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power_n and_o then_o with_o what_o
equal_o subject_a to_o the_o decision_n and_o determination_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n i_o shall_v rather_o have_v conclude_v and_o so_o i_o be_o sure_a any_o wise_a governor_n that_o see_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v so_o brave_o vouch_v by_o the_o common_a consent_n and_o suffrage_n of_o mankind_n and_o see_v it_o be_v impossible_a man_n shall_v mistake_v in_o they_o 234._o unless_o they_o will_v do_v it_o wilful_o let_v they_o in_o god_n name_n please_v their_o fancy_n and_o themselves_o in_o a_o liberty_n of_o practice_n and_o persuasion_n concern_v they_o because_o here_o there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o hazard_n of_o any_o dangerous_a mistake_n but_o see_v ibid._n as_o to_z what_o concern_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n they_o be_v all_o at_o variance_n and_o see_v there_o be_v no_o such_o evidence_n in_o these_o thing_n no_o such_o common_a suffrage_n about_o they_o as_o to_o free_v any_o absolute_o from_o fail_n and_o mistake_n so_o that_o in_o respect_n of_o they_o and_o not_o of_o the_o other_o lie_v the_o principal_a danger_n of_o miscarry_v i_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o have_v a_o more_o watchful_a and_o vigilant_a eye_n to_o their_o due_a order_n and_o setlement_n here_o be_v danger_n of_o schism_n and_o dissension_n and_o man_n will_v run_v into_o party_n and_o difference_n about_o uncertain_a and_o ambiguous_a thing_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n i_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o prevent_v religious_a faction_n these_o of_o all_o other_o be_v incomparable_o the_o most_o dangerous_a and_o therefore_o here_o i_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o interpose_v the_o utmost_a of_o my_o care_n and_o power_n wherever_o i_o neglect_v it_o and_o if_o any_o man_n will_v be_v so_o bold_a and_o foolhardy_a as_o to_o affront_v my_o judgement_n and_o determination_n of_o thing_n so_o uncertain_a with_o his_o own_o private_a and_o doubtful_a persuasion_n let_v he_o take_v what_o follow_v and_o so_o i_o have_v bring_v our_o disputer_n to_o my_o old_a advantage_n with_o which_o he_o dare_v no_o more_o venture_n to_o close_v than_o with_o a_o cornish_a hug_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a and_o necessary_a too_o for_o modest_a and_o peaceable_a subject_n to_o submit_v in_o all_o matter_n capable_a of_o doubt_n and_o uncertainty_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o their_o lawful_a superior_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o institute_v worship_n as_o be_v pretend_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o abridge_n the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n over_o their_o disposal_n that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v entire_o subject_a to_o and_o determinable_a by_o the_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n of_o supreme_a authority_n 2._o there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o variety_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o opinion_n concern_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o there_o be_v concern_v those_o of_o institution_n and_o about_o they_o the_o error_n of_o public_a government_n have_v always_o be_v as_o many_o and_o much_o more_o pernicious_a and_o there_o be_v scarce_o one_o instance_n of_o nature_n law_n that_o have_v not_o be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o reverse_v by_o national_a constitution_n have_v not_o our_o author_n read_v of_o law_n for_o he_o be_v sans_o doubt_v a_o man_n of_o read_v though_o i_o dare_v not_o vouch_v for_o his_o learning_n and_o ingenuity_n that_o reward_v thief_n and_o pirate_n that_o prostitute_a virgin_n bride_n to_o the_o public_a lust_n that_o bind_v child_n to_o murder_v their_o decrepit_a parent_n that_o permit_v son_n to_o commit_v incest_n with_o nay_o that_o enjoin_v they_o to_o marry_v their_o own_o mother_n numberless_a be_v the_o story_n of_o the_o debauch_a and_o accurse_a law_n of_o the_o horrible_a and_o unnatural_a custom_n of_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n so_o that_o however_o moral_a virtue_n may_v be_v establish_v among_o mankind_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n yet_o alas_o that_o be_v infinite_o too_o weak_a and_o dim_a to_o preserve_v man_n from_o the_o numberless_a mistake_n of_o error_n and_o ignorance_n and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o little_a strange_a to_o i_o that_o our_o author_n when_o he_o have_v so_o strong_a a_o opinion_n of_o the_o woeful_a decay_n and_o utter_v dissolution_n of_o all_o that_o be_v good_a in_o humane_a nature_n by_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n shall_v yet_o apprehend_v the_o dictate_v of_o so_o debauch_a and_o corrupt_v a_o principle_n to_o make_v a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o mankind_n than_o the_o express_a revelation_n of_o god_n himself_o especial_o when_o this_o be_v chief_o intend_v to_o supply_v and_o repair_v the_o defect_n of_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n for_o in_o the_o last_o and_o real_a issue_n of_o thing_n the_o best_a discovery_n and_o the_o strong_a obligation_n of_o all_o nature_n law_n will_v be_v find_v to_o depend_v on_o their_o positive_a institution_n the_o gospel_n be_v the_o only_a perfect_a and_o accurate_a systeme_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n it_o have_v not_o omit_v any_o the_o least_o part_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o what_o it_o have_v not_o enjoin_v be_v no_o part_n either_o of_o the_o law_n of_o revelation_n or_o of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o in_o truth_n be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o collect_v body_n of_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n at_o what_o a_o woeful_a loss_n shall_v we_o be_v for_o a_o exact_a catalogue_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o infinite_o vain_a attempt_n to_o find_v out_o their_o set_n and_o certain_a number_n for_o alas_o that_o must_v vary_v according_a to_o the_o unconceivable_a difference_n of_o man_n capacity_n and_o apprehension_n person_n of_o great_a sagacity_n and_o more_o improve_v reason_n will_v be_v able_a to_o perceive_v many_o moral_a notice_n of_o thing_n that_o will_v never_o have_v occur_v to_o the_o thought_n of_o rude_a and_o more_o illiterate_a people_n and_o therefore_o our_o safe_a as_o well_o as_o our_o short_a way_n to_o discover_v their_o nature_n and_o obligation_n be_v without_o any_o more_o ado_n to_o search_v the_o record_n of_o all_o god_n revelation_n to_o mankind_n upon_o which_o their_o great_a certainty_n and_o by_o consequence_n their_o chief_a obligation_n depend_v so_o little_o do_v this_o this_o man_n consider_v what_o he_o talk_v when_o he_o ascribe_v so_o much_o evidence_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o moral_a goodness_n beyond_o the_o duty_n of_o institution_n when_o institution_n be_v incomparable_o their_o great_a and_o most_o pregnant_a evidence_n nay_o what_o be_v worse_o than_o all_o the_o rest_n after_o all_o this_o noise_n of_o institute_v worship_n nothing_o will_v ever_o be_v find_v concern_v in_o it_o save_v only_o the_o two_o sacrament_n they_o be_v the_o only_a matter_n of_o outward_a worship_n prescribe_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o thus_o have_v he_o run_v himself_o into_o his_o old_a praemunire_n and_o so_o be_v bring_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o assign_v any_o other_o particular_a ritual_n and_o ceremony_n of_o external_n religion_n enjoin_v and_o determine_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n a_o thing_n of_o which_o they_o much_o and_o often_o talk_v but_o never_o offer_v to_o prove_v or_o specify_v and_o the_o truth_n be_v here_o lie_v the_o main_a mystery_n of_o all_o their_o impertinency_n in_o dispute_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o find_v some_o thing_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n to_o discover_v there_o and_o hence_o all_o this_o clamour_n concern_v the_o particular_a rule_n of_o institute_v worship_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n though_o when_o they_o come_v to_o consult_v it_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o determine_v than_o bare_o the_o two_o sacrament_n but_o this_o will_v not_o serve_v their_o turn_n they_o must_v and_o will_v have_v a_o ius_n divinum_fw-la for_o their_o own_o singular_a fancy_n and_o fashion_n and_o therefore_o away_o they_o fling_v and_o about_o they_o beat_v and_o no_o passage_n of_o holy_a writ_n shall_v be_v leave_v unransackt_v for_o proof_n and_o text_n to_o their_o purpose_n and_o to_o this_o end_n they_o find_v out_o some_o word_n and_o expression_n that_o may_v possible_o seem_v to_o carry_v some_o resemblance_n to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o ungrounded_a conceit_n and_o then_o by_o what_o violent_a and_o strained_a analogy_n will_v they_o force_v they_o to_o countenance_v their_o dream_n and_o by_o what_o odd_a and_o impertinent_a method_n will_v they_o pack_v and_o huddle_n scripture_n together_o till_o they_o seem_v to_o chime_v to_o the_o tune_n of_o their_o own_o foolish_a imagination_n and_o you_o will_v bless_v yourself_o to_o consider_v what_o spiritual_a way_n of_o argue_v they_o have_v of_o late_o invent_v in_o opposition_n to_o common_a sense_n and_o natural_a reason_n to_o justify_v their_o own_o fantastic_a and_o unwarrantable_a hypothesis_n of_o thing_n but_o
more_o especial_o to_o abet_v this_o wild_a and_o unaccountable_a principle_n that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o only_a adequate_a rule_n of_o institute_v worship_n which_o they_o lie_v down_o in_o their_o positive_a divinity_n at_o which_o they_o be_v incomparable_o the_o great_a doctor_n in_o the_o world_n as_o the_o only_a unquestionable_a postulatum_fw-la of_o all_o their_o discourse_n yet_o when_o they_o be_v urge_v to_o make_v it_o out_o by_o rational_a argument_n and_o particular_a instance_n they_o talk_v it_o and_o talk_v it_o but_o as_o for_o proof_n and_o evidence_n they_o never_o can_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v bring_v to_o produce_v any_o other_o beside_o the_o proleptick_a certainty_n of_o the_o maxim_n itself_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v for_o ever_o bar_v their_o general_a plea_n and_o pretence_n draw_v from_o this_o principle_n that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o adequate_a rule_n of_o institute_v worship_n to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n unless_o in_o case_n of_o the_o two_o sacrament_n though_o as_o to_o they_o too_o all_o the_o outward_a circumstance_n and_o posture_n of_o celebration_n be_v whole_o undetermined_a in_o the_o scripture_n till_o they_o shall_v specify_v some_o particular_a instance_n there_o direct_v and_o prescribe_v under_o a_o stand_a obligation_n however_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v attend_v to_o in_o our_o present_a controversy_n when_o it_o be_v as_o i_o have_v prove_v as_o certain_a and_o complete_a a_o rule_n of_o moral_a virtue_n as_o they_o can_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v of_o institute_v worship_n and_o therefore_o that_o can_v be_v any_o ground_n of_o exception_n that_o whilst_o the_o former_a be_v subject_n to_o the_o latter_a shall_v be_v exempt_a from_o the_o disposal_n of_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n so_o lamentable_o absurd_a be_v the_o main_a and_o darling_a principle_n of_o these_o man_n that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o logic_n or_o sophistry_n to_o do_v they_o any_o kindness_n and_o the_o more_o they_o stir_v in_o their_o defence_n the_o more_o they_o expose_v their_o folly_n §_o 9_o and_o now_o have_v so_o woeful_o hurt_v and_o prejudice_v his_o own_o cause_n by_o this_o rash_a and_o indiscreet_a attempt_n upon_o my_o inference_n in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o rush_n with_o a_o fierce_a and_o angry_a dilemma_n upon_o my_o assertion_n viz._n that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v power_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o reference_n to_o moral_a duty_n which_o be_v the_o principal_a part_n of_o religion_n 9_o this_o power_n say_v he_o be_v either_o over_o moral_a virtue_n as_o virtue_n and_o as_o a_o part_n of_o religion_n or_o on_o some_o other_o account_n as_o it_o relate_v to_o humane_a society_n the_o former_a he_o gore_v through_o and_o through_o and_o that_o horn_n of_o the_o dilemma_n be_v above_o two_o page_n long_o and_o here_o he_o have_v exact_o observe_v the_o rule_n and_o custom_n of_o scholastic_a dispute_n that_o be_v always_o prodigal_a of_o confutation_n where_o there_o be_v no_o need_n and_o niggardly_o where_o there_o be_v for_o when_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o latter_a which_o he_o know_v be_v the_o only_a thing_n i_o all_o along_o assert_v he_o free_o grant_v all_o i_o can_v desire_v or_o demand_v 239._o for_o moral_a virtue_n notwithstanding_o their_o peculiar_a tendency_n unto_o god_n and_o religion_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v instrument_n and_o ligament_n of_o humane_a society_n also_o now_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n in_o respect_n of_o moral_a virtue_n be_v in_o their_o latter_a use_n very_o good_a and_o the_o case_n be_v absolute_o the_o same_o as_o to_o all_o reason_n and_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o though_o they_o as_o well_o as_o moral_a virtue_n chief_o relate_v to_o our_o future_a concern_v yet_o have_v they_o also_o a_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o our_o present_a welfare_n and_o if_o right_o manage_v be_v the_o best_a and_o most_o effectual_a instrument_n of_o public_a happiness_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o very_a strength_n and_o sinew_n of_o my_o argument_n that_o if_o magistrate_n be_v vest_v with_o so_o much_o power_n over_o moral_a virtue_n that_o be_v the_o most_o weighty_a and_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v it_o needful_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o society_n and_o the_o security_n of_o government_n how_o much_o more_o reasonable_a be_v it_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v entrust_v with_o the_o same_o power_n over_o matter_n of_o external_a worship_n that_o be_v but_o its_o subordinate_a instrument_n and_o outward_a circumstance_n whenever_o they_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o same_o end_n and_o purpose_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o advantage_n and_o disparity_n of_o reason_n it_o be_v apparent_o on_o this_o side_n for_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a task_n to_o prove_v that_o moral_a virtue_n be_v much_o more_o necessary_a to_o procure_v the_o divine_a acceptance_n and_o religion_n much_o more_o likely_a to_o create_v public_a disturbance_n but_o that_o be_v not_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o our_o present_a enquiry_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o both_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n a_o relation_n to_o these_o different_a end_n and_o therefore_o that_o both_o must_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v subject_a to_o these_o different_a power_n you_o see_v how_o shameful_o this_o man_n be_v repulse_v by_o his_o own_o attempt_n and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o needful_a to_o beat_v back_o his_o answer_n but_o the_o argument_n themselves_o against_o which_o they_o be_v direct_v and_o now_o have_v spend_v his_o main_a strength_n in_o this_o successless_a shock_n it_o be_v piteous_a to_o observe_v how_o he_o faint_v in_o his_o follow_a assay_n he_o inquire_v whether_o this_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n over_o moral_a virtue_n be_v such_o as_o to_o make_v that_o virtue_n which_o be_v not_o virtue_n before_o 239._o or_o which_o be_v vice_n it_o be_v of_o the_o same_o extent_n with_o his_o authority_n over_o affair_n of_o religion_n as_o i_o have_v already_o state_v it_o but_o however_o to_o this_o impertinent_a enquiry_n he_o need_v not_o have_v seek_v far_o for_o a_o pertinent_a answer_n it_o lay_v before_o his_o eye_n when_o he_o object_v it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o write_v blindfold_a viz._n pol._n that_o in_o matter_n both_o of_o moral_a virtue_n and_o divine_a worship_n there_o be_v some_o rule_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o be_v of_o a_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a obligation_n and_o these_o can_v be_v never_o prejudice_v or_o alter_v by_o any_o humane_a power_n but_o then_o there_o be_v other_o rule_n that_o be_v alterable_a according_a to_o the_o various_a accident_n change_n and_o condition_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n i_o assert_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o make_v that_o a_o particular_a of_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o god_n have_v not_o make_v so_o 240._o in_o answer_n to_o which_o he_o wish_v i_o have_v declare_v myself_o how_o and_o wherein_o so_o i_o have_v viz._n in_o all_o the_o peculiar_a and_o positive_a law_n of_o nation_n and_o give_v he_o instance_n in_o no_o less_o matter_n than_o of_o murder_n theft_n and_o incest_n and_o produce_v several_a particular_a case_n in_o which_o the_o civil_a power_n superinduce_v new_a obligation_n upon_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o repeat_v to_o one_o that_o wink_v against_o the_o light_n you_o know_v where_o to_o find_v they_o if_o you_o think_v it_o needful_a but_o be_v not_o this_o a_o bold_a man_n to_o challenge_v i_o with_o such_o a_o scornful_a assurance_n to_o do_v what_o he_o can_v not_o but_o see_v i_o have_v already_o perform_v some_o man_n be_v confident_a enough_o to_o put_v out_o the_o day_n in_o spite_n of_o the_o sun_n he_o add_v the_o divine_a law_n be_v divine_a ibid._n and_o so_o be_v every_o particular_a of_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o make_v new_a particular_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o same_o breath_n grant_v my_o assertion_n as_o a_o ordinary_a and_o familiar_a truth_n if_o i_o only_o intend_v by_o make_v a_o thing_n a_o particular_a of_o the_o divine_a law_n no_o more_o than_o to_o make_v the_o divine_a law_n require_v that_o in_o particular_a of_o a_o man_n which_o it_o do_v not_o require_v of_o he_o before_o though_o that_o man_n must_v have_v a_o wild_a understanding_n that_o can_v mean_v any_o thing_n more_o or_o less_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n be_v there_o not_o between_o make_v a_o new_a particular_a of_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o make_v the_o divine_a law_n require_v that_o in_o particular_a which_o it_o do_v not_o require_v before_o but_o say_v he_o these_o new_a particular_n refer_v only_o to_o the_o act_n and_o occasion_n of_o these_o thing_n in_o particular_a ibid._n it_o be_v no_o matter_n for_o that_o whatever_o they_o refer_v
the_o repeal_n or_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o moses_n law_n and_o all_o the_o discourse_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n upon_o this_o subject_n relate_v pure_o to_o the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a institution_n and_o all_o their_o exhortation_n to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n to_o stand_v stiff_o upon_o their_o privilege_n be_v to_o persuade_v they_o not_o to_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v abuse_v into_o a_o slavish_a opinion_n of_o the_o eternity_n and_o unalterable_a obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o to_o rest_v assure_v that_o the_o gospel_n have_v rescind_v all_o the_o positive_a and_o ceremonial_a command_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v return_v to_o their_o native_a indifferency_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o they_o be_v at_o liberty_n from_o their_o observance_n any_o former_a law_n or_o precept_n to_o the_o contrary_a notwithstanding_o well_o then_o the_o precise_a notion_n of_o christian_a liberty_n consist_v in_o the_o rescue_n of_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n from_o the_o divine_a imposition_n of_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v pretend_v against_o any_o restraint_n whatsoever_o that_o do_v not_o challenge_v a_o absolute_a and_o indispensable_a obligation_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n so_o that_o subject_n be_v not_o to_o be_v permit_v to_o put_v in_o this_o pretence_n in_o bar_n of_o any_o imposition_n of_o our_o lawful_a superior_n because_o it_o relate_v pure_o to_o our_o immediate_a duty_n and_o intercourse_n with_o god_n and_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o concern_v in_o our_o engagement_n and_o relation_n to_o man_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v it_o that_o st._n paul_n so_o smart_o encourage_v the_o galatian_n to_o stand_v fast_o in_o the_o liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v they_o free_a and_o not_o to_o be_v entangle_v again_o with_o the_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n because_o if_o they_o be_v circumcise_v christ_n shall_v profit_v they_o nothing_o in_o that_o they_o be_v debtor_n to_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n for_o if_o the_o seal_n of_o circumcision_n be_v still_o in_o force_n then_o be_v not_o the_o law_n disannul_v of_o which_o this_o be_v the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o sanction_n but_o if_o the_o law_n be_v not_o disannul_v then_o be_v you_o still_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o the_o same_o obedience_n as_o be_v require_v by_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o old_a covenant_n and_o so_o by_o consequence_n forfeit_v all_o the_o favour_n and_o benefit_n of_o the_o new_a but_o set_v aside_o the_o necessity_n of_o circumcision_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a command_n than_o its_o use_n be_v no_o entrenchment_n upon_o christian_a liberty_n and_o therefore_o though_o this_o bless_a apostle_n declaim_v with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o vehemence_n against_o its_o use_n and_o continuance_n out_o of_o respect_n to_o the_o obligatory_a power_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n yet_o upon_o other_o ground_n and_o for_o different_a purpose_n he_o be_v content_a to_o condescend_v to_o its_o practice_n and_o observation_n as_o be_v notorious_a in_o the_o circumcision_n of_o timothy_n so_o that_o you_o see_v it_o be_v apparent_a his_o christian_a liberty_n consist_v not_o in_o a_o indispensable_a forbearance_n of_o circumcision_n for_o so_o to_o have_v use_v it_o in_o any_o case_n have_v be_v a_o manifest_a forfeiture_n of_o his_o privilege_n and_o violation_n of_o his_o duty_n but_o only_o in_o not_o do_v it_o with_o a_o opinion_n of_o its_o necessity_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o perpetual_a obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n this_o be_v the_o plain_a and_o the_o only_a account_n of_o christian_a liberty_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o therefore_o these_o man_n do_v but_o prate_v their_o own_o obstinate_a presumption_n whilst_o they_o persist_v in_o this_o vulgar_a clamour_n till_o they_o can_v either_o prove_v that_o we_o pretend_v to_o any_o divine_a authority_n for_o our_o ecclesiastical_a institution_n or_o that_o christian_a liberty_n be_v of_o any_o concernment_n in_o any_o case_n that_o pretend_v not_o to_o divine_a authority_n these_o thing_n if_o they_o will_v undertake_v to_o make_v good_a they_o may_v talk_v to_o our_o purpose_n but_o otherwise_o they_o will_v but_o talk_v to_o their_o own_o and_o that_o be_v to_o none_o at_o all_o §_o 3._o and_o this_o discover_v the_o impertinency_n of_o our_o author_n next_o demand_n what_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o its_o natural_a privilege_n 261._o if_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o its_o condition_n of_o natural_a purity_n it_o be_v false_a if_o any_o privilege_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o its_o corrupt_a condition_n it_o be_v no_o less_o untrue_a why_o so_o because_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n the_o mind_n be_v in_o bondage_n and_o not_o capable_a of_o liberty_n i_o can_v divine_v what_o thing_n he_o here_o intend_v nor_o of_o what_o concernment_n the_o purity_n and_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v to_o this_o