but_o it_o be_v not_o all_o kind_n of_o intelligence_n but_o some_o only_o in_o particular_a 1._o not_o a_o theoretic_n knowledge_n but_o a_o practic_n and_o therefore_o always_o refer_v to_o some_o action_n or_o omission_n and_o 2._o it_o be_v not_o refer_v to_o another_o man_n affair_n but_o his_o own_o who_o it_o be_v and_o last_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a apprehension_n or_o suspicion_n but_o a_o knowledge_n always_o at_o least_o of_o the_o fact_n and_o often_o determine_v by_o the_o rule_n know_v of_o the_o legality_n of_o the_o fact_n and_o so_o pass_v judgement_n and_o thence_o be_v call_v judicium_fw-la but_o sometime_o conscience_n be_v doubtful_a here_o and_o thence_o it_o be_v call_v a_o weak_a doubtful_a and_o scrupulous_a conscience_n §_o 4._o it_o may_v be_v therefore_o thus_o describe_v conscientia_fw-la est_fw-la modus_fw-la intellectus_fw-la judicialis_fw-la practicus_fw-la conscience_n be_v the_o understanding_n judicial_a manner_n of_o proceed_v concern_v ourselves_o and_o action_n a_o man_n in_o conscience_n as_o god_n substitute_n or_o deputy_n sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o himself_o first_o inquire_v as_o jury_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n whereof_o according_a to_o self-evidence_n he_o be_v find_v guilty_a or_o not-guilty_a and_o according_a to_o the_o law_n manifest_v be_v acquit_v or_o condemn_v this_o judgement_n of_o conscience_n may_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o power_n and_o act_n a_o man_n may_v have_v a_o conscience-power_n which_o do_v not_o exert_a and_o put_v forth_o act_n as_o a_o man_n in_o infancy_n or_o in_o sleep_n ergo_fw-la it_o may_v be_v call_v potestas_fw-la intellectiva_fw-la intellectual_a power_n reducible_a into_o act_n again_o intellectual_a power_n be_v either_o intuitiva_fw-la vel_fw-la ratiocinativa_fw-la that_o be_v the_o intuitive_a which_o be_v the_o vision_n or_o understanding_n of_o a_o truth_n axiomatical_o or_o in_o the_o abstract_n ratiocinativa_fw-la which_o be_v look_v on_o several_a truth_n compare_v together_o and_o one_o truth_n be_v lay_v by_o another_o by_o way_n of_o collation_n produce_v a_o three_o truth_n which_o we_o call_v a_o conclusion_n or_o inference_n the_o first_o and_o general_a truth_n that_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o we_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o way_n soever_o it_o come_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o give_v it_o a_o throne_n in_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v god_n law_n next_o that_o our_o action_n be_v lay_v by_o this_o rule_n or_o bring_v before_o this_o judgment-seat_n which_o two_o be_v solemn_o bring_v together_o a_o three_o necessary_a truth_n or_o judgement_n according_a to_o truth_n do_v result_v and_o be_v according_o pronounce_v the_o certainty_n of_o which_o depend_v on_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o premise_n or_o at_o least_o the_o exact_a and_o just_a compare_v they_o together_o the_o understanding_n thus_o behave_v itself_o put_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o actual_a conscience_n or_o conscience_n in_o act_n bring_v the_o habitual_a or_o potential_a conscience_n into_o act_n in_o this_o manner_n either_o concern_v a_o man_n state_n or_o action_n concern_v a_o man_n state_n the_o soul_n that_o sin_n shall_v die_v i_o have_v sin_v ergo._n or_o concern_v his_o particular_a action_n he_o that_o commit_v idolatry_n or_o adultery_n etc._n etc._n break_v god_n law_n but_o i_o have_v commit_v such_o and_o such_o a_o act_n which_o be_v so_o ergo_fw-la §_o 5._o hence_o conscience_n rule_v by_o christ_n prerogative_n be_v the_o practical_a reason_a understanding_n or_o modus_fw-la intellectus_fw-la practicus_fw-la in_o man_n whereby_o a_o judgement_n may_v be_v pass_v concern_v a_o man_n self_n by_o himself_o according_a to_o his_o apprehension_n of_o the_o reveal_v judgement_n and_o will_n of_o god_n its_o divine_a authority_n that_o rule_v in_o man_n heart_n as_o to_o the_o approbation_n or_o condemnation_n of_o himself_o or_o action_n the_o conscience_n of_o the_o very_a blind_a heathen_n admit_v of_o no_o other_o power_n to_o acquit_v or_o condemn_v in_o this_o kind_n but_o either_o the_o convince_a light_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n write_v in_o they_o or_o some_o suppose_a false_a divine_a light_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o blindness_n of_o their_o heart_n seduce_v they_o to_o false_a worship_n and_o idolatry_n §_o 6._o the_o method_n of_o conscience_n his_o act_n be_v thus_o first_o there_o be_v the_o general_a undoubted_a truth_n know_v or_o assent_v to_o as_o such_o and_o it_o be_v either_o that_o which_o be_v real_o so_o or_o supposed_o so_o only_o and_o not_o so_o real_o if_o it_o be_v the_o latter_a it_o be_v the_o main_a foundation_n of_o a_o err_a conscience_n it_o be_v the_o prospect_n of_o some_o apprehend_o divine_a truth_n or_o other_o moral_a levitical_a or_o evangelical_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o act_n of_o obedience_n and_o this_o law-obligation_n lay_v by_o god_n on_o man_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n the_o proposition_n of_o a_o practical_a syllogism_n make_v by_o conscience_n 2._o there_o be_v the_o application_n of_o this_o truth_n to_o ourselves_o either_o as_o to_o our_o state_n or_o particular_a action_n according_a to_o our_o own_o knowledge_n together_o with_o god_n to_o judge_v of_o our_o conformity_n or_o nonconformity_n to_o the_o say_a law-obligation_n and_o therefore_o concern_v the_o goodness_n or_o evil_n of_o our_o action_n and_o here_o we_o take_v the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o our_o hand_n to_o search_v out_o and_o examine_v our_o condition_n and_o action_n in_o relation_n to_o good_a or_o evil_n and_o herein_o do_v the_o chief_a nature_n of_o conscience_n consist_v because_o it_o be_v a_o submit_v ourselves_o and_o action_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n law_n and_o be_v therefore_o the_o assumption_n of_o this_o practical_a syllogism_n and_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v a_o index_n record_n testimony_n witness_v 3._o there_o be_v the_o crisis_n inference_n or_o conclusion_n necessary_o deduce_v from_o the_o premise_n and_o this_o be_v call_v the_o judgement_n pass_v upon_o our_o state_n or_o action_n thus_o we_o have_v the_o whole_a syllogism_n which_o the_o understanding_n make_v in_o this_o way_n of_o act_v the_o proposition_n be_v de_fw-fr jure_fw-la the_o assumption_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la the_o conclusion_n be_v either_o a_o justification_n of_o person_n or_o action_n or_o it_o be_v a_o condemnation_n of_o any_o of_o they_o find_v guilty_a §_o 7._o the_o synteresis_fw-la be_v the_o light_n of_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n nâ—eticè_fw-la recepta_fw-la sive_fw-la practicum_fw-la axioma_fw-la cum_fw-la assensu_fw-la intellectivo_fw-la perceptum_fw-la a_o light_n receive_v into_o the_o understanding_n with_o assent_n thereunto_o or_o acknowledgement_n thereof_o as_o such_o a_o law_n may_v be_v understand_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o but_o not_o believe_v as_o a_o truth_n it_o may_v be_v know_v as_o a_o truth_n but_o not_o own_v as_o a_o law_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v acknowledge_v as_o a_o law_n but_o not_o yield_v to_o as_o divine_a and_o authoritative_a enough_o to_o bind_v to_o obedience_n yea_o it_o may_v be_v own_v as_o a_o law_n of_o god_n bind_v some_o people_n and_o at_o some_o time_n but_o not_o ourselves_o or_o at_o all_o time_n but_o unless_o the_o truth_n take_v for_o a_o law_n be_v thus_o circumstantiate_v and_o so_o receive_v by_o we_o it_o have_v not_o force_n enough_o upon_o conscience_n as_o a_o law_n bind_v to_o obedience_n so_o that_o synteresis_fw-la differ_v but_o ratione_fw-la from_o the_o law_n itself_o for_o it_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n understand_v and_o yield_v to_o as_o oblige_v unto_o practice_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o law_n in_o its_o letter_n and_o first_o principle_n in_o its_o original_a positive_a nature_n but_o in_o its_o aptitude_n to_o particular_a case_n and_o in_o its_o just_a inference_n and_o consequence_n deducible_a from_o general_n thereof_o all_o practical_a truth_n plead_v divine_a authority_n just_o oblige_v we_o to_o belief_n §_o 8._o that_o which_o stir_v up_o the_o understanding_n to_o compare_v condition_n and_o action_n with_o the_o divine_a law_n in_o the_o assumption_n by_o a_o practical_a enquiry_n be_v a_o certain_a obligation_n which_o this_o law-light_n have_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n under_o that_o it_o do_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o natural_a instinct_n act_v in_o the_o manner_n above-rehearsed_n which_o obligation_n be_v a_o necessity_n lay_v on_o the_o understanding_n of_o own_v and_o assent_v to_o every_o know_a law_n of_o god_n and_o thereby_o to_o make_v a_o practical_a disquisition_n and_o judgement_n according_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o obligation_n lie_v much_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o object_n and_o first_o the_o natural_a inclination_n the_o understanding_n have_v to_o every_o know_a truth_n as_o such_o but_o this_o be_v not_o
