socrates_n and_o content_v myself_o to_o be_v virtuous_a at_o the_o rate_n of_o a_o heathen_a than_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n we_o know_v better_a thing_n and_o have_v be_v teach_v quite_o otherwise_o we_o have_v not_o thus_o learned_a christ_n his_o religion_n be_v pure_a religion_n and_o undefiled_a his_o command_n be_v holy_a just_a and_o good_a he_o countenance_v no_o sort_n of_o immorality_n but_o encourage_v the_o universal_a practice_n of_o all_o virtue_n it_o threaten_v damnation_n to_o such_o as_o resist_v authority_n which_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o affirm_v the_o damnation_n of_o those_o man_n to_o be_v just_a who_o think_v to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o rom._n 3.8_o it_o make_v it_o as_o necessary_a for_o subject_n to_o submit_v i_o do_v not_o say_v always_o to_o obey_v but_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o governor_n as_o for_o child_n to_o be_v obedient_a to_o their_o parent_n and_o for_o servant_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o master_n and_o he_o that_o go_v about_o to_o take_v off_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o one_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o term_n take_v away_o all_o duty_n in_o child_n towards_o parent_n and_o all_o faithfulness_n in_o servant_n towards_o master_n for_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o civil_a government_n be_v as_o natural_a and_o sacred_a as_o that_o which_o be_v exercise_v in_o family_n and_o keep_v up_o in_o a_o man_n be_v own_o house_n i_o have_v insist_v the_o long_a on_o this_o not_o so_o much_o to_o look_v backward_o as_o forward_o to_o undeceive_v people_n by_o open_v their_o eye_n and_o discover_v those_o pious_a fraud_n profane_a cheat_n and_o hypocritical_a abuse_n which_o for_o a_o long_a time_n have_v pass_v cleverly_o with_o some_o man_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o conscience_n and_o religion_n and_o to_o show_v you_o what_o spirit_n such_o man_n be_v of_o thereby_o to_o caution_n you_o for_o the_o future_a against_o all_o such_o lewd_a principle_n and_o pretence_n how_o specious_o soever_o they_o may_v be_v gild_v over_o and_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n that_o you_o suffer_v not_o yourselves_o to_o be_v cheat_v out_o of_o a_o peaceable_a loyal_a and_o well-tempered_a religion_n by_o any_o bold_a incendiary_n or_o cunning_a hypocrite_n of_o they_o all_o be_v they_o of_o what_o party_n or_o faction_n they_o will_v whether_o foreign_a or_o domestic_a at_o home_o or_o abroad_o but_o yet_o in_o the_o second_o place_n notwithstanding_o conscience_n have_v be_v so_o gross_o mistake_v and_o abuse_v yet_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v slight_v much_o less_o cast_v off_o upon_o that_o account_n any_o more_o than_o religion_n which_o have_v often_o meet_v with_o the_o like_a hard_a fate_n or_o civil_a government_n which_o have_v be_v usurp_v by_o those_o that_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o and_o manage_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o primitive_a end_n and_o institution_n thereof_o now_o if_o the_o abuse_n of_o government_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o our_o reject_v of_o they_o no_o more_o be_v it_o for_o the_o lay_v aside_o of_o conscience_n because_o the_o great_a abuse_n can_v never_o be_v make_v a_o argument_n for_o the_o total_a abandon_v thereof_o for_o if_o you_o come_v once_o to_o cast_v off_o conscience_n you_o throw_v off_o with_o it_o all_o obligation_n to_o duty_n you_o take_v away_o all_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a all_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n right_o and_o wrong_n and_o thereby_o reduce_v mankind_n into_o the_o rank_n of_o brute-beast_n without_o regard_n to_o conscience_n you_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o religion_n nor_o of_o the_o ordinary_a duty_n of_o morality_n we_o can_v do_v one_o good_a action_n without_o it_o nor_o rejoice_v in_o the_o witness_n and_o testimony_n thereof_o there_o will_v be_v then_o no_o peace_n in_o private_a family_n nor_o good_a government_n in_o public_a society_n no_o obedience_n to_o magistrate_n nor_o subjection_n to_o authority_n no_o man_n then_o will_v either_o fear_n god_n or_o honour_n the_o king_n or_o do_v their_o duty_n one_o towards_o another_o all_o which_o be_v yet_o enjoin_v and_o bind_v express_o upon_o our_o conscience_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n conscience_n then_o be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a in_o that_o it_o imply_v a_o obligation_n to_o duty_n and_o lay_v upon_o we_o the_o strong_a bond_n of_o obedience_n there_o be_v no_o argument_n or_o persuasive_a like_o it_o it_o be_v strong_a than_o all_o