enquiry_n the_o only_a liberty_n i_o treat_v of_o be_v a_o exemption_n from_o the_o obligatory_a power_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a institution_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o its_o natural_a privilege_n can_v signify_v nothing_o else_o than_o its_o be_v rescue_v from_o the_o yoke_n &_o bondage_n of_o positive_a &_o arbitrary_a law_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o law_n and_o dictate_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o what_o relation_n this_o have_v to_o our_o natural_a purity_n or_o corruption_n be_v pass_v my_o skill_n to_o understand_v and_o so_o be_v the_o reason_n he_o subjoin_v to_o confirm_v his_o assertion_n no_o better_o than_o a_o grave_n and_o profound_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n for_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n ridiculous_a to_o confound_v the_o mere_a natural_a liberty_n of_o our_o will_n ibid._n which_o be_v a_o affection_n inseparable_a from_o that_o faculty_n with_o a_o moral_n or_o spiritual_a liberty_n of_o mind_n relate_v unto_o god_n and_o his_o worship_n it_o be_v so_o but_o what_o in_o the_o name_n of_o sphinx_n be_v this_o to_o our_o enquiry_n what_o have_v liberty_n from_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o do_v with_o liberty_n of_o will_n it_o be_v perfect_a riddle_n to_o i_o where_o either_o the_o force_n or_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o argument_n lie_v but_o freewill_n be_v a_o old_a word_n of_o contention_n and_o the_o bare_a mention_n of_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o amuse_v his_o unlearned_a reader_n and_o to_o make_v they_o suspect_v some_o depth_n of_o learning_n or_o reason_n that_o their_o shallow_a capacity_n be_v not_o able_a to_o fathom_n and_o if_o the_o argument_n have_v any_o subtlety_n there_o it_o lie_v but_o his_o brave_a and_o most_o serviceable_a artifice_n be_v still_o behind_o when_o a_o argument_n be_v neither_o to_o be_v withstand_v nor_o avoid_v he_o can_v slur_v its_o force_n and_o evidence_n by_o pervert_v it_o and_o entertain_v his_o reader_n by_o impose_v a_o false_a sense_n upon_o it_o when_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o confute_v the_o true_a one_o thus_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o whole_a paragraph_n run_v upon_o no_o small_a mistake_n namely_o 262._o that_o the_o yoke_n of_o moysaicall_a institution_n consist_v in_o their_o imposition_n on_o the_o mind_n and_o judgement_n of_o man_n with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o antecedent_n necessity_n of_o they_o this_o indeed_o be_v somewhat_o strange_a divinity_n and_o not_o altogether_o uncapable_a of_o confutation_n especial_o as_o to_o my_o particular_a case_n it_o be_v such_o a_o square_a contradiction_n to_o that_o account_n i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v thing_n indifferent_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n that_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o use_n and_o exercise_n be_v superinduce_v upon_o they_o pure_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a positive_a command_n that_o this_o be_v rescind_v their_o necessity_n immediate_o cease_v and_o they_o return_v to_o the_o state_n of_o their_o original_a indifferency_n to_o be_v govern_v as_o circumstance_n shall_v require_v and_o prudence_n direct_v so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a i_o have_v deny_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n to_o have_v be_v at_o all_o necessary_a to_o be_v observe_v from_o their_o own_o intrinsic_a nature_n antecedent_n to_o their_o positive_a institution_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o where_o else_o i_o have_v affirm_v it_o i_o have_v no_o way_n to_o avoid_v the_o charge_n of_o speak_v dagger_n and_o contradiction_n but_o say_v he_o that_o this_o be_v my_o sense_n intend_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o paragraph_n ibid._n viz._n that_o whatever_o and_o in_o what_o matter_n soever_o our_o superior_n impose_v upon_o we_o it_o be_v no_o entrenchment_n upon_o our_o christian_a liberty_n provide_v it_o be_v not_o impose_v
the_o same_o thing_n in_o reference_n to_o government_n can_v pretend_v to_o tenderness_n and_o want_n of_o satisfaction_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o plead_v exemption_n from_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o his_o lawful_a superior_n there_o will_v be_v no_o avoid_v the_o consequence_n at_o least_o as_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n but_o that_o all_o the_o power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o authority_n must_v submit_v to_o the_o folly_n passion_n and_o extravagance_n of_o the_o multitude_n and_o howsoever_o man_n may_v wind_v themselves_o up_o and_o down_o in_o maze_n of_o endless_a nicety_n and_o distinction_n they_o will_v never_o clear_v themselves_o from_o the_o unavoidable_a event_n of_o anarchy_n and_o confusion_n as_o long_o as_o they_o promiscuous_o admit_v the_o pretension_n of_o a_o unsatisfy_a conscience_n and_o yet_o that_o they_o will_v be_v force_v to_o do_v if_o they_o stop_v not_o at_o the_o plain_a the_o easy_a and_o the_o discernible_a measure_n of_o duty_n and_o therefore_o man_n must_v not_o be_v allow_v to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o humane_a law_n upon_o slender_a ground_n and_o weak_a surmise_n nor_o conclude_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n to_o be_v antecedent_o unlawful_a unless_o it_o be_v certain_o and_o apparent_o so_o and_o this_o will_v far_o appear_v high_o reasonable_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n law_n that_o be_v always_o plain_a and_o easy_a and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n about_o which_o they_o be_v employ_v that_o be_v always_o of_o a_o great_a and_o evident_a necessity_n so_o that_o thing_n real_o liable_a to_o doubt_v and_o disputation_n be_v not_o of_o importance_n enough_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o number_n of_o indispensable_a duty_n and_o unless_o they_o be_v clear_o and_o apparent_o evil_a that_o be_v a_o unquestionable_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v not_o intrinsical_o so_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o duty_n be_v to_o a_o ingenuous_a mind_n uncapable_a of_o doubt_n and_o uncertainty_n and_o therefore_o where_o there_o appear_v no_o certain_a and_o express_a repugnancy_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o be_v presumption_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o sober_a and_o peaceable_a man_n in_o their_o lawfulness_n §_o 7._o but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o material_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o conscience_n in_o this_o enquiry_n be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v no_o rule_n of_o life_n and_o manner_n more_o express_a and_o unavoidable_a nor_o any_o duty_n in_o the_o gospel_n enjoin_v in_o more_o positive_a term_n and_o under_o more_o severe_a penalty_n than_o this_o of_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_v of_o supreme_a authority_n and_o god_n have_v tie_v all_o their_o just_a law_n upon_o our_o conscience_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o own_o authority_n and_o under_o pain_n of_o his_o own_o displeasure_n and_o as_o man_n will_v acquit_v themselves_o in_o their_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n they_o be_v bind_v under_o the_o same_o sanction_n to_o acquit_v themselves_o in_o their_o obedience_n to_o they_o and_o now_o upon_o this_o principle_n no_o true_o upright_a and_o conscientious_a man_n will_v ever_o go_v about_o to_o riggle_v himself_o out_o of_o his_o duty_n to_o his_o lawful_a superior_n out_o of_o any_o regard_n to_o any_o law_n of_o god_n when_o he_o be_v not_o as_o clear_o and_o abundant_o satisfy_v of_o the_o certainty_n and_o necessity_n of_o its_o obligation_n nay_o he_o can_v with_o safety_n and_o without_o violence_n to_o his_o own_o conscience_n remonstrate_v to_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a authority_n unless_o upon_o reason_n more_o bright_a and_o forcible_a than_o the_o express_a word_n of_o st._n paul_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o you_o be_v subject_a not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o also_o for_o conscience_n sake_n and_o if_o man_n will_v as_o they_o ought_v suspend_v their_o scruple_n and_o exception_n till_o they_o can_v make_v it_o out_o to_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o necessary_a and_o as_o universal_a duty_n of_o religion_n as_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a superior_n we_o can_v not_o desire_v a_o more_o effectual_a bar_n to_o all_o our_o schism_n and_o distraction_n for_o none_o of_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o difference_n can_v either_o pretend_v to_o or_o be_v indeed_o capable_a of_o equal_a evidence_n with_o this_o express_a proposition_n of_o the_o bless_a apostle_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o will_v stand_v firm_a and_o loyal_a to_o this_o doctrine_n till_o they_o can_v produce_v more_o clear_a and_o convince_a scripture_n to_o vouch_v their_o own_o singular_a conceit_n that_o must_v for_o ever_o stifle_v all_o former_a quarrel_n and_o prevent_v all_o far_a dissension_n u.g._n whereas_o our_o author_n be_v require_v by_o his_o lawful_a superior_n to_o use_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n he_o put_v in_o his_o exception_n against_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o command_n in_o that_o it_o enjoin_v a_o symbolical_a ceremony_n and_o every_o symbolical_a ceremony_n be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o sacrament_n and_o no_o sacrament_n can_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v institute_v but_o by_o divine_a authority_n and_o therefore_o for_o any_o humane_a power_n to_o establish_v new_a symbolical_a ceremony_n be_v to_o invade_v god_n own_o peculiar_a royalty_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o which_o cavil_v be_v involve_v a_o great_a number_n of_o dark_a uncertain_a and_o perhaps_o indeterminable_a inquiry_n yet_o however_o to_o keep_v to_o the_o main_a pretence_n let_v he_o but_o conform_v to_o this_o injunction_n till_o he_o can_v allege_v any_o text_n of_o scripture_n that_o affirm_v in_o as_o clear_v and_o dogmatical_a word_n that_o every_o symbolical_a ceremony_n be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o sacrament_n as_o be_v those_o of_o st._n peter_n be_v you_o subject_a to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n and_o then_o we_o shall_v neither_o need_v nor_o desire_v any_o far_a security_n to_o prevent_v his_o defection_n from_o the_o establish_v discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o affair_n so_o that_o if_o man_n will_v learn_v to_o be_v peaceable_a and_o ingenuous_a this_o plain_a and_o obvious_a principle_n will_v either_o forestall_v or_o supersede_n all_o their_o scruple_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o command_n of_o authority_n so_o much_o surmount_v their_o obligation_n and_o anticipate_v their_o pretence_n that_o the_o very_a plea_n of_o a_o tender_a and_o unsatisfied_a conscience_n in_o opposition_n to_o public_a law_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o direct_a principle_n of_o sedition_n and_o a_o open_a affront_n to_o government_n and_o therefore_o whoever_o they_o be_v that_o vouch_n and_o pretend_v its_o prohibition_n to_o the_o proceed_n of_o lawful_a authority_n deserve_v for_o that_o reason_n alone_o the_o shame_n and_o correction_n of_o sturdy_a and_o irreclaimable_a schismatic_n and_o here_o it_o be_v a_o woeful_a impertinence_n for_o man_n to_o oppose_v as_o our_o author_n have_v do_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o of_o conscience_n to_o that_o of_o man_n 144._o for_o that_o be_v to_o plead_v god_n and_o conscience_n against_o themselves_o in_o that_o humane_a law_n be_v as_o much_o tie_v upon_o we_o by_o his_o own_o immediate_a command_n as_o his_o own_o immediate_a institution_n and_o whatsoever_o lawful_a superior_n impose_v upon_o our_o practice_n that_o he_o bind_v upon_o our_o conscience_n and_o though_o their_o decree_n pass_v no_o direct_a obligation_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n yet_o the_o law_n of_o god_n direct_o and_o immediate_o bind_v their_o conscience_n to_o obedience_n and_o he_o have_v threaten_v the_o same_o eternal_a penalty_n to_o our_o contempt_n of_o and_o disobedience_n to_o their_o law_n as_o he_o have_v annex_v to_o his_o own_o command_n it_o be_v enough_o therefore_o that_o the_o conscience_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n though_o that_o obligation_n be_v tie_v upon_o it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o different_a obligation_n of_o humane_a and_o divine_a law_n that_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o enquiry_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n be_v equal_o concern_v in_o both_o and_o all_o the_o contest_v lie_v entire_o between_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o command_n viz._n whether_o god_n have_v by_o as_o certain_a as_o absolute_a and_o as_o indispensable_a a_o law_n restrain_v we_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o what_o our_o superior_n enjoin_v as_o he_o have_v enjoin_v we_o to_o yield_v all_o ready_a and_o cheerful_a obedience_n to_o their_o command_n and_o when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v shift_v to_o this_o enquiry_n it_o be_v another_o woeful_a impertinence_n to_o plead_v the_o rule_n of_o st._n paul_n he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o eat_v to_o countenance_n and_o warrant_v their_o suspension_n of_o obedience_n for_o where_o the_o doubt_n have_v but_o
one_o handle_n there_o it_o concern_v we_o to_o hold_v that_o fast_o but_o where_o it_o have_v more_o it_o be_v the_o safe_a way_n to_o hold_v by_o the_o strong_a my_o meaning_n be_v where_o the_o danger_n of_o sin_n lie_v but_o upon_o one_o side_n of_o the_o action_n it_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o man_n wisdom_n to_o determine_v his_o choice_n on_o the_o other_o that_o be_v undoubted_o safe_a and_o innocent_a but_o when_o there_o lie_v danger_n on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o enquiry_n than_o the_o doubt_n cease_v to_o bind_v from_o action_n and_o only_o bind_v to_o enquiry_n and_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o resolve_v with_o the_o weighty_a and_o most_o important_a reason_n and_o the_o strong_a obligation_n always_o cancel_v the_o doubt_n and_o determine_v the_o judgement_n and_o this_o be_v the_o palpable_a difference_n of_o our_o case_n from_o that_o of_o st._n paul_n there_o all_o the_o jealousy_n lie_v on_o the_o side_n of_o the_o action_n and_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n or_o pretence_n for_o any_o suspicion_n of_o sin_n in_o the_o forbearance_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o safe_a and_o easy_a determination_n of_o the_o scruple_n to_o resolve_v that_o way_n where_o there_o be_v neither_o doubt_n nor_o danger_n and_o in_o that_o case_n a_o total_a suspension_n of_o action_n be_v our_o proper_a duty_n but_o this_o be_v wide_o remote_a from_o the_o posture_n of_o our_o present_a affair_n where_o there_o lie_v some_o hazard_n of_o miscarriage_n on_o all_o side_n and_o therefore_o the_o doubt_n be_v no_o warranty_n for_o the_o suspension_n of_o obedience_n because_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o command_n be_v not_o certain_o unlawful_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o be_v so_o and_o therefore_o it_o can_v have_v no_o more_o power_n to_o suspend_v than_o it_o have_v to_o bind_v to_o action_n and_o there_o remain_v no_o other_o way_n to_o appease_v and_o satisfy_v the_o conscience_n but_o to_o apply_v itself_o to_o depose_v the_o doubt_n and_o resolve_v to_o discard_v its_o unreasonable_a and_o trifle_a suspicion_n and_o confident_o follow_v the_o guidance_n of_o its_o most_o probable_a judgement_n and_o determination_n and_o here_o the_o safe_a course_n as_o to_o the_o case_n under_o our_o present_a enquiry_n be_v to_o follow_v my_o former_a advice_n of_o join_v in_o with_o the_o command_v of_o authority_n that_o be_v not_o certain_o and_o apparent_o sinful_a for_o nothing_o can_v outbalance_v their_o obligation_n unless_o evident_a and_o unquestionable_a disobedience_n to_o god_n himself_o so_o that_o where_o this_o be_v not_o either_o plain_o apparent_a or_o very_o forcible_o prove_v there_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o sink_v the_o scale_n and_o determine_v the_o balance_n on_o the_o side_n of_o authority_n and_o it_o be_v a_o safe_a and_o a_o useful_a rule_n of_o life_n that_o in_o all_o disputable_a case_n the_o command_n of_o authority_n abrogate_v the_o irresolution_n and_o oblige_v to_o action_n but_o if_o after_o they_o have_v determine_v the_o case_n the_o conscience_n will_v still_o remain_v stubborn_a or_o timorous_a so_o that_o it_o will_v not_o or_o dare_v not_o venture_v upon_o a_o determination_n it_o be_v either_o such_o a_o troublesome_a infirmity_n as_o must_v be_v correct_v or_o such_o a_o headstrong_a humour_n as_o must_v be_v break_v otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o conceivable_a way_n of_o govern_v man_n that_o be_v either_o proud_a or_o peevish_a or_o ignorant_a this_o be_v plain_a and_o downright_a sense_n and_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o reason_v too_o and_o i_o know_v but_o one_o exception_n that_o seem_v to_o carry_v in_o it_o any_o colour_n or_o appearance_n of_o difficulty_n against_o this_o way_n of_o state_v the_o government_n of_o humane_a affair_n and_o it_o be_v this_o §_o 8._o when_o we_o come_v to_o apply_v particular_a action_n to_o these_o general_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o government_n who_o shall_v judge_v of_o their_o agreement_n with_o the_o limit_n and_o measure_n assign_v if_o this_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o different_a judgement_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o subject_a this_o fabric_n fall_v to_o piece_n again_o and_o man_n be_v still_o leave_v at_o liberty_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o their_o superior_n command_v by_o the_o best_a light_n god_n have_v give_v they_o and_o they_o may_v be_v absolve_v from_o their_o obligation_n by_o the_o countermand_n of_o their_o private_a judgement_n and_o so_o we_o be_v just_a as_o before_o 150._o and_o this_o great_a engine_n for_o public_a tranquillity_n vanish_v into_o air_n and_o smoak_n but_o this_o cavil_v if_o it_o be_v of_o any_o strength_n or_o value_n concern_v not_o in_o particular_a my_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n and_o lie_v indifferent_o against_o all_o setlement_n of_o humane_a affair_n and_o strike_v equal_o at_o all_o hypothesis_n of_o government_n for_o upon_o what_o principle_n soever_o man_n shall_v settle_v and_o determine_v this_o enquiry_n it_o will_v return_v upon_o they_o with_o as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o force_n than_o upon_o my_o determination_n for_o whatever_o bound_n and_o limit_n they_o assign_v to_o the_o extent_n of_o humane_a power_n all_o its_o command_n must_v still_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o different_a judgement_n of_o the_o person_n that_o enjoin_v and_o the_o person_n that_o obey_v about_o which_o it_o be_v as_o possible_a and_o as_o likely_a they_o may_v disagree_v as_o about_o those_o that_o i_o have_v prescribe_v and_o therefore_o i_o never_o design_v to_o prevent_v such_o inconvenience_n as_o be_v unavoidable_a to_o humane_a affair_n but_o only_o to_o settle_v their_o management_n upon_o the_o best_a and_o safe_a principle_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o for_o either_o religion_n be_v entire_o exempt_v from_o the_o cognizance_n of_o humane_a power_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o humane_a law_n or_o else_o it_o be_v in_o some_o case_n obnoxious_a to_o their_o jurisdiction_n the_o former_a be_v a_o opinion_n so_o wild_a and_o intolerable_a as_o that_o it_o be_v never_o heretofore_o own_a by_o any_o but_o such_o perverse_a people_n as_o renounce_v all_o subjection_n to_o earthly_a prince_n nor_o indeed_o can_v it_o be_v admit_v without_o dissolve_v the_o whole_a fabric_n of_o humane_a government_n for_o that_o prince_n must_v needs_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a power_n who_o subject_n can_v challenge_v a_o exemption_n from_o his_o authority_n as_o to_o all_o matter_n and_o pretence_n of_o religion_n i._n e._n as_o to_o all_o thing_n in_o that_o it_o extend_v its_o influence_n to_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o therefore_o its_o exemption_n be_v no_o less_o than_o flat_a anarchy_n a_o dissolution_n of_o all_o law_n and_o subversion_n of_o all_o society_n the_o truth_n whereof_o be_v so_o infinite_o certain_a from_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n and_o so_o universal_o confess_v by_o the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n that_o it_o can_v never_o enter_v the_o mind_n of_o any_o man_n unless_o a_o few_o savage_a and_o inhuman_a wretch_n that_o will_v have_v vote_v to_o break_v up_o humane_a society_n that_o they_o may_v betake_v themselves_o to_o the_o wood_n and_o desert_n and_o there_o live_v after_o the_o manner_n and_o custom_n of_o unsociable_a creature_n and_o wild_a vermin_n but_o of_o this_o i_o have_v treat_v large_o enough_o and_o it_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o our_o author_n he_o grant_v as_o all_o man_n do_v that_o be_v not_o utter_o revolt_v from_o the_o first_o principle_n and_o fundamental_a law_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o in_o some_o case_n and_o upon_o some_o occasion_n it_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n to_o interpose_v his_o power_n to_o settle_v and_o govern_v the_o thing_n of_o religion_n thus_o far_o we_o be_v agree_v and_o only_o differ_v in_o mark_v out_o the_o distinct_a bound_n and_o state_v the_o particular_a case_n of_o his_o jurisdiction_n and_o here_o whatsoever_o determination_n he_o may_v propose_v they_o must_v fall_v under_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o subject_a v_o g._n whereas_o he_o conject_v he_o have_v sufficient_o state_v the_o controversy_n in_o the_o general_a word_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n speak_v to_o another_o purpose_n and_o upon_o a_o different_a occasion_n give_v unto_o caesar_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v caesar_n and_o to_o god_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v god_n i_o demand_v who_o shall_v determine_v the_o particular_a right_n of_o god_n and_o of_o caesar_n who_o shall_v assign_v the_o just_a limit_n of_o their_o respective_a dominion_n and_o who_o shall_v judge_v when_o caesar_n pass_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o imperial_a jurisdiction_n and_o when_o he_o intrenche_n upon_o god_n authority_n by_o take_v upon_o he_o a_o dominion_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o god_n have_v reserve_v for_o his_o own_o proper_a cognizance_n and_o immediate_a royalty_n so_o that_o in_o this_o
