a_o guide_n to_o the_o true_a religion_n or_o a_o discourse_n direct_v to_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n man_n venture_v their_o salvation_n upon_o seasonable_a for_o these_o time_n wherein_o there_o be_v such_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n and_o way_n of_o religion_n to_o inform_v the_o ignorant_a to_o resolve_v the_o waver_a and_o to_o confirm_v the_o weak_a by_o i._n c._n m._n a._n of_o t._n c._n c._n josh_n 24.15_o and_o if_o it_o seem_v evil_a unto_o you_o to_o serve_v the_o lord_n choose_v you_o this_o day_n who_o you_o will_v serve_v whether_o the_o god_n but_o as_o for_o i_o and_o my_o house_n we_o will_v serve_v the_o lord_n edinburgh_n print_v by_o andrew_n anderson_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o house_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o the_o cross_n anno_fw-la 1669._o a_o premonition_n to_o the_o reader_n show_v the_o occasion_n and_o intendment_n of_o the_o discourse_n courteous_a reader_n there_o be_v no_o good_a christian_n but_o be_v ready_a upon_o all_o just_a occasion_n to_o express_v his_o sad_a resentment_n of_o the_o woeful_a division_n and_o dangerous_a error_n wherewith_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o these_o kingdom_n have_v be_v for_o many_o year_n past_a and_o still_o be_v so_o distract_v for_o notwithstanding_o that_o our_o civil_a war_n be_v through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n endid_a yet_o our_o religious_a jar_n and_o rent_n be_v not_o heal_v indeed_o how_o can_v any_o pious_a soul_n consider_v the_o great_a dishonour_n do_v thereby_o to_o the_o holy_a name_n of_o god_n the_o reproach_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o great_a scandal_n to_o those_o sometime_o famous_a church_n which_o be_v now_o hereby_o become_v infamous_a through_o the_o world_n yea_o the_o apparent_a ruin_n threaten_v by_o these_o thing_n and_o not_o break_v out_o into_o sad_a lamentation_n for_o the_o same_o sure_o this_o 〈◊〉_d a_o lamentaion_n and_o shall_v be_v for_o a_o lamentation_n and_o although_o the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o those_o evil_n in_o order_n to_o the_o repair_n and_o heal_v of_o they_o and_o the_o prevent_v the_o public_a ruin_n threaten_v to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n thereby_o belong_v to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o zeal_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o place_n of_o eminency_n and_o be_v vest_v with_o power_n and_o authority_n requisite_a thereunto_o yet_o private_a christian_n in_o a_o low_a station_n and_o capacity_n can_v but_o have_v their_o eye_n upon_o the_o sad_a influence_n those_o â—â—ings_n have_v upon_o their_o dear_a friend_n and_o neighbour_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v and_o in_o their_o behalf_n meditate_v upon_o some_o remedy_n for_o the_o same_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o malignant_a influence_n these_o thing_n have_v on_o the_o common_a sort_n be_v very_o sad_a whilst_o gaze_v on_o those_o sad_a contest_a matter_n of_o religion_n some_o continue_v mere_a sceptic_n ever_o waver_v and_o not_o know_v what_o way_n of_o religion_n to_o choose_v and_o so_o neglect_v to_o be_v of_o any_o some_o be_v profess_v atheist_n or_o profane_a wretch_n other_o be_v seduce_v into_o dangerous_a error_n as_o popery_n socinianism_n quakerism_n etc._n etc._n many_o engage_v in_o contention_n they_o know_v not_o why_o nor_o for_o what_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n woeful_o stumble_v in_o their_o profession_n the_o intendment_n of_o these_o paper_n be_v to_o propose_v some_o help_n against_o those_o evil_n and_o to_o guide_v and_o direct_v those_o that_o be_v apt_a to_o miscarry_v through_o occasion_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n and_o way_n find_v a_o among_o we_o wherein_o they_o be_v first_o excite_v to_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n they_o venture_v their_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o and_o be_v inform_v how_o to_o do_v it_o endeavour_n be_v use_v to_o fix_v and_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a doctrine_n and_o duty_n threrof_o necessary_a unto_o salvation_n which_o have_v be_v own_v by_o all_o christian_n and_o church_n in_o all_o place_n and_o age_n and_o to_o persuade_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v they_o as_o that_o whereupon_o their_o eternal_a safety_n depend_v then_o our_o discourse_n descend_v to_o point_n of_o a_o secondary_a and_o inferior_a nature_n that_o be_v controvert_v among_o wise_a and_o godly_a christian_n and_o direction_n be_v lay_v down_o how_o to_o find_v out_o the_o right_n and_o safe_a way_n