spiritual_a mediatorly_a administration_n of_o rule_n towards_o his_o purchase_a once_o and_o this_o be_v twofold_a in_o or_o over_o person_n particular_o or_o in_o and_o over_o body_n politic_a in_o and_o over_o particular_a person_n his_o throne_n be_v the_o same_o viz._n conscience_n in_o the_o regenerate_a and_o unregenerate_a only_o he_o rule_v these_o legal_o and_o the_o other_o evangelical_o these_o by_o a_o law_n of_o fear_n they_o by_o a_o law_n of_o love_n mere_o natural_a man_n by_o a_o dispensation_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n believer_n by_o a_o dispensation_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o here_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n rule_v in_o a_o christian_n heart_n and_o the_o conscience_n according_a to_o rule_n acquit_v or_o condemn_v neither_o be_v the_o true_a regulate_a force_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n any_o way_n extinct_a but_o the_o terrify_a embondage_v nature_n of_o it_o remove_v or_o at_o least_o abate_v any_o remainder_n of_o which_o be_v call_v the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n neither_o be_v there_o therefore_o two_o law_n in_o a_o believer_n moral_a and_o evangelical_n but_o the_o moral_a law_n be_v evangelize_v to_o he_o by_o his_o new_a relation_n to_o christ_n the_o curse_n be_v take_v away_o due_a to_o the_o sinner_n and_o he_o come_v under_o another_o obligation_n to_o a_o obediential_a conformity_n to_o the_o law_n viz._n the_o great_a tie_n of_o love_n and_o thankfulness_n and_o hence_o his_o obedience_n be_v call_v new_a obedience_n §_o 6._o another_o part_n of_o his_o special_a and_o immediate_a government_n consist_v in_o his_o give_a law_n to_o his_o church_n militant_a and_o deputation_n of_o minister_n for_o execution_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v call_v the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n eph._n 1.22_o hence_o his_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n dare_v not_o teach_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o they_o have_v immediate_o from_o he_o either_o by_o word_n or_o tradition_n matth._n 28._o and_o we_o may_v bold_o assert_v as_o james_n 4.12_o there_o be_v but_o one_o lawgiver_n and_o though_o it_o be_v so_o plain_a and_o indisputable_a a_o truth_n yet_o because_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n by_o practice_n and_o argument_n have_v make_v it_o their_o great_a aim_n to_o rob_v christ_n of_o this_o prerogative_n we_o shall_v make_v it_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n to_o illustrate_v and_o confirm_v this_o position_n against_o all_o humane_a usurpation_n §_o 7._o christ_n immediate_a government_n of_o his_o church_n militant_a be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o he_o have_v not_o appoint_v the_o executive_a administration_n to_o be_v by_o pastor_n and_o other_o officer_n depute_v by_o himself_o as_o appear_v from_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o ephes_n 4.11_o 12._o but_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o it_o be_v immediate_a these_o two_o manner_n of_o way_n 1._o in_o that_o he_o have_v not_o authorize_v or_o commissionated_a any_o such_o officer_n or_o governor_n on_o earth_n who_o may_v compose_v and_o enact_v new_a law_n for_o the_o discipline_a of_o his_o church_n in_o the_o order_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o institute_v worship_n his_o own_o law_n here_o be_v only_o bind_v 2._o in_o that_o all_o church-officer_n receive_v their_o executive_a power_n from_o christ_n immediate_o nullo_n papa_n aut_fw-la episcopo_fw-la mediante_fw-la neither_o have_v any_o of_o they_o any_o power_n of_o deputation_n or_o substitution_n of_o other_o to_o execute_v that_o office_n or_o power_n commit_v to_o themselves_o by_o christ_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o opposition_n between_o christ_n immediate_a reign_n in_o his_o church_n and_o his_o mediate_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o man_n and_o for_o this_o among_o other_o difference_n which_o amesius_n make_v between_o the_o magistratical_a and_o ministerial_a jurisdiction_n he_o say_v magistratus_fw-la jurisdictionem_fw-la habet_fw-la cum_fw-la imperio_fw-la atque_fw-la adeo_fw-la si_fw-la summus_fw-la sit_fw-la justâ_fw-la ratione_fw-la possit_fw-la leges_fw-la condere_fw-la &_o abolere_fw-la atque_fw-la jurisdictionem_fw-la aliis_fw-la mandare_fw-la sed_fw-la ministri_fw-la ecclesiastici_fw-la in_o sese_fw-la considerati_fw-la sunt_fw-la mandatorii_fw-la meri_fw-la qui_fw-la proprii_fw-la nihil_fw-la habent_fw-la sed_fw-la quiequid_fw-la legitime_fw-la agunt_fw-la id_fw-la omne_fw-la vice_fw-la christi_fw-la mandantis_fw-la agunt_fw-la atque_fw-la adeo_fw-la neque_fw-la leges_fw-la possunt_fw-la far_o neque_fw-la aliis_fw-la mandare_fw-la potestatem_fw-la illam_fw-la quam_fw-la acceperunt_fw-la medul_fw-la lib._n 2._o cap._n 17._o §_o 48._o §_o 8._o the_o chief_a of_o our_o assertion_n about_o the_o immediate_a government_n of_o christ_n concern_v his_o legislative_a power_n that_o wherever_o he_o govern_v in_o this_o manner_n he_o have_v reserve_v the_o law-giving-power_n to_o himself_o as_o his_o peculiar_a prerogative_n as_o to_o natural_a agent_n who_o can_v give_v and_o prescribe_v law_n for_o such_o orderly_a and_o natural_a direction_n of_o they_o to_o their_o several_a place_n and_o end_n but_o the_o creator_n alone_o who_o can_v give_v ordinance_n to_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n set_v a_o bind_v to_o the_o sea_n command_v the_o former_a and_o latter_a rain_n appoint_v the_o vicissitude_n of_o day_n and_o night_n summer_n and_o winter_n spring_n and_o autumn_n etc._n etc._n and_o will_v not_o such_o a_o creature_n be_v just_o chargeable_a with_o the_o great_a folly_n and_o presumption_n that_o shall_v pretend_v to_o such_o a_o power_n and_o therefore_o god_n challenge_v job_n on_o this_o account_n job_n 38._o as_o for_o conscience_n all_o be_v witness_n that_o will_v deal_v but_o impartial_o in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o lay_v a_o true_a obligation_n thereon_o but_o a_o divine_a law_n neither_o do_v humane_a law_n any_o far_o bind_v conscience_n than_o they_o be_v dependent_a upon_o or_o reducible_a unto_o some_o divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o all_o true_a obedience_n to_o they_o be_v for_o the_o lord_n sake_n as_o for_o the_o church_n he_o always_o prescribe_v what_o law_n and_o rule_n he_o will_v have_v the_o affair_n thereof_o manage_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v her_o law_n from_o christ_n though_o under_o a_o more_o legal_a and_o typical_a dispensation_n execute_v in_o the_o ministration_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o other_o minister_n of_o his_o own_o appointment_n in_o that_o levitical_a oeconomy_n so_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n he_o send_v forth_o his_o minister_n to_o teach_v only_o such_o law_n and_o order_n of_o his_o house_n as_o he_o himself_o have_v institute_v and_o appoint_v and_o he_o be_v complete_a in_o that_o respect_n in_o his_o house_n which_o in_o some_o respect_n be_v more_o proper_o he_o the_o old_a testament-church_n be_v call_v moses_n house_n because_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n be_v here_o more_o plain_o and_o full_o dispense_v and_o administer_v more_o immediate_o christ_n act_v there_o by_o the_o ministration_n of_o moses_n for_o the_o delivery_n of_o levitical_a law_n and_o for_o constitute_v and_o rule_v the_o body_n politic_a of_o his_o church_n but_o in_o the_o latter_a day_n of_o the_o gospel_n god_n speak_v to_o we_o by_o his_o son_n christ_n immediate_o himself_n deliver_v the_o order_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o gospel-church_n when_o he_o be_v here_o on_o earth_n and_o after_o his_o ascension_n by_o his_o spirit_n inspire_v his_o apostle_n and_o such_o as_o be_v extraordinary_o qualify_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n since_o which_o he_o have_v manage_v that_o government_n by_o his_o ordinary_a minister_n act_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o prescript_n leave_v behind_o he_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n chap._n four_o of_o christ_n mediate_v legislative_n power_n §_o 1._o have_v somewhat_o treat_v of_o the_o immediate_a jurisdiction_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v needful_a to_o speak_v a_o little_a of_o his_o mediate_v viz._n how_o far_o he_o rule_v body_n politic_a by_o the_o mediation_n of_o man_n or_o have_v commit_v a_o power_n of_o law-making_a and_o execute_v unto_o he_o and_o to_o show_v that_o man_n power_n can_v be_v indefinite_a and_o unlimited_a but_o derivative_a and_o limit_v and_o for_o the_o illustrate_v hereof_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v whence_o man_n have_v his_o civil_a power_n and_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v §_o 2._o all_o civil_a power_n have_v their_o just_a authority_n from_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o king_n the_o head_n of_o all_o principality_n power_n body_n politic_n society_n as_o be_v manifest_v by_o the_o follow_a scripture_n and_o such_o other_o prov._n 8.15_o 16._o dan._n 4.25_o rom._n 13.1_o 2_o 4._o wherefore_o it_o be_v the_o manifest_a will_n of_o christ_n 1._o that_o there_o shall_v be_v civil_a government_n in_o the_o world_n 2._o that_o the_o personal_a possession_n of_o it_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o all-disposing_a providence_n of_o god_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v a_o ordinance_n and_o appointment_n of_o christ_n that_o such_o execute_v distributive_a justice_n for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o well-doer_n