if_o the_o law_n be_v just_a and_o equitable_a a_o christian_n be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o yield_v positive_a active_a obedience_n not_o only_o for_o wrath_n i._n e._n fear_v of_o threat_n and_o punishment_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n because_o the_o law_n of_o god_n oblige_v we_o to_o obedience_n to_o all_o the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n civil_a government_n be_v his_o appointment_n as_o much_o as_o oeconomical_a but_o it_o be_v not_o man_n law_n that_o next_o and_o immediate_o bind_v conscience_n to_o obedience_n but_o god_n and_o man_n law_n bind_v only_o by_o virtue_n of_o and_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o go_n hence_o a_o man_n that_o break_v the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n sin_n against_o god_n and_o eo_fw-la nomine_fw-la wrong_v his_o conscience_n as_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o that_o obey_v a_o unjust_a law_n of_o man_n i._n e._n a_o law_n no_o way_n warrantable_a by_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n break_v god_n law_n and_o if_o his_o conscience_n tell_v he_o so_o he_o sin_n against_o his_o conscience_n which_o always_o aggravate_v any_o sin_n against_o god_n hence_o if_o at_o any_o time_n he_o have_v to_o do_v with_o any_o such_o law_n he_o ought_v rather_o to_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o man_n displeasure_n than_o go_n god_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v rather_o than_o man_n if_o one_o must_v be_v disobey_v and_o obey_v god_n indemnify_v conscience_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n in_o our_o disobey_v of_o man_n in_o the_o same_o act_n so_o if_o a_o law_n of_o man_n lie_v before_o we_o which_o we_o doubt_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o we_o be_v here_o at_o least_o to_o suspend_v active_a obedience_n while_o we_o seek_v for_o further_a information_n for_o whether_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o be_v sin_n or_o no_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o we_o at_o present_a as_o whether_o we_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o know_v what_o it_o be_v by_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n shine_v in_o our_o heart_n it_o will_v amount_v to_o sin_n in_o we_o to_o do_v a_o doubtful_a action_n if_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n be_v true_a but_o if_o the_o precept_n of_o man_n be_v find_v upon_o the_o best_a examination_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o god_n a_o christian_n conscience_n be_v the_o most_o certain_o disoblige_v his_o duty_n lie_v plain_a before_o he_o god_n law_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o some_o can_v joyful_o suffer_v all_o wrong_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n in_o the_o case_n of_o refusal_n of_o active_a obedience_n unto_o their_o law_n because_o they_o be_v persuade_v either_o from_o a_o truely-enlightned_n conscience_n or_o from_o a_o err_a which_o be_v bind_v as_o to_o present_a action_n for_o a_o man_n must_v walk_v by_o that_o light_n he_o have_v or_o by_o none_o at_o all_o that_o such_o refusal_n of_o active_a obedience_n and_o the_o suffering_n of_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o reveal_v mind_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o most_o justifiable_a at_o god_n and_o man_n tribunal_n §_o 6._o here_o will_v fall_v in_o a_o great_a enquiry_n that_o although_o it_o be_v true_a that_o all_o humane_a power_n both_o legislative_a and_o executive_a be_v limit_v by_o a_o superior_a power_n yet_o there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o have_v the_o felicity_n of_o keep_v within_o prescribe_v bound_n or_o have_v such_o subject_n that_o will_v not_o be_v except_v against_o the_o law_n of_o their_o superior_n as_o not_o agreeable_a to_o god_n law_n and_o this_o they_o will_v make_v the_o plea_n for_o their_o disobedience_n both_o superior_n and_o inferior_n will_v plead_v conscience_n though_o never_o so_o unrighteous_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n unto_o this_o allegation_n many_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v for_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o though_o every_o law_n primary_o require_v active_a obedience_n yet_o upon_o a_o transgression_n it_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o due_a execution_n of_o the_o penalty_n but_o for_o the_o future_a expect_v active_a obedience_n and_o a_o reiterated_a refusal_n of_o obedience_n the_o law_n look_v upon_o as_o presumptuous_a and_o be_v real_o so_o if_o this_o continuation_n at_o enmity_n with_o the_o law_n be_v voluntary_a and_o deliberate_a after_o sufficient_a information_n and_o conviction_n and_o if_o this_o refusal_n be_v conjoin_v with_o resistance_n it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o rebellion_n which_o we_o explode_v as_o unwarrantable_a for_o a_o christian_n about_o presumption_n we_o distinguish_v there_o be_v that_o which_o be_v real_o so_o and_o that_o which_o be_v only_o call_v so_o by_o a_o unjust_a law_n and_o mistake_a judge_n persist_v in_o refusal_n of_o obedience_n after_o conviction_n of_o our_o duty_n be_v presumption_n and_o a_o sin_n against_o god_n whoever_o the_o lawmaker_n be_v but_o if_o such_o persistance_n be_v justify_v by_o the_o light_n of_o god_n law_n in_o conscience_n it_o be_v not_o a_o presumptuous_a sin_n or_o any_o sin_n at_o all_o against_o god_n however_o man_n may_v term_v it_o a_o presumptuous_a breach_n of_o his_o law_n for_o a_o conscientious_a christian_a can_v no_o more_o obey_v a_o unrighteous_a law_n after_o suffer_v than_o before_o §_o 7._o in_o all_o case_n of_o voluntary_a deliberate_a refusal_n of_o active_a obedience_n to_o a_o law_n there_o be_v and_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o wrong_n do_v to_o the_o lawgiver_n or_o subject_n to_o the_o lawgiver_n if_o his_o power_n law_n and_o end_n be_v good_a and_o they_o not_o answer_v for_o the_o first_o end_n of_o every_o law_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v active_a obedience_n as_o beforesaid_a the_o law_n of_o god_n first_o oblige_v we_o so_o to_o the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n and_o the_o end_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o punishment_n be_v for_o the_o reduce_v the_o sufferer_n to_o active_a obedience_n and_o the_o exemplary_a restraint_n of_o other_o from_o disobedience_n hence_o it_o follow_v that_o a_o deliberate_a resolve_v and_o constant_a undergo_n of_o suffer_v in_o this_o way_n of_o refusal_n be_v a_o practical_a charge_v the_o magistrate_n with_o the_o high_a usurpation_n and_o tyranny_n in_o impose_v law_n of_o that_o nature_n and_o therefore_o the_o great_a disparage_a testimony_n bear_v against_o his_o law_n a_o great_a reputation_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o cause_n plead_v for_o let_v it_o be_v truth_n or_o error_n and_o the_o most_o exemplary_a disappointment_n of_o the_o magistrate_n law-making_a end_n whereby_o other_o be_v great_o embolden_v to_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o refusal_n §_o 8._o in_o all_o case_n where_o magistrate_n abuse_v their_o power_n they_o do_v a_o wrong_n to_o the_o supreme_a judge_n in_o go_v beyond_o his_o commission_n and_o entrench_v on_o his_o prerogative_n and_o do_v apparent_a injury_n to_o the_o subject_a 1._o in_o that_o a_o inferior_a subordinate_a lawgiver_n have_v bereave_v he_o by_o a_o law_n of_o those_o just_a liberty_n and_o privilege_n grant_v to_o he_o by_o the_o charter_n of_o his_o supreme_a lawgiver_n 2._o in_o afflict_v and_o grieve_v his_o subject_n by_o impose_v a_o unjust_a law_n and_o cause_v he_o to_o suffer_v by_o it_o when_o he_o plead_v exemption_n by_o a_o law_n in_o full_a force_n and_o a_o discharge_n from_o a_o high_a court_n and_o be_v praiseworthy_a for_o the_o say_a refusal_n not_o to_o be_v condemn_v no_o nor_o reproach_v as_o a_o evil_a doer_n or_o presumptuous_a for_o his_o permanency_n in_o nonobedience_n 3._o in_o lay_v his_o subject_n under_o a_o necessity_n of_o continue_a and_o reiterated_a suffering_n he_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n or_o else_o to_o answer_v the_o default_n at_o a_o high_a tribunal_n constant_o to_o persist_v in_o his_o refusal_n to_o yield_v such_o obedience_n though_o he_o be_v to_o pass_v under_o renew_a and_o reiterated_a penalty_n for_o a_o man_n to_o return_v to_o obedience_n after_o a_o deliberate_a suffering_n be_v a_o visible_a practical_a condemnation_n of_o himself_o for_o his_o former_a refusal_n which_o will_v great_o reflect_v on_o his_o honour_n both_o as_o a_o man_n or_o a_o christian_a unless_o by_o the_o access_n of_o further_a light_n he_o find_v his_o conscience_n do_v err_v and_o so_o be_v convince_v of_o his_o duty_n than_o it_o become_v he_o both_o as_o a_o man_n and_o christian_n to_o retract_v humanum_fw-la est_fw-la errare_fw-la beluinum_fw-la in_o errore_fw-la persistere_fw-la §_o 9_o now_o see_v such_o inevitable_a wrong_n light_v somewhere_o in_o case_n of_o these_o deliberate_a refusal_n it_o will_v be_v inquire_v who_o or_o what_o must_v determine_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o each_o party_n both_o stand_v high_o on_o their_o justification_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v a_o actual_a reconciliation_n be_v utter_o impossible_a rebus_fw-la sic_fw-la stantibus_fw-la because_o it_o will_v be_v as_o the_o great_a overswaying_a earthly_a power_n will_v have_v it_o deo_fw-la