our_o little_a hope_n and_o fear_n in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v compel_v by_o force_n nor_o bribe_v by_o interest_n nor_o fright_v by_o all_o the_o terror_n and_o apprehension_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a insomuch_o as_o conscience_n though_o daily_o abuse_v by_o ill_a man_n to_o ill_a design_n be_v yet_o of_o excellent_a use_n where_o right_o inform_v due_o apply_v and_o careful_o heed_v and_o attend_v unto_o where_o it_o be_v reverence_v and_o regard_v as_o it_o ought_v it_o tend_v mighty_o to_o the_o make_v man_n thorough_o good_a and_o virtuous_a just_a in_o their_o pretence_n honest_a in_o their_o intention_n upright_a and_o sincere_a in_o all_o their_o promise_n and_o profession_n all_o which_o where_o man_n make_v no_o scruple_n of_o any_o thing_n must_v needs_o be_v false_a dissemble_v and_o treacherous_a where_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o exercise_v a_o good_a conscience_n or_o keep_v it_o void_a of_o offence_n they_o will_v not_o put_v trick_n and_o cheat_n upon_o themselves_o or_o other_o they_o will_v not_o go_v about_o to_o mock_v god_n and_o deceive_v their_o own_o soul_n they_o will_v scorn_v to_o do_v a_o ill_a action_n and_o afterward_o colour_v it_o over_o with_o a_o plausible_a excuse_n or_o hypocritical_a evasion_n but_o will_v endeavour_v after_o the_o practice_n of_o unfeignee_n goodness_n a_o hearty_a compliance_n with_o their_o whole_a duty_n have_v their_o conversation_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v in_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n and_o not_o with_o fleshly_a wisdom_n 2_o cor._n 1.12_o in_o a_o word_n he_o will_v strive_v to_o approve_v himself_o to_o god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o to_o man_n as_o well_o as_o god_n that_o he_o may_v become_v as_o good_a as_o possible_o he_o can_v that_o be_v as_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o his_o own_o honest_a endeavour_n will_v enable_v he_o to_o be_v that_o man_n therefore_o that_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o do_v or_o say_v can_v never_o become_v so_o good_a as_o he_o ought_v he_o can_v be_v no_o true_a and_o last_a friend_n either_o to_o church_n or_o state_n to_o his_o king_n or_o country_n and_o consequent_o unsafe_a to_o be_v trust_v by_o either_o but_o he_o that_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o debauch_v and_o prostitute_n his_o conscience_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o very_o worst_a and_o no_o sinner_n to_o the_o conscientious_a sinner_n who_o can_v sin_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o who_o damnation_n as_o it_o be_v most_o just_a so_o their_o reclaim_n be_v most_o difficult_a as_o be_v obstinate_a in_o their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v or_o can_v be_v offer_v for_o their_o conviction_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v the_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n of_o conscience_n where_o it_o be_v regard_v and_o value_v as_o it_o ought_v and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v decry_v for_o the_o ill_a use_n make_v thereof_o for_o to_o cast_v off_o conscience_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o cast_v off_o all_o religion_n with_o it_o to_o banish_v all_o true_a goodness_n common_a honesty_n and_o moral_a virtue_n out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o all_o that_o order_n pence_n union_n and_o civil_a society_n which_o result_v from_o thence_o and_o wherein_o the_o happiness_n of_o this_o life_n do_v chief_o consist_v i_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o four_o place_n to_o show_v in_o or_o about_o what_o thing_n conscience_n ought_v principal_o to_o be_v concern_v or_o exercise_v first_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o which_o i_o must_v remind_v you_o a_o little_a of_o what_o i_o have_v already_o hint_v in_o the_o description_n of_o conscience_n namely_o that_o conscience_n presuppose_v a_o rule_n or_o law_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o particular_o concern_v about_o thing_n indifferent_a as_o such_o which_o come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o no_o rule_n nor_o within_o the_o limit_n of_o any_o command_n or_o prohibition_n for_o conscience_n be_v no_o further_o concern_v about_o any_o thing_n or_o action_n than_o as_o it_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o obedience_n to_o or_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n now_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n no_o nor_o obedience_n neither_o now_o the_o thing_n we_o call_v indifferent_a be_v such_o as_o god_n have_v
