word_n of_o god_n as_o the_o four_o gospel_n leviath_n p._n 3._o c._n 33._o for_o if_o sovereign_n in_o their_o own_o dominion_n be_v the_o sole_a legislator_n than_o those_o book_n only_o be_v canonical_a that_o be_v law_n in_o every_o nation_n which_o be_v establish_v for_o such_o by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n so_o that_o all_o religion_n be_v in_o reality_n nothing_o but_o cheat_n and_o imposture_n and_o at_o best_a but_o so_o many_o tale_n of_o imaginary_a and_o invisible_a power_n public_o allow_v and_o encourage_v to_o awe_v the_o common_a people_n to_o obedience_n leviath_n p._n 1._o c._n 12._o who_o be_v betray_v into_o it_o by_o these_o four_o folly_n a_o false_a opinion_n of_o ghost_n and_o immaterial_a substance_n that_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o can_v be_v ignorance_n of_o second_o cause_n devotion_n towards_o what_o man_n groundless_o fear_v and_o mistake_v thing_n casual_a for_o divine_a prognostic_n in_o brief_a all_o religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o cheat_n of_o policy_n and_o be_v at_o first_o invent_v by_o the_o founder_n and_o legislator_n of_o commonwealth_n and_o by_o they_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o credulous_a rabble_n for_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o therefore_o though_o prince_n may_v wise_o make_v use_n of_o the_o fable_n of_o religion_n to_o serve_v their_o own_o turn_n upon_o the_o silly_a multitude_n yet_o it_o be_v below_o their_o wisdom_n to_o be_v serious_o concern_v themselves_o for_o such_o foolery_n so_o that_o provide_v their_o subject_n will_v befool_v themselves_o with_o any_o one_o imposture_n it_o be_v not_o material_a which_o they_o single_v out_o in_o that_o all_o religion_n equal_o oblige_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o invisible_a power_n which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o design_n of_o policy_n and_o as_o long_o as_o a_o prince_n can_v keep_v up_o any_o apprehension_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o his_o subject_n it_o be_v no_o policy_n to_o disoblige_v and_o exasperate_v any_o of_o they_o by_o interess_v his_o power_n for_o one_o party_n more_o than_o another_o and_o by_o force_v all_o other_o sect_n against_o their_o own_o inclination_n to_o conform_v their_o belief_n to_o the_o persuasion_n of_o one_o faction_n but_o rather_o to_o endear_v they_o all_o to_o himself_o by_o indulge_v they_o their_o liberty_n in_o their_o different_a folly_n and_o so_o he_o may_v with_o more_o ease_n secure_v his_o government_n by_o abuse_v all_o and_o yet_o disoblige_v none_o §_o 2._o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n large_o to_o examine_v &_o refute_v these_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a pretence_n by_o assert_v the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o religion_n and_o give_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o principle_n on_o which_o it_o stand_v only_o let_v i_o observe_v that_o this_o discourse_n lie_v under_o no_o less_o prejudice_n than_o this_o that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v true_a then_o be_v all_o these_o man_n policy_n false_a but_o wave_v this_o too_o great_a advantage_n i_o shall_v content_v myself_o only_o to_o discover_v of_o what_o noisome_a and_o pernicious_a consequence_n such_o principle_n be_v to_o the_o commonwealth_n though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o all_o religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o imposture_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v do_v without_o remind_v the_o reader_n how_o i_o have_v already_o prevent_v this_o objection_n in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o discourse_n when_o i_o show_v what_o good_a or_o bad_a influence_n upon_o the_o state_n man_n persuasion_n about_o religion_n have_v by_o these_o four_o ensue_a consideration_n first_o then_o methinks_v his_o majesty_n be_v bind_v to_o con_v these_o man_n thanks_o for_o endeavour_v to_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n suspect_v and_o to_o possess_v man_n mind_n with_o apprehension_n of_o its_o be_v false_a whereby_o they_o effectual_o rob_v he_o of_o the_o best_a security_n of_o his_o crown_n and_o strong_a inducement_n of_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n there_o be_v for_o certain_a nothing_o so_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o reverence_n of_o government_n the_o peace_n of_o society_n and_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n as_o a_o sense_n of_o conscience_n and_o religion_n this_o be_v the_o strong_a bond_n of_o law_n and_o only_o support_v of_o government_n without_o it_o the_o most_o absolute_a and_o unlimited_a power_n in_o the_o world_n must_v be_v for_o ever_o miserable_o weak_a and_o precarious_a and_o lie_v always_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o subject_n passion_n and_o private_a interest_n for_o when_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n and_o religion_n be_v cashier_v man_n can_v have_v no_o high_a inducement_n to_o loyalty_n and_o obedience_n than_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o own_o private_a interest_n and_o security_n and_o then_o wherever_o these_o happen_v to_o fail_v and_o interest_n and_o advantage_n invite_v to_o disobedience_n man_n may_v do_v as_o they_o please_v and_o when_o they_o have_v power_n to_o shake_v off_o authority_n they_o have_v right_a too_o and_o a_o prosperous_a usurper_n shall_v have_v as_o fair_a a_o title_n to_o his_o crown_n as_o the_o most_o lawful_a prince_n all_o government_n will_v be_v found_v upon_o force_n and_o violence_n and_o king_n nothing_o but_o terrible_a man_n with_o long_a sword_n but_o when_o the_o tie_n of_o conscience_n be_v superinduce_v upon_o those_o of_o secular_a interest_n this_o extend_v the_o power_n of_o prince_n to_o the_o heart_n of_o their_o subject_n and_o secure_v they_o as_o much_o from_o the_o very_a thought_n as_o attempt_n of_o treason_n for_o nothing_o so_o strong_o influence_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n or_o so_o authoritative_o command_v their_o passion_n and_o inclination_n as_o religion_n forasmuch_o as_o no_o fear_n be_v not_o only_o to_o the_o considerate_a part_n of_o mankind_n but_o to_o the_o rude_a sort_n so_o vehement_a as_o those_o of_o hell_n nor_o hope_n so_o active_a as_o those_o of_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o the_o command_n of_o religion_n be_v back_v with_o such_o mighty_a sanction_n they_o must_v needs_o have_v infinite_o more_o force_n to_o awe_n or_o allure_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o a_o compliance_n than_o any_o secular_a interest_n whereas_o those_o man_n that_o think_v themselves_o above_o the_o folly_n of_o conscience_n and_o either_o believe_v or_o regard_v not_o the_o evil_n threaten_v hereafter_o a_o attainment_n to_o which_o these_o our_o modern_a politician_n do_v not_o blush_v to_o pretend_v though_o it_o be_v but_o a_o odd_a piece_n of_o policy_n open_o to_o own_o and_o proclaim_v it_o must_v make_v their_o present_a interest_n the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o all_o their_o action_n and_o can_v have_v no_o other_o obligation_n to_o obey_v their_o lawful_a superior_n in_o what_o they_o command_v than_o they_o have_v to_o disobey_v they_o viz._n their_o own_o security_n and_o self-preservation_n whereas_o if_o these_o man_n live_v under_o the_o restraint_n of_o conscience_n and_o the_o serious_a apprehension_n of_o religion_n and_o believe_v the_o law_n of_o their_o prince_n to_o be_v bind_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o that_o under_o the_o threaten_n of_o everlasting_a misery_n their_o loyalty_n will_v be_v tie_v upon_o they_o by_o all_o that_o man_n can_v either_o hope_v or_o fear_n and_o they_o will_v have_v all_o the_o engagement_n to_o obedience_n that_o the_o serious_a reflection_n upon_o a_o happy_a or_o miserable_a eternity_n can_v lay_v upon_o they_o but_o if_o the_o principle_n of_o government_n have_v so_o essential_a a_o dependence_n upon_o those_o of_o religion_n if_o nothing_o be_v powerful_a enough_o to_o secure_a obedience_n but_o the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o another_o life_n if_o all_o humane_a law_n have_v their_o main_a force_n and_o efficacy_n from_o the_o apprehension_n of_o religion_n if_o oath_n promise_n and_o covenant_n and_o whatsoever_o else_o whereby_o civil_a society_n be_v uphold_v be_v make_v firm_a by_o nothing_o but_o the_o bond_n of_o religion_n then_o let_v authority_n judge_v how_o much_o it_o be_v behold_v to_o those_o man_n who_o labour_n to_o bring_v it_o into_o public_a disreputation_n and_o to_o possess_v their_o subject_n with_o a_o opinion_n of_o its_o falsehood_n whereby_o they_o not_o only_o set_v they_o loose_v from_o their_o authority_n but_o enrage_v they_o against_o it_o by_o persuade_v they_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o cheat_n and_o imposture_n and_o that_o the_o magistrate_n build_v his_o dominion_n upon_o their_o folly_n and_o simplicity_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o hateful_a to_o mankind_n than_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o so_o that_o though_o religion_n be_v a_o cheat_n they_o be_v apparent_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o government_n that_o tell_v the_o world_n it_o be_v so_o §_o 3._o but_o second_o nothing_o more_o concern_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n than_o to_o