for_o faith_n and_o practice_n in_o such_o thing_n especial_o when_o we_o be_v necessitate_v to_o hold_v forth_o a_o profession_n of_o ourselves_o therein_o wherewith_o be_v show_v also_o what_o tenderness_n and_o respect_n be_v to_o be_v use_v towards_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o those_o thing_n whilst_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o carry_v it_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n with_o those_o that_o err_v fundemental_o and_o subvert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o religion_n all_o which_o counsel_v be_v evidence_v to_o be_v good_a and_o wholesome_a will_v manifest_o declare_v those_o to_o be_v the_o most_o approve_a and_o judicious_a christian_n who_o under_o all_o those_o great_a change_n and_o revolution_n which_o have_v be_v among_o we_o of_o latter_a time_n have_v especial_o exercise_v their_o zeal_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o fundament_n all_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o practice_n and_o power_n of_o godliness_n as_o also_o for_o the_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o love_n and_o union_n among_o christian_n whilst_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o have_v show_v great_a moderation_n and_o condescension_n towards_o those_o that_o differ_v in_o controvert_v point_n of_o a_o low_a nature_n even_o to_o a_o degree_n of_o compliance_n also_o with_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o time_n in_o some_o thing_n which_o seem_v in_o themselves_o less_o desirable_a and_o inconvenient_a provide_v in_o their_o conscience_n they_o judge_v they_o not_o to_o be_v sinful_a if_o conduce_v to_o the_o furtherance_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o salvation_n of_o soul_n indeed_o this_o will_v be_v judge_v by_o some_o rash_a and_o censorious_a spirit_n to_o be_v hypocrisy_n time-serving_a ere_fw-we self-seeking_a and_o such_o person_n may_v be_v brand_v for_o temporizer_n turn-coat_n or_o apostate_n or_o what_o not_o but_o when_o thing_n shall_v be_v consider_v in_o calmness_n and_o sobriety_n such_o will_v be_v find_v the_o great_a friend_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o such_o action_n most_o consonant_a to_o scripture_n command_v and_o to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o saint_n record_v therein_o whereas_o such_o as_o be_v find_v depart_v from_o any_o fundamental_a and_o general_o confess_v point_n of_o faith_n or_o practice_n these_o imputation_n may_v be_v more_o warrantable_o charge_v upon_o they_o reader_n let_v these_o sad_a and_o woeful_a difference_n error_n and_o debate_n provoke_v thou_o to_o examine_v the_o ground_n thy_o profession_n be_v build_v upon_o to_o study_v more_o the_o verity_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o be_v better_o establish_v therein_o to_o understand_v believe_v love_n and_o obey_v the_o great_a and_o necessary_a principle_n thereof_o humble_o to_o seek_v of_o god_n the_o discovery_n of_o his_o mind_n in_o thing_n more_o dark_a and_o controvert_v and_o to_o exercise_v more_o christian_a love_n and_o charity_n those_o that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n or_o practice_n with_o thou_o therein_o and_o then_o thou_o will_v be_v secure_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o those_o evil_n yea_o they_o will_v prove_v advantageous_a to_o thy_o great_a good_a although_o intend_v by_o satan_n for_o thy_o hurt_n to_o help_v thou_o herein_o be_v the_o intendment_n and_o design_n of_o this_o discourse_n in_o order_n whereunto_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v humble_o implore_v to_o go_v along_o with_o the_o same_o the_o content_n of_o the_o several_a chapter_n chap._n 1._o religion_n the_o grand_a concernment_n of_o man_n in_o this_o world_n great_a difference_n about_o it_o necessity_n of_o a_o wise_a and_o deliberate_a choose_n one_o religion_n a_o proposition_n lay_v down_o which_o be_v the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n page_n 1._o chap._n 2._o show_v wherein_o this_o wise_a choose_v once_o religion_n stand_v and_o what_o act_n concur_v thereunto_o page_n 5._o chap._n 3._o consideration_n evidence_v it_o a_o principal_a point_n of_o wisdom_n for_o a_o man_n to_o make_v a_o right_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o profess_v in_o the_o world_n and_o venture_v his_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o page_n 13_o chap._n 4._o wherein_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v insist_v upon_o and_o direction_n give_v how_o to_o choose_v the_o true_a religion_n among_o so_o many_o as_o be_v in_o the_o world_n all_o other_o religion_n be_v
