_o reason_n or_o authority_n will_v prevail_v i_o hope_v that_o yet_o your_o satisfaction_n and_o recovery_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v despair_v of_o which_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n grant_v for_o your_o own_o and_o the_o church_n sake_n amen_n the_o content_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o ministerial_a and_o lay-communion_n pag._n 1_o the_o dissenter_n grant_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n p._n 4_o that_o they_o be_v not_o total_o to_o separate_v from_o it_o p._n 12_o that_o they_o be_v to_o comply_v with_o it_o as_o far_o as_o lawful_o they_o can_v p._n 16_o that_o defect_n in_o worship_n if_o not_o essential_a be_v no_o just_a reason_n for_o separation_n p._n 23_o that_o the_o expectation_n of_o better_a edification_n be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o withhold_v communion_n p._n 39_o the_o badness_n of_o minister_n will_v not_o justify_v separation_n p._n 48_o the_o neglect_n or_o want_v of_o discipline_n no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o separate_v p._n 59_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o nonconformist_n have_v of_o the_o several_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o its_o lay-member_n be_v concern_v in_o p._n 64_o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v lawful_a and_o do_v not_o stint_v the_o spirit_n ibid._n that_o public_a prescribe_a form_n may_v lawful_o be_v join_v with_o p._n 66_o that_o the_o liturgy_n or_o common-prayer_n be_v for_o its_o matter_n sound_n and_o good_a and_o for_o its_o form_n tolerable_a if_o not_o useful_a p._n 69_o that_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o idolatrous_a nor_o unlawful_a and_o no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o separate_v from_o that_o ordinance_n p._n 71_o 72_o that_o stand_v up_o at_o the_o creed_n and_o gospel_n be_v lawful_a p._n 73_o the_o conclusion_n ibid._n the_o non-conformists'_a plea_n for_o lay-communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o christian_a world_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o rank_n ecclesiastical_a and_o civil_a usual_o know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o clergy_n and_o laity_n minister_n and_o people_n the_o clergy_n beside_o the_o thing_n essential_o belong_v to_o their_o office_n be_v by_o the_o law_n of_o all_o well-ordered_a church_n in_o the_o world_n strict_o oblige_v by_o declaration_n or_o subscription_n or_o both_o to_o own_o and_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n into_o which_o they_o be_v admit_v thus_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o do_v subscribe_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n more_o especial_o contain_v in_o the_o thirty_o nine_o article_n and_o declare_v that_o they_o will_v use_v the_o form_n and_o rite_n contain_v in_o the_o liturgy_n and_o promise_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n in_o its_o order_n the_o design_n of_o all_o which_o be_v to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o christian_n which_o do_v much_o depend_v upon_o that_o of_o its_o officer_n and_o teacher_n but_o the_o laity_n be_v under_o no_o such_o obligation_n there_o be_v no_o declaration_n or_o subscription_n require_v of_o they_o nor_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o to_o attend_v upon_o and_o join_v with_o the_o worship_n practise_v and_o allow_v in_o the_o church_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o mr._n baxter_n to_o who_o when_o it_o 29._o defence_n of_o the_o cure_n part_v 2._o pag._n 29._o be_v object_v that_o many_o error_n in_o doctrine_n and_o life_n be_v impose_v as_o condition_n of_o communion_n he_o reply_v what_o be_v impose_v on_o you_o as_o a_o condition_n to_o your_o communion_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o prayer_n of_o the_o parish-church_n but_o your_o actual_a communion_n itself_o in_o discourse_v therefore_o about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o these_o two_o must_v be_v careful_o observe_v lest_o the_o thing_n require_v only_o of_o one_o order_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v think_v to_o belong_v to_o all_o it_o be_v observe_v by_o one_o that_o the_o original_a of_o all_o our_o mischief_n cranford_n a_o book_n license_v by_o mr._n cranford_n spring_v from_o man_n confound_v the_o term_n of_o ministerial_a conformity_n with_o those_o of_o lay-communion_n with_o the_o parochial_a assembly_n there_o be_v much_o more_o require_v of_o the_o minister_n than_o of_o the_o people_n private_a person_n have_v much_o less_o to_o say_v for_o themselves_o in_o absent_v from_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n though_o perform_v by_o the_o liturgy_n than_o the_o pastor_n have_v for_o not_o take_v oath_n etc._n etc._n certain_o if_o this_o difference_n be_v but_o observe_v and_o the_o case_n of_o lay-communion_n true_o state_v and_o understand_v the_o people_n will_v not_o be_v far_o more_o
sin_n be_v sin_n because_o it_o be_v fordidden_v then_o indifferent_a be_v indifferent_a because_o it_o neither_o enjoy_v nor_o forbid_v for_o as_o to_o make_v it_o a_o duty_n there_o need_v a_o command_n and_o to_o make_v it_o a_o sin_n there_o need_v a_o prohibition_n so_o where_o there_o be_v neither_o command_n nor_o prohibition_n it_o be_v neither_o duty_n nor_o sin_n and_o must_v be_v therefore_o indifferent_a lawful_a and_o free_n so_o that_o we_o may_v as_o well_o know_v by_o the_o silence_n of_o the_o law_n what_o be_v indifferent_a as_o we_o may_v know_v by_o its_o authority_n what_o be_v a_o duty_n or_o a_o sin_n and_o i_o have_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o a_o duty_n or_o a_o sin_n which_o it_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o since_o all_o obligation_n arise_v from_o a_o law_n than_o that_o not_o to_o be_v a_o duty_n or_o a_o sin_n which_o it_o do_v the_o nature_n of_o lawful_a thing_n be_v as_o much_o determine_v so_o to_o be_v by_o the_o want_n of_o such_o authority_n as_o that_o of_o necessary_a be_v determine_v by_o it_o and_o he_o that_o shall_v say_v that_o be_v a_o duty_n or_o a_o sin_n which_o be_v not_o so_o make_v and_o declare_v by_o any_o law_n may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o be_v no_o duty_n or_o sin_n which_o there_o be_v a_o law_n about_o to_o conclude_v there_o must_v be_v a_o law_n to_o make_v it_o a_o transgression_n and_o the_o want_n of_o a_o law_n do_v necessary_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v none_o and_o what_o there_o be_v no_o law_n for_o or_o against_o remain_v indifferent_a in_o itself_o and_o lawful_a to_o we_o as_o for_o instance_n suppose_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o dispute_n concern_v day_n set_v apart_o for_o the_o service_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n how_o must_v this_o be_v determine_v but_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o revelation_n and_o how_o shall_v we_o be_v resolve_v in_o the_o case_n but_o by_o consider_v what_o the_o law_n enjoin_v or_o forbid_v in_o it_o if_o we_o find_v it_o not_o enjoin_v it_o can_v be_v of_o itself_o no_o duty_n if_o we_o find_v it_o not_o forbid_v it_o can_v be_v of_o itself_o no_o sin_n and_o consequent_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o indifferent_a and_o in_o what_o we_o neither_o sin_n by_o omit_v nor_o observe_v so_o the_o apostle_n conclude_v rom._n 14._o 6._o he_o that_o regard_v a_o day_n regard_v it_o unto_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o that_o regard_v not_o the_o day_n unto_o the_o lord_n he_o do_v not_o regard_v it_o that_o be_v there_o be_v no_o law_n require_v it_o and_o so_o make_v the_o observation_n of_o it_o necessary_a and_o no_o law_n forbid_v it_o and_o so_o make_v the_o observation_n of_o it_o sinful_a and_o therefore_o christian_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o observe_v or_o not_o to_o observe_v it_o as_o they_o please_v and_o in_o both_o they_o do_v well_o if_o so_o be_v they_o have_v a_o regard_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o it_o 2._o i_o shall_v show_v that_o there_o be_v thing_n indifferent_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o such_o thing_n though_o not_o prescribe_v may_v be_v lawful_o use_v in_o it_o it_o be_v allow_v by_o all_o that_o there_o be_v no_o command_n to_o be_v expect_v about_o the_o natural_a circumstance_n of_o action_n and_o which_o the_o service_n can_v be_v celebrate_v without_o such_o as_o time_n and_o place_n and_o that_o these_o be_v leave_v to_o humane_a prudence_n to_o fix_v and_o determine_v but_o what_o those_o natural_a circumstance_n be_v be_v not_o so_o universal_o agree_v to_o and_o if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o aforesaid_a that_o be_v such_o as_o the_o action_n can_v be_v perform_v without_o than_o it_o will_v very_o much_o serve_v to_o justify_v most_o of_o the_o thing_n in_o dispute_n and_o defend_v our_o church_n in_o the_o use_n and_o practice_n of_o they_o for_o what_o be_v there_o almost_o in_o that_o kind_n among_o we_o which_o be_v not_o natural_o or_o moral_o necessary_a to_o the_o action_n and_o if_o time_n and_o place_n fall_v under_o humane_a determination_n because_o they_o be_v natural_o necessary_a then_o why_o not_o also_o gesture_n and_o habit_n which_o worship_n can_v no_o more_o natural_o be_v celebrate_v without_o than_o the_o former_a and_o consequent_o a_o surplice_n or_o kneel_v and_o stand_v may_v be_v alike_o lawful_o determine_v and_o use_v as_o time_n for_o assemble_v together_o and_o a_o church_n to_o assemble_v and_o officiate_v in_o and_o what_o natural_a circumstance_n be_v to_o a_o natural_a action_n that_o be_v moral_a circumstance_n to_o a_o moral_a action_n and_o there_o be_v moral_a as_o necessary_a to_o a_o moral_a action_n as_o there_o be_v natural_a necessary_a to_o a_o natural_a action_n as_o for_o example_n what_o time_n and_o place_n be_v to_o natural_a that_o be_v method_n and_o order_n to_o moral_a and_o religious_a act_n and_o can_v no_o more_o be_v separate_v from_o these_o than_o the_o other_o can_v be_v separate_v from_o the_o former_a and_o therefore_o the_o method_n and_o order_n of_o administration_n in_o divine_a worship_n where_o not_o otherwise_o determine_v and_o appoint_v by_o god_n may_v as_o well_o be_v determine_v by_o man_n as_o time_n and_o place_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o nature_n end_n and_o use_v of_o the_o service_n so_o that_o the_o exception_n make_v against_o humane_a appointment_n in_o divine_a worship_n viz._n that_o all_o but_o natural_a circumstance_n must_v have_v a_o divine_a command_n to_o legitimate_a their_o use_n and_o that_o whatever_o be_v not_o prescribe_v be_v therefore_o prohibit_v be_v of_o no_o service_n to_o they_o that_o plead_v it_o and_o it_o remain_v good_a so_o far_o notwithstanding_o that_o there_o be_v thing_n indifferent_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o outward_a order_n and_o administration_n of_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o christian_a prudence_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v more_o particular_o prove_v 1._o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o rule_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n relate_v to_o the_o administration_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o except_o what_o refer_v to_o the_o element_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o sacrament_n be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o so_o always_o be_v oblige_v to_o all_o age_n under_o the_o several_a variation_n and_o form_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o will_v be_v always_o so_o to_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n viz._n such_o as_o respect_v order_n decency_n and_o edification_n insist_v upon_o 1_o cor._n 14._o 26_o 40._o so_o that_o we_o be_v no_o otherwise_o bind_v than_o as_o bind_v by_o these_o measure_n and_o where_o not_o bind_v by_o they_o we_o be_v free_a for_o as_o in_o former_a age_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n where_o revelation_n do_v not_o interpose_v as_o it_o do_v under_o the_o moysaicall_a dispensation_n all_o person_n be_v leave_v at_o liberty_n and_o if_o so_o be_v they_o have_v a_o respect_n to_o those_o natural_a rule_n may_v choose_v what_o way_n they_o please_v for_o the_o regulation_n of_o divine_a worship_n so_o when_o under_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v no_o other_o than_o those_o natural_a rule_n except_o as_o above_o except_v the_o particular_a circumstrnce_n be_v as_o much_o now_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o free_a choice_n as_o they_o be_v then_o and_o this_o or_o that_o may_v be_v use_v and_o observe_v as_o the_o case_n require_v and_o occasion_n serve_v so_o that_o if_o ever_o there_o be_v thing_n indifferent_a in_o god_n worship_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o consideration_n and_o prudence_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v so_o still_o since_o the_o gospel_n keep_v to_o those_o eternal_a rule_n which_o even_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n have_v invariable_o establish_v and_o which_o if_o it_o ever_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o those_o particular_n be_v certain_o so_o when_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n be_v improve_v by_o new_a help_n and_o so_o he_o be_v more_o capable_a of_o judge_v what_o may_v be_v suitable_a to_o that_o essential_a worship_n which_o god_n have_v prescribe_v under_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o he_o who_o that_o worship_n be_v direct_v to_o but_o then_o that_o which_o confirm_v this_o be_v that_o those_o rule_n be_v also_o general_a and_o such_o as_o will_v in_o their_o use_n and_o end_n respect_v all_o people_n in_o the_o world_n the_o apostle_n in_o all_o their_o discourse_n upon_o this_o subject_n rare_o do_v descend_v to_o particular_n and_o in_o what_o they_o do_v show_v how_o far_o custom_n and_o charity_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n ought_v to_o govern_v we_o as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o man_n be_v uncover_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o which_o the_o apostle_n do_v argue_v not_o from_o institution_n but_o the_o nature_n and_o decency_n