religion_n as_o in_o affair_n of_o state_n they_o alone_o restrain_v and_o punish_v whatever_o tend_v to_o the_o subversion_n of_o the_o public_a and_o establish_a religion_n they_o suppress_v innovation_n reform_a corruption_n order_v the_o decency_n and_o solemnity_n of_o public_a worship_n institute_v new_a law_n and_o ceremony_n and_o conduct_v all_o the_o concern_v of_o religion_n by_o their_o own_o power_n and_o authority_n now_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v pretend_v against_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n of_o christian_a magistrate_n that_o may_v not_o with_o as_o great_a a_o show_n of_o reason_n have_v be_v urge_v against_o these_o jewish_a king_n §_o 13._o and_o thus_o be_v the_o affair_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o nation_n govern_v by_o the_o supreme_a power_n till_o our_o bless_a saviour_n birth_n who_o come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o establish_v new_a law_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o to_o set_v up_o any_o new_a model_n of_o polity_n he_o come_v not_o to_o unsettle_v the_o foundation_n of_o government_n or_o to_o diminish_v the_o natural_a right_n of_o prince_n and_o settle_v the_o conduct_n of_o humane_a affair_n upon_o new_a principle_n but_o leave_v the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o same_o condition_n he_o find_v it_o all_o his_o discourse_n be_v direct_v to_o private_a person_n and_o such_o who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o obey_v and_o not_o command_v and_o therefore_o though_o we_o find_v he_o every_o where_o high_o solicitous_a to_o press_v man_n to_o obedience_n in_o general_n and_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v no_o easy_a task_n to_o find_v out_o any_o professor_n of_o the_o art_n of_o policy_n either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a that_o have_v carry_v the_o doctrine_n of_o obedience_n so_o high_a as_o the_o sermon_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o write_n of_o his_o apostle_n yet_o no_z where_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o settle_v much_o less_o to_o limit_v the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n and_o therefore_o the_o government_n of_o religion_n be_v vest_v in_o they_o by_o a_o antecedent_n and_o natural_a right_n must_v without_o all_o controversy_n belong_v to_o they_o till_o it_o be_v derogate_a from_o they_o by_o some_o superior_a authority_n so_o that_o unless_o our_o saviour_n have_v express_o disrobe_v the_o royal_a power_n of_o its_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n nothing_o else_o can_v alienate_v it_o from_o their_o prerogative_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o he_o leave_v no_o command_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o the_o right_a government_n of_o religion_n for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v he_o give_v they_o a_o new_a commission_n to_o exercise_v that_o power_n that_o be_v already_o so_o firm_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o unalterable_a dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n and_o universal_a practice_n and_o consent_v of_o nation_n it_o be_v so_o clear_o inseparable_a from_o the_o supreme_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n that_o it_o lose_v both_o its_o supremacy_n and_o its_o usefulness_n unless_o it_o be_v universal_a and_o unlimited_a in_o that_o the_o end_n of_o all_o government_n be_v to_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o public_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v have_v power_n to_o manage_v and_o order_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v serviceable_a to_o that_o end_n so_o that_o it_o be_v so_o clear_o evident_a from_o the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o nothing_o have_v a_o strong_a influence_n upon_o the_o public_a interest_n of_o a_o nation_n than_o the_o well_o or_o ill_a management_n of_o religion_n its_o conduct_n must_v needs_o be_v as_o certain_a and_o inseparable_a a_o right_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n as_o the_o legislative_a authority_n itself_o without_o which_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o government_n at_o all_o and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n seem_v rather_o to_o suppose_v than_o assert_v the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n of_o prince_n what_o else_o mean_v that_o promise_n that_o king_n shall_v be_v nurse_v father_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n unless_o by_o their_o power_n they_o may_v cherish_v and_o defend_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o protect_v it_o from_o be_v destroy_v by_o heretic_n and_o seducer_n what_o do_v the_o scripture_n mean_v when_o it_o style_v our_o saviour_n king_n of_o king_n and_o make_v prince_n his_o vicegerent_n here_o on_o earth_n what_o mean_v the_o apostle_n when_o he_o say_v king_n be_v appoint_v to_o this_o end_n that_o under_o they_o we_o may_v live_v a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a life_n not_o only_o in_o all_o honesty_n but_o in_o all_o godliness_n too_o where_o we_o see_v that_o the_o propagation_n of_o godliness_n be_v as_o much_o the_o duty_n of_o governor_n as_o the_o preservation_n of_o justice_n neither_o of_o which_o can_v a_o prince_n as_o such_o effectual_o promote_v but_o by_o the_o proper_a effect_n of_o his_o power_n law_n and_o penalty_n beside_o all_o which_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n our_o saviour_n live_v in_o be_v fall_v into_o such_o man_n hand_n that_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o concern_v themselves_o in_o the_o defence_n protection_n and_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n that_o he_o know_v they_o will_v exert_v the_o utmost_a of_o their_o force_n to_o suppress_v and_o destroy_v it_o now_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v he_o entrust_v they_o with_o a_o commission_n to_o govern_v his_o church_n when_o he_o know_v they_o will_v labour_v its_o utter_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n and_o hence_o be_v there_o no_o other_o peaceable_a method_n to_o propagate_v the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o world_n but_o by_o the_o patience_n and_o suffering_n of_o its_o professor_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n to_o secure_v his_o religion_n from_o the_o reproach_n of_o be_v factious_a and_o seditious_a against_o the_o state_n be_v solicitous_a above_o all_o thing_n to_o arm_v they_o with_o meekness_n and_o patience_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o give_v they_o glorious_a promise_n to_o encourage_v their_o submission_n to_o their_o unhappy_a fate_n and_o severe_a injunction_n to_o secure_v their_o obedience_n to_o all_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a superior_n except_o when_o they_o run_v direct_o cross_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o as_o the_o posture_n of_o affair_n than_o stand_v be_v incomparable_o the_o most_o effectual_a as_o well_o as_o most_o innocent_a way_n of_o its_o propagation_n §_o 14._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o a_o idle_a and_o impertinent_a plea_n that_o some_o man_n make_v for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n when_o they_o will_v restrain_v the_o magistrate_n power_n so_o as_o to_o make_v use_n of_o no_o other_o mean_n than_o what_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n use_v to_o convince_v and_o convert_v man_n a_o argument_n that_o much_o resemble_v that_o which_o they_o urge_v with_o so_o much_o popular_a noise_n and_o confidence_n against_o that_o little_a grandeur_n &_o authority_n that_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o governor_n of_o our_o church_n because_o forsooth_o the_o apostle_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o unhappy_a juncture_n of_o affair_n in_o their_o time_n live_v in_o a_o mean_a and_o persecute_a condition_n and_o therefore_o what_o be_v their_o calamity_n these_o man_n will_v make_v our_o duty_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v they_o will_v pursue_v their_o argument_n to_o all_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o it_o may_v as_o rational_o serve_v and_o so_o they_o must_v sell_v their_o land_n and_o bring_v the_o money_n and_o lay_v it_o at_o the_o bishop_n foot_n they_o must_v pass_v away_o all_o their_o propriety_n and_o have_v all_o thing_n in_o common_a and_o part_v they_o to_o all_o man_n as_o every_o man_n have_v need_v because_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v so_o at_o so_o prodigious_a a_o rate_n of_o impertinency_n do_v man_n talk_v when_o their_o passion_n dictate_v their_o discourse_n and_o to_o so_o fine_a a_o pass_n will_v the_o affair_n of_o christendom_n be_v bring_v by_o this_o trifle_a pretence_n of_o reduce_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n to_o its_o primitive_a practice_n in_o all_o accident_n and_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n but_o yet_o i_o suppose_v these_o man_n themselves_o will_v scarce_o imitate_v the_o practice_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o this_o particular_a for_o if_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v now_o in_o be_v i_o hope_v they_o will_v not_o allow_v they_o the_o liberty_n open_o to_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o jesus_n and_o to_o persecute_v all_o that_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o a_o impostor_n which_o though_o they_o do_v familiar_o in_o his_o own_o time_n yet_o he_o never_o go_v about_o to_o restrain_v their_o blasphemy_n by_o law_n and_o punishment_n and_o therefore_o i_o only_o demand_v whether_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n may_v make_v penal_a law_n against_o swear_v and_o blasphemy_n
most_o learned_a and_o inquisitive_a of_o the_o philosopher_n can_v never_o raise_v atheism_n above_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o grand_a perhaps_o and_o therefore_o deny_v not_o but_o only_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n for_o none_o of_o they_o can_v ever_o be_v so_o utter_o forsake_v of_o his_o reason_n as_o to_o attempt_v to_o demonstrate_v there_o can_v be_v no_o god_n but_o only_o by_o show_v how_o to_o solve_v the_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n and_o providence_n without_o he_o that_o possible_o there_o may_v be_v none_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v never_o so_o absurd_a as_o to_o affront_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o deity_n but_o think_v themselves_o as_o effectual_o oblige_v in_o prudence_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n by_o the_o possibility_n as_o by_o the_o certainty_n of_o thing_n now_o i_o say_v when_o these_o man_n of_o part_n and_o learning_n be_v so_o modest_a and_o diffident_a in_o their_o singular_a persuasion_n what_o a_o unhandsome_a thing_n be_v it_o for_o such_o empty_a fop_n as_o you_o with_o so_o bold_a and_o frontless_a a_o confidence_n to_o defy_v the_o almighty_a to_o deride_v the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o law_n to_o cavil_v at_o his_o sacred_a oracle_n and_o to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o the_o universal_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o all_o this_o at_o all_o adventure_n and_o yet_o methinks_v it_o be_v pretty_a to_o hear_v one_o of_o these_o little_a mushroom_n wit_n charge_v religion_n with_o credulity_n and_o easiness_n of_o