mass_n book_n the_o truth_n be_v this_o there_o be_v several_a prayer_n of_o ancient_a father_n use_v before_o popery_n be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o the_o papist_n corrupt_v and_o abuse_v in_o their_o mass_n our_o first_o reformer_n purge_v out_o what_o corruption_n the_o papist_n have_v bring_v in_o and_o do_v retain_v those_o ancient_a prayer_n according_a to_o their_o primitive_a institution_n all_o this_o will_v be_v ready_o acknowledge_v by_o they_o that_o judge_v this_o book_n unnecessary_a and_o inconvenient_a do_v desire_v a_o reformation_n therein_o and_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o all_o this_o that_o shall_v so_o affright_v good_a christian_n out_o of_o the_o church_n concern_v the_o charge_n of_o antichristianism_n it_o be_v so_o common_a a_o word_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o that_o listen_v to_o rail_v that_o it_o be_v no_o scandal_n to_o any_o till_o the_o thing_n be_v full_o prove_v if_o bishop_n and_o minister_n etc._n etc._n be_v judge_v by_o any_o to_o be_v antichristian_a i_o shall_v send_v they_o to_o that_o most_o excellent_a piece_n of_o dr._n moor_n his_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n where_o they_o may_v see_v the_o idea_n of_o anti-christianism_a open_v and_o thence_o be_v inform_v who_o this_o censure_n best_o befit_v iv_o take_v heed_n of_o pretend_v to_o great_a purity_n and_o strictness_n about_o church_n communion_n and_o administration_n than_o the_o word_n of_o god_n commend_v or_o the_o example_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v commend_v nor_o be_v so_o extreme_o rigid_a as_o not_o to_o bear_v with_o thing_n that_o they_o have_v tolerate_v it_o be_v a_o observable_a rule_n lay_v down_o by_o wise_a and_o eminent_a divine_n that_o too_o much_o strictness_n and_o severity_n often_o do_v injury_n the_o church_n more_o than_o profit_v it_o it_o be_v the_o way_n to_o overturn_v church_n not_o to_o reform_v they_o especial_o this_o severity_n be_v unbecoming_a private_a christian_n who_o have_v no_o authority_n yet_o complain_v such_o person_n and_o such_o thing_n be_v defilement_n they_o must_v separate_v from_o they_o they_o must_v not_o touch_v the_o unclean_a thing_n such_o shall_v take_v heed_n that_o they_o be_v not_o righteous_a over_o much_o and_o not_o dare_v to_o be_v wise_a above_o what_o be_v write_v lest_o their_o too_o much_o affect_v purity_n and_o misguide_a zeal_n hurt_v more_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o their_o own_o soul_n then_o the_o corruption_n they_o so_o much_o complain_v of_o calvin_n adv_o anab._n art_n 2._o cum_fw-la sub_fw-la specie_fw-la studii_fw-la perfectionis_fw-la imperfectionem_fw-la nulam_fw-la tollerare_fw-la possumus_fw-la tune_v diabolum_fw-la nos_fw-la tumefacere_fw-la superbia_fw-la et_fw-la hypocrisi_fw-la seducere_fw-la moneamur_fw-la v._o have_v public_a spirit_n and_o look_v not_o so_o much_o on_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v most_o desirable_a in_o your_o eye_n and_o conduce_v to_o your_o interest_n as_o on_o what_o tend_v to_o the_o furtherance_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n there_o have_v be_v very_o few_o in_o our_o unhappy_a day_n but_o have_v be_v so_o eager_o contend_v for_o their_o private_a opinion_n and_o way_n that_o the_o public_a interest_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o welfare_n have_v be_v almost_o forget_v by_o they_o from_z whence_o have_v come_v in_o such_o a_o inundation_n of_o error_n heresy_n profaneness_n and_o atheism_n that_o the_o church_n have_v be_v almost_o ruin_v thereby_o in_o vain_a do_v we_o contend_v about_o the_o great_a purity_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o the_o very_a be_v and_o life_n of_o it_o by_o our_o contention_n and_o division_n be_v endanger_v what_o will_v become_v of_o our_o contest_v for_o great_a reformation_n in_o discipline_n worship_n etc._n etc._n if_o the_o christian_a religion_n itself_o be_v lose_v they_o be_v the_o best_a and_o wise_a christian_n that_o have_v most_o endeavour_v that_o the_o main_a fundamental_a doctrine_n and_o duty_n of_o religion_n may_v be_v preserve_v though_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o yield_v in_o small_a matter_n that_o concern_v the_o beauty_n and_o perfection_n thereof_o wait_v in_o a_o wise_a and_o peaceable_a manner_n till_o the_o lord_n will_v grant_v they_o their_o desire_n therein_o also_o in_o his_o own_o way_n and_o time_n vi_o take_v heed_n of_o run_v into_o manifest_a sin_n and_o evil_n upon_o fear_n of_o what_o be_v only_o suppose_v to_o be_v so_o viz._n of_o cast_v off_o ordinance_n neglect_v of_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n breach_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n