afraid_a to_o speak_v evil_a of_o dignity_n that_o be_v who_o do_v wilful_o and_o obstinate_o oppose_v the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v invest_v with_o his_o authority_n answerable_a to_o the_o sin_n of_o those_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n who_o 10._o set_v themselves_o up_o against_o moses_n and_o aaron_n and_o reproach_v the_o ruler_n of_o 28._o the_o people_n and_o it_o be_v express_o call_v do_v presumptuous_o not_o to_o hearken_v to_o 5._o the_o priest_n that_o stand_v to_o minister_v before_o 12._o the_o lord_n and_o therefore_o these_o man_n be_v say_v to_o have_v forsake_v the_o right_a way_n and_o 15._o be_v go_v astray_o and_o whoever_o compare_v this_o chapter_n with_o st._n iude_n epistle_n will_v find_v that_o st._n peter_n and_o s._n jude_n speak_v of_o the_o same_o man_n for_o their_o character_n do_v exact_o agree_v and_o of_o they_o s._n jude_n tell_v we_o these_o be_v they_o who_o separate_v themselves_o 19_o sensual_a have_v not_o the_o spirit_n and_o thus_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n no_o man_n ever_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o such_o gross_a heretic_n the_o several_a sect_n of_o gnostic_n of_o who_o irenaeus_n and_o epiphanius_n give_v we_o a_o large_a and_o particular_a account_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o name_n heresy_n which_o proper_o signify_v a_o sect_n or_o separation_n come_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o corrupt_v and_o heretical_a doctrine_n which_o in_o those_o day_n be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o separation_n and_o we_o may_v find_v some_o remain_v of_o this_o ancient_a and_o original_a use_n of_o these_o word_n in_o after-age_n for_o though_o schism_n common_o be_v use_v in_o church-writer_n to_o signify_v separation_n from_o church-communion_n and_o heresy_n to_o signify_v false_a doctrine_n yet_o separation_n from_o the_o christian_a church_n though_o it_o be_v only_o ocasion_v upon_o a_o dispute_n about_o discipline_n without_o any_o other_o error_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v call_v heresy_n thus_o st._n cyprian_n i_o remember_v call_v the_o schism_n of_o novatianus_n haereticam_fw-la pravitatem_fw-la heretical_a impiety_n and_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o question_n of_o antonianus_n quam_fw-la haeresin_fw-la novatianus_n introduxisset_fw-la what_o heresy_n novatianus_n be_v the_o author_n of_o he_o allege_v nothing_o but_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o say_v that_o we_o ought_v not_o curious_o 52._o to_o inquire_v what_o he_o teach_v who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n for_o whatever_o he_o be_v he_o be_v no_o christian_a who_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n and_o thus_o felicissimus_n and_o his_o adherent_n be_v call_v haeretica_fw-la factio_fw-la a_o heretical_a 39_o faction_n though_o the_o schism_n be_v occasion_v only_o by_o a_o dispute_n of_o discipline_n concern_v the_o restore_n the_o lapse_v to_o the_o peace_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n separation_n from_o the_o church_n without_o any_o other_o error_n in_o the_o fundamental_o of_o faith_n be_v call_v heresy_n and_o though_o heresy_n do_v most_o frequent_o signify_v corrupt_a doctrine_n yet_o a_o mere_a error_n in_o doctrine_n be_v not_o think_v a_o complete_a formal_a heresy_n without_o such_o wilfulness_n and_o obstinacy_n as_o end_v in_o separation_n and_o therefore_o st._n austin_n describe_v heretic_n to_o be_v 51._o those_o who_o hold_v some_o false_a and_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o when_o they_o be_v reprove_v in_o order_n to_o reduce_v they_o to_o truth_n and_o sobricty_n of_o judgement_n do_v obstinate_o resist_v and_o refuse_v to_o correct_v their_o poisonous_a and_o damnable_a opinion_n but_o persist_v in_o defend_v they_o thus_o they_o become_v heretic_n and_o go_v out_o of_o the_o church_n become_v its_o enemy_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o father_n in_o that_o fame_a say_v errare_fw-la possum_fw-la hereticus_fw-la esse_fw-la nolo_fw-la though_o he_o may_v err_v yet_o he_o will_v not_o be_v a_o heretic_n that_o be_v that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o obstinate_o persist_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o any_o private_a opinion_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o to_o break_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o that_o account_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n that_o