that_o which_o mankind_n will_v have_v be_v have_v there_o be_v no_o such_o particular_a institution_n and_o be_v in_o before_o that_o institution_n it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o injoin_v of_o it_o by_o divine_a institution_n so_o as_o it_o become_v necessary_a to_o they_o that_o make_v it_o a_o yoke_n and_o a_o 18._o act._n 15._o 18._o yoke_n intolerable_a and_o it_o be_v a_o freedom_n from_o that_o law_n that_o constitute_v the_o liberty_n which_o the_o apostle_n treat_v of_o in_o that_o epistle_n and_o if_o it_o be_v also_o to_o be_v take_v as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o for_o a_o freedom_n in_o matter_n of_o worship_n from_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n that_o be_v a_o secondary_a sense_n and_o which_o may_v be_v take_v from_o some_o parity_n of_o reason_n betwixt_o case_n and_o case_n but_o be_v not_o the_o apostle_n nor_o the_o primary_n sense_n of_o it_o but_o take_v it_o how_o we_o will_v in_o this_o or_o the_o other_o i_o there_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n exhortation_n be_v of_o no_o use_n to_o they_o that_o 47._o case_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n pag._n 47._o plead_v it_o against_o submission_n to_o authority_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n when_o impose_v in_o or_o about_o divine_a worship_n i_o be_o now_o come_v to_o the_o last_o general_a head_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a 5._o §._o 5._o tract_n which_o contain_v a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o thing_n require_v in_o our_o church_n as_o they_o be_v either_o duty_n or_o indifferent_a and_o for_o a_o enforcement_n of_o that_o and_o conclusion_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o shall_v brief_o show_v how_o far_o this_o reverend_a author_n consent_v to_o or_o by_o his_o concession_n must_v be_v bind_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o indeed_o he_o sometime_o do_v tell_v we_o that_o nine_o part_n of_o ten_o of_o all_o dissenter_n say_v they_o can_v comply_v with_o thing_n require_v in_o the_o english_a 38._o case_n examine_v pag._n 3._o 36._o 38._o liturgy_n because_o they_o believe_v the_o thing_n sinful_a and_o unlawful_a and_o elsewhere_o two_o hardly_o of_o a_o hundred_o think_v they_o indifferent_a but_o whether_o our_o author_n be_v of_o that_o number_n or_o at_o least_o have_v reason_n so_o to_o be_v i_o shall_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o conscience_n as_o to_o himself_o and_o to_o his_o concession_n as_o to_o other_o in_o which_o i_o shall_v observe_v the_o method_n take_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a tract_n where_o i_o say_v all_o thing_n object_v against_o may_v be_v refer_v to_o posture_n form_n and_o time_n and_o show_v these_o to_o be_v natural_a or_o moral_a circumstance_n of_o action_n and_o inseparable_a from_o it_o now_o in_o general_n he_o grant_v what_o be_v such_o may_v be_v lawful_o use_v and_o if_o we_o 14._o pag._n 14._o come_v to_o particular_n he_o do_v at_o last_o yield_v it_o as_o for_o posture_n what_o more_o scruple_v and_o oppose_v than_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n yet_o of_o this_o he_o say_v there_o 22._o pag._n 22._o be_v no_o command_n in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v indifferent_a that_o in_o all_o probability_n our_o saviour_n administer_v it_o kneel_v and_o sit_v 12._o pag._n 12._o backward_o upon_o his_o leg_n that_o no_o dissenter_n refuse_v it_o 36._o pag._n 36._o because_o it_o be_v not_o decent_a but_o because_o it_o be_v a_o posture_n of_o adoration_n that_o our_o church_n do_v not_o intend_v it_o as_o a_o homage_n to_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n there_o real_o present_a but_o declare_v that_o to_o do_v it_o as_o to_o the_o bread_n be_v a_o idolatry_n to_o 13._o pag._n 12_o 13._o be_v abhor_v and_o in_o conclusion_n tell_v we_o that_o those_o that_o hesitate_n in_o that_o point_n fear_v a_o posture_n of_o adoration_n use_v by_o idolatrous_a papist_n which_o be_v a_o consideration_n of_o no_o moment_n as_o have_v be_v already_o show_v as_o to_o form_n of_o prayer_n he_o say_v god_n have_v jest_v we_o 30._o pag._n 30._o at_o liberty_n what_o word_n to_o use_v and_o further_o that_o for_o conceive_a prayer_n we_o know_v no_o body_n say_v no_o other_o must_v be_v use_v 22._o pag._n 22._o in_o god_n worship_n and_o if_o so_o than_o form_n may_v be_v lawful_o use_v in_o it_o but_o suppose_v any_o scruple_n the_o use_n of_o they_o 18._o case_n of_o indiff_n p._n 18._o he_o say_v however_o we_o know_v no_o reason_n but_o people_n may_v hear_v they_o if_o any_o scruple_n the_o use_n of_o they_o he_o may_v yet_o 22._o case_n exam._n p._n 22._o have_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n we_o hope_v though_o he_o do_v not_o act_n in_o it_o as_o a_o minister_n as_o to_o time_n he_o say_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n direct_v and_o for_o festival_n such_o as_o purim_n among_o the_o jew_n he_o 29._o pag._n 29._o say_v it_o be_v general_o command_v under_o the_o precept_n of_o 26._o pag._n 26._o give_v thanks_o for_o public_a mercy_n last_o be_v the_o thing_n require_v unlawful_a because_o impose_v he_o answer_v some_o of_o we_o include_v sure_o himself_o be_v not_o of_o that_o mind_n nay_o he_o affirm_v that_o the_o most_o 39_o pag._n 39_o sober_a dissenter_n will_v agree_v in_o these_o thing_n that_o be_v natural_a 7._o pag._n 7._o circumstance_n to_o obey_v the_o command_n of_o superior_n provide_v it_o be_v not_o such_o as_o by_o circumstance_n be_v make_v sinful_a but_o if_o imposition_n will_v make_v they_o sinful_a such_o a_o command_n must_v not_o have_v be_v obey_v so_o that_o in_o the_o conclusion_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o our_o reverend_a brother_n and_o the_o dissenter_n he_o defend_v and_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n as_o he_o say_v agree_v to_o the_o doctrine_n profess_v in_o the_o article_n 1._o pag._n 1._o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n shall_v dissent_v from_o the_o liturgy_n and_o ceremony_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o lay-communion_n be_v concern_v in_o they_o nor_o why_o he_o shall_v tell_v we_o so_o much_o of_o goal_n and_o session_n and_o judicature_n and_o of_o the_o suffering_n they_o endure_v when_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v true_a 44._o pag._n 41_o 44._o it_o be_v for_o not_o do_v what_o they_o lawful_o can_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n when_o such_o withhold_v communion_n from_o the_o church_n and_o set_v up_o other_o church_n against_o it_o that_o some_o call_v they_o as_o he_o complain_v perverse_a and_o contumacious_a person_n abide_v abide_v and_o other_o call_v they_o damnable_a schismatic_n and_o 1._o pag._n 1._o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o say_v that_o such_o a_o separation_n from_o that_o church_n be_v a_o separation_n from_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a he_o will_v meet_v with_o such_o that_o will_v speak_v very_o severe_a thing_n of_o his_o follow_a appeal_n to_o god_n judge_n o_o thou_o righteous_a judge_n between_o these_o people_n and_o those_o who_o thus_o pursue_v 44._o pag._n 41_o 44._o they_o i_o be_o far_o from_o one_o god_n be_v my_o witness_n that_o be_v a_o smiter_n of_o his_o fellow-servant_n as_o he_o call_v they_o nor_o 41._o pag._n 41._o will_v have_v any_o one_o do_v what_o he_o very_o believe_v be_v unlawful_a but_o i_o do_v think_v it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o to_o do_v what_o they_o lawful_o can_v to_o hear_v ready_o and_o consider_v impartial_o what_o may_v be_v offer_v for_o their_o satisfaction_n and_o to_o suffer_v patient_o where_o they_o can_v receive_v it_o this_o i_o think_v every_o true_o conscientious_a person_n will_v do_v and_o i_o shall_v question_v his_o conscience_n that_o do_v it_o not_o certain_o to_o return_v he_o his_o own_o word_n if_o our_o brethren_n have_v any_o value_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n for_o the_o good_a and_o ibid._n ibid._n peace_n of_o other_o soul_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o protestant_a religion_n for_o the_o union_n of_o protestant_n against_o popish_a adversary_n for_o any_o thing_n indeed_o that_o be_v good_a and_o lovely_a they_o will_v rather_o break_v than_o any_o long_o draw_v this_o see_v of_o contention_n and_o will_v do_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v for_o the_o repair_n of_o those_o breach_n which_o must_v be_v confess_v be_v no_o less_o dangerous_a than_o scandalous_a to_o our_o religion_n the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v not_o meat_n and_o drink_n but_o righteousness_n and_o peace_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la pag._n 3._o l._n 13._o r._n i_o shall_v p._n 30._o l._n antepenult_n r._n imply_v p._n 31._o l._n 6._o r._n expression_n p._n 39_o marg._n add_v to_o lightfoot_n hor._n in_o matth._n and_o mark_n p._n 46._o l._n 17._o 1._o government_n book_n print_v for_o fincham_n gardiner_z 1._o a._n a_o persuasive_a 〈…〉_o with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 2._o a_o resolution_n of_o some_o case_n of_o conscience_n which_o respect_n church-communion_n 3._o the_o case_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n use_v in_o the_o
the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n a_o humane_a law_n ground_v upon_o a_o divine_a or_o to_o speak_v more_o proper_o a_o divine_a law_n modify_v or_o clothe_v with_o several_a circumstance_n of_o man_n appointment_n do_v create_v another_o kind_n of_o obligation_n upon_o every_o subject_a than_o a_o law_n that_o be_v pure_o humane_a that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o law_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o be_v neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a in_o itself_o but_o perfect_o indifferent_a in_o the_o former_a case_n we_o must_v yield_v obedience_n to_o the_o law_n as_o to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n however_o it_o come_v clothe_v with_o circumstance_n of_o man_n appointment_n in_o the_o other_o case_n we_o only_o yield_v obedience_n as_o to_o the_o command_n of_o man_n and_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o that_o god_n in_o general_n have_v oblige_v we_o to_o obey_v our_o superior_n to_o make_v this_o a_o little_a plain_o let_v we_o for_o instance_n take_v the_o business_n of_o pay_v tribute_n and_o custom_n in_o this_o nation_n in_o which_o case_n there_o be_v a_o complication_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n with_o a_o humane_a as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n we_o be_v now_o upon_o that_o every_o subject_n shall_v pay_v tribute_n to_o who_o tribute_n be_v due_a custom_n to_o who_o custom_n be_v due_a be_v a_o law_n of_o god_n as_o be_v a_o branch_n both_o of_o natural_a and_o christian_a justice_n but_o out_o of_o what_o good_n we_o shall_v pay_v tribute_n or_o custom_n or_o what_o proportion_n of_o those_o good_n shall_v be_v pay_v this_o be_v not_o define_v either_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o municipal_a law_n of_o every_o kingdom_n but_o now_o because_o humane_a authority_n do_v interpose_v in_o this_o affair_n and_o settle_v what_o every_o man_n be_v to_o pay_v to_o the_o king_n and_o out_o of_o what_o commodity_n do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o if_o a_o man_n can_v by_o fraud_n or_o concealment_n detain_v the_o king_n right_o from_o he_o that_o he_o incur_v no_o other_o guilt_n for_o this_o but_o only_o the_o transgress_a of_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o the_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o penalty_n in_o case_n he_o be_v detect_v no_o certain_o for_o all_o that_o the_o custom_n in_o that_o manner_n and_o form_n be_v settle_v upon_o the_o king_n by_o humane_a law_n only_o yet_o the_o matter_n of_o that_o law_n be_v a_o point_n of_o natural_a justice_n between_o man_n and_o man_n the_o man_n that_o be_v thus_o guilty_a aught_o to_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o a_o offender_n against_o the_o divine_a law_n as_o a_o unjust_a person_n before_o god_n and_o his_o willingness_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o his_o good_n will_v not_o render_v he_o less_o unjust_a or_o more_o excusable_a the_o case_n be_v much_o the_o same_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n we_o have_v now_o before_o we_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a humane_a law_n or_o act_n of_o parliament_n that_o oblige_v we_o to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n to_o bring_v our_o child_n to_o be_v make_v christian_n by_o baptism_n to_o meet_v together_o at_o solemn_a time_n for_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o faith_n for_o the_o worship_a god_n for_o the_o commemorate_n the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o his_o supper_n all_o this_o be_v tie_v upon_o we_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n these_o thing_n be_v as_o much_o require_v of_o we_o by_o god_n as_o christian_n as_o it_o be_v require_v that_o we_o shall_v pay_v the_o king_n and_o every_o man_n what_o be_v due_a to_o they_o if_o we_o will_v not_o be_v dishonest_a &_o unjust_a it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o particular_a form_n and_o modes_n and_o circumstance_n of_o do_v these_o thing_n be_v not_o command_v nor_o prescribe_v by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o instance_n of_o church_n communion_n no_o more_o than_o they_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o the_o other_o instance_n i_o give_v but_o they_o be_v leave_v entire_o to_o the_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n of_o the_o governor_n that_o god_n have_v set_v over_o we_o in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n just_a as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o other_o but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n these_o thing_n thus_o clothe_v by_o humane_a authority_n as_o to_o their_o circumstance_n yet_o be_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o bind_v upon_o we_o by_o christ_n himself_o we_o can_v no_o more_o deny_v our_o obedience_n to_o the_o public_a law_n about_o they_o than_o we_o can_v in_o the_o other_o instance_n i_o have_v name_v and_o that_o man_n may_v as_o well_o for_o instance_n purge_v himself_o from_o the_o imputation_n of_o knavery_n before_o god_n that_o will_v contrive_v a_o way_n of_o his_o own_o for_o the_o pay_v his_o just_a debt_n contrary_a to_o what_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n have_v declare_v to_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a as_o any_o man_n can_v acquit_v himself_o from_o the_o sin_n of_o schism_n before_o god_n that_o will_v choose_v a_o way_n of_o his_o own_o for_o the_o public_a worship_n different_a from_o and_o in_o opposition_n to_o what_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n have_v prescribe_v always_o suppose_v that_o the_o worship_n establish_v be_v command_v by_o just_a authority_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o require_v in_o it_o as_o a_o condition_n of_o communion_n that_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o this_o be_v that_o it_o be_v every_o man_n duty_n by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n of_o man_n to_o worship_n god_n in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o require_v in_o that_o worship_n that_o can_v just_o offend_v the_o conscience_n of_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a christian_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v more_o in_o depart_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n when_o we_o can_v lawful_o hold_v it_o than_o mere_o the_o violation_n of_o a_o statute_n or_o a_o humane_a law_n for_o we_o can_v do_v it_o without_o break_v the_o law_n of_o god_n nay_o so_o much_o be_v it_o against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o do_v this_o that_o i_o think_v no_o authority_n upon_o earth_n can_v warrant_v it_o so_o that_o even_o if_o there_o be_v a_o law_n make_v which_o shall_v ordain_v that_o wilful_a causeless_a separation_n from_o the_o establish_v church_n shall_v be_v allow_v and_o tolerate_v and_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v call_v to_o a_o account_n for_o it_o yet_o nevertheless_o such_o a_o separation_n will_v still_o be_v a_o schism_n will_v still_o be_v a_o sin_n against_o god_n for_o no_o humane_a law_n can_v make_v that_o lawful_a which_o god_n law_n have_v forbid_v there_o now_o only_o remain_v our_o last_o general_a head_n about_o conscience_n to_o be_v speak_v to_o and_o then_o we_o have_v do_v with_o our_o preliminary_a point_n and_o that_o be_v concern_v the_o authority_n of_o conscience_n or_o how_o far_o a_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o follow_v or_o be_v guide_v by_o his_o conscience_n in_o his_o action_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n or_o of_o be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v a_o action_n it_o sufficient_o appear_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o we_o can_v mean_v no_o more_o by_o these_o phrase_n than_o this_o that_o we_o be_v convince_v in_o our_o judgement_n that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o do_v this_o or_o the_o other_o action_n because_o we_o believe_v that_o god_n have_v command_v it_o or_o we_o be_v persuade_v in_o our_o judgement_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o forbear_v this_o or_o the_o other_o action_n because_o we_o believe_v that_o god_n have_v forbid_v it_o this_o now_o be_v that_o which_o we_o mean_v by_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n here_o we_o come_v to_o inquire_v how_o far_o this_o persuasion_n or_o judgement_n of_o we_o concern_v what_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o what_o be_v sinful_a have_v authority_n over_o we_o how_o far_o it_o do_v oblige_v we_o to_o act_n or_o not_o act_n according_a to_o it_o now_o in_o order_n to_o the_o resolve_v of_o this_o we_o must_v take_v notice_n that_o our_o judgement_n concern_v what_o god_n have_v command_v or_o forbid_v or_o leave_v indifferent_a be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a we_o either_o make_v a_o right_a judgement_n of_o our_o duty_n or_o we_o make_v a_o wrong_a one_o in_o the_o former_a case_n we_o call_v our_o judgement_n a_o right_a conscience_n in_o the_o latter_a we_o call_v it_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n as_o for_o those_o case_n where_o we_o doubt_v and_o hesitate_n and_o know_v not_o well_o how_o to_o make_v any_o judgement_n at_o all_o which_o be_v that_o we_o call_v a_o doubt_v conscience_n but_o indeed_o