and_o discouragement_n of_o evil-doer_n 4._o that_o in_o the_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o this_o trust_n they_o be_v god_n minister_n attend_v his_o work_n §_o 3._o as_o the_o king_n of_o king_n have_v give_v magistrate_n their_o power_n so_o he_o have_v set_v they_o their_o bound_n of_o government_n insomuch_o that_o they_o be_v not_o plenipotentiary_n but_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o supreme_a lawgiver_n which_o they_o may_v transgress_v in_o respect_n either_o of_o the_o law_n themselves_o or_o of_o person_n subject_v to_o they_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o law_n two_o way_n in_o law-making_a or_o execute_v in_o law-making_a these_o way_n 1._o when_o they_o presume_v to_o enact_v such_o law_n as_o direct_o cross_v any_o of_o christ_n law_n either_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n to_o enjoin_v unnatural_a thing_n or_o when_o he_o by_o his_o law_n shall_v contradict_v the_o moral_a law_n or_o any_o appendix_n thereunto_o or_o last_o control_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o his_o church_n i._n e._n in_o make_v any_o law_n to_o obstruct_v the_o execution_n of_o christ_n law_n according_a to_o his_o revealed_z will._n 2._o he_o may_v transgress_v in_o law-making_a by_o entrench_v on_o the_o legislative_a prerogative_n of_o christ_n either_o in_o respect_n of_o moral_a obedience_n or_o institute_v worship_n or_o any_o form_n or_o rite_n thereto_o belong_v 3._o in_o fail_v to_o enact_v such_o useful_a and_o necessary_a law_n as_o be_v needful_a and_o requisite_a for_o the_o right_a order_n or_o management_n of_o the_o common-weal_n or_o particular_a subject_n under_o his_o dominion_n he_o may_v fail_v and_o transgress_v in_o law_n execute_v either_o in_o a_o slack_a or_o careless_a execution_n of_o good_a law_n or_o undue_a application_n of_o they_o or_o partial_a distribution_n of_o justice_n by_o they_o all_o which_o be_v injustitia_fw-la or_o he_o may_v fail_v in_o too_o vigorous_a and_o extreme_a prosecution_n and_o so_o be_v guilty_a of_o summum_fw-la jus_fw-la which_o since_o the_o fall_n be_v maxima_fw-la injuria_fw-la because_o there_o be_v no_o allowance_n or_o abatement_n for_o the_o natural_a fail_n and_o weakness_n of_o the_o subject_n obey_v §_o 4._o as_o he_o be_v liable_a to_o transgress_v as_o to_o law_n so_o also_o as_o to_o person_n 1._o by_o a_o partial_a execution_n of_o justice_n with_o respect_n of_o person_n 2._o in_o press_v the_o power_n of_o his_o law_n further_o on_o person_n than_o christ_n ever_o permit_v as_o in_o endeavour_v to_o impose_v on_o conscience_n and_o bring_v it_o into_o thraldom_n by_o force_v man_n to_o ambiguous_a oath_n declaration_n or_o subscription_n 3._o when_o he_o use_v his_o power_n for_o the_o obstruct_n and_o hinder_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o use_n of_o those_o privilege_n or_o lawful_a liberty_n grant_v they_o by_o christ_n himself_o §_o 5._o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n jurisdiction_n be_v limit_v to_o the_o civil_a state_n and_o to_o all_o person_n and_o thing_n consider_v in_o a_o civil_a capacity_n and_o thus_o far_o he_o have_v power_n over_o the_o person_n of_o christian_n and_o particular_a church_n whilst_o militant_a so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v person_n and_o society_n lay_v claim_n to_o civil_a right_n and_o privilege_n or_o capable_a of_o do_v or_o receive_v wrong_a and_o injury_n be_v man_n subject_a to_o passion_n and_o failure_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n a_o christian_a be_v subject_v as_o have_v be_v say_v to_o a_o twofold_a jurisdiction_n internal_a and_o external_n internal_a respect_n the_o jurisdiction_n of_o conscience_n or_o god_n roll_a man_n by_o it_o and_o here_o be_v a_o impossibility_n of_o any_o three_o person_n interpose_v between_o god_n and_o we_o the_o external_n regiment_n to_o which_o a_o christian_a be_v subject_v be_v political_a and_o that_o by_o god_n ordination_n be_v twofold_a viz._n of_o the_o body_n civil_o politic_a and_o spiritual_o or_o ecclesiastical_o politic_a this_o be_v subject_v immediate_o to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a and_o spiritual_a gubernation_n of_o christ_n alone_o the_o other_o immediate_o under_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n now_o the_o contest_v between_o these_o two_o polity_n have_v be_v the_o original_a of_o most_o of_o the_o trouble_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n since_o christ_n presence_n here_o on_o earth_n it_o have_v always_o be_v man_n presumptuous_a ambition_n to_o sit_v in_o his_o throne_n more_o or_o less_o sometime_o secular_a dignity_n assume_v to_o themselves_o legislation_n in_o matter_n of_o divine_a worship_n whence_o have_v arise_v so_o great_a persecution_n from_o magistrate_n because_o christ_n follower_n refuse_v to_o betray_v or_o deliver_v his_o prerogative_n into_o their_o hand_n and_o judge_v themselves_o bind_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n again_o sometime_o usurp_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n pretend_v to_o a_o derive_v power_n from_o christ_n have_v assume_v the_o place_n of_o christ_n himself_o in_o and_o over_o his_o church_n justle_a he_o as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v out_o of_o his_o throne_n hence_o have_v arise_v the_o antichristian_a usurpation_n tyrannize_v not_o only_a over_o body_n politic_a but_o over_o conscience_n itself_o and_o as_o a_o just_a judgement_n on_o civil_a power_n which_o will_v not_o kiss_v the_o son_n but_o break_v his_o bond_n and_o abuse_v his_o church_n and_o member_n have_v be_v permit_v by_o christ_n to_o set_v their_o foot_n on_o the_o neck_n of_o king_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o intolerable_a burden_n the_o earth_n groan_v under_o and_o have_v do_v for_o many_o age_n and_o be_v they_o but_o remove_v each_o into_o its_o proper_a sphere_n i._n e._n be_v but_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n ease_v of_o civil_a usurpation_n in_o some_o nation_n and_o commonwealth_n from_o ecclesiastical_a in_o other_o and_o conscience_n deliver_v from_o the_o rape_n wrong_n and_o injury_n insolent_o offer_v to_o it_o from_o both_o the_o christian_a world_n will_v become_v such_o a_o paradise_n of_o felicity_n that_o scarce_o yet_o have_v be_v since_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o gospel-church_n and_o without_o such_o reducement_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o due_a liberty_n of_o church_n and_o state_n we_o can_v enjoy_v that_o worldly_a felicity_n which_o a_o good_a man_n be_v capable_a of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d menand_n a_o good_a man_n aim_v at_o felicity_n will_v either_o die_v or_o at_o his_o home_n live_v free_a chap._n v._o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o conscience_n §_o 1._o have_v thus_o far_o brief_o inquire_v concern_v the_o jurisdiction_n a_o christian_n be_v bind_v in_o duty_n to_o submit_v unto_o viz._n christ_n and_o caesar_n and_o though_o he_o be_v conscientious_o to_o subject_v himself_o unto_o both_o yet_o christ_n authority_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v and_o he_o be_v to_o have_v his_o due_a in_o the_o first_o place_n because_o all_o other_o who_o derive_v all_o just_a and_o rightful_a authority_n from_o he_o be_v limit_v by_o he_o and_o must_v give_v a_o account_n unto_o he_o therefore_o we_o say_v with_o the_o psalmist_n give_v unto_o the_o lord_n o_o you_o mighty_a give_v unto_o the_o lord_n the_o glory_n due_a unto_o his_o name_n and_o as_o command_v by_o christ_n seek_v first_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o righteousness_n thereof_o etc._n etc._n §_o 2._o the_o first_o thing_n than_o here_o to_o be_v do_v be_v to_o vindicate_v the_o sovereignty_n of_o christ_n both_o in_o the_o person_n of_o particular_a christian_n and_o in_o ecclesiastic_a body_n politic_a in_o both_o which_o he_o have_v reserve_v the_o legislative_a power_n to_o himself_o and_o never_o yet_o commit_v it_o to_o any_o other_o and_o first_o of_o his_o power_n in_o conscience_n and_o that_o it_o may_v the_o more_o clear_o appear_v that_o christ_n only_o rule_v in_o conscience_n it_o be_v needful_a we_o a_o little_a explain_v the_o nature_n of_o conscience_n and_o then_o proceed_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o it_o belong_v to_o christ_n alone_o §_o 3._o conscience_n take_v strict_o secundum_fw-la notationem_fw-la nominis_fw-la be_v a_o knowledge_n together_o i._n e._n a_o man_n knowledge_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o action_n together_o with_o another_o who_o know_v the_o same_o with_o he_o or_o as_o some_o think_v the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o action_n together_o with_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v square_v and_o direct_v which_o knowledge_n must_v be_v place_v in_o the_o understanding_n of_o a_o rational_a creature_n mr._n perkins_n say_v it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o understanding_n i_o have_v rather_o say_v it_o be_v modus_fw-la intellectus_fw-la for_o the_o understanding_n act_v per_fw-la totum_fw-la non_fw-la per_fw-la part_n this_o be_v that_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n which_o know_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o a_o man_n 1_o cor._n 2.11_o
it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o a_o christian_a profess_v people_n gather_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n enjoy_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n in_o purity_n be_v a_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o uniform_a with_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n without_o any_o distinction_n by_o this_o or_o that_o name_n of_o singularity_n or_o any_o ceremonial_a appendix_n §_o 12._o and_o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o a_o full_a and_o free_a conformity_n in_o ceremony_n will_v be_v the_o only_a cure_n of_o all_o our_o difference_n and_o division_n let_v all_o age_n witness_n if_o any_o will_v but_o impartial_o inquire_v what_o have_v be_v the_o grand_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o faction_n breach_n division_n and_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n yea_o and_o ecclesiastical_a persecution_n ever_o since_o the_o primitive_a time_n it_o will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o usurpation_n of_o this_o aforesaid_a legislative_a power_n of_o christ_n by_o some_o or_o other_o and_o still_o all_o the_o excuse_n that_o be_v make_v for_o it_o be_v that_o they_o assume_v this_o power_n only_o in_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n and_o what_o pretence_n can_v any_o make_v to_o a_o legislative_a power_n in_o thing_n necessary_a already_o determine_v by_o christ_n to_o one_o part_n there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o a_o law_n in_o such_o thing_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o ratify_v or_o to_o null_a the_o law_n so_o that_o what_o legislative_a power_n be_v exercise_v of_o this_o kind_n must_v be_v in_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n only_o i._n e._n which_o be_v so_o in_o relation_n to_o christ_n law_n antecedent_o to_o man_n law_n but_o by_o the_o superven_a of_o such_o a_o church-law_n it_o become_v in_o kind_n ecclesiastical_o necessary_a it_o be_v enjoin_v as_o to_o practice_n under_o penalty_n annex_v and_o it_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n with_o some_o sort_n of_o man_n to_o call_v necessary_a thing_n indifferent_a and_o indifferent_a necessary_a and_o thereby_o take_v occasion_n to_o justify_v their_o presumption_n when_o they_o make_v law_n even_o abrogatory_n