conscience_n of_o man_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o inference_n like_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o author_n from_o thence_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o therefore_o affect_v they_o by_o their_o own_o direct_a and_o immediate_a sanction_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o it_o be_v as_o false_a as_o foolish_a i_o have_v indeed_o assert_v the_o absolute_a power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n over_o affair_n of_o religion_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o distinct_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n for_o have_v first_o assert_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o sovereign_a power_n over_o these_o matter_n from_o their_o concernment_n in_o the_o peace_n and_o government_n of_o the_o world_n i_o thence_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v where_o and_o in_o who_o it_o ought_v to_o reside_v and_o have_v show_v the_o inconsistency_n of_o erect_v two_o supreme_a power_n one_o over_o civil_a the_o other_o over_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n i_o conclude_v that_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v universal_a absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a in_o that_o it_o extend_v its_o jurisdiction_n as_o well_o to_o affair_n of_o religion_n as_o to_o affair_n of_o state_n because_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o influential_a upon_o the_o interest_n of_o mankind_n &_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o now_o be_v this_o to_o make_v the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n absolute_o paramount_n without_o regard_n to_o any_o other_o jurisdiction_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o when_o i_o only_o maintain_v it_o in_o defiance_n to_o the_o claim_n of_o any_o other_o humane_a power_n this_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o that_o enquiry_n and_o when_o i_o assert_v the_o sovereign_a power_n to_o be_v absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a it_o be_v apparent_a nothing_o else_o can_v be_v intend_v than_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v control_v by_o any_o distinct_a power_n whether_o of_o the_o pope_n or_o the_o presbytery_n and_o when_o i_o assert_v it_o to_o be_v universal_a and_o unlimited_a it_o can_v be_v understand_v in_o no_o other_o sense_n than_o that_o it_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o matter_n pure_o civil_a but_o extend_v its_o jurisdiction_n to_o matter_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a importance_n upon_o which_o account_n alone_o i_o determine_v it_o to_o be_v absolute_a universal_a and_o uncontrollable_a this_o be_v the_o main_a and_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o that_o which_o distinguish_v the_o true_o orthodox_n and_o catholic_n protestant_n both_a from_o popish_a and_o presbyterian_a recusant_n and_o be_v the_o only_a fence_n to_o secure_v the_o throne_n of_o prince_n against_o the_o dangerous_a encroachment_n of_o those_o bold_a and_o dare_a sect_n and_o therefore_o from_o so_o avow_v a_o truth_n to_o charge_v i_o for_o ascribe_v in_o general_a term_n a_o absolute_a universal_a &_o uncontrollable_a power_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n argue_v more_o boldness_n than_o wit_n and_o discretion_n and_o give_v we_o ground_n to_o suspect_v that_o these_o man_n be_v not_o less_o forsake_v of_o shame_n and_o modesty_n than_o they_o be_v of_o providence_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o very_a bold_a face_n and_o a_o very_a hard_a forehead_n that_o can_v ever_o venture_v to_o obtrude_v such_o palpable_a and_o disingenuous_a abuse_n upon_o the_o world_n §_o 11._o but_o our_o author_n proceed_v in_o his_o method_n and_o his_o charge_n and_o his_o confidence_n advance_v together_o and_o before_o you_o finâ—_n he_o at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o paragraph_n you_o will_v find_v he_o brave_o attempt_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o boldness_n the_o next_o proof_n he_o single_v out_o for_o his_o purpose_n be_v a_o passage_n of_o the_o twelve_o section_n of_o my_o first_o chapter_n 96._o he_o the_o magistrate_n may_v if_o he_o please_v reserve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o priesthood_n to_o himself_o from_o whence_o it_o clear_o follow_v as_o he_o dream_v that_o queen_n elizabeth_n might_n if_o she_o please_v have_v exercise_v the_o priestly_a function_n in_o her_o own_o person_n and_o he_o take_v frequent_a occasion_n to_o insult_v over_o the_o weakness_n of_o this_o assertion_n 159_o and_o triumph_v in_o the_o wit_n of_o this_o inference_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o its_o woeful_a impertinency_n to_o the_o conclusion_n wherewith_o he_o confident_o wind_n up_o this_o heap_n of_o calumny_n viz._n that_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o whatever_o the_o magistrate_n command_v in_o religion_n his_o authority_n do_v so_o immediate_o affect_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o observe_v it_o on_o the_o pain_n of_o the_o great_a sin_n and_o punishment_n for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o infer_v from_o his_o right_n to_o the_o priestly_a office_n a_o unlimited_a and_o immediate_a power_n over_o religion_n unless_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o this_o absolute_a sovereignty_n be_v unalienable_a from_o the_o priesthood_n and_o when_o that_o be_v pretend_v or_o perform_v we_o will_v far_o consider_v the_o validity_n of_o this_o inference_n nor_o shall_v i_o mind_v he_o what_o a_o ill_a piece_n of_o policy_n it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o disavow_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o female_a sex_n in_o the_o conduct_n of_o religion_n when_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o important_a affair_n of_o the_o separate_a church_n be_v transact_v and_o govern_v by_o their_o zeal_n and_o when_o the_o apron-string_n be_v the_o strong_a bond_n of_o the_o congregational_a union_n and_o when_o as_o they_o manage_v the_o business_n st._n peter_n key_n be_v hang_v at_o their_o girdle_n and_o every_o conceit_a sister_n assume_v to_o herself_o if_o not_o the_o infallibility_n of_o pope_n joan_n yet_o at_o least_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o donna_n olympia_n nor_o last_o shall_v i_o present_v the_o salic_a law_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o deve_v that_o sex_n of_o all_o right_a and_o pretence_n of_o succession_n to_o the_o priesthood_n by_o which_o they_o be_v restrain_v from_o intermeddle_v with_o any_o office_n of_o the_o sacred_a function_n though_o it_o shall_v descend_v by_o right_a of_o inheritance_n to_o the_o heir_n male_a of_o the_o blood_n royal._n such_o a_o trifle_a objection_n be_v not_o worth_a so_o much_o pain_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o inform_v you_o that_o in_o the_o paragraph_n aforesaid_a i_o undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o true_a original_a of_o all_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a government_n where_o i_o show_v how_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n they_o be_v vest_v in_o the_o same_o person_n and_o found_v upon_o the_o same_o right_n of_o paternal_a authority_n and_o in_o this_o state_n of_o thing_n antecedent_n to_o all_o superinduce_v restraint_n and_o positive_a institution_n i_o assert_v the_o supreme_a magistrate_n may_v if_o he_o please_v reserve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o priesthood_n to_o himself_o though_o afterward_o the_o priestly_a office_n be_v in_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n express_o derogate_a from_o the_o kingly_a power_n by_o be_v settle_v upon_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n and_o the_o line_n of_o aaron_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n that_o derive_v their_o ministerial_a office_n for_o that_o of_o priesthood_n our_o author_n will_v not_o admit_v of_o under_o the_o gospel_n from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n express_a and_o immediate_a commission_n now_o what_o i_o affirm_v of_o thing_n in_o the_o bare_a state_n of_o nature_n without_o the_o guidance_n of_o revelation_n for_o our_o author_n to_o represent_v it_o as_o if_o i_o have_v apply_v it_o indifferent_o to_o all_o age_n and_o period_n of_o the_o church_n by_o whatsoever_o positive_a law_n and_o different_a institution_n they_o may_v be_v govern_v be_v wonderful_o suitable_a to_o the_o genius_n of_o his_o own_o wit_n and_o ingenuity_n and_o sufficient_o discover_v who_o he_o be_v though_o we_o have_v no_o other_o evidence_n of_o the_o man_n and_o his_o humour_n it_o be_v his_o way_n and_o method_n and_o betray_v he_o as_o much_o as_o the_o word_n entanglement_n that_o be_v the_o shibbole_fw-he of_o all_o his_o write_n but_o i_o must_v not_o think_v to_o escape_v thus_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o bear_v i_o down_o for_o a_o illiterate_a dunce_n with_o face_n and_o downright_a confidence_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o tell_v the_o reader_n that_o the_o young_a man_n as_o pert_a and_o peremptory_a as_o he_o be_v 159._o seem_v not_o much_o acquaint_v with_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o office_n of_o the_o priesthood_n among_o man_n as_o shall_v be_v demonstrate_v if_o far_a occasion_n be_v give_v thereunto_o this_o he_o affirm_v bold_o and_o when_o it_o be_v prove_v it_o shall_v be_v grant_v but_o till_o then_o let_v i_o beg_v the_o reader_n to_o suspend_v his_o
the_o disingenuity_n of_o his_o cavil_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v needful_a in_o answer_n to_o his_o way_n of_o proceed_v which_o you_o see_v be_v not_o to_o confute_v but_o to_o pervert_v my_o discourse_n and_o if_o i_o shall_v pursue_v all_o advantage_n examine_v all_o miscarriage_n and_o lay_v open_a all_o folly_n and_o impertinency_n i_o shall_v presume_v too_o much_o upon_o the_o public_a patience_n and_o swell_v my_o reply_n to_o too_o unreasonable_a a_o bulk_n so_o many_o so_o vain_a and_o so_o impertinent_a be_v his_o topic_n of_o cavil_v however_o the_o remainder_n of_o his_o talk_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o these_o falsification_n and_o therefore_o by_o what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v in_o answer_n to_o their_o forgery_n i_o have_v make_v it_o altogether_o needless_a to_o take_v any_o far_a notice_n of_o his_o wild_a and_o ramble_a harangue_n for_o if_o they_o be_v pertinent_a to_o their_o premise_n they_o be_v impertinent_a to_o my_o discourse_n if_o they_o be_v not_o they_o be_v impertinent_a to_o his_o own_o though_o the_o truth_n be_v shall_v i_o grant_v he_o the_o privilege_n he_o be_v resolve_v to_o take_v of_o falsify_v yet_o he_o deduce_v thing_n so_o loose_o and_o incoherent_o that_o i_o may_v easy_o make_v good_a my_o cause_n against_o he_o if_o i_o shall_v undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o those_o untruth_n and_o monstrous_a absurdity_n he_o fasten_v on_o i_o i_o may_v demand_v of_o he_o to_o what_o purpose_n he_o here_o acquaint_v we_o with_o that_o solemn_a and_o systematick_a distinction_n of_o the_o declaration_n of_o god_n will_n either_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o the_o light_n of_o revelation_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o inform_v the_o world_n of_o this_o new_a and_o important_a mystery_n 101._o that_o a_o positive_a command_n of_o god_n may_v as_o to_o any_o particular_a instance_n suspend_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o great_a command_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o it_o actual_o do_v in_o the_o precept_n give_v to_o abraham_n for_o sacrifice_v his_o son_n for_o whatever_o any_o schoolman_n may_v determine_v in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v apparent_a here_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o suspension_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n who_o obligation_n be_v so_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a that_o nothing_o can_v suspend_v it_o for_o one_o moment_n without_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o antecedent_n reason_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o only_o a_o positive_a command_n to_o execute_v a_o divine_a decree_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n i._n e._n to_o put_v his_o son_n to_o death_n by_o his_o authority_n that_o be_v absolute_a lord_n of_o life_n a_o matter_n against_o which_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n never_o have_v or_o can_v have_v any_o prohibition_n for_o though_o possible_o it_o restrain_v abraham_n from_o attempt_v his_o son_n life_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o own_o dominion_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v warrant_v to_o it_o by_o a_o special_a command_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o have_v refuse_v its_o execution_n have_v be_v to_o remonstrate_v to_o the_o justice_n of_o one_o of_o the_o most_o fundamental_a law_n of_o nature_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o suspension_n of_o the_o law_n but_o a_o alteration_n of_o the_o case_n and_o a_o command_n to_o do_v something_o which_o that_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v forbid_v to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o twit_v i_o for_o assert_v magistratical_a omnipotency_n 108._o rather_o than_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n i_o be_o at_o age_n and_o liberty_n as_o young_a as_o he_o will_v make_v i_o to_o choose_v my_o own_o theme_n and_o perhaps_o the_o next_o book_n i_o publish_v that_o shall_v be_v the_o argument_n of_o my_o discourse_n and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o will_v as_o much_o correct_v i_o for_o leave_v the_o pursuit_n of_o my_o former_a subject_n as_o he_o do_v now_o for_o pursue_v it_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o preach_v to_o sovereign_a prince_n not_o to_o take_v upon_o themselves_o that_o absolute_a power_n 10._o i_o have_v for_o my_o own_o advantage_n ascribe_v to_o they_o unless_o he_o have_v also_o prove_v it_o be_v not_o for_o they_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a motive_n no_o doubt_n to_o encourage_v his_o majesty_n to_o listen_v to_o his_o advice_n by_o inform_v he_o ibid._n it_o be_v not_o the_o acclamation_n of_o the_o multitude_n unto_o herod_n the_o voice_n of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o man_n but_o his_o own_o arrogant_a satisfaction_n in_o that_o blasphemous_a assignation_n of_o divine_a glory_n to_o he_o that_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o judgement_n and_o vengeance_n of_o god_n for_o certain_o prince_n will_v require_v more_o forcible_a reason_n to_o part_v with_o the_o absoluteness_n of_o their_o sovereign_a power_n than_o such_o preach_a impertinency_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o add_v that_o never_o any_o magistrate_n unless_o nabuchadnezzar_n caligula_n domitian_n 111._o and_o person_n like_v to_o they_o ever_o pretend_v to_o exercise_v the_o power_n here_o assign_v unto_o they_o i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o froward_a as_o to_o tell_v he_o that_o now_o he_o be_v as_o much_o too_o free_a in_o his_o concession_n as_o he_o be_v at_o other_o time_n too_o stingy_a for_o shall_v i_o put_v he_o upon_o the_o proof_n he_o will_v want_v record_n to_o make_v it_o good_a that_o all_o these_o prince_n ever_o claim_v such_o a_o bold_a and_o unlimited_a jurisdiction_n though_o perhaps_o other_o have_v for_o what_o think_v he_o of_o artaxerxes_n commission_n to_o ezra_n whosoever_o will_v not_o do_v the_o law_n of_o thy_o god_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o king_n let_v judgement_n be_v execute_v speedy_o upon_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v unto_o death_n or_o to_o banishment_n or_o to_o confiscation_n of_o good_n or_o to_o imprisonment_n i_o know_v not_o how_o any_o prince_n can_v challenge_v or_o assume_v a_o more_o severe_a absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a power_n than_o this_o grant_v in_o this_o commission_n and_o yet_o ezra_n reflect_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o special_a and_o immediate_a issue_n of_o divine_a providence_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o tell_v we_o the_o power_n i_o ascribe_v to_o magistrate_n be_v none_o other_o but_o that_o which_o be_v claim_v by_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n 116._o that_o may_v be_v his_o usurpation_n upon_o the_o right_n of_o prince_n but_o it_o be_v no_o proof_n that_o they_o may_v not_o challenge_v the_o supremacy_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o their_o own_o subject_n because_o he_o usurp_v it_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o tell_v we_o 157._o that_o the_o mormo_n here_o make_v use_v of_o be_v the_o same_o in_o substance_n that_o have_v be_v set_v up_o by_o the_o papist_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n when_o nothing_o can_v be_v just_o plead_v in_o behalf_n of_o lawful_a government_n but_o what_o may_v be_v unjust_o pretend_v to_o by_o tyrant_n and_o usurper_n and_o in_o the_o happy_a day_n of_o oliver_n cromwell_n the_o same_o argument_n and_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v press_v for_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o the_o rebel_n as_o be_v only_o design_v to_o secure_a loyalty_n to_o rightful_a sovereign_n let_v the_o romanist_n make_v out_o the_o justice_n of_o their_o title_n of_o supremacy_n over_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n and_o the_o equity_n of_o their_o cause_n in_o the_o due_a management_n of_o their_o power_n and_o then_o we_o will_v listen_v to_o their_o pretence_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n from_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n to_o plead_v the_o right_n of_o a_o papal_a sovereignty_n be_v a_o impertinency_n only_o wild_a enough_o to_o serve_v our_o author_n turn_n and_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o because_o there_o be_v tyranny_n practise_v in_o the_o world_n under_o fair_a and_o plausible_a pretence_n that_o therefore_o there_o must_v be_v no_o just_a ground_n and_o principle_n for_o lawful_a government_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o waste_v so_o many_o page_n to_o inquire_v wherefore_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v not_o be_v extend_v to_o the_o inward_a thought_n and_o apprehension_n of_o man_n about_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n 125._o as_o well_o as_o to_o expression_n of_o they_o in_o pure_a spiritual_a act_n of_o that_o worship_n for_o not_o to_o catch_v at_o the_o ridiculous_a cant_v and_o mysterious_a nonsense_n of_o the_o expression_n of_o our_o inward_a thought_n in_o pure_a spiritual_a act_n when_o all_o expression_n of_o they_o be_v outward_a and_o corporal_a it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o god_n have_v not_o be_v please_v to_o vest_n they_o with_o any_o power_n over_o our_o thought_n but_o for_o what_o cause_n himself_o best_o know_v and_o therefore_o though_o i_o can_v give_v no_o account_n for_o his_o so_o do_v that_o will_v not_o cast_v the_o least_o shadow_n of_o a_o
so_o little_a proof_n and_o so_o much_o confusion_n as_o will_v at_o least_o tempt_v any_o impartial_a enquirer_n to_o suspect_v the_o probable_a truth_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o both_o their_o different_a account_n those_o who_o will_v fetch_v their_o obligation_n from_o natural_a light_n seem_v at_o last_o to_o resolve_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o assertion_n into_o the_o naked_a testimony_n and_o opinion_n of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a greek_n who_o be_v willing_a enough_o to_o deduce_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o practice_n from_o so_o creditable_a a_o fountain_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o rite_n and_o custom_n of_o their_o own_o country_n they_o be_v almost_o the_o only_a symbol_n of_o divine_a worship_n among_o the_o grecian_n and_o all_o the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o religion_n among_o they_o consist_v in_o the_o solemnity_n of_o their_o public_a and_o private_a sacrifice_n their_o writer_n as_o all_o learned_a man_n be_v partial_a enough_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o native_a soil_n think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o their_o national_a usage_n be_v tie_v upon_o mankind_n upon_o the_o same_o natural_a reason_n and_o with_o the_o same_o natural_a necessity_n as_o religion_n itself_o and_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o derive_v the_o municipal_a ceremony_n of_o their_o own_o city_n from_o some_o divine_a institution_n for_o so_o plato_n in_o his_o timaeus_n plead_v in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o orthodox_n athenian_n that_o the_o particular_a rite_n and_o custom_n of_o athens_n be_v first_o deliver_v by_o the_o offspring_n of_o the_o god_n and_o from_o they_o convey_v down_o to_o that_o present_a age_n by_o a_o uninterrupted_a and_o unquestionable_a tradition_n so_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n do_v they_o refer_v the_o more_o catholic_n custom_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n to_o the_o obligation_n of_o nature_n especial_o if_o confirm_v by_o the_o concurrent_a suffrage_n of_o their_o asiatic_a neighbour_n for_o that_o to_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o import_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o mankind_n now_o some_o critical_a man_n that_o rather_o read_v than_o use_v author_n if_o they_o happen_v to_o meet_v with_o any_o passage_n in_o any_o of_o the_o grecian_a writer_n to_o this_o purpose_n because_o it_o serve_v for_o a_o ostentation_n of_o their_o read_n they_o immediate_o subscribe_v to_o their_o opinion_n out_o of_o respect_n to_o their_o bare_a authority_n and_o if_o they_o can_v allege_v a_o assertion_n for_o it_o out_o of_o strabo_n plutarch_n and_o aristotle_n who_o it_o be_v once_o a_o brave_a thing_n to_o quote_v they_o pass_v it_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n for_o sufficient_a proof_n and_o demonstration_n though_o in_o matter_n of_o such_o remote_a antiquity_n their_o naked_a testimony_n unless_o they_o have_v withal_o give_v we_o some_o high_a proof_n and_o rational_a motive_n to_o engage_v our_o assent_n be_v of_o little_a more_o validity_n than_o the_o conjecture_n and_o opinion_n of_o modern_a writer_n and_o therefore_o when_o our_o author_n allege_v the_o school-doctor_n for_o this_o persuasion_n 272._o he_o fall_v as_o much_o short_a of_o its_o first_o original_a as_o t.w._n do_v when_o he_o quote_v peter_n martyr_n for_o the_o story_n of_o the_o judge_n in_o hell_n §_o 7._o but_o now_o they_o on_o the_o other_o side_n who_o deduce_v the_o religion_n of_o sacrifice_n from_o divine_a institution_n prove_v it_o thus_o because_o that_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n 1._o can_v not_o dictate_v that_o god_n will_v accept_v the_o destruction_n of_o other_o creature_n as_o the_o sign_n and_o token_n of_o man_n obedience_n nor_o 2._o that_o the_o blood_n of_o beast_n shall_v expiate_v the_o sin_n of_o man_n or_o appease_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n for_o the_o pardon_n and_o remission_n of_o sin_n be_v matter_n of_o mere_a grace_n and_o arbitrary_a favour_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n depend_v upon_o divine_a appointment_n to_o determine_v by_o what_o mean_v we_o may_v procure_v it_o and_o upon_o what_o condition_n he_o will_v grant_v it_o but_o the_o first_o of_o these_o reason_n proceed_v upon_o a_o supposition_n that_o all_o outward_a signification_n of_o religious_a worship_n must_v needs_o be_v warrant_v either_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o some_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o my_o principle_n i_o shall_v desire_v to_o see_v it_o better_o prove_v before_o i_o shall_v be_v willing_a to_o yield_v it_o for_o a_o grant_v truth_n especial_o when_o in_o my_o conception_n of_o thing_n the_o formal_a nature_n of_o divine_a worship_n consist_v not_o so_o proper_o in_o act_n of_o obedience_n as_o in_o office_n of_o love_n and_o gratitude_n the_o former_a indeed_o suppose_v a_o express_a and_o positive_a institution_n and_o it_o be_v their_o conformity_n to_o the_o command_n that_o give_v they_o the_o formality_n of_o their_o goodness_n but_o i_o can_v understand_v why_o the_o latter_a may_v not_o be_v warrantable_a in_o themselves_o and_o acceptable_a to_o god_n without_o the_o express_a authority_n of_o his_o own_o appointment_n provide_v they_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o signify_v and_o worthy_a of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v address_v and_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v either_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o or_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n that_o god_n shall_v be_v offend_v with_o his_o creature_n for_o make_v he_o any_o decent_a return_v of_o the_o grateful_a resentment_n of_o their_o mind_n for_o the_o obligation_n of_o his_o infinite_a love_n and_o bounty_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o religious_a worship_n itself_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v demand_v as_o matter_n of_o positive_a duty_n and_o obligation_n and_o if_o it_o be_v require_v for_o any_o other_o regard_n then_o have_v i_o gain_v a_o fresh_a advantage_n of_o my_o adversary_n and_o it_o be_v incumbent_n upon_o he_o not_o only_o to_o produce_v a_o positive_a command_n for_o the_o institution_n of_o eucharistical_a sacrifice_n but_o a_o express_a prohibition_n to_o the_o patriarch_n to_o perform_v divine_a worship_n by_o any_o other_o outward_a expression_n of_o honour_n than_o what_o god_n himself_o have_v particular_o determine_v and_o appoint_v this_o perhaps_o our_o author_n may_v out_o of_o the_o abundance_n of_o his_o read_n attempt_v to_o prove_v from_o the_o fond_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o easterling_n by_o which_o he_o may_v prove_v all_o the_o fable_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o be_o secure_a he_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o least_o shadow_n of_o a_o argument_n in_o the_o sacred_a record_n to_o countenance_n so_o vain_a a_o fancy_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n from_o be_v the_o original_a reason_n and_o take_v in_o the_o adequate_a notion_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o it_o be_v only_o consequential_a upon_o and_o deducible_a from_o the_o obligation_n of_o gratitude_n for_o from_o hence_o result_v our_o engagement_n of_o subjection_n to_o god_n will_v and_o submission_n to_o his_o government_n and_o as_o from_o his_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n arise_v the_o duty_n of_o gratitude_n so_o from_o gratitude_n follow_v the_o necessity_n of_o obedience_n cheerful_a compliance_n with_o the_o will_n of_o a_o benefactor_n be_v one_o of_o its_o most_o eminent_a instance_n and_o indispensable_a duty_n as_o for_o the_o second_o reason_n in_o behalf_n of_o this_o opinion_n it_o proceed_v upon_o no_o less_o mistake_n than_o the_o first_o for_o want_v of_o attend_v to_o the_o obvious_a difference_n between_o eucharistical_a oblation_n and_o expiatory_a sacrifice_n the_o latter_a whereof_o must_v indeed_o of_o necessity_n owe_v their_o original_a to_o divine_a institution_n because_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o god_n free-goodness_n that_o he_o will_v accept_v the_o substitution_n of_o a_o sacrifice_n in_o place_n of_o the_o offender_n by_o way_n of_o expiation_n for_o the_o offence_n and_o therefore_o the_o use_n and_o nature_n of_o expiatory_a oblation_n have_v their_o absolute_a dependence_n on_o the_o voluntary_a acceptance_n of_o god_n it_o be_v necessary_a he_o shall_v signify_v this_o result_n and_o resolution_n of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n to_o mankind_n before_o they_o have_v any_o reasonable_a ground_n to_o suppose_v he_o will_v accept_v the_o substitute_v expiation_n in_o lieu_n of_o the_o real_a forfeiture_n now_o as_o for_o this_o sort_n of_o sacrifice_n i_o have_v already_o acknowledge_v and_o prove_v that_o they_o must_v depend_v upon_o divine_a institution_n for_o all_o that_o religion_n that_o resolve_v itself_o into_o the_o will_n of_o god_n must_v suppose_v revelation_n in_o that_o nothing_o else_o can_v discover_v its_o obligation_n to_o mankind_n but_o as_o for_o all_o that_o flow_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n it_o require_v no_o other_o discovery_n than_o the_o light_n and_o