be_v his_o duty_n and_o for_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n most_o earnest_o implore_v the_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n to_o guide_v and_o direct_v he_o well_o but_o suppose_v a_o man_n have_v endeavour_v to_o inform_v his_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v and_o have_v use_v all_o those_o prudent_a mean_n that_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o our_o communion_n but_o yet_o after_o all_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n that_o he_o be_v viz._n that_o he_o can_v join_v in_o our_o worship_n without_o sin_n what_o will_v we_o say_v to_o such_o a_o man_n as_o this_o will_v we_o still_o say_v that_o this_o man_n must_v either_o conform_v though_o against_o his_o conscience_n or_o he_o be_v a_o schismatic_a before_o god_n this_o be_v the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o i_o have_v two_o thing_n to_o say_v to_o it_o in_o the_o first_o place_n we_o do_v hearty_o wish_v that_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o or_o of_o the_o most_o of_o our_o dissenter_n viz._n that_o they_o have_v do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o satisfy_v themselves_o about_o our_o communion_n for_o if_o it_o be_v i_o do_v very_o persuade_v myself_o that_o there_o will_v present_o be_v a_o end_n of_o all_o those_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v schism_n and_o division_n which_o do_v now_o give_v so_o much_o scandal_n to_o all_o good_a man_n and_o threaten_v the_o ruin_n of_o our_o reform_a religion_n and_o this_o poor_a church_n of_o england_n which_o have_v so_o long_o labour_v and_o groan_v under_o the_o furious_a attacques_n that_o have_v be_v make_v upon_o she_o by_o enemy_n without_o and_o enemy_n within_o her_o own_o bowel_n will_v in_o a_o little_a time_n be_v perfect_o set_v free_a from_o all_o apprehension_n of_o danger_n at_o the_o least_o from_o the_o one_o sort_n of_o her_o adversary_n if_o all_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o separation_n will_v most_o serious_o follow_v after_o the_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o peace_n and_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v able_a and_o in_o thing_n where_o they_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v will_v religious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o god_n for_o direction_n and_o to_o the_o use_n of_o prudent_a mean_n for_o satisfaction_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o face_n of_o thing_n will_v present_o be_v change_v among_o we_o and_o we_o shall_v near_o no_o more_o of_o any_o division_n or_o schism_n in_o our_o nation_n that_o be_v either_o dangerous_a to_o the_o church_n or_o to_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o man_n that_o be_v concern_v in_o it_o but_o alas_o we_o fear_v we_o have_v too_o great_a reason_n to_o say_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n even_o those_o of_o they_o that_o plead_v conscience_n for_o their_o separation_n have_v not_o do_v their_o duty_n in_o this_o matter_n have_v not_o hearty_o endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v their_o mind_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n in_o those_o point_n which_o they_o stick_v at_o if_o they_o have_v one_o will_v think_v that_o after_o all_o their_o endeavour_n they_o shall_v before_o they_o pronounce_v conformity_n to_o be_v unlawful_a be_v able_a to_o produce_v some_o one_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o prove_v it_o so_o either_o in_o the_o whole_a or_o in_o any_o part_n of_o it_o but_o this_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v they_o do_v indeed_o produce_v some_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o think_v do_v make_v for_o they_o but_o real_o they_o be_v such_o that_o if_o they_o have_v not_o supine_o take_v up_o their_o meaning_n upon_o trust_n but_o will_v have_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n of_o careful_o examine_v they_o and_o use_v such_o help_n as_o they_o have_v every_o where_o at_o hand_n for_o the_o understanding_n they_o it_o will_v have_v be_v somewhat_o difficult_a for_o they_o to_o have_v expound_v those_o text_n in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o will_v infer_v the_o unlawfulness_n of_o our_o communion_n but_o further_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o our_o dissenter_n who_o condemn_v our_o communion_n as_o unlawful_a have_v ever_o anxious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o consider_v the_o point_n or_o gain_v satisfaction_n about_o it_o because_o they_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o have_v much_o consult_v their_o own_o teacher_n in_o this_o affair_n and_o much_o less_o those_o of_o our_o way_n if_o they_o have_v they_o will_v have_v be_v dispose_v to_o think_v better_o of_o our_o communion_n than_o they_o do_v for_o not_o to_o mention_v what_o the_o churchman_n do_v teach_v &_o press_v in_o this_o matter_n the_o most_o eminent_a of_o their_o own_o minister_n be_v ready_a thus_o far_o to_o give_v their_o testimony_n to_o our_o communion_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o require_v in_o it_o but_o what_o a_o lay-person_n may_v honest_o and_o lawful_o comply_v with_o though_o there_o may_v be_v some_o thing_n incovenient_a and_o which_o they_o wish_v be_v amend_v nay_o they_o themselves_o be_v ready_a upon_o occasion_n to_o afford_v we_o their_o company_n in_o all_o the_o instance_n of_o lay-communion_n but_o i_o desire_v not_o to_o enlarge_v upon_o this_o argument_n because_o it_o be_v a_o invidious_a one_o all_o that_o i_o say_v be_v that_o we_o wish_v it_o be_v not_o too_o apparent_a by_o many_o evidence_n that_o most_o of_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v do_v all_o they_o can_v to_o bring_v themselves_o to_o a_o compliance_n with_o our_o church_n constitution_n that_o they_o have_v do_v little_a or_o nothing_o at_o all_o towards_o it_o but_o have_v take_v up_o their_o opinion_n hand_n over_o head_n without_o much_o think_n or_o inquire_v and_o have_v once_o take_v up_o a_o opinion_n they_o adhere_v to_o it_o without_o scarce_o so_o much_o as_o once_o think_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n if_o you_o speak_v of_o a_o man_n that_o may_v with_o reason_n be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v his_o endeavour_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o about_o the_o point_n of_o his_o duty_n in_o this_o matter_n give_v we_o such_o a_o one_o as_o have_v no_o end_n no_o interest_n to_o serve_v by_o his_o religion_n but_o only_o to_o please_v god_n and_o to_o go_v to_o heaven_n and_o who_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o way_n that_o lead_v thither_o have_v the_o indifference_n of_o a_o traveller_n to_o who_o it_o be_v all_o one_o whether_o his_o way_n light_n on_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o on_o the_o left_a be_v only_o concern_v that_o it_o be_v the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o his_o journey_n end_v give_v we_o a_o man_n that_o concern_v himself_o as_o little_a as_o you_o please_v in_o the_o speculative_a dispute_n and_o controversy_n of_o religion_n but_o yet_o be_v wonderful_o solicitous_a about_o the_o practice_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o therefore_o will_v refuse_v no_o pain_n or_o trouble_n that_o may_v give_v he_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o that_o give_v we_o a_o man_n that_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o great_a heat_n and_o division_n and_o different_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v yet_o modest_a and_o humble_a and_o docible_a that_o believe_v he_o may_v be_v mistake_v and_o that_o his_o private_a friend_n may_v be_v mistake_v too_o and_o have_v such_o a_o esteem_n and_o reverence_n for_o the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o governor_n in_o church_n or_o state_n as_o to_o admit_v that_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o may_v see_v far_o into_o matter_n of_o state_n and_o religion_n than_o he_o do_v and_o that_o therefore_o every_o tenent_n and_o opinion_n that_o be_v inbibe_v in_o his_o education_n that_o be_v infuse_v by_o private_a man_n of_o his_o acquaintance_n or_o that_o be_v espouse_v upon_o a_o very_a few_o thought_n and_o little_a consideration_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v so_o stiff_o maintain_v as_o to_o control_v or_o to_o be_v set_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o public_a establishment_n of_o authority_n last_o give_v we_o a_o man_n that_o where_o the_o public_a law_n do_v run_v counter_a to_o his_o private_a sentiment_n and_o he_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n to_o reconcile_v his_o duty_n to_o man_n with_o his_o duty_n to_o god_n yet_o do_v not_o present_o upon_o this_o set_v up_o a_o flag_n of_o defiance_n to_o authority_n but_o rather_o apply_v himself_o with_o all_o the_o indifference_n and_o honesty_n he_o can_v to_o get_v a_o true_a information_n of_o these_o matter_n and_o to_o that_o end_n he_o pray_v to_o god_n continual_o for_o his_o assistance_n he_o call_v in_o the_o best_a help_n and_o consult_v the_o best_a guide_n he_o can_v his_o ear_n be_v open_a to_o what_o both_o side_n can_v say_v for_o themselves_o and_o he_o be_v as_o willing_a to_o read_v a_o book_n which_o be_v write_v against_o his_o opinion_n as_o one_o that_o defend_v
answer_n to_o this_o argument_n and_o the_o answer_v indeed_o which_o i_o main_o stand_v upon_o yet_o there_o be_v another_o answer_n give_v to_o it_o by_o the_o casuist_n which_o because_o it_o be_v the_o answer_n that_o our_o learned_a bishop_n sanderson_n think_v fit_a to_o pitch_v upon_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o pass_v it_o by_o without_o mention_n nor_o if_o i_o can_v without_o some_o improvement_n i_o must_v confess_v if_o we_o do_v admit_v this_o answer_n the_o authority_n and_o obligation_n of_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n will_v be_v set_v high_a than_o i_o do_v in_o this_o discourse_n suppose_v it_o but_o however_o it_o may_v be_v a_o good_a answer_n to_o the_o dissenter_n because_o it_o untie_v the_o difficulty_n upon_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o answer_n be_v this_o 2._o in_o the_o second_o place_n allow_v that_o the_o man_n who_o case_n st._n paul_n speak_v to_o in_o this_o text_n be_v real_o a_o doubt_v person_n and_o not_o one_o that_o be_v persuade_v as_o we_o have_v hitherto_o suppose_v yet_o it_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n follow_v that_o because_o this_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n and_o condemn_v for_o eat_v those_o meat_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o which_o he_o doubt_v therefore_o a_o man_n that_o obey_v authority_n in_o a_o instance_n where_o he_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o command_n that_o such_o a_o man_n sin_n and_o be_v condemn_v for_o so_o do_v this_o i_o say_v do_v not_o at_o all_o follow_v for_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a disparity_n in_o the_o case_n and_o to_o argue_v from_o one_o to_o the_o other_o be_v to_o argue_v from_o a_o particular_a to_o a_o universal_a or_o from_o one_o particular_a to_o another_o without_o respect_n to_o the_o different_a circumstance_n of_o each_o case_n which_o be_v against_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o logic_n if_o st._n paul_n have_v say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o act_n there_o have_v be_v some_o pretence_n for_o make_v his_o sentence_n a_o universal_a proposition_n so_o as_o to_o extend_v to_o all_o doubt_v man_n in_o all_o case_n but_o now_o only_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o eat_v it_o show_v that_o he_o only_o speak_v to_o the_o particular_a case_n that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o that_o other_o case_n be_v no_o far_o concern_v in_o his_o proposition_n than_o as_o they_o do_v agree_v in_o circumstance_n with_o the_o case_n he_o there_o speak_v to_o now_o the_o case_n the_o apostle_n there_o treat_v of_o and_o that_o which_o we_o be_v now_o concern_v about_o be_v so_o far_o from_o any_o way_n agree_v in_o the_o main_a circumstance_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v to_o measure_v the_o goodness_n or_o the_o badness_n of_o a_o action_n that_o there_o can_v be_v two_o doubtful_a case_n put_v that_o be_v more_o different_a as_o â—_o shall_v now_o show_v if_o st._n paul_n do_v at_o all_o here_o speak_v to_o the_o case_n of_o a_o doubt_v man_n he_o speak_v of_o one_o that_o act_v doubt_o in_o a_o matter_n where_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o power_n to_o act_n without_o a_o doubt_n that_o be_v he_o be_v in_o such_o circumstance_n that_o he_o know_v he_o may_v certain_o without_o sin_n refuse_v to_o eat_v those_o meat_n concern_v which_o he_o doubt_v for_o there_o be_v no_o colour_n of_o obligation_n upon_o he_o to_o eat_v they_o but_o yet_o in_o this_o case_n where_o he_o be_v perfect_o at_o liberty_n to_o let_v alone_o for_o the_o serve_v some_o evil_a unwarrantable_a end_n he_o will_v not_o choose_v that_o side_n which_o be_v safe_a and_o where_o he_o need_v fear_v no_o sin_n which_o be_v to_o forbear_v but_o will_v choose_v that_o side_n that_o be_v doubtful_a that_o be_v will_v run_v a_o needless_a hazard_n of_o transgress_v some_o law_n of_o god_n it_o be_v of_o such_o a_o man_n and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o that_o st._n paul_n speak_v when_o he_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v suppose_v indeed_o that_o his_o word_n be_v at_o all_o to_o be_v