belief_n and_o talk_v confident_o that_o it_o be_v want_n of_o judgement_n and_o enquiry_n that_o betray_v fool_n and_o ignorant_a people_n to_o be_v scare_v with_o the_o tale_n and_o threaten_n of_o ambitious_a priest_n though_o it_o be_v so_o utter_o impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v more_o chargeable_a with_o credulity_n than_o themselves_o and_o no_o man_n faith_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v more_o implicit_a than_o their_o unbelief_n nor_o can_v the_o most_o illiterate_a peasant_n take_v up_o his_o country_n religion_n upon_o more_o slender_a ground_n and_o motive_n than_o they_o do_v their_o infidelity_n their_o be_v equal_o ignorant_a force_n they_o to_o be_v equal_o credulous_a for_o not_o to_o repeat_v any_o of_o the_o foremention_v particular_n with_o what_o a_o greedy_a confidence_n do_v they_o swallow_v down_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o malmsbury_n philosophy_n without_o any_o chew_v or_o consideration_n how_o huss_o will_v they_o assert_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o immaterial_a substance_n imply_v a_o contradiction_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o because_o it_o do_v that_o man_n have_v no_o faculty_n but_o of_o sense_n and_o imagination_n that_o understanding_n be_v reaction_n and_o reason_n a_o train_n of_o phantasm_n that_o the_o will_n be_v a_o corporeal_a motion_n that_o its_o determination_n be_v fatal_a and_o mechanical_a and_o necessitate_v by_o the_o impression_n of_o external_n and_o irresistible_a cause_n that_o its_o liberty_n of_o choice_n be_v as_o absurd_a and_o insignificant_a nonsense_n as_o a_o round_a quadrangle_n that_o religion_n be_v the_o belief_n of_o tale_n public_o allow_v that_o power_n be_v right_o and_o justify_v all_o action_n whatsoever_o whether_o good_a or_o bad_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o just_a or_o unjust_a in_o itself_o that_o all_o right_a and_o wrong_n be_v the_o result_n of_o humane_a contract_n and_o that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v nothing_o but_o maxim_n and_o principle_n of_o self-interest_n how_o bold_o do_v they_o take_v up_o with_o these_o and_o other_o resemble_v principle_n of_o baseness_n and_o irreligion_n upon_o the_o bare_a authority_n and_o proofless_a assertion_n of_o one_o proud_a and_o haughty_a philosopher_n how_o much_o severe_a study_n and_o contemplation_n be_v require_v to_o a_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o yet_o with_o what_o a_o stiff_a and_o peremptory_a confidence_n be_v they_o determine_v by_o these_o man_n that_o can_v pretend_v to_o any_o other_o knowledge_n and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a candid_a presumption_n to_o allow_v they_o so_o much_o than_o of_o the_o law_n of_o a_o play_n or_o poem_n in_o brief_a these_o empty_a sponge_n suck_v in_o opinion_n for_o their_o agreeableness_n with_o their_o debauch_a and_o licentious_a practice_n without_o ever_o consider_v their_o truth_n and_o evidence_n for_o alas_o they_o never_o trouble_v their_o head_n with_o such_o inquiry_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o they_o pretend_v it_o be_v not_o their_o reason_n but_o their_o lust_n and_o vice_n that_o cavil_v at_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o they_o except_v against_o it_o not_o because_o it_o contradict_v their_o understanding_n for_o that_o they_o never_o consider_v but_o their_o appetite_n it_o be_v their_o sin_n and_o sensual_a inclination_n that_o prejudice_n and_o bar_v up_o their_o mind_n against_o it_o and_o though_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o its_o truth_n they_o will_v however_o be_v infidel_n still_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o demonstration_n in_o the_o world_n their_o irreligion_n be_v a_o aftergame_n of_o their_o debauchery_n they_o be_v force_v to_o it_o in_o their_o own_o defence_n their_o wickedness_n have_v make_v infidelity_n their_o interest_n and_o atheism_n their_o refuge_n and_o then_o they_o can_v will_v not_o believe_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o only_o because_o they_o dare_v not_o but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o pursue_v their_o ignorance_n too_o unmerciful_o i_o will_v venture_v before_o i_o conclude_v to_o commend_v their_o skill_n for_o i_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v they_o guilty_a of_o one_o little_a piece_n of_o art_n and_o sophistry_n viz._n that_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o no_o tolerable_a exception_n can_v be_v raise_v against_o the_o principle_n of_o true_a goodness_n they_o affect_v to_o reproach_v it_o with_o forge_a and_o disingenuous_a aspersion_n and_o witting_o disparage_v its_o native_a beauty_n and_o loveliness_n by_o represent_v it_o in_o false_a and_o uncouth_a disguise_n for_o whereas_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o noble_a and_o generous_a more_o cheerful_a and_o sprightly_a more_o courteous_a and_o affable_a more_o free_a and_o ingenuous_a more_o sober_a and_o rational_a than_o the_o spirit_n and_o genius_n of_o true_a religion_n these_o witty_a gentleman_n be_v please_v to_o paint_v it_o out_o in_o sad_a and_o melancholy_a shape_n with_o poor_a and_o wretched_a feature_n with_o sour_a and_o anxious_a look_n as_o a_o enemy_n to_o all_o mirth_n and_o cheerfulness_n and_o a_o thing_n that_o delight_v in_o nothing_o but_o sigh_n and_o groan_n and_o discolour_a face_n they_o dress_v it_o up_o in_o all_o the_o folly_n and_o deformity_n of_o superstition_n and_o then_o when_o they_o have_v make_v it_o ridiculous_a they_o make_v themselves_o sport_n with_o it_o and_o thus_o by_o represent_v it_o as_o a_o humour_n unworthy_a the_o entertainment_n of_o a_o generous_a mind_n that_o justify_v their_o contempt_n of_o so_o weak_a a_o passion_n and_o make_v a_o sumptuous_a apology_n for_o the_o gallantry_n of_o atheism_n and_o profaneness_n and_o indeed_o if_o religion_n be_v as_o mean_v and_o absurd_a as_o these_o man_n will_v make_v it_o and_o other_o have_v make_v it_o let_v it_o not_o only_o excuse_v but_o abet_v their_o practice_n let_v it_o be_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o high_a and_o gallant_a spirit_n to_o be_v a_o atheist_n let_v it_o be_v gentility_n to_o despise_v and_o wit_n to_o droll_n upon_o religion_n let_v all_o devotion_n be_v esteem_v the_o child_n of_o folly_n and_o weakness_n let_v it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o wisdom_n to_o be_v profane_a and_o vicious_a and_o let_v virtue_n become_v a_o name_n of_o the_o great_a reproach_n and_o infamy_n but_o alas_o when_o it_o be_v so_o demonstrative_o evident_a that_o true_a piety_n though_o it_o be_v a_o imposture_n be_v our_o great_a wisdom_n and_o perfection_n that_o it_o both_o adorn_v and_o advance_v humane_a nature_n that_o it_o be_v so_o high_o advantageous_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o world_n that_o it_o carry_v in_o it_o all_o that_o be_v amiable_a and_o lovely_a all_o that_o be_v cheerful_a and_o ingenuous_a all_o that_o be_v useful_a and_o profitable_a and_o that_o it_o be_v whatever_n can_v advance_v either_o our_o content_n or_o interest_n or_o reputation_n when_o all_o this_o be_v so_o ample_o evident_a what_o can_v be_v more_o unpardonable_o base_a and_o disingenuous_a than_o for_o these_o man_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o remonstrance_n still_o to_o upbraid_v it_o with_o the_o villainy_n of_o hypocrisy_n and_o blast_v its_o credit_n with_o the_o absurdity_n of_o superstition_n which_o be_v the_o great_a folly_n in_o the_o world_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o because_o it_o debauch_n what_o be_v the_o great_a wisdom_n and_o therefore_o they_o will_v do_v well_o to_o understand_v a_o little_o better_a what_o religion_n mean_v before_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o disgrace_n and_o defame_v it_o and_o let_v
easy_o may_v they_o fire_v these_o heady_a people_n into_o tumult_n and_o outrage_n how_o eager_o will_v they_o flow_v into_o their_o party_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o power_n and_o opposition_n of_o their_o governor_n and_o how_o prodigal_o will_v they_o empty_v their_o bag_n and_o bring_v in_o even_o their_o bodkin_n and_o thimble_n and_o spoon_n to_o carry_v on_o the_o cause_n he_o be_v a_o very_a silly_a man_n and_o understand_v nothing_o of_o the_o folly_n passion_n and_o inclination_n of_o humane_a nature_n who_o fee_v not_o that_o there_o be_v no_o creature_n so_o ungovernable_a as_o a_o wealthy_a fanatic_a and_o therefore_o let_v not_o man_n flatter_v themselves_o with_o idle_a hope_n of_o settlement_n any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o suppress_v all_o these_o dissension_n and_o reduce_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o a_o agreement_n and_o unity_n in_o religious_a worship_n for_o it_o be_v just_a as_o impossible_a to_o keep_v different_a faction_n of_o religion_n quiet_a and_o peaceable_a as_o it_o be_v to_o make_v the_o common_a people_n wise_a man_n and_o philosopher_n if_o indeed_o we_o can_v suppose_v they_o sober_a and_o discreet_a it_o be_v then_o no_o great_a danger_n to_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o liberty_n but_o upon_o the_o same_o supposition_n we_o may_v as_o well_o let_v they_o loose_v from_o all_o the_o law_n of_o government_n and_o policy_n because_o if_o every_o private_a man_n have_v wit_n &_o honesty_n enough_o to_o govern_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o action_n there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o public_a law_n and_o governor_n and_o yet_o upon_o this_o impossible_a presumption_n stand_v all_o the_o pretence_n for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n that_o if_o man_n be_v permit_v it_o they_o will_v use_v it_o wise_o and_o peaceable_o than_o which_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o suppose_v a_o great_a impossibility_n for_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o multitude_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o their_o wisdom_n and_o discretion_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v as_o natural_a for_o they_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o snare_n of_o a_o abuse_a and_o vicious_a conscience_n as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v rash_a &_o foolish_a for_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n be_v but_o one_o sort_n of_o folly_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o