they_o to_o his_o government_n and_o oblige_v they_o to_o their_o duty_n i._o e._n if_o he_o will_v set_v they_o at_o perfect_a liberty_n from_o all_o subjection_n and_o absolve_v they_o from_o all_o obligation_n to_o allegiance_n they_o will_v promise_v to_o be_v his_o most_o loyal_a subject_n for_o if_o you_o consider_v it_o you_o will_v find_v nothing_o in_o humane_a nature_n capable_a of_o the_o obligation_n of_o law_n beside_o conscience_n for_o obligation_n be_v but_o a_o tie_n to_o duty_n and_o all_o duty_n be_v tie_v upon_o the_o conscience_n i._n e._n the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o moral_a action_n or_o of_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a and_o evil._n conscience_n then_o to_o omit_v the_o equal_o nice_a and_o useless_a definition_n of_o the_o school_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o soul_n or_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o undergo_v various_a denomination_n from_o its_o various_a power_n and_o ability_n as_o when_o it_o conceive_v of_o thing_n it_o be_v call_v understanding_n when_o it_o discourse_n reason_n when_o it_o determine_v judgement_n when_o it_o choose_v will_n and_o when_o it_o reflect_v upon_o itself_o and_o its_o own_o action_n conscience_n every_o man_n mind_n be_v his_o judgement_n his_o reason_n his_o will_n and_o his_o conscience_n that_o be_v but_o several_a name_n of_o the_o same_o be_v according_a to_o its_o several_a function_n and_o way_n of_o act_v now_o though_o conscience_n in_o the_o grammatical_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n may_v indifferent_o signify_v all_o reflex_n knowledge_n yet_o it_o be_v by_o common_a use_n appropriate_v to_o the_o mind_n as_o it_o be_v employ_v about_o good_a or_o evil_a and_o capable_a of_o be_v guide_v and_o govern_v in_o reference_n to_o its_o moral_a action_n i_o say_v of_o be_v guide_v and_o govern_v because_o though_o it_o be_v its_o own_o judge_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o its_o own_o rule_n but_o all_o the_o law_n whereby_o it_o be_v conduct_v be_v derive_v from_o other_o principle_n first_o there_o be_v the_o natural_a reason_n and_o proportion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o arise_v from_o the_o unalterable_a respect_n and_o relation_n of_o thing_n to_o thing_n in_o act_v suitable_o to_o which_o consist_v the_o natural_a morality_n of_o all_o prime_a and_o essential_a goodness_n thus_o from_o the_o relation_n between_o god_n and_o his_o creature_n spring_v the_o natural_a duty_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o religion_n i._n e._n of_o make_v grateful_a return_v and_o acknowledgement_n to_o he_o for_o all_o the_o communication_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n to_o we_o in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a decency_n and_o agreeableness_n that_o oblige_v every_o rational_a creature_n to_o its_o performance_n antecedent_o to_o all_o superinduce_v obligation_n of_o law_n it_o be_v therefore_o command_v because_o it_o be_v good_a and_o not_o therefore_o good_a because_o it_o be_v command_v and_o from_o the_o like_a reason_n and_o correspondency_n of_o nature_n arise_v all_o the_o duty_n in_o reference_n to_o our_o neighbour_n and_o ourselves_o whereby_o we_o be_v to_o conduct_v all_o our_o moral_a action_n and_o be_v oblige_v to_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v either_o perfective_a of_o our_o own_o nature_n or_o conducive_a to_o the_o happiness_n of_o other_o now_o these_o essential_a reason_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v either_o the_o subject_a matter_n or_o the_o end_n of_o all_o law_n that_o be_v enact_v only_o to_o prescribe_v and_o enforce_v either_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o natural_a duty_n themselves_o or_o of_o something_o else_o subservient_fw-fr to_o they_o but_o as_o these_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o law_n so_o be_v law_n the_o only_a rule_n of_o conscience_n it_o be_v not_o leave_v at_o liberty_n to_o follow_v its_o own_o inclination_n but_o it_o be_v bind_v to_o guide_v itself_o and_o all_o its_o action_n by_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v to_o it_o by_o its_o superior_n i._n e._n by_o divine_a and_o humane_a law_n though_o indeed_o without_o these_o a_o upright_a conscience_n leave_v to_o itself_o will_v be_v a_o excellent_a guide_n of_o all_o our_o action_n and_o if_o right_o observe_v and_o attend_v to_o sufficient_a to_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n for_o a_o honest_a mind_n that_o prudent_o and_o impartial_o attend_v to_o the_o natural_a reason_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o endeavour_n to_o make_v they_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o its_o action_n can_v never_o fail_v of_o some_o competent_a performance_n of_o its_o main_a duty_n in_o all_o its_o relation_n and_o if_o all_o man_n conscience_n may_v have_v be_v trust_v with_o their_o own_o wisdom_n and_o integrity_n all_o other_o government_n will_v have_v be_v useless_a and_o superfluous_a in_o that_o every_o man_n will_v have_v govern_v himself_o by_o the_o law_n of_o essential_a justice_n and_o equity_n i._n e._n if_o all_o man_n may_v be_v suppose_v wise_a and_o good_a they_o will_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o no_o governor_n but_o themselves_o and_o what_o they_o now_o do_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n they_o will_v then_o do_v out_o of_o choice_n and_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n but_o because_o this_o supposition_n be_v become_v impossible_a and_o prove_v so_o by_o experience_n through_o the_o universal_a depravation_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o because_o few_o person_n have_v either_o leisure_n or_o ability_n to_o search_v out_o the_o original_a reason_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o be_v discoverable_a no_o other_o way_n then_o mathematical_a problem_n and_o proposition_n be_v by_o serious_a and_o attentive_a meditation_n and_o laborious_a train_n and_o deduction_n of_o reason_n mankind_n be_v not_o leave_v to_o the_o work_n and_o discovery_n of_o their_o own_o mind_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o action_n but_o our_o whole_a duty_n be_v digest_v to_o our_o hand_n in_o body_n and_o digest_v of_o law_n and_o 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to_o
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account_n of_o our_o author_n rude_a and_o hasty_a way_n of_o scribble_n he_o every_o where_o leave_v the_o main_a drift_n of_o my_o discourse_n to_o pursue_v occasional_a remark_n the_o impertinency_n and_o tediousness_n of_o his_o complaint_n against_o the_o tartness_n of_o my_o expression_n hypocrisy_n be_v to_o be_v treat_v more_o rough_o then_o naked_a vice_n the_o nonconformist_n have_v two_o name_n for_o all_o thing_n a_o black_a one_o for_o we_o and_o a_o white_a one_o for_o themselves_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suffer_v to_o debauch_v christianity_n with_o their_o own_o folly_n their_o way_n of_o load_v adversary_n with_o odious_a consequence_n a_o instance_n of_o this_o in_o the_o write_n of_o j._n o._n our_o author_n shred_n of_o latin_a and_o superannuated_a pedantry_n another_o little_a stratagem_n he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o abuse_v the_o common_a people_n sir_n §_o 1._o what_o you_o foretell_v and_o i_o expect_v be_v come_v to_o pass_v our_o zealous_a brethren_n be_v 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and_o luscious_a poison_n
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can_v ever_o move_v or_o
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community_n but_o cast_v in_o a_o distinct_a symbol_n of_o his_o own_o in_o which_o the_o residue_n be_v not_o more_o concern_v then_o in_o the_o private_a devotion_n of_o his_o own_o closet_n however_o this_o faint_a evasion_n be_v it_o to_o any_o purpose_n as_o i_o have_v show_v it_o be_v to_o none_o be_v a_o secret_a to_o the_o common_a people_n they_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o weigh_v and_o examine_v every_o confession_n before_o they_o assent_v and_o seal_v to_o its_o truth_n but_o swallow_v all_o that_o the_o minister_n pour_v out_o with_o a_o implicit_a confidence_n they_o will_v confess_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o put_v into_o their_o mouth_n and_o those_o that_o be_v serious_a and_o most_o in_o good_a earnest_n make_v the_o rufull_a face_n at_o the_o ugly_a crime_n and_o groan_v most_o powerful_o at_o the_o loud_a and_o most_o thwack_a confession_n now_o when_o the_o people_n be_v accustom_v to_o such_o large_a and_o foul_a catalogue_n of_o sin_n and_o when_o they_o hear_v such_o sad_a story_n from_o their_o own_o mouth_n and_o when_o it_o be_v confess_v in_o their_o name_n that_o they_o have_v break_v every_o commandment_n of_o both_o table_n to_o which_o be_v reduce_v all_o the_o kind_n and_o instance_n of_o wickedness_n and_o when_o this_o vast_a heap_n of_o vile_a thing_n be_v exaggerated_a with_o the_o heinous_a and_o most_o emphatical_a circumstance_n of_o baseness_n in_o brief_a when_o they_o be_v grow_v familiar_a with_o the_o confession_n of_o such_o lewd_a offence_n as_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v name_v any_o where_o but_o in_o a_o indictment_n what_o will_v they_o more_o probable_o conclude_v with_o themselves_o but_o that_o it_o be_v common_a for_o god_n people_n to_o fall_v into_o these_o foul_a miscarriage_n and_o yet_o never_o fall_v from_o grace_n especial_o when_o these_o confession_n be_v general_o clog_v with_o some_o unlucky_a word_n that_o appropriate_v their_o guilt_n to_o the_o best_a and_o most_o holy_a professor_n and_o when_o it_o be_v the_o most_o vulgar_a scheme_n of_o their_o eloquence_n to_o enhanse_v the_o heinousness_n of_o the_o offence_n in_o that_o they_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o day_n of_o regeneracy_n and_o profession_n and_o if_o the_o live_v of_o the_o regenerate_v be_v stain_v with_o so_o many_o fault_n and_o such_o foul_a blemish_n what_o be_v the_o conclusion_n but_o that_o the_o difference_n be_v not_o so_o wide_a between_o they_o and_o the_o wicked_a as_o be_v imagine_v alas_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o holy_a man_n be_v as_o filthy_a rag_n it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n to_o think_v of_o perform_v a_o good_a action_n and_o we_o deserve_v eternal_a wrath_n for_o the_o most_o virtuous_a work_n we_o be_v ever_o guilty_a of_o attempt_v what_o be_v man_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v clean_a or_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o woman_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v righteous_a and_o now_o what_o remarkable_a difference_n remain_v there_o between_o the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o the_o impiety_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o unregenerate_a when_o it_o be_v the_o unavoidable_a fate_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o be_v enslave_v to_o a_o necessity_n as_o well_o as_o to_o a_o body_n of_o sin_n and_o after_o we_o be_v bring_v into_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n there_o remain_v a_o law_n in_o our_o member_n rebel_a against_o the_o law_n of_o our_o mind_n bring_v we_o into_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n so_o that_o even_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v slave_n to_o their_o lust_n and_o passion_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o invincible_a power_n of_o indwelling_a sin_n be_v as_o vehement_o incline_v and_o as_o frequent_o betray_v into_o actual_a and_o outward_a transgression_n as_o lewd_a and_o graceless_a person_n only_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o they_o enter_v upon_o the_o commission_n of_o their_o sin_n with_o more_o regret_n and_o reluctancy_n in_o that_o they_o do_v what_o they_o will_v not_o i._n e._n they_o act_v more_o boisterous_o against_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o do_v great_a violence_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o now_o upon_o this_o principle_n what_o plausible_a reason_n and_o title_n have_v man_n to_o pretend_v to_o grace_n and_o saintship_n though_o they_o sin_v habitual_o frequent_o and_o easy_o upon_o every_o opportunity_n and_o every_o temptation_n it_o be_v but_o cry_v out_o against_o the_o weakness_n of_o nature_n the_o body_n of_o death_n and_o the_o invincibleness_n of_o indwelling_a sin_n and_o to_o be_v sensible_a of_o that_o be_v the_o character_n of_o saint_n and_o true_a believer_n chap._n iii_o the_o content_n various_a instance_n of_o our_o author_n pitiful_a and_o disingenuous_a way_n of_o cavil_v his_o art_n of_o darken_n and_o perplex_v the_o plain_a design_n of_o my_o discourse_n in_o sundry_a notorious_a particular_n a_o brief_a and_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o part_n coherence_n and_o design_n of_o the_o former_a treatise_n to_o prevent_v all_o future_a mistake_v and_o perverting_n my_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n provide_v against_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o both_o extreme_n a_o unlimited_a power_n on_o one_o hand_n and_o a_o unbounded_a licence_n on_o the_o other_o the_o bound_n it_o set_v to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v observe_v and_o unnecessary_a to_o be_v transgress_v viz._n that_o governor_n take_v care_v not_o to_o impose_v thing_n apparent_o evil_a and_o that_o subject_n be_v not_o allow_v to_o plead_v conscience_n for_o disobedience_n in_o any_o other_o case_n the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n surmount_v the_o obligation_n of_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n and_o in_o doubtful_a case_n oblige_v to_o action_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o prevent_v all_o manner_n of_o inconvenience_n that_o may_v follow_v upon_o any_o hypothesis_n of_o government_n my_o middle_a way_n liable_a to_o the_o few_o and_o therefore_o most_o eligible_a the_o bare_a pretence_n of_o a_o tender_a conscience_n against_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n be_v a_o impregnable_a principle_n of_o sedition_n a_o cluster_n of_o our_o author_n be_v shameless_a falsification_n his_o forgery_n of_o my_o ascribe_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n a_o universal_a and_o immediate_a power_n over_o conscience_n his_o impudent_a shuffle_n in_o apply_v what_o be_v affirm_v of_o a_o doubtful_a conscience_n in_o particular_a to_o conscience_n in_o general_n another_o instance_n of_o this_o in_o apply_v what_o be_v affirm_v of_o the_o ritual_n and_o external_n circumstance_n of_o worship_n to_o the_o principle_n of_o faith_n and_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n his_o change_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n viz._n not_o whether_o magistrate_n have_v any_o power_n over_o conscience_n but_o whether_o i_o have_v assert_v it_o to_o be_v absolute_a and_o immediate_a some_o short_a glance_n upon_o some_o lesser_a impertinency_n §_o 1._o here_o his_o first_o attempt_n be_v to_o
eagerness_n will_v the_o capricious_a people_n flow_v into_o cabal_n of_o zeal_n and_o muster_n of_o reformation_n what_o maxim_n in_o policy_n be_v so_o full_o ratify_v by_o the_o history_n of_o all_o nation_n as_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o equal_o dangerous_a to_o the_o public_a tranquillity_n with_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o multitude_n and_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o determine_v whether_o mankind_n have_v smart_v more_o deep_o by_o the_o ambition_n of_o tyrant_n or_o the_o imposture_n of_o religion_n however_o it_o be_v sufficient_o verify_v by_o the_o experience_n of_o age_n that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o passion_n so_o incident_a to_o humane_a nature_n as_o popular_a zeal_n nor_o any_o madness_n so_o ungovernable_a as_o that_o of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o what_o can_v more_o become_v or_o import_v the_o wisdom_n of_o governor_n than_o to_o keep_v a_o watchful_a eye_n upon_o all_o its_o design_n and_o pretence_n but_o these_o thing_n i_o have_v already_o represent_v in_o smart_a and_o more_o elaborate_a period_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v forbear_v to_o abate_v their_o evidence_n by_o these_o crude_a and_o hasty_a suggestion_n but_o only_o suppose_v it_o be_v not_o impossible_a what_o our_o author_n have_v not_o gainsay_v nor_o indeed_o can_v without_o outface_v the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n but_o that_o the_o faction_n and_o hypocrisy_n of_o religion_n may_v create_v public_a disturbance_n the_o deduction_n be_v easy_a and_o natural_a that_o to_o grant_v it_o a_o total_a exemption_n from_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n be_v at_o all_o time_n to_o expose_v the_o commonwealth_n to_o great_a disorder_n and_o oftentimes_o to_o unavoidable_a dissolution_n and_o therefore_o see_v a_o unbounded_a licence_n on_o one_o hand_n and_o a_o unlimited_a power_n on_o the_o other_o be_v so_o pregnant_a with_o mischief_n and_o intolerable_a inconvenience_n the_o only_a proper_a determination_n that_o this_o enquiry_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v to_o assign_v the_o just_a extent_n of_o a_o limit_a jurisdiction_n and_o to_o state_n as_o distinct_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n debate_v will_v admit_v how_o far_o in_o what_o case_n and_o over_o what_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v safe_o exercise_v and_o within_o what_o limit_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v restrain_v and_o he_o that_o prescribe_v the_o most_o useful_a and_o practicable_a measure_n make_v the_o fair_a essay_n at_o the_o decision_n and_o atonement_n of_o this_o controversy_n this_o be_v the_o attempt_n whatever_o be_v the_o success_n of_o my_o discourse_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o some_o more_o particular_a rule_n and_o direction_n the_o two_o great_a line_n wherein_o i_o have_v enclose_v all_o matter_n of_o humane_a law_n be_v of_o such_o a_o wide_a and_o comprehensive_a extent_n that_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o the_o variety_n and_o intricacy_n of_o humane_a affair_n it_o be_v both_o easy_a to_o discern_v their_o lawful_a bound_n and_o unnecessary_a to_o transgress_v they_o for_o 1._o let_v authority_n beware_v of_o impose_v thing_n certain_o and_o apparent_o evil_a and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o their_o do_v any_o violence_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o peaceable_a and_o sober_a man_n or_o of_o their_o suffering_n any_o disturbance_n from_o they_o for_o the_o proper_a office_n of_o humane_a power_n be_v to_o consult_v the_o peace_n and_o interest_n of_o humane_a society_n and_o the_o only_a immediate_a use_n of_o public_a law_n be_v to_o secure_v and_o provide_v for_o the_o public_a good_n it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o their_o concernment_n to_o institute_v rule_n of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a that_o be_v the_o care_n and_o the_o prerogative_n of_o a_o superior_a lawgiver_n and_o therefore_o provide_v they_o do_v not_o cross_v with_o the_o express_a declaration_n of_o his_o indispensable_a will_n and_o pleasure_n all_o other_o matter_n fall_v within_o the_o verge_n of_o their_o legislative_a power_n for_o as_o nothing_o that_o carry_v with_o it_o a_o antecedent_n irregularity_n can_v ever_o be_v suppose_v either_o necessary_a or_o advantageous_a to_o the_o public_a good_a and_o therefore_o may_v without_o any_o danger_n of_o impair_n the_o strength_n of_o its_o power_n be_v lop_v off_o from_o the_o right_n of_o sovereign_a jurisdiction_n so_o also_o many_o thing_n leave_v altogether_o indifferent_a and_o uncommand_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n may_v in_o all_o the_o various_a posture_n and_o turn_n and_o circumstance_n of_o humane_a affair_n prove_v sometime_o beneficial_a and_o sometime_o pernicious_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o therefore_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n be_v appoint_v the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o the_o public_a good_a there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o they_o must_v fall_v under_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o law_n and_o conduct_v of_o his_o government_n now_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a for_o christian_a prince_n to_o move_v within_o so_o fair_a a_o compass_n and_o if_o any_o go_v beyond_o it_o as_o it_o be_v not_o for_o their_o advantage_n so_o it_o be_v not_o of_o our_o concernment_n for_o that_o man_n must_v talk_v after_o a_o wild_a rate_n that_o shall_v pretend_v to_o discover_v a_o evident_a opposition_n in_o any_o of_o the_o law_n of_o our_o kingdom_n to_o the_o plain_a and_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o if_o they_o will_v be_v so_o precipitate_a as_o to_o pretend_v this_o we_o be_v very_o well_o content_a to_o devolve_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o controversy_n upon_o that_o undertake_n and_o then_o be_v they_o bring_v under_o a_o engagement_n to_o prove_v a_o certain_a and_o undeniable_a repugnancy_n between_o the_o law_n of_o our_o church_n and_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o to_o suspend_v their_o disobedience_n to_o they_o till_o they_o can_v warrant_v its_o necessity_n by_o some_o plain_a and_o express_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o if_o they_o will_v but_o persevere_v in_o conformity_n till_o they_o be_v indeed_o able_a thorough_o and_o satisfactory_o to_o convince_v themselves_o of_o its_o evident_a unlawfulness_n that_o will_v for_o ever_o prevent_v all_o thought_n and_o attempt_n of_o separation_n and_o this_o cross_v i_o over_o to_o the_o opposite_a bind_v of_o this_o enquiry_n from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o subject_a viz._n that_o they_o will_v not_o scruple_n or_o deny_v obedience_n to_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a superior_n till_o they_o be_v sincere_o not_o in_o pretence_n only_o convince_v of_o the_o certain_a and_o apparent_a unlawfulness_n of_o the_o command_n §_o 6._o and_o if_o we_o stop_v not_o the_o subject_n liberty_n to_o remonstrate_v to_o the_o command_v of_o authority_n at_o this_o principle_n we_o shall_v be_v for_o ever_o at_o a_o utter_a loss_n to_o set_v any_o certain_a bound_n to_o the_o just_a and_o allowable_a pretension_n of_o conscience_n for_o if_o they_o will_v not_o consent_v to_o have_v their_o plea_n of_o exemption_n confine_v within_o the_o certain_a and_o evident_a measure_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v as_o to_o all_o other_o pretext_n and_o persuasion_n of_o conscience_n howsoever_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a then_o must_v every_o conceit_n that_o may_v either_o be_v mistake_v or_o pretend_v for_o a_o conviction_n of_o conscience_n be_v permit_v to_o over-rule_v all_o the_o power_n and_o baffle_v all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o government_n for_o be_v it_o never_o so_o wild_a or_o so_o extravagant_a if_o they_o be_v strong_o or_o serious_o possess_v with_o the_o phantasm_n that_o and_o only_o that_o shall_v ever_o exercise_v any_o authority_n over_o their_o thought_n and_o action_n and_o if_o magistrate_n shall_v in_o any_o case_n think_v good_a to_o curb_v its_o heat_n and_o exorbitance_n they_o offer_v violence_n to_o the_o sacred_a and_o indispensable_a obligation_n of_o conscience_n and_o this_o avoidable_a expose_v the_o peace_n of_o kingdom_n to_o all_o the_o folly_n of_o zeal_n and_o imposture_n of_o enthusiasm_n and_o prostitute_n the_o power_n of_o prince_n to_o the_o stubbornness_n and_o insolence_n of_o popular_a folly_n every_o one_o that_o be_v timorous_a or_o melancholy_a that_o have_v a_o indispose_a body_n or_o a_o trouble_a mind_n that_o want_n sleep_v or_o want_v company_n that_o have_v a_o hard_a spleen_n or_o a_o soft_a head_n that_o have_v a_o strong_a fancy_n or_o a_o weak_a judgement_n a_o bold_a ignorance_n or_o a_o conceit_a knowledge_n a_o impertinent_a opinion_n or_o a_o restless_a humour_n a_o whimsy_n in_o the_o crown_n or_o a_o vapour_n in_o the_o hypocondria_n may_v upon_o that_o account_n exempt_v himself_o from_o all_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o law_n and_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o obedience_n for_o you_o know_v what_o a_o vulgar_a phaenomenon_n it_o be_v for_o these_o and_o the_o like_a effect_n of_o folly_n and_o weakness_n to_o abuse_v the_o conscience_n of_o well-meaning_a man_n into_o scruple_n and_o irresolution_n and_o therefore_o if_o every_o man_n that_o have_v or_o what_o be_v