to_o the_o know_a law_n of_o christ_n and_o if_o weak_a brethren_n as_o they_o be_v apt_a in_o derision_n to_o call_v they_o either_o take_v any_o just_a exception_n against_o they_o plead_v their_o liberty_n or_o it_o may_v be_v from_o a_o mistake_a judgement_n be_v apt_a to_o call_v indifferent_a thing_n necessary_a and_o therefore_o out_o of_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n refuse_v to_o yield_v act_n of_o obedience_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v compassion_n on_o their_o tenderness_n that_o they_o exact_v the_o say_a law-penalty_n with_o great_a violence_n and_o rigour_n than_o they_o do_v any_o that_o do_v direct_o concern_v the_o glory_n of_o christ_n establish_v by_o himself_o §_o 13._o the_o great_a plea_n that_o i_o know_v can_v be_v make_v for_o matter_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v the_o power_n that_o ecumenical_a council_n have_v take_v upon_o they_o especial_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n even_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o in_o the_o first_o second_o and_o three_o century_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v first_o if_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o authority_n lie_v in_o ecumenical_a counsel_n let_v never_o any_o of_o these_o church-statute_n be_v make_v and_o impose_v on_o the_o world_n but_o by_o they_o and_o let_v not_o every_o particular_a national_a independent_a church_n take_v upon_o she_o to_o make_v penal_a law_n and_o gull_v the_o world_n into_o a_o submission_n to_o her_o authority_n by_o her_o say_n she_o be_v the_o church_n as_o if_o she_o be_v the_o catholic_n church_n and_o mother-church_n second_o i_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o true_a ecumenical_a council_n at_o all_o much_o may_v be_v say_v against_o the_o best_a that_o be_v plead_v for_o since_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o prove_v that_o assembly_n at_o jerusalem_n hold_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o brethren_n to_o be_v none_o in_o the_o sense_n intend_v which_o be_v that_o the_o chief_a officer_n and_o representative_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o world_n meet_v together_o with_o a_o determinate_a power_n in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o with_o a_o bind_v legislative_a power_n in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o ceremony_n now_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o that_o assembly_n be_v not_o so_o though_o there_o be_v more_o reason_n for_o its_o be_v so_o than_o for_o any_o other_o assembly_n be_v so_o neither_o ever_o be_v there_o any_o assembly_n so_o empower_v in_o the_o world_n of_o that_o nature_n §_o 14._o that_o that_o assembly_n act_v 15.28_o be_v no_o ecumenical_a council_n be_v easy_a to_o judge_v for_o there_o be_v but_o the_o representative_n of_o two_o church_n jerusalem_n and_o antioch_n and_o they_o of_o antioch_n come_v to_o ask_v counsel_n and_o to_o be_v resolve_v in_o matter_n of_o doubt_n of_o the_o apostle_n reside_v most_o of_o they_o at_o present_a in_o jerusalem_n 2._o the_o case_n in_o question_n be_v argue_v in_o foro_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la particularis_fw-la and_o the_o apostle_n make_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n manifest_v to_o that_o church_n have_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o brethren_n to_o their_o determination_n and_o send_v it_o forth_o in_o and_o with_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o the_o apostle_n and_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n change_v no_o indifferency_n into_o necessity_n but_o inquire_v after_o and_o find_v out_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n concern_v the_o present_a infant-state_n of_o the_o gospel-church_n in_o some_o matter_n of_o thing_n necessary_a of_o two_o sort_n some_o absolute_o and_o moral_o so_o other_o expedient_o so_o for_o that_o time_n first_o absolute_o such_o as_o abstinence_n from_o fornication_n and_o thing_n offer_v to_o idol_n second_o respective_o only_a and_o that_o in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o believe_a jew_n come_v late_o from_o that_o pedagogy_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v scandalize_v or_o grieve_v at_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o gentile_n shall_v then_o abstain_v from_o thing_n strangle_v and_o blood_n now_o no_o sound_a interpeter_n will_v say_v that_o this_o canon_n be_v bind_v to_o the_o church_n semper_fw-la &_o ubique_fw-la but_o in_o behalf_n only_o of_o the_o jew_n who_o can_v not_o so_o easy_o at_o present_a be_v bring_v off_o from_o the_o whole_a of_o judaisme_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a by_o this_o concession_n the_o apostle_n get_v off_o the_o jewish_a believer_n from_o many_o ceremonious_a observation_n which_o they_o stand_v upon_o beside_o or_o at_o least_o abate_v their_o edge_n towards_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o decree_n be_v but_o as_o to_o a_o necessary_a expediency_n for_o a_o time_n which_o the_o apostle_n paul_n full_o explicate_v who_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o apostle_n elder_n and_o brethren_n in_o these_o matter_n §_o 15._o as_o we_o have_v little_a evidence_n for_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n exercise_v a_o legislative_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o church_n so_o we_o have_v as_o little_a ground_n for_o such_o sort_n of_o officer_n as_o be_v contend_v for_o in_o the_o church_n of_o which_o such_o council_n as_o they_o be_v plead_v for_o shall_v principal_o consist_v which_o be_v patriarch_n metropolitan_o archbishop_n bishop_n priest_n and_o there_o be_v not_o such_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n by_o christ_n institution_n there_o be_v no_o such_o power_n to_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o say_a way_n and_o manner_n of_o legislation_n neither_o may_v they_o jure_v proceed_v so_o far_o as_o to_o execution_n of_o any_o law_n establish_v by_o christ_n be_v not_o lawful_o commissionated_a with_o a_o gospel-power_n if_o this_o assertion_n be_v prove_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o legislation_n to_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o church_n the_o present_a assertor_n whereof_o challenge_v this_o power_n only_o on_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o say_a officer_n i_o lay_v down_o two_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o proof_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o officer_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o gospel_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n as_o a_o pope_n a_o patriarch_n a_o metropolitan_a a_o archbishop_n a_o diocesan_n bishop_n a_o parish-priest_n no_o dean_n prebend_n canon_n etc._n etc._n the_o scripture_n be_v altogether_o stranger_n to_o all_o those_o ecclesiastical_a creature_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n know_v nothing_o of_o they_o but_o prophetical_o in_o the_o foresight_n of_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o antichrist_n in_o this_o point_n i_o shall_v deal_v with_o two_o sort_n of_o man_n the_o papist_n and_o the_o protestant_n as_o for_o the_o papist_n the_o case_n have_v be_v full_o manage_v over_o and_o over_o against_o they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o supreme_a officer_n in_o
any_o authority_n grant_v by_o christ_n challenge_v to_o himself_o a_o legistative_a power_n in_o religious_a matter_n touch_v faith_n or_o worship_n he_o can_v null_a or_o dispense_v with_o one_o of_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n neither_o may_v he_o make_v any_o new_a law_n to_o bind_v we_o to_o believe_v any_o thing_n more_o concern_v god_n than_o be_v manifest_o by_o his_o word_n reveal_v or_o bind_v we_o to_o practise_v any_o alteration_n or_o addition_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n more_o than_o what_o christ_n himself_o have_v enact_v this_o we_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o handle_v the_o doctrine_n of_o indifferency_n §_o 8._o four_o no_o civil_a magistrate_n can_v by_o any_o deputation_n from_o christ_n claim_v a_o executive_a power_n of_o the_o political_a law_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n for_o as_o christ_n have_v his_o own_o proper_a law_n in_o his_o church_n his_o militant_a kingdom_n distinct_a from_o other_o law_n for_o the_o right_n and_o exact_a gospel-management_n of_o all_o his_o political_a affair_n therein_o and_o be_v more_o faithful_a than_o moses_n in_o that_o very_a respect_n so_o he_o have_v set_v in_o his_o church_n his_o own_o minister_n and_o officer_n distinct_a from_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o officer_n and_o minister_n in_o the_o world_n as_o christ_n minister_n be_v no_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o such_o so_o no_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v a_o church-minister_n as_o such_o hence_o as_o a_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o execute_v christ_n political_a law_n or_o institution_n in_o his_o church_n so_o he_o have_v no_o power_n to_o execute_v any_o moral_a law_n in_o the_o church_n i._n e._n he_o can_v punish_v a_o criminal_a offence_n by_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n the_o moral_a law_n run_v through_o all_o society_n as_o the_o natural_a fundamental_a rule_n to_o discern_v good_a and_o evil_a and_o political_a law_n of_o all_o sort_n shall_v main_o respect_v it_o as_o the_o standard_n and_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o all_o law_n and_o justice_n which_o in_o respect_n of_o it_o be_v derivative_a though_o every_o particular_a polity_n have_v its_o own_o proper_a way_n and_o manner_n of_o distribution_n of_o moral_a justice_n the_o civil_a state_n by_o a_o civil_a political_a administration_n and_o magistracy_n family_n oeconomical_o by_o the_o head_n thereof_o the_o church_n ecclesiastical_o by_o its_o pastor_n and_o other_o officer_n all_o endeavour_v by_o their_o distinct_a way_n and_o manner_n of_o administration_n to_o secure_v the_o honour_n and_o justice_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n but_o none_o of_o these_o be_v to_o intermix_v their_o government_n and_o political_a way_n of_o distribution_n see_v the_o god_n of_o order_n have_v fix_v each_o one_o to_o his_o proper_a station_n and_o limit_n of_o jurisdiction_n hence_o the_o civil_a state_n can_v no_o more_o punish_v the_o breach_n of_o moral_a law_n ecclesiastical_o than_o the_o church_n can_v punish_v they_o civil_o and_o the_o church_n can_v no_o more_o use_v the_o magistrate_n sword_n than_o the_o magistrate_n can_v the_o church_n