moral_a action_n in_o which_o they_o be_v as_o ignorant_a and_o as_o likely_a to_o mistake_v as_o in_o any_o other_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n there_o be_v no_o observation_n in_o the_o world_n establish_v upon_o a_o more_o certain_a and_o universal_a experience_n than_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v not_o so_o obnoxious_a to_o any_o sort_n of_o folly_n and_o vice_n as_o to_o wild_a and_o unreasonable_a conceit_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o when_o their_o head_n be_v possess_v with_o they_o there_o be_v no_o principle_n so_o pregnant_a with_o mischief_n and_o disturbance_n as_o they_o and_o if_o prince_n will_v but_o consider_v how_o liable_a mankind_n be_v to_o abuse_v themselves_o with_o serious_a and_o conscientious_a villainy_n they_o will_v quick_o see_v it_o to_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o their_o kingdom_n that_o there_o be_v set_v up_o a_o more_o severe_a government_n over_o man_n conscience_n and_o religious_a persuasion_n than_o over_o their_o vice_n and_o immorality_n for_o of_o all_o villain_n the_o well-meaning_a zealot_n be_v the_o most_o dangerous_a such_o man_n have_v no_o check_n of_o conscience_n nor_o fear_n of_o miscarriage_n to_o damp_n their_o industry_n but_o their_o godliness_n make_v they_o bold_a and_o furious_a and_o however_o their_o attempt_n succeed_v they_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o reward_n of_o saint_n and_o martyr_n and_o what_o so_o glorious_a as_o to_o lose_v their_o life_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n these_o man_n be_v ever_o prepare_v for_o any_o mischief_n if_o they_o have_v but_o a_o few_o active_a and_o crafty_a knave_n to_o manage_v and_o set_v they_o on_o and_o there_o be_v never_o want_v of_o such_o in_o any_o commonwealth_n and_o there_o need_v no_o other_o motive_n to_o engage_v their_o zeal_n in_o any_o seditious_a attempt_n than_o to_o instil_v into_o their_o mind_n the_o necessity_n of_o a_o thorough_a reformation_n and_o than_o you_o may_v carry_v they_o wheresoever_o you_o please_v and_o they_o will_v never_o boggle_v at_o any_o mischief_n outrage_n or_o rebellion_n to_o advance_v the_o cause_n and_o therefore_o it_o concern_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o beware_v of_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n above_o all_o other_o as_o a_o party_n that_o be_v always_o ready_o form_v for_o any_o public_a disturbance_n one_o will_v think_v the_o world_n be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v teach_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o difficult_a to_o be_v manage_v as_o godly_a zeal_n or_o to_o be_v appease_v as_o religious_a dissension_n people_n ever_o do_v and_o ever_o will_v pursue_v such_o quarrel_n with_o their_o utmost_a rage_n and_o fury_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o be_v content_a to_o govern_v the_o world_n as_o it_o ever_o have_v be_v and_o ever_o must_v be_v govern_v and_o not_o be_v so_o fond_a as_o to_o trouble_v our_o head_n with_o contrive_v way_n of_o settle_v a_o nation_n whilst_o it_o be_v unsettled_a by_o religion_n agreement_n in_o this_o be_v the_o first_o if_o not_o the_o only_a foundation_n of_o peace_n and_o therefore_o let_v that_o be_v first_o establish_v upon_o firm_a and_o last_a principle_n which_o it_o easy_o may_v by_o severe_a law_n faithful_o execute_v but_o otherwise_o never_o can_v but_o till_o it_o be_v do_v it_o be_v just_a as_o wise_a and_o safe_a for_o a_o prince_n to_o enrich_v his_o subject_n with_o trade_n and_o commerce_n as_o it_o be_v to_o load_v weak_a and_o unfinished_a foundation_n with_o great_a and_o weighty_a superstructure_n to_o conclude_v all_o argument_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o their_o proper_a place_n and_o order_n and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o unskilful_a and_o inartificial_a way_n of_o discourse_v to_o argue_v from_o less_o weighty_a and_o considerable_a matter_n against_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a reason_n of_o thing_n and_o yet_o of_o this_o preposterous_a method_n be_v those_o man_n guilty_a who_o talk_v of_o the_o interest_n of_o trade_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o interest_n of_o government_n and_o therefore_o for_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o this_o and_o all_o other_o the_o like_a pretence_n i_o shall_v now_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o my_o book_n where_o i_o think_v i_o have_v prove_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o man_n of_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n that_o indulgence_n and_o toleration_n be_v the_o most_o absolute_a sort_n of_o anarchy_n and_o that_o prince_n may_v with_o less_o hazard_n give_v liberty_n to_o man_n vice_n and_o debauchery_n than_o to_o their_o conscience_n as_o for_o my_o method_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o familiar_a and_o suit_v to_o every_o man_n capacity_n i_o have_v reduce_v the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n to_o a_o few_o easy_a and_o obvious_a proposition_n under_o these_o i_o have_v couch_v all_o the_o particular_a matter_n concern_v in_o our_o present_a debate_n and_o by_o analogy_n to_o their_o reasonableness_n have_v clear_v off_o all_o difficulty_n and_o objection_n and_o have_v be_v careful_a all_o along_o to_o prove_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o what_o i_o assert_v from_o the_o most_o important_a end_n and_o design_n of_o government_n compare_v with_o the_o natural_a passion_n and_o inclination_n of_o mankind_n and_o whoever_o offer_v to_o talk_v of_o these_o affair_n without_o special_a regard_n both_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o government_n and_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n may_v amuse_v himself_o with_o the_o fine_a dream_n and_o hypothesis_n of_o a_o warm_a brain_n but_o shall_v be_v certain_a to_o miss_v the_o necessary_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o the_o most_o useful_a measure_n of_o practicable_a policy_n that_o be_v suit_v only_o to_o the_o humour_n and_o passion_n of_o man_n and_o design_v only_o to_o prevent_v their_o folly_n and_o bridle_v their_o enormity_n and_o therefore_o the_o main_a notion_n i_o have_v pursue_v have_v be_v to_o make_v out_o how_o dangerous_a a_o thing_n liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v consider_v the_o temper_n and_o tendency_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o the_o most_o necessary_a end_n and_o design_n of_o government_n a_o vein_n of_o which_o reason_v i_o have_v be_v careful_a to_o run_v through_o all_o part_n and_o branch_n of_o my_o discourse_n it_o be_v vast_o the_o most_o considerable_a if_o not_o the_o only_a thing_n to_o be_v attend_v to_o in_o this_o enquiry_n and_o as_o i_o have_v keep_v close_o to_o my_o main_a question_n so_o have_v i_o cautious_o avoid_v all_o other_o collateral_a and_o unnecessary_a dispute_n and_o have_v not_o confine_v myself_o to_o any_o hypothesis_n nor_o determine_v any_o controversy_n in_o which_o it_o be_v not_o immediate_o concern_v but_o have_v express_v my_o
reason_n in_o so_o general_a term_n as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v equal_o forcible_a upon_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o man_n of_o howsoever_o different_a persuasion_n in_o all_o other_o matter_n and_o now_o i_o have_v no_o other_o favour_n or_o civility_n to_o request_v of_o the_o reader_n than_o that_o he_o will_v suspend_v his_o judgement_n till_o he_o have_v serious_o peruse_v and_o weigh_v all_o part_n of_o the_o follow_a treatise_n but_o if_o he_o shall_v pass_v sentence_n upon_o any_o part_n before_o he_o have_v consider_v the_o whole_a he_o will_v in_o all_o probability_n put_v himself_o to_o the_o pain_n of_o raise_v those_o objection_n i_o have_v already_o answer_v to_o his_o hand_n and_o perhaps_o the_o next_o thing_n he_o condemn_v may_v be_v his_o own_o rashness_n chap._n i._n a_o more_o general_a account_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n or_o sovereignty_n over_o conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o content_n the_o competition_n between_o the_o power_n of_o prince_n and_o the_o conscience_n of_o subject_n represent_v the_o mischief_n that_o unavoidable_o follow_v upon_o the_o exemption_n of_o conscience_n from_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o its_o be_v subject_a in_o affair_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n this_o prove_v at_o large_a because_o religion_n have_v the_o strong_a influence_n upon_o the_o peace_n of_o kingdom_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o government_n religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v exempt_v from_o the_o restraint_n of_o law_n and_o penalty_n that_o nothing_o more_o require_v they_o it_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o govern_v man_n vice_n than_o their_o conscience_n because_o all_o man_n be_v bold_a and_o confident_a in_o their_o persuasion_n the_o remiss_a government_n of_o conscience_n have_v ever_o be_v the_o most_o fatal_a miscarriage_n in_o all_o commonwealth_n impunity_n of_o offender_n against_o ecclesiastical_a law_n the_o worst_a sort_n of_o toleration_n the_o mischief_n that_o ensue_v upon_o the_o permit_v man_n the_o liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n be_v endless_a fanaticism_n a_o boundless_a folly_n affair_n of_o religion_n as_o they_o must_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o supreme_a civil_a power_n so_o to_o none_o other_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n issue_v from_o the_o same_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n of_o thing_n a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o civil_a power_n the_o original_a of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n the_o same_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o kingly_a power_n and_o priestly_a function_n be_v always_o vest_v in_o the_o same_o person_n and_o why_o when_o they_o be_v separate_v in_o the_o jewish_a state_n the_o supremacy_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o so_o continue_v until_o and_o after_o our_o saviour_n birth_n no_o need_n of_o his_o give_a prince_n any_o new_a commission_n to_o exercise_v that_o power_n that_o be_v antecedent_o vest_v in_o they_o by_o so_o unquestionable_a a_o right_n and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n rather_o suppose_v than_o assert_v it_o the_o argument_n