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governor_n certain_o such_o little_a scruple_n ought_v not_o to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o they_o but_o the_o 14_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n say_v you_o if_o well_o mind_v will_v put_v a_o end_n to_o these_o difference_n and_o indeed_o so_o it_o will_v if_o it_o be_v well_o understand_v and_o observe_v for_o the_o thing_n discourse_v of_o in_o that_o chapter_n be_v thing_n not_o only_o indifferent_a in_o their_o nature_n but_o leave_v so_o as_o to_o their_o use_n as_o the_o eat_n of_o herb_n and_o sundry_a sort_n of_o meat_n the_o observe_v of_o day_n and_o the_o like_a in_o which_o every_o one_o have_v their_o liberty_n no_o superior_a power_n have_v interpose_v either_o to_o command_v or_o forbid_v they_o in_o which_o case_n they_o sin_v not_o in_o use_v or_o austain_v from_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n will_v they_o not_o to_o censure_v or_o condemn_v one_o another_o for_o use_v this_o liberty_n either_o way_n but_o the_o case_n with_o we_o be_v very_o 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be_v a_o plausible_a term_n for_o some_o abatement_n you_o talk_v much_o of_o a_o due_a temper_n towards_o dissenter_n by_o which_o you_o mean_v no_o doubt_n the_o indulge_v they_o in_o their_o schism_n and_o division_n and_o to_o draw_v in_o some_o churchman_n of_o your_o side_n you_o often_o commend_v such_o as_o fail_v and_o falter_v in_o their_o duty_n for_o moderate_a men._n now_o because_o the_o apostle_n will_v 4.5_o phil._n 4.5_o that_o our_o moderation_n shall_v be_v know_v unto_o all_o man_n it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o true_a notion_n of_o that_o virtue_n that_o we_o may_v right_o know_v ourselves_o what_o we_o be_v to_o make_v know_v unto_o other_o to_o this_o end_n we_o must_v note_n first_o that_o moderation_n be_v sometime_o take_v for_o the_o moderate_a use_n of_o god_n creature_n or_o keep_v the_o mean_a in_o eat_v or_o drink_v in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o temperance_n and_o sobriety_n which_o help_v to_o 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they_o in_o the_o more_o favourable_a sense_n and_o abate_v the_o rigour_n and_o severity_n of_o they_o injuria_fw-la summum_fw-la jus_o summa_fw-la injuria_fw-la which_o in_o many_o case_n will_v be_v great_a injury_n and_o oppression_n in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o equity_n which_o take_v off_o the_o edge_n and_o extremity_n of_o law_n and_o give_v all_o those_o allowance_n which_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o reason_n and_o intention_n of_o they_o this_o too_o be_v a_o great_a virtue_n and_o necessary_a to_o the_o welfare_n and_o good_a government_n of_o all_o society_n these_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_o approve_a sense_n of_o moderation_n but_o beside_o these_o some_o have_v late_o start_v a_o new_a and_o wild_a notion_n of_o it_o that_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o church_n till_o the_o rise_v of_o our_o unhappy_a schism_n and_o dissension_n since_o which_o some_o have_v take_v moderation_n for_o a_o pare_n off_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o conformity_n to_o the_o church_n and_o comply_v too_o far_o with_o the_o dissenter_n from_o it_o thus_o he_o that_o prevaricate_v and_o perform_v his_o duty_n by_o half_n by_o curtail_v and_o cut_v short_a the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n mangle_v and_o leave_v out_o what_o part_n he_o please_v of_o they_o in_o the_o public_a ministration_n he_o that_o baptize_v without_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o many_o time_n neglect_v the_o decent_a habit_n and_o gesture_n appoint_v to_o be_v use_v in_o divine_a service_n such_o a_o one_o be_v style_v and_o frequent_o pass_v for_o a_o moderate_a man_n and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o darling_n of_o the_o dissenter_n for_o we_o shall_v hear_v they_o commend_v their_o moderation_n upon_o all_o occasion_n the_o plain_a reason_n whereof_o be_v because_o they_o do_v just_a as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o that_o be_v by_o neglect_v some_o part_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o the_o church_n they_o give_v they_o 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with_o who_o you_o have_v some_o acquaintance_n and_o for_o who_o you_o have_v no_o small_a honour_n sir_n i_o hope_v the_o number_n of_o those_o man_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o you_o imagine_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o church_n give_v they_o no_o leave_n or_o encouragement_n for_o any_o such_o practice_n for_o this_o will_v we_o in_o our_o pulpit-prayer_n to_o use_v either_o those_o concise_a word_n mention_v in_o the_o canon_n or_o some_o short_a form_n of_o our_o own_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n and_o the_o ancient_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v according_a to_o it_o for_o we_o find_v the_o father_n before_o their_o sermon_n have_v only_o some_o vota_fw-la pacis_fw-la or_o benediction_n of_o the_o people_n or_o some_o short_a ejaculation_n implore_v the_o divine_a assistance_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o homily_n of_o st._n chrysostom_n st._n ambrose_n st._n