expoundin_fw-mi this_o sense_n but_o now_o because_o it_o be_v thus_o in_o this_o case_n and_o in_o all_o such_o like_a if_o you_o please_v do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v from_o these_o word_n that_o a_o man_n that_o be_v in_o other_o circumstance_n that_o be_v not_o at_o liberty_n to_o choose_v his_o own_o way_n as_o not_o be_v at_o his_o own_o disposal_n but_o under_o the_o direction_n and_o government_n of_o authority_n that_o this_o man_n sin_n and_o be_v condemn_v if_o he_o obey_v the_o order_n of_o his_o superior_n when_o he_o be_v doubtful_a of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o which_o he_o express_v his_o obedience_n no_o by_o no_o mean_n for_o this_o case_n have_v a_o quite_o different_a consideration_n in_o the_o former_a case_n there_o be_v only_o danger_n on_o one_o side_n and_o that_o be_v in_o act_v and_o the_o man_n may_v forbear_v if_o he_o please_v and_o that_o without_o any_o danger_n but_o in_o the_o other_o case_n there_o be_v danger_n on_o both_o side_n and_o the_o man_n run_v at_o least_o as_o great_a a_o hazard_n in_o forbear_v the_o action_n nay_o we_o say_v a_o much_o great_a as_o if_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o so_o that_o undeniable_o unless_o we_o will_v make_v one_o rule_n to_o serve_v for_o all_o case_n though_o never_o so_o different_a which_o be_v the_o absurde_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o st._n paul_n have_v here_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a this_o latter_a man_n may_v not_o only_o without_o sin_n do_v the_o thing_n he_o doubt_v of_o but_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o whereas_o if_o the_o other_o man_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o text_n shall_v do_v the_o action_n he_o doubt_v of_o it_o may_v be_v a_o sin_n in_o he_o but_o further_a that_o st._n paul_n mean_v not_o to_o extend_v his_o proposition_n to_o all_o doubtful_a case_n but_o only_o to_o such_o case_n as_o he_o here_o treat_v of_o be_v pretty_a evident_a from_o the_o reason_n that_o he_o give_v why_o he_o that_o eat_v doubt_o sin_n in_o so_o do_v viz._n because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith_n he_o do_v not_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o he_o eat_v with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n if_o he_o have_v say_v so_o i_o grant_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o proposition_n will_v have_v reach_v all_o doubt_v man_n in_o all_o case_n but_o this_o be_v that_o which_o he_o say_v he_o that_o doubt_v be_v condemn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o he_o eat_v 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 than_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 overbalance_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 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
have_v weight_n enough_o with_o a_o wise_a man_n to_o turn_v the_o balance_n on_o that_o side_n and_o to_o make_v that_o which_o abstract_o consider_v be_v a_o doubtful_a case_n to_o be_v clear_a and_o plain_a when_o it_o come_v clothe_v with_o such_o circumstance_n as_o i_o give_v instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o usury_n and_o law_n suit_v and_o twenty_o more_o may_v be_v add_v to_o they_o if_o it_o be_v to_o any_o purpose_n if_o this_o now_o be_v admit_v for_o truth_n we_o have_v a_o plain_a resolution_n of_o the_o case_n before_o we_o and_o that_o be_v this_o there_o be_v so_o many_o great_a advantage_n both_o to_o the_o kingdom_n and_o to_o a_o man_n self_n to_o be_v obtain_v by_o worship_v god_n in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n and_o likewise_o so_o many_o both_o public_a and_o private_a mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n that_o be_v consequent_a upon_o separation_n that_o if_o in_o any_o case_n these_o consideration_n have_v weight_n enough_o to_o overbalance_n a_o simple_a doubt_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n they_o will_v certain_o have_v sufficient_a weight_n in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o man_n who_o be_v not_o sway_v by_o they_o do_v not_o act_n so_o reasonable_o as_o he_o may_v do_v for_o my_o part_n i_o shall_v think_v it_o very_o foolish_o do_v of_o any_o man_n that_o so_o long_o as_o he_o be_v utter_o uncertain_a whether_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o in_o the_o wrong_n as_o every_o one_o that_o doubt_v be_v shall_v be_v so_o confident_a of_o his_o point_n as_o to_o venture_v upon_o it_o no_o less_o a_o stake_n than_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n where_o he_o live_v and_o the_o security_n of_o the_o religion_n establish_v and_o withal_o his_o own_o ease_n and_o liberty_n and_o last_o the_o fortune_n also_o of_o his_o posterity_n and_o yet_o such_o a_o wise_a venture_n as_o this_o do_v every_o one_o among_o we_o make_v that_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o bare_a doubt_n about_o the_o lawfuless_a of_o the_o thing_n enjoin_v in_o our_o communion_n do_v persist_v in_o disobedience_n to_o the_o government_n and_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n i_o wish_v this_o be_v well_o consider_v by_o our_o doubt_v dissenter_n they_o be_v wise_a enough_o as_o to_o the_o world_n in_o other_o matter_n it_o be_v to_o be_v desire_v that_o they_o will_v be_v as_o wise_a in_o this_o and_o if_o they_o be_v i_o dare_v say_v it_o will_v not_o at_o all_o prejudice_n their_o wisdom_n as_o to_o the_o other_o world_n it_o will_v be_v but_o little_a either_o to_o their_o comfort_n or_o their_o reputation_n at_o the_o long_o run_v to_o have_v it_o say_v of_o they_o that_o beside_o the_o disturbance_n they_o have_v all_o along_o occasion_v to_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o unity_n they_o have_v also_o bring_v their_o estate_n and_o family_n into_o danger_n of_o ruin_n by_o the_o just_a prosecution_n of_o law_n they_o have_v draw_v upon_o themselves_o and_o all_o this_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o cause_n which_o they_o themselves_o must_v confess_v they_o be_v altogether_o uncertain_a and_o unresolved_a about_o but_o this_o will_v appear_v much_o clear_a when_o we_o have_v set_v the_o doubt_n about_o conformity_n upon_o the_o right_a foot_n viz._n considere_v it_o as_o a_o double_a doubt_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n which_o i_o come_v now_o to_o do_v in_o the_o second_o place_n there_o be_v other_o dissenter_n who_o as_o they_o have_v good_a reason_n do_v doubt_n on_o both_o side_n of_o this_o question_n as_o they_o doubt_v on_o one_o hand_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o a_o sin_n to_o conform_v to_o our_o worship_n because_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n in_o it_o which_o they_o suspect_v to_o be_v unlawful_a so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o their_o duty_n to_o conform_v to_o it_o because_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o land_n do_v require_v they_o so_o to_o do_v and_o of_o these_o as_o i_o say_v there_o be_v likewise_o two_o sort_n some_o perhaps_o be_v equal_o doubtful_a whether_o the_o term_n of_o our_o communion_n be_v lawful_a or_o no_o and_o consequent_o must_v doubt_v equal_o whether_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o conform_v or_o no._n other_o doubt_v unequal_o that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o two_o it_o appear_v more_o probable_a to_o they_o that_o our_o communion_n be_v sinful_a than_o that_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n now_o as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o case_n the_o answer_n be_v very_o short_a and_o it_o be_v this_o we_o have_v before_o prove_v by_o many_o argument_n that_o in_o a_o case_n of_o a_o pure_a doubt_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o action_n where_o the_o probability_n on_o both_o side_n be_v pretty_a equal_a in_o that_o case_n the_o command_n of_o authority_n do_v always_o turn_v the_o balance_n on_o its_o own_o side_n so_o as_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o reasonable_a for_o the_o man_n to_o do_v that_o in_o obedience_n to_o authority_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o which_o he_o doubt_v but_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o do_v it_o he_o sin_n if_o he_o do_v not_o for_o this_o i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o the_o three_o general_n head_n of_o this_o discourse_n the_o only_a difficulty_n therefore_o be_v in_o the_o other_o case_n where_o the_o doubt_n be_v unequal_a and_o here_o the_o case_n be_v this_o as_o the_o man_n apprehend_v himself_o in_o danger_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o do_v not_o come_v to_o church_n and_o obey_v the_o law_n so_o he_o apprehend_v himself_o in_o a_o great_a danger_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o do_v because_o it_o do_v appear_v more_o probable_a to_o he_o that_o our_o communion_n be_v sinful_a than_o that_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n and_o a_o great_a probobility_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la be_v always_o to_o be_v choose_v before_o a_o less_o but_o to_o this_o likewise_o we_o be_v ready_o provide_v of_o a_o answer_n from_o the_o forego_n discourse_n viz._n that_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o where_o the_o balance_n be_v so_o far_o incline_v one_o way_n the_o authority_n of_o our_o superior_n alone_o will_v not_o have_v weight_n enough_o to_o cast_v it_o on_o its_o own_o side_n yet_o in_o this_o particular_a case_n of_o church_n communion_n there_o be_v so_o many_o other_o argument_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a sin_n and_o the_o more_o dreadful_a consequence_n of_o disobey_v the_o law_n than_o of_o obey_v they_o as_o will_n with_o any_o impartial_a conscientious_a man_n outweigh_v all_o the_o probability_n on_o the_o other_o side_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o to_o create_v a_o persuasion_n and_o make_v it_o reasonable_a for_o he_o rather_o to_o conform_v how_o strong_a soever_o his_o doubt_n be_v about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v but_o a_o doubt_n then_o to_o continue_v in_o separation_n vide_fw-la three_o proposition_n about_o a_o double_a doubt_n pag._n 27._o this_o be_v the_o issue_n upon_o which_o we_o will_v try_v the_o point_n before_o we_o and_o i_o refuse_v no_o indifferent_a man_n that_o will_v but_o have_v the_o patience_n to_o hear_v what_o we_o have_v to_o say_v to_o be_v umpire_n between_o we_o and_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n as_o to_o this_o controversy_n in_o the_o first_o place_n let_v we_o suppose_v and_o admit_v that_o the_o man_n who_o have_v these_o doubt_n and_o suspicion_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o our_o establish_v worship_n do_v real_o doubt_v on_o the_o true_a side_n and_o that_o he_o will_v indeed_o be_v a_o transgressor_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n if_o he_o shall_v conform_v to_o it_o but_o than_o it_o must_v be_v admit_v likewise_o that_o that_o law_n of_o god_n which_o forbid_v these_o thing_n in_o dispute_n be_v wonderful_o obscure_o declare_v there_o be_v no_o direct_a prohibition_n either_o in_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o book_n of_o god_n about_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v now_o contest_v so_o that_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o they_o be_v only_o to_o be_v conclude_v from_o consequence_n and_o those_o consequence_n likewise_o be_v so_o obscure_a that_o the_o catholic_n church_n from_o christ_n time_n till_o our_o reformation_n be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o they_o for_o though_o it_o do_v appear_v that_o either_o these_o or_o the_o like_a usage_n have_v always_o be_v in_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v in_o all_o that_o compass_n of_o time_n either_o that_o any_o particular_a church_n ever_o condemn_v they_o as_o sinful_a or_o indeed_o that_o any_o particular_a christian_a do_v ever_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o they_o and_o even_o at_o this_o day_n these_o consequence_n by_o which_o they_o be_v prove_v unlawful_a
or_o leave_v out_o of_o it_o till_o all_o party_n among_o we_o be_v satisfy_v which_o indeed_o can_v never_o be_v effect_v as_o it_o do_v consist_v in_o our_o become_a more_o true_o christian_n in_o our_o life_n and_o temper_n they_o be_v our_o vicious_a disposition_n more_o than_o our_o different_a apprehension_n that_o keep_v we_o at_o such_o a_o distance_n let_v the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n be_v what_o they_o will_v yet_o as_o long_o as_o man_n retain_v the_o same_o quarrelsome_a mind_n and_o industrious_o seek_v for_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n and_o be_v glad_a to_o find_v they_o and_o prefer_v their_o own_o private_a opinion_n and_o judgement_n before_o the_o wisdom_n and_o authority_n of_o all_o their_o governor_n whether_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a it_o be_v plain_a our_o division_n and_o animosity_n will_v not_o can_v cease_v but_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o last_o thing_n i_o design_v to_o discourse_v of_o which_o be_v to_o propound_v to_o you_o the_o best_a way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o man_n may_v get_v rid_v of_o and_o ease_v their_o mind_n of_o such_o scruple_n where_o i_o shall_v especial_o consider_v those_o that_o relate_v to_o our_o communicate_v with_o our_o parish-church_n you_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o i_o shall_v descend_v to_o and_o answer_v the_o particular_a exception_n which_o hinder_v man_n from_o constant_a communion_n with_o we_o but_o only_o in_o general_n i_o shall_v crave_v leave_n to_o advise_v some_o few_o thing_n which_o will_v mighty_o tend_v to_o the_o remove_v those_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n that_o yet_o detain_v so_o many_o in_o a_o state_n of_o utter_a separation_n from_o we_o or_o at_o least_o discourage_v their_o total_a and_o hearty_a join_v with_o we_o which_o charitable_a design_n and_o attempt_v however_o unsuccessful_a i_o may_v be_v in_o it_o yet_o can_v i_o hope_v be_v unacceptable_a to_o any_o who_o conscience_n be_v pester_v with_o such_o scruple_n since_o i_o endeavour_v only_o to_o deliver_v they_o from_o those_o mistake_v which_o beside_o the_o disservice_n they_o do_v to_o religion_n and_o the_o protestant_a interest_n do_v also_o expose_v they_o to_o trouble_v and_o danger_n from_o the_o public_a law_n and_o civil_a magistrate_n of_o many_o rule_n that_o may_v be_v give_v in_o this_o case_n i_o shall_v insist_v only_o on_o these_o follow_v 1._o we_o shall_v take_v great_a care_n to_o beget_v and_o cherish_v in_o our_o mind_n the_o most_o high_a and_o worthy_a and_o honourable_a thought_n of_o god_n almighty_n this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o as_o our_o apprehension_n of_o god_n be_v such_o for_o the_o most_o part_n will_v be_v his_o worship_n and_o service_n according_o as_o we_o conceive_v of_o his_o nature_n so_o shall_v we_o judge_v what_o thing_n be_v most_o please_v to_o he_o as_o also_o what_o they_o be_v that_o be_v most_o offensive_a and_o distasteful_a to_o he_o now_o consider_v i_o beseech_v you_o can_v that_o man_n have_v become_v and_o excellent_a thought_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n who_o imagine_v that_o god_n regard_v any_o particular_a gesture_n habit_n and_o posture_n so_o far_o as_o that_o the_o acceptance_n of_o our_o service_n and_o worship_n shall_v depend_v