beside_o those_o division_n among_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o communion_n which_o be_v call_v schism_n by_o st._n paul_n there_o be_v formal_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o a_o much_o more_o heinous_a nature_n which_o none_o in_o those_o day_n be_v guilty_a of_o but_o those_o who_o renounce_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n if_o such_o separation_n be_v always_o condemn_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o heresy_n and_o apostasy_n from_o christianity_n though_o such_o separatist_n be_v not_o guilty_a of_o any_o fundamental_a 231._o error_n in_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n i_o see_v not_o what_o dr._n owen_n gain_v by_o prove_v that_o separation_n be_v no_o schism_n when_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o much_o great_a evil_n and_o indeed_o if_o the_o doctor_n will_v allow_v schism_n to_o be_v a_o great_a evil_n when_o it_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o contention_n and_o quarrel_n in_o a_o church_n any_o one_o will_v reasonable_o think_v that_o separation_n from_o a_o church_n shall_v be_v a_o much_o great_a evil_a for_o contention_n and_o quarrel_n be_v then_o come_v to_o their_o height_n and_o perfection_n when_o they_o make_v friend_n brethren_n and_o confederate_n part_n company_n and_o it_o seem_v strange_a that_o less_o quarrel_n shall_v be_v a_o great_a evil_n than_o great_a quarrel_n unless_o he_o think_v it_o be_v with_o schism_n as_o under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o leprosy_n that_o when_o the_o whole_a body_n be_v overspread_v with_o it_o the_o leper_n be_v pronounce_v clean_o but_o the_o most_o material_a inquiry_n here_o be_v what_o be_v a_o public_a assembly_n for_o religious_a worship_n for_o our_o dissenter_n meet_v as_o public_o now_o as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v charge_v with_o forsake_v christian_a assembly_n and_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n the_o primitive_a christian_n meet_v very_o private_o in_o small_a number_n or_o in_o the_o night_n or_o very_o early_a in_o the_o morning_n to_o avoid_v the_o discovery_n of_o their_o persecutor_n and_o yet_o such_o private_a and_o clandestine_v meeting_n be_v not_o real_o conventicle_n but_o public_a church-assembly_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a proof_n that_o it_o be_v not_o number_n nor_o meet_v open_o and_o public_o which_o make_v a_o church-assemble_o but_o hold_v such_o assembly_n by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o union_n with_o it_o as_o in_o the_o state_n when_o a_o great_a many_o people_n meet_v together_o without_o public_a authority_n it_o be_v a_o riot_n not_o a_o legal_a assembly_n public_a place_n of_o worship_n allow_v by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v one_o thing_n which_o make_v the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n public_a for_o the_o 171._o primitive_a christian_n allow_v no_o separate_a assembly_n no_o congregation_n but_o what_o meet_v in_o the_o public_a church_n and_o therefore_o we_o find_v a_o express_a canon_n in_o the_o council_n of_o gangra_n that_o if_o any_o shall_v 6._o take_v upon_o he_o out_o of_o the_o church_n private_o to_o preach_v at_o home_n and_o make_v light_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v do_v those_o thing_n which_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o church_n without_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o the_o leave_n and_o allowance_n of_o the_o bishop_n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v so_o that_o public_a worship_n be_v that_o worship_n which_o be_v perform_v in_o public_a church_n or_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n in_o other_o place_n by_o the_o allowance_n and_o appointment_n of_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o separate_a meeting_n which_o have_v no_o such_o allowance_n and_o authority_n must_v be_v schismatical_a conventicle_n unless_o they_o can_v prove_v the_o lawfulness_n and_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o separation_n for_o indeed_o nothing_o can_v make_v a_o separation_n lawful_a but_o what_o make_v it_o necessary_a ii_o this_o follow_a treatise_n consist_v of_o two_o part_n the_o first_o concern_v those_o who_o whole_o or_o for_o the_o most_o part_n absent_v themselves_o from_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o christian_n and_o these_o be_v of_o three_o sort_n 1._o those_o who_o forsake_v religious_a assembly_n out_o of_o profaneness_n for_o want_v of_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o any_o religion_n or_o in_o contempt_n of_o it_o 2._o those_o who_o forsake_v religious_a assembly_n for_o want_n of_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o necessity_n and_o advantage_n of_o public_a worship_n who_o do_v not_o go_v to_o church_n because_o they_o think_v they_o