upon_o pretence_n of_o suppose_a evil_n in_o communion_n the_o command_n of_o god_n for_o his_o worship_n and_o ordinance_n &_o the_o church_n peace_n be_v clear_a and_o cogent_a the_o matter_n except_v against_o be_v dark_a and_o disputable_a point_n of_o controversy_n and_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n on_o earth_n have_v approve_v of_o they_o therefore_o be_v afraid_a while_o you_o will_v shun_v a_o evil_a suppose_a you_o run_v not_o into_o another_o that_o be_v a_o real_a and_o far_o great_a evil_a a_o true_o tender_a conscience_n shall_v fear_v evil_a on_o either_o hand_n and_o on_o this_o side_n rather_o than_o that_o vii_o charge_v not_o on_o yourselves_o other_o man_n sin_n but_o look_v to_o your_o own_o way_n and_o duty_n if_o you_o judge_v superior_n to_o sin_n in_o their_o imposition_n or_o bishop_n in_o any_o command_n or_o minister_n in_o their_o conformity_n if_o you_o find_v sin_n in_o laxnesse_n of_o discipline_n in_o loose_a admission_n to_o the_o ordinance_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o your_o sin_n who_o still_o communicate_v in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n provide_v you_o do_v your_o part_n and_o office_n it_o be_v sad_a live_n in_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n if_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o shall_v be_v charge_v on_o such_o as_o have_v neither_o call_n not_o power_n to_o reform_v they_o fit_a it_o be_v by_o far_o to_o mourn_v and_o pray_v for_o redress_v of_o such_o evil_n then_o to_o run_v out_o of_o the_o church_n for_o they_o viii_o take_v heed_n of_o that_o great_a and_o common_a mistake_n that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v in_o and_o about_o the_o government_n and_o administration_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o least_o circumstantial_o thereof_o but_o what_o be_v particular_o and_o clear_o hold_v forth_o in_o the_o scripture_n this_o mistake_n have_v occasion_v many_o needless_a scruple_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o weak_a christian_n and_o much_o promote_v groundless_a separation_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n lay_v down_o by_o a_o whole_a assembly_n of_o divine_n 1._o assem_fw-la conf._n of_o faith_n c_o 1._o many_o of_o they_o not_o much_o affect_v to_o the_o present_a establishment_n that_o there_o be_v some_o circumstance_n concern_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n common_a to_o humane_a action_n and_o society_n which_o be_v to_o be_v order_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o christian_a prudence_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o same_o be_v practise_v among_o all_o those_o that_o be_v most_o averse_a to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n who_o retain_v among_o themselves_o many_o thing_n that_o they_o can_v produce_v little_a true-scripture-proof_n for_o but_o only_o practice_v they_o prudential_o as_o best_a conduce_v to_o the_o welfare_n of_o their_o church_n and_o as_o they_o judge_v to_o the_o order_n of_o god_n worship_n therein_o and_o some_o have_v ingenious_o acknowledge_v as_o much_o if_o you_o search_v the_o scripture_n impartiallie_o concern_v church-government_n you_o will_v find_v therein_o little_o beside_o the_o main_a essential_o of_o it_o as_o that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v govern_v and_o that_o by_o its_o proper_a officer_n and_o direction_n how_o they_o shall_v be_v qualify_v and_o set_v apart_o for_o their_o office_n what_o the_o several_a duty_n belong_v to_o their_o office_n be_v and_o some_o general_a direction_n about_o the_o management_n thereof_o all_o which_o may_v suit_v with_o the_o several_a form_n of_o government_n that_o have_v be_v competitor_n among_o we_o wherein_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n officer_n be_v further_o extend_v or_o more_o restrain_v 8._o stillingf_n iren_n pt_n 2._o c_o 4._o &c_n &c_n 8._o wherein_o some_o act_n in_o a_o superior_a other_o ina_fw-la coordinate_a way_n and_o therefore_o very_a many_o learned_a and_o godly_a man_n have_v judge_v that_o no_o one_o form_n of_o government_n be_v prescribe_v as_o necessary_a in_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v leave_v to_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o those_o kingdom_n and_o nation_n where_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v plant_v the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v concern_v gospel_n worship_n the_o main_a