upon_o such_o circumstance_n of_o our_o religious_a action_n when_o with_o all_o humility_n and_o true_a devotion_n of_o heart_n a_o sincere_a christian_a prostrate_v himself_o at_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n grace_n and_o with_o earnest_a desire_n and_o affection_n beg_v those_o good_a thing_n that_o be_v according_a to_o god_n mind_n and_o will_n can_v we_o believe_v that_o the_o father_n of_o our_o spirit_n shall_v refuse_v and_o reject_v his_o petition_n because_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o a_o certain_a prescribe_a form_n of_o word_n shall_v his_o importunate_a renew_a request_n fail_v of_o success_n because_o he_o still_o use_v the_o same_o expression_n and_o read_v his_o prayer_n out_o of_o a_o book_n be_v god_n please_v with_o variety_n of_o word_n or_o the_o copiousness_n of_o our_o invention_n or_o the_o elegancy_n of_o our_o phrase_n and_o style_n be_v it_o not_o the_o heart_n and_o inward_a frame_n of_o spirit_n that_o god_n principal_o respect_v in_o all_o our_o prayer_n or_o can_v we_o think_v so_o mean_o of_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v shut_v his_o ear_n against_o the_o unite_a prayer_n of_o his_o people_n because_o offend_v at_o the_o colour_n of_o the_o garment_n in_o which_o the_o minister_n officiate_n suppose_v two_o person_n both_o with_o equal_a preparation_n with_o true_a repentance_n and_o faith_n to_o approach_v the_o lord_n table_n one_o of_o they_o out_o of_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o his_o unworthiness_n to_o receive_v so_o great_a blessing_n and_o out_o of_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o benefit_n therein_o confer_v upon_o he_o take_v the_o sacrament_n upon_o his_o knee_n in_o the_o humble_a posture_n the_o other_o sit_v or_o stand_v can_v you_o think_v that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v effectual_a or_o beneficial_a or_o that_o god_n bless_v it_o only_o to_o he_o that_o sit_v or_o that_o it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o advantage_n to_o he_o if_o he_o also_o have_v receive_v it_o kneel_v to_o surmise_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v sure_o to_o dishonour_n god_n as_o if_o he_o be_v a_o low_a poor_a humoursome_a be_v like_o a_o father_n that_o shall_v disinherit_v his_o child_n though_o in_o all_o respect_n most_o dutiful_a to_o he_o and_o every_o way_n deserve_v his_o great_a kindness_n only_o because_o he_o do_v not_o like_o his_o complexion_n or_o the_o colour_n of_o his_o hair_n the_o wise_a and_o great_a any_o person_n be_v to_o who_o we_o address_v ourselves_o the_o less_o he_o will_v stand_v upon_o little_a punctilio_n under_o the_o jewish_a law_n the_o minute_a circumstance_n of_o worship_n be_v exact_o describe_v and_o determine_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o it_o be_v not_o ordinary_o lawful_a for_o the_o priest_n at_o all_o to_o vary_v from_o they_o but_o it_o be_v necessary_a then_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v thus_o because_o the_o jewish_a worship_n be_v typical_a of_o what_o be_v to_o come_v hereafter_o and_o those_o many_o nice_a observance_n that_o be_v appoint_v be_v not_o command_v for_o themselves_o as_o if_o there_o be_v any_o excellency_n in_o they_o but_o they_o be_v shadow_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v which_o be_v all_o now_o do_v away_o by_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o bring_n in_o of_o everlasting_a righteousness_n the_o only_a thing_n always_o please_v to_o god_n and_o agreeable_a to_o his_o nature_n it_o be_v a_o spiritual_a rational_a service_n god_n now_o expect_v from_o we_o and_o delight_n in_o and_o he_o must_v look_v upon_o god_n as_o a_o very_a fond_a and_o captious_a be_v who_o can_v persuade_v himself_o that_o our_o prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n and_o other_o act_n of_o worship_n though_o we_o be_v most_o hearty_a and_o devout_a in_o they_o yet_o shall_v be_v reject_v by_o he_o only_o because_o of_o some_o particular_a habit_n or_o gesture_n we_o use_v which_o be_v neither_o dishonourable_a to_o god_n nor_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o religious_a performance_n such_o mean_a thought_n of_o god_n be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o all_o superstition_n when_o we_o think_v to_o court_v and_o please_v he_o by_o make_v great_a conscience_n about_o little_a thing_n and_o so_o it_o have_v be_v true_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v far_o more_o superstition_n in_o conscientious_a abstain_v from_o that_o which_o god_n have_v no_o where_n forbid_v than_o there_o be_v in_o do_v that_o which_o god_n have_v not_o command_v a_o man_n may_v certain_o do_v what_o god_n have_v not_o command_v and_o yet_o never_o think_v to_o flatter_v god_n by_o it_o nor_o place_v any_o religion_n in_o it_o but_o he_o may_v do_v it_o only_o out_o of_o obedience_n to_o his_o superior_n for_o outward_a order_n and_o decency_n for_o which_o end_n our_o ceremony_n be_v appoint_v and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o superstition_n in_o they_o but_o now_o a_o man_n can_v out_o of_o conscience_n refuse_v to_o do_v what_o god_n have_v not_o forbid_v and_o be_v by_o lawful_a authority_n require_v of_o he_o but_o he_o must_v think_v to_o please_v god_n by_o such_o abstain_v and_o in_o this_o conceit_n of_o please_v or_o humour_v god_n by_o indifferent_a thing_n consist_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o superstition_n 2._o lay_v out_o your_o great_a care_n and_o zeal_n about_o the_o necessary_a and_o substantial_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o this_o will_v make_v you_o less_o concern_v about_o thing_n of_o a_o inferior_a and_o indifferent_a nature_n as_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n our_o fierce_a dispute_n and_o debate_n about_o little_a thing_n and_o circumstance_n be_v apt_a to_o eat_v out_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o religion_n so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n mind_v those_o thing_n most_o in_o
of_o it_o but_o for_o their_o sake_n who_o may_v not_o have_v that_o book_n by_o they_o i_o shall_v add_v out_o of_o it_o another_o answer_n which_o i_o think_v may_v satisfy_v a_o reasonable_a man._n suppose_v then_o that_o the_o evangelist_n do_v not_o relate_v the_o matter_n summary_o but_o as_o distinct_o as_o the_o word_n be_v speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n yet_o 2._o our_o saviour_n also_o command_v his_o disciple_n mat._n 28._o 19_o to_o teach_v all_o nation_n baptise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o will_v any_o christian_a think_v it_o hence_o deducible_a that_o where_o divers_a person_n or_o great_a number_n be_v to_o be_v baptise_a together_o the_o solemn_z word_n of_o baptise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n may_v not_o lawful_o be_v express_v several_o to_o every_o person_n and_o if_o the_o baptismal_a form_n of_o word_n may_v be_v solemn_o and_o suitable_o to_o that_o sacrament_n apply_v to_o every_o person_n baptise_a by_o the_o general_n acknowledgement_n of_o all_o christian_n there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o like_a may_v not_o be_v allow_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n wherefore_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o church_n herein_o be_v no_o way_n unsuitable_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n or_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o alteration_n of_o it_o will_v be_v for_o the_o worse_o and_o to_o the_o abate_v the_o solemnity_n of_o its_o administration_n lib._n eccl._n p._n 224._o there_o remain_v but_o two_o more_o particular_a exception_n which_o i_o think_v needful_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o those_o be_v in_o the_o office_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o first_o i_o mean_v be_v 1._o that_o all_o baptise_a infant_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v regenerate_v of_o which_o as_o some_o say_v we_o can_v be_v certain_a but_o i_o desire_v those_o that_o say_v so_o to_o consider_v if_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o attribute_n to_o baptism_n as_o much_o as_o the_o liturgy_n do_v we_o be_v say_v by_o baptism_n to_o be_v make_v member_n of_o christ_n body_n by_o one_o spirit_n we_o be_v all_o baptise_a into_o one_o body_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 13._o and_o to_o be_v baptise_a into_o christ_n and_o to_o put_v on_o christ_n gal._n 3._o 27._o and_o he_o that_o be_v in_o christ_n be_v a_o new_a creature_n and_o to_o be_v baptise_a for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n act_n 2._o 38._o baptism_n be_v also_o call_v the_o wash_n of_o regeneration_n tit._n 3._o 5._o now_o if_o it_o be_v make_v a_o question_n whether_o infant_n be_v regenerate_v in_o baptism_n the_o question_n at_o last_o must_v come_v to_o this_o whether_o they_o be_v qualify_v to_o become_v member_n of_o christ_n body_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o god_n covenant_n to_o receive_v pardon_n of_o original_a sin_n and_o to_o become_v new_a creature_n gain_v that_o state_n by_o grace_n which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v by_o nature_n and_o i_o do_v not_o see_v that_o any_o but_o anabaptist_n can_v deny_v this_o for_o they_o that_o contend_v as_o we_o do_v that_o infant_n be_v capable_a of_o baptism_n must_v not_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v qualify_v for_o this_o grace_n of_o baptism_n unless_o they_o will_v make_v the_o ordinance_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o be_v of_o none_o effect_v towards_o they_o now_o if_o infant_n do_v by_o baptism_n gain_v remission_n of_o sin_n and_o be_v make_v member_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v regenerate_v and_o bear_v anew_o if_o they_o do_v not_o gain_v this_o by_o it_o what_o do_v their_o baptism_n signify_v or_o what_o benefit_n can_v they_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v by_o it_o if_o they_o die_v in_o their_o infancy_n more_o than_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v baptise_a at_o all_o this_o be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o salvation_n they_o can_v have_v and_o those_o expression_n of_o the_o scripture_n above_o recite_v with_o many_o more_o will_v justify_v our_o church_n which_o suppose_v that_o this_o mean_n will_v be_v effectual_a so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o none_o other_o and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v by_o those_o that_o make_v it_o to_o be_v of_o none_o effect_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o this_o have_v be_v think_v a_o strange_a question_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n whether_o infant_n be_v regenerate_v by_o baptism_n when_o the_o pelagian_o who_o cause_n lead_v they_o to_o deny_v it_o yet_o dare_v not_o do_v it_o direct_o because_o they_o know_v it_o will_v not_o be_v endure_v and_o therefore_o they_o confess_v that_o infant_n be_v to_o be_v baptise_a to_o qualify_v they_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o not_o for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n so_o that_o they_o themselves_o seem_v to_o acknowledge_v the_o save_a effect_n of_o baptism_n to_o infant_n though_o as_o st._n austin_n often_o show_v they_o they_o contradict_v themselves_o by_o so_o do_v but_o they_o dare_v do_v no_o otherwise_o because_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n be_v so_o plain_o against_o they_o in_o this_o matter_n and_o every_o believer_n be_v so_o settle_v in_o it_o that_o i_o remember_v st._n austin_n somewhere_o speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o the_o pelagian_o will_v have_v come_v to_o the_o point_n and_o deny_v that_o the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n signify_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o to_o their_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v as_o well_o let_v alone_o but_o that_o they_o be_v afraid_a the_o mother_n themselves_o of_o those_o child_n will_v every_v where_o reproach_n they_o for_o it_o the_o other_o objection_n against_o the_o office_n of_o baptism_n be_v this_o that_o the_o godfather_n and_o godmother_n that_o answer_n for_o infant_n be_v not_o their_o parent_n or_o guardian_n but_o other_o who_o have_v they_o say_v no_o authority_n to_o covenant_n or_o act_n in_o their_o name_n in_o answer_n to_o whih_o i_o shall_v omit_v several_a thing_n that_o may_v be_v say_v and_o content_v myself_o with_o these_o two_o thing_n which_o i_o think_v may_v be_v sufficient_a 1._o that_o in_o all_o case_n where_o the_o surety_n be_v procure_v by_o the_o parent_n there_o they_o have_v authority_n to_o covenant_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o infant_n and_o this_o the_o objector_n must_v grant_v i_o think_v upon_o their_o own_o principle_n since_o they_o contend_v that_o parent_n or_o pro-parent_n be_v fit_a to_o act_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o baptise_a infant_n as_o have_v authority_n so_o to_o do_v since_o they_o have_v the_o power_n to_o dispose_v of_o their_o education_n afterward_o for_o then_o the_o surety_n which_o be_v by_o they_o prevail_v with_o to_o stand_v for_o their_o child_n have_v at_o least_o all_o that_o authority_n which_o the_o parent_n can_v give_v they_o and_o this_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o be_v the_o case_n with_o we_o and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o church_n may_v well_o suppose_v viz._n that_o the_o surety_n which_o contract_n with_o the_o church_n in_o the_o infant_n name_n will_v be_v procure_v by_o the_o parent_n so_o that_o the_o parent_n contract_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o infant_n be_v include_v in_o the_o undertake_n of_o the_o surety_n who_o although_o they_o be_v require_v by_o the_o church_n to_o answer_v for_o the_o infant_n yet_o be_v they_o suppose_v to_o be_v authorize_v by_o its_o parent_n also_o so_o to_o do_v 2._o the_o good_a design_n of_o this_o order_n and_o appointment_n in_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v which_o be_v not_o the_o less_o for_o the_o fault_n of_o man_n and_o the_o looseness_n of_o these_o time_n do_v often_o defeat_v it_o for_o hereby_o the_o church_n take_v great_a security_n that_o the_o infant_n shall_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o that_o holy_a covenant_n into_o which_o it_o be_v baptise_a in_o as_o much_o as_o beside_o the_o care_n of_o the_o parent_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n promise_v and_o may_v be_v more_o reasonable_o rely_v upon_o without_o their_o own_o solemn_a act_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o that_o natural_a affection_n which_o make_v they_o particular_o concern_v beside_o this_o i_o say_v there_o be_v a_o particular_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o other_o also_o to_o see_v that_o the_o infant_n be_v so_o educate_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v in_o case_n the_o parent_n shall_v die_v before_o the_o child_n be_v grow_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n the_o surety_n be_v then_o more_o particular_o oblige_v to_o look_v to_o their_o godchild_n that_o he_o be_v put_v into_o a_o way_n of_o learning_n and_o do_v his_o duty_n if_o they_o shall_v not_o die_v before_o but_o be_v remiss_a the_o surety_n have_v authority_n to_o come_v to_o they_o and_o admonish_v they_o of_o their_o duty_n and_o to_o let_v they_o know_v
