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himself_o dispense_n with_o those_o law_n in_o such_o extremity_n but_o i_o speak_v now_o of_o thing_n in_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o intrinsical_o evil_a and_o which_o be_v forbid_v by_o god_n because_o they_o be_v such_o not_o the_o least_o thing_n which_o be_v evil_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n may_v be_v do_v though_o for_o the_o procure_v the_o great_a good_a which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v 2._o to_o make_v out_o to_o you_o by_o argument_n draw_v from_o these_o four_o head_n first_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_n second_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o god_n providence_n three_o from_o the_o example_n of_o god_n condemn_v and_o punish_v evil_a action_n though_o donewith_o good_a intention_n four_o from_o the_o pernicious_a consequence_n of_o such_o a_o
by_o the_o mouth_n of_o samuel_n to_o destroy_v all_o the_o posterity_n of_o amalec_n he_o very_o zealous_o set_v about_o the_o work_n and_o at_o first_o destroy_v all_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o cattle_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n but_o afterward_o it_o come_v into_o his_o head_n that_o this_o waste_n be_v needless_o make_v and_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n why_o shall_v so_o many_o goodly_a cattle_n be_v lose_v he_o resolve_v therefore_o with_o himself_o to_o save_v the_o best_a and_o fat_a of_o they_o to_o offer_v they_o for_o a_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n when_o he_o return_v home_o with_o victory_n he_o think_v he_o can_v order_v thing_n a_o better_a way_n that_o it_o will_v be_v more_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n for_o these_o cattle_n to_o smoke_n in_o sacrifice_n upon_o his_o altar_n than_o to_o be_v destroy_v in_o a_o strange_a country_n this_o one_o act_n of_o disobedience_n to_o a_o particular_a command_n of_o god_n notwithstanding_o the_o piety_n of_o his_o intention_n cost_v he_o his_o kingdom_n behold_v to_o obey_v be_v better_a than_o sacrifice_n and_o to_o hearken_v than_o the_o fat_a of_o ram_n the_o example_n i_o shall_v give_v out_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n shall_v be_v that_o of_o st._n peter_n who_o out_o of_o great_a love_n to_o and_o forward_a zeal_n for_o his_o master_n when_o our_o bless_a lord_n be_v apprehend_v by_o the_o minister_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n draw_v his_o sword_n and_o strike_v a_o servant_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o smite_v off_o his_o ear._n it_o be_v do_v in_o defence_n of_o christ_n himself_o of_o the_o most_o perfect_a innocence_n that_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v against_o unjust_a violence_n his_o sword_n be_v certain_o draw_v upon_o a_o more_o plausible_a pretence_n than_o any_o can_v happen_v in_o our_o day_n yet_o mark_v i_o beseech_v you_o our_o saviour_n rebuke_n of_o he_o st._n math._n 26.52_o put_v up_o again_o thy_o sword_n into_o his_o place_n for_o all_o they_o that_o take_v the_o sword_n shall_v perish_v with_o the_o sword_n do_v nothing_o contrato_fw-mi law_n resist_v not_o authority_n though_o it_o be_v to_o preserve_v the_o life_n of_o thy_o lord_n and_o saviour_n for_o all_o they_o that_o take_v the_o sword_n who_o draw_v or_o use_v it_o when_o it_o be_v not_o put_v into_o their_o hand_n by_o those_o that_o bear_v the_o sword_n by_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n shall_v perish_v by_o the_o sword_n fall_v themselves_o by_o it_o or_o â—ncur_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n that_o which_o be_v usual_o object_v in_o this_o case_n be_v the_o example_n of_o other_o mention_v in_o holy_a scripture_n who_o do_v thing_n not_o strict_o justifiable_a some_o thing_n plain_o against_o god_n reveal_v will_n yet_o have_v not_o be_v condemn_v nay_o seem_v to_o be_v commend_v for_o they_o on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o design_n or_o the_o effect_n which_o have_v follow_v to_o which_o i_o shall_v return_v these_o two_o general_a answer_n 1._o that_o the_o case_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o we_o now_o as_o it_o be_v with_o those_o who_o live_v before_o the_o law_n give_v by_o moses_n or_o as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o law_n we_o be_v now_o to_o govern_v ourselves_o only_o by_o the_o write_a will_n of_o god_n not_o expect_v nor_o attend_v to_o