duty_n and_o ordinance_n of_o it_o be_v prescribe_v and_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o essence_n of_o they_o stand_v be_v more_o full_o and_o clear_o express_v but_o their_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o performance_n be_v only_o couch_v under_o general_a rule_n this_o may_v be_v show_v abundant_o by_o instance_n in_o the_o several_a part_n of_o worship_n as_o prayer_n preach_v sacrament_n &c_n &c_n but_o it_o be_v do_v by_o other_o sully_v and_o must_v be_v omit_v here_o because_o of_o the_o brevity_n of_o these_o rule_n nor_o do_v this_o derogate_a from_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o argue_v want_n of_o wisdom_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o christ_n as_o some_o plead_v if_o he_o shall_v not_o prescribe_v every_o particular_a as_o moses_n do_v even_o to_o the_o pinn_v of_o the_o tabernacle_n for_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_a for_o that_o end_n god_n give_v they_o to_o make_v wise_a to_o salvation_n and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o to_o instruct_v we_o in_o all_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o for_o church-government_n and_o worship_n there_o be_v enough_o in_o these_o essential_o lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o secure_v of_o the_o true_a and_o pure_a worship_n of_o god_n among_o man_n those_o be_v due_o observe_v and_o wherein_o then_o be_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v argue_v of_o insufficiency_n if_o they_o leave_v some_o particular_a circumstance_n undetermined_a and_o for_o the_o charge_n of_o unfaithfulnesse_n in_o jesus_n christ_n if_o he_o shall_v not_o particularize_v those_o thing_n it_o be_v strange_o presumptuous_a such_o shall_v rather_o show_v where_o christ_n have_v particular_o determine_v all_o those_o circumstance_n then_o impute_v unfaithfulnesse_n unto_o he_o if_o he_o do_v not_o what_o they_o will_v have_v to_o be_v do_v there_o be_v not_o the_o like_a reason_n to_o determine_v all_o circumstance_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o be_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n the_o one_o be_v in_o its_o minority_n the_o other_o grow_v up_o to_o a_o state_n of_o great_a liberty_n and_o perfection_n gal._n 4_o 1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 10._o a_o boy_n that_o go_v to_o school_n have_v his_o lesson_n set_v he_o and_o in_o every_o particular_a he_o be_v stint_v to_o his_o work_n but_o when_o he_o go_v to_o the_o university_n he_o only_o hear_v lecture_n have_v general_a rule_n for_o his_o study_n and_o be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o disposition_n for_o order_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o study_n beside_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v confine_v to_o one_o nation_n that_o have_v its_o civil_a government_n and_o law_n from_o god_n as_o well_o as_o its_o church_n instiution_n but_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v to_o spread_v throughout_o the_o world_n under_o different_a civil_a government_n different_a circumstance_n may_v best_o suit_v with_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o different_a people_n ix_o take_v heed_n of_o resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n whilst_o you_o profess_v to_o oppose_v the_o institution_n of_o men._n my_o meaning_n be_v whilst_o you_o withstand_v humane_a invention_n as_o you_o suppose_v they_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n beware_v you_o oppose_v not_o lawful_a authority_n which_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o what_o they_o enjoin_v in_o and_o about_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o power_n give_v they_o of_o the_o lord_n that_o magistrate_n have_v the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o dominion_n commit_v to_o they_o &_o shall_v see_v to_o the_o due_a administration_n of_o the_o worship_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n therein_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o outward_a peace_n and_o prosperity_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n may_v be_v manifest_a to_o all_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o see_v it_o by_o the_o laudable_a example_n of_o godly_a king_n in_o former_a time_n such_o as_o david_n solomon_n asa_n jehosaphat_n hezekiah_n etc._n etc._n who_o chief_a care_n be_v about_o religion_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o their_o dominion_n indeed_o they_o be_v not_o to_o make_v any_o new_a institution_n of_o worship_n nor_o alter_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v particular_o enjoin_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o they_o be_v to_o see_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v administer_v according_a to_o the_o same_o and_o in_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n