much_o in_o some_o few_o thing_n yet_o he_o will_v play_v the_o hypocrite_n and_o lie_v fast_o enough_o in_o other_o to_o such_o a_o one_o the_o apostle_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o take_v such_o a_o one_o out_o of_o the_o huff_n of_o his_o pride_n and_o passion_n he_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o person_n which_o he_o have_v thus_o much_o contemn_v and_o despise_v be_v one_o true_o fear_v god_n though_o he_o have_v many_o weakness_n and_o incongruity_n attend_v of_o he_o three_o another_o piece_n of_o charity_n be_v to_o help_v succour_n and_o assist_v one_o another_o in_o the_o bear_n any_o evil_n of_o affliction_n come_v out_o of_o any_o evil_n of_o sin_n and_o attain_v any_o good_a desire_a rom._n 15.1_o we_o that_o be_v strong_a aught_o to_o bear_v the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o weak_a to_o put_v our_o shoulder_n under_o the_o burden_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o aggravate_v their_o weakness_n and_o lie_v great_a burden_n upon_o they_o but_o to_o help_v they_o with_o comfort_n under_o affliction_n resolution_n in_o doubt_n good_a counsel_n for_o their_o recovery_n when_o they_o be_v under_o sin_n and_o guilt_n and_o not_o please_v yourselves_o our_o pride_n corrupt_a passion_n and_o affection_n as_o self_n must_v be_v deny_v in_o follow_v christ_n so_o in_o associate_a with_o his_o member_n §_o 6._o we_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o charity_n the_o apostle_n require_v in_o the_o walk_n of_o strong_a and_o weak_a towards_o one_o another_o it_o remain_v to_o add_v something_o concern_v the_o rule_n of_o wisdom_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o walk_v 1._o the_o strong_a be_v not_o to_o do_v any_o indifferent_a action_n which_o he_o foresee_v may_v be_v a_o real_a sin_v offence_n unto_o his_o brother_n rom._n 14.19_o 20_o 21._o it_o be_v of_o the_o great_a transgression_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o charity_n in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v wisdom_n for_o the_o strong_a to_o choose_v such_o time_n and_o circumstance_n for_o the_o use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n as_o may_v not_o scandalize_v the_o weak_a and_o give_v he_o occasion_n either_o sinning_o to_o judge_v he_o or_o embolden_v he_o to_o imitate_v he_o in_o a_o action_n which_o his_o own_o conscience_n can_v bear_v for_o that_o meat_n which_o the_o strong_a can_v eat_v without_o conscience_n of_o the_o idol_n the_o weak_a can_v therefore_o some_o thing_n must_v be_v wise_o avoid_v by_o a_o christian_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o another_o man_n conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n though_o he_o find_v no_o reason_n for_o it_o in_o his_o own_o i_o need_v make_v no_o far_o proof_n of_o this_o than_o that_o full_a place_n 1_o cor._n 8.10_o 1_o cor._n 10.27_o 28_o 29._o here_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n must_v be_v manage_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n all_o thing_n that_o be_v lawful_a be_v not_o expedient_a and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n against_o christian_a charity_n and_o wisdom_n to_o do_v that_o action_n that_o may_v real_o scandalize_v a_o weak_a brother_n it_o be_v much_o more_o a_o transgression_n of_o a_o heinous_a nature_n to_o impose_v this_o action_n and_o compel_v the_o weak_a to_o the_o do_v of_o it_o 2._o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o weak_a shall_v be_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o judge_v and_o condemn_v the_o strong_a as_o rather_o to_o suspect_v his_o own_o judgement_n and_o lay_v aside_o pride_n prejudice_n and_o partiality_n and_o sincere_o endeavour_v after_o more_o light_n believe_v still_o that_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o a_o christian_n that_o have_v more_o knowledge_n experience_n gift_n and_o part_n and_o advantage_n may_v know_v much_o more_o than_o himself_o and_o though_o he_o can_v reach_v light_a enough_o to_o see_v so_o far_o as_o to_o practice_v with_o he_o yet_o at_o least_o to_o believe_v that_o his_o strong_a brother_n have_v walk_v according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o light_n and_o knowledge_n in_o that_o thing_n when_o he_o see_v no_o eminent_a moral_n sway_v reason_n to_o the_o contrary_n and_o though_o the_o conscience_n or_o example_n of_o the_o strong_a be_v not_o the_o rule_n that_o the_o weak_a must_v walk_v by_o unless_o it_o be_v manifest_a to_o the_o weak_a that_o the_o strong_a walk_n agreeable_a to_o the_o mind_n or_o example_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v not_o any_o man_n place_n dignity_n learning_n piety_n bare_o and_o absolute_o consider_v that_o render_v he_o a_o standard_n and_o rule_n of_o christian_a walk_v yet_o he_o be_v to_o learn_v so_o much_o pious_a wisdom_n as_o to_o remember_v all_o those_o relation_n that_o he_o stand_v to_o he_o by_o and_o to_o violate_v none_o of_o they_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o rather_o come_v to_o he_o as_o a_o scholar_n than_o as_o a_o master_n to_o teach_v he_o or_o judge_v to_o condemn_v he_o it_o be_v great_a folly_n in_o a_o man_n that_o be_v blind_a or_o have_v but_o one_o eye_n to_o condemn_v all_o man_n for_o cheat_n and_o knave_n that_o have_v two_o eye_n and_o strong_a sight_v than_o themselves_o beside_o it_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o equity_n that_o the_o strong_a man_n shall_v be_v allow_v the_o same_o liberty_n as_o to_o his_o own_o practice_n which_o the_o weak_a challenge_v viz._n of_o walk_v by_o the_o light_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n be_v it_o more_o or_o less_o than_o another_o though_o i_o confess_v if_o there_o be_v any_o bar_n of_o liberty_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n in_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o strong_a i._n e._n of_o he_o that_o have_v the_o overrule_a govern_v or_o exemplary_a power_n over_o other_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o weak_a for_o that_o be_v a_o undoubted_a law_n of_o christ_n that_o the_o strong_a or_o he_o that_o think_v or_o pretend_v himself_o so_o to_o be_v may_v not_o do_v a_o indifferent_a action_n with_o offence_n unto_o the_o weak_a and_o whereas_o the_o strong_a may_v object_v and_o say_v that_o the_o weak_a be_v as_o much_o bind_v to_o conform_v to_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o strong_a as_o the_o strong_a to_o forbear_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o weak_a i_o 〈…〉_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n in_o forbear_v a_o indifferent_a act_n to_o 〈…〉_o upon_o it_o as_o such_o when_o there_o be_v unavoidable_a sin_n in_o do_v it_o 〈◊〉_d that_o esteem_v it_o in_o his_o conscience_n so_o to_o be_v so_o that_o the_o reason_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o this_o kind_n for_o the_o strong_a and_o weak_a the_o weak_a can_v walk_v with_o the_o strong_a in_o all_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n but_o the_o strong_a may_v with_o the_o weak_a by_o receive_v of_o they_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v without_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o difference_n because_o the_o weak_a shall_v sin_v in_o do_v a_o thing_n absolute_o indifferent_a which_o he_o judge_v unlawful_a but_o the_o strong_a doubt_v not_o the_o indifferency_n can_v never_o think_v that_o he_o sin_n in_o forbear_v it_o and_o therefore_o shall_v prize_v his_o brother_n communion_n before_o please_v himself_o in_o such_o action_n §_o 7._o the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o real_a disproportion_n or_o suppose_a between_o the_o strong_a and_o weak_a and_o the_o dispute_v in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v one_o and_o who_o be_v the_o other_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n be_v that_o they_o shall_v walk_v brotherty_n and_o inoffensive_o towards_o each_o other_o each_o one_o as_o strong_a and_o weak_a as_o strong_a in_o respect_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o charity_n as_o weak_a in_o respect_n of_o his_o humility_n teachableness_n and_o suspicion_n of_o himself_o every_o one_o esteem_v another_o better_a than_o himself_o for_o the_o same_o christian_n may_v be_v strong_a and_o weak_a strong_a in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o some_o truth_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o some_o temptation_n weak_a in_o his_o apprehension_n and_o judgement_n of_o other_o strong_a at_o one_o time_n and_o weak_a at_o another_o and_o beside_o attend_v infirmity_n must_v be_v consider_v on_o both_o part_n for_o it_o can_v be_v but_o sometime_o it_o will_v fall_v out_o that_o the_o weak_a will_v manifest_v his_o weakness_n by_o peevishness_n prejudice_n passion_n or_o betray_v his_o manifest_a ignorance_n for_o which_o the_o strong_a be_v not_o to_o despise_v he_o or_o reject_v he_o but_o rather_o help_v he_o under_o this_o burden_n and_o endeavour_v to_o win_v he_o near_o unto_o he_o by_o a_o spirit_n of_o forbearance_n and_o meekness_n for_o man_n in_o manifest_a weakness_n be_v to_o be_v pity_v and_o support_v not_o to_o be_v insult_v over_o and_o trample_v upon_o so_o the_o strong_a will_v sometime_o show_v his_o strength_n though_o it_o be_v his_o sin_n and_o therefore_o a_o weakness_n relative_o in_o