any_o private_a motion_n or_o incitation_n or_o suggestion_n especial_o when_o they_o lead_v to_o any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o what_o be_v reveal_v to_o we_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o before_o our_o saviour_n time_n when_o god_n do_v often_o discover_v his_o mind_n and_o give_v his_o command_n to_o private_a person_n by_o special_a revelation_n to_o they_o exciting_a and_o move_v they_o to_o some_o particular_a action_n which_o be_v no_o otherwise_o warrantable_a than_o as_o they_o be_v do_v at_o the_o instigation_n and_o by_o the_o direction_n of_o god_n himself_o such_o be_v moses_n kill_v the_o egyptian_a phineas_n slay_v zimri_n and_o cobsi_n in_o their_o unclean_a embrace_n ehud_n stab_v king_n eglon_n elijah_n consume_v by_o fire_n from_o heaven_n the_o messenger_n who_o the_o king_n send_v to_o apprehend_v he_o these_o and_o the_o like_a action_n be_v no_o more_o exemplary_a to_o we_o without_o infallible_a assurance_n of_o the_o same_o divine_a impulse_n by_o which_o these_o person_n be_v guide_v and_o act_v than_o abraham_n offer_v up_o his_o son_n isaac_n or_o the_o israelite_n spoil_v the_o egyptian_n of_o their_o jewel_n can_v now_o justify_v the_o murder_n of_o our_o child_n or_o the_o rob_v of_o our_o neighbour_n nay_o shall_v any_o one_o of_o we_o have_v any_o such_o strong_a motion_n or_o instinct_n upon_o his_o spirit_n incline_v he_o to_o do_v any_o such_o action_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o private_a command_n give_v to_o those_o worthy_n but_o if_o it_o prompt_v he_o to_o any_o thing_n forbid_v by_o god_n law_n or_o that_o belong_v not_o to_o his_o place_n and_o call_v he_o ought_v utter_o to_o reject_v it_o as_o a_o diabolical_a temptation_n 2._o as_o for_o other_o action_n record_v in_o scripture_n that_o be_v evil_a in_o themselves_o but_o yet_o be_v do_v for_o a_o good_a end_n where_o there_o be_v not_o this_o private_a divine_a warrant_n they_o be_v neither_o commendable_a in_o they_o who_o do_v they_o though_o otherwise_o very_o good_a and_o pious_a person_n nor_o be_v they_o by_o any_o mean_v imitable_a by_o we_o i_o shall_v instance_n in_o the_o famous_a case_n of_o lot_n when_o he_o entertain_v the_o angel_n who_o offer_v his_o daughter_n to_o the_o impure_a sodomite_n gen._n 19.8_o that_o by_o they_o he_o may_v redeem_v his_o guest_n from_o the_o violation_n intend_v to_o they_o now_o though_o he_o be_v a_o singular_a good_a man_n and_o high_o in_o favour_n with_o god_n yet_o it_o must_v i_o think_v be_v say_v that_o this_o be_v a_o fault_n in_o he_o and_o he_o ought_v to_o the_o utmost_a hazard_n of_o his_o life_n have_v defend_v both_o his_o daughter_n chastity_n and_o his_o guest_n too_o and_o the_o prostitute_n of_o one_o to_o secure_v the_o other_o be_v not_o justifiable_a in_o he_o the_o same_o must_v i_o think_v be_v say_v of_o the_o egyptian_a midwife_n they_o be_v loath_a to_o obey_v the_o bloody_a edict_n of_o king_n pharaoh_n and_o choose_v rather_o to_o tell_v a_o lie_n than_o commit_v such_o barbarity_n as_o they_o be_v command_v though_o in_o strictness_n they_o shall_v have_v do_v neither_o but_o peremptory_o refuse_v to_o have_v obey_v the_o king_n in_o this_o matter_n whatever_o outward_a evil_n they_o have_v suffer_v for_o it_o and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v exodus_fw-la 1.20_o therefore_o god_n deal_v well_o with_o the_o midwife_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o he_o reward_v they_o for_o their_o tenderness_n and_o compassion_n towards_o the_o hebrew_a child_n but_o not_o for_o the_o lie_n by_o which_o they_o excuse_v themselves_o to_o pharaoh_n non_fw-fr est_fw-fr remunerata_fw-la fallacia_fw-la sed_fw-la benevolentia_fw-la benignitas_fw-la mentis_fw-la non_fw-la iniquitas_fw-la mentientis_fw-la all_o this_o i_o say_v suppose_v these_o woman_n tell_v a_o lie_n though_o some_o have_v quite_o otherwise_o interpret_v their_o word_n the_o hard_a case_n that_o i_o can_v think_v of_o be_v this_o of_o speak_v a_o officious_a untruth_n when_o by_o a_o falsehood_n i_o may_v save_v the_o life_n of_o one_o or_o more_o innocent_a person_n of_o my_o prince_n of_o my_o father_n or_o preserve_v my_o country_n or_o the_o like_a this_o for_o so_o great_a a_o end_n i_o suppose_v the_o best_a casuist_n do_v allow_v but_o than_o it_o be_v not_o because_o they_o judge_v it_o at_o any_o time_n lawful_a to_o do_v evil_a or_o to_o tell_v a_o lie_n that_o good_a may_v come_v but_o because_o they_o judge_v such_o a_o