and_o vice_n versa_fw-la neither_o can_v the_o church_n or_o civil_a state_n punish_v the_o breach_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n oeconomical_o any_o more_o than_o a_o master_n of_o a_o family_n as_o such_o can_v punish_v they_o ecclesiastical_o or_o civil_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n may_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v magistrate_n or_o pastor_n and_o though_o there_o be_v a_o mixture_n or_o rather_o conjunction_n of_o these_o authority_n in_o the_o same_o person_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o polity_n yet_o they_o have_v be_v separate_v in_o distinct_a person_n by_o god_n himself_o for_o many_o age_n neither_o do_v any_o person_n bear_v distinct_a office_n make_v the_o office_n the_o same_o or_o necessary_o mingle_v they_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o several_a function_n §_o 9_o five_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n or_o any_o humane_a law_n to_o bind_v or_o loose_v conscience_n as_o magistrate_n can_v reach_v it_o direct_o to_o charge_v it_o with_o either_o duty_n or_o guilt_n so_o it_o be_v the_o great_a piece_n of_o tyranny_n to_o attempt_v it_o by_o penal_a law_n whereby_o christian_n may_v be_v draw_v in_o to_o ensnare_v their_o conscience_n in_o guilt_n by_o sin_v against_o god_n for_o fear_n of_o man_n and_o a_o christian_a be_v to_o obey_v the_o just_a law_n of_o man_n for_o conscience_n sake_n i._n e._n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n it_o be_v extrinsic_a to_o the_o law_n of_o man_n to_o bind_v conscience_n it_o be_v god_n that_o by_o his_o authority_n give_v they_o a_o mediate_a sanction_n and_o bind_v they_o on_o conscience_n but_o where_o god_n lend_v not_o to_o humane_a law_n his_o bind_a power_n they_o be_v of_o no_o more_o force_n unto_o conscience_n then_o with_o 's_o to_o bind_v samson_n it_o be_v not_o the_o wit_n or_o strength_n of_o all_o man_n and_o angel_n that_o can_v bind_v one_o conscience_n under_o guilt_n without_o a_o law_n of_o god_n or_o divine_a authority_n to_o give_v force_n to_o humane_a their_o penal_a law_n i.e._n corporal_a punishment_n or_o pecuniary_a mulct_n be_v very_o indirect_a and_o vain_a medium_n to_o enforce_v conscience_n and_o very_o sinful_o apply_v by_o magistrate_n or_o other_o for_o that_o end_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o worship_n §_o 10._o six_o that_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n have_v not_o the_o determination_n of_o cause_n meen_o ecelesiastical_a and_o these_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n either_o controvert_v doctrinal_n or_o cause_n disciplinary_a controvert_v for_o by_o cause_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v here_o thing_n under_o dispute_n and_o they_o controvert_v doctrinal_n or_o under_o debate_n and_o they_o controvert_v cause_n disciplinary_a and_o those_o ecclesiastical_a thing_n which_o be_v of_o this_o nature_n fall_v under_o one_o of_o these_o head_n doctrinal_a or_o disciplinary_a first_o in_o doctrinal_a cause_n controvert_v the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o appoint_v by_o christ_n as_o judge_n neither_o be_v he_o a_o competent_a judge_n 1._o if_o he_o be_v quatenus_fw-la a_o magistrate_n than_o every_o magistrate_n be_v a_o competent_a judge_n and_o then_o a_o heathen_a mahometan_n or_o heretical_a magistrate_n and_o than_o you_o will_v say_v the_o determination_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o sound_a and_o good_a 2._o again_o how_o few_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v study_v enough_o in_o polemical_a divinity_n be_v not_o breed_v to_o that_o learning_n or_o have_v so_o many_o recreation_n and_o secular_a concern_v to_o divert_v they_o from_o it_o so_o as_o to_o be_v fit_a to_o have_v the_o ultimate_a determination_n of_o the_o most_o difficult_a and_o weighty_a point_n that_o learned_a scholar_n in_o divinity_n yea_o such_o as_o be_v studious_a and_o conscientious_a christian_n after_o long_a study_n scrutiny_n and_o prayer_n can_v attain_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o so_o as_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n to_o the_o full_a and_o clear_a satisfaction_n of_o themselves_o or_o other_o be_v it_o fit_a to_o make_v a_o assembly_n of_o divine_n judge_n of_o a_o great_a and_o difficult_a case_n in_o law_n there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n for_o one_o as_o for_o the_o other_o 3._o what_o determination_n a_o magistrate_n make_v dogmatical_o it_o be_v simpliciter_fw-la but_o his_o private_a judgement_n and_o opinion_n though_o he_o be_v a_o public_a person_n and_o why_o shall_v any_o man_n private_a opinion_n be_v he_o what_o he_o will_v in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o bind_a rule_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o another_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n 4._o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o man_n can_v make_v a_o law_n to_o bind_v faith_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v not_o found_v on_o the_o light_n of_o understanding_n and_o where_o they_o be_v so_o found_v no_o man_n believe_v because_o of_o the_o law_n of_o man_n but_o because_o of_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n what_o law_n can_v make_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o two_o and_o three_o make_v six_o but_o if_o it_o be_v that_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o three_o and_o three_o make_v six_o we_o do_v believe_v it_o but_o not_o because_o of_o the_o penal_a law_n but_o because_o of_o the_o evidence_n the_o truth_n carry_v with_o it_o non_fw-la lex_fw-la penalis_fw-la sed_fw-la veritas_fw-la est_fw-la ratio_fw-la formalis_fw-la fidei_fw-la 5._o the_o faith_n of_o a_o christian_a or_o the_o understanding_n of_o a_o rational_a man_n can_v no_o more_o rest_n in_o the_o opinion_n or_o determination_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n without_o a_o sufficient_a light_n of_o truth_n to_o convince_v he_o than_o in_o the_o opinion_n and_o determination_n of_o another_o man_n for_o he_o that_o tender_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o love_v truth_n can_v receive_v that_o which_o he_o be_v convince_v of_o or_o at_o least_o suspect_v in_o his_o most_o serious_a judgement_n to_o be_v
stick_n and_o set_v aside_o much_o of_o the_o severity_n which_o appear_v in_o that_o more_o legal_a dispensation_n which_o be_v both_o typical_a and_o temporal_a and_o much_o of_o it_o in_o special_a case_n and_o by_o special_a command_n by_o god_n it_o will_v be_v account_v very_o severe_a now_o to_o put_v a_o man_n to_o death_n for_o profane_v the_o name_n of_o god_n though_o it_o be_v by_o repeat_v act_n of_o such_o horrid_a curse_v and_o swear_v as_o be_v frequent_a nowadays_o or_o for_o profanation_n of_o the_o sabbath_n etc._n etc._n then_o set_v aside_o the_o relation_n the_o judicial_a law_n have_v to_o the_o levitical_a and_o necessary_a dependence_n on_o it_o which_o be_v cease_v and_o consider_v that_o our_o judicial_a law_n can_v so_o much_o depend_v upon_o evangelical_n institute_v worship_n christ_n have_v not_o so_o strict_o tie_v church_n and_o state_n under_o a_o necessity_n of_o the_o same_o emergency_n as_o he_o do_v the_o jewish_a oeconomy_n i_o conceive_v likewise_o the_o just_a proportionate_v of_o penalty_n in_o this_o kind_n aught_o to_o be_v do_v with_o great_a caution_n and_o depend_v much_o on_o the_o magistrate_n prudent_a management_n of_o the_o helm_n of_o government_n for_o the_o safety_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o christian_a state_n and_o penalty_n can_v be_v positive_a and_o unalterable_a because_o case_n do_v so_o frequent_o differ_v in_o the_o aggravate_v circumstance_n §_o 25._o the_o christian_a civil_a state_n ought_v to_o be_v very_o neighbourly_a and_o cherish_v to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a and_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v to_o improve_v his_o magistratick_a capacity_n to_o the_o utmost_a for_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n church_n and_o advantage_n of_o the_o gospel_n 1._o by_o subordinate_v as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a all_o state-interest_n to_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n 2._o by_o give_v all_o possible_a encouragement_n to_o the_o pure_a worshipper_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o embracer_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 3._o by_o encourage_v the_o faithful_a preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o propagation_n thereof_o by_o able_a minister_n due_o call_v thereto_o by_o the_o church_n and_o afford_v they_o external_a help_n and_o support_v in_o so_o do_v 4._o by_o maintain_v the_o church_n in_o the_o due_a execution_n of_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a and_o civil_a liberty_n defend_v they_o from_o invasion_n and_o disturbance_n in_o god_n worship_n from_o the_o rage_n of_o profess_a enemy_n from_o tyrannize_a usurp_a imposer_n 5._o by_o be_v a_o nurse_n father_n to_o the_o church_n both_o as_o a_o christian_a in_o a_o eminent_a capacity_n go_v before_o other_o in_o the_o exemplary_a practice_n of_o piety_n and_o call_v upon_o all_o other_o of_o all_o rank_n and_o degree_n whatever_o to_o discharge_v their_o place_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n as_o hezekiak_n and_o jehosaphat_n do_v 1_o chron._n 29.25_o 26_o 27_o etc._n etc._n 2_o chron._n 19.8_o 9_o 10._o and_o as_o a_o magistrate_n defend_v they_o by_o his_o power_n as_o have_v be_v say_v chap._n xviii_o of_o a_o christian_n duty_n in_o case_n of_o humane_a law_n in_o matter_n religious_o indifferent_a §_o 1._o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o speak_v something_o to_o a_o question_n of_o no_o less_o weight_n than_o any_o of_o the_o former_a for_o it_o be_v say_v that_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o no_o power_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a can_v jure_fw-la convert_v indifferency_n in_o worship_n into_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n yet_o it_o be_v inquire_v in_o case_n any_o humane_a power_n assume_v so_o much_o to_o itself_o as_o to_o do_v it_o whether_o a_o christian_a be_v not_o bind_v to_o yield_v active_a obedience_n unto_o the_o say_a law_n and_o those_o that_o affirm_v it_o produce_v these_o reason_n to_o enforce_v it_o 1._o that_o every_o one_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o high_a power_n rom._n 13.1_o 2._o that_o such_o law_n be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n because_o god_n have_v nowhere_o declare_v himself_o against_o one_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n