bishop_n very_o frequent_o and_o profitable_o employ_v this_o way_n your_o next_o commendation_n of_o those_o reverend_a father_n be_v their_o temper_n and_o moderation_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n now_o this_o if_o right_o understand_v be_v a_o excellent_a virtue_n and_o a_o very_a useful_a and_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o all_o governor_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n but_o how_o frequent_o this_o be_v mistake_v and_o mis-applyed_a i_o show_v you_o in_o a_o former_a letter_n on_o that_o subject_a and_o i_o fear_v we_o shall_v find_v something_o of_o it_o in_o the_o present_a case_n as_o may_v be_v easy_o gather_v from_o what_o you_o relate_v of_o these_o great_a man_n concern_v the_o discipline_n and_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o better_a clear_n whereof_o you_o must_v note_n that_o it_o be_v the_o misfortune_n of_o those_o two_o great_a prelate_n to_o live_v in_o very_o bad_a time_n when_o the_o liturgy_n and_o episcopacy_n of_o both_o which_o they_o be_v 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which_o be_v rather_o a_o blemish_n than_o ornament_n to_o his_o reputation_n and_o show_v what_o a_o worthy_a commender_n you_o be_v of_o good_a man_n to_o single_a out_o the_o worst_a passage_n of_o their_o life_n to_o preserve_v their_o memory_n and_o to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o fail_n to_o adorn_v their_o character_n but_o you_o will_v fain_o know_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o conceive_v prayer_n shall_v be_v so_o pious_a and_o useful_a a_o thing_n in_o private_a and_o yet_o so_o pernicious_a and_o dangerous_a a_o device_n when_o use_v in_o public_a sir_n the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v obvious_a for_o conceive_a prayer_n in_o the_o retirement_n of_o closet_n where_o they_o be_v shut_v up_o from_o the_o eye_n and_o ear_n of_o other_o can_v have_v no_o vanity_n or_o worldly_a design_n in_o it_o but_o be_v transact_v only_o between_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n be_v general_o a_o argument_n and_o instance_n of_o great_a sincerity_n and_o here_o the_o break_a sigh_n and_o 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augustine_n etc._n etc._n where_o you_o will_v find_v either_o a_o short_a collect_n or_o form_n of_o prayer_n use_v without_o variation_n or_o else_o only_a a_o invitation_n to_o prayer_n like_o the_o bid_v prayer_n mention_v in_o the_o canon_n yea_o your_o great_a friend_n mr._n calvin_n constant_o use_v one_o short_a form_n before_o sermon_n which_o conclude_v still_o with_o the_o lord_n prayer_n as_o you_o may_v find_v it_o record_v in_o the_o history_n of_o his_o life_n indeed_o when_o our_o liturgy_n be_v so_o well_o store_v with_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a prayer_n suit_v to_o all_o necessary_a occasion_n and_o when_o we_o have_v spend_v near_o a_o hour_n in_o offer_v they_o up_o unto_o god_n for_o all_o that_o can_v be_v think_v fit_a for_o christian_n to_o pray_v for_o what_o need_n can_v there_o be_v for_o beginning_n a_o new_a harangue_n in_o the_o pulpit_n for_o the_o same_o thing_n or_o make_v a_o fresh_a address_n in_o vary_a phrase_n for_o they_o unless_o we_o think_v 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name_n of_o moderation_n or_o seek_v to_o hide_v the_o obliquity_n of_o it_o under_o that_o vizard_n but_o we_o be_v to_o call_v it_o by_o its_o right_a name_n viz._n lukewarmness_n and_o hypocrisy_n for_o if_o we_o take_v off_o the_o mask_n from_o the_o face_n of_o such_o conformity_n nothing_o will_v appear_v under_o it_o but_o deformity_n and_o double-dealing_a insomuch_o as_o st._n james_n speak_v of_o the_o divine_a law_n he_o that_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n and_o offend_v in_o one_o point_n be_v guilty_a of_o all_o james_z 2.10_o because_o he_o slight_v the_o authority_n in_o one_o that_o command_v and_o confirm_v all_o the_o rest_n so_o he_o that_o violate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o one_o thing_n will_v easy_o do_v it_o in_o another_o and_z as_o interest_n and_o occasion_n serve_v will_v be_v ready_a to_o do_v it_o in_o all_o i_o be_o sir_n you_o m._n h._n letter_n x._o sir_n i_o hope_v by_o this_o time_n you_o begin_v to_o see_v the_o falsehood_n of_o your_o notion_n of_o moderation_n and_o how_o unjust_o it_o be_v allege_v to_o take_v off_o the_o obligation_n either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n to_o public_a order_n and_o constitution_n i_o proceed_v now_o to_o your_o plea_n of_o toleration_n to_o see_v what_o that_o can_v do_v towards_o it_o and_o here_o the_o great_a thing_n you_o insist_v upon_o be_v a_o late_a act_n of_o parliament_n for_o exempt_v protestant_n subject_n from_o the_o penalty_n of_o some_o law_n by_o which_o you_o conceive_v that_o the_o conventicle_n stand_v upon_o as_o good_a legal_a and_o firm_a ground_n as_o the_o church_n and_o will_v have_v the_o people_n believe_v your_o preach_v in_o separate_a meeting_n as_o much_o establish_v as_o our_o public_a assembly_n but_o with_o what_o little_a show_n of_o reason_n this_o be_v affirm_v