against_o penal_a law_n in_o religion_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n answer_v and_o confute_v the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n of_o prince_n not_o derive_v from_o any_o grant_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o from_o the_o natural_a and_o antecedent_n right_n of_o all_o sovereign_a power_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n can_v not_o use_v any_o coercive_a jurisdiction_n because_o they_o act_v in_o the_o capacity_n of_o subject_n their_o threaten_n of_o eternity_n carry_v in_o they_o as_o much_o compulsion_n upon_o conscience_n as_o secular_a punishment_n the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n pure_o spiritual_a in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n god_n supply_v its_o want_n of_o civil_a jurisdiction_n by_o immediate_a and_o miraculous_a infliction_n from_o heaven_n disease_n of_o the_o body_n the_o usual_a consequence_n of_o excommunication_n and_o this_o have_v the_o same_o effect_n as_o temporal_a punishment_n all_o this_o large_o prove_v out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o st._n paul_n when_o the_o emperor_n become_v christian_a the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v reannext_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o so_o continue_v till_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n how_o since_o the_o reformation_n the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n of_o prince_n have_v be_v invade_v by_o some_o pragmatical_a divine_n their_o confidence_n have_v scare_v prince_n out_o of_o their_o natural_a right_n of_o the_o clause_n of_o exception_n annex_v to_o the_o jejunium_fw-la cecilianum_fw-la how_o the_o puritan_n use_v it_o to_o countenance_v all_o their_o unruly_a and_o seditious_a practice_n a_o conclusion_n draw_v from_o all_o the_o premise_n for_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n of_o prince_n §_o 1._o notwithstanding_o that_o conscience_n be_v the_o best_a if_o not_o the_o only_a security_n of_o government_n yet_o have_v government_n never_o be_v control_v or_o disturb_v so_o much_o by_o any_o thing_n as_o conscience_n this_o have_v ever_o rival_v prince_n in_o their_o supremacy_n and_o pretend_v to_o as_o uncontrollable_a a_o authority_n over_o all_o the_o action_n and_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n as_o the_o most_o absolute_a and_o unlimited_a power_n dare_v ever_o challenge_v be_v governor_n god_n vicegerent_n so_o be_v this_o have_v they_o a_o power_n of_o decide_v all_o controversy_n so_o have_v this_o can_v they_o prescribe_v rule_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n to_o their_o subject_n so_o may_v this_o can_v they_o punish_v all_o their_o criminal_a action_n so_o can_v this_o and_o be_v they_o subject_a and_o accountable_a to_o god_n alone_o so_o be_v this_o that_o own_v no_o superior_a but_o the_o lord_n of_o conscience_n and_o of_o the_o two_o conscience_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o great_a sovereign_n and_o to_o govern_v the_o large_a empire_n for_o whereas_o the_o power_n of_o prince_n be_v restrain_v to_o the_o outward_a action_n of_o man_n this_o extend_v its_o dominion_n to_o their_o inward_a thought_n its_o throne_n be_v seat_v in_o their_o mind_n and_o it_o exercise_v all_o that_o authority_n over_o their_o secret_a and_o hide_a sentiment_n that_o prince_n claim_v over_o their_o public_a and_o visible_a practice_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v it_o set_v up_o upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o grapple_v with_o the_o sceptre_n and_o sword_n of_o prince_n and_o countermand_v any_o law_n they_o think_v good_a to_o prescribe_v and_o whenever_o subject_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o control_v or_o disobey_v their_o decree_n this_o be_v immediate_o press_v and_o engage_v to_o their_o party_n and_o do_v not_o only_o dictate_v but_o vouch_v all_o their_o remonstrance_n do_v subject_n rebel_v against_o their_o sovereign_n it_o be_v conscience_n that_o take_v up_o arms._n do_v they_o murder_v king_n it_o be_v under_o the_o conduct_n of_o conscience_n do_v they_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v conscience_n that_o be_v the_o schismatic_a do_v they_o tie_v themselves_o by_o one_o oath_n to_o contradict_v and_o evacuate_v another_o it_o be_v conscience_n that_o impose_v it_o every_o thing_n any_o man_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v his_o conscience_n and_o murder_n treason_n and_o rebellion_n plead_v its_o authority_n the_o annal_n and_o history_n of_o all_o time_n and_o place_n be_v too_o sad_a a_o witness_n that_o this_o great_a and_o sacred_a thing_n have_v ever_o be_v abuse_v either_o through_o the_o folly_n of_o some_o or_o hypocrisy_n of_o other_o to_o patronize_v the_o most_o desperate_a mischief_n and_o villainy_n that_o be_v ever_o act_v §_o 2._o here_o than_o we_o see_v be_v a_o competition_n between_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o that_o of_o conscience_n i._n e._n every_o private_a man_n own_o judgement_n and_o persuasion_n of_o thing_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o magistrate_n incline_v he_o to_o command_v that_o of_o the_o subject_a to_o disobey_v and_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o conscience_n countermand_v the_o decree_n of_o his_o prince_n now_o be_v there_o not_o likely_a to_o be_v untoward_a do_n when_o two_o supreme_a power_n thus_o clash_v and_o contradict_v each_o other_o for_o what_o power_n will_v be_v leave_v to_o prince_n if_o every_o private_a man_n persuasion_n for_o that_o be_v his_o conscience_n may_v give_v check_n to_o their_o command_n most_o man_n mind_n or_o conscience_n be_v weak_a silly_a and_o ignorant_a thing_n act_v by_o fond_a and_o absurd_a principle_n and_o impose_v upon_o by_o their_o vice_n and_o their_o passion_n so_o that_o be_v they_o entire_o leave_v to_o their_o own_o conduct_n in_o what_o mischief_n and_o confusion_n must_v they_o involve_v all_o society_n let_v authority_n command_v what_o it_o please_v they_o will_v do_v what_o they_o list_v and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o a_o state_n
law_n of_o order_n and_o sobriety_n religion_n sanctify_v all_o their_o passion_n anger_n malice_n and_o bitterness_n be_v holy_a fervor_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n this_o cancel_v and_o dispense_v with_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o sobriety_n and_o what_o have_v prudence_n to_o do_v with_o religion_n this_o be_v too_o hot_a and_o eager_a to_o be_v tie_v up_o to_o its_o flat_a and_o dull_a formality_n zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n will_v both_o excuse_v and_o justify_v any_o enormity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o faction_n or_o rebellion_n in_o carry_v on_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o godly_a party_n and_o the_o great_a work_n of_o a_o thorough_a reformation_n must_v not_o be_v trust_v to_o the_o care_n of_o carnal_a and_o lukewarm_a politician_n and_o by_o these_o and_o the_o like_a pretence_n do_v they_o easy_o destroy_v the_o reverence_n of_o all_o thing_n sacred_a and_o civil_a to_o propagate_v any_o wild_a proposition_n be_v arm_v with_o religion_n and_o lead_v on_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n kill_v king_n and_o overthrow_v kingdom_n and_o this_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o bane_n and_o reproach_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n and_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v not_o feel_v the_o misery_n and_o confusion_n of_o a_o holy_a war_n and_o the_o annal_n of_o all_o age_n be_v full_a of_o sad_a story_n to_o this_o purpose_n §_o 5._o and_o therefore_o to_o exempt_a religion_n and_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n be_v but_o to_o expose_v the_o peace_n of_o kingdom_n to_o every_o wild_a and_o fanatic_a pretender_n who_o may_v when_o ever_o he_o please_v under_o pretence_n of_o reformation_n thwart_v and_o unsettle_v government_n without_o control_n see_v no_o one_o can_v have_v any_o power_n to_o restrain_v the_o persuasion_n of_o his_o conscience_n and_o religion_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v at_o liberty_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n that_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n will_v be_v find_v to_o require_v more_o of_o its_o care_n and_o influence_n because_o there_o be_v not_o any_o other_o vice_n to_o which_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n of_o man_n be_v more_o prone_a than_o to_o superstition_n or_o debauch_a conception_n concern_v god_n and_o his_o worship_n nor_o any_o that_o more_o incline_v they_o to_o a_o unruly_a and_o seditious_a temper_n it_o inflame_v their_o crazy_a head_n with_o a_o furious_a and_o sectarian_n zeal_n and_o adopt_v their_o rank_a and_o most_o untoward_a passion_n into_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o when_o passion_n become_v holy_a than_o it_o can_v never_o be_v exorbitant_a but_o the_o more_o furious_a and_o ungovernable_a it_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o vehement_a be_v their_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o they_o that_o be_v most_o peevish_a and_o refractory_a be_v upon_o that_o account_n the_o most_o godly_a and_o then_o all_o passion_n and_o stubbornness_n in_o religious_a quarrel_n must_v be_v christen_v zeal_n all_o zeal_n must_v be_v sacred_a and_o nothing_o that_o be_v sacred_a can_v be_v excessive_a and_o now_o when_o man_n act_v furious_o upon_o these_o mistake_v as_o all_o that_o be_v possess_v with_o they_o must_v what_o can_v the_o issue_n be_v but_o eternal_a misery_n and_o confusion_n every_o opinion_n must_v make_v a_o sect_n and_o every_o sect_n a_o faction_n and_o every_o faction_n when_o it_o be_v able_a a_o war_n and_o every_o war_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n can_v never_o be_v prosecute_v with_o too_o much_o violence_n and_o then_o all_o sobriety_n be_v lukewarmness_n to_o be_v obedient_a to_o government_n carnal_a compliance_n and_o not_o to_o proceed_v to_o rebellion_n for_o carry_v on_o the_o great_a work_n of_o a_o thorough_a reformation_n be_v to_o want_v zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o thus_o be_v their_o vice_n sanctify_v by_o their_o conscience_n malice_n folly_n and_o madness_n be_v ever_o the_o prevail_a ingredient_n of_o their_o superstitious_a zeal_n and_o religion_n only_o oblige_v they_o to_o be_v more_o sturdy_a