more_o than_o the_o other_o but_o have_v leave_v both_o equal_o lawful_a to_o be_v practise_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o discretion_n and_o why_o may_v not_o the_o church_n or_o magistrate_n discretion_n bind_v a_o christian_a to_o obedience_n to_o his_o command_n as_o most_o expedient_a the_o church_n or_o magistrate_n be_v better_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o a_o expediency_n than_o a_o private_a christian_n 3._o because_o if_o in_o a_o thing_n indifferent_a the_o least_o offensive_a part_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v then_o sure_o that_o part_n which_o fulfil_v the_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastic_a law_n for_o it_o be_v a_o great_a offence_n to_o offend_v the_o church_n or_o magistrate_n or_o both_o than_o to_o offend_v a_o particular_a private_a christian_a or_o company_n of_o dissenter_n to_o the_o first_o i_o answer_v by_o way_n of_o concession_n that_o a_o christian_a be_v so_o bind_v as_o rom._n 13.1_o but_o 1._o that_o place_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o civil_a not_o ecclesiastical_a power_n as_o the_o context_n show_n 2._o if_o it_o be_v understand_v of_o church-power_n as_o that_o heb._n 13.17_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o such_o as_o christ_n have_v constitute_v church-officer_n and_o of_o obedience_n to_o a_o executive_a power_n commit_v to_o they_o not_o of_o a_o new_a assume_v legislative_a power_n never_o allow_v to_o they_o to_o the_o second_o i_o answer_v that_o such_o law_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o 1._o essential_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n in_o his_o word_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v indifferency_n and_o remain_v so_o not_o to_o be_v make_v otherwise_o by_o any_o law_n for_o where_o god_n have_v grant_v a_o liberty_n or_o latitude_n in_o the_o use_n of_o any_o creature_n or_o action_n there_o to_o make_v or_o prescribe_v a_o religious_a limitation_n by_o a_o law_n be_v absolute_o unlawful_a and_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v express_a act_v 10.13_o 14_o 15._o where_o peter_n though_o a_o apostle_n be_v charge_v not_o to_o put_v a_o religious_a difference_n where_o god_n have_v sanctify_a thing_n to_o our_o indifferent_a use_n much_o less_o may_v he_o prohibit_v the_o church_n from_o use_v any_o creature_n or_o action_n make_v by_o god_n indifferent_o holy_a therefore_o when_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v indifferent_a it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o impose_v it_o as_o necessary_a 2._o such_o law_n be_v circumstantial_o evil_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o they_o hinder_v the_o free_a use_n of_o christian_a discretion_n where_o god_n will_v have_v it_o use_v and_o ergo_fw-la hinder_v a_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n beside_o it_o necessary_o oblige_v to_o evil_a whenas_o the_o expedient_a good_a be_v find_v by_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o humane_a law_n and_o beside_o god_n have_v leave_v both_o part_n of_o the_o indifferency_n equal_o lawful_a and_o declare_v it_o so_o in_o his_o word_n for_o man_n to_o declare_v one_o part_n unlawful_a or_o make_v it_o so_o by_o a_o law_n be_v to_o make_v a_o declaration_n or_o law_n contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n neither_o may_v a_o magistrate_n or_o church_n judgement_n bind_v a_o christian_n to_o practice_v any_o further_a than_o it_o bring_v light_a with_o it_o for_o no_o man_n must_v walk_v by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n in_o the_o matter_n that_o concern_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o soul_n to_o the_o three_o alleg._n that_o part_n which_o fulfil_v the_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a law_n for_o will-worship_n be_v not_o the_o least_o offend_a part_n but_o the_o most_o for_o the_o yield_a free_a active_a obedience_n to_o sinful_a law_n be_v not_o only_a sin_n in_o the_o person_n obey_v but_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o scandal_n to_o the_o person_n command_v it_o be_v the_o edification_n of_o he_o in_o sin_n whereas_o the_o refusal_n of_o active_a obedience_n in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v no_o offence_n give_v but_o only_o a_o just_a cross_n of_o a_o perverse_a judgement_n and_o will._n again_o if_o any_o action_n be_v such_o as_o will_v offend_v just_o the_o least_o of_o christ_n member_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o i_o may_v not_o grieve_o or_o sinning_o offend_v any_o of_o god_n child_n that_o i_o may_v gratify_v and_o fulfil_v the_o will_n of_o man_n we_o must_v rather_o choose_v that_o part_n of_o the_o
in_o word_n and_o syllable_n 7._o if_o christ_n have_v bind_v we_o to_o this_o form_n than_o we_o be_v to_o use_v no_o other_o neither_o may_v the_o church_n prescribe_v any_o other_o neither_o may_v particular_a christian_n use_v their_o gift_n in_o prayer_n nor_o various_a form_n of_o their_o own_o or_o other_o prescription_n which_o will_v be_v too_o gross_o absurd_a for_o any_o to_o assert_v §_o 5._o but_o five_o to_o infer_v that_o christ_n by_o prescribe_v this_o form_n as_o imitable_a by_o we_o or_o by_o propound_v and_o commend_v this_o to_o we_o as_o a_o rule_n or_o form_n do_v thereby_o tie_v we_o up_o to_o other_o form_n or_o give_v power_n to_o the_o church_n to_o bind_v we_o to_o form_n or_o that_o we_o may_v bind_v ourselves_o to_o other_o form_n be_v as_o great_a a_o inconsequence_n as_o any_o in_o the_o world_n for_o we_o have_v show_v there_o be_v more_o reason_n to_o judge_v that_o he_o leave_v it_o as_o a_o rule_n than_o form_n if_o he_o leave_v it_o as_o a_o form_n it_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o other_o man_n to_o make_v form_n but_o rather_o a_o ground_n to_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v his_o prerogative_n as_o our_o lord_n and_o master_n and_o beside_o if_o he_o have_v give_v we_o a_o form_n and_o we_o be_v thereby_o bind_v to_o word_n and_o sentence_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o take_v up_o other_o form_n and_o multiply_v thousand_o of_o man_n prescription_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o christ_n must_v needs_o be_v one_o of_o these_o two_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v i._n e._n use_v this_o as_o the_o only_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o stick_v to_o it_o for_o word_n and_o sentence_n and_o never_o trouble_v yourselves_o about_o any_o other_o for_o if_o it_o be_v take_v in_o the_o other_o sense_n it_o be_v universal_a take_v this_o as_o a_o stand_a general_a rule_n of_o prayer_n to_o which_o all_o sort_n of_o petition_n deprecation_n confession_n thanksgiving_n be_v referrable_a if_o he_o have_v authorize_v any_o to_o compose_v other_o teach_a form_n he_o will_v have_v say_v you_o apostle_n and_o your_o successor_n thau_fw-fr catholic_n church_n or_o national_a church_n or_o particular_a congregation_n do_v you_o compose_v a_o form_n of_o divine_a service_n and_o i_o will_v set_v my_o hand_n to_o it_o §_o 6._o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o a_o christian_a may_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v bind_v to_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n by_o humane_a authority_n pretend_v thereunto_o the_o answer_n to_o this_o enquiry_n will_v be_v double_a 1._o that_o whatever_o authority_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a do_v pretend_v to_o such_o a_o impose_v power_n a_o christian_n be_v not_o to_o subject_v himself_o by_o active_a submission_n 2._o that_o no_o power_n beneath_o christ_n can_v pretend_v just_o to_o such_o authority_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o first_o have_v be_v large_o enough_o insist_v on_o before_o therefore_o i_o shall_v here_o but_o touch_n upon_o they_o 1._o because_o christ_n have_v not_o leave_v it_o indifferent_a to_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v bind_v in_o matter_n of_o his_o worship_n where_o he_o have_v leave_v he_o at_o liberty_n for_o thereby_o the_o use_n of_o discretion_n in_o conveniency_n be_v lose_v 2._o all_o those_o reason_n why_o he_o may_v not_o bind_v himself_o to_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n do_v formal_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v not_o to_o permit_v himself_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o this_o kind_n by_o another_o 3._o none_o but_o christ_n may_v prescribe_v set-form_n of_o his_o own_o worship_n and_o we_o be_v not_o allow_v obediential_o to_o submit_v to_o any_o legislative_a power_n in_o this_o kind_n as_o have_v be_v show_v 4._o if_o a_o christian_a suffer_v himself_o in_o this_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o he_o part_v with_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a privilege_n that_o he_o be_v capable_a of_o viz._n that_o of_o speak_v his_o mind_n to_o god_n in_o prayer_n and_o not_o to_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o dictate_v and_o suggestion_n of_o another_o who_o can_v know_v our_o own_o case_n in_o respect_n of_o sin_n want_v temptation_n mercy_n etc._n etc._n better_o than_o ourselves_o what_o be_v more_o unreasonable_a than_o that_o a_o child_n though_o he_o can_v speak_v plain_o shall_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o speak_v his_o mind_n to_o his_o parent_n as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v but_o must_v be_v always_o prescribe_v to_o it_o in_o the_o servant_n or_o elder_a brother_n word_n and_o expression_n to_o deal_v thus_o with_o god_n child_n be_v to_o go_v about_o to_o abandon_v the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n which_o god_n child_n be_v lead_v by_o rom._n 8.2.14_o 15._o which_o spirit_n they_o have_v for_o this_o end_n that_o they_o cry_v abba_n father_n that_o they_o may_v speak_v the_o language_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n though_o their_o utterance_n be_v in_o break_a and_o abrupt_a sentence_n even_o in_o sigh_n and_o groan_n which_o god_n know_v the_o meaning_n of_o wherefore_o to_o put_v ourselves_o under_o humane_a set_v form_n be_v to_o put_v ourselves_o into_o the_o great_a spiritual_a bondage_n of_o this_o nature_n §_o 7._o second_o no_o power_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a can_v pretend_v just_o to_o authority_n from_o christ_n to_o impose_v on_o minister_n or_o christian_a a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n argum._n 1._o if_o any_o can_v pretend_v to_o such_o authority_n it_o must_v be_v to_o impose_v a_o set_a form_n of_o christ_n compose_v or_o of_o humane_a composition_n but_o they_o can_v pretend_v just_o to_o impose_v any_o prayer_n of_o christ_n