not_o displease_v god_n and_o therefore_o choose_v rather_o to_o displease_v man_n but_o to_o pretend_v a_o divine_a command_n and_o authority_n when_o we_o have_v none_o be_v like_o prophesy_v false_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o entitle_v the_o divine_a majesty_n to_o all_o our_o dream_n and_o fancy_n it_o be_v to_o make_v new_a law_n which_o god_n never_o make_v and_o to_o set_v up_o a_o new_a church_n and_o new_a religion_n in_o his_o name_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o dreadful_a woe_n and_o curse_n be_v denounce_v against_o those_o who_o prophesy_v false_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n it_o shall_v make_v we_o all_o tremble_v to_o pretend_v a_o divine_a command_n without_o divine_a authority_n this_o we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n then_o the_o lord_n 14._o say_v unto_o i_o the_o prophet_n prophesy_n lie_v in_o my_o name_n and_o i_o send_v they_o not_o neither_o have_v i_o command_v they_o neither_o speak_v unto_o they_o they_o prophesy_v to_o you_o a_o false_a vision_n and_o divination_n and_o a_o thing_n of_o nought_o and_o the_o deceit_n of_o their_o heart_n i_o have_v hear_v what_o the_o prophet_n say_v that_o 26._o prophesy_v lie_n in_o my_o name_n say_v i_o have_v dream_v i_o have_v dream_v how_o long_o shall_v this_o be_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o prophet_n that_o prophesy_v lie_n yea_o they_o be_v prophet_n 31._o of_o the_o deceit_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n therefore_o behold_v i_o be_o against_o the_o prophet_n say_v the_o lord_n that_o steal_v my_o word_n every_o one_o from_o his_o neighbour_n behold_v i_o be_o against_o the_o prophet_n say_v the_o lord_n that_o use_v their_o tongue_n and_o say_v he_o sai_z behold_v i_o be_o against_o they_o that_o prophesy_v false_a dream_n say_v the_o lord_n and_o do_v tell_v they_o and_o cause_v my_o people_n to_o err_v by_o their_o lie_n and_o by_o their_o lightness_n yet_o i_o send_v they_o not_o nor_o command_v they_o therefore_o they_o shall_v not_o profit_v this_o people_n at_o all_o say_v the_o lord_n now_o though_o we_o understand_v prophesy_v here_o of_o foretell_v future_a event_n in_o god_n name_n without_o any_o revelation_n or_o authority_n from_o he_o yet_o to_o pretend_v that_o god_n have_v command_v or_o forbid_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v not_o be_v not_o a_o less_o crime_n than_o to_o prophesy_v dream_n and_o the_o deceit_n of_o our_o heart_n for_o the_o mischief_n which_o these_o false_a prophecy_n do_v consist_v in_o that_o ill_a influence_n they_o have_v upon_o man_n life_n that_o they_o hinder_v their_o repentance_n and_o encourage_v they_o in_o their_o licentious_a or_o idolatrous_a practice_n and_o therefore_o to_o preach_v up_o new_a law_n in_o god_n name_n be_v as_o great_a a_o evil_a as_o it_o be_v to_o prophesy_v false_o in_o his_o name_n and_o therefore_o no_o man_n must_v pretend_v conscience_n any_o further_a than_o the_o express_a command_n and_o prohibition_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o say_v that_o any_o thing_n be_v unlawful_a to_o be_v do_v which_o god_n have_v not_o forbid_v or_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o matter_n of_o worship_n which_o god_n have_v not_o command_v be_v to_o prophesy_v false_o in_o god_n name_n when_o they_o can_v show_v no_o such_o law_n extant_a in_o the_o whole_a bible_n you_o pretend_v conscience_n it_o may_v be_v against_o hear_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n or_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n kneel_v or_o be_v present_a when_o the_o minister_n use_v a_o surplice_n in_o divine_a administration_n consider_v now_o whether_o you_o do_v not_o false_o pretend_v a_o divine_a authority_n when_o you_o have_v none_o show_v i_o where_o god_n have_v forbid_v the_o use_n of_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n or_o a_o surplice_n or_o kneel_v at_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n if_o you_o think_v it_o sufficient_a that_o these_o be_v not_o command_v show_v i_o but_o that_o law_n that_o nothing_o must_v be_v do_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o what_o he_o