and_o impudent_a against_o the_o law_n of_o government_n and_o they_o be_v now_o encourage_v to_o cherish_v those_o passion_n in_o spite_n of_o authority_n from_o which_o the_o severity_n of_o law_n may_v effectual_o have_v restrain_v they_o be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o cross_a obligation_n of_o a_o untoward_a conscience_n §_o 6._o and_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v it_o that_o it_o be_v find_v so_o nice_a and_o difficult_a a_o thing_n to_o govern_v man_n in_o their_o persuasion_n about_o religion_n beyond_o all_o the_o other_o affair_n and_o transaction_n of_o humane_a life_n because_o erroneous_a conscience_n be_v bold_a and_o confident_a enough_o to_o outface_v authority_n whereas_o person_n of_o debauch_a and_o scandalous_a life_n be_v condemn_v by_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o well_o as_o the_o public_a law_n can_v have_v nothing_o to_o bear_v they_o up_o against_o the_o will_n of_o their_o superior_n and_o restraint_n of_o government_n but_o when_o man_n mind_n be_v possess_v with_o such_o unhappy_a principle_n of_o religion_n as_o be_v more_o destructive_a of_o the_o peace_n and_o order_n of_o civil_a society_n than_o open_a lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o when_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o godly_a be_v more_o pregnant_a with_o villainy_n and_o mischief_n than_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o when_o their_o conscience_n be_v satisfy_v in_o their_o mischievous_a and_o ungovernable_a persuasion_n and_o when_o they_o serious_o believe_v that_o they_o approve_v themselves_o to_o god_n by_o be_v refractory_a and_o irreclamable_a in_o their_o fanatic_a zeal_n then_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o defy_v authority_n and_o trample_v upon_o all_o its_o threaten_n and_o penality_n and_o those_o law_n that_o will_v awe_v a_o profane_a and_o irreligious_a person_n at_o least_o into_o a_o outward_a compliance_n shall_v but_o exasperate_v a_o boisterous_a conscience_n into_o a_o more_o vehement_a and_o seditious_a disobedience_n now_o when_o it_o be_v so_o difficult_a for_o magistrate_n either_o to_o remove_v these_o religious_a vice_n or_o to_o bridle_v their_o unruliness_n they_o must_v needs_o find_v it_o a_o incomparable_o hard_a task_n to_o restrain_v the_o extravagancy_n of_o zeal_n than_o of_o lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n and_o therefore_o see_v the_o multitude_n be_v so_o inclinable_a to_o these_o mistake_n of_o religion_n and_o see_v when_o they_o be_v infect_v with_o they_o they_o grow_v so_o turbulent_a and_o unruly_a i_o leave_v it_o to_o governor_n themselves_o to_o judge_v whether_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o with_o as_o much_o vigilance_n and_o severity_n either_o to_o prevent_v their_o rise_n or_o suppress_v their_o growth_n as_o to_o punish_v any_o the_o foul_a crime_n of_o immorality_n and_o if_o they_o will_v but_o serious_o consider_v into_o what_o exorbitance_n peevish_a and_o untoward_a principle_n about_o religion_n natural_o improve_v themselves_o they_o can_v not_o but_o perceive_v it_o to_o be_v as_o much_o their_o concernment_n to_o punish_v they_o with_o the_o severe_a infliction_n as_o any_o whatsoever_o principle_n of_o rebellion_n in_o the_o state_n §_o 7._o and_o this_o certain_o have_v ever_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o fatal_a miscarriage_n of_o all_o governor_n in_o that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v aware_a of_o this_o fierce_a and_o implacable_a enemy_n but_o have_v go_v about_o to_o govern_v unruly_a conscience_n by_o more_o easy_a and_o remiss_a law_n than_o those_o that_o be_v only_o able_a to_o suppress_v scandalous_a and_o confess_v villainy_n and_o have_v think_v they_o sufficient_o restrain_v by_o threaten_a punishment_n without_o inflict_v they_o and_o indeed_o in_o most_o kingdom_n so_o little_o have_v prince_n understand_v their_o own_o interest_n in_o reference_n to_o religion_n ecclesiastical_a law_n have_v be_v set_v up_o only_o for_o scarecrow_n be_v establish_v rather_o for_o show_v and_o form_n sake_n than_o with_o any_o design_n of_o give_v they_o life_n by_o put_v they_o into_o execution_n and_o if_o any_o be_v so_o hardy_a as_o not_o to_o be_v scare_v into_o obedience_n by_o the_o severity_n of_o their_o threaten_n they_o have_v be_v embolden_v to_o disobedience_n by_o the_o remissness_n of_o their_o execution_n till_o they_o have_v not_o only_o play_v with_o the_o law_n itself_o as_o a_o senseless_a trifle_n but_o have_v scorn_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o power_n that_o set_v it_o up_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o certain_a in_o experience_n than_o that_o impunity_n give_v not_o only_a warranty_n but_o encouragement_n to_o disobedience_n and_o by_o habituate_a man_n to_o control_v the_o edict_n of_o authority_n teach_v they_o by_o degree_n to_o despise_v it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n why_o ecclesiastical_a law_n have_v general_o prove_v such_o
if_o the_o latter_a than_o the_o former_a argument_n return_v and_o as_o to_o one_o half_a of_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o commonwealth_n there_o must_v be_v a_o perfect_a anarchy_n and_o no_o government_n at_o all_o and_o there_o be_v no_o provision_n to_o be_v make_v against_o all_o those_o public_a mischief_n and_o disturbance_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o error_n and_o enormity_n in_o religion_n the_o commonwealth_n must_v for_o ever_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o folly_n of_o enthusiast_n and_o villainy_n of_o impostor_n and_o any_o man_n that_o can_v but_o pretend_v conscience_n may_v whenever_o he_o please_v endeavour_v its_o ruin_n so_o that_o if_o prince_n shall_v forego_v their_o sovereignty_n over_o man_n conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o leave_v themselves_o less_o power_n than_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o peace_n &_o defence_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n they_o govern_v in_o brief_a the_o supreme_a government_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n wherever_o it_o be_v lodge_v must_v of_o necessity_n be_v universal_a absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a in_o all_o afair_n whatsoever_o that_o concern_v the_o interest_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o end_n of_o government_n for_o if_o it_o be_v limit_v it_o may_v be_v control_v but_o it_o be_v a_o thick_a and_o palpable_a contradiction_n to_o call_v such_o a_o power_n supreme_a in_o that_o whatever_o control_v it_o must_v as_o to_o that_o case_n be_v its_o superior_a and_o therefore_o affair_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o strong_o influential_a upon_o affair_n of_o state_n and_o have_v so_o great_a a_o power_n either_o to_o advance_v or_o hinder_v the_o public_a felicity_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n they_o must_v be_v as_o uncontrollable_o subject_a to_o the_o supreme_a power_n as_o all_o other_o civil_a concern_v because_o otherwise_o it_o will_v not_o have_v authority_n enough_o to_o secure_v the_o public_a interest_n of_o the_o society_n to_o attain_v the_o necessary_a and_o most_o important_a end_n of_o its_o institution_n §_o 11._o now_o from_o these_o premise_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o all_o supreme_a power_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n issue_n from_o the_o same_o original_a and_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n of_o thing_n namely_o the_o indispensable_a necessity_n of_o society_n to_o the_o preservation_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o of_o government_n to_o the_o preservation_n of_o humane_a society_n a_o supreme_a power_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o decision_n of_o all_o those_o quarrel_n and_o controversy_n that_o be_v natural_o consequent_a upon_o the_o passion_n appetite_n and_o folly_n of_o man_n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n of_o end_v their_o difference_n but_o by_o the_o decree_n of_o a_o final_a &_o unappealable_a judicature_n for_o if_o every_o man_n be_v to_o be_v his_o own_o judge_n man_n determination_n will_v be_v as_o contradictory_n as_o their_o judgement_n &_o their_o judgement_n as_o their_o humour_n or_o interest_n and_o so_o must_v their_o dissension_n of_o necessity_n be_v endless_a and_o therefore_o to_o avoid_v these_o and_o all_o other_o inconvenience_n that_o will_v natural_o follow_v upon_o a_o state_n of_o war_n it_o be_v necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v one_o supreme_a and_o public_a judgement_n to_o who_o determination_n the_o private_a judgement_n of_o every_o single_a person_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o submit_v itself_o and_o hence_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n know_v to_o what_o passion_n and_o irregularity_n mankind_n be_v obnoxious_a never_o suffer_v they_o to_o live_v without_o the_o restraint_n of_o government_n but_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o thing_n so_o order_v affair_n that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n without_o be_v subject_n to_o some_o superior_a every_o father_n be_v by_o nature_n vest_v with_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v his_o child_n and_o the_o first_o government_n in_o the_o world_n be_v establish_v pure_o upon_o the_o natural_a right_n of_o paternal_a authority_n which_o afterward_o grow_v up_o to_o a_o kingly_a power_n by_o the_o increase_n of_o posterity_n and_o he_o that_o be_v at_o first_o but_o father_n of_o a_o family_n in_o process_n of_o time_n as_o that_o multiply_v become_v father_n of_o a_o city_n or_o province_n and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n monarchy_n be_v its_o only_a government_n necessary_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o constitution_n of_o humane_a nature_n it_o be_v so_o natural_a for_o family_n to_o enlarge_v themselves_o into_o city_n by_o unite_n into_o a_o body_n according_a to_o their_o several_a kindred_n whence_o by_o consequence_n the_o supreme_a head_n of_o those_o family_n must_v become_v prince_n and_o governor_n of_o a_o large_a &_o more_o diffuse_a society_n and_o therefore_o cedrenus_n make_v adam_n the_o first_o monarch_n in_o the_o world_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o thus_o afterward_o in_o the_o division_n of_o the_o earth_n among_o the_o posterity_n of_o noah_n