no_o place_n by_o subjection_n i._n e._n yield_v to_o their_o imposition_n no_v not_o for_o a_o hour_n that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n i._n e._n true_a gospel-liberty_n may_v continue_v with_o you_o whereas_o before_o he_o yield_v to_o the_o circumcision_n of_o timothy_n to_o gratify_v the_o weak_a real_a believer_n whence_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o whoever_o they_o be_v that_o endeavour_n to_o enthral_v our_o conscience_n and_o practice_n though_o in_o matter_n in_o themselves_o indifferent_a be_v not_o to_o be_v yield_v to_o as_o weak_a nor_o subject_v to_o as_o strong_a but_o reject_v as_o false_a brethren_n 2._o the_o strong_a sincere_a christian_a be_v not_o to_o violate_v any_o positive_a law_n of_o christ_n that_o he_o be_v in_o his_o conscience_n persuade_v of_o to_o gratify_v the_o weak_a or_o any_o person_n whatever_o inferior_n superior_n or_o equal_n all_o the_o concession_n must_v be_v only_o in_o matter_n in_o themselves_o indifferent_a neither_o shall_v the_o weak_a offer_n violence_n to_o his_o conscience_n in_o any_o thing_n to_o please_v the_o strong_a and_o wise_a christian_a in_o the_o world_n chap._n viii_o of_o scandal_n §_o 1._o have_v speak_v of_o the_o strong_a and_o weak_a christian_a and_o how_o they_o shall_v walk_v one_o towards_o another_o inoffensive_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o understand_v a_o little_a the_o nature_n and_o kind_n of_o offence_n which_o the_o gospel_n give_v we_o so_o frequent_a and_o strict_a warning_n to_o take_v heed_n of_o the_o apostle_n great_a inference_n from_o the_o advice_n that_o he_o have_v give_v to_o the_o strong_a and_o weak_a be_v by_o way_n of_o advice_n rom._n 14.13_o let_v we_o not_o therefoee_o judge_v one_o another_o any_o more_o but_o judge_v this_o rather_o i._n e._n determine_v that_o no_o man_n put_v a_o stumbling-block_n or_o a_o occasion_n to_o fall_v in_o his_o brother_n way_n estius_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d inter_fw-la se_fw-la differunt_fw-la sed_fw-la non_fw-la semper_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d leviorem_fw-la offensam_fw-la significat_fw-la quam_fw-la tamen_fw-la aliquis_fw-la non_fw-la corruat_fw-la ut_fw-la supra_fw-la 11.11_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vero_fw-la graviorem_fw-la declarat_fw-la ex_fw-la quam_fw-la quispiam_fw-la prolapsus_fw-la claudicet_fw-la beza_n and_o most_o interpreter_n go_v this_o way_n but_o estius_n who_o say_v non_fw-la di_v inter_fw-la offendiculum_fw-la &_o scandalum_fw-la sicut_fw-la inter_fw-la lapidem_fw-la offensionis_fw-la &_o petram_fw-la scandali_fw-la rom._n 9.33_o nam_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la repetitiones_fw-la ad_fw-la inculcationem_fw-la eyusdem_fw-la rei_fw-la scripture_n familiares_fw-la sunt_fw-la estius_fw-la there_o be_v two_o word_n use_v but_o both_o seem_v to_o intend_v the_o same_o thing_n though_o some_o make_v they_o differ_v in_o degree_n a_o scandal_n be_v any_o impediment_n or_o obstruction_n that_o lie_v in_o a_o man_n way_n over_o which_o he_o may_v stumble_v or_o fall_v so_o that_o we_o take_v a_o stumbling-block_n or_o occasion_n of_o fall_v for_o the_o same_o thing_n any_o thing_n that_o do_v grieve_v trouble_n distract_v or_o turn_v aside_o carry_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o scandal_n with_o it_o and_o those_o we_o must_v distinguish_v according_a to_o degree_n there_o be_v the_o great_a and_o more_o dangerous_a that_o hazard_n fall_v and_o there_o be_v those_o of_o a_o lesser_a nature_n that_o hazard_n stumble_v only_o they_o differ_v only_o in_o degree_n or_o in_o respect_n that_o they_o have_v to_o our_o state_n or_o particular_a action_n and_o concern_v some_o of_o more_o dangerous_a consequence_n and_o some_o of_o less_o some_o be_v more_o easy_o remove_v out_o of_o the_o way_n some_o more_o permanent_a and_o last_a as_o if_o there_o be_v any_o difference_n in_o those_o expression_n a_o stone_n of_o stumble_v and_o rock_n of_o offence_n it_o lie_v in_o that_o the_o offend_a stone_n be_v easy_o put_v aside_o but_o the_o rock_n be_v immovable_a §_o 2._o offence_n be_v say_v also_o to_o be_v either_o such_o as_o be_v give_v and_o not_o take_v and_o in_o this_o sense_n some_o place_n must_v be_v take_v as_o matth._n 16.23_o when_o christ_n say_v to_o peter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thou_o be_v a_o offence_n to_o i_o in_o endeavour_v by_o thy_o advice_n and_o evil_a counsel_n to_o turn_v i_o out_o of_o the_o course_n of_o exercise_v my_o mediator_n office_n not_o that_o christ_n be_v stumble_v but_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o peter_n advice_n in_o relation_n to_o christ_n work_n that_o he_o have_v to_o do_v some_o offence_n be_v take_v and_o not_o give_v i._n e._n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o to_o be_v offence_n but_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n by_o their_o abuse_n of_o the_o great_a good_a it_o often_o become_v a_o scandal_n to_o they_o so_o christ_n himself_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o a_o rock_n of_o scandal_n as_o well_o as_o a_o stone_n of_o stumble_v rom._n 9.33_o 1_o cor._n 1.23_o how_o many_o when_o he_o go_v preach_v about_o be_v scandalize_v at_o he_o and_o at_o his_o doctrine_n matth._n 11.6_o ch_n 15.12_o ch_n 26.31_o this_o be_v a_o suppose_a scandal_n to_o he_o that_o be_v offend_v thus_o the_o do_v of_o the_o most_o justifiable_a action_n may_v undergo_v the_o disreputation_n of_o a_o offence_n when_o man_n will_v either_o perverse_o call_v good_a evil_n or_o interpret_v it_o as_o evil_o intend_v or_o by_o reason_n of_o ignorance_n and_o weakness_n of_o judgement_n judge_v it_o so_o and_o thus_o christ_n himself_o and_o no_o marvel_n if_o the_o best_a of_o his_o member_n be_v not_o a_o scandal_n many_o time_n in_o their_o most_o commendable_a way_n of_o walk_v unto_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n yea_o unto_o many_o weak_a believer_n their_o liberty_n become_v a_o stumbling-block_n to_o the_o weak_a 1_o cor._n 8.9_o and_o a_o man_n good_a be_v blaspheme_v or_o evil_o speak_v of_o rom._n 14.16_o there_o be_v many_o that_o will_v be_v offend_v captious_o and_o deliberate_o and_o they_o be_v the_o profane_a man_n of_o the_o world_n that_o call_v christ_n beelzebub_n and_o his_o disciple_n no_o better_o or_o the_o pharisaical_a professor_n the_o disciple_n tell_v christ_n know_v thou_o not_o that_o the_o pharisee_n be_v offend_v when_o they_o hear_v these_o say_n matth._n 15.12_o christ_n answer_v that_o every_o plant_n that_o his_o father_n have_v not_o plant_v shall_v be_v root_v up_o let_v they_o alone_o they_o be_v blind_a etc._n etc._n therefore_o no_o marvel_n if_o they_o bark_v at_o the_o sun_n etc._n etc._n these_o unjust_a and_o unreasonable_a offence-taker_n be_v the_o great_a offence-giver_n who_o do_v true_o offend_v god_n child_n in_o all_o sense_n more_o than_o the_o profane_a world_n so_o joh._n 6.60_o 61._o §_o 3._o a_o offence_n give_v be_v when_o a_o man_n or_o thing_n have_v a_o innate_a just_a ground_n of_o scandal_n by_o relation_n to_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o be_v no_o other_o than_o sin_n or_o sinful_a per_fw-la se_fw-la &_o in_fw-la se_fw-la whatever_o other_o man_n opinion_n of_o it_o be_v and_o therefore_o work_v objective_o upon_o other_o by_o way_n of_o stumble_v and_o scandalize_a and_o they_o be_v two_o sort_n on_o who_o it_o operate_v this_o way_n either_o those_o that_o behold_v this_o action_n with_o approbation_n and_o they_o stumble_v or_o rather_o fall_v in_o the_o worst_a manner_n thereby_o for_o they_o thereby_o be_v encourage_v to_o fall_v into_o sin_n or_o to_o remain_v in_o sin_n by_o reason_n of_o it_o because_o of_o the_o great_a inducement_n that_o they_o take_v up_o from_o the_o person_n commit_v it_o his_o holiness_n wisdom_n authority_n age_n etc._n etc._n or_o those_o that_o behold_v it_o be_v grieve_v at_o it_o and_o at_o the_o person_n offend_v so_o as_o to_o censure_v his_o person_n or_o religion_n and_o provoke_v by_o some_o way_n or_o mean_n to_o manifest_v their_o great_a disgust_n not_o only_o to_o the_o person_n offend_v but_o even_o to_o the_o world_n hence_o i_o distinguish_v offence_n into_o grieve_v and_o sin_v or_o grief-causing_a offence_n or_o sin-causing_a offence_n §_o 4._o of_o the_o grieve_v offence_n first_o and_o it_o be_v that_o which_o tend_v to_o the_o afflict_a and_o trouble_v the_o mind_n heart_n and_o conscience_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o their_o christian_a course_n and_o the_o offend_a party_n either_o wrong_n and_o injure_v by_o act_n of_o violence_n and_o oppression_n whereby_o he_o grieve_v the_o oppress_a or_o else_o he_o do_v and_o persist_v in_o such_o action_n as_o the_o offend_a judge_n unlawful_a and_o therefore_o from_o true_a principle_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o his_o brother_n and_o the_o hatred_n of_o sin_n he_o be_v much_o grieve_v and_o walk_v heavy_o to_o see_v his_o brother_n walk_v disorderly_a and_o complain_v of_o this_o block_n lay_v in_o the_o