compose_v because_o christ_n have_v neither_o require_v nor_o allow_v the_o impose_v the_o use_n of_o that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o lord_n prayer_n by_o penal_a law_n what_o corporal_a or_o pecuniary_a mulct_n be_v to_o be_v inflict_v on_o a_o man_n that_o do_v not_o use_v the_o very_a word_n of_o that_o prayer_n by_o virtue_n of_o any_o law_n of_o christ_n be_v he_o to_o be_v whip_v or_o fine_v for_o it_o by_o the_o magistrate_n or_o excommunicate_v by_o the_o church_n again_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o impose_v a_o form_n of_o humane_a composition_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o impose_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n of_o christ_n composition_n by_o a_o penal_a law_n much_o less_o to_o impose_v one_o of_o man_n and_o for_o any_o to_o undertake_v either_o church_n or_o state_n to_o prescribe_v the_o worship_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o enforce_v it_o by_o punishment_n where_o christ_n never_o depute_v or_o allow_v such_o authority_n be_v the_o great_a presumption_n and_o insolency_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 8._o argum._n 2._o he_o or_o they_o that_o impose_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n must_v do_v it_o because_o it_o be_v necessary_o or_o indifferent_o requisite_a so_o to_o do_v according_a to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o christ_n but_o none_o can_v impose_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n for_o any_o of_o these_o reason_n ergo._n 1_o none_o can_v because_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v necessarity_n requisite_a 1._o because_o christ_n have_v no_o where_o require_v the_o church_n or_o magistrate_n to_o impose_v 2._o if_o a_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a it_o can_v not_o be_v to_o any_o person_n or_o season_n dispense_v with_o 3._o if_o the_o necessity_n be_v plead_v for_o public_a prayer_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o set_a form_n there_o be_v as_o little_a necessity_n of_o that_o can_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o of_o private_a set-form_n 4._o if_o there_o be_v need_n of_o a_o form_n for_o help_v in_o some_o case_n in_o respect_n of_o present_a weakness_n of_o minister_n or_o christian_n it_o be_v no_o reason_n therefore_o it_o shall_v be_v impose_v as_o necessary_a to_o all_o it_o be_v plead_v for_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o uniformity_n but_o if_o some_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n wear_v spectacle_n because_o of_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o eye_n must_v all_o do_v so_o too_o for_o uniformity_n sake_n though_o their_o eye_n be_v never_o so_o good_a we_o be_v to_o strive_v after_o perfection_n and_o conformity_n to_o christ_n therein_o but_o be_v not_o to_o endeavour_v to_o conform_v to_o the_o weakness_n and_o imperfection_n of_o his_o member_n and_o take_v our_o measure_n thereby_o though_o we_o be_v to_o bear_v with_o and_o condescend_v to_o they_o as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v without_o sin_n §_o 9_o second_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n can_v be_v impose_v as_o indifferent_o requisite_a to_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n because_o 1._o if_o any_o thing_n be_v indifferent_o i._n e._n convenient_o requisite_a to_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v because_o christ_n have_v will_v it_o indifferent_o requisite_a for_o all_o matter_n of_o his_o worship_n take_v their_o first_o reason_n from_o his_o will._n 2._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n from_o the_o
all_o for_o truth_n that_o oblige_v to_o credence_n from_o the_o evidence_n of_o it_o oblige_v not_o to_o practice_n and_o obedience_n have_v not_o a_o sufficient_a authority_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v or_o not_o lay_v on_o we_o a_o necessity_n of_o obey_v and_o therefore_o it_o must_v bind_v as_o a_o law-truth_n challenge_v its_o end_n by_o promise_n of_o reward_n or_o threat_n of_o punishment_n again_o it_o be_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o self-love_n and_o preservation_n see_v ourselves_o liable_a to_o a_o law_n and_o such_o a_o law_n that_o can_v do_v we_o good_a or_o hurt_n we_o be_v bind_v by_o this_o first_o principle_n of_o nature_n to_o make_v a_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o our_o conformity_n that_o we_o may_v be_v satisfy_v of_o our_o own_o safety_n and_o danger_n every_o one_o be_v desirous_a in_o this_o case_n to_o know_v the_o worst_a of_o himself_o moreover_o see_v that_o all_o law_n that_o bind_v be_v back_v with_o sufficient_a power_n to_o put_v it_o into_o vigorous_a and_o impartial_a execution_n and_o that_o which_o prevail_v so_o much_o with_o conscience_n be_v the_o lawgiver_n absolute_a power_n to_o save_v and_o destroy_v he_o can_v punish_v the_o whole_a man_n body_n and_o soul_n which_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v so_o that_o the_o penalty_n be_v great_a and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n infinite_a it_o must_v needs_o lay_v the_o conscience_n under_o a_o very_a strict_a bond_n of_o enquiry_n likewise_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o sufficient_a power_n for_o execution_n but_o a_o unlimited_a power_n of_o law-making_a wherein_o his_o sovereignty_n do_v chief_o consist_v which_o sovereignty_n as_o it_o be_v most_o supreme_a so_o it_o be_v most_o just_a and_o good_a and_o therefore_o this_o oblige_v because_o god_n can_v make_v what_o law_n he_o will_v and_o he_o can_v will_v to_o make_v any_o law_n that_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o his_o creature_n to_o obey_v hence_o his_o law_n have_v always_o a_o necessary_a innate_a goodness_n in_o they_o because_o they_o flow_v from_o he_o who_o be_v primary_o absolute_o and_o independent_o good_a ergo_fw-la must_v be_v can_v but_o be_v holy_a just_a and_o good_a law_n wherefore_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v firm_o fix_v on_o man_n natural_a conscience_n however_o corruption_n may_v attempt_v the_o blot_n it_o out_o it_o can_v total_o do_v it_o but_o those_o who_o be_v renew_v by_o grace_n must_v needs_o see_v anotherguess_n lustre_n in_o it_o see_v not_o only_o divine_a goodness_n stamp_v on_o god_n law_n but_o gospel-goodness_n not_o only_o the_o suitableness_n of_o his_o command_n to_o his_o creature_n but_o to_o a_o sinner_n viz._n the_o love_n of_o god_n so_o evidence_v in_o give_v and_o require_v his_o law_n in_o such_o a_o way_n of_o grace_n and_o compassion_n that_o it_o engage_v they_o in_o the_o high_a measure_n to_o obedience_n yea_o new_a obedience_n and_o their_o conscience_n to_o a_o diligent_a and_o narrow_a disquisition_n thereof_o according_o last_o there_o be_v a_o innate_a reverence_n unto_o divinity_n which_o the_o creator_n have_v place_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n whereby_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v more_o command_n than_o any_o law_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a distance_n than_o between_o the_o creator_n and_o the_o creature_n and_o creation_n or_o give_v we_o be_v be_v such_o a_o obligation_n as_o none_o but_o a_o creator_n can_v lay_v upon_o the_o creature_n and_o consequent_o our_o great_a good_a either_o in_o be_v or_o well-being_n be_v certain_o hazard_v by_o the_o displeasure_n of_o our_o creator_n thus_o much_o of_o the_o practical_a proposition_n of_o conscience_n from_o which_o of_o necessity_n follow_v the_o particular_a conclusion_n as_o have_v be_v say_v §_o 9_o it_o remain_v to_o speak_v something_o of_o the_o diversity_n of_o conscience_n which_o admit_v of_o no_o difference_n from_o divine_a law_n simple_o consider_v but_o from_o the_o information_n or_o illumination_n which_o the_o understanding_n receive_v more_o or_o less_o therefrom_o the_o less_o enlighten_v conscience_n be_v either_o the_o mere_a natural_a conscience_n illuminate_v only_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n without_o a_o write_a law_n such_o as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o rom._n 2._o or_o the_o legal_a conscience_n though_o enlighten_v by_o the_o write_a law_n yet_o taste_v nothing_o of_o gospel-freedom_n and_o delivery_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o therefore_o in_o bondage_n to_o moses_n and_o not_o yet_o subject_v to_o the_o mediatorly_a authority_n of_o christ_n in_o justification_n sanctification_n or_o rule_v of_o spiritual_a walk_n the_o more_o enlighten_v conscience_n be_v that_o which_o have_v receive_v gospel-light_n and_o subject_v thereunto_o from_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n have_v submit_v his_o self_n and_o way_n to_o the_o guidance_n and_o conduct_n thereof_o in_o his_o whole_a progress_n to_o life_n and_o salvation_n the_o conscience_n admit_v also_o of_o magis_fw-la &_o minus_n the_o more_o evangelical_o enlighten_v conscience_n be_v that_o which_o be_v firm_o ratify_v and_o confirm_v in_o gospel-truth_n and_o a_o due_a application_n thereof_o by_o faith_n for_o comfort_n and_o practice_n and_o this_o be_v a_o firm_a stable_a conscience_n and_o of_o such_o a_o one_o be_v right_o say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o strong_a christian_a one_o that_o be_v right_o inform_v in_o his_o duty_n and_o privilege_n by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n the_o less_o evangelically-enlightned_n conscience_n be_v one_o that_o have_v but_o a_o small_a information_n in_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n have_v a_o sincere_a faith_n but_o little_a knowledge_n be_v not_o so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o rule_n of_o gospel-obedience_n nor_o with_o his_o privilege_n purchase_v by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o hence_o arise_v a_o doubt_v and_o scrupulous_a conscience_n a_o doubt_a conscience_n or_o opinans_n be_v in_o respect_n chief_o of_o the_o will_n and_o mind_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o full_o resolve_v concern_v it_o and_o therefore_o at_o best_a act_n but_o from_o opinion_n be_v unsettle_a and_o unresolved_a whether_o the_o light_n direct_v he_o this_o way_n or_o that_o way_n and_o therefore_o be_v unstable_a in_o all_o such_o way_n be_v not_o carry_v on_o with_o a_o plerophory_n and_o full_a resolution_n to_o persist_v and_o this_o may_v be_v according_a to_o some_o truth_n and_o duty_n but_o not_o according_a to_o other_o a_o christian_a may_v be_v strong_a in_o respect_n of_o some_o truth_n but_o weak_a in_o respect_n of_o other_o so_o that_o the_o same_o conscience_n may_v be_v strong_a or_o weak_a as_o it_o be_v clear_o inform_v in_o some_o thing_n and_o