the_o head_n of_o family_n become_v king_n and_o monarch_n of_o the_o nation_n of_o which_o they_o be_v founder_n from_o whence_o be_v propagate_v the_o several_a kingdom_n of_o the_o first_o and_o elder_a time_n as_o appear_v not_o only_o from_o the_o mosaic_a history_n but_o also_o from_o all_o other_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n but_o as_o for_o commonwealth_n they_o be_v comparative_o of_o a_o very_a late_a discovery_n be_v first_o contrive_v among_o the_o grecian_n who_o democracy_n and_o optimacy_n be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o ruin_n of_o monarchick_a government_n which_o be_v but_o suitable_a to_o the_o proud_a factious_a and_o capricious_a humour_n of_o that_o nation_n where_o scarce_o any_o one_o can_v pretend_v to_o a_o little_a skill_n in_o poetry_n or_o wrestle_a their_o two_o great_a accomplishment_n but_o he_o must_v immediate_o be_v a_o undertaker_n for_o new_a model_v the_o commonwealth_n which_o doubtless_o be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a cause_n of_o their_o perpetual_a confusion_n and_o frequent_a charge_n in_o government_n §_o 12._o have_v thus_o firm_o found_v all_o civil_a government_n upon_o paternal_a authority_n i_o may_v now_o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n bottom_n upon_o the_o same_o foundation_n for_o as_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o father_n of_o family_n be_v vest_v with_o a_o kingly_a power_n over_o their_o own_o posterity_n so_o also_o be_v they_o with_o the_o priestly_a office_n execute_v all_o the_o holy_a function_n of_o priesthood_n in_o their_o own_o person_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o unanimous_a testimony_n of_o history_n both_o sacred_a and_o profane_a thus_o we_o find_v all_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n priest_n to_o their_o own_o family_n which_o office_n descend_v together_o with_o the_o royal_a dignity_n to_o the_o first-born_a of_o each_o family_n and_o this_o custom_n of_o invest_v the_o sovereign_a power_n with_o the_o supreme_a priesthood_n be_v as_o divers_a author_n both_o ancient_n and_o modern_a observe_v universal_o practise_v over_o all_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n for_o well_o nigh_o 2500_o year_n without_o any_o one_o precedent_n to_o the_o contrary_n in_o that_o among_o all_o society_n of_o man_n there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o public_a worship_n as_o of_o public_a justice_n the_o power_n whereof_o because_o it_o must_v be_v seat_v somewhere_o can_v proper_o belong_v to_o he_o alone_o in_o who_o the_o supreme_a power_n reside_v in_o that_o he_o alone_o have_v authority_n to_o assign_v to_o every_o subject_a his_o proper_a function_n and_o among_o other_o this_o of_o the_o priesthood_n the_o exercise_n whereof_o as_o he_o have_v power_n to_o transfer_v to_o another_o so_o may_v he_o if_o he_o please_v reserve_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o therefore_o this_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o elder_a age_n always_o practise_v in_o order_n to_o the_o better_a security_n of_o their_o government_n as_o well_o know_v the_o tendency_n of_o superstition_n and_o false_a notion_n of_o the_o divine_a worship_n to_o tumult_n and_o sedition_n and_o therefore_o to_o prevent_v the_o disturbance_n that_o may_v spring_v from_o faction_n in_o religion_n they_o be_v solicitous_a to_o keep_v its_o management_n in_o their_o own_o immediate_a disposal_n and_o though_o in_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n the_o priestly_a office_n be_v upon_o reason_n peculiar_a to_o that_o state_n separate_v by_o a_o divine_a positive_a command_n from_o the_o kingly_a power_n yet_o the_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o priest_n remain_v still_o subject_a to_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n their_o king_n always_o exercise_v a_o supremacy_n over_o all_o person_n and_o in_o all_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a nothing_o can_v be_v more_o unquestionable_a than_o the_o precedent_n of_o david_n solomon_n hezekiah_n jehu_n jehosaphat_n josiah_n etc._n etc._n who_o exercise_v as_o full_a a_o legislative_a power_n in_o affair_n of_o
take_v care_n what_o particular_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v teach_v within_o his_o dominion_n because_o some_o be_v peculiar_o advantageous_a to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o other_o as_o natural_o tend_v to_o its_o disturbance_n some_o incline_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o candour_n moderation_n and_o ingenuity_n and_o work_v they_o to_o a_o gentle_a and_o peaceable_a temper_n by_o teach_v humility_n charity_n meekness_n and_o obedience_n now_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o prince_n to_o cherish_v and_o propagate_v such_o doctrine_n among_o their_o subject_n that_o will_v make_v they_o not_o only_o quiet_a but_o useful_a in_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o other_o there_o be_v that_o infect_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o pride_n peevishness_n malice_n spite_n and_o envy_n that_o incline_v they_o to_o delight_v in_o detract_n from_o prince_n and_o speak_v reproachful_o of_o government_n and_o breed_v in_o they_o such_o restless_a and_o seditious_a temper_n that_o it_o be_v next_o to_o a_o impossibility_n for_o any_o prince_n to_o please_v or_o oblige_v they_o now_o as_o for_o such_o perverse_a and_o arrogant_a sect_n of_o man_n it_o certain_o concer_n governor_n to_o suppress_v they_o as_o so_o many_o rout_n of_o traitor_n and_o rebel_n religion_n then_o be_v either_o useful_a or_o dangerous_a in_o a_o commonwealth_n as_o the_o temper_n of_o mind_n it_o breed_v be_v peaceable_a or_o turbulent_a and_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o serviceable_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o government_n so_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o mischievous_a and_o therefore_o nothing_o more_o concern_v prince_n than_o to_o take_v care_n what_o doctrine_n be_v teach_v within_o their_o dominion_n for_o see_v religion_n have_v and_o will_v have_v the_o strong_a influence_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n when_o that_o render_v they_o averse_a and_o troublesome_a to_o government_n it_o be_v that_o all_o the_o power_n nor_o policy_n in_o the_o world_n can_v keep_v they_o peaceable_a till_o such_o persuasion_n be_v root_v out_o of_o their_o mind_n by_o severity_n of_o law_n and_o penalty_n and_o as_o long_o as_o man_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v upon_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o disobedience_n and_o sedition_n not_o any_o secular_a threaten_n and_o infliction_n be_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o bridle_v the_o exorbitance_n of_o conscience_n there_o be_v not_o any_o vice_n so_o incident_a to_o the_o common_a people_n as_o superstition_n nor_o any_o so_o mischievous_a it_o be_v infinite_o evident_a from_o the_o history_n and_o record_n of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o vicious_a or_o absurd_a but_o may_v pass_v for_o religion_n and_o what_o be_v worse_o the_o more_o wild_a and_o giddy_a conceit_n of_o religion_n be_v ever_o suck_v in_o by_o the_o multitude_n with_o the_o great_a passion_n and_o eagerness_n and_o there_o be_v no_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n so_o difficult_a as_o to_o bring_v the_o common_a people_n to_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o his_o worship_n insomuch_o that_o it_o be_v no_o paradox_n to_o affirm_v that_o religion_n i._n e._n what_o be_v mistake_v for_o it_o have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a principle_n of_o mischief_n and_o wickedness_n in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o so_o then_o certain_o nothing_o require_v so_o much_o care_n and_o prudence_n in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o its_o due_a conduct_n and_o management_n so_o that_o the_o dread_n of_o invisible_a power_n be_v of_o itself_o no_o more_o serviceable_a to_o awe_v the_o people_n into_o subjection_n then_o to_o drive_v they_o into_o tumult_n and_o confusion_n and_o if_o it_o chance_v to_o be_v accompany_v as_o it_o easy_o may_v with_o tumultuous_a and_o seditious_a persuasion_n it_o be_v a_o invincible_a obligation_n to_o villainy_n and_o rebellion_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o above_o all_o thing_n concern_v prince_n to_o look_v to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o article_n of_o man_n belief_n see_v it_o be_v so_o great_a odds_o that_o they_o prove_v of_o dangerous_a consequence_n to_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o in_o that_o case_n the_o apprehension_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o a_o world_n to_o come_v make_v their_o danger_n almost_o irresistible_a sect._n 4._o there_o be_v some_o sect_n who_o principle_n and_o some_o person_n who_o temper_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o live_v peaceable_a in_o any_o commonwealth_n for_o what_o if_o some_o man_n believe_v that_o if_o prince_n refuse_v to_o reform_v religion_n themselves_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o their_o godly_a subject_n to_o do_v it_o and_o that_o by_o violence_n and_o force_n of_o arm_n what_o if_o they_o believe_v that_o prince_n be_v but_o executioner_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o that_o in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n to_o their_o spiritual_a governor_n they_o may_v be_v excommunicate_v and_o by_o consequence_n depose_v what_o if_o they_o believe_v that_o dominion_n be_v found_v in_o grace_n and_o therefore_o that_o all_o wicked_a king_n forfeit_v their_o crown_n and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n to_o bestow_v they_o where_o they_o please_v and_o what_o if_o other_o believe_v that_o to_o puruse_v their_o success_n in_o villainy_n and_o rebellion_n be_v to_o follow_v providence_n and_o that_o when_o the_o event_n of_o war_n have_v deliver_v up_o king_n into_o their_o power_n than_o not_o to_o depose_v or_o murder_v they_o be_v to_o slight_v the_o guidance_n of_o god_n providential_a dispensation_n be_v not_o these_o and_o the_o like_a innocent_a proposition_n think_v you_o mighty_o conducive_a to_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o commonwealth_n such_o article_n of_o faith_n as_o these_o can_v but_o make_v brave_a and_o obedient_a subject_n and_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o