officious_a untruth_n not_o to_o have_v in_o it_o the_o complete_a nature_n of_o a_o lie_n nor_o to_o be_v real_o evil._n in_o short_a the_o example_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o holy_a man_n of_o old_a who_o praise_n be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v follow_v by_o we_o without_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o whatever_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n have_v plain_o forbid_v we_o we_o be_v upon_o no_o exigence_n or_o necessity_n of_o affair_n to_o do_v it_o whatever_o end_v it_o may_v serve_v or_o whoever_o have_v do_v it_o before_o we_o 4._o and_o last_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o such_o a_o concession_n as_o this_o that_o evil_a may_v be_v do_v for_o a_o good_a end_n this_o one_o principle_n set_v we_o free_a from_o all_o authority_n either_o divine_a or_o humane_a and_o every_o one_o may_v do_v
whatever_o he_o think_v fit_a so_o his_o intention_n and_o end_n be_v but_o good_a what_o we_o be_v to_o do_v or_o what_o we_o be_v to_o avoid_v if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v admit_v for_o true_a we_o be_v not_o to_o learn_v from_o god_n law_n command_v the_o one_o or_o forbid_v the_o other_o but_o then_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o prudence_n be_v to_o judge_v of_o thing_n and_o action_n by_o their_o conveniency_n and_o expediency_n to_o promote_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o public_a benefit_n and_o so_o they_o be_v either_o good_a or_o evil_a according_a as_o they_o seem_v to_o we_o and_o our_o own_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o lawful_a and_o unlawful_a and_o thus_o we_o be_v whole_o at_o least_o as_o to_o the_o choice_n of_o mean_n our_o own_o master_n and_o lawgiver_n nay_o this_o principle_n plain_o overthrow_v all_o justice_n and_o faith_n among_o man_n all_o peace_n and_o security_n in_o society_n and_o make_v all_o government_n precarious_a and_o insignificant_a since_o every_o one_o be_v a_o arbitrary_a subject_n and_o may_v obey_v or_o resist_v the_o law_n and_o constistution_n of_o his_o superior_n as_o they_o appear_v to_o himself_o to_o be_v for_o or_o against_o the_o common_a good_a of_o which_o every_o person_n must_v judge_v for_o himself_o and_o every_o man_n life_n estate_n and_o fortune_n be_v at_o my_o disposal_n if_o once_o i_o think_v it_o most_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o religion_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o you_o know_v our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n of_o some_o that_o shall_v arise_v who_o will_v think_v they_o do_v god_n good_a service_n in_o kill_v of_o they_o according_a to_o this_o doctrine_n st._n paul_n be_v very_o innocent_a when_o he_o be_v so_o mad_a against_o the_o church_n and_o breathe_v forth_o nothing_o but_o slaughter_n and_o destruction_n against_o the_o christian_n the_o gunpowder_n traitor_n deserve_v to_o be_v saint_v the_o murderer_n of_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o and_o all_o our_o late_a plotter_n of_o both_o sort_n be_v martyr_n if_o a_o good_a end_n or_o intention_n will_v sanctify_v a_o evil_a action_n but_o this_o be_v sufficient_a in_o so_o plain_a a_o matter_n what_o remain_v be_v only_o to_o draw_v some_o few_o inference_n from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v 1._o hence_o we_o may_v learn_v what_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o that_o rule_n that_o be_v common_o give_v to_o direct_v our_o practice_n that_o of_o two_o evil_n the_o least_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v which_o hold_v good_a only_o in_o these_o two_o case_n 1._o when_o two_o or_o more_o outward_a evil_n be_v propound_v to_o we_o and_o we_o must_v undergo_v one_o of_o they_o ordinary_o we_o may_v choose_v that_o which_o be_v least_o this_o be_v the_o perplexity_n david_n be_v reduce_v unto_o 2_o sam._n 24._o after_o he_o have_v so_o grievous_o offend_v god_n by_o number_v the_o people_n god_n send_v to_o he_o by_o the_o prophet_n and_o put_v it_o to_o his_o choice_n whether_o seven_o year_n of_o famine_n shall_v come_v into_o his_o land_n or_o he_o will_v flee_v three_o month_n before_o his_o enemy_n or_o there_o shall_v be_v three_o day_n pestilence_n here_o david_n choose_v the_o last_o as_o the_o least_o say_v let_v we_o fall_v now_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o his_o mercy_n be_v great_a and_o not_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n