then_o in_o the_o thing_n itself_o for_o superstition_n be_v not_o in_o the_o object_n but_o only_o in_o the_o mind_n or_o conceit_n of_o the_o person_n that_o think_v so_o thus_o they_o have_v accustom_v to_o revile_v our_o liturgy_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o english_a mass-book_n the_o bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o our_o church_n be_v brand_v for_o limb_n of_o antichrist_n and_o the_o church_n herself_o repute_v for_o little_a better_o than_o antichristian_a and_o idolatrous_a neither_o have_v they_o learn_v to_o stop_v here_o but_o have_v adventure_v to_o fly_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n as_o well_o as_o the_o ecclesiastical_a against_o both_o which_o they_o have_v shoot_v their_o venomous_a arrow_n even_o bitier_n word_n psalm_n 64.3_o but_o now_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o sober_a and_o serious_a person_n be_v he_o of_o what_o persuasion_n he_o will_v whether_o this_o be_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v profess_a in_o common_a by_o we_o all_o or_o whether_o it_o be_v pure_o conscience_n which_o put_v they_o upon_o such_o unseemly_a practice_n or_o be_v this_o language_n fit_a to_o be_v bestow_v upon_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o famous_a among_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o who_o without_o vanity_n be_v it_o speak_v have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a bulwork_n against_o popery_n and_o champion_n for_o the_o reformation_n and_o i_o hope_v and_o pray_v daily_o it_o will_v continue_v to_o be_v so_o as_o long_o as_o god_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o continue_v she_o or_o himself_o a_o church_n upon_o earth_n now_o if_o language_n of_o this_o nature_n though_o arise_v from_o the_o great_a and_o extraordinary_a zeal_n of_o our_o adversary_n be_v so_o unhandsome_a and_o ill_a become_v in_o they_o towards_o we_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v it_o any_o whit_n the_o more_o commendable_a and_o seemly_a in_o we_o towards_o they_o or_o out_o of_o our_o mouth_n then_o out_o of_o they_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a and_o offensive_a in_o itself_o be_v and_o will_v be_v so_o let_v who_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o it_o wherefore_o methinks_v it_o will_v be_v more_o like_a christian_a and_o make_v more_o for_o the_o credit_n of_o religion_n and_o honour_n of_o our_o church_n if_o we_o have_v more_o charity_n and_o kindness_n one_o for_o another_o even_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o we_o differ_v so_o they_o be_v not_o factious_a or_o scandalous_a nor_o have_v a_o ill_a influence_n on_o our_o life_n and_o manner_n rather_o than_o imitate_v the_o example_n of_o some_o of_o our_o hotheaded_a dissenter_n in_o some_o of_o their_o worst_a quality_n to_o wit_n in_o their_o uncharitable_a censure_n and_o unchristian_a revile_n and_o calumny_n for_o the_o bitter_a and_o fiery_a spirit_n of_o a_o jewish_a zealot_n be_v very_o unagreeable_a to_o the_o meek_a and_o gentle_a disposition_n of_o a_o true_a follower_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n according_a to_o st._n luke_n 9.54_o 55._o and_o when_o his_o disciple_n james_n and_o john_n see_v this_o they_o say_v lord_z will_v thou_o that_o we_o command_v fire_n to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o consume_v they_o even_o as_o elias_n do_v but_o he_o turn_v and_o rebuke_v they_o and_o say_v you_o know_v not_o what_o manner_n of_o spirit_n you_o be_v of_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v behold_v to_o any_o man_n that_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o make_v out_o any_o other_o sense_n and_o meaning_n thereof_o 5th_o a_o good_a christian_n ought_v to_o live_v according_a to_o his_o own_o conscience_n rather_o than_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o men._n besure_n that_o man_n live_v with_o the_o most_o comfort_n and_o content_v to_o himself_o who_o walk_v by_o the_o constant_a rule_n of_o god_n word_n and_o not_o by_o that_o of_o the_o world_n which_o consist_v chief_o in_o humour_n and_o opinion_n and_o alter_v almost_o every_o day_n and_o upon_o the_o least_o occasion_n whereas_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v a_o sure_a and_o stand_a rule_n which_o be_v diligent_o heed_v and_o attend_v unto_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o go_v wrong_a or_o mistake_v our_o way_n it_o be_v impossible_a a_o man_n shall_v live_v so_o regular_a in_o all_o respect_n or_o carry_v himself_o so_o universal_o blameless_a and_o inoffensive_a as_o to_o gain_v the_o good_a word_n and_o opinion_n of_o all_o man_n though_o he_o shall_v make_v it_o his_o chief_a study_n or_o sole_a business_n to_o do_v so_o for_o man_n humour_n and_o interest_n be_v so_o different_a and_o many_o time_n so_o contrary_a that_o which_o like_v one_o