positive_a precept_n because_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o so_o essential_o serviceable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o our_o creation_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n come_v not_o into_o the_o world_n to_o give_v any_o new_a precept_n of_o moral_a goodness_n but_o only_o to_o retrieve_v the_o old_a rule_n of_o nature_n from_o the_o evil_a custom_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o reinforce_v their_o obligation_n by_o endear_n our_o duty_n with_o better_a promise_n and_o urge_v our_o obedience_n upon_o severe_a penalty_n and_o as_o the_o gospel_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o restitution_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o nature_n so_o be_v all_o its_o positive_a command_n and_o institute_v duty_n either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o subservient_fw-fr to_o that_o end_n thus_o the_o sacrament_n though_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o pure_a institution_n yet_o be_v they_o of_o a_o subordinate_a usefulness_n and_o design_v only_o for_o the_o great_a advantage_n and_o improvement_n of_o moral_a righteousness_n for_o as_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o restitution_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n so_o be_v these_o outward_a rite_n and_o solemnity_n a_o great_a security_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v solemn_a engagement_n and_o stipulation_n of_o obedience_n to_o all_o its_o command_n and_o be_v appoint_v to_o express_v and_o signify_v our_o grateful_a sense_n of_o god_n goodness_n in_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n and_o our_o serious_a resolution_n of_o perform_v the_o condition_n of_o this_o new_a contract_n and_o intercourse_n with_o mankind_n so_o that_o though_o they_o be_v duty_n of_o a_o prime_a importance_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v not_o because_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o matter_n of_o any_o essential_a goodness_n but_o because_o of_o that_o peculiar_a relation_n they_o have_v to_o the_o very_o be_v and_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o its_o institution_n forasmuch_o as_o he_o that_o establish_v this_o covenant_n require_v of_o all_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o own_o and_o submit_v to_o its_o condition_n to_o profess_v and_o avow_v their_o assent_n to_o it_o by_o these_o rite_n and_o instrument_n of_o stipulation_n so_o that_o to_o refuse_v their_o use_n be_v interpret_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o reject_v the_o whole_a religion_n but_o if_o the_o entire_a usefulness_n of_o these_o and_o any_o other_o institute_v mystery_n consist_v in_o their_o great_a subserviency_n to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o the_o great_a design_n of_o the_o gospel_n consist_v in_o the_o restitution_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o advancement_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o moral_a goodness_n then_o do_v it_o natural_o resolve_v itself_o into_o that_o short_a analysis_n i_o have_v give_v of_o religion_n and_o whether_o we_o suppose_v the_o apostasy_n of_o mankind_n or_o suppose_v it_o not_o every_o thing_n that_o appertain_v to_o it_o will_v in_o the_o last_o issue_n of_o thing_n prove_v either_o a_o part_n or_o a_o instrument_n of_o moral_a virtue_n 204._o §_o 3._o but_o we_o must_v proceed_v to_o particular_n in_o the_o first_o place_n gratitude_n be_v a_o very_a imperfect_a description_n of_o natural_a religion_n for_o say_v he_o it_o have_v respect_n only_o to_o god_n benefit_n and_o not_o to_o his_o nature_n and_o therefore_o omit_v all_o those_o duty_n that_o be_v eternal_o necessary_a upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o himself_o such_o as_o fear_v love_n trust_v affiance_n perhaps_o this_o word_n may_v not_o in_o its_o rigorous_a acceptation_n express_v all_o the_o distinct_a part_n and_o duty_n of_o religion_n yet_o the_o definition_n that_o i_o immediate_o subjoin_v to_o explain_v its_o meaning_n may_v abundant_o have_v prevent_v this_o cavil_v be_v not_o our_o author_n resolve_v to_o draw_v his_o saw_n upon_o word_n viz._n a_o thankful_a and_o humble_a temper_n of_o mind_n arise_v from_o a_o sense_n of_o god_n greatness_n in_o himself_o and_o his_o goodness_n to_o we_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v i_o know_v not_o any_o one_o term_n that_o so_o full_o express_v that_o duty_n and_o homage_n we_o owe_v to_o god_n as_o this_o of_o gratitude_n for_o by_o what_o other_o name_n soever_o we_o may_v call_v it_o this_o will_v be_v its_o main_a and_o most_o fundamental_a ingredient_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o pertinent_a to_o describe_v its_o nature_n by_o that_o than_o by_o any_o other_o property_n that_o be_v more_o remote_a and_o less_o material_a because_o the_o divine_a bounty_n be_v the_o first_o reason_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o divine_a worship_n in_o that_o natural_a justice_n oblige_v every_o man_n to_o a_o grateful_a and_o ingenuous_a sense_n of_o favour_n and_o benefit_n and_o therefore_o god_n be_v the_o sole_a author_n of_o our_o being_n and_o our_o happiness_n that_o aught_o without_o any_o far_a regard_n to_o affect_v our_o mind_n with_o worthy_a resentment_n of_o his_o love_n and_o kindness_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o which_o be_v proper_o express_v by_o the_o word_n piety_n which_o in_o its_o genuine_a acceptation_n denote_v a_o grateful_a and_o observant_a temper_n and_o behaviour_n towards_o benefactor_n and_o for_o that_o cause_n it_o be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o most_o proper_a expression_n of_o that_o duty_n that_o be_v owe_v from_o child_n to_o parent_n but_o because_o god_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o eminency_n of_o his_o bounty_n more_o peculiar_o deserve_v our_o respect_n and_o observation_n it_o be_v in_o a_o more_o signal_n and_o remarkable_a sense_n appropriate_v to_o he_o so_o that_o gratitude_n be_v the_o first_o property_n and_o radical_a ingredient_n of_o religion_n and_o all_o its_o other_o act_n and_o office_n be_v but_o secondary_a and_o consequential_a and_o that_o veneration_n we_o give_v the_o divine_a majesty_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o attribute_n follow_v that_o gratitude_n we_o owe_v he_o for_o the_o communication_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o goodness_n it_o be_v this_o that_o bring_v we_o to_o a_o knowledge_n of_o all_o his_o other_o endowment_n it_o be_v this_o that_o endear_v his_o nature_n to_o we_o and_o from_o this_o result_n all_o those_o duty_n we_o owe_v he_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o own_o perfection_n and_o by_o that_o experience_n we_o have_v of_o his_o bounty_n and_o by_o that_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o his_o other_o attribute_n into_o which_o we_o be_v lead_v by_o this_o experience_n come_v we_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o trust_v and_o affiance_n in_o he_o so_o that_o gratitude_n express_o imply_v all_o the_o act_n and_o office_n of_o religion_n and_o though_o it_o chief_o denote_v its_o prime_n and_o most_o essential_a duty_n yet_o in_o that_o it_o full_o express_v the_o reason_n and_o original_a obligation_n of_o all_o other_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n 205._o but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o reckon_v up_o repentance_n conversion_n conviction_n of_o sin_n humiliation_n godly_a sorrow_n as_o deficient_a grace_n in_o my_o scheme_n and_o duty_n peculiar_a to_o the_o gospel_n though_o as_o for_o repentance_n what_o be_v it_o but_o a_o exchange_n of_o vicious_a custom_n of_o life_n for_o a_o habitual_a course_n of_o virtue_n i_o will_v allow_v it_o to_o be_v a_o new_a species_n of_o duty_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o he_o can_v inform_v i_o what_o man_n repent_v of_o beside_o their_o vice_n and_o what_o they_o reform_v in_o their_o repentance_n beside_o their_o moral_a iniquity_n it_o have_v neither_o end_n nor_o object_n but_o moral_a virtue_n and_o be_v only_o another_o word_n peculiar_o appropriate_v to_o signify_v its_o first_o beginning_n and_o as_o for_o conversion_n the_o next_o deficient_a it_o be_v co-incident_a with_o repentance_n and_o he_o will_v find_v it_o no_o less_o difficult_a to_o discover_v any_o difference_n between_o they_o than_o between_o grace_n and_o virtue_n and_o as_o for_o the_o other_o remain_v grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n conviction_n humiliation_n godly_a sorrow_n and_o he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v add_v compunction_n self-abhorrency_a self-despair_n and_o threescore_o word_n more_o that_o be_v frequent_a in_o their_o mouth_n they_o be_v all_o but_o different_a expression_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o be_v either_o part_n or_o concomitant_a circumstance_n of_o repentance_n after_o so_o crude_a and_o careless_a a_o rate_n do_v this_o man_n of_o word_n pour_v forth_o his_o talk_n 206_o in_o the_o next_o rank_n come_v in_o self-denial_n a_o readiness_n to_o bear_v the_o cross_n and_o mortification_n as_o new_a law_n of_o religion_n but_o as_o for_o self-denial_n it_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o restrain_v our_o appetite_n within_o the_o limit_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o sacrifice_v our_o brutish_a pleasure_n to_o the_o interest_n of_o virtue_n as_o for_o a_o readiness_n to_o bear_v the_o cross_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o constant_a and_o generous_a loyalty_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o a_o resolution_n to_o suffer_v any_o thing_n
branch_n of_o godliness_n and_o duty_n of_o religion_n signify_v as_o much_o as_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o as_o for_o spiritual_a evangelical_n obedience_n it_o be_v but_o a_o cant_a phrase_n if_o by_o it_o he_o intend_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o a_o sincere_a and_o habitual_a conformity_n to_o the_o moral_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n moral_a obedience_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o spiritual_a evangelical_n obedience_n be_v but_o coincident_a expression_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o last_o as_o for_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o discourse_n of_o it_o it_o require_v nothing_o but_o a_o bold_a confidence_n set_v up_o with_o god_n irrespective_a decree_n and_o trade_v in_o his_o absolute_a promise_n for_o i._o o._n as_o well_o as_o w._n b._n inform_v we_o 28._o that_o the_o promise_v comprehensive_a of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v absolute_a which_o as_o to_o all_o those_o that_o belong_v to_o that_o covenant_n do_v hold_v out_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v certain_o accomplish_v in_o and_o towards_o they_o all_o but_o who_o be_v they_o that_o belong_v to_o this_o covenant_n he_o answer_v every_o poor_a soul_n that_o will_v venture_v to_o trust_v itself_o on_o these_o absosolute_a promise_n faith_n in_o the_o promise_n ibid._n and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n be_v inseparable_a he_o that_o believe_v shall_v enjoy_v and_o this_o whole_o shut_v up_o the_o spirit_n from_o any_o occasion_n of_o stagger_v o_o you_o of_o little_a faith_n wherefore_o do_v you_o doubt_v ah_o lest_o our_o share_n be_v not_o in_o this_o promise_n poor_a creature_n there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n of_o keep_v you_o off_o from_o it_o i._n e._n dispute_v it_o in_o yourselves_o by_o unbelief_n so_o that_o the_o only_a condition_n he_o require_v to_o vest_n man_n in_o a_o right_a to_o these_o absolute_a promise_n be_v nothing_o but_o mere_a confidence_n though_o there_o can_v be_v more_o horrid_a nonsense_n in_o the_o world_n than_o that_o faith_n or_o boldness_n shall_v be_v require_v as_o the_o condition_n of_o absolute_a promise_n yet_o it_o be_v as_o well_o if_o they_o be_v altogether_o absolute_a as_o demand_v no_o better_a qualification_n for_o their_o accomplishment_n than_o a_o bold_a face_n 47._o and_o suitable_a to_o this_o it_o follow_v some_o page_n after_o that_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o other_o ground_n or_o reason_n of_o doubt_n but_o unbelief_n it_o be_v not_o the_o greatness_n of_o sin_n nor_o continuance_n in_o sin_n nor_o backslide_v into_o sin_n that_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o thy_o stagger_a whatever_o thou_o pretend_v but_o sole_o from_o thy_o unbelief_n so_o that_o though_o a_o man_n persevere_v in_o a_o habitual_a course_n of_o the_o great_a wickedness_n yet_o for_o all_o that_o he_o have_v a_o undeniable_a claim_n to_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o he_o will_v at_o all-adventure_n resolve_v to_o be_v stomachful_a in_o his_o conceit_n that_o they_o be_v particular_o make_v and_o design_v to_o himself_o now_o if_o this_o be_v one_o as_o it_o be_v the_o choice_a one_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o their_o new_a godliness_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o you_o to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o invent_v any_o doctrine_n more_o apparent_o destructive_a of_o a_o holy_a life_n or_o repugnant_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n which_o be_v plain_o nor_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o god_n stipulation_n of_o eternal_a life_n upon_o no_o other_o condition_n than_o of_o a_o habitual_a and_o uniform_a obedience_n to_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o all_o these_o spiritual_a grace_n resolve_v themselves_o so_o easy_o either_o into_o duty_n or_o help_v or_o hindrance_n of_o morality_n he_o have_v give_v we_o a_o abundant_a proof_n of_o their_o cant_a and_o imaginary_a godliness_n when_o he_o produce_v these_o instance_n as_o thing_n of_o a_o more_o precious_a and_o spiritual_a nature_n than_o moral_a virtue_n and_o yet_o unless_o they_o signify_v they_o they_o signify_v nothing_o §_o 6._o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o main_a ground_n of_o my_o charge_n against_o they_o for_o make_v a_o inconsistency_n between_o grace_n and_o virtue_n be_v that_o they_o make_v moral_a goodness_n the_o great_a let_v to_o conversion_n insomuch_o that_o in_o their_o case-divinity_n the_o conversion_n of_o a_o moral_o righteous_a man_n be_v judge_v more_o hopeless_a than_o that_o of_o the_o vile_a and_o most_o notorious_a sinner_n than_o which_o our_o author_n affirm_v there_o be_v nothing_o more_o open_o teach_v in_o the_o gospel_n 227._o than_o which_o i_o affirm_v there_o be_v no_o blasphemy_n more_o gross_o false_a and_o wicked_a for_o what_o vile_a and_o more_o dishonourable_a representation_n can_v man_n make_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n than_o to_o make_v virtue_n the_o great_a prejudice_n to_o its_o entertainment_n be_v that_o institution_n worthy_a the_o divine_a contrivance_n that_o be_v more_o befriend_v by_o debauchery_n and_o profaneness_n than_o by_o sincere_a obedience_n to_o the_o best_a and_o most_o essential_a law_n of_o goodness_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o suitable_a to_o the_o design_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n than_o the_o practice_n of_o moral_a virtue_n and_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v destructive_a of_o its_o own_o end_n and_o purpose_n and_o that_o man_n shall_v indispose_v themselves_o for_o the_o discipline_n of_o christianity_n by_o be_v adorn_v with_o its_o best_a and_o choice_a qualification_n we_o never_o read_v of_o any_o man_n that_o be_v hinder_v from_o embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n by_o any_o of_o his_o good_a quality_n cornelius_n integrity_n in_o fear_v god_n and_o work_a righteousness_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o prepare_v and_o dispose_v he_o to_o conversion_n and_o the_o young_a gentleman_n in_o the_o gospel_n want_v but_o one_o moral_a virtue_n to_o make_v he_o a_o entire_a christian_a he_o be_v upon_o the_o border_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n one_o step_n more_o will_v have_v place_v he_o in_o it_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o keep_v he_o out_o be_v covetousness_n which_o though_o it_o may_v in_o some_o person_n escape_v for_o a_o infirmity_n be_v never_o yet_o rank_v in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o moral_a virtue_n the_o usefulness_n the_o purity_n the_o excellency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v but_o endear_v it_o to_o a_o mind_n that_o be_v incline_v to_o goodness_n and_o to_o a_o virtuous_a soul_n the_o beauty_n and_o perfection_n of_o its_o law_n be_v its_o strong_a and_o most_o effectual_a obligation_n it_o be_v this_o that_o ravish_v some_o of_o the_o first_o father_n out_o of_o their_o state_n of_o heathenism_n into_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o church_n their_o mind_n be_v prepare_v to_o embrace_v true_a goodness_n by_o the_o study_n of_o wisdom_n and_o philosophy_n they_o be_v only_o at_o a_o loss_n where_o to_o find_v it_o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o meet_v with_o such_o a_o divine_a religion_n and_o that_o establish_v upon_o such_o firm_a and_o undeniable_a principle_n it_o be_v scarce_a to_o be_v conceive_v with_o what_o transport_v of_o joy_n and_o zeal_n they_o run_v into_o its_o profession_n in_o brief_a the_o gospel_n be_v all_o that_o tend_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n to_o the_o perfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o the_o relief_n of_o my_o neighbour_n and_o to_o the_o security_n and_o happiness_n of_o society_n and_o all_o this_o it_o enforce_v under_o the_o severe_a penalty_n and_o endear_v by_o the_o noble_a promise_n and_o now_o let_v any_o man_n tell_v i_o which_o way_n it_o be_v possible_a for_o virtue_n to_o tempt_v aside_o from_o such_o a_o admirable_a and_o godlike_a institution_n how_o 127._o say_v our_o author_n be_v not_o the_o pharisee_n a_o people_n moral_o righteous_a and_o yet_o be_v they_o not_o at_o a_o far_a distance_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n than_o publican_n and_o harlot_n the_o vile_a and_o most_o notorious_a sinner_n because_o they_o trust_v in_o their_o own_o righteousness_n yes_o yes_o they_o be_v right-worthy_a moral_a man_n bright_a and_o shine_a example_n of_o the_o great_a virtue_n of_o pride_n peevishness_n malice_n revenge_n injustice_n covetousness_n rapine_n cruelty_n and_o unmercifulness_n these_o be_v the_o grace_n and_o the_o ornament_n of_o those_o precious_a and_o holy_a one_o go_v thy_o way_n for_o a_o woeful_a guesser_n no_o man_n live_v beside_o thyself_o can_v ever_o have_v have_v the_o ill_a fortune_n to_o pitch_v upon_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n for_o moral_a philosopher_n and_o sir_n be_v any_o of_o they_o now_o alive_a they_o will_v tell_v he_o to_o his_o tooth_n they_o be_v no_o more_o moralist_n than_o himself_o their_o part_n and_o virtue_n lay_v another_o way_n they_o be_v a_o fast_v and_o