i_o hope_v the_o sequel_n of_o this_o letter_n will_v plain_o discover_v but_o first_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o before_o the_o make_n of_o that_o act_n your_o conventicle_n be_v as_o frequent_v and_o with_o as_o little_a regret_n as_o they_o have_v be_v since_o and_o i_o find_v you_o declare_v in_o your_o letter_n of_o june_n the_o 30_o that_o though_o you_o have_v a_o law_n permit_v and_o allow_v your_o preach_a yet_o you_o still_o count_v it_o your_o duty_n before_o and_o your_o practice_n be_v according_o so_o that_o whatever_o claim_v you_o make_v to_o a_o law_n it_o be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o mere_a pretence_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o you_o matter_n not_o the_o law_n but_o will_v do_v as_o you_o think_v fit_a as_o well_o without_o as_o with_o it_o however_o since_o you_o have_v it_o you_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o and_o though_o the_o title_n of_o it_o show_v it_o only_o to_o be_v a_o exemption_n from_o some_o penalty_n yet_o you_o 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no_o need_n or_o use_v of_o penalty_n but_o because_o too_o many_o through_o the_o pravity_n of_o their_o nature_n lose_v the_o sense_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o be_v lead_v by_o humour_n interest_n and_o corrupt_a design_n away_o from_o it_o punishment_n become_v necessary_a to_o reduce_v they_o to_o it_o furthermore_o you_o must_v note_v three_o that_o the_o main_a reason_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o law_n be_v found_v on_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n sufficient_o make_v know_v for_o he_o have_v a_o commission_n and_o authority_n from_o god_n to_o command_v in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n we_o be_v therefore_o bind_v in_o duty_n and_o conscience_n to_o obey_v he_o therein_o as_o god_n minister_n so_o that_o whensoever_o he_o due_o declare_v and_o publish_v his_o mind_n then_o do_v the_o obligation_n commence_v and_o cease_v not_o till_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o countermand_v and_o recall_v it_o four_o we_o must_v observe_v a_o double_a principle_n or_o motive_n of_o obedience_n the_o one_o for_o wrath_n or_o fear_n of_o punishment_n the_o other_o for_o conscience_n sake_n now_o our_o obedience_n to_o law_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n direction_n to_o be_v ground_v on_o both_o but_o chief_o on_o the_o latter_a for_o he_o will_v all_o christian_n to_o be_v subject_a not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n so_o that_o if_o the_o fear_n of_o wrath_n or_o the_o displeasure_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v go_v by_o remove_v of_o the_o penalty_n there_o remain_v another_o and_o strong_a tie_n to_o our_o duty_n even_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n which_o must_v hold_v we_o to_o it_o while_o the_o preceptive_a part_n of_o the_o law_n remain_v though_o the_o coercive_a cease_v now_o from_o these_o proposition_n due_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n will_v necessary_o follow_v one_a that_o while_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v to_o continue_v a_o law_n which_o must_v be_v suppose_v till_o the_o preceptive_a part_n of_o it_o wherein_o it_o main_o consist_v be_v repeal_v so_o long_a the_o law_n continue_v in_o force_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o it_o remain_v two_o that_o the_o bare_a suspension_n of_o the_o penalty_n be_v no_o repeal_n of_o a_o law_n for_o while_o the_o preceptive_a part_n which_o be_v the_o essence_n of_o the_o law_n remain_v it_o still_o keep_v its_o force_n and_o our_o obedience_n to_o it_o be_v not_o supersede_v by_o the_o cease_n of_o the_o punishment_n in_o short_a then_o see_v the_o thing_n command_v in_o those_o law_n that_o require_v conformity_n to_o the_o church_n continue_v still_o unrepeal_v and_o nothing_o take_v off_o but_o the_o punishment_n which_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o essence_n of_o they_o it_o evident_o follow_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o they_o remain_v and_o that_o the_o subject_n be_v still_o bind_v to_o do_v what_o be_v still_o require_v by_o they_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v the_o want_n of_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o these_o 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