do_v not_o like_o another_o and_o what_o this_o man_n commend_v another_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o find_v fault_n withal_o nay_o one_o and_o the_o same_o person_n be_v not_o always_o consistent_a with_o himself_o nor_o can_v keep_v long_o in_o the_o same_o mind_n his_o thought_n and_o judgement_n of_o thing_n do_v often_o alter_v with_o his_o affection_n and_o interest_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n remain_v one_o and_o the_o same_o yet_o his_o opinion_n of_o they_o may_v not_o do_v so_o and_o then_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o pass_v their_o censure_n on_o man_n person_n and_o action_n according_a as_o they_o be_v in_o good_a or_o bad_a humour_n or_o as_o they_o judge_v may_v make_v most_o for_o their_o present_a interest_n now_o he_o undertake_v a_o hard_a task_n indeed_o who_o study_v to_o please_v those_o who_o mind_n be_v so_o fickle_a and_o waver_a and_o who_o humour_n be_v make_v up_o of_o such_o sudden_a conradiction_n the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n be_v master_n or_o our_o credit_n and_o reputation_n which_o they_o may_v give_v or_o take_v from_o we_o at_o pleasure_n as_o many_o time_n they_o do_v upon_o very_o slight_a or_o no_o ground_n at_o all_o they_o depend_v upon_o the_o opinion_n which_o man_n be_v please_v to_o conceive_v of_o we_o which_o they_o may_v alter_v when_o they_o listen_v whether_o we_o give_v cause_n for_o it_o or_o no._n but_o now_o no_o man_n or_o number_n of_o man_n can_v be_v master_n of_o our_o conscience_n we_o may_v keep_v they_o innocent_a and_o in_o peace_n let_v the_o world_n say_v or_o do_v what_o she_o can_v for_o though_o the_o deserve_a commendation_n of_o a_o virtuous_a action_n depend_v upon_o the_o good_a will_n of_o other_o yet_o the_o satisfaction_n it_o inward_o create_v be_v a_o good_a they_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v withal_o and_o can_v never_o deprive_v we_o of_o though_o they_o will_v it_o concern_v we_o therefore_o to_o take_v all_o the_o care_n we_o can_v of_o our_o conscience_n and_o study_v rather_o to_o pprove_v ourselves_o to_o they_o than_o to_o the_o multitude_n the_o one_o be_v practicable_a when_o the_o other_o be_v not_o not_o that_o i_o will_v have_v any_o man_n careless_a of_o his_o credit_n and_o good_a name_n for_o he_o that_o be_v not_o tender_a of_o his_o fame_n will_v hardly_o be_v so_o of_o his_o conscience_n and_o the_o reputation_n which_o be_v give_v to_o virtuous_a deed_n aught_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o no_o small_a incitement_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o but_o my_o meaning_n be_v no_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v so_o studious_a of_o popular_a applause_n or_o affect_v the_o good_a opinion_n of_o the_o world_n by_o such_o mean_a and_o unworthy_a art_n as_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o injure_v of_o his_o conscience_n or_o prejudice_n of_o his_o duty_n which_o he_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o the_o church_n to_o his_o prince_n or_o country_n but_o let_v a_o man_n do_v what_o he_o think_v in_o his_o conscience_n he_o ought_v to_o do_v let_v he_o provide_v thing_n honest_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n run_v into_o no_o open_a scandal_n give_v no_o just_a or_o wilful_a cause_n of_o offence_n and_o avoid_v as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v all_o temptation_n or_o provocation_n to_o evil_a and_o then_o he_o ought_v not_o he_o need_v not_o value_v the_o talk_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o speech_n of_o people_n a_o wise_a man_n which_o in_o solomon_n sense_n be_v a_o prudent_a good_a man_n shall_v first_o take_v care_n of_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o then_o live_v above_o the_o spiteful_a talk_n and_o report_n of_o the_o vulgar_a or_o regard_v their_o censure_n no_o otherwise_o than_o the_o moon_n in_o the_o fable_n do_v the_o bark_n of_o a_o dog_n which_o neither_o obscure_v her_o light_n nor_o make_v she_o alter_v her_o course_n no_o no_o the_o inward_a content_n which_o a_o man_n receive_v in_o the_o do_n of_o a_o good_a action_n be_v infinite_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o credit_n and_o reputation_n which_o it_o gain_v he_o abroad_o a_o unwise_a man_n seek_v his_o reward_n and_o satisfaction_n where_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v namely_o from_o without_o in_o the_o good_n and_o possession_n in_o the_o