dark_o in_o other_o yea_o it_o may_v be_v weak_a at_o one_o time_n and_o strong_a at_o another_o as_o it_o receive_v more_o or_o less_o light_n a_o scrupulous_a conscience_n be_v chief_o in_o respect_n of_o action_n concern_v which_o he_o be_v needless_o and_o frivolous_o doubtful_a and_o therefore_o fearful_a and_o start_a upon_o all_o occasion_n §_o 10._o thus_o far_o of_o the_o difference_n of_o conscience_n take_v from_o synteresis_fw-la brief_o a_o few_o word_n of_o its_o difference_n also_o from_o syneidesis_n conscience_n may_v be_v distinguish_v from_o syneidesis_n into_o a_o good_a or_o a_o bad_a conscience_n the_o good_a conscience_n be_v that_o which_o make_v a_o diligent_a just_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o our_o condition_n and_o action_n by_o a_o due_a application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o rule_n or_o law-light_n receive_v by_o we_o a_o evil_a conscience_n be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o from_o its_o enslavery_n to_o a_o lust_n do_v not_o perform_v its_o duty_n aright_o towards_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o ourselves_o but_o be_v either_o slothful_a and_o will_v not_o take_v pain_n to_o search_v and_o examine_v our_o heart_n and_o way_n or_o it_o be_v partial_a and_o will_v be_v more_o strict_a in_o some_o respect_n and_o less_o in_o other_o of_o the_o same_o weight_n and_o concernment_n or_o it_o be_v fallacious_a and_o deal_v not_o plain_o and_o full_o concern_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o mince_o and_o equivocal_o feign_v it_o to_o be_v better_a than_o it_o be_v in_o substance_n or_o circumstance_n or_o it_o be_v stupid_a and_o blockish_a not_o value_v the_o weight_n of_o the_o law_n or_o inspect_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o action_n it_o may_v be_v also_o troublesome_o evil_a as_o well_o as_o negligent_o etc._n etc._n when_o it_o bring_v in_o too_o aggravate_v a_o testimony_n in_o accuse_v beyond_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o transgression_n represent_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n more_o heinous_a and_o heavy_a than_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v represent_v such_o a_o conscience_n may_v be_v honestè_fw-fr bona_fw-la but_o molestè_fw-fr mala_fw-la §_o 11._o last_o we_o distinguish_v conscience_n
in_o their_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v determine_v but_o pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la and_o must_v be_v liable_a still_o to_o no_o other_o judgement_n than_o that_o of_o discretion_n those_o thing_n that_o christ_n have_v leave_v under_o it_o can_v by_o humane_a law_n be_v remove_v from_o it_o therefore_o indifferent_a thing_n may_v be_v agree_v on_o by_o common_a consent_n in_o congregation_n or_o by_o the_o officer_n thereof_o according_a as_o the_o expediency_n or_o conveniency_n appear_v unto_o they_o and_o for_o so_o long_o and_o no_o long_o hence_o they_o can_v undergo_v the_o title_n or_o denomination_n of_o a_o law_n but_o only_o of_o prudential_a rule_n which_o have_v no_o bind_a reason_n for_o observation_n but_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o agree_a circumstance_n as_o it_o may_v be_v judge_v most_o convenient_a by_o the_o church_n to_o assemble_v at_o such_o a_o hour_n so_o long_o as_o the_o day_n be_v of_o such_o a_o length_n but_o when_o that_o circumstance_n alter_v than_o it_o may_v be_v more_o convenient_a at_o another_o many_o such_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v and_o no_o church_n can_v walk_v comfortable_o as_o long_o as_o any_o authority_n undertake_v to_o prohibit_v they_o of_o this_o liberty_n of_o their_o prudential_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n and_o alterable_a appendix_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n chap._n xii_o wherein_o be_v handle_v the_o first_o question_n about_o thing_n indifferent_a §_o 1._o the_o first_o question_n that_o seem_v to_o offer_v itself_o to_o be_v so_o this_o whether_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n cease_v to_o be_v so_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v positive_o and_o certain_o determine_v as_o to_o its_o practice_n by_o humane_a authority_n explic._n by_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n i_o understand_v as_o beforementioned_a any_o thing_n or_o action_n which_o circumstantial_o adhere_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o may_v be_v use_v or_o omit_v or_o alter_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n without_o any_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n again_o this_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v determine_v as_o to_o expediency_n by_o a_o society_n or_o lawful_a authority_n but_o not_o impose_v as_o a_o stand_n and_o bind_v law_n but_o be_v commend_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o concur_v conscientious_o studious_a of_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o christ_n it_o carry_v the_o more_o force_n along_o with_o it_o to_o persuade_v we_o at_o least_o to_o present_v act_v till_o by_o further_a and_o great_a illumination_n we_o be_v otherwise_o incline_v nay_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v determine_v by_o those_o that_o be_v in_o authority_n and_o propose_v as_o their_o judgement_n according_a to_o their_o light_n receive_v not_o magisterial_o but_o demonstrative_o only_a convince_o enough_o as_o to_o the_o expediency_n it_o carry_v with_o it_o the_o force_n of_o a_o law_n unto_o conscience_n not_o of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n man_n be_v a_o candlestick_n only_o to_o hold_v forth_o that_o light_n and_o bind_v it_o to_o submit_v thereunto_o but_o otherwise_o if_o man_n in_o authority_n undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n that_o a_o thing_n in_o itself_o by_o christ_n law_n leave_v indifferent_a i._n e._n to_o christian_a discretion_n to_o do_v or_o omit_v shall_v become_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n or_o a_o expedient_a necessity_n and_o according_a to_o their_o will_n and_o opinion_n bind_v inferior_n to_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o this_o by_o a_o penalty_n we_o affirm_v that_o a_o religious_a gospel-indifferency_n notwithstanding_o all_o humane_a authoritative_a determination_n change_v it_o into_o a_o necessity_n keep_v its_o pristine_a indifferency_n and_o remain_v the_o same_o to_o a_o christian_n conscience_n and_o practice_n the_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n follow_v §_o 2._o argum._n 1._o that_o power_n that_o can_v change_v gospel-indifferencies_a into_o gospel-necessity_n can_v also_o change_v gospel-necessity_n into_o gospel-indifferencies_a but_o no_o humane_a authority_n can_v do_v the_o latter_a ergo_fw-la not_o the_o former_a the_o assumption_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o protestant_n it_o be_v a_o presumption_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n for_o humane_a authority_n to_o pretend_v to_o dispense_v with_o or_o null_a any_o of_o the_o manifest_a law_n of_o christ_n the_o major_n be_v also_o evident_a because_o it_o must_v be_v a_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o kind_a to_o make_v and_o null_n a_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n if_o it_o be_v say_v a_o humane_a authority_n may_v make_v a_o gospel-indifferency_n necessary_a genere_fw-la civili_fw-la the_o answer_n fall_v far_o short_a for_o we_o speak_v of_o law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n have_v equal_a force_n upon_o the_o conscience_n for_o a_o civil_a legislative_a power_n can_v as_o well_o null_a any_o law_n of_o a_o civil_a nature_n only_o as_o it_o can_v make_v it_o so_o if_o man_n can_v make_v moral_a law_n he_o may_v as_o well_o null_a those_o which_o he_o have_v make_v or_o dispense_v with_o they_o at_o pleasure_n as_o make_v new_a we_o must_v always_o allow_v a_o sovereign_a prerogative_n to_o supreme_a lawgiver_n in_o any_o kind_n as_o to_o promulgate_v so_o to_o abrogate_v or_o dispense_v with_o their_o own_o law_n at_o pleasure_n and_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o those_o law_n that_o man_n make_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n necessary_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o christ_n be_v civil_a only_o be_v only_o for_o decency_n splendour_n etc._n etc._n i_o reply_v that_o it_o can_v be_v so_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o for_o it_o be_v the_o respect_n and_o end_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o give_v it_o its_o specifical_a denomination_n when_o it_o have_v none_o such_o absolute_o consider_v that_o which_o respect_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o gospel-worship_n of_o christ_n or_o pretend_v so_o to_o do_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v a_o part_n of_o gospel-worship_n as_o kneel_v be_v a_o indifferent_a gesture_n a_o man_n may_v kneel_v when_o he_o do_v other_o thing_n beside_o act_n of_o worship_n or_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n he_o may_v kneel_v or_o stand_v or_o use_v another_o posture_n in_o worship_n but_o when_o this_o or_o that_o gesture_n be_v apply_v to_o worship_n it_o be_v religious_a by_o its_o respect_n use_v and_o application_n but_o still_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n under_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n till_o by_o some_o bind_a law_n the_o conscience_n become_v bind_v up_o to_o the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o this_o or_o that_o part_n of_o worship_n now_o he_o that_o undertake_v to_o bind_v conscience_n here_o undertake_v to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o christ_n and_o to_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o such_o that_o make_v such_o law_n do_v claim_v such_o a_o power_n be_v manifest_a because_o they_o make_v obedience_n unto_o such_o law_n necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n let_v every_o soul_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n §_o 3._o argum._n 2._o if_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o evangelical_n indifferency_n may_v be_v change_v jure_fw-la into_o a_o evangelical_n necessity_n by_o any_o power_n beside_o christ_n than_o it_o must_v be_v because_o it_o be_v evangelical_o evil_a that_o this_o or_o that_o shall_v remain_v indifferent_a which_o christ_n have_v leave_v so_o or_o at_o least_o better_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o good_a of_o his_o church_n that_o it_o shall_v become_v a_o necessity_n i._n e._n a_o command_v good_a or_o prohibit_v evil_a than_o indifferent_a to_o be_v dispose_v by_o the_o discretion_n of_o particular_a church_n or_o christian_n but_o there_o be_v no_o true_a evangelical_n indifferency_n that_o have_v such_o a_o reason_n for_o the_o change_n of_o it_o into_o a_o necessity_n ergo_fw-la the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n be_v this_o because_o whatever_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v alter_v from_o worse_a to_o better_o and_o what_o be_v alter_v by_o a_o law_n for_o christ_n be_v or_o shall_v be_v make_v more_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o far_o better_a than_o it_o be_v before_o but_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o any_o thing_n that_o this_o wise_a lawgiver_n leave_v in_o indifferency_n to_o practice_n or_o omit_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n shall_v be_v more_o for_o his_o honour_n if_o it_o be_v convert_v into_o a_o necessity_n by_o a_o law_n for_o to_o say_v so_o will_v be_v a_o high_a impeachment_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v of_o a_o king_n and_o parliament_n when_o any_o shall_v presume_v to_o say_v they_o have_v not_o make_v such_o law_n as_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v make_v and_o have_v leave_v the_o subject_a under_o a_o great_a liberty_n than_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonweal_n or_o honour_n of_o the_o king_n to_o say_v