i_o believe_v those_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o lay-dissenters_a against_o the_o common-prayer_n which_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v have_v wrought_v in_o they_o a_o great_a a_o version_n to_o it_o than_o the_o best_a divine_n of_o that_o way_n intend_v i_o shall_v be_v very_o sorry_a to_o find_v myself_o mistake_v in_o this_o and_o this_o consideration_n be_v some_o encouragement_n to_o i_o to_o give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n they_o seem_v to_o dislike_v most_o of_o all_o which_o i_o have_v endeavour_v upon_o the_o plain_a ground_n of_o reason_n and_o scripture_n almost_o whole_o avoid_v appeal_n to_o other_o church_n antiquity_n not_o but_o that_o great_a regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v of_o it_o and_o that_o we_o can_v defend_v ourselves_o by_o it_o but_o because_o they_o be_v very_o few_o in_o comparison_n who_o be_v qualify_v to_o examine_v this_o kind_n of_o argument_n and_o the_o like_a i_o say_v of_o the_o concurrence_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n with_o we_o in_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v dislike_v as_o for_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n it_o be_v pretend_v that_o this_o be_v a_o part_n of_o worship_n or_o a_o sacrament_n of_o man_n make_v the_o contrary_a to_o which_o have_v be_v so_o plain_o show_v in_o late_a discourse_n that_o unless_o i_o be_o call_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o i_o can_v think_v fit_a to_o trouble_v you_o with_o this_o dispute_n but_o i_o hearty_o desire_v our_o brethren_n to_o consider_v at_o length_n that_o though_o the_o use_n of_o this_o ceremony_n be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v defend_v as_o i_o think_v it_o be_v yet_o that_o it_o be_v no_o condition_n of_o communion_n because_o the_o people_n be_v not_o require_v to_o sign_n with_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n but_o the_o minister_n only_o as_o for_o kneel_v at_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o holy_a table_n that_o be_v indeed_o every_o communicants_a act_n but_o of_o this_o you_o may_v expect_v a_o discourse_n from_o another_o hand_n which_o i_o hope_v will_v give_v satisfaction_n to_o all_o sober_a person_n that_o be_v yet_o unsatisfied_a about_o it_o and_o now_o i_o entreat_v all_o those_o of_o the_o dissent_v party_n into_o who_o hand_n these_o paper_n shall_v fall_v that_o they_o will_v serious_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o venture_v the_o gild_n of_o schism_n and_o the_o sad_a consequence_n of_o it_o likely_a to_o come_v to_o pass_v upon_o such_o ground_n as_o these_o let_v we_o at_o length_n consult_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o this_o age_n with_o posterity_n who_o will_v stand_v amaze_v to_o find_v a_o separation_n of_o protestant_n from_o this_o church_n carry_v on_o so_o long_o upon_o so_o little_a occasion_n give_v and_o such_o weak_a objection_n so_o strong_o insist_v upon_o as_o to_o build_v a_o opposite_a communion_n upon_o they_o let_v we_o consult_v the_o honour_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o no_o long_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v expose_v to_o scorn_v and_o dnager_n to_o be_v laugh_v at_o and_o disgrace_v by_o the_o papist_n our_o dangerous_a enemy_n always_o but_o never_o more_o dangerous_a than_o now_o if_o the_o dissenter_n be_v not_o yet_o convince_v that_o the_o wide_a breach_n they_o have_v make_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o protestant_n will_v certain_o let_v in_o popery_n if_o it_o be_v not_o prevent_v by_o a_o timely_a close_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n nothing_o remain_v but_o to_o wait_v till_o they_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o last_o extremity_n i_o can_v take_v no_o comfort_n in_o be_v assure_v that_o at_o last_o they_o will_v believe_v it_o when_o alas_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o believe_v it_o i_o beseech_v they_o to_o consider_v whether_o we_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v unite_v in_o any_o other_o communion_n but_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v by_o law_n establish_v and_o whether_o so_o little_a account_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o law_n and_o authority_n as_o to_o say_v that_o our_o governor_n may_v as_o well_o come_v down_o to_o they_o by_o forbear_v to_o require_v what_o they_o dislike_v as_o they_o come_v up_o to_o the_o law_n by_o do_v what_o it_o require_v will_v our_o case_n bear_v this_o wantonness_n will_v such_o expression_n consist_v with_o our_o duty_n i_o beseech_v they_o by_o what_o be_v most_o dear_a to_o they_o by_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o care_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n and_o the_o charity_n they_o have_v for_o the_o soul_n of_o other_o man_n that_o they_o will_v take_v pain_n with_o themselves_o to_o lay_v aside_o prejudice_n and_o anger_n and_o all_o passion_n that_o obstruct_v a_o clear_a judgement_n of_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v dispute_v among_o we_o and_o that_o they_o will_v consider_v impartial_o what_o we_o have_v say_v as_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n who_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o men._n can_v they_o propound_v to_o themselves_o more_o beneficial_a design_n than_o to_o check_v the_o profaneness_n and_o atheism_n which_o in_o this_o last_o age_n have_v be_v so_o much_o complain_v of_o than_o to_o restore_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o ancient_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o exclude_v of_o vicious_a man_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o faithful_a than_o to_o transmit_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n establish_v among_o we_o down_o to_o their_o posterity_n the_o most_o effectual_a mean_n by_o which_o they_o can_v contribute_v to_o all_o those_o good_a end_n be_v to_o return_v hearty_o and_o unanimous_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n all_o the_o true_a son_n whereof_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v they_o with_o open_a arm_n with_o joy_n and_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n and_o to_o they_o for_o the_o good_a they_o will_v do_v we_o and_o themselves_o by_o it_o but_o as_o for_o they_o that_o for_o worldly_n and_o corrupt_a interest_n encourage_v and_o support_v the_o present_a separation_n from_o this_o church_n i_o can_v expostulate_v with_o they_o in_o this_o manner_n since_o such_o man_n have_v not_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n before_o they_o and_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v touch_v with_o tenderness_n for_o the_o concern_v of_o religion_n while_o they_o continue_v as_o they_o be_v all_o i_o shall_v say_v to_o they_o be_v that_o when_o that_o great_a day_n of_o judgement_n come_v which_o they_o of_o all_o man_n have_v most_o reason_n to_o be_v afraid_a of_o than_o all_o the_o dismal_a consequence_n of_o this_o schism_n which_o be_v likely_a to_o happen_v will_v be_v full_o require_v at_o their_o hand_n to_o be_v sure_a whilst_o those_o that_o in_o mere_a ignorance_n and_o mistake_n have_v contribute_v to_o they_o shall_v have_v a_o easy_a account_n to_o give_v especial_o if_o they_o have_v take_v pain_n to_o inform_v themselves_o better_a what_o good_a effect_v our_o application_n to_o man_n will_v have_v we_o can_v say_v but_o if_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o prepare_v for_o instruction_n we_o have_v the_o more_o reason_n to_o turn_v ourselves_o to_o god_n by_o earnest_a prayer_n that_o he_o will_v please_v to_o open_v the_o understanding_n of_o the_o simple_a and_o to_o detect_v the_o ill_a design_n of_o dishonest_a man_n and_o to_o enable_v we_o to_o bring_v forth_o more_o and_o better_a fruit_n of_o repentance_n that_o whatever_o happen_v to_o this_o church_n it_o may_v not_o be_v forsake_v of_o his_o favour_n and_o protection_n amen_n finis_fw-la the_o resolution_n of_o this_o case_n of_o conscience_n whether_o the_o church_n of_o england_n symbolise_n so_o far_o as_o it_o do_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v it_o unlawful_a to_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o second_o edition_n london_n print_v for_o fincham_n gardiner_n at_o the_o white-horse_n in_o ludgate-street_n 1683._o the_o case_n whether_o the_o church_n of_o england_n symbolise_n so_o far_o as_o it_o do_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v communion_n therewith_o unlawful_a in_o speak_v to_o this_o case_n we_o will_v first_o premise_v that_o there_o be_v a_o wide_a and_o vast_a distance_n betwixt_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o of_o rome_n second_o show_v that_o a_o church_n symbolise_v or_o agree_v in_o some_o thing_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o warrant_n for_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n so_o agree_v three_o show_v that_o the_o agreement_n that_o be_v between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v in_o no_o wise_a such_o as_o will_v make_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n unlawful_a first_o we_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o premise_v that_o there_o be_v a_o wide_a and_o vast_a distance_n betwixt_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o
subject_n more_o love_v command_v equal_o bowel_n and_o affection_n and_o duty_n and_o honour_n master_n and_o servant_n husband_n and_o wife_n and_o all_o relation_n be_v keep_v in_o their_o just_a bound_n and_o privilege_n with_o other_o church_n we_o make_v good_a work_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o think_v ourselves_o more_o modest_a and_o secure_a in_o take_v away_o arrogance_n and_o merit_n and_o advance_v the_o grace_n of_o christ_n with_o other_o man_n we_o cry_v up_o faith_n but_o not_o a_o hungry_a and_o a_o starve_a one_o but_o what_o be_v fruitful_a of_o good_a work_n and_o so_o have_v all_o that_o other_o contend_v for_o with_o great_a modesty_n and_o security_n 3._o how_o fit_o this_o church_n be_v constitute_v to_o excite_v true_a devotion_n when_o we_o make_v our_o address_n unto_o god_n we_o ought_v to_o have_v worthy_a and_o reverend_a conception_n of_o his_o nature_n a_o true_a sense_n and_o plain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o of_o the_o want_v and_o necessity_n for_o which_o we_o pray_v to_o be_v supply_v all_o which_o our_o church_n to_o help_v our_o devotion_n plain_o set_v down_o describe_v god_n by_o all_o his_o attribute_n of_o just_a wise_a and_o lay_v forth_o the_o vice_n and_o infirmity_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o that_o none_o else_o but_o god_n can_v cure_v our_o need_n when_o her_o son_n be_v to_o pray_v the_o matter_n of_o her_o petition_n be_v not_o nice_a and_o controvert_v trivial_a or_o word_n of_o a_o party_n but_o plain_a and_o substantial_a wherein_o all_o agree_v her_o word_n in_o prayer_n be_v neither_o rustic_a nor_o gay_a the_o whole_a composure_n neither_o too_o tedious_a nor_o too_o short_a decent_o order_v to_o help_v our_o memory_n and_o wander_a thought_n responsal_n and_o short_a collect_v in_o public_a devotion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v her_o fault_n that_o they_o be_v her_o beauty_n and_o prudence_n there_o be_v few_o case_n and_o condition_n of_o humane_a life_n whether_o of_o a_o civil_a or_o spiritual_a nature_n which_o have_v not_o their_o proper_a prayer_n and_o particular_a petition_n for_o they_o at_o least_o as_o be_v proper_a for_o public_a devotion_n when_o we_o return_v our_o thanks_o we_o have_v proper_a office_n to_o inflame_v our_o passion_n to_o quicken_v our_o resentment_n to_o excite_v our_o love_n and_o to_o confirm_v our_o future_a obedience_n the_o best_a instance_n of_o gratitude_n when_o we_o commemorate_v the_o passion_n of_o christ_n we_o have_v a_o service_n fit_a to_o move_v our_o affection_n to_o assist_v our_o faith_n to_o enlarge_v our_o charity_n to_o show_v forth_o and_o exhibit_v christ_n and_o all_o his_o bloody_a suffering_n every_o way_n to_o qualify_v we_o to_o discharge_v that_o great_a duty_n she_o have_v indeed_o nothing_o to_o kindle_v a_o enthusiastic_a heat_n nor_o any_o thing_n that_o savour_v of_o rapture_n and_o ecstasy_n which_o common_o flow_v from_o temper_n or_o fraud_n but_o that_o which_o make_v we_o manly_a devout_a our_o judgement_n still_o guide_v our_o affection_n when_o we_o enter_v first_o into_o religion_n and_o go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n we_o have_v two_o proper_a office_n baptism_n and_o burial_n full_a of_o devotion_n to_o attend_v those_o purpose_n so_o that_o if_o any_o do_v not_o pray_v and_o give_v thanks_o communicate_v and_o live_v like_o a_o christian_a it_o be_v not_o because_o the_o service_n to_o promote_v these_o be_v too_o plain_a and_o hungry_a beggarly_a and_o mean_a but_o their_o own_o mind_n be_v not_o fit_o qualify_v before_o they_o use_v they_o bring_v but_o a_o honest_a mind_n to_o these_o part_n of_o devotion_n a_o true_a sense_n of_o god_n sober_a and_o good_a purpose_n and_o affection_n well_o dispose_v that_o which_o be_v plain_a will_v prove_v seraphical_a improve_v our_o judgement_n heighten_v our_o passion_n and_o make_v the_o church_n a_o choir_n of_o angel_n without_o which_o good_a disposition_n our_o devotion_n be_v but_o constitution_n or_o melancholy_a peevishness_n sullenness_n or_o devotion_n to_o a_o party_n a_o sacrifice_n that_o god_n will_v not_o acccept_v 4._o her_o order_n and_o discipline_n such_o be_v the_o capacity_n and_o manner_n of_o man_n not_o to_o be_v teach_v only_o by_o naked_a virtue_n a_o natural_a judgement_n or_o a_o immediate_a teach_v of_o god_n but_o by_o ministry_n and_o discipline_n decent_a ceremony_n and_o constitution_n and_o other_o external_a method_n these_o be_v the_o outward_a pale_n and_o guard_n the_o supply_n and_o help_v for_o the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a nature_n our_o church_n have_v fit_v and_o order_v these_o so_o well_o as_o neither_o to_o want_v or_o to_o abound_v not_o to_o make_v religion_n too_o gay_a nor_o leave_v her_o slove_z neither_o rude_a nor_o fantastic_a but_o be_v clothe_v in_o dress_n proper_a to_o a_o manly_a religion_n not_o to_o please_v or_o gratify_v our_o sense_n so_o as_o to_o fix_v there_o but_o to_o serve_v the_o reason_n and_o judgement_n of_o our_o mind_n there_o be_v none_o of_o our_o ceremony_n which_o good_a man_n and_o wise_a man_n have_v not_o judge_v decent_a and_o serviceable_a to_o the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n and_o none_o of_o they_o but_o derive_v themselves_o from_o a_o very_a ancient_a family_n be_v use_v in_o most_o age_n and_o most_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o have_v decency_n antiquity_n and_o usefulness_n to_o plead_v for_o they_o to_o help_v our_o memory_n to_o excite_v our_o affection_n to_o render_v our_o service_n orderly_a and_o comely_a be_v we_o indeed_o all_o soul_n and_o such_o seraphical_a saint_n and_o grow_v man_n as_o we_o make_v ourselves_o we_o may_v then_o plead_v against_o such_o external_a help_n but_o when_o we_o have_v nature_n of_o weakness_n and_o passion_n these_o outward_a help_n may_v be_v call_v very_o convenient_a if_o not_o general_o necessary_a and_o as_o our_o nature_n be_v mix_v of_o soul_n and_o body_n so_o must_v always_o our_o devotion_n be_v here_o and_o such_o god_n expect_v and_o be_v please_v with_o our_o church_n be_v neither_o defective_a in_o power_n and_o discipline_n have_v she_o her_o just_a due_n and_o other_o