civil_a power_n as_o far_o as_o they_o concern_v the_o end_n and_o interest_n of_o public_a tranquillity_n though_o how_o far_o that_o may_v reach_v as_o it_o be_v here_o assert_v so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n more_o large_o prove_v and_o state_v however_o it_o be_v apparent_a from_o the_o manifest_a scope_n and_o the_o last_o issue_n of_o my_o whole_a discourse_n that_o i_o stand_v not_o oblige_v to_o ascribe_v any_o more_o absolute_a power_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n than_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o warrant_v that_o authority_n they_o exercise_v in_o prescribe_v those_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o worship_n that_o be_v enjoin_v and_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o be_v all_o i_o contend_v for_o at_o present_a and_o will_v as_o for_o what_o concern_v this_o dispute_n be_v content_a to_o lop_v off_o any_o other_o branch_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n that_o relate_v not_o to_o this_o enquiry_n and_o if_o this_o can_v be_v justify_v unless_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o command_v of_o sovereign_a power_n must_v always_o over-rule_v all_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n then_o i_o confess_v i_o must_v submit_v to_o this_o disadvantage_n that_o this_o man_n will_v impose_v upon_o i_o but_o if_o it_o can_v it_o be_v no_o part_n either_o of_o my_o duty_n or_o my_o interest_n to_o assert_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v neither_o true_a in_o itself_o or_o pertinent_a to_o my_o purpose_n but_o whether_o it_o can_v or_o can_v i_o have_v already_o sufficient_o account_v for_o both_o in_o that_o treatise_n and_o in_o this_o rejoinder_n for_o what_o our_o author_n will_v here_o charge_v upon_o i_o as_o my_o duty_n be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o he_o have_v heretofore_o charge_v upon_o i_o as_o my_o doctrine_n viz._n 97._o that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o his_o subject_n to_o observe_v what_o be_v by_o he_o appoint_v to_o be_v profess_v and_o observe_v in_o religion_n and_o nothing_o else_o be_v they_o to_o observe_v make_v it_o their_o duty_n in_o conscience_n so_o to_o do_v and_o the_o high_a crime_n or_o sin_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o whatever_o the_o precise_a truth_n in_o these_o matter_n be_v or_o whatever_o be_v the_o apprehension_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n concern_v they_o the_o falsehood_n of_o which_o horrid_a calumny_n i_o have_v there_o baffle_v with_o so_o much_o evidence_n and_o reprove_v with_o so_o much_o severity_n that_o after_o that_o it_o be_v a_o affront_n to_o the_o reader_n understanding_n to_o warn_v he_o against_o every_o repetition_n of_o so_o foul_a and_o groundless_a a_o slander_n though_o it_o be_v the_o burden_n of_o every_o page_n §_o 2._o in_o the_o next_o paragraph_n i_o proceed_v to_o account_v for_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o christian_a liberty_n where_o i_o both_o found_v our_o right_n to_o it_o upon_o this_o natural_a and_o inward_a freedom_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o also_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v sometime_o coincident_a with_o it_o but_o say_v our_o nicodemus_n for_o he_o be_v very_o thick_a of_o understanding_n when_o he_o please_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v 259._o when_o christian_a liberty_n as_o i_o have_v state_v it_o be_v a_o privilege_n whereas_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v common_a unto_o all_o mankind_n this_o liberty_n be_v necessary_a unto_o humane_a nature_n and_o can_v be_v divest_v of_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v not_o a_o privilege_n that_o include_v a_o specialty_n in_o it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o natural_a liberty_n be_v a_o freedom_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o judgement_n from_o all_o humane_a law_n in_o general_a and_o christian_a liberty_n be_v the_o same_o freedom_n from_o the_o mosaic_a law_n in_o particular_a which_o because_o it_o be_v bind_v upon_o the_o jew_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n it_o be_v a_o restraint_n not_o only_o upon_o their_o practice_n but_o upon_o their_o mind_n and_o conscience_n and_o prescribe_v to_o their_o inward_a thought_n and_o opinion_n as_o well_o as_o their_o outward_a action_n they_o have_v no_o liberty_n to_o judge_v of_o their_o goodness_n but_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v their_o understanding_n to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a difference_n between_o the_o obligation_n of_o divine_a and_o humane_a law_n that_o these_o reach_n only_o to_o our_o will_n and_o those_o affect_v our_o judgement_n and_o determine_v our_o apprehension_n to_o whatsoever_o they_o command_v our_o obedience_n and_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n though_o we_o understand_v not_o their_o reason_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o law_n come_v with_o the_o impress_n of_o divine_a authority_n it_o bear_v down_o all_o before_o it_o and_o supersedes_o all_o the_o weak_a dispute_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o little_a understanding_n and_o as_o long_o as_o we_o be_v assure_v it_o proceed_v from_o god_n that_o alone_o without_o any_o far_a enquiry_n give_v our_o mind_n infinite_a satisfaction_n of_o its_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n so_o that_o during_o the_o whole_a period_n of_o the_o mosaic_a institution_n all_o freedom_n of_o judgement_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o particular_a command_n of_o his_o law_n be_v retrench_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n but_o when_o their_o obligation_n be_v repeal_v and_o the_o impress_n of_o his_o authority_n be_v take_v off_o then_o do_v the_o thing_n themselves_o return_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n to_o the_o indifferency_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o so_o be_v restore_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o though_o christian_a liberty_n be_v a_o privilege_n with_o a_o specialty_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o that_o liberty_n that_o be_v natural_a to_o mankind_n in_o that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o restauration_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n from_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o its_o native_a freedom_n which_o though_o it_o can_v be_v devest_v by_o any_o humane_a power_n yet_o it_o may_v than_o be_v and_o always_o be_v abridge_v by_o divine_a command_n in_o that_o they_o pass_v a_o equal_a obligation_n upon_o the_o judgement_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n upon_o which_o account_n alone_o all_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v absolute_o exempt_a both_o from_o our_o natural_a and_o our_o christian_a liberty_n but_o when_o he_o be_v please_v to_o reverse_v his_o own_o obligation_n and_o to_o leave_v thing_n to_o their_o original_a indifferency_n that_o be_v a_o restitution_n to_o our_o natural_a liberty_n and_o that_o be_v our_o christian_a liberty_n but_o for_o a_o more_o full_a and_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o true_a signification_n of_o this_o pretence_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o examine_v how_o it_o be_v state_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o as_o it_o be_v there_o discourse_v of_o it_o be_v certain_a it_o relate_v mere_o to_o those_o privilege_n that_o be_v grant_v or_o restore_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n by_o the_o repeal_n and_o abrogation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o whole_a case_n whereof_o be_v plain_o this_o this_o law_n be_v establish_v in_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n by_o divine_a authority_n and_o be_v the_o only_a covenant_n and_o revelation_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n that_o be_v at_o first_o consign_v with_o mighty_a miracle_n and_o ratify_v to_o after-age_n with_o their_o great_a sacrament_n of_o circumcision_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o jew_n conclude_v it_o to_o be_v of_o a_o eternal_a and_o immutable_a obligation_n but_o god_n send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o take_v down_o this_o whole_a frame_n and_o fabric_n of_o the_o mosaic_a religion_n and_o in_o its_o stead_n to_o set_v up_o a_o better_a and_o more_o manly_a institution_n of_o thing_n to_o repeal_v the_o law_n and_o obligation_n of_o the_o old_a covenant_n and_o to_o govern_v his_o church_n by_o new_a measure_n of_o duty_n and_o new_a condition_n of_o obedience_n and_o this_o be_v proper_o the_o privilege_n of_o christian_a liberty_n and_o it_o comprehend_v all_o the_o peculiar_a advantage_n and_o exemption_n grant_v to_o mankind_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n it_o be_v a_o deliverance_n from_o the_o dominion_n of_o sin_n from_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n from_o the_o severity_n of_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n and_o from_o the_o yoke_n of_o ceremonial_a observance_n these_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n and_o those_o doctrine_n that_o tend_v to_o bring_v we_o under_o any_o of_o these_o old_a fetter_n and_o hard_a service_n be_v attempt_n of_o jewish_a bondage_n and_o this_o be_v the_o plain_a state_n of_o the_o question_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o the_o whole_a dispute_n of_o christian_a liberty_n be_v only_o a_o controversy_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n concern_v
no_o other_o determination_n than_o the_o choice_n of_o natural_a reason_n so_o that_o though_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o institute_v worship_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v appoint_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o divine_a worship_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v institute_v and_o now_o though_o attendance_n to_o this_o distinction_n will_v have_v avoid_v all_o ambiguity_n and_o confusion_n in_o this_o enquiry_n yet_o our_o author_n stiff_o overlook_v it_o and_o solemn_o confute_v my_o assertion_n concern_v eucharistical_a offering_n by_o instance_n of_o expiatory_a sacrifice_n which_o i_o have_v before_o prove_v to_o his_o hand_n must_v rely_v upon_o positive_a appointment_n from_o their_o peculiar_a use_n and_o nature_n and_o not_o because_o this_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v and_o design_n of_o religion_n itself_o but_o if_o we_o will_v confine_v our_o talk_n to_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o my_o assertion_n viz._n eucharistical_a oblation_n or_o any_o other_o outward_a signification_n of_o the_o natural_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n i_o before_o affirm_v and_o do_v still_o maintain_v that_o they_o who_o say_v they_o be_v enjoin_v and_o warrant_v by_o divine_a command_n take_v the_o liberty_n of_o say_v any_o thing_n without_o proof_n or_o evidence_n §_o 8._o 273._o but_o if_o they_o be_v arbitrary_a invention_n of_o man_n our_o author_n desire_v to_o have_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o their_o catholicism_n in_o the_o world_n and_o one_o instance_n more_o of_o any_o thing_n not_o natural_a or_o divine_a that_o ever_o prevail_v to_o such_o a_o absolute_a universal_a acceptance_n among_o mankind_n as_o for_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o his_o demand_n i_o think_v festival_n solemnity_n may_v challenge_v as_o great_a antiquity_n and_o universality_n as_o sacrifice_n there_o be_v no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n that_o ever_o be_v know_v to_o be_v altogether_o destitute_a of_o set_n and_o public_a festival_n in_o honour_n of_o their_o god_n and_o as_o i_o before_o observe_v the_o anniversary_n sacrifice_n of_o their_o first-fruit_n be_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o most_o universal_a solemnity_n of_o worship_n in_o the_o world_n and_o some_o learned_a man_n conjecture_v with_o as_o much_o probability_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v that_o such_o be_v the_o sacrifice_n of_o cain_n and_o abel_n and_o that_o from_o the_o propriety_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o the_o end_n of_o day_n which_o say_v they_o imply_v some_o set_v and_o solemn_a season_n of_o the_o year_n and_o there_o be_v no_o idiom_n more_o frequent_a in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n than_o to_o express_v set_v and_o anniversary_n season_v by_o day_n to_o omit_v innumerable_a other_o text_n 1_o sam._n 2.9_o the_o yearly_o sacrifice_n be_v call_v sacrificium_fw-la dierum_fw-la so_o that_o the_o end_n of_o days_n imply_v the_o revolution_n of_o the_o year_n when_o abel_n offer_v the_o first-born_a of_o his_o flock_n and_o cain_n the_o first-fruit_n of_o his_o field_n but_o however_o this_o may_v be_v it_o be_v attest_v by_o all_o the_o best_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n that_o harvest_n sacrifice_n and_o festival_n of_o first-fruit_n be_v the_o most_o ancient_a most_o catholic_n and_o perhaps_o only_o public_a solemnity_n of_o religion_n and_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v as_o impossible_a to_o discover_v any_o obligation_n from_o nature_n or_o any_o warranty_n from_o divine_a institution_n for_o their_o practice_n as_o for_o the_o original_a of_o idolatry_n which_o yet_o have_v universal_o prevail_v over_o the_o religion_n of_o mankind_n and_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v may_v have_v do_v so_o still_o have_v not_o divine_a providence_n be_v please_v to_o disabuse_v the_o wretched_a world_n by_o so_o many_o revelation_n and_o miraculous_a discovery_n of_o himself_o so_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a some_o thing_n may_v acquire_v to_o themselves_o a_o catholic_n credit_n and_o reputation_n that_o never_o have_v it_o bestow_v upon_o they_o by_o god_n or_o by_o nature_n especial_o if_o they_o chance_v to_o have_v any_o near_a relation_n or_o connexion_n with_o universal_a and_o unabolishable_a truth_n but_o see_v our_o author_n desire_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o catholicism_n of_o sacrifice_n thus_o it_o happen_v the_o first_o age_n of_o mankind_n have_v a_o full_a and_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o a_o strong_a sense_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o worship_n in_o that_o they_o have_v the_o same_o assurance_n then_o of_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o their_o being_n as_o we_o have_v now_o of_o our_o forefather_n and_o progenitor_n from_o hence_o they_o become_v oblige_v from_o the_o instinct_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n to_o acknowledge_v and_o celebrate_v their_o creator_n bounty_n and_o to_o return_v some_o expression_n of_o gratitude_n to_o he_o for_o his_o favour_n and_o benefit_n divine_a worship_n then_o be_v so_o clear_a a_o dictate_v of_o humane_a nature_n it_o be_v but_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n to_o express_v their_o sense_n of_o this_o duty_n by_o outward_a rite_n and_o signification_n now_o what_o symbol_n can_v be_v more_o natural_a and_o obvious_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n whereby_o to_o signify_v their_o homage_n and_o thankfulness_n to_o the_o author_n of_o all_o their_o happiness_n than_o by_o present_v he_o with_o some_o of_o the_o choice_a portion_n of_o his_o own_o gift_n for_o they_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o present_v in_o acknowledgement_n of_o that_o bounty_n and_o providence_n that_o have_v bestow_v they_o and_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o argue_v any_o pregnancy_n of_o invention_n that_o to_o have_v miss_v it_o will_v in_o my_o conceit_n have_v be_v flat_a stupidity_n for_o though_o all_o sensible_a sign_n derive_v their_o significancy_n from_o positive_a institution_n yet_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o institution_n be_v usual_o unless_o they_o be_v inept_v and_o irregular_a some_o natural_a suitableness_n they_o have_v in_o they_o to_o denote_v the_o thing_n signify_v now_o i_o will_v challenge_v our_o author_n wit_n to_o pitch_v upon_o any_o thing_n in_o nature_n that_o can_v be_v so_o easy_a and_o proper_a to_o express_v by_o way_n of_o outward_a action_n their_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n as_o these_o eucharistical_a oblation_n so_o easy_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o to_o fetch_v their_o beginning_n from_o humane_a agreement_n without_o recourse_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o nature_n or_o divine_a prescription_n the_o religion_n of_o sacrifice_n then_o be_v the_o most_o conspicuous_a symbol_n and_o signification_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n among_o the_o first_o father_n of_o mankind_n it_o descend_v to_o their_o posterity_n together_o with_o their_o natural_a sense_n of_o religion_n of_o which_o these_o be_v the_o only_a visible_a sign_n and_o indication_n and_o therefore_o without_o they_o it_o can_v have_v have_v no_o outward_a and_o sensible_a appearance_n in_o the_o world_n because_o these_o be_v its_o only_a practical_a way_n of_o conveyance_n and_o by_o continue_v to_o observe_v the_o rite_n and_o custom_n of_o their_o ancestor_n they_o keep_v up_o their_o dictate_v of_o religion_n and_o thus_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o the_o use_n of_o sacrifice_n be_v propagate_v together_o into_o all_o society_n of_o mankind_n by_o their_o observance_n of_o the_o custom_n and_o tradition_n of_o their_o progenitor_n now_o so_o easy_a and_o unforced_a be_v the_o probability_n of_o this_o account_n of_o their_o catholicism_n though_o they_o owe_v their_o original_n pure_o to_o the_o choice_n and_o institution_n of_o man_n that_o as_o long_o as_o their_o offspring_n keep_v up_o any_o belief_n of_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o any_o reverence_n for_o the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o forefather_n it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o humane_a affair_n the_o tradition_n of_o sacrifice_n shall_v ever_o be_v lose_v in_o the_o world_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o they_o find_v such_o a_o catholic_n entertainment_n in_o all_o society_n of_o mankind_n and_o it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o that_o whether_o they_o have_v their_o first_o beginning_n from_o humane_a invention_n or_o divine_a institution_n for_o when_o once_o they_o have_v acquire_v the_o esteem_n and_o reverence_n of_o religion_n use_v and_o custom_n will_v ever_o after_o keep_v up_o their_o practice_n and_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n so_o that_o though_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v ever_o obtain_v such_o a_o universal_a use_n and_o credit_n by_o their_o own_o strength_n and_o upon_o their_o own_o account_n yet_o when_o they_o have_v once_o obtain_v such_o a_o inseparable_a connexion_n with_o man_n natural_a &_o indelible_a sense_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v then_o as_o impossible_a without_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a change_n of_o thing_n as_o be_v bring_v
for_o come_v so_o near_a home_o and_o love_v to_o keep_v aloof_o off_o from_o present_a transaction_n a_o man_n may_v talk_v confident_a conjecture_n of_o thing_n that_o happen_v so_o many_o thousand_o year_n ago_o and_o tell_v fine_a story_n of_o man_n that_o beget_v son_n and_o daughter_n before_o the_o flood_n but_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o talk_v of_o the_o history_n and_o constitution_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o present_a world_n a_o man_n may_v possible_o contradict_v know_v and_o undeniable_a experience_n and_o every_o novice_n that_o be_v never_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o present_a state_n of_o foreign_a church_n will_v be_v able_a to_o check_v and_o shame_v our_o confidence_n and_o there_o be_v two_o unhappy_a book_n of_o mr._n durel_n that_o plain_o demonstrate_v that_o we_o be_v a_o new_a race_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o sufficient_o polish_a and_o civilise_a for_o humane_a society_n and_o such_o as_o whilst_o we_o continue_v fond_a of_o our_o wild_a and_o barbarous_a principle_n must_v be_v banish_v all_o establish_v church_n and_o commonwealth_n in_o europe_n §_o 10._o in_o the_o close_a of_o this_o chapter_n i_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o use_n of_o significant_a ceremony_n that_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o external_a worship_n under_o a_o different_a name_n outward_a worship_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o signify_v our_o inward_a thought_n and_o sentiment_n of_o religion_n either_o by_o word_n or_o action_n where_o i_o show_v that_o it_o may_v be_v indifferent_o express_v and_o perform_v by_o either_o and_o that_o gesture_n of_o reverence_n be_v of_o the_o same_o use_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o solemn_a praise_n and_o acknowledgement_n and_o that_o to_o bow_v the_o body_n at_o the_o mention_v the_o name_n of_o jesus_n be_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o honour_n to_o his_o person_n as_o to_o celebrate_v his_o name_n with_o hymn_n and_o thanksgiving_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o magistrate_n prerogative_n of_o institute_v significant_a ceremony_n amount_v to_o nothing_o more_o than_o a_o power_n of_o define_v the_o import_n of_o word_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o it_o be_v no_o other_o usurpation_n upon_o his_o subject_n conscience_n than_o if_o he_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o refine_v their_o language_n and_o determine_v the_o proper_a signification_n of_o all_o phrase_n employ_v in_o divine_a worship_n as_o well_o as_o in_o trade_n art_n and_o science_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v not_o but_o profess_v my_o admiration_n at_o the_o prodigious_a confidence_n and_o impertinence_n of_o those_o man_n that_o can_v raise_v such_o hideous_a noise_n and_o outcry_n against_o the_o law_n of_o a_o settle_a church_n and_o state_n upon_o such_o slender_a ground_n and_o pretence_n but_o here_o our_o author_n quick_o requite_v i_o with_o a_o counter-wonder_n 276._o that_o i_o can_v express_v my_o dissent_n from_o other_o in_o controvert_v point_n of_o the_o mean_a and_o low_a concernment_n but_o with_o cry_v out_o prodigy_n clamour_n impertinency_n and_o the_o like_a expression_n of_o astonishment_n in_o myself_o and_o contempt_n of_o other_o i_o may_v reserve_v some_o of_o these_o great_a word_n for_o more_o important_a occasion_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v these_o be_v not_o any_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a importance_n and_o be_v our_o dispute_n mere_o concern_v in_o their_o speculation_n i_o can_v discourse_v as_o cool_o and_o careless_o about_o they_o as_o about_o a_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n or_o a_o metaphysical_a notion_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v more_o eager_o concern_v to_o resolve_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o question_n than_o i_o be_o to_o determine_v the_o principle_n of_o individuation_n but_o when_o the_o establish_v government_n of_o a_o nation_n shall_v be_v subvert_v by_o such_o nice_a and_o new-invented_n subtlety_n when_o never_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v more_o rude_o treat_v by_o she_o own_o child_n than_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o the_o puritan_n schismatic_n when_o man_n shall_v cry_v out_o antichrist_n popery_n and_o superstition_n and_o all_o for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o a_o significant_a ceremony_n and_o when_o this_o clamorous_a exception_n be_v so_o vain_a so_o groundless_a and_o impertinent_a be_v it_o not_o infinite_o prodigious_a to_o see_v man_n so_o confident_a and_o troublesome_a upon_o such_o slight_a and_o vanish_v appearance_n what_o scurrilous_a language_n do_v they_o continual_o pour_v forth_o against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n what_o ignominious_a title_n do_v they_o fasten_v upon_o her_o friend_n and_o follower_n and_o with_o what_o disdain_n and_o insolence_n do_v they_o spit_v at_o her_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o devotion_n into_o what_o woeful_a and_o endless_a schism_n do_v they_o drive_v their_o proselyte_n from_o her_o communion_n what_o disturbance_n do_v they_o create_v in_o the_o state_n and_o what_o rupture_n in_o the_o church_n and_o how_o do_v they_o imbroil_v and_o discompose_v the_o peaceable_a setlement_n of_o a_o flourish_a kingdom_n and_o all_o this_o mere_o out_o of_o hatred_n to_o the_o popery_n and_o paganism_n of_o a_o symbolical_a rite_n for_o ever_o since_o the_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o they_o style_v their_o presbyterial_a consistory_n have_v be_v wrest_v from_o they_o by_o force_n of_o argument_n and_o ever_o since_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o holy_a discipline_n have_v be_v so_o shameful_o explode_v and_o that_o time_n and_o experience_n have_v put_v a_o baffle_n upon_o the_o confidence_n of_o their_o old_a plea_n and_o pretence_n all_o the_o outcry_n have_v be_v against_o the_o unwarrantableness_n of_o institute_v ceremony_n which_o after_o innumerable_a train_n of_o distinction_n and_o limitation_n about_o natural_a and_o customary_a and_o topical_a sign_n still_o spend_v itself_o against_o the_o superstition_n of_o mystical_a and_o significant_a rite_n so_o that_o the_o substance_n of_o this_o whole_a contest_v be_v now_o at_o length_n resolve_v into_o this_o single_a enquiry_n and_o upon_o this_o all_o their_o deep_o and_o more_o subtle_a man_n of_o controversy_n spend_v all_o their_o choler_n and_o metaphysic_n it_o be_v true_a they_o defend_v themselves_o with_o the_o plea_n of_o scandal_n tenderness_n of_o conscience_n etc._n etc._n but_o when_o they_o use_v their_o offensive_a weapon_n they_o scarce_o annoy_v we_o with_o any_o other_o objection_n than_o what_o be_v level_v against_o the_o church_n usurpation_n in_o take_v upon_o she_o to_o appoint_v new_a ceremony_n and_o institution_n of_o worship_n and_o therefore_o if_o ever_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o cry_v out_o prodigy_n clamour_n and_o impertinency_n it_o be_v upon_o this_o subject_n and_o this_o occasion_n when_o my_o thought_n be_v warm_a with_o reflect_v upon_o those_o mighty_a trouble_n and_o inconvenience_n under_o which_o these_o man_n have_v bring_v the_o best_a establish_v church_n in_o the_o world_n by_o their_o unreasonable_a folly_n and_o curiosity_n for_o tell_v i_o sir_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o shake_v the_o foundation_n and_o hazard_v the_o overthrow_n of_o a_o settle_a church_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o discompose_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o a_o settle_a state_n be_v it_o nothing_o for_o subject_n to_o withdraw_v their_o assistance_n from_o their_o prince_n and_o their_o country_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o violate_v the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n and_o charity_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o rend_v the_o body_n of_o a_o church_n into_o numberless_a schism_n and_o contention_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o keep_v up_o implacable_a feud_n and_o animosity_n among_o member_n of_o the_o same_o commonwealth_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o harden_v debauch_v and_o ungodly_a man_n against_o religion_n itself_o by_o give_v they_o too_o much_o reason_n to_o suspect_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v troublesome_a and_o mischievous_a to_o government_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o encourage_v the_o design_n of_o sacrilegious_a wretch_n by_o give_v they_o advantage_n under_o the_o disguise_n of_o zeal_n and_o purity_n to_o prey_v upon_o the_o church_n antichristian_a patrimony_n in_o a_o word_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o gore_v the_o bowel_n of_o a_o kingdom_n with_o everlasting_a change_n and_o reformation_n and_o all_o this_o upon_o pretence_n as_o thin_a as_o sope-bubble_n and_o as_o brittle_a as_o glassdrop_n §_o 11._o but_o let_v we_o take_v a_o brief_a survey_v of_o their_o particular_a reason_n and_o exception_n and_o then_o our_o wonder_n at_o these_o man_n confidence_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o abate_v that_o it_o will_v swell_v into_o ecstasy_n and_o downright_a astonishment_n for_o first_o say_v our_o author_n to_o say_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o institute_v visible_a sign_n of_o god_n honour_n 277._o to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o outward_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v upon_o the_o matter_n to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v power_n to_o institute_v new_a sacrament_n for_o so_o