in_o their_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v determine_v but_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la and_o must_v be_v liable_a still_o to_o no_o other_o judgement_n than_o that_o of_o discretion_n those_o thing_n that_o christ_n have_v leave_v under_o it_o can_v by_o humane_a law_n be_v remove_v from_o it_o therefore_o indifferent_a thing_n may_v be_v agree_v on_o by_o common_a consent_n in_o congregation_n or_o by_o the_o officer_n thereof_o according_a as_o the_o expediency_n or_o conveniency_n appear_v unto_o they_o and_o for_o so_o long_o and_o no_o long_o hence_o they_o can_v undergo_v the_o title_n or_o denomination_n of_o a_o law_n but_o only_o of_o prudential_a rule_n which_o have_v no_o bind_a reason_n for_o observation_n but_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o agree_a circumstance_n as_o it_o may_v be_v judge_v most_o convenient_a by_o the_o church_n to_o assemble_v at_o such_o a_o hour_n so_o long_o as_o the_o day_n be_v of_o such_o a_o length_n but_o when_o that_o circumstance_n alter_v than_o it_o may_v be_v more_o convenient_a at_o another_o many_o such_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v and_o no_o church_n can_v walk_v comfortable_o as_o long_o as_o any_o authority_n undertake_v to_o prohibit_v they_o of_o this_o liberty_n of_o their_o prudential_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o alterable_a appendix_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n chap._n xii_o wherein_o be_v handle_v the_o first_o question_n about_o thing_n indifferent_a §_o 1._o the_o first_o question_n that_o seem_v to_o offer_v itself_o to_o be_v so_o this_o whether_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n cease_v to_o be_v so_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v positive_o and_o certain_o determine_v as_o to_o its_o practice_n by_o humane_a authority_n explic._n by_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n i_o understand_v as_o beforementioned_a any_o thing_n or_o action_n which_o circumstantial_o adhere_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o may_v be_v use_v or_o omit_v or_o alter_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n without_o any_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n again_o this_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v determine_v as_o to_o expediency_n by_o a_o society_n or_o lawful_a authority_n but_o not_o impose_v as_o a_o stand_n and_o bind_v law_n but_o be_v commend_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o concur_v conscientious_o studious_a of_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n it_o carry_v the_o more_o force_n along_o with_o it_o to_o persuade_v we_o at_o least_o to_o present_v act_v till_o by_o further_a and_o great_a illumination_n we_o be_v otherwise_o incline_v nay_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v determine_v by_o those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n and_o propose_v as_o their_o judgement_n according_a to_o their_o light_n receive_v not_o magisterial_o but_o demonstrative_o only_a convince_o enough_o as_o to_o the_o expediency_n it_o carry_v with_o it_o the_o force_n of_o a_o law_n unto_o conscience_n not_o of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n man_n be_v a_o candlestick_n only_o to_o hold_v forth_o that_o light_n and_o bind_v it_o to_o submit_v thereunto_o but_o otherwise_o if_o man_n in_o authority_n undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n that_o a_o thing_n in_o itself_o by_o christ_n law_n leave_v indifferent_a i._n e._n to_o christian_a discretion_n to_o do_v or_o omit_v shall_v become_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n or_o a_o expedient_a necessity_n and_o according_a to_o their_o will_n and_o opinion_n bind_v inferior_n to_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o this_o by_o a_o penalty_n we_o affirm_v that_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n notwithstanding_o all_o humane_a authoritative_a determination_n change_v it_o into_o a_o necessity_n keep_v its_o pristine_a indifferency_n and_o remain_v the_o same_o to_o a_o christian_n conscience_n and_o practice_n the_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n follow_v §_o 2._o argum._n 1._o that_o power_n that_o can_v change_v gospel-indifferencies_a into_o gospel-necessity_n can_v also_o change_v gospel-necessity_n into_o gospel-indifferencies_a but_o no_o humane_a authority_n can_v do_v the_o latter_a ergo_fw-la not_o the_o former_a the_o assumption_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o protestant_n it_o be_v a_o presumption_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n for_o humane_a authority_n to_o pretend_v to_o dispense_v with_o or_o null_a any_o of_o the_o manifest_a law_n of_o christ_n the_o major_n be_v also_o evident_a because_o it_o must_v be_v a_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o kind_a to_o make_v and_o null_n a_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n if_o it_o be_v say_v a_o humane_a authority_n may_v make_v a_o gospel-indifferency_n necessary_a genere_fw-la civili_fw-la the_o answer_n fall_v far_o short_a for_o we_o speak_v of_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n have_v equal_a force_n upon_o the_o conscience_n for_o a_o civil_a legislative_a power_n can_v as_o well_o null_a any_o law_n of_o a_o civil_a nature_n only_o as_o it_o can_v make_v it_o so_o if_o man_n can_v make_v moral_a law_n he_o may_v as_o well_o null_a those_o which_o he_o have_v make_v or_o dispense_v with_o they_o at_o pleasure_n as_o make_v new_a we_o must_v always_o allow_v a_o sovereign_a prerogative_n to_o supreme_a lawgiver_n in_o any_o kind_n as_o to_o promulgate_v so_o to_o abrogate_v or_o dispense_v with_o their_o own_o law_n at_o pleasure_n and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o those_o law_n that_o man_n make_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n necessary_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n be_v civil_a only_o be_v only_o for_o decency_n splendour_n etc._n etc._n i_o reply_v that_o it_o can_v be_v so_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o for_o it_o be_v the_o respect_n and_o end_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o give_v it_o its_o specifical_a denomination_n when_o it_o have_v none_o such_o absolute_o consider_v that_o which_o respect_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o gospel-worship_n of_o christ_n or_o pretend_v so_o to_o do_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v a_o part_n of_o gospel-worship_n as_o kneel_v be_v a_o indifferent_a gesture_n a_o man_n may_v kneel_v when_o he_o do_v other_o thing_n beside_o act_n of_o worship_n or_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n he_o may_v kneel_v or_o stand_v or_o use_v another_o posture_n in_o worship_n but_o when_o this_o or_o that_o gesture_n be_v apply_v to_o worship_n it_o be_v religious_a by_o its_o respect_n use_v and_o application_n but_o still_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n under_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n till_o by_o some_o bind_a law_n the_o conscience_n become_v bind_v up_o to_o the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o this_o or_o that_o part_n of_o worship_n now_o he_o that_o undertake_v to_o bind_v conscience_n here_o undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o christ_n and_o to_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o such_o that_o make_v such_o law_n do_v claim_v such_o a_o power_n be_v manifest_a because_o they_o make_v obedience_n unto_o such_o law_n necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n let_v every_o soul_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n §_o 3._o argum._n 2._o if_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o evangelical_n indifferency_n may_v be_v change_v jure_fw-la into_o a_o evangelical_n necessity_n by_o any_o power_n beside_o christ_n than_o it_o must_v be_v because_o it_o be_v evangelical_o evil_a that_o this_o or_o that_o shall_v remain_v indifferent_a which_o christ_n have_v leave_v so_o or_o at_o least_o better_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o good_a of_o his_o church_n that_o it_o shall_v become_v a_o necessity_n i._n e._n a_o command_v good_a or_o prohibit_v evil_a than_o indifferent_a to_o be_v dispose_v by_o the_o discretion_n of_o particular_a church_n or_o christian_n but_o there_o be_v no_o true_a evangelical_n indifferency_n that_o have_v such_o a_o reason_n for_o the_o change_n of_o it_o into_o a_o necessity_n ergo_fw-la the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v this_o because_o whatever_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v alter_v from_o worse_a to_o better_o and_o what_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n for_o christ_n be_v or_o shall_v be_v make_v more_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o far_o better_a than_o it_o be_v before_o but_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o any_o thing_n that_o this_o wise_a lawgiver_n leave_v in_o indifferency_n to_o practice_n or_o omit_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n shall_v be_v more_o for_o his_o honour_n if_o it_o be_v convert_v into_o a_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n for_o to_o say_v so_o will_v be_v a_o high_a impeachment_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v of_o a_o king_n and_o parliament_n when_o any_o shall_v presume_v to_o say_v they_o have_v not_o make_v such_o law_n as_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v make_v and_o have_v leave_v the_o subject_a under_o a_o great_a liberty_n than_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonweal_n or_o honour_n of_o the_o king_n to_o say_v