will_v do_v well_o to_o join_v with_o she_o in_o her_o wish_n that_o they_o may_v be_v restore_v which_o will_v turn_v all_o into_o confusion_n nor_o yet_o tyrannical_a want_v of_o authority_n breed_v as_o many_o if_o not_o more_o misery_n than_o tyranny_n or_o too_o much_o power_n both_o of_o they_o severe_a curse_n of_o a_o nation_n but_o her_o government_n like_o her_o clime_n be_v so_o well_o temper_v together_o that_o the_o member_n of_o this_o christian_a society_n may_v not_o be_v dissolute_a or_o rude_a with_o she_o nor_o her_o ruler_n insolent_a be_v constitute_v in_o the_o church_n with_o their_o different_a name_n and_o title_n not_o for_o lustre_n and_o greatness_n and_o secular_a purpose_n but_o for_o suppression_n of_o vice_n the_o maintain_n of_o faith_n peace_n order_n and_o all_o virtue_n the_o true_a edification_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o if_o those_o vice_n be_v not_o reprove_v and_o chastise_v which_o fall_v under_o her_o cognizance_n it_o be_v not_o the_o fault_n of_o her_o power_n but_o because_o by_o other_o way_n ill_o restrain_v unnecessary_a division_n from_o she_o hinder_v her_o discipline_n upon_o offender_n and_o so_o they_o hinder_v that_o edification_n which_o thy_o contend_v for_o this_o government_n be_v not_o modern_a particular_a or_o pure_o humane_a but_o apostolical_a primitive_a and_o universal_a to_o time_n as_o well_o as_o place_n till_o some_o private_a person_n for_o number_n learning_n or_o piety_n not_o to_o be_v equal_v to_o the_o good_a man_n of_o old_a who_o defend_v it_o and_o obey_v it_o and_o suffer_v for_o it_o out_o of_o some_o mistake_n of_o humane_a frailty_n and_o passion_n or_o bear_v down_o with_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n begin_v to_o change_v it_o and_o declaim_v against_o it_o though_o so_o very_o fit_a and_o proper_a to_o promote_v christianity_n in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v a_o general_a account_n of_o that_o edification_n that_o be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o that_o church_n in_o which_o we_o live_v a_o more_o particular_a one_o will_v be_v too_o long_o for_o this_o discourse_n but_o thus_o much_o must_v be_v say_v that_o examine_v all_o her_o particular_a part_n and_o office_n you_o will_v find_v none_o of_o they_o light_n or_o superstitious_a novel_a or_o too_o numerous_a ill_o dispose_v or_o uncouth_a improper_a or_o burdensome_a no_o just_a cause_n for_o any_o to_o revolt_v from_o her_o communion_n but_o consider_v the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o christianity_n and_o man_n the_o best_a constitute_v church_n in_o the_o world_n if_o therefore_o edification_n be_v go_v on_o to_o perfection_n 3._o heb._n 6._o 1._o 2_o pet._n 3._o 18._o rom._n 15._o 2._o 1_o cor._n 14._o 3._o or_o grow_v in_o grace_n if_o it_o be_v do_v good_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o
have_v be_v heretofore_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o our_o church_n her_o rite_n and_o usage_n that_o yet_o general_o lie_v by_o the_o wall_n little_o know_v and_o less_o read_v by_o those_o that_o so_o much_o cry_v out_o against_o she_o and_o at_o this_o time_n how_o many_o excellent_a discourse_n have_v be_v publish_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o dissenter_n write_v with_o the_o great_a temper_n and_o moderation_n with_o the_o utmost_a plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n with_o all_o imaginable_a evidence_n and_o strength_n of_o reason_v so_o short_a as_o not_o to_o require_v any_o considerable_a portion_n either_o of_o time_n or_o cost_n so_o suit_v to_o present_a circumstance_n as_o to_o obviate_v every_o material_a objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o communion_n with_o we_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v just_a cause_n to_o fear_v that_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o dissenter_n be_v mere_a stranger_n to_o they_o and_o be_v not_o so_o just_a to_o themselves_o or_o we_o as_o to_o give_v they_o the_o read_n and_o that_o those_o few_o that_o do_v look_v into_o they_o do_v it_o rather_o out_o of_o a_o design_n to_o pick_v quarrel_n against_o they_o and_o to_o expose_v they_o in_o scurrilous_a or_o cavil_v pamphlet_n than_o to_o receive_v satisfaction_n by_o they_o i_o do_v hearty_o and_o from_o my_o soul_n wish_v a_o end_n of_o these_o contention_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o further_a occasion_n for_o they_o but_o if_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n will_v still_o proceed_v in_o this_o way_n we_o desire_v and_o hope_v it_o be_v but_o what_o be_v reasonable_a that_o the_o thing_n in_o difference_n may_v be_v debate_v in_o the_o most_o quiet_a peaceable_a and_o amicable_a manner_n that_o they_o may_v be_v grave_o and_o substantial_o manage_v and_o only_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n attend_v to_o and_o that_o the_o controversy_n may_v not_o be_v turn_v off_o to_o mean_v and_o trifle_a person_n who_o high_a attainment_n perhaps_o it_o be_v to_o write_v a_o idle_a and_o senseless_a pamphlet_n and_o which_o can_v serve_v no_o other_o use_n but_o only_o that_o the_o people_n may_v be_v bear_v in_o hand_n that_o such_o and_o such_o book_n be_v answer_v which_o be_v so_o unmanly_a and_o disingenuous_a a_o way_n and_o so_o like_o the_o shift_a artifices_fw-la of_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o persuade_v myself_o the_o wise_a head_n of_o the_o dissent_v party_n can_v but_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o if_o they_o be_v not_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o all_o the_o world_n they_o be_v willing_a to_o serve_v a_o ill_a design_n by_o the_o most_o unwarrantable_a mean_n but_o however_o that_o be_v we_o think_v we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o expect_v from_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v hear_v our_o church_n before_o they_o condemn_v she_o and_o consider_v what_o have_v be_v say_v for_o the_o remove_n of_o their_o doubt_n before_o they_o tell_v we_o any_o more_o of_o scruple_n tender-conscience_n and_o the_o hard_a measure_n that_o they_o meet_v withal_o i_o confess_v can_v i_o meet_v with_o a_o person_n that_o have_v bring_v himself_o to_o some_o kind_n of_o unbyas'dness_n and_o indifferency_n of_o temper_n and_o that_o design_v nothing_o more_o than_o to_o seek_v and_o find_v the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_a god_n without_o respect_n to_o the_o intrigue_n and_o interest_n of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a party_n and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o have_v with_o a_o sincere_a and_o honest_a mind_n read_v whatever_o may_v probable_o conduce_v to_o his_o satisfaction_n fair_o propose_v his_o scruple_n and_o modest_o consult_v with_o those_o that_o be_v most_o proper_a to_o advise_v he_o and_o humble_o beg_v the_o guidance_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o divine_a grace_n and_o blessing_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o shall_v still_o labour_v under_o his_o old_a dissatisfaction_n i_o shall_v hearty_o pity_v and_o pray_v for_o such_o a_o man_n and_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o improve_v all_o my_o interest_n for_o favour_n and_o forbearance_n towards_o he_o but_o such_o person_n as_o these_o i_o be_o afraid_a be_v but_o thin_a sow_v and_o without_o breach_n of_o charity_n it_o may_v be_v suppose_v there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o a_o thousand_o iii_o three_o we_o desire_v that_o before_o they_o go_v on_o to_o accuse_v our_o church_n with_o drive_v they_o into_o separation_n they_o will_v direct_o charge_v she_o with_o impose_v sinful_a term_n of_o communion_n and_o unless_o they_o do_v this_o and_o when_o they_o have_v do_v it_o make_v it_o good_a for_o bare_o to_o accuse_v i_o hope_v be_v not_o sufficient_a i_o see_v not_o which_o way_n they_o can_v possible_o justify_v their_o separation_n from_o we_o it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o whole_a protestant_a reformation_n defend_v their_o departure_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o find_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o church_n infinite_o corrupt_v in_o several_a of_o the_o main_a principle_n of_o religion_n new_a article_n of_o faith_n introduce_v and_o bind_v upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n its_o worship_n overgrow_v with_o very_o gross_a idolatry_n and_o superstition_n its_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n not_o only_o over-numerous_a but_o many_o of_o they_o advance_v into_o proper_a and_o direct_a act_n of_o worship_n and_o the_o use_n of_o they_o make_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o beside_o its_o member_n require_v to_o join_v and_o communicate_v in_o these_o corruption_n and_o depravation_n nay_o and_o all_o proposal_n and_o attempt_n towards_o a_o reformation_n obstinate_o reject_v and_o throw_v out_o in_o which_o case_n they_o do_v with_o great_a reason_n and_o justice_n depart_v from_o she_o which_o we_o may_v be_v confident_a they_o will_v not_o have_v do_v have_v no_o more_o be_v require_v of_o they_o than_o instead_o of_o worship_v image_n to_o use_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n or_o instead_o of_o the_o adoration_n of_o the_o host_n to_o kneel_v at_o the_o receive_v of_o the_o sacrament_n a_o learned_a 233._o amyrald_n de_fw-fr secess_n ab_fw-la eccles_n rom._n pag._n 233._o protestant_a divine_a of_o great_a name_n and_o note_n have_v express_o tell_v we_o that_o have_v there_o be_v no_o other_o fault_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n beside_o their_o useless_a ceremony_n in_o baptism_n and_o some_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v beyond_o the_o measure_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n they_o have_v still_o continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n indeed_o do_v the_o church_n of_o england_n command_v any_o thing_n which_o christ_n have_v prohibit_v or_o prohibit_v any_o thing_n which_o christ_n have_v command_v then_o come_v you_o out_o from_o among_o they_o and_o be_v you_o separate_v say_v the_o lord_n be_v good_a warrant_n and_o authority_n but_o where_o do_v we_o meet_v with_o these_o prohibition_n not_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n not_o in_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o nor_o indeed_o do_v we_o find_v our_o dissent_v brethren_n of_o late_a very_o forward_o to_o fasten_v this_o charge_n and_o much_o less_o to_o prove_v it_o whatever_o unwary_a say_n may_v fall_v from_o any_o of_o they_o in_o the_o heat_n and_o warmth_n of_o disputation_n or_o be_v suggest_v by_o indirect_a consequence_n and_o artificial_a insinuation_n and_o if_o our_o church_n command_v nothing_o that_o render_v her_o communion_n sinful_a then_o certain_o separation_n from_o she_o must_v be_v unlawful_a because_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n be_v express_v and_o indispensable_a duty_n and_o a_o few_o private_a suspicion_n of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o sway_v against_o plain_n public_a and_o necessary_a duty_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v safe_a to_o reject_v communicate_v with_o those_o with_o who_o christ_n himself_o do_v not_o refuse_v communion_n this_o i_o be_o sure_o be_v once_o think_v good_a doctrine_n by_o the_o chief_a of_o our_o dissenter_n who_o when_o time_n be_v reason_v thus_o against_o those_o that_o subdivide_v from_o they_o if_o we_o be_v a_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o christ_n hold_v communion_n with_o 130._o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o presbyterial_a government_n 1649._o p._n 130._o we_o why_o do_v you_o separate_a from_o we_o if_o we_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o they_o that_o separate_a from_o the_o body_n separate_a from_o the_o head_n also_o we_o be_v loath_a to_o speak_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v offend_v you_o yet_o we_o entreat_v you_o to_o consider_v that_o if_o the_o apostle_n call_v those_o division_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n wherein_o christian_n do_v not_o separate_v into_o divers_a form_v congregation_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n schism_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 10._o may_v not_o your_o
church_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o have_v not_o its_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n as_o many_o if_o not_o more_o in_o number_n and_o as_o liable_a to_o exception_n as_o those_o that_o be_v use_v in_o our_o church_n at_o this_o day_n nay_o there_o be_v few_o thing_n if_o any_o at_o all_o require_v by_o our_o constitution_n which_o be_v not_o in_o use_n in_o the_o best_a age_n of_o christianity_n this_o be_v it_o my_o design_n i_o may_v demonstrate_v by_o a_o induction_n of_o particular_n but_o it_o be_v full_o do_v by_o other_o hand_n i_o shall_v therefore_o only_o as_o a_o specimen_fw-la instance_n in_o one_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o it_o be_v so_o much_o boggle_v at_o viz._n the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n which_o we_o be_v sure_o be_v a_o common_a and_o customary_a rite_n in_o the_o time_n of_o tertullian_n and_o st._n cyprian_n the_o latter_a whereof_o say_v oft_o enough_o that_o be_v regenerate_v 3._o cypr._n adv_o demetr_v p._n 203._o de_fw-la unit_fw-la eccl._n p._n 185._o vid._n the_o lap_n p._n 169._o bas._n de_fw-fr spir._n s._n c._n 27._o tert._n de_fw-fr coron_n mil._n c._n 3._o that_o be_v baptise_a they_o be_v sign_v with_o the_o sign_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o be_v sign_v on_o their_o forehead_n who_o be_v think_v worthy_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o our_o lord_n religion_n and_o st._n basil_n plain_o put_v it_o among_o those_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n which_o have_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n nay_o tertullian_n assure_v we_o that_o they_o use_v it_o in_o the_o most_o common_a action_n of_o life_n that_o upon_o every_o motion_n at_o their_o go_v out_o and_o come_v in_o at_o their_o go_v to_o bath_n or_o to_o bed_n or_o to_o meal_n or_o whatever_o their_o occasion_n call_v they_o to_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o make_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n on_o their_o forehead_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o omit_v it_o in_o the_o most_o solemn_a act_n of_o their_o be_v initiate_v into_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o now_o let_v our_o dissenting-brethren_n serious_o reflect_v whether_o the_o constant_a and_o uniform_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o time_n be_v not_o a_o mighty_a testimony_n against_o their_o separate_n from_o we_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o wise_a best_a and_o happy_a age_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o when_o their_o separation_n upon_o this_o account_n can_v in_o point_n of_o example_n pretend_v not_o to_o much_o more_o than_o a_o hundred_o year_n countenance_n and_o authority_n to_o support_n and_o shelter_n it_o and_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o that_o neither_o for_o i_o can_v easy_o show_v that_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o usage_n of_o our_o church_n be_v either_o practise_v in_o foreign_a 1662._o see_v durel_n view_v of_o the_o government_n and_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n 1662._o church_n or_o