swell_v his_o fancy_n with_o admire_v at_o the_o boldness_n of_o such_o lewd_a assertion_n he_o at_o last_o burst_v forth_o into_o a_o impetuous_a fit_n of_o preach_v against_o they_o but_o see_v he_o have_v so_o lamentable_o mistake_v his_o text_n he_o may_v talk_v his_o lung_n and_o his_o heart_n out_o and_o never_o talk_v to_o the_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o let_v he_o take_v his_o full_a career_n of_o impertinency_n it_o concern_v not_o i_o either_o to_o stop_v or_o follow_v he_o only_o this_o let_v i_o tell_v he_o for_o his_o comfort_n that_o i_o have_v there_o prove_v and_o here_o defy_v he_o and_o all_o the_o world_n to_o disprove_v it_o that_o whoever_o shall_v contradict_v that_o proposition_n as_o i_o have_v lay_v it_o down_o viz._n that_o in_o all_o doubtful_a and_o disputable_a case_n of_o a_o public_a concernment_n subject_n be_v not_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o result_v of_o their_o own_o private_a judgement_n but_o to_o acquiesce_v entire_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o public_a authority_n whoever_o i_o say_v shall_v contradict_v this_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o mankind_n and_o a_o traitor_n to_o all_o society_n in_o the_o world_n for_o government_n be_v a_o word_n that_o signify_v nothing_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o power_n to_o determine_v and_o appoint_v what_o it_o judge_v most_o useful_a and_o expedient_a for_o the_o concern_v and_o interest_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o if_o you_o will_v cancel_v this_o authority_n of_o the_o public_a judgement_n whatever_o you_o may_v call_v it_o it_o be_v real_o nothing_o but_o anarchy_n and_o this_o be_v the_o last_o and_o unavoidable_a issue_n of_o all_o their_o pretence_n for_o as_o to_o their_o general_a plea_n for_o indulgence_n they_o still_o press_v for_o a_o entire_a and_o absolute_a exemption_n of_o conscience_n from_o all_o the_o command_v of_o authority_n and_o in_o effect_n vest_n it_o in_o a_o power_n paramount_n to_o the_o supremacy_n of_o prince_n so_o that_o in_o case_n of_o competition_n its_o dictate_v must_v over-rule_v all_o their_o law_n and_o therefore_o no_o government_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o pass_v a_o obligation_n upon_o it_o but_o by_o its_o own_o consent_n and_o this_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v perfect_a anarchy_n every_o man_n be_v entire_o leave_v to_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o own_o discretion_n and_o be_v as_o much_o at_o liberty_n whether_o he_o will_v or_o will_v not_o obey_v as_o if_o he_o be_v absolute_o free_a from_o all_o superiority_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o then_o as_o to_o their_o particular_a exception_n their_o scruple_n be_v so_o nice_a and_o delicate_a so_o peevish_a and_o splenetic_a so_o giddy_a and_o fantastic_a so_o impossible_a to_o be_v prevent_v of_o redress_v that_o no_o form_n of_o setlement_n can_v ever_o be_v contrive_v upon_o which_o they_o will_v not_o beat_v with_o equal_a fury_n for_o they_o be_v indifferent_o applicable_a to_o all_o case_n and_o their_o strength_n depend_v not_o at_o all_o upon_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n but_o the_o humour_n of_o man_n and_o if_o the_o offence_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n or_o the_o scruple_n of_o a_o tender_a conscience_n be_v sufficient_a exception_n against_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o law_n then_o farewell_n all_o the_o reverence_n and_o authority_n of_o government_n for_o settle_v thing_n with_o never_o so_o much_o exactness_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a upon_o these_o principle_n to_o avoid_v these_o cavil_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v either_o fool_n or_o knave_n in_o the_o world_n and_o do_v but_o observe_v the_o untenable_a weakness_n of_o all_o their_o pretence_n apart_o and_o how_o they_o shuffle_v from_o their_o general_a demand_n to_o their_o particular_a exception_n and_o then_o when_o they_o be_v pursue_v to_o their_o defence_n how_o they_o roll_v back_o to_o their_o general_a demand_n and_o so_o dance_v perpetual_o in_o a_o manifest_a circle_n of_o shift_v and_o disingenuous_a cavil_v and_o you_o need_v no_o far_o proof_n to_o satisfy_v you_o of_o the_o intolerable_a impertinency_n of_o their_o clamour_n and_o unexemplified_a peevishness_n of_o the_o men._n chap._n vii_o the_o content_n that_o some_o man_n from_o a_o belief_n of_o the_o imposture_n of_o all_o religion_n argue_v for_o the_o liberty_n of_o all_o far_o clear_v and_o justify_v that_o some_o sect_n of_o man_n be_v strong_o incline_v to_o sedition_n prove_v by_o their_o practice_n and_o principle_n our_o author_n intolerable_a confidence_n in_o deny_v his_o own_o principle_n especial_o that_o that_o to_o pursue_v success_n though_o in_o villainy_n and_o rebellion_n be_v to_o follow_v providence_n this_o prove_v by_o various_a instance_n out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o j._n o._n the_o argument_n whereby_o they_o draw_v in_o providence_n and_o the_o rabble_n be_v 1._o by_o apply_v old_a prophecy_n to_o present_a transaction_n 2._o by_o believe_v god_n be_v oblige_v to_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n for_o his_o people_n now_o that_o he_o ever_o do_v for_o his_o people_n in_o all_o former_a age_n 3._o by_o believe_v providence_n be_v in_o good_a earnest_n for_o they_o though_o it_o be_v in_o all_o appearance_n against_o they_o 4._o by_o flat_a presumption_n and_o downright_a enthusiasm_n that_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n be_v pretend_v as_o a_o cause_n of_o our_o late_a civil_a war_n prove_v at_o large_a against_o our_o author_n from_o the_o declaration_n of_o lord_n and_o commons_o and_o the_o sermon_n of_o j._n o._n the_o nonconformist_n be_v bind_v to_o give_v we_o assurance_n of_o their_o repentance_n before_o they_o may_v presume_v to_o offer_v we_o any_o security_n of_o their_o allegiance_n their_o plea_n for_o toleration_n because_o protestant_n invalid_a a_o account_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n both_o as_o to_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n the_o manifest_a apostasy_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n from_o both_o the_o reformation_n in_o most_o place_n overrun_v and_o destroy_v by_o calvinism_n our_o adversary_n notion_n of_o protestancy_n be_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o zeal_n for_o the_o calvinian_a rigour_n religion_n be_v not_o only_o the_o best_a but_o a_o necessary_a disguise_n for_o rebellion_n man_n can_v gain_v a_o opportunity_n of_o commit_v any_o more_o enormous_a wickedness_n but_o under_o show_n and_o pretence_n of_o piety_n the_o danger_n and_o vanity_n of_o balance_v different_a party_n of_o religion_n the_o civil_a war_n of_o france_n a_o eminent_a instance_n of_o this_o a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o all_o peevish_a and_o ill-natured_a religion_n the_o nonconformist_n loose_a way_n of_o discourse_v of_o conscience_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o action_n distinct_a from_o the_o man_n himself_o conscience_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o soul_n or_o mind_n of_o man._n nothing_o in_o humane_a nature_n beside_o conscience_n be_v capable_a of_o subjection_n to_o humane_a law_n conscience_n be_v not_o its_o own_o rule_n nor_o of_o itself_o any_o plea_n of_o exemption_n from_o obedience_n if_o it_o be_v abuse_v by_o evil_a principle_n nothing_o more_o mischievous_a vulgar_a conscience_n the_o most_o mistake_a guide_n in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o common_a people_n it_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n either_o ignorance_n or_o pride_n or_o superstition_n or_o peevishness_n or_o enthusiasm_n the_o conclusion_n §_o 1._o our_o author_n adventure_n in_o this_o chapter_n be_v such_o ordinary_a and_o possible_a thing_n that_o now_o to_o rehearse_v erterprise_n so_o lank_a of_o prodigy_n after_o all_o these_o wonder_n be_v to_o darken_v the_o lustre_n and_o abate_v the_o admiration_n of_o his_o former_a performance_n many_o faint_a essay_n we_o may_v observe_v of_o his_o ancient_a courage_n and_o confidence_n but_o alas_o deed_n of_o a_o great_a strain_n and_o more_o stupendous_a prowess_n be_v keep_v for_o holiday_n achievement_n now_o and_o then_o we_o may_v meet_v with_o a_o loud_a and_o rap_a falsification_n but_o every_o page_n do_v not_o entertain_v our_o wonder_n with_o forgery_n of_o a_o garagantuan_a bulk_n and_o boldness_n once_o indeed_o we_o be_v inform_v how_o i_o discourse_n that_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o conscience_n will_v certain_o overthrow_v all_o government_n 285._o and_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o confusion_n yet_o however_o the_o old_a calumny_n be_v not_o continual_o rattle_v in_o our_o ear_n as_o that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v vest_v in_o a_o absolute_a and_o immediate_a sovereignty_n over_o conscience_n in_o all_o affair_n of_o religion_n in_o so_o much_o that_o whatever_o the_o precise_a truth_n of_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v he_o have_v power_n to_o order_n and_o appoint_v what_o religion_n his_o subject_n shall_v profess_v and_o observe_v that_o conscience_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v beyond_o the_o inward_a thought_n of_o man_n mind_n and_o that_o as_o to_o all_o their_o outward_a action_n the_o command_v of_o authority_n over-rule_v all_o its_o obligation_n etc._n etc._n
put_v a_o certain_a period_n to_o the_o public_a misery_n by_o the_o conquest_n of_o a_o party_n but_o in_o the_o other_o the_o time_n be_v break_v by_o various_a change_n and_o turn_v of_o fortune_n the_o state_n miserable_o involve_v and_o entangle_v in_o perpetual_a revolution_n and_o the_o short_a interval_n of_o peace_n be_v but_o preparation_n to_o war._n accommodation_n be_v only_o offer_v and_o procure_v by_o the_o weak_a faction_n thereby_o to_o gain_v advantage_n of_o muster_v strong_a force_n and_o when_o they_o have_v power_n enough_o to_o look_v the_o enemy_n in_o the_o face_n the_o counterfeit_a peace_n dissolve_v of_o its_o own_o accord_n and_o upon_o the_o first_o occasion_n they_o break_v out_o into_o wide_a and_o more_o obstinate_a rupture_n so_o natural_a be_v it_o for_o dissension_n of_o religion_n to_o heighten_v themselves_o into_o implacable_a hatred_n and_o animosity_n and_o it_o be_v as_o natural_a for_o they_o when_o draw_v to_o a_o head_n by_o any_o unlucky_a conjuncture_n of_o affair_n to_o break_v out_o into_o open_a war_n and_o rebellion_n popular_a zeal_n be_v always_o heady_a and_o presumptuous_a and_o when_o let_v loose_a from_o the_o restraint_n of_o government_n and_o the_o dread_n of_o punishment_n it_o know_v not_o how_o to_o contain_v itself_o within_o the_o limit_n of_o reason_n and_o modesty_n connivance_n do_v but_o encourage_v its_o peevishness_n and_o presumption_n and_o it_o strengthen_v and_o support_v itself_o upon_o the_o slight_a and_o most_o ungrounded_a encouragement_n not_o to_o check_v the_o tumultuous_a proceed_n of_o the_o multitude_n by_o law_n and_o penalty_n be_v to_o make_v they_o insolent_a and_o if_o the_o state_n be_v not_o concern_v to_o suppress_v they_o with_o rigour_n and_o severity_n they_o immediate_o conclude_v themselves_o its_o great_a friend_n and_o favourite_n and_o the_o inconsiderate_a rabble_n be_v easy_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v secret_o countenance_v by_o authority_n and_o that_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o affair_n will_v permit_v that_o will_v open_o declare_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o their_o faction_n and_o then_o they_o can_v rest_v satisfy_v in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o own_o liberty_n but_o grow_v insolent_a towards_o the_o predominant_a party_n and_o by_o all_o the_o act_n of_o a_o saucy_a and_o unpleasing_a deportment_n exasperate_v their_o rage_n and_o indignation_n who_o on_o the_o other_o side_n look_v on_o they_o as_o a_o mean_a and_o despicable_a people_n be_v apt_a to_o trample_v upon_o they_o especial_o when_o provoke_v by_o their_o insolence_n with_o the_o great_a scorn_n and_o disdain_n whereas_o nothing_o so_o inflame_v and_o so_o embitter_v proud_a mind_n as_o to_o be_v despise_v and_o therefore_o this_o again_o put_v they_o upon_o all_o endeavour_n to_o rescue_v themselves_o from_o so_o unpleasing_a a_o condition_n and_o whenever_o they_o grow_v to_o any_o confidence_n of_o their_o strength_n and_o their_o number_n they_o be_v present_o grapple_v with_o the_o power_n that_o oppress_v they_o and_o thus_o by_o counterpoise_v of_o party_n their_o difference_n swell_v and_o increase_v like_o angry_a biles_n till_o they_o break_v out_o into_o open_a dissension_n so_o easy_o be_v public_a tumult_n and_o faction_n kindle_v and_o kingdom_n set_v all_o on_o fire_n with_o fanatic_a war_n and_o combustion_n it_o be_v but_o for_o one_o of_o the_o party_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n and_o combination_n under_o pretence_n of_o public_a good_a and_o this_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n alarm_n the_o other_o to_o provide_v for_o its_o own_o security_n and_o then_o do_v all_o thing_n immediate_o dissolve_v into_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n for_o confederacy_n be_v but_o the_o open_n and_o declaration_n of_o war_n and_o enter_v into_o league_n be_v no_o less_o in_o effect_n than_o list_v of_o army_n all_o the_o confederate_n be_v under_o a_o sacred_a obligation_n to_o assert_v the_o cause_n against_o all_o opposition_n by_o force_n of_o arms._n and_o this_o show_v the_o vain_a policy_n of_o the_o counter-balance_n a_o project_n too_o nice_a and_o subtle_a for_o the_o vehement_a and_o boisterous_a passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o however_o it_o may_v strike_v the_o fancy_n of_o a_o capricious_a woman_n no_o trick_n of_o policy_n have_v ever_o prove_v itself_o more_o unsuccessful_a than_o this_o whilst_o practise_v in_o the_o same_o kingdom_n and_o the_o issue_n have_v ever_o be_v that_o the_o commonwealth_n have_v struggle_v with_o mutual_a opposition_n and_o totter_v with_o civil_a war_n till_o it_o have_v either_o recover_v itself_o by_o a_o absolute_a suppression_n of_o one_o of_o the_o faction_n or_o sink_v into_o utter_a ruin_n and_o confusion_n as_o indeed_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n have_v manage_v this_o artifice_n to_o balance_v the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n it_o be_v neither_o unuseful_a nor_o unpracticable_a because_o the_o equality_n be_v keep_v up_o between_o two_o different_a and_o independent_a state_n that_o can_v not_o sudden_o work_v each_o other_o destruction_n or_o if_o they_o shall_v attempt_v it_o he_o can_v easy_o over-rule_v the_o contest_v by_o the_o intervention_n of_o a_o three_o power_n but_o when_o mutual_a dissension_n be_v keep_v up_o under_o the_o same_o government_n it_o be_v always_o in_o hazard_n of_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o its_o own_o intestine_a quarrel_n and_o whenever_o there_o happen_v a_o open_a eruption_n the_o prince_n be_v not_o provide_v with_o a_o three_o power_n to_o give_v check_n to_o the_o growth_n and_o exorbitance_n of_o the_o predominant_a faction_n and_o can_v now_o no_o long_o juggle_v and_o dissemble_v between_o both_o but_o must_v of_o necessity_n declare_v for_o one_o party_n and_o cast_v himself_o and_o his_o crown_n upon_o their_o fortune_n and_o if_o he_o chance_v to_o hit_v upon_o the_o wrong_a faction_n he_o be_v lose_v and_o remain_v a_o prey_n to_o the_o conqueror_n whether_o this_o speculation_n of_o the_o balance_a project_n be_v profound_a and_o political_a as_o our_o author_n reflect_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o obvious_a experience_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o humane_a affair_n and_o when_o he_o can_v make_v difference_n in_o religion_n without_o make_v distinct_a party_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o may_v he_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v toleration_n consistent_a with_o public_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n i._n e._n when_o he_o be_v able_a to_o abolish_v all_o the_o folly_n and_o passion_n of_o mankind_n but_o for_o that_o we_o must_v stay_v to_o the_o come_n of_o the_o fifth-monarchy_n though_o when_o those_o golden_a day_n shall_v come_v it_o will_v then_o be_v our_o turn_n as_o some_o of_o our_o adversary_n have_v cast_v up_o our_o reckon_a to_o beg_v and_o to_o be_v deny_v indulgence_n for_o that_o as_o they_o cast_v up_o their_o own_o account_n too_o shall_v be_v the_o time_n of_o their_o revenge_n and_o then_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a they_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o be_v even_o with_o we_o for_o all_o our_o hard_a measure_n and_o king_n jesus_n shall_v make_v we_o feel_v what_o it_o be_v to_o persecute_v his_o favourite_n and_o will_v not_o neglect_v his_o friend_n to_o reward_v his_o enemy_n but_o then_o the_o saint_n as_o i._n o._n speak_v shall_v take_v vengeance_n of_o the_o whore_n for_o all_o her_o former_a rage_n and_o cruelty_n and_o the_o rochet_n of_o the_o prelate_n together_o with_o the_o robe_n of_o persecute_v king_n and_o prince_n shall_v be_v roll_v up_o in_o blood_n §_o 16._o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o discover_v the_o danger_n of_o knavish_a and_o political_a hypocrisy_n but_o this_o be_v found_v upon_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n and_o it_o be_v such_o a_o lewd_a affront_n to_o the_o almighty_a and_o such_o a_o desperate_a attempt_n of_o impiety_n that_o it_o be_v not_o every_o one_o can_v arrive_v to_o boldness_n or_o wickedness_n enough_o to_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n and_o therefore_o the_o more_o dangerous_a because_o more_o frequent_a sort_n of_o hypocrisy_n be_v that_o which_o be_v more_o serious_a more_o confident_a and_o more_o incurable_a when_o man_n put_v a_o cheat_n upon_o themselves_o as_o well_o as_o upon_o the_o world_n in_o that_o have_v no_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o property_n of_o true_a religion_n they_o embrace_v something_o else_o that_o look_v like_o it_o for_o its_o substance_n and_o reality_n and_o by_o this_o fond_a mistake_n flatter_v and_o abuse_v themselves_o into_o a_o strong_a and_o serious_a conceit_n of_o their_o own_o saintship_n this_o be_v the_o pharisaic_a leven_n that_o as_o i_o have_v often_o suggest_v to_o you_o have_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o most_o fatal_a and_o epidemical_a miscarriage_n of_o religion_n because_o when_o well-meaning_a man_n have_v once_o satisfy_v their_o conscience_n in_o a_o false_a
and_o mistake_a godliness_n this_o become_v not_o only_o a_o strong_a prejudice_n upon_o their_o mind_n against_o the_o admission_n of_o all_o true_a and_o real_a goodness_n but_o a_o fatal_a snare_n to_o betray_v they_o into_o all_o those_o vice_n that_o be_v most_o destructive_a of_o the_o peace_n and_o government_n of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o may_v continue_v proud_a peevish_a insolent_a passionate_a self-willed_a and_o malicious_a and_o yet_o be_v high_o satisfy_v and_o conceit_v of_o their_o own_o integrity_n so_o that_o these_o vice_n that_o be_v the_o strong_a and_o most_o ungovernable_a passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n escape_v unregarded_a and_o unmortified_a under_o the_o protection_n of_o this_o self-chosen_a godliness_n it_o be_v unavoidable_a but_o that_o they_o will_v mix_v with_o their_o religious_a zeal_n as_o well_o as_o any_o other_o concernment_n whatsoever_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o discover_v or_o restrain_v their_o irregularity_n what_o shall_v hinder_v but_o that_o they_o will_v as_o much_o vent_n themselves_o in_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n as_o in_o any_o other_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o because_o they_o be_v there_o more_o passionate_o concern_v their_o excess_n can_v but_o be_v proportionable_o more_o vehement_a insomuch_o that_o he_o that_o be_v spiteful_a will_v be_v more_o so_o for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n he_o that_o be_v factious_a will_v be_v more_o so_o for_o the_o godly_a party_n he_o that_o be_v peevish_a will_v be_v more_o so_o for_o his_o orthodox_n or_o what_o be_v the_o same_o to_o he_o his_o own_o opinion_n and_o he_o that_o be_v malicious_a will_v be_v more_o so_o against_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n so_o that_o when_o man_n passion_n be_v as_o you_o easy_o see_v they_o may_v be_v infuse_v into_o their_o religion_n that_o do_v but_o make_v they_o more_o eager_a and_o turbulent_a and_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o abate_v their_o rage_n that_o it_o heighten_v and_o imbitter_v their_o malice_n and_o therefore_o to_o i_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n to_o observe_v how_o some_o man_n will_v pray_v with_o the_o ardour_n of_o a_o angel_n love_n god_n with_o rapture_n of_o joy_n and_o delight_n be_v transport_v with_o deep_a and_o pathetic_a devotion_n talk_v of_o nothing_o but_o the_o unspeakable_a pleasure_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v ravish_v with_o devout_a and_o seraphic_a meditation_n of_o heaven_n and_o like_o the_o bless_a spirit_n there_o seem_v to_o relish_v nothing_o but_o spiritual_a delight_n and_o entertainment_n who_o yet_o when_o they_o return_v from_o their_o transfiguration_n to_o their_o ordinary_a converse_n with_o man_n be_v churlish_a as_o a_o cynic_n passionate_a as_o a_o angry_a wasp_n envious_a as_o a_o studious_a dunce_n and_o insolent_a as_o a_o female_a tyrant_n proud_a and_o haughty_a in_o their_o deportment_n peevish_a petulant_a and_o self-willed_a impatient_a of_o contradiction_n implacable_a in_o their_o anger_n rude_a and_o imperious_a in_o all_o their_o conversation_n and_o make_v up_o of_o nothing_o but_o pride_n malice_n and_o peevishness_n the_o reason_n be_v obvious_a because_o whilst_o they_o be_v so_o mighty_a warm_a and_o zealous_a in_o the_o duty_n of_o godliness_n and_o so_o exceed_o busy_a in_o the_o instrument_n and_o ministery_n of_o religion_n and_o their_o conscience_n so_o fair_o satisfy_v by_o this_o wonderful_a strictness_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o devotion_n they_o hug_v themselves_o in_o a_o dear_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o saintship_n and_o rest_v content_a in_o the_o formality_n of_o religion_n they_o be_v never_o concern_v to_o proceed_v to_o the_o habitual_a mortification_n of_o their_o passion_n