indifferent_a thing_n to_o take_v it_o up_o or_o let_v it_o alone_o but_o because_o of_o the_o father_n command_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o ans_fw-fr it_o be_v true_a because_o there_o be_v a_o command_n of_o christ_n that_o enjoin_v the_o child_n obedience_n in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n and_o therefore_o upon_o the_o father_n command_v it_o become_v necessary_a that_o the_o child_n yield_v obedience_n but_o this_o be_v but_o a_o command_n for_o one_o particular_a action_n and_o therefore_o under_o expediency_n if_o the_o father_n shall_v make_v a_o law_n that_o one_o child_n shall_v pick_v straw_n all_o his_o day_n and_o another_o play_n at_o push-pin_n such_o law_n will_v become_v null_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o absurd_a than_o to_o affirm_v that_o they_o alter_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o what_o can_v alter_v it_o more_o than_o to_o lay_v it_o under_o a_o law_n when_o a_o thing_n be_v indifferent_a unto_o practice_n before_o to_o make_v it_o necessary_a as_o to_o practise_v when_o it_o be_v lawful_a before_o to_o make_v it_o unlawful_a we_o have_v show_v that_o necessity_n and_o indifferency_n be_v but_o relative_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o law_n and_o he_o make_v a_o law_n that_o give_v thing_n contrary_a relation_n and_o respect_n to_o what_o they_o have_v before_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o much_o as_o a_o law_n can_v and_o make_v one_o law_n contrary_a to_o another_o man_n do_v but_o trifle_n that_o plead_v that_o thing_n be_v not_o make_v necessary_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n when_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o be_v enjoin_v under_o the_o great_a church-penalty_n what_o be_v great_a than_o excommunication_n yea_o pecuniary_a mulct_n imprisonment_n deprivation_n etc._n etc._n yea_o and_o offender_n against_o the_o law_n persecute_v with_o great_a rigour_n than_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o constant_a and_o open_a transgression_n of_o moral_a and_o gospel-precept_n §_o 5._o i_o may_v take_v another_o very_a plain_a medium_n to_o prove_v the_o minor_a thus_o he_o that_o make_v a_o thing_n unlawful_a either_o to_o be_v do_v or_o leave_v undo_v which_o christ_n have_v make_v lawful_a by_o his_o law_n do_v that_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o he_o that_o change_v indifferency_n into_o necessity_n do_v so_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o plain_a than_o the_o major_n for_o to_o make_v a_o thing_n unlawful_a etc._n etc._n lawful_a and_o unlawful_a being_n contradicentia_fw-la and_o he_o that_o by_o a_o new_a law_n render_v that_o unlawful_a for_o my_o practice_n which_o christ_n law_n have_v render_v lawful_a do_v a_o thing_n e_fw-la region_fw-la contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o minor_a it_o be_v as_o evident_a for_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n the_o indifferent_a action_n be_v lawful_a for_o i_o to_o do_v or_o omit_v as_o to_o eat_v such_o a_o sort_n of_o meat_n or_o keep_v such_o a_o day_n or_o wear_v such_o a_o garment_n but_o there_o be_v a_o new_a law_n of_o the_o church_n come_v which_o now_o make_v it_o unlawful_a for_o i_o either_o to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v those_o thing_n for_o he_o that_o make_v a_o law_n bind_v always_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o either_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n make_v the_o other_o part_n unlawful_a which_o antecedaneous_a to_o this_o law_n be_v lawful_a now_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n can_v make_v that_o unlawful_a which_o he_o have_v make_v lawful_a for_o they_o may_v as_o well_o make_v that_o lawful_a to_o do_v or_o omit_v again_o if_o the_o church_n may_v make_v that_o unlawful_a which_o he_o have_v make_v lawful_a than_o she_o may_v take_v away_o the_o relative_n goodness_n that_o be_v in_o any_o part_n of_o a_o indifferent_a action_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n and_o stamp_n upon_o it_o a_o positive_a evil_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o what_o christ_n have_v do_v etc._n etc._n again_o nothing_o can_v be_v ecclesiastical_o and_o therefore_o religious_o unlawful_a which_o be_v not_o make_v ecclesiastical_o and_o religious_o evil_a and_o nothing_o can_v be_v so_o jure_v but_o by_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n no_o more_o than_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v ecclesiastical_o good_a and_o necessary_a without_o the_o say_v reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n §_o 6._o argum._n 4._o the_o church_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o a_o law-making_a power_n ergo._n i_o prove_v it_o thus_o he_o that_o can_v jure_v or_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la annex_v a_o punishment_n in_o some_o measure_n correspondent_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n that_o will_v be_v commit_v against_o that_o law_n can_v make_v such_o a_o law_n as_o if_o a_o corporation_n under_o the_o king_n make_v a_o law_n to_o hang_v or_o burn_v in_o the_o hand_n for_o some_o offence_n which_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o do_v then_o that_o be_v null_a the_o major_n be_v very_o plain_a but_o the_o church_n can_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la or_o at_o least_o the_o jure_fw-la execute_v such_o penalty_n as_o be_v correspondent_a to_o her_o law_n for_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a be_v of_o a_o spiritual_a nature_n belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o the_o lawmaker_n will_v still_o have_v the_o first_o stroke_n of_o his_o law_n fall_v upon_o conscience_n by_o bind_v it_o under_o guilt_n where_o be_v ever_o any_o true_o enlighten_v conscience_n ever_o bind_v under_o guilt_n for_o transgress_v a_o mere_a church-law_n in_o matter_n of_o ceremony_n second_o they_o can_v de_fw-la jure_fw-la annex_v and_o execute_v the_o penalty_n of_o exclusion_n from_o communion_n as_o christ_n never_o make_v a_o mere_a ceremony_n the_o condition_n of_o communion_n so_o he_o never_o threaten_v the_o non-observation_n with_o non-communion_n let_v any_o precept_n or_o any_o instance_n be_v give_v of_o this_o nature_n that_o any_o suffer_v church-censure_n under_o the_o new-testament_n for_o non-observation_n of_o a_o ceremonial_a law_n three_o as_o for_o other_o penalty_n which_o we_o call_v secular_a as_o whip_v imprison_v fine_v confiscate_a we_o know_v the_o church_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o they_o they_o be_v never_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o never_o will_v be_v §_o 7._o argum._n 5._o that_o law_n which_o direct_o and_o unavoidable_o hinder_v much_o good_a and_o cause_v much_o evil_n in_o the_o obediential_a subjection_n thereto_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o church_n but_o to_o change_v religious_a indifferency_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n into_o necessity_n do_v so_o ergo._n the_o major_n be_v undeniable_a for_o though_o a_o good_a action_n may_v per_fw-mi accidens_fw-la hinder_v some_o other_o good_a and_o cause_v some_o evil_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o so_o direct_o and_o in_o its_o true_a constitute_v nature_n but_o good_a action_n produce_v good_a effect_n as_o evil_a action_n evil_a so_o the_o tree_n be_v know_v by_o its_o fruit_n the_o minor_a that_o such_o a_o change_n work_v such_o ill_a effect_n be_v thus_o prove_v 1._o because_o it_o hinder_v the_o most_o expedient_a use_n of_o a_o action_n leave_v by_o christ_n indifferent_a to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n whereas_o the_o expediency_n by_o christ_n prescript_n may_v lie_v in_o the_o contrary_a part_n of_o the_o action_n wherein_o a_o goodness_n be_v place_v by_o the_o church_n law_n and_o a_o evil_n place_v in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o action_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o goodness_n by_o christ_n so_o that_o the_o church_n law_n can_v have_v universal_a obedience_n yield_v to_o it_o without_o sin_n because_o when_o christ_n expediency_n fall_v on_o the_o part_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n it_o will_v be_v sin_n to_o obey_v the_o church_n as_o for_o example_n it_o be_v a_o indifferent_a thing_n which_o way_n we_o turn_v our_o face_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n east_n west_n north_n or_o south_n the_o church_n make_v a_o law_n the_o minister_n must_v turn_v his_o face_n towards_o the_o east_n in_o such_o a_o part_n of_o worship_n this_o hinder_v the_o expedient_a use_n of_o that_o posture_n 1._o it_o hinder_v from_o turn_v that_o way_n which_o be_v most_o for_o edification_n and_o cause_v the_o minister_n to_o turn_v his_o back_n to_o the_o people_n which_o be_v very_o unexpedient_a it_o may_v confirm_v a_o jew_n pagan_a or_o papist_n in_o their_o superstitious_a observance_n to_o observe_v we_o to_o do_v thus_o de_fw-mi industriâ_fw-la out_o of_o a_o strict_a observation_n and_o therefore_o then_o unexpedient_a 2._o it_o hinder_v much_o good_a because_o it_o frustrate_v christ_n end_n in_o the_o management_n of_o religious_a and_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n for_o christ_n manage_v all_o those_o by_o necessity_n and_o indifferency_n in_o willing_a and_o require_v a_o necessary_a obedience_n to_o his_o positive_a law_n and_o a_o indifferent_a use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n