worship_n of_o god_n all_o be_v alterable_a in_o addition_n or_o substraction_n by_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o man_n he_o may_v alter_v the_o mode_n and_o dress_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o ceremony_n at_o least_o that_o the_o church_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o as_o many_o new_a fashion_n as_o a_o english_a man_n as_o one_o magistrate_n may_v change_v his_o own_o law_n so_o many_o will_v change_v one_o another_o one_o it_o may_v be_v be_v popish_a another_o episcopal_a a_o three_o a_o presbyterian_a so_o that_o if_o the_o magistrate_n law_n must_v bind_v the_o church_n ecclesiastical_o it_o may_v be_v bind_v and_o unbound_v a_o hundred_o time_n in_o a_o few_o year_n and_o put_v on_o as_o many_o shape_v as_o proteus_n for_o still_o as_o there_o be_v new_a lord_n so_o new_a law_n but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o permanency_n and_o unchangeableness_n of_o lord_n and_o lawgiver_n there_o will_v be_v a_o certainty_n and_o stability_n of_o law_n as_o always_o under_o christ_n immediate_a legislation_n 3._o if_o this_o power_n be_v allow_v to_o a_o magistrate_n as_o such_o then_o to_o a_o heathen_a magistrate_n and_o he_o may_v make_v law_n according_a to_o his_o religion_n viz._n that_o christian_n shall_v eat_v meat_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n which_o eat_v in_o itself_o be_v a_o indifferency_n 1_o cor._n 10._o but_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v whether_o any_o of_o the_o strenuous_a protestant-contenders_a for_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o this_o kind_n will_v not_o think_v it_o a_o great_a sin_n both_o for_o the_o magistrate_n to_o make_v such_o a_o law_n and_o for_o any_o subject_a know_v of_o it_o to_o obey_v he_o in_o it_o again_o a_o jewish_a magistrate_n may_v make_v a_o law_n that_o all_o shall_v be_v circumcise_v because_o paul_n determine_v it_o to_o be_v but_o a_o indifferency_n after_o the_o abolition_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n a_o man_n may_v cut_v off_o his_o foreskin_n or_o let_v it_o alone_o circumcision_n be_v nothing_o and_o uncircumcision_n nothing_o it_o be_v but_o the_o take_n away_o or_o keep_v a_o little_a fleshy_a skin_n but_o i_o will_v ask_v whether_o if_o any_o magistrate_n shall_v make_v such_o a_o law_n that_o all_o the_o male_n in_o his_o dominion_n shall_v be_v circumcise_v whether_o every_o conscientious_a christian_n will_v not_o then_o suffer_v much_o before_o he_o will_v be_v circumcise_v say_n as_o paul_n that_o if_o they_o be_v circumcise_v by_o virtue_n of_o such_o a_o imposition_n christ_n will_v profit_v they_o nothing_o and_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n preach_v by_o he_o to_o the_o galatian_n §_o 3._o christ_n have_v not_o grant_v any_o such_o power_n to_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n as_o a_o christian_a mere_o if_o so_o it_o will_v follow_v 1._o that_o one_o christian_a may_v institute_v a_o way_n or_o mode_n of_o worship_n for_o another_o 2._o that_o a_o strong_a christian_a be_v a_o magistrate_n may_v force_v the_o weak_a to_o use_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o he_o call_v indifferent_a though_o the_o other_o call_v they_o and_o repute_v they_o unlawful_a and_o sinful_a 3._o if_o the_o scale_n of_o providence_n turn_v and_o the_o weak_a christian_a be_v make_v the_o magistrate_n he_o may_v pay_v home_o the_o strong_a and_o make_v a_o law_n for_o he_o to_o punish_v he_o if_o he_o use_v that_o as_o a_o indifferency_n which_o he_o esteem_v so_o and_o so_o bind_v he_o up_o in_o many_o thing_n from_o walk_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n 4._o every_o magistrate_n that_o call_v himself_o a_o christian_n must_v be_v allow_v the_o christian_n power_n though_o never_o so_o profane_a erroneous_a or_o heretical_a for_o who_o dare_v control_v he_o so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v he_o be_v no_o christian_a or_o to_o wrest_v the_o ecclesiastical_a sword_n in_o this_o kind_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n if_o it_o belong_v to_o he_o quâ_fw-la christian_n or_o how_o dare_v any_o to_o say_v he_o be_v not_o a_o christian_a so_o and_o so_o qualify_v and_o therefore_o have_v not_o such_o a_o power_n neither_o be_v it_o fit_v any_o exception_n shall_v be_v take_v in_o this_o manner_n for_o we_o know_v nothing_o lie_v more_o open_a to_o censure_v than_o magistrate_n religion_n and_o if_o every_o subject_n humour_n must_v be_v a_o standard_n to_o the_o magistrate_n religion_n all_o thing_n will_v fall_v as_o certain_o to_o confusion_n on_o that_o side_n if_o you_o allow_v such_o a_o power_n to_o he_o as_o christian_a so_o he_o profess_v himself_o and_o so_o he_o take_v it_o and_o it_o be_v too_o late_a to_o dispute_v with_o he_o about_o his_o sincerity_n and_o qualification_n under_o that_o denomination_n he_o take_v the_o sword_n by_o your_o allowance_n and_o have_v now_o more_o wit_n than_o to_o part_n with_o it_o upon_o every_o humoursome_a exception_n make_v against_o the_o strictness_n or_o modality_n of_o his_o christianity_n 5._o if_o as_o a_o christian_a than_o such_o a_o power_n be_v a_o proper_a adjunct_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o every_o christian_a shall_v have_v it_o but_o nothing_o be_v more_o false_a and_o absurd_a than_o this_o §_o 4._o arg._n 2._o that_o which_o destroy_v uniformity_n in_o the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v allow_v but_o for_o the_o magistrate_n to_o exercise_v such_o a_o legislative_a power_n destroy_v uniformity_n in_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la not_o to_o be_v allow_v the_o major_n will_v be_v grant_v by_o our_o contender_n for_o uniformity_n in_o ceremony_n the_o minor_a be_v evince_v thus_o it_o certain_o hinder_v and_o destroy_v uniformity_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o that_o which_o destroy_v uniformity_n in_o a_o universality_n be_v the_o most_o universal_a enemy_n to_o it_o for_o if_o every_o supreme_a legislator_n in_o each_o nation_n may_v dress_v up_o the_o national_a church_n in_o a_o suit_n of_o ceremony_n shred_v out_o of_o indifferency_n according_a to_o the_o imagination_n of_o his_o own_o brain_n in_o which_o ceremony_n the_o great_a uniformity_n contend_v for_o do_v consist_v there_o can_v never_o be_v a_o universal_a concord_n of_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o english_a greek_n romanist_n etc._n etc._n to_o perfect_a and_o complete_a the_o most_o beautiful_a and_o necessary_a uniformity_n all_o other_o ceremonial_a uniformity_n which_o man_n undertake_v to_o plead_v for_o be_v but_o uniformity_n in_o independency_n disunion_n disagreement_n if_o not_o schism_n itself_o for_o though_o it_o be_v national_a yet_o if_o it_o be_v not_o universal_a it_o be_v but_o a_o particular_a church_n in_o a_o way_n of_o separation_n from_o other_o church_n as_o a_o independent_a congregation_n in_o a_o parish_n that_o be_v uniform_a within_o itself_o in_o judgement_n and_o practice_n but_o disunited_a and_o separate_v from_o the_o parish_n and_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o church_n whatsoever_o now_o if_o the_o stress_n of_o uniformity_n lie_v here_o as_o these_o man_n plead_v it_o can_v stand_v upon_o this_o basis_n of_o the_o magistrate_n power_n for_o there_o will_v never_o be_v the_o sameness_n of_o ceremony_n in_o all_o place_n ruler_n be_v so_o adverse_a to_o each_o other_o that_o they_o glory_v rather_o in_o a_o contrariety_n of_o law_n and_o custom_n than_o be_v ambitious_a of_o have_v the_o same_o and_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v whether_o the_o give_v this_o power_n to_o he_o do_v not_o cut_v the_o very_a throat_n of_o uniformity_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o lay_v the_o very_a seedplot_n of_o schism_n and_o division_n hence_o those_o principle_n that_o lay_v the_o undoubted_a ground_n of_o uniformity_n in_o a_o universal_a head_n ecclesiastical_a do_v go_v upon_o far_o sure_a ground_n of_o reason_n for_o the_o effect_v it_o than_o those_o that_o pretend_v and_o design_n to_o effect_v it_o by_o the_o magistrate_n power_n as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o §_o 5._o arg._n 3._o he_o that_o may_v not_o assume_v to_o himself_o the_o executive_a power_n of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n can_v enact_v law_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n but_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n may_v not_o assume_v to_o himself_o a_o executive_a power_n etc._n etc._n ergo_fw-la the_o major_n be_v evident_a because_o he_o that_o make_v law_n may_v undertake_v also_o the_o executive_a part_n or_o dispose_v of_o it_o by_o deputation_n and_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o major_n be_v from_o the_o less_o to_o the_o great_a for_o the_o executive_a power_n be_v primitive_o in_o the_o lawmaker_n and_o can_v become_v another_o but_o by_o derivation_n from_o he_o minor_n but_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v no_o such_o power_n convey_v to_o he_o etc._n etc._n i_o mean_v judicial_a ecclesiastical_a execution_n according_a to_o the_o true_a intent_n of_o the_o law_n for_o christ_n institute_v worship_n it_o be_v true_a so_o far_o as_o civility_n and_o morality_n be_v to_o be_v maintain_v in_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o family_n and_o other_o society_n therein_o they_o