give_v no_o particular_a command_n either_o for_o or_o against_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n become_v of_o a_o middle_a nature_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a as_o be_v neither_o command_v nor_o forbid_v if_o therefore_o not_o command_v they_o do_v not_o oblige_v conscience_n in_o point_n of_o obedience_n if_o not_o forbid_v they_o offend_v not_o conscience_n in_o point_n of_o gild_n this_o be_v the_o true_a and_o easy_a notion_n of_o thing_n indifferent_a as_o come_v under_o no_o immediate_a injunction_n or_o prohibition_n and_o therefore_o leave_v free_a as_o to_o the_o performance_n or_o omission_n unless_o prudence_n shall_v otherwise_o direct_v or_o lawful_a authority_n interpose_v but_o some_o there_o be_v who_o will_v admit_v nothing_o for_o indifferent_a but_o what_o scripture_n do_v express_o warrant_v and_o affirm_v to_o be_v so_o but_o then_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o call_v indifferent_a in_o the_o world_n because_o there_o be_v no_o text_n throughout_o the_o whole_a bible_n that_o speak_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o purpose_n or_o make_v mention_n of_o what_o be_v indifferent_a and_o what_o not_o and_o yet_o that_o some_o thing_n in_o or_o about_o religion_n be_v indifferent_a and_o may_v be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v without_o sin_n we_o have_v the_o general_a consent_n of_o most_o of_o our_o reform_a divine_n taederet_fw-la calv._n beza_n bucer_n pola_n p._n martyr_n cum_fw-la plurimis_fw-la aliis_fw-la quos_fw-la omnes_fw-la enumerare_fw-la jam_fw-la taederet_fw-la and_o that_o as_o well_o of_o foreign_a church_n as_o of_o our_o own_o it_o be_v therefore_o sufficient_a warrant_n for_o i_o to_o judge_v any_o thing_n indifferent_a whereof_o the_o scripture_n be_v whole_o silent_a and_o make_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o either_o one_o way_n or_o other_o as_o in_o matter_n of_o external_n rite_n and_o ceremony_n the_o outward_a mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o be_v all_o of_o they_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n and_o wherein_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n or_o sin_n at_o all_o as_o consider_v absolute_o in_o themselves_o and_o strip_v of_o all_o other_o circumstance_n which_o may_v alter_v the_o case_n indifferent_a thing_n therefore_o be_v neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a in_o themselves_o may_v be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v without_o sin_v against_o god_n or_o offend_a conscience_n but_o when_o these_o thing_n which_o be_v indifferent_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n do_v either_o tend_v to_o or_o come_v under_o the_o general_n rule_v of_o order_n and_o decency_n and_o have_v withal_o the_o addition_n of_o lawful_a authority_n to_o re-commend_a they_o then_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o become_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o in_o that_o respect_n necessary_a though_o they_o remain_v still_o indifferent_a as_o to_o their_o own_o nature_n i_o say_v though_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o be_v not_o change_v by_o the_o superaddition_n of_o lawful_a authority_n but_o remain_v indifferent_a as_o before_o yet_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o be_v no_o long_o so_o but_o become_v a_o necessary_a instance_n of_o our_o obedience_n and_o therefore_o obstinacy_n in_o refuse_v to_o comply_v with_o such_o injunction_n can_v excuse_v from_o gild_n except_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o disobedience_n to_o the_o lawful_a command_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v no_o sin_n and_o the_o study_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o quiet_n be_v no_o duty_n for_o the_o clear_a illustration_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v instance_n but_o in_o one_o ceremony_n at_o present_a which_o by_o many_o be_v scruple_v at_o but_o i_o think_v without_o any_o ground_n either_o from_o scripture_n or_o reason_n and_o that_o be_v kneel_v at_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n which_o be_v the_o only_a ceremony_n that_o be_v enjoin_v or_o require_v from_o the_o laity_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v receive_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n without_o some_o gesture_n which_o be_v natural_a to_o every_o action_n whether_o it_o be_v sit_v stand_v kneel_v or_o lean_v i._n e._n incline_v the_o body_n on_o one_o side_n which_o be_v general_o think_v to_o be_v the_o posture_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o disciple_n at_o the_o first_o institution_n thereof_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o east_n each_o of_o these_o posture_n consider_v in_o themselves_o be_v equal_o indifferent_a and_o one_o to_o be_v scruple_v no_o more_o than_o another_o because_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o natural_a to_o bodily_a action_n kneel_v therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v not_o forbid_v in_o scripture_n