at_o least_o allow_v of_o by_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o eminent_a divine_n of_o the_o reformation_n who_o testimony_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v particular_o enumerate_v and_o rank_v under_o their_o proper_a head_n by_o mr._n sprint_v in_o his_o etc._n his_o his_o his_o p._n 123_o 124_o etc._n etc._n cassander_n anglicanus_n which_o they_o that_o be_v curious_a may_v consult_v vi_o six_o we_o beg_v that_o those_o who_o by_o their_o conformity_n have_v declare_v that_o they_o can_v close_v with_o our_o communion_n will_v still_o continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n this_o be_v a_o request_n so_o reasonable_a that_o i_o hope_v it_o can_v fair_o be_v deny_v whatever_o dissaâ—tsfactions_n other_o may_v allege_v to_o keep_v they_o at_o a_o distance_n from_o we_o these_o man_n can_v have_v nothing_o to_o pretend_v have_v actual_o show_v that_o they_o can_v do_v it_o for_o i_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o think_v that_o herein_o such_o man_n act_v against_o their_o conscience_n or_o do_v it_o mere_o to_o secure_v a_o gainful_a office_n or_o a_o place_n of_o trust_n or_o to_o escape_v the_o lash_n and_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n these_o be_v end_n so_o very_o vile_a and_o sordid_a so_o horrible_a a_o prostitution_n of_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n the_o most_o venerable_a mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n so_o deliberate_a a_o way_n of_o sin_v even_o in_o the_o most_o solemn_a act_n of_o worship_n that_o i_o can_v hardly_o suspect_v any_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o it_o but_o man_n of_o proflâ—gate_n and_o atheistical_a mindâ—_n who_o have_v put_v off_o all_o sense_n of_o god_n and_o banish_v all_o reverence_n of_o religion_n i_o will_v fain_o belâ—eve_v that_o when_o any_o of_o our_o brethren_n receive_v the_o sacrament_n with_o we_o they_o be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o principle_n that_o bring_v they_o thither_o be_v the_o conscience_n of_o their_o duty_n but_o then_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o answer_v it_o why_o the_o same_o principle_n that_o bring_v they_o thither_o at_o one_o time_n shall_v not_o bring_v they_o also_o at_o another_o and_o that_o we_o shall_v never_o have_v their_o company_n at_o that_o solemn_a and_o sacred_a ordinance_n but_o when_o the_o fear_n of_o some_o temporal_a punishment_n or_o the_o prospect_n of_o some_o secular_a advantage_n prompt_v they_o to_o it_o it_o be_v common_o blame_v in_o those_o of_o the_o romish_a church_n that_o they_o can_v dispense_v with_o oath_n and_o receive_v sacrament_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n and_o to_o advance_v the_o interest_n of_o their_o cause_n but_o god_n forbid_v that_o so_o heavy_a a_o charge_n shall_v ever_o lie_v at_o the_o door_n of_o protestant_n and_o especial_o those_o who_o will_v be_v think_v most_o to_o abhor_v popish_a practice_n and_o who_o will_v take_v it_o ill_o to_o be_v account_v not_o to_o make_v as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o conscience_n of_o their_o way_n than_o other_o men._n now_o i_o beseech_v our_o dissent_v or_o rather_o inconstant_a brethren_n to_o reason_v a_o little_a if_o our_o communion_n be_v sinful_a why_o do_v they_o enter_v into_o it_o if_o it_o be_v lawful_a why_o do_v they_o forsake_v it_o be_v it_o not_o that_o which_o the_o command_v of_o authority_n have_v tie_v upon_o we_o and_o who_o command_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n be_v not_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n thing_n that_o ought_v great_o to_o sway_v with_o all_o sober_a humble_a and_o consider_v christian_n do_v not_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o as_o muâ—â—_n as_o in_o we_o lie_v we_o be_v to_o live_v peaceable_o with_o all_o man_n and_o shall_v peace_n be_v break_v only_o in_o the_o church_n where_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v keep_v most_o entire_a and_o that_o by_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o be_v possible_a and_o within_o their_o power_n be_v they_o satisfy_v in_o their_o conscience_n to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o we_o and_o will_v they_o not_o do_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n or_o will_v they_o refuse_v to_o do_v what_o be_v lawful_a and_o as_o the_o case_n stand_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o peace_n only_o because_o authority_n command_v it_o and_o have_v make_v it_o their_o duty_n oh_o sir_n i_o beseech_v you_o by_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a and_o sacred_a to_o assist_v and_o help_v we_o and_o not_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o by_o a_o causeless_a and_o unjustifiable_a separation_n endeavour_v to_o rend_v and_o destroy_v the_o best_a church_n in_o the_o whole_a christian_n world_n vii_o seven_o we_o beg_v of_o they_o that_o they_o will_v consider_v what_o sad_a and_o deplorable_a mischief_n have_v ensue_v upon_o bear_v down_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n this_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o whereof_o many_o yet_o alive_a be_v make_v sensible_a by_o woeful_a experience_n omit_v what_o may_v seem_v of_o a_o little_a more_o remote_a consideration_n the_o blood_n and_o treasure_n the_o spoil_n and_o ravages_n of_o the_o late_a war_n the_o enslave_v and_o oppress_v all_o rank_n of_o man_n and_o what_o be_v above_o all_o the_o murder_n of_o a_o excellent_a and_o incomparable_a prince_n i_o shall_v instance_n in_o a_o few_o particular_n which_o be_v the_o more_o immediate_a effect_n of_o it_o and_o first_o no_o soon_o be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n throw_v down_o but_o what_o monstrous_a swarm_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n break_v in_o upon_o we_o both_o for_o number_n and_o impiety_n beyond_o whatever_o have_v be_v hear_v â—f_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o here_o i_o need_v go_v no_o further_o than_o the_o sad_a account_n which_o mr._n edward_n have_v give_v we_o in_o the_o several_a part_n of_o his_o gangraena_fw-la
question_n beside_o that_o it_o can_v serve_v any_o purpose_n of_o piety_n if_o it_o decline_v from_o duty_n in_o any_o instance_n it_o be_v like_o give_v alm_n out_o of_o the_o portion_n of_o orphan_n or_o build_v hospital_n with_o the_o money_n and_o spoil_n of_o sacrilege_n 4._o it_o be_v further_a say_v by_o mr._n jean_n out_o of_o amesius_n if_o determination_n by_o superior_n be_v sufficient_a to_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o scandal_n than_o they_o do_v very_o ill_a that_o they_o do_v not_o so_o far_o as_o be_v possible_a determine_v all_o thing_n indifferent_a that_o so_o no_o danger_n may_v be_v leave_v of_o give_v offence_n by_o the_o use_n of_o they_o then_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v to_o be_v praise_v in_o that_o she_o have_v determine_v so_o many_o indifferent_a thing_n then_o st._n paul_n may_v have_v spare_v all_o his_o direction_n about_o forbearance_n out_o of_o respect_n to_o weak_a brethren_n and_o full_o determine_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n and_o so_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o fear_n of_o scandal_n this_o true_o seem_v a_o very_a odd_a way_n of_o argue_v and_o all_o that_o i_o shall_v say_v to_o it_o be_v that_o it_o suppose_v nothing_o else_o worthy_a to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o make_n of_o law_n or_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o superior_n about_o indifferent_a thing_n but_o only_o this_o one_o matter_n of_o scandal_n and_o the_o project_n itself_o shall_v it_o take_v will_v prove_v very_o vain_a and_o unsuccessful_a for_o though_o we_o true_o say_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o comply_v with_o the_o order_n and_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o be_v but_o few_o and_o innocent_a and_o so_o give_v no_o real_a ground_n of_o offence_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o say_v the_o same_o upon_o supposition_n our_o church_n have_v determine_v all_o circumstance_n in_o god_n worship_n she_o possible_o can_v which_o will_v perhaps_o have_v be_v a_o yoke_n great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n to_o the_o jew_n nor_o if_o she_o have_v prescribe_v as_o many_o ceremony_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v do_v which_o manifest_o tend_v to_o the_o disgrace_n and_o scandal_n of_o our_o christian_a religion_n and_o as_o for_o the_o course_n st._n paul_n take_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o some_o thing_n upon_o good_a reason_n be_v determine_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o that_o the_o gentile_a convert_v shall_v abstain_v from_o blood_n and_o thing_n strangle_v and_o offer_v to_o idol_n which_o decree_n i_o presume_v they_o may_v not_o transgress_v out_o of_o charity_n to_o any_o of_o their_o brethren_n who_o may_v take_v offence_n at_o such_o abstinence_n and_o other_o thing_n for_o great_a reason_n be_v for_o a_o time_n leave_v at_o liberty_n which_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o those_o the_o apostle_n have_v to_o deal_v withal_o though_o afterward_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o when_o that_o reason_n cease_v determination_n be_v make_v about_o those_o thing_n which_o st._n paul_n have_v leave_v at_o liberty_n and_o if_o st._n paul_n have_v determine_v the_o dispute_n about_o meat_n and_o day_n one_o way_n they_o who_o have_v follow_v so_o great_a a_o authority_n whatever_o have_v happen_v have_v sure_o be_v free_a from_o the_o sin_n of_o scandal_n but_o still_o the_o scandal_n have_v not_o be_v prevent_v but_o all_o the_o contrary_a part_n have_v be_v in_o danger_n to_o have_v be_v utter_o estrange_v from_o christianity_n and_o that_o be_v reason_n sufficient_a why_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o make_v any_o determination_n in_o that_o case_n for_o governor_n be_v not_o only_o to_o take_v care_n to_o free_v those_o that_o obey_v they_o from_o the_o sin_n of_o scandal_n but_o also_o to_o provide_v that_o as_o little_a occasion_n as_o be_v possible_a may_v be_v give_v to_o any_o to_o be_v scandalize_v there_o be_v other_o objection_n offer_v by_o mr._n jean_n out_o of_o amesius_n and_o rutherford_n against_o this_o doctrine_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n to_o superior_n in_o thing_n lawful_a notwithstanding_o the_o scandal_n that_o may_v follow_v but_o they_o either_o may_v be_v answer_v from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v or_o else_o they_o chief_o concern_v the_o case_n of_o governor_n and_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o act_n uncharitable_o and_o give_v great_a offence_n contrary_a to_o st._n paul_n rule_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o determinate_o to_o impose_v unnecessary_a rite_n by_o which_o they_o know_v many_o good_a man_n will_v be_v scandalize_v but_o this_o be_v not_o my_o present_a business_n to_o discourse_n of_o though_o i_o can_v forbear_v say_v these_o two_o thing_n which_o i_o think_v very_o easy_a to_o make_v out_o 1._o that_o our_o church_n of_o england_n have_v take_v all_o reasonable_a care_v not_o to_o give_v any_o just_a offence_n to_o any_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o the_o offence_n that_o have_v be_v since_o take_v at_o some_o thing_n in_o our_o constitution_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v foresee_v by_o those_o who_o make_v our_o first_o reformation_n from_o popery_n and_o so_o they_o can_v not_o be_v any_o reason_n against_o the_o first_o establishment_n nor_o 2._o be_v they_o now_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o the_o alteration_n of_o it_o unless_o we_o can_v imagine_v it_o reasonable_a to_o alter_v public_a law_n make_v with_o great_a wisdom_n and_o deliberation_n as_o often_o as_o they_o be_v dislike_v by_o or_o prove_v offensive_a to_o private_a person_n if_o this_o be_v admit_v there_o then_o can_v never_o be_v any_o settle_a government_n and_o order_n in_o the_o church_n because_o there_o never_o can_v be_v any_o establishment_n that_o will_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o give_v such_o offence_n they_o who_o now_o take_v offence_n at_o what_o the_o church_n of_o england_n enjoin_v on_o the_o same_o or_o a_o like_a account_n will_v take_v offence_n at_o whatever_o can_v be_v enjoin_v and_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n will_v be_v good_a against_o any_o establishment_n they_o themselves_o shall_v make_v for_o though_o they_o will_v not_o use_v these_o reason_n against_o their_o own_o establishment_n yet_o in_o a_o short_a time_n other_o will_v take_v up_o their_o weapon_n to_o fight_v against_o they_o and_o what_o serve_v to_o destroy_v the_o present_a church_n will_v be_v as_o effectual_a to_o overthrow_v that_o which_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o in_o its_o room_n so_o that_o whatever_o alteration_n be_v make_v if_o this_o be_v allow_v for_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o it_o viz._n to_o avoid_v the_o offence_n that_o some_o man_n take_v at_o the_o present_a constitution_n yet_o still_o we_o shall_v be_v but_o where_o we_o be_v and_o new_a offence_n will_v arise_v and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v continual_a change_n and_o alter_v to_o gratify_v the_o unreasonable_a humour_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n and_o shall_v any_o one_o party_n of_o dissenter_n among_o we_o get_v their_o form_n of_o government_n and_o worship_n establish_v by_o law_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v preach_v to_o we_o the_o very_a same_o doctrine_n we_o do_v now_o to_o they_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o private_a person_n must_v bend_v and_o conform_v to_o the_o law_n and_o not_o the_o law_n to_o private_a person_n that_o it_o be_v our_o own_o fault_n that_o we_o be_v offend_v that_o our_o weakness_n proceed_v from_o our_o unwillingness_n to_o receive_v instruction_n that_o the_o weak_a be_v to_o be_v govern_v not_o to_o prescribe_v to_o their_o governor_n that_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o what_o be_v with_o good_a reason_n appoint_v and_o order_v shall_v be_v present_o abrogate_a or_o change_v out_o of_o compliance_n with_o man_n foolish_a prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v how_o strict_a and_o rigorous_a botht_v the_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o be_v and_o have_v be_v where_o they_o have_v have_v any_o advantage_n and_o what_o little_a consideration_n or_o regard_n they_o have_v have_v of_o their_o dissent_v brethren_n though_o they_o will_v have_v we_o so_o tender_a of_o they_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o precept_n of_o obedience_n to_o superior_n in_o thing_n lawful_a be_v more_o obligatory_a than_o the_o precept_n of_o avoid_v scandal_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v in_o such_o instance_n though_o offence_n may_v be_v take_v at_o it_o because_o no_o sin_n be_v to_o be_v commit_v for_o the_o avoid_v scandal_n i_o may_v from_o this_o head_n further_o argue_v that_o if_o we_o must_v not_o commit_v any_o sin_n to_o avoid_v give_v offence_n than_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o separate_a from_o our_o parish-church_n upon_o that_o account_n because_o all_o voluntary_a separation_n from_o a_o church_n in_o which_o nothing_o that_o be_v unlawful_a be_v require_v as_o a_o condition_n of_o