and_o deprave_a disposition_n which_o be_v neglect_v will_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n grow_v upon_o they_o and_o overrun_v the_o whole_a habit_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o if_o man_n be_v not_o careful_a to_o correct_v and_o subdue_v the_o petulancy_n of_o their_o nature_n it_o thrive_v and_o increase_v under_o their_o neglect_n because_o it_o be_v natural_a so_o that_o where_o it_o be_v not_o oppose_v with_o a_o constant_a and_o resolute_a industry_n man_n will_v by_o instinct_n and_o natural_a tendency_n be_v untoward_a and_o intractable_a but_o much_o more_o in_o concern_v of_o religion_n because_o this_o superinduce_v a_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n upon_o the_o malignity_n of_o nature_n and_o consecrate_v all_o their_o scurvy_a and_o unkind_a office_n into_o duty_n of_o zeal_n and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a original_a of_o all_o that_o peevish_a and_o ill-natured_a religion_n that_o be_v so_o common_a in_o the_o world_n and_o now_o be_v not_o kingdom_n likely_a to_o be_v brave_o govern_v if_o authority_n must_v indulge_v man_n such_o exorbitant_a and_o pernicious_a vice_n as_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o all_o society_n because_o their_o well-meaning_a ignorance_n may_v imagine_v they_o to_o be_v symptom_n and_o result_v of_o godly_a zeal_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v all_o that_o pretend_v to_o conscience_n to_o be_v serious_a and_o upright_a in_o their_o pretension_n yet_o that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o argument_n for_o indulgence_n that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o powerful_a dissuasive_a against_o it_o it_o be_v such_o great_a odds_o that_o it_o engage_v they_o to_o be_v troublesome_a to_o government_n and_o this_o be_v the_o plain_a reason_n of_o my_o assertion_n over_o which_o our_o author_n have_v so_o frequent_o and_o so_o ridiculous_o insult_v viz._n 150._o that_o prince_n may_v with_o less_o hazard_n to_o their_o government_n give_v liberty_n to_o man_n vice_n and_o debauchery_n than_o to_o fanatic_a conscience_n because_o though_o they_o be_v both_o just_o punishable_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o equal_o mischievous_a in_o that_o the_o sin_n of_o debauchery_n make_v man_n useless_a in_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o those_o of_o religion_n make_v they_o dangerous_a because_o when_o their_o passion_n be_v warrant_v by_o their_o religion_n that_o oblige_v they_o by_o their_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n to_o act_v they_o to_o the_o high_a and_o than_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v what_o calm_a and_o peaceable_a thing_n those_o man_n must_v be_v who_o think_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o enforce_v and_o enrage_v their_o passion_n with_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n §_o 17._o but_o for_o a_o more_o accurate_a and_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o this_o sober_a truth_n we_o will_v a_o little_a consider_v and_o explain_v what_o be_v the_o true_a and_o real_a meaning_n of_o conscience_n and_o that_o will_v abundant_o evince_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o nature_n more_o uncertain_a or_o ungovernable_a than_o vulgar_a conscience_n first_o then_o these_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o discourse_v of_o it_o as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o action_n distinct_a from_o the_o man_n himself_o according_a to_o their_o loose_a way_n of_o talk_v to_o discharge_v the_o guilt_n and_o imputation_n of_o their_o crime_n upon_o any_o thing_n but_o themselves_o thus_o do_v a_o child_n of_o god_n fall_v into_o any_o scandalous_a miscarriage_n the_o mortify_a man_n be_v only_o foil_v by_o the_o strength_n and_o subtlety_n of_o indwelling_a sin_n be_v he_o perfidious_a to_o his_o engagement_n and_o do_v he_o violate_v all_o the_o obligation_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o honesty_n the_o upright_o man_n be_v impose_v upon_o by_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o his_o heart_n and_o after_o the_o same_o rate_n do_v they_o discourse_v of_o conscience_n as_o if_o it_o be_v some_o infallible_a thing_n within_o that_o preside_v over_o all_o a_o man_n thought_n and_o direct_v all_o his_o action_n so_o that_o whatever_o they_o attempt_v to_o do_v if_o they_o shall_v pretend_v the_o warranty_n of_o conscience_n that_o shall_v excuse_v and_o justify_v their_o action_n and_o how_o unaccountable_a soever_o it_o may_v prove_v let_v conscience_n look_v to_o that_o they_o be_v innocent_a and_o though_o they_o themselves_o good_a man_n do_v not_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v their_o obedience_n from_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a authority_n yet_o it_o be_v neither_o he_o nor_o they_o that_o can_v force_v conscience_n to_o subjection_n and_o when_o the_o magistrate_n drive_v if_o they_o grow_v resty_a and_o skittish_a it_o be_v because_o conscience_n stand_v in_o their_o way_n like_o the_o angel_n before_o balaams_n ass_n and_o then_o it_o be_v nor_o in_o their_o power_n to_o move_v one_o step_n forward_o but_o this_o be_v downright_a juggle_n for_o in_o plain_a english_a a_o man_n and_o his_o conscience_n be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o such_o as_o the_o man_n be_v such_o be_v his_o conscience_n so_o subtle_a be_v these_o man_n when_o they_o declare_v themselves_o his_o majesty_n most_o humble_a servant_n and_o only_o beg_v he_o will_v spare_v their_o conscience_n and_o if_o he_o will_v grant_v they_o but_o that_o one_o reasonable_a demand_n ah_o how_o will_v that_o endear_v
the_o future_a judgement_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o see_v it_o be_v so_o immediate_o subject_a to_o his_o authority_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v privilege_v from_o all_o the_o power_n of_o all_o other_o law_n and_o jurisdiction_n but_o if_o this_o be_v a_o fair_a and_o logical_a deduction_n there_o be_v no_o avoid_v to_o conclude_v that_o every_o man_n conscience_n be_v in_o all_o its_o action_n exempt_a from_o all_o humane_a authority_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v subject_a or_o accountable_a to_o any_o other_o power_n but_o the_o divine_a majesty_n see_v in_o all_o the_o other_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n it_o be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o regard_v the_o future_a judgement_n of_o god_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o therefore_o if_o its_o reference_n to_o its_o future_a account_n be_v sufficient_a in_o any_o one_o case_n to_o give_v it_o protection_n against_o the_o power_n of_o prince_n it_o be_v so_o in_o all_o §_o 18._o but_o further_a what_o if_o it_o so_o happen_v that_o conscience_n be_v abuse_v by_o false_a and_o evil_a persuasion_n than_o it_o unavoidable_o lead_v into_o all_o manner_n of_o lewd_a and_o vicious_a practice_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o mischievous_a or_o so_o exorbitant_a to_o which_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n will_v not_o betray_v we_o for_o when_o it_o have_v once_o entertain_v wicked_a and_o seditious_a principle_n there_o mischief_n become_v irresistible_a rogue_n and_o outlaw_n be_v under_o some_o possibility_n of_o reformation_n because_o they_o never_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v in_o duty_n to_o their_o villainy_n and_o be_v convince_v in_o their_o own_o thought_n of_o the_o baseness_n of_o their_o practice_n and_o stand_v in_o some_o awe_n of_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n whereas_o debauch_a conscience_n be_v bold_a and_o confident_a in_o their_o wickedness_n and_o their_o gild_n be_v in_o their_o own_o opinion_n their_o innocence_n and_o their_o crime_n their_o duty_n and_o if_o authority_n ever_o punish_v their_o disobedience_n and_o rebellion_n they_o suffer_v with_o the_o confidence_n of_o martyr_n and_o they_o die_v for_o preserve_v a_o good_a conscience_n and_o follow_v the_o best_a light_n god_n have_v give_v they_o if_o they_o rebel_v it_o be_v their_o zeal_n for_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n god_n and_o religion_n be_v ever_o concern_v in_o their_o quarrel_n and_o when_o they_o fight_v against_o their_o lawful_a superior_n they_o only_o oppose_v the_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o when_o they_o embroil_v kingdom_n in_o war_n and_o confusion_n they_o only_o wage_v war_n against_o babylon_n and_o antichrist_n and_o whatever_o they_o attempt_v be_v it_o never_o so_o vile_a and_o wicked_a it_o be_v still_o in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o now_o consider_v how_o few_o they_o be_v that_o pursue_v the_o right_a method_n of_o knowledge_n and_o upon_o what_o innumerable_a account_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n may_v be_v abuse_v and_o misguide_a vulgar_a conscience_n will_v be_v find_v the_o most_o mistake_v most_o mischievous_a and_o most_o unreasonable_a guide_n in_o the_o world_n for_o as_o a_o right_a conscience_n be_v acquire_v only_o by_o a_o sincere_a regular_a and_o impartial_a use_n of_o our_o faculty_n so_o be_v a_o wrong_a one_o by_o all_o the_o possible_a way_n and_o cause_n of_o error_n viz._n ignorance_n fancy_n prejudice_n partiality_n self-love_n envy_n ambition_n pride_n passion_n and_o superstition_n any_o of_o which_o though_o they_o be_v the_o great_a principle_n of_o disturbance_n in_o the_o world_n may_v corrupt_v and_o debauch_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o then_o challenge_v to_o themselves_o the_o sacredness_n and_o authority_n of_o conscience_n for_o every_o man_n error_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n become_v his_o duty_n and_o pride_n and_o folly_n and_o ignorance_n and_o malice_n and_o any_o thing_n else_o if_o it_o be_v a_o religious_a dress_n immediate_o become_v sacred_a and_o inviolable_a and_o now_o when_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n be_v debauch_v with_o absurd_a and_o seditious_a prejudices_fw-la the_o contradictory_n of_o moral_a truth_n and_o goodness_n become_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o conscience_n and_o man_n think_v themselves_o direct_o oblige_v to_o what_o direct_o oppose_v the_o high_a interest_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o main_a obligation_n of_o religion_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v so_o vulgar_a a_o phaenomenon_n in_o the_o world_n that_o sacrilege_n be_v transform_v into_o reformation_n inhumanity_n into_o zeal_n perjury_n into_o religion_n faction_n into_o humility_n and_o rebellion_n itself_o into_o loyalty_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n for_o the_o persuasion_n of_o conscience_n to_o cancel_v the_o very_a law_n of_o nature_n and_o pervert_v all_o the_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o then_o be_v man_n bring_v under_o all_o the_o obligation_n that_o conscience_n can_v lay_v upon_o they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o wickedness_n and_o villainy_n and_o then_o to_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o liberty_n be_v not_o only_o to_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v wicked_a but_o in_o effect_n to_o oblige_v they_o to_o be_v so_o because_o this_o deliver_v they_o up_o to_o the_o guidance_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o profligate_n conscience_n that_o effectual_o bind_v they_o to_o follow_v its_o own_o wretched_a and_o unreasonable_a dictate_v so_o that_o the_o result_n of_o all_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o folly_n or_o wickedness_n how_o lewd_a or_o extravagant_a soever_o that_o may_v not_o patronize_v itself_o under_o mistake_n of_o conscience_n sometime_o and_o always_o unless_o by_o a_o mighty_a chance_n it_o be_v ignorance_n and_o popular_a folly_n for_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o the_o multitude_n to_o be_v ignorant_a and_o foolish_a or_o to_o use_v false_a and_o incompetent_a method_n of_o knowledge_n and_o to_o determine_v their_o notion_n of_o thing_n upon_o unreasonable_a ground_n and_o motive_n their_o judgement_n be_v dispose_v of_o by_o chance_n and_o accidental_a principle_n and_o their_o fancy_n and_o fond_a persuasion_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o they_o pursue_v thing_n for_o their_o agreeableness_n with_o weak_a and_o vulgar_a prejudices_fw-la without_o ever_o proceed_v to_o a_o impartial_a deliberation_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o goodness_n opinion_n they_o say_v be_v the_o guide_n of_o fool_n and_o such_o be_v the_o vulgar_a and_o ignorant_a sort_n of_o mankind_n that_o general_o judge_v of_o thing_n by_o trifle_v and_o impertinent_a conceit_n and_o then_o force_v their_o reason_n to_o follow_v as_o chance_v and_o folly_n shall_v command_v they_o and_o then_o all_o this_o be_v their_o conscience_n that_o must_v in_o spite_n of_o all_o its_o exorbitance_n be_v suffer_v to_o do_v as_o it_o please_v folly_n especial_o in_o divine_a matter_n be_v always_o in_o conjunction_n with_o confidence_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n more_o obstinate_a and_o inflexible_a then_o religious_a ignorance_n and_o man_n never_o play_v the_o fool_n with_o great_a assurance_n and_o satisfaction_n then_o in_o sacred_a matter_n insomuch_o that_o some_o who_o be_v always_o tell_v tragical_a story_n of_o the_o ruin_n and_o desperate_a corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n as_o if_o it_o have_v irrecoverable_o lose_v all_o power_n of_o discern_v between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o pretence_n to_o infallibility_n that_o if_o they_o will_v understand_v the_o necessary_a and_o unavoidable_a consequence_n of_o their_o own_o principle_n they_o can_v pretend_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o certainty_n yet_o be_v as_o confident_a in_o all_o their_o persuasion_n as_o if_o all_o their_o thought_n be_v oracle_n and_o a_o person_n that_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v act_v by_o a_o unerring_a spirit_n can_v not_o be_v more_o peremptory_a in_o his_o sentiment_n of_o thing_n than_o they_o be_v in_o their_o rash_a and_o ungrounded_a prejudices_fw-la now_o it_o be_v the_o conscience_n of_o the_o vulgar_a rout_n or_o the_o drove_n of_o ignorance_n and_o prejudice_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v so_o troublesome_a and_o wayward_a to_o government_n they_o be_v zealous_a and_o confident_a because_o they_o be_v ignorant_a and_o they_o be_v therefore_o impatient_a of_o all_o contradiction_n in_o their_o mistake_n because_o they_o have_v fasten_v upon_o they_o at_o all_o adventure_n be_v not_o commonwealth_n then_o likely_a to_o be_v admirable_o govern_v when_o their_o peace_n and_o setlement_n must_v lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o cross-grained_a and_o insolent_a fool_n sometime_o it_o be_v superstition_n and_o nothing_o more_o vulgar_a than_o for_o man_n to_o abuse_v their_o conscience_n with_o this_o unquiet_a and_o impotent_a passion_n for_o when_o their_o mind_n be_v possess_v and_o it_o be_v a_o epidemical_a malady_n with_o wrong_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o hard_a jealousy_n and_o suspicion_n of_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n this_o can_v but_o make_v they_o apprehend_v her_o law_n
womb_n and_o again_o pass_v through_o all_o the_o scene_n and_o work_n of_o conviction_n in_o which_o state_n of_o formation_n all_o new_a convert_v must_v continue_v their_o appoint_a time_n and_o when_o the_o day_n be_v accomplish_v they_o may_v then_o proceed_v to_o the_o next_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n to_o get_v a_o longing_n pant_a and_o breathe_a frame_n of_o soul_n upon_o which_o follow_v the_o proper_a season_n of_o delivery_n and_o they_o may_v then_o break_v loose_a from_o the_o enclosure_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n and_o creep_v out_o from_o those_o dark_a retirement_n wherein_o the_o law_n detain_v they_o into_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n but_o of_o this_o perhaps_o our_o author_n may_v understand_v more_o before_o he_o and_o i_o part_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o follow_v our_o present_a chase_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v pleasant_a sport_n enough_o for_o never_o do_v wily_a reynard_n show_v great_a variety_n of_o shift_n wind_n and_o doubling_n than_o this_o subtle_a disputant_n §_o 2._o the_o antichristian_a error_n of_o this_o chapter_n he_o have_v reduce_v to_o four_o general_a head_n the_o first_o whereof_o he_o confess_v to_o be_v a_o great_a and_o important_a truth_n viz._n that_o moral_a virtue_n consist_v in_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o therefore_o he_o only_o transcribe_v my_o proof_n and_o account_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o assertion_n 195._o and_o repeat_v it_o again_o in_o his_o own_o obscure_a word_n and_o flat_a expression_n and_o so_o immediate_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o viz_o that_o the_o substance_n yea_o 196._o the_o whole_a of_o religion_n consist_v in_o moral_a virtue_n and_o to_o prove_v it_o he_o repeat_v that_o short_a scheme_n that_o i_o have_v draw_v up_o of_o the_o most_o material_a part_n and_o branch_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o he_o first_o talk_v and_o then_o object_n 199._o he_o wish_v i_o will_v give_v he_o a_o summary_n of_o the_o credenda_fw-la of_o my_o religion_n as_o i_o have_v do_v of_o its_o agenda_fw-la and_o so_o i_o will_v when_o i_o shall_v think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o write_v impertinent_o for_o his_o humour_n but_o shall_v i_o be_v so_o civil_a as_o to_o gratify_v he_o in_o this_o request_n though_o perhaps_o the_o positive_a article_n of_o my_o belief_n be_v not_o altogether_o so_o numerous_a as_o his_o systematick_a orthodox_n nor_o my_o creed_n so_o bulky_a as_o his_o gross_a body_n of_o dutch-divinity_n yet_o i_o can_v give_v he_o in_o such_o a_o large_a negative_a confession_n of_o faith_n as_o will_v both_o satisfy_v and_o make_v he_o repent_v his_o curiosity_n ibid._n in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o tell_v we_o the_o ten_o commandment_n will_v have_v do_v twice_o as_o well_o on_o this_o occasion_n but_o it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o my_o account_n of_o religion_n if_o it_o be_v but_o half_a as_o good_a as_o the_o ten_o commandment_n though_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v the_o decalogue_n be_v never_o intend_v for_o a_o perfect_a systeme_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n i_o can_v imagine_v that_o by_o thou_o shall_v not_o make_v to_o thyself_o any_o graven_n image_n be_v mean_v thou_o shall_v not_o institute_v symbolical_a ceremony_n or_o that_o by_o thou_o shall_v not_o murder_v alm_n and_o fraternal_a correption_n be_v enjoin_v nor_o can_v i_o fancy_v that_o when_o only_o one_o particular_a be_v express_v twenty_o more_o be_v intend_v that_o may_v any_o way_n be_v reduce_v to_o it_o by_o strained_a and_o far-fetched_a analogy_n ibid._n but_o if_o we_o add_v the_o explication_n of_o the_o church-catechism_n for_o which_o our_o author_n have_v no_o doubt_n a_o mighty_a fondness_n it_o will_v make_v up_o a_o much_o more_o perfect_a scheme_n of_o religion_n than_o what_o i_o have_v represent_v i_o confess_v it_o be_v contrive_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o wisdom_n and_o judgement_n and_o its_o exposition_n be_v easy_a natural_a and_o useful_a and_o not_o make_v out_o by_o force_a and_o uncertain_a deduction_n and_o therefore_o have_v admirable_o attain_v the_o end_n it_o aim_v at_o which_o be_v chief_o a_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a account_n of_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o decalogue_n and_o not_o a_o entire_a institution_n of_o christian_a theology_n but_o upon_o this_o he_o take_v a_o civil_a and_o seasonable_a occasion_n to_o remark_n that_o he_o fear_v the_o very_a catechism_n itself_o may_v ere_o long_o be_v esteem_v fanatical_a though_o if_o it_o shall_v meet_v with_o such_o ill_a usage_n it_o will_v not_o be_v much_o worse_o treat_v than_o it_o be_v ere_o long_o when_o it_o be_v esteem_v popish_a however_o his_o fear_n be_v of_o no_o more_o force_n than_o his_o argument_n they_o be_v equal_o wise_a and_o reasonable_a and_o prove_v nothing_o but_o his_o ill-nature_n or_o something_o worse_o and_o now_o to_o all_o this_o he_o subjoin_v a_o tedious_a story_n of_o a_o foolish_a and_o half-witted_a fellow_n that_o from_o this_o opinion_n that_o all_o religion_n consist_v in_o morality_n ibid._n proceed_v to_o a_o full_a renunciation_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o either_o the_o man_n himself_o have_v make_v good_a this_o consequence_n or_o our_o author_n for_o he_o this_o tale_n may_v have_v be_v of_o more_o use_n than_o all_o his_o argument_n that_o be_v it_o may_v have_v be_v to_o the_o purpose_n but_o otherwise_o it_o be_v as_o mere_a tittle-tattle_n as_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o papist_n make_v use_n of_o our_o plea_n for_o government_n in_o behalf_n of_o their_o tyranny_n and_o usurpation_n i_o can_v no_o more_o prevent_v some_o man_n from_o strein_v absurd_a conclusion_n from_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o reasonable_a premise_n than_o i_o can_v hinder_v other_o from_o preach_v treason_n or_o blasphemy_n from_o the_o divine_a oracle_n but_o all_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o skirmish_n the_o main_a battle_n follow_v and_o he_o draw_v up_o all_o his_o force_n in_o three_o objection_n i._n e._n in_o repeat_v the_o same_o objection_n three_o time_n 1._o my_o representation_n of_o religion_n be_v suit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n 205._o 2._o it_o carry_v in_o it_o neither_o supposition_n nor_o assertion_n of_o sin_n 3._o it_o omit_v some_o of_o the_o most_o important_a duty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n repentance_n humiliation_n godly_a sorrow_n etc._n etc._n whereas_o its_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n it_o be_v not_o imply_v a_o supposition_n of_o sin_n and_o its_o omit_v the_o duty_n of_o repentance_n be_v apparent_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o mere_o a_o supposition_n of_o sin_n that_o make_v our_o present_a condition_n differ_v from_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n and_o that_o infer_v the_o necessity_n of_o repentance_n and_o therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o great_a objection_n in_o its_o unite_a strength_n i_o humble_o crave_v leave_v to_o remonstrate_v that_o religion_n for_o the_o substance_n and_o main_a design_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n i_o design_v to_o represent_v be_v the_o same_o now_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n for_o as_o then_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n consist_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o those_o moral_a virtue_n that_o arise_v from_o his_o natural_a relation_n to_o god_n and_o man_n so_o all_o that_o be_v super-induced_n upon_o we_o since_o the_o fall_n be_v nothing_o but_o help_n and_o contrivance_n to_o supply_v our_o natural_a defect_n and_o recover_v our_o decay_a power_n and_o restore_v we_o to_o a_o better_a ability_n to_o discharge_v those_o duty_n we_o stand_v engage_v to_o by_o the_o law_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o the_o design_n of_o our_o creation_n so_o that_o the_o christian_a institution_n be_v not_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o any_o new_a religion_n but_o only_o a_o more_o perfect_a digest_v of_o the_o eternal_a rule_n of_o nature_n and_o right_a reason_n for_o it_o command_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v some_o way_n suitable_a to_o and_o perfective_a of_o rational_a being_n and_o all_o its_o duty_n be_v either_o instance_n or_o instrument_n of_o moral_a goodness_n it_o prescribe_v no_o new_a rule_n and_o proportion_n of_o morality_n and_o all_o its_o addition_n to_o the_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a law_n of_o nature_n be_v but_o only_a mean_n and_o instrument_n to_o discover_v their_o obligation_n and_o improve_v their_o practice_n in_o the_o world_n all_o man_n i_o think_v be_v agree_v that_o the_o real_a end_n of_o religion_n be_v the_o happiness_n and_o perfection_n of_o mankind_n and_o this_o end_n be_v obtain_v by_o live_v up_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o the_o gospel_n have_v frame_v into_o