indifferency_n which_o a_o weak_a christian_a think_v according_a to_o his_o best_a light_n from_o god_n word_n to_o be_v necessary_a than_o the_o other_o part_n which_o authority_n lay_v a_o stress_n upon_o by_o a_o law_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o i_o must_v choose_v suffer_v rather_o than_o endanger_v any_o soul_n salvation_n in_o the_o least_o now_o if_o i_o refuse_v active_a obedience_n to_o the_o magistrate_n i_o only_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o suffer_v the_o penalty_n which_o it_o may_v be_v i_o can_v bear_v and_o comfort_v myself_o under_o but_o in_o case_n i_o wrong_v a_o soul_n by_o my_o action_n i_o can_v free_v myself_o from_o sin_n and_o be_o a_o occasion_n of_o another_o too_o either_o of_o which_o be_v but_o especial_o both_o much_o heavy_a than_o the_o great_a suffering_n last_o if_o i_o suffer_v the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n i_o both_o fulfil_v the_o law_n and_o save_v my_o brother_n too_o §_o 2._o now_o these_o obstacle_n be_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o way_n i_o proceed_v to_o determine_v the_o question_n that_o in_o case_n any_o power_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a shall_v presume_v so_o far_o as_o to_o enact_v law_n in_o the_o concern_v of_o divine_a worship_n so_o as_o to_o change_v christian_a indifferency_n into_o necessity_n that_o a_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o refuse_v active_a obedience_n thereto_o and_o i_o make_v good_a this_o assertion_n by_o the_o follow_a argument_n 1._o to_o yield_v such_o obedience_n be_v to_o serve_v god_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o no_o christian_n ought_v to_o serve_v god_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o man_n ergo._n the_o major_n be_v true_a because_o it_o be_v a_o serve_a god_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v devise_v by_o man_n and_o to_o the_o obeyer_n be_v no_o other_o for_o he_o in_o his_o conscience_n believe_v so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o will_n of_o god_n the_o minor_a be_v true_a because_o that_o be_v will-worship_n which_o be_v the_o product_n only_o of_o man_n will_n god_n will_v be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a of_o that_o will_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o his_o worship_n or_o else_o we_o bring_v vain_a oblation_n unto_o he_o 2._o the_o goodness_n determine_v by_o a_o humane_a law_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o man_n will_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o goodness_n of_o expediency_n determine_v by_o a_o conscientious_a christian_n for_o god_n sake_n for_o such_o a_o goodness_n of_o expediency_n be_v approve_v of_o by_o god_n and_o the_o contrary_a to_o it_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la be_v unlawful_a therefore_o from_o this_o close_n with_o such_o goodness_n we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deter_v by_o any_o humane_a law_n for_o a_o expedient_o necessary_a action_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v of_o far_o more_o force_n with_o we_o than_o a_o action_n make_v absolute_o necessary_a by_o the_o will_n of_o man_n yea_o it_o be_v to_o do_v a_o thing_n contrary_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o do_v that_o as_o necessary_a which_o god_n have_v reveal_v his_o will_n concern_v that_o we_o shall_v always_o do_v in_o a_o way_n of_o indifferency_n and_o expediency_n determinable_a by_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n for_o to_o do_v thing_n by_o way_n of_o necessity_n and_o to_o do_v by_o way_n of_o indifferency_n be_v to_o act_v by_o way_n of_o contrariety_n and_o therefore_o to_o obey_v such_o law_n be_v to_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n 3._o to_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n i._n e._n a_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n of_o any_o thing_n religious_o indifferent_a be_v unlawful_a 1_o cor._n 6.12_o but_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o constant_a active_a obedience_n to_o man_n law_n command_v a_o necessary_a performance_n of_o a_o indifferent_a action_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n of_o a_o thing_n i._n e._n into_o bondage_n i._n e._n under_o a_o yoke_n which_o christ_n never_o put_v we_o under_o now_o christ_n will_v not_o have_v we_o to_o make_v ourselves_o slave_n where_o he_o have_v make_v we_o free_a 4._o a_o christian_a be_v to_o use_v his_o liberty_n purchase_v by_o christ_n and_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o it_o ergo_fw-la to_o practice_v it_o constant_o notwithstanding_o all_o ensnare_a and_o embondage_v law_n of_o man_n and_o be_v bind_v to_o use_v his_o judgement_n in_o all_o his_o action_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o indifferency_n to_o choose_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n and_o not_o walk_v by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n the_o wise_a man_n eye_n be_v in_o his_o head_n the_o fool_n walk_v in_o darkness_n 5._o such_o active_a obedience_n be_v a_o betray_v the_o prerogative_n of_o christ_n for_o if_o a_o legislative_a power_n be_v christ_n prerogative_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v than_o the_o yield_a active_a obedience_n to_o a_o usurp_a law_n be_v the_o do_v homage_n to_o another_o lawgiver_n in_o that_o kind_n and_o give_v up_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n it_o be_v like_o a_o subject_n introduce_v the_o power_n of_o a_o foreign_a prince_n and_o do_v all_o that_o lie_v in_o he_o to_o subvert_v that_o law_n and_o sovereignty_n to_o which_o he_o be_v natural_o relate_v and_o what_o can_v be_v great_a treason_n to_o any_o state_n 6._o if_o a_o christian_a here_o obey_v it_o must_v be_v for_o christ_n sake_n or_o conscience_n sake_n rom._n 13._o it_o can_v be_v for_o christ_n sake_n because_o it_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o prerogative_n or_o betray_v it_o neither_o can_v it_o be_v for_o conscience_n sake_n to_o embondage_n itself_o where_n christ_n have_v leave_v it_o free_a whatever_o tend_v to_o the_o captivity_n or_o slavery_n of_o conscience_n be_v not_o for_o the_o good_a of_o conscience_n for_o in_o this_o they_o be_v not_o minister_n to_o i_o for_o good_a for_o the_o law_n tend_v not_o to_o my_o good_a in_o active_a obedience_n which_o if_o i_o see_v and_o yet_o yield_v i_o become_v a_o minister_n of_o evil_a to_o myself_o 7._o if_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o the_o supreme_a power_n to_o command_v and_o impose_v their_o say_a law_n it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o a_o christian_n to_o obey_v at_o ergo._n the_o consequence_n be_v manifest_a because_o the_o most_o formal_a reason_n of_o a_o evil_a law_n be_v the_o evil_a obedience_n require_v the_o minor_a have_v be_v prove_v that_o such_o a_o law_n be_v sin_n in_o superior_n to_o make_v but_o to_o confirm_v the_o consequence_n further_o to_o be_v a_o copartner_n with_o another_o in_o sin_n be_v sin_n but_o if_o the_o magistrate_n command_n and_o i_o obey_v i_o be_o copartner_n with_o he_o a_o thing_n command_v can_v be_v evil_a but_o two_o way_n either_o material_o or_o circumstantial_o if_o it_o be_v material_o evil_a there_o be_v no_o pretence_n for_o do_v it_o whatever_o humane_a power_n command_v and_o if_o it_o be_v circumstantial_o it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o commander_n usurp_v a_o false_a power_n or_o there_o be_v some_o circumstantial_a relation_n pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la that_o make_v it_o unlawful_a unto_o i_o or_o another_o it_o may_v be_v the_o thing_n may_v be_v material_o lawful_a but_o under_o both_o these_o sort_n of_o circumstance_n it_o may_v be_v unlawful_a as_o that_o i_o give_v away_o hereby_o christ_n prerogative_n i_o rob_v myself_o of_o the_o use_n of_o my_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n by_o which_o every_o christian_a be_v to_o walk_v and_o i_o it_o may_v be_v offend_v my_o brother_n i_o do_v not_o say_v a_o man_n may_v never_o do_v that_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n that_o be_v command_v by_o a_o humane_a law_n a_o christian_a have_v the_o use_n of_o his_o liberty_n as_o well_o after_o as_o before_o a_o humane_a law_n and_o he_o be_v to_o walk_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n still_o when_o he_o find_v it_o most_o for_o god_n glory_n and_o his_o or_o another_o edification_n he_o may_v take_v that_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n which_o be_v command_v sed_fw-la non_fw-la ratione_fw-la praecepti_fw-la humani_fw-la but_o from_o that_o expedient_a or_o convenient_a goodness_n which_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-mi &_o nunc_fw-la he_o find_v in_o it_o but_o that_o obedience_n which_o we_o here_o declare_v against_o be_v the_o do_v it_o as_o a_o duty_n constant_o or_o conscientious_o sub_fw-la paenâ_fw-la reatus_fw-la by_o virtue_n of_o such_o a_o law_n 8._o a_o christian_n can_v yield_v the_o aforesaid_a obedience_n but_o he_o must_v offer_v violence_n to_o his_o conscience_n i._n e._n practical_o to_o contradict_v the_o dictate_v and_o light_n thereof_o for_o every_o moral_a action_n must_v be_v approve_v or_o reprobate_v thereby_o but_o he_o must_v needs_o know_v that_o that_o which_o be_v not_o command_v or_o approve_v by_o christ_n as_o indifferent_a thing_n be_v though_o not_o command_v by_o he_o