thus_o a_o private_a evil_n be_v to_o be_v suffer_v rather_o than_o the_o public_a be_v endanger_v and_o caiaphas_n say_v true_a though_o he_o apply_v it_o ill_o that_o it_o be_v better_a one_o man_n shall_v suffer_v than_o the_o whole_a nation_n perish_v thus_o the_o most_o tyrannical_a and_o arbitrary_a government_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o none_o at_o all_o and_o to_o be_v oppress_v under_o a_o lawful_a power_n be_v better_a than_o civil_a war_n and_o confusion_n 2._o when_o two_o evil_n be_v propound_v to_o we_o the_o one_o of_o pain_n which_o concern_v our_o outward_a body_n or_o estate_n the_o other_o something_o to_o be_v do_v that_o be_v plain_o sinful_a here_o we_o must_v choose_v the_o great_a outward_a loss_n or_o trouble_n rather_o than_o commit_v the_o least_o sin_n and_o this_o be_v our_o wisdom_n so_o to_o do_v a_o less_o evil_a when_o by_o it_o we_o avoid_v a_o great_a have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o good_n this_o be_v the_o rule_n the_o primitive_a christian_n practise_v and_o suffer_v by_o when_o the_o severe_a punishment_n the_o cruel_a torture_n nay_o not_o the_o appearance_n of_o death_n itself_o in_o its_o ugly_a visage_n can_v ever_o make_v they_o consent_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n unworthy_a of_o their_o holy_a profession_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o redound_v more_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o religion_n than_o the_o courageous_a suffering_n of_o evil_n for_o righteousness_n sake_n infinite_o more_o than_o the_o do_n of_o any_o evil_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o our_o religion_n can_v ever_o effect_v in_o these_o two_o case_n this_o rule_n hold_v good_a but_o 3._o in_o another_o case_n which_o be_v sometime_o put_v and_o to_o which_o this_o rule_n be_v apply_v it_o do_v not_o hold_v at_o all_o that_o be_v when_o two_o evil_n be_v propound_v to_o we_o both_o of_o they_o sinful_a but_o one_o of_o necessity_n to_o be_v do_v what_o must_v we_o do_v in_o this_o case_n may_v we_o choose_v the_o less_o sin_n to_o avoid_v the_o great_a i_o answer_v no_o certain_o in_o this_o case_n we_o must_v avoid_v both_o and_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v allow_v to_o commit_v a_o less_o sin_n to_o avoid_v a_o great_a appear_v sufficient_o from_o this_o one_o reason_n that_o if_o it_o be_v so_o it_o will_v then_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o man_n to_o commit_v what_o sin_n soever_o he_o please_v for_o if_o i_o have_v a_o spite_n against_o any_o private_a person_n and_o will_v take_v away_o his_o life_n it_o be_v but_o swear_v or_o vow_v that_o i_o 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i_o have_v say_v i_o will_v take_v occasion_n to_o entreat_v you_o all_o to_o beware_v of_o be_v lead_v into_o or_o engage_v in_o any_o factious_a or_o seditious_a course_n by_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o ambitious_a or_o discontent_a man_n for_o the_o carry_n on_o any_o evil_a plot_n against_o the_o public_a it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o true_a end_n be_v conceal_v and_o such_o offer_v to_o open_a view_n as_o may_v be_v most_o apt_a to_o take_v with_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n a_o outward_a form_n of_o godliness_n must_v be_v put_v on_o by_o all_o those_o who_o intend_v any_o very_a mischievous_a and_o black_a design_n by_o which_o they_o may_v gain_v credit_n and_o good_a esteem_n to_o themselves_o and_o procure_v great_a countenance_n and_o reputation_n to_o their_o party_n never_o almost_o be_v there_o any_o great_a sedition_n mutiny_n or_o rebellion_n contrive_v or_o bring_v to_o any_o fortunate_a success_n but_o by_o man_n pretend_v to_o great_a zeal_n for_o and_o care_n of_o god_n honour_n and_o love_n to_o religion_n and_o hatred_n of_o error_n and_o abuse_n and_o concern_v for_o the_o people_n good_a and_o for_o preserve_v their_o just_a right_n than_o other_o man_n though_o all_o this_o while_n they_o secret_o intend_v the_o enslave_v of_o they_o and_o overturning_a all_o law_n and_o order_n by_o which_o fair_a gloze_a show_n and_o disguise_n they_o deceive_v if_o possible_a the_o very_a elect_n man_n otherwise_o sober_a and_o loyal_a at_o the_o beginning_n of_o our_o late_a trouble_n here_o in_o england_n have_v those_o who_o set_v on_o foot_n and_o afterward_o continue_v that_o unnatutal_a rebellion_n at_o first_o clear_o tell_v the_o world_n what_o they_o aim_v at_o the_o