undetermined_a by_o god_n they_o have_v a_o power_n to_o order_n and_o settle_v thing_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o word_n and_o however_o you_o plead_v you_o be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o man_n you_o must_v be_v therein_o subject_a to_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n it_o have_v be_v a_o notion_n take_v up_o by_o some_o that_o as_o in_o former_a time_n the_o saint_n have_v suffer_v in_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o priestly_a office_n of_o jesus_n christ_n so_o they_o must_v bear_v witness_n to_o his_o kingly_a office_n what_o ever_o they_o suffer_v and_o not_o yield_v to_o any_o commandment_n of_o man_n in_o and_o about_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o let_v such_o take_v heed_n that_o they_o oppose_v not_o his_o kingly_a office_n when_o they_o seem_v to_o stand_v up_o for_o it_o for_o if_o magistrate_n and_o ruler_n be_v his_o vicegerent_n as_o certain_o they_o be_v and_o there_o be_v a_o care_n of_o his_o worship_n delegated_a unto_o they_o and_o some_o power_n for_o order_v affair_n in_o his_o church_n in_o matter_n of_o outward_a conveniency_n and_o order_n where_o he_o have_v not_o express_o determine_v in_o withstand_v they_o in_o such_o thing_n they_o may_v resist_v jesus_n christ_n himself_o indeed_o it_o may_v be_v a_o further_a scruple_n in_o case_n magistrate_n enjoin_v thing_n inexpedient_a and_o inconvenient_a and_o so_o swerve_v from_o those_o general_a rule_n that_o they_o be_v to_o go_v by_o whether_o they_o be_v to_o yield_v to_o they_o in_o such_o thing_n or_o no_o but_o if_o the_o judgement_n of_o nonconformist_n may_v be_v take_v herein_o etc._n baxt._n five_o disp_n p._n 460_o etc._n etc._n they_o determine_v in_o such_o case_n its_o better_a to_o obey_v then_o to_o withstand_v they_o may_v sin_v in_o command_v such_o thing_n and_o yet_o subject_n not_o sin_n in_o obey_v they_o when_o command_v they_o be_v judge_n in_o such_o particular_a case_n to_o determine_v what_o be_v expedient_a as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n determine_v what_o be_v necessary_a and_o herein_o they_o follow_v the_o judgement_n of_o calvin_n ep._n 379_o which_o have_v be_v ever_o approve_v by_o they_o who_o speak_v of_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n say_v some_o thing_n neither_o right_a nor_o profitable_a but_o scandalous_a and_o draw_v evil_a consequence_n with_o they_o yet_o not_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n in_o any_o express_a determination_n of_o it_o must_v be_v bear_v of_o the_o godly_a brethren_n when_o they_o can_v help_v it_o and_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n not_o forsake_v and_o indeed_o if_o this_o shall_v not_o be_v admit_v but_o so_o often_o as_o any_o shall_v judge_v such_o or_o such_o matter_n inexpedient_a they_o may_v withstand_v the_o axe_n seem_v to_o be_v lay_v at_o the_o root_n of_o all_o government_n and_o there_o will_v be_v little_a order_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o society_n in_o the_o world_n but_o a_o yield_n in_o some_o thing_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o peace_n and_o welfare_n of_o that_o society_n x._o let_v not_o any_o principle_n or_o practice_n that_o you_o have_v inconsiderat_o take_v up_o so_o far_o engage_v you_o as_o to_o make_v you_o loath_a to_o teturn_v to_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o soberness_n some_o have_v it_o may_v be_v unwilling_o and_o with_o reluctancy_n only_o through_o the_o violence_n of_o some_o of_o their_o own_o party_n be_v lead_v into_o the_o way_n of_o rigid_a separation_n to_o condemn_v all_o other_o church_n but_o their_o own_o however_o sound_n in_o all_o the_o main_a fundamental_a and_o necessary_a doctrine_n and_o duty_n of_o christianity_n and_o to_o refuse_v any_o communion_n with_o they_o though_o this_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o the_o most_o wise_a and_o know_v â—o_o their_o own_o profession_n cotton_n t._n g._n mr._n cotton_n style_v by_o some_o the_o bitter_a root_n of_o separation_n the_o way_n god_n never_o blessed_v with_o peace_n and_o holiness_n etc._n etc._n and_o now_o to_o return_v to_o way_n of_o sobriety_n and_o own_o such_o as_o they_o have_v former_o so_o hot_o contend_v against_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o do_v it_o there_o be_v natural_o in_o man_n a_o tenaciousnesse_n of_o those_o way_n and_o opinion_n they_o have_v once_o profess_v that_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o recede_v from_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o have_v contend_v for_o they_o this_o be_v a_o great_a piece_n of_o denial_n man_n will_v rather_o yield_v