have_v command_v and_o if_o you_o can_v do_v neither_o as_o i_o be_o sure_a you_o can_v then_o consider_v what_o a_o impious_a thing_n it_o be_v to_o say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n when_o he_o have_v not_o say_v it_o to_o make_v new_a law_n and_o bind_v they_o upon_o your_o own_o conscience_n and_o impose_v they_o upon_o other_o man_n by_o your_o own_o private_a authority_n which_o be_v a_o much_o heavy_a imposition_n than_o the_o observation_n of_o some_o few_o innocent_a and_o indifferent_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n those_o who_o understand_v their_o christian_a liberty_n in_o the_o use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o therefore_o comply_v with_o all_o wholesome_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o obedience_n to_o their_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n do_v not_o usurp_v upon_o god_n authority_n but_o obey_v divine_a law_n as_o divine_a and_o humane_a law_n as_o humane_a but_o to_o pretend_v conscience_n for_o disobey_v our_o governor_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n be_v to_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n to_o make_v that_o a_o divine_a law_n which_o god_n never_o make_v so_o viz._n that_o we_o must_v do_v nothing_o in_o religion_n which_o god_n have_v not_o command_v though_o it_o be_v command_v by_o our_o lawful_a superior_n second_o i_o observe_v further_o that_o the_o mere_a pretence_n of_o conscience_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a justification_n of_o any_o action_n unless_o we_o can_v produce_v a_o divine_a law_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o conscience_n it_o be_v not_o conscience_n when_o we_o mean_v no_o more_o by_o it_o than_o our_o private_a judgement_n and_o opinion_n of_o thing_n but_o the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o action_n there_o never_o have_v be_v worse_a action_n do_v than_o have_v be_v do_v out_o of_o a_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n and_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_a uncharitable_a man_n who_o believe_v that_o there_o never_o be_v a_o conscientious_a pagan_n papist_n or_o mahometan_a and_o if_o to_o act_v according_a to_o our_o conscience_n that_o be_v our_o belief_n and_o persuasion_n be_v sufficient_a to_o acquit_v we_o at_o god_n tribunal_n this_o must_v necessary_o make_v all_o religion_n indifferent_a for_o then_o a_o honest_a pagan_n papist_n or_o turk_n who_o live_v according_a to_o his_o own_o persuasion_n be_v as_o acceptable_a to_o god_n as_o the_o most_o hearty_a and_o sincere_a protestant_n then_o the_o jew_n be_v very_o godly_a and_o devout_a man_n when_o in_o zeal_n for_o their_o law_n they_o crucify_a christ_n and_o persecute_v his_o apostle_n as_o believe_v that_o they_o do_v god_n good_a service_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o content_v ourselves_o if_o we_o act_v according_a to_o our_o belief_n but_o we_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o believe_v a_o right_n for_o if_o we_o follow_v the_o guidance_n of_o a_o blind_a and_o ignorant_a conscience_n we_o shall_v wander_v and_o go_v astray_o to_o the_o infinite_a danger_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o that_o if_o the_o blind_a lead_n the_o blind_a they_o shall_v both_o fall_v into_o the_o ditch_n these_o blind_a man_n be_v such_o as_o have_v blind_a conscience_n that_o be_v be_v ignorant_a of_o their_o duty_n but_o yet_o may_v very_o sincere_o follow_v their_o own_o conscience_n and_o very_o safe_o too_o if_o conscience_n right_a or_o wrong_n be_v a_o secure_a guide_n three_o i_o observe_v further_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o doubt_v and_o scruple_n any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o forbid_v by_o a_o divine_a law_n the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o conscience_n and_o therefore_o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n and_o if_o our_o conscience_n do_v not_o speak_v according_a to_o they_o it_o be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o some_o man_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o sign_n of_o great_a tenderness_n of_o conscience_n to_o be_v doubtful_a and_o scrupulous_a and_o value_v themselves_o more_o by_o their_o scruple_n than_o other_o man_n do_v by_o the_o most_o clear_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n and_o therefore_o be_v afraid_a of_o be_v deliver_v from_o their_o scruple_n and_o use_v great_a art_n and_o industry_n to_o ensnare_v and_o entangle_v themselves_o but_o i_o confess_v i_o shall_v never_o envy_v any_o man_n this_o attainment_n no_o more_o than_o i_o do_v a_o purblind_a eye_n which_o see_v very_o imperfect_o and_o therefore_o grope_v for_o its_o way_n with_o great_a caution_n and_o fear_n now_o all_o man_n agree_v that_o when_o we_o have_v any_o unnecessary_a doubt_n and_o scruple_n though_o we_o must_v not_o act_v with_o such_o a_o scrupulous_a conscience_n yet_o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v our_o scruple_n aside_o but_o then_o the_o great_a question_n be_v how_o we_o shall_v do_v it_o unless_o man_n can_v have_v scruple_n