as_o to_o use_v any_o indifferency_n to_o bind_v himself_o or_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o a_o prescribe_a form_n of_o prayer_n which_o enquiry_n fall_v into_o two_o part_n 1._o whether_o a_o christian_a may_v come_v under_o a_o obligation_n by_o vow_n or_o resolution_n to_o use_v a_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n as_o before_o explain_v 2._o whether_o he_o may_v suffer_v himself_o to_o come_v under_o any_o such_o obligation_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n make_v by_o any_o pretend_v authority_n thereunto_o §_o 2._o as_o to_o the_o first_o we_o shall_v assert_v and_o confirm_v the_o negative_a that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o a_o christian_n to_o put_v himself_o under_o any_o such_o obligation_n by_o his_o own_o vow_n or_o covenant_n or_o i_o may_v add_v by_o his_o customary_a and_o constant_a abide_n therein_o which_o do_v in_o effect_n amount_v to_o a_o covenant-tye_a if_o such_o a_o tie_n be_v lawful_a it_o be_v either_o as_o a_o thing_n necessary_a or_o indifferent_a for_o all_o lawful_a thing_n be_v so_o 1._o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a as_o a_o thing_n necessary_a will_n be_v easy_o grant_v because_o none_o will_v say_v that_o be_v protestant_n that_o a_o christian_n be_v necessary_o bind_v to_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n by_o the_o positive_a command_n of_o christ_n if_o they_o do_v let_v it_o be_v show_v where_o christ_n do_v require_v any_o so_o to_o oblige_v himself_o or_o condemn_v any_o for_o not_o do_v it_o or_o let_v he_o allege_v any_o scriptural_a example_n where_o any_o have_v do_v it_o especial_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o suppose_v we_o need_v not_o stay_v on_o that_o part_n the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o disjunction_n that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o he_o as_o a_o indifferency_n to_o bind_v up_o himself_o to_o such_o a_o form_n i_o prove_v thus_o all_o christian_a indifferent_a action_n of_o concern_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n aught_o to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n according_a to_o the_o gospel-rule_n of_o expediency_n pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la but_o to_o lay_v one_o self_n under_o such_o a_o obligation_n will_v hinder_v he_o from_o walk_v by_o such_o rule_n and_o by_o such_o a_o judgement_n ergo_fw-la to_o use_v it_o as_o a_o indifferency_n and_o to_o come_v under_o such_o a_o obligation_n be_v most_o inconsistent_a but_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v expedient_a for_o he_o to_o come_v under_o such_o a_o obligation_n the_o ratio_fw-la formalis_fw-la must_v be_v because_o he_o can_v compose_v another_o prayer_n or_o pray_v by_o present_a conception_n but_o that_o be_v not_o a_o justifiable_a reason_n for_o though_o he_o can_v at_o present_v he_o may_v afterward_o be_v able_a so_o to_o do_v it_o be_v just_a as_o if_o a_o man_n be_v lame_a and_o use_v crutch_n make_v a_o vow_n never_o to_o go_v without_o they_o though_o he_o shall_v be_v never_o so_o well_o or_o it_o may_v be_v another_o form_n may_v be_v offer_v more_o suitable_a to_o his_o condition_n we_o meet_v with_o daily_a alteration_n on_o that_o account_n it_o be_v not_o fit_a therefore_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v bind_v up_o always_o to_o the_o same_o expression_n petition_n confession_n and_o thanksgiving_n our_o necessity_n temptation_n sin_n and_o mercy_n receive_v daily_o change_v beside_o though_o a_o man_n have_v not_o at_o present_a the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n or_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n thereunto_o yet_o he_o ought_v to_o seek_v and_o wait_v for_o it_o and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o bind_v himself_o up_o to_o such_o a_o form_n though_o he_o may_v use_v it_o for_o present_a necessity_n §_o 3._o arg._n 1._o it_o be_v not_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n for_o any_o man_n to_o stint_v himself_o in_o religion_n where_o god_n have_v not_o stint_v he_o where_o christ_n have_v allot_v to_o we_o a_o freedom_n the_o contrary_a to_o it_o be_v bondage_n and_o no_o christian_n ought_v to_o put_v himself_o into_o bondage_n where_o christ_n have_v make_v he_o free_a whereas_o stint_v form_n bind_v to_o bring_v a_o man_n into_o bondage_n to_o word_n or_o these_o and_o those_o petition_n confession_n etc._n etc._n which_o though_o it_o may_v be_v suitable_a for_o one_o state_n and_o season_n may_v not_o be_v at_o another_o neither_o so_o much_o to_o christ_n glory_n and_o his_o own_o edification_n for_o christ_n have_v foresee_v a_o necessity_n of_o freedom_n in_o this_o kind_n as_o to_o the_o use_n of_o word_n and_o sentence_n in_o prayer_n i._n e._n to_o be_v regulate_v by_o gospel-rule_n of_o expediency_n as_o all_o christian_a liberty_n be_v 1._o because_o of_o the_o various_a case_n occurrence_n and_o exigence_n that_o a_o christian_n be_v liable_a to_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o one_o can_v suit_v fore-prescribed_n form_n unto_o they_o and_o we_o be_v enjoin_v in_o all_o thing_n to_o make_v our_o request_n know_v unto_o god_n 2._o because_o of_o the_o divers_a help_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o expression_n of_o our_o want_n rom._n 8.26_o even_o sometime_o in_o sigh_n and_o groan_n unutterable_a in_o word_n and_o unreducible_a into_o any_o form_n yea_o often_o not_o knowable_a before_o we_o come_v to_o ask_v because_o discover_v to_o we_o by_o the_o spirit_n search_v our_o heart_n while_o we_o be_v wait_v upon_o god_n in_o the_o duty_n 3._o because_o of_o the_o divers_a frame_n of_o a_o christian_n own_o spirit_n that_o he_o be_v subject_a unto_o sometime_o of_o deadness_n and_o despondency_n sometime_o of_o enlargement_n that_o for_o the_o most_o time_n those_o be_v stranger_n to_o who_o keep_v up_o in_o the_o road_n of_o word_n that_o the_o same_o word_n and_o sentence_n can_v in_o faith_n be_v utter_v without_o the_o sameness_n of_o heart-frame_n which_o can_v always_o be_v which_o they_o abundant_o know_v who_o have_v their_o sense_n exercise_v by_o reason_n of_o use_n there_o be_v the_o frequent_a ebbing_n and_o flow_n of_o particular_a grace_n in_o a_o christian_n heart_n as_o of_o faith_n repentance_n joy_n patience_n etc._n etc._n according_a to_o which_o he_o be_v always_o to_o proportion_v his_o expression_n in_o prayer_n as_o near_o as_o may_v be_v in_o order_n to_o his_o own_o comfort_n and_o power_n against_o prevail_a corruption_n beside_o i_o may_v instance_n in_o the_o various_a assault_n satan_n make_v upon_o we_o his_o manifold_a wile_n as_o also_o the_o divers_a working_n of_o our_o heart_n towards_o or_o against_o corruption_n as_o last_o the_o various_a and_o unexpected_a mercy_n that_o we_o be_v daily_a partaker_n of_o example_n we_o have_v many_o in_o scripture_n of_o suit_v prayer_n in_o this_o manner_n if_o we_o consider_v how_o it_o be_v with_o the_o saint_n of_o old_a as_o david_n heman_n hezekiah_n etc._n etc._n 4._o because_o christ_n have_v only_o give_v we_o general_a rule_n in_o the_o gospel_n for_o particular_a prayer_n and_o have_v not_o bind_v or_o limit_v we_o to_o any_o particular_a form_n §_o 4._o obj._n but_o christ_n have_v prescribe_v we_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n viz._n that_o common_o call_v the_o lord_n prayer_n for_o he_o say_v luke_n 11.2_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v etc._n etc._n answ_n it_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o think_v that_o christ_n bind_v his_o disciple_n to_o those_o word_n and_o sentence_n and_o bind_v we_o up_o from_o all_o other_o and_o one_o scripture_n must_v explain_v another_o mat._n 6.9_o it_o be_v after_o this_o manner_n i.e._n for_o sense_n and_o meaning_n 2._o if_o luke_n 11.2_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v strict_o than_o we_o must_v neither_o add_v to_o or_o diminish_v from_o nor_o alter_v the_o form_n hence_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o use_v the_o doxology_n mention_v mat._n 6._o 3._o if_o it_o be_v so_o christ_n disciple_n this_o prayer_n be_v primary_o direct_v to_o they_o upon_o their_o request_n shall_v never_o have_v use_v any_o other_o prayer_n but_o we_o find_v not_o that_o they_o ever_o use_v the_o very_a prayer_n in_o identity_n of_o word_n and_o sentence_n 4._o in_o answer_n to_o their_o request_n it_o be_v most_o probable_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n for_o matter_n and_o method_n for_o they_o desire_v our_o saviour_n to_o teach_v they_o to_o pray_v as_o john_n teach_v his_o disciple_n now_o we_o find_v not_o any_o prescribe_a form_n leave_v by_o john_n to_o his_o neither_o i_o suppose_v do_v our_o saviour_n in_o this_o leave_n any_o more_o than_o a_o pattern_n or_o a_o stand_a rule_n of_o prayer_n to_o his_o people_n under_o the_o gospel_n 5._o he_o never_o use_v it_o himself_o because_o he_o have_v no_o sin_n need_v not_o say_v forgive_v i_o my_o sin_n 6._o all_o expression_n be_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n show_v that_o we_o have_v only_o the_o most_o general_a rule_n secret_a prayer_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o it_o and_o particular_a case_n but_o not_o here_o mention_v