be_v no_o more_o unlawful_a than_o sit_v or_o stand_v and_o be_v a_o natural_a gesture_n of_o the_o body_n be_v as_o indifferent_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n but_o than_o second_o as_o it_o be_v a_o devout_a posture_n and_o expressive_a of_o great_a reverence_n and_o humility_n than_o that_o of_o sit_v or_o stand_v so_o it_o may_v be_v prefer_v as_o more_o convenient_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o piety_n and_o devotion_n of_o that_o holy_a ordinance_n than_o any_o other_o gesture_n but_o three_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o authority_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o power_n in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n some_o man_n be_v unwilling_a to_o understand_v so_o it_o become_v more_o necessary_a and_o bind_v as_o to_o the_o use_v thereof_o what_o be_v indifferent_a before_o in_o one_o respect_n become_v convenient_a in_o another_o and_o necessary_a in_o a_o three_o it_o be_v indifferent_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n because_o not_o forbid_v it_o be_v convenient_a in_o regard_n of_o its_o natural_a significancy_n as_o betoken_v more_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n and_o it_o be_v necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o command_n of_o our_o governor_n as_o a_o instance_n of_o our_o obedience_n to_o they_o which_o god_n have_v make_v our_o duty_n and_o that_o for_o conscience_n sake_n that_o action_n therefore_o which_o be_v natural_a and_o indifferent_a convenient_a and_o reverend_a and_o upon_o those_o account_n command_v and_o enjoin_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v where_o do_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o it_o lie_v or_o where_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o such_o a_o action_n to_o be_v find_v they_o therefore_o that_o shall_v scruple_n kneel_v at_o the_o s._n sacrament_n especial_o since_o our_o church_n have_v assure_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o intention_n of_o adore_v the_o element_n or_o the_o suppose_a presence_n of_o christ_n body_n i_o fear_v understand_v not_o what_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n be_v so_o well_o as_o they_o ought_v but_o discover_v something_o of_o a_o temper_n which_o if_o leave_v loose_a will_v be_v troublesome_a and_o uneasy_a under_o all_o government_n and_o discipline_n though_o never_o so_o so_o pure_a and_o primitive_a notwithstanding_o they_o seem_v such_o zealous_a contender_n for_o it_o but_o pray_v why_o shall_v a_o lawful_a authority_n be_v blame_v for_o do_v that_o which_o particular_a man_n and_o private_a teacher_n do_v daily_o practice_v in_o their_o several_a meeting_n and_o illegal_a assemble_v namely_o impose_v upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n and_o require_v their_o submission_n to_o several_a thing_n which_o they_o have_v no_o express_a rule_n for_o in_o scripture_n and_o yet_o make_v this_o the_o great_a objection_n against_o the_o worship_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o church_n in_o which_o respect_n they_o be_v no_o less_o magisterial_a if_o not_o more_o than_o our_o governor_n who_o upon_o all_o occasion_n they_o arraign_v as_o such_o for_o without_o any_o authority_n from_o god_n or_o the_o magistrate_n they_o exercise_v a_o arbitrary_a dominion_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o those_o man_n who_o have_v weakness_n enough_o to_o listen_v themselves_o into_o their_o party_n they_o take_v away_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o make_v some_o thing_n necessary_a which_o be_v not_o so_o before_o and_o some_o thing_n they_o can_v dispense_v withal_o as_o indifferent_a which_o be_v necessary_o require_v to_o the_o ensnare_a of_o people_n conscience_n who_o otherwise_o it_o may_v be_v mean_v well_o and_o be_v too_o honest_a to_o suspect_v the_o bottom_n of_o their_o design_n as_o i_o may_v instance_n both_o in_o the_o classical_a and_o congregational_a way_n whereas_o our_o church_n never_o pretend_v to_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n either_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o religion_n or_o only_o accidental_a and_o indifferent_a but_o leave_v they_o as_o they_o be_v she_o only_o direct_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o so_o far_o as_o they_o tend_v to_o order_n and_o decency_n be_v expressive_a of_o reverence_n and_o devoition_n and_o become_v a_o proof_n of_o obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o lawful_a authority_n a_o duty_n which_o i_o can_v think_v so_o mean_o of_o as_o some_o do_v consider_v how_o peremptory_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o great_a influence_n it_o have_v upon_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o