run_v headlong_o into_o the_o same_o excess_n with_o themselves_o i_o will_v not_o enlarge_v upon_o this_o argument_n lest_o tell_v plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n shall_v be_v call_v bitterness_n and_o rail_a for_o some_o man_n out_o of_o a_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n be_v guilty_a of_o such_o vile_a and_o lewd_a practice_n as_o they_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o hear_v of_o again_o and_o think_v themselves_o slander_v if_o they_o do_v all_o that_o i_o shall_v say_v of_o it_o be_v only_o this_o that_o a_o tender_a conscience_n never_o teach_v man_n to_o revile_v and_o reproach_v their_o governor_n but_o this_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n and_o character_n of_o the_o most_o infamous_a heretic_n and_o schismatic_n ever_o since_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n st._n jude_n give_v a_o great_a many_o hard_a word_n to_o some_o man_n in_o his_o day_n which_o i_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o apply_v to_o any_o in_o we_o who_o despise_v dominion_n and_o speak_v evil_a of_o dignity_n yet_o michael_n the_o archangel_n when_o contend_v with_o the_o devil_n he_o dispute_v about_o the_o body_n of_o moses_n dare_v not_o bring_v against_o he_o a_o rail_a accusation_n but_o say_v the_o lord_n rebuke_v thou_o but_o these_o speak_v evil_a of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v not_o woe_n unto_o they_o for_o they_o have_v go_v in_o the_o way_n of_o cain_n and_o run_v greedy_o after_o the_o error_n of_o balaam_n for_o reward_n and_o perish_v in_o the_o gainsaying_n of_o core_n these_o be_v spot_n in_o your_o feast_n of_o charity_n when_o they_o feast_v with_o you_o feed_v themselves_o without_o fear_n cloud_n be_v they_o without_o water_n carry_v about_o of_o wind_n tree_n who_o fruit_n wither_v without_o fruit_n twice_o dead_a pluck_v up_o by_o the_o root_n rage_v wave_n of_o the_o sea_n foam_v out_o their_o own_o shame_n wander_v star_n to_o who_o be_v reserve_v the_o blackness_n of_o darkness_n for_o ever_o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o that_o admirable_a rule_n of_o st._n austin_n in_o answer_n to_o parmenianus_n the_o donatist_n whoever_o correct_v what_o he_o can_v 2._o by_o reason_n and_o discourse_n and_o shut_v out_o or_o lays_z aside_o what_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o amendment_n as_o far_o as_o this_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o preservation_n of_o christian_a peace_n and_o unity_n and_o modest_o disallow_v and_o yet_o uphold_v what_o can_v be_v part_v with_o without_o break_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o true_a peacemaker_n sect_n ii_o contain_v some_o general_a consideration_n in_o order_n to_o remove_v those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o some_o have_v entertain_v against_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o shall_v now_o lay_v down_o some_o general_a principle_n which_o may_v contribute_v towards_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o man_n mind_n to_o remove_v their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o worship_n of_o our_o church_n the_o thing_n common_o object_v to_o drive_v away_o our_o people_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o parish_n church_n be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n the_o unlawfulness_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n the_o surplice_n the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n and_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n and_o such_o like_a which_o concern_v the_o use_n of_o some_o indifferent_a and_o uncommand_v thing_n in_o religious_a worship_n for_o we_o have_v always_o challenge_v our_o adversary_n to_o produce_v any_o one_o express_a law_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v contradict_v and_o break_v by_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n or_o the_o administration_n of_o our_o religious_a office_n they_o can_v never_o produce_v any_o yet_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a never_o can_v and_o if_o man_n will_v abuse_v and_o scare_v themselves_o with_o some_o fanciful_a application_n of_o scripture_n and_o remote_a and_o illogical_a consequence_n there_o be_v no_o help_n that_o i_o know_v of_o since_o it_o be_v a_o endless_a work_n to_o answer_v all_o such_o cavil_n for_o man_n who_o can_v make_v objection_n without_o any_o just_a reason_n may_v at_o the_o same_o rate_n return_n answer_v too_o without_o end_n therefore_o the_o best_a and_o short_a way_n i_o can_v think_v of_o be_v to_o lay_v down_o some_o such_o general_a consideration_n as_o may_v satisfy_v all_o honest_a and_o teachable_a mind_n that_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o raise_v objection_n against_o any_o thing_n yet_o those_o objection_n must_v prove_v fallacious_a which_o contradict_v other_o great_a and_o apparent_a truth_n and_o i_o shall_v reduce_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v to_o these_o four_o general_a head_n first_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n second_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n three_o the_o example_n of_o christ._n four_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostolic_a and_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n first_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n for_o god_n be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n and_o that_o be_v the_o best_a worship_n which_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o his_o nature_n thus_o our_o saviour_n teach_v we_o to_o argue_v god_n be_v a_o spirit_n and_o they_o that_o 24._o worship_v he_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n and_o thus_o the_o wise_a man_n argue_v god_n be_v in_o heaven_n and_o thou_o upon_o 2._o earth_n therefore_o let_v thy_o word_n be_v few_o now_o to_o apply_v this_o brief_o to_o our_o present_a case_n can_v any_o man_n who_o consider_v what_o god_n be_v imagine_v that_o he_o will_v be_v displease_v with_o his_o creature_n for_o offer_v up_o their_o prayer_n and_o thanks-givings_a to_o he_o in_o a_o pious_a and_o sober_a form_n of_o word_n can_v god_n be_v please_v with_o the_o volubility_n of_o the_o tongue_n or_o quickness_n of_o fancy_n or_o variety_n of_o invention_n more_o than_o with_o devout_a affection_n than_o with_o a_o soul_n inflame_v with_o divine_a love_n and_o possess_v with_o a_o reverence_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n and_o offer_v up_o itself_o to_o he_o in_o few_o grave_n and_o considerate_a word_n will_v a_o father_n reject_v the_o petition_n of_o his_o child_n if_o as_o often_o as_o he_o want_v require_v he_o use_v the_o same_o word_n when_o he_o ask_v the_o same_o thing_n do_v a_o prince_n like_o a_o long_a extemporary_a harangue_n when_o his_o subject_n come_v to_o beg_v a_o boon_n of_o he_o or_o a_o short_a and_o well_o compose_v petition_n the_o wise_a man_n i_o be_o sure_a tell_v we_o that_o few_o and_o become_v word_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o more_o expressive_a of_o that_o distance_n which_o be_v between_o he_o and_o we_o and_o therefore_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o public_a worship_n which_o be_v only_o a_o external_a signification_n of_o the_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n of_o the_o mind_n prayer_n be_v a_o necessary_a part_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o be_v a_o duty_n incumbent_n on_o mankind_n 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our_o supreme_a lawgiver_n and_o discover_v his_o will_n to_o we_o partly_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o partly_o by_o revelation_n shall_v be_v angry_a with_o his_o creature_n for_o follow_v the_o best_a reason_n they_o have_v nay_o for_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o public_a reason_n and_o authority_n of_o church_n and_o state_n whoever_o only_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n must_v certain_o judge_v it_o fit_a to_o meditate_v before_o hand_n and_o to_o take_v word_n with_o we_o when_o we_o approach_v the_o presence_n of_o so_o great_a a_o majesty_n than_o to_o venture_v say_v any_o thing_n which_o come_v next_o and_o neither_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n nor_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n condemn_v any_o external_a ceremony_n for_o decency_n and_o order_n and_o a_o useful_a signification_n but_o have_v teach_v all_o mankind_n to_o use_v they_o in_o all_o