glorious_a and_o powerful_a prince_n where_o such_o conceit_n be_v the_o main_a ingredient_n of_o his_o subject_n religion_n let_v any_o man_n show_v i_o what_o doctrine_n can_v have_v be_v more_o unlucky_o contrive_v to_o disturb_v government_n than_o these_o and_o if_o man_n will_v study_v on_o purpose_n to_o frame_v and_o model_n a_o rebellious_a faith_n these_o must_v have_v be_v their_o fundamental_a article_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v where_o they_o have_v be_v both_o believe_v and_o practise_v but_o further_a be_v there_o not_o a_o sort_n of_o melancholy_a religionist_n in_o the_o world_n who_o very_a genius_n incline_v they_o to_o quarrel_n and_o exception_n against_o the_o state_n and_o management_n of_o public_a affair_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o malapert_v as_o a_o splenetic_a religion_n the_o inward_a discontent_n and_o uneasiness_n of_o man_n own_o mind_n maintain_v itself_o upon_o the_o fault_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o other_o and_o we_o may_v observe_v how_o this_o humour_n be_v ever_o vent_v itself_o in_o sigh_n and_o complaint_n for_o the_o badness_n of_o the_o time_n i._n e._n in_o effect_n of_o the_o government_n and_o in_o tell_v and_o aggravate_v little_a story_n that_o may_v reflect_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n and_o ability_n of_o their_o superior_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v their_o fretful_a and_o anxious_a mind_n the_o very_a delight_n and_o recreation_n of_o the_o court_n shall_v stir_v their_o envy_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o great_a one_o grieve_v and_o wound_v their_o tender_a soul_n however_o prince_n behave_v themselves_o they_o can_v never_o win_v upon_o the_o affection_n of_o these_o people_n their_o very_a prosperity_n shall_v disoblige_v they_o and_o they_o be_v ready_a upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o account_n for_o their_o misdemeanour_n and_o if_o any_o of_o the_o grandee_n happen_v to_o be_v discontent_v they_o have_v here_o a_o party_n ready_a form_v for_o the_o purpose_n to_o revenge_v their_o injury_n and_o bring_v evil_a counsellor_n that_o seduce_v the_o king_n to_o justice._n and_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o sort_n of_o proud_a and_o haughty_a man_n among_o we_o not_o over-well_a affect_v to_o monarchick_a government_n who_o though_o they_o scorn_v yet_o patronize_v this_o humour_n as_o a_o check_n to_o the_o insolence_n and_o presumption_n of_o prince_n again_o be_v there_o not_o some_o whole_a sect_n of_o man_n all_o who_o religion_n be_v make_v up_o of_o nothing_o but_o passion_n rancour_n and_o bitterness_n all_o who_o devotion_n be_v little_o better_a than_o a_o malecontentedness_n their_o piety_n than_o a_o sanctify_a fury_n and_o their_o zeal_n than_o a_o proud_a and_o spiteful_a malice_n and_o who_o by_o the_o genius_n of_o their_o principle_n be_v bring_v infinite_o and_o irrecoverable_o under_o the_o power_n of_o their_o passion_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o nothing_o import_v governor_n so_o much_o as_o to_o manage_v man_n passion_n in_o that_o it_o be_v these_o rather_o than_o our_o appetite_n that_o disturb_v the_o world_n a_o person_n that_o be_v debauch_a and_o intemperate_a be_v indeed_o useless_a
to_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o he_o that_o be_v turbulent_a and_o passionate_a be_v dangerous_a but_o then_o when_o passion_n be_v fire_v with_o religious_a zeal_n nothing_o can_v temper_v its_o outrageous_a and_o fanatic_a heat_n but_o it_o work_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n into_o rancour_n and_o bitterness_n and_o drive_v they_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o savage_a and_o inhuman_a practice_n prince_n have_v never_o find_v any_o thing_n so_o restive_a and_o ungovernable_a as_o sectarian_n madness_n no_o malice_n so_o spiteful_a and_o implacable_a as_o the_o zeal_n of_o a_o godly_a party_n nor_o any_o rage_n so_o fierce_a and_o merciless_a as_o sanctify_a barbarism_n all_o the_o ancient_a tyranny_n have_v in_o some_o place_n be_v outdo_v by_o a_o thorough-god_o reformation_n zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n have_v often_o turn_v whole_a nation_n into_o shambles_n fill_v the_o world_n with_o continual_a butchery_n and_o massacre_n and_o flesh_v itself_o with_o slaughter_n of_o 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itself_o notwithstanding_o that_o our_o religion_n have_v make_v such_o special_a provision_n against_o all_o excess_n of_o passion_n and_o establish_a love_n charity_n moderation_n patience_n candor_n and_o ingenuity_n as_o its_o prime_n and_o fundamental_a duty_n yet_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o humility_n soon_o decay_v with_o its_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a professor_n and_o within_o a_o few_o century_n of_o year_n the_o church_n be_v overrun_v with_o some_o sect_n of_o man_n much_o of_o the_o same_o temper_n with_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a saint_n so_o that_o even_o in_o true_a and_o innocent_a persuasion_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o assuage_v the_o distemper_n and_o indiscretion_n of_o a_o forward_a zeal_n the_o giddy_a multitude_n judge_v weak_o fancy_n strong_o and_o act_v passionate_o and_o unless_o restrain_v by_o wary_a and_o sober_a law_n will_v drive_v on_o so_o furious_o in_o a_o good_a cause_n till_o they_o run_v their_o religion_n into_o folly_n and_o faction_n and_o themselves_o into_o tumult_n and_o riotous_a proceed_n what_o socrates_n once_o say_v of_o virtue_n that_o when_o it_o be_v not_o conduct_v by_o prudence_n it_o be_v but_o pedantry_n and_o a_o fantastic_a thing_n be_v much_o more_o true_a of_o religion_n which_o when_o it_o want_v the_o guidance_n and_o ornament_n of_o this_o virtue_n may_v be_v folly_n or_o madness_n or_o any_o thing_n rather_o than_o itself_o in_o brief_a fanaticism_n be_v both_o the_o great_a and_o the_o easy_a vice_n that_o be_v incident_a to_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o weed_n that_o thrive_v in_o all_o soil_n and_o there_o be_v the_o same_o fanatic_a spirit_n that_o mix_v itself_o with_o all_o the_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v as_o natural_a to_o the_o common_a people_n as_o the_o proud_a or_o ignorant_a or_o perverse_a or_o factious_a or_o stubborn_a or_o eager_a or_o passionate_a for_o when_o ever_o any_o of_o these_o vice_n or_o folly_n be_v twist_v with_o man_n apprehension_n of_o religion_n they_o natural_o work_v and_o ferment_n their_o mind_n into_o a_o boisterous_a and_o tumultuary_a zeal_n and_o yet_o how_o infinite_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o cure_v the_o common_a herd_n of_o these_o vice_n the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n be_v too_o great_a a_o demonstration_n so_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o apparent_o necessary_a or_o difficult_a as_o to_o govern_v the_o vulgar_a rout_n in_o their_o conception_n of_o religion_n see_v it_o be_v so_o natural_a for_o they_o both_o to_o mix_v and_o heighten_v yes_o and_o sanctify_v their_o passion_n with_o their_o conscience_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o though_o the_o fanatic_n in_o all_o nation_n may_v disagree_v in_o the_o object_n and_o matter_n of_o their_o superstition_n according_a to_o the_o different_a custom_n of_o their_o country_n and_o variety_n of_o their_o education_n yet_o as_o for_o their_o tendency_n to_o disturbance_n and_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n it_o be_v in_o all_o place_n the_o same_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n and_o those_o unquiet_a sect_n that_o have_v often_o disturb_v and_o sometime_o subvert_v whole_a kingdom_n in_o africa_n if_o they_o have_v happen_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v in_o europe_n will_v have_v do_v the_o same_o here_o where_o though_o their_o religion_n may_v have_v be_v different_a yet_o will_v their_o genius_n have_v be_v the_o same_o as_o rising_z from_o the_o same_o conjunction_n of_o conscience_n and_o passion_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v but_o be_v a_o wonder_n to_o any_o man_n that_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o experience_n of_o former_a age_n to_o see_v governor_n after_o so_o many_o warning_n so_o insensible_a of_o this_o mischief_n and_o however_o they_o may_v think_v themselves_o unconcern_v to_o restrain_v the_o opinion_n of_o any_o dissent_v sect_n as_o be_v perhaps_o but_o foolish_a and_o inconsiderable_a in_o themselves_o yet_o nothing_o can_v more_o high_o concern_v they_o than_o to_o provide_v against_o their_o inclination_n as_o be_v general_o of_o a_o sad_a and_o dangerous_a consequence_n to_o the_o state_n and_o this_o at_o present_a may_v suffice_v to_o evince_v how_o much_o it_o concern_v authority_n to_o look_v to_o the_o particular_a principle_n and_o inclination_n of_o every_o sect_n and_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o mere_a belief_n of_o invisible_a power_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v religion_n enough_o to_o awe_v man_n to_o obedience_n that_o unless_o it_o be_v temper_v with_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o manage_v with_o special_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n it_o rather_o tend_v to_o make_v the_o rude_a multitude_n more_o headstrong_a and_o ungovernable_a sect._n 5._o three_o to_o permit_v different_a sect_n of_o religion_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n be_v only_o to_o keep_v up_o so_o many_o pretence_n and_o occasion_n for_o public_a disturbance_n the_o faction_n of_o religion_n be_v ever_o the_o most_o seditious_a and_o the_o less_o material_a their_o difference_n the_o more_o implacable_a their_o hatred_n as_o the_o turk_n think_v it_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n to_o kill_v one_o persian_a than_o seventy_o christian_n no_o hinge_n so_o vehement_o alienates_v man_n affection_n as_o variety_n of_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n here_o they_o can_v disagree_v but_o they_o must_v quarrel_v too_o and_o when_o religion_n divide_v man_n mind_n no_o other_o common_a interest_n can_v unite_v they_o and_o where_o zeal_n dissolve_v friendship_n the_o tie_n of_o nature_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o reconcile_v it_o every_o faction_n be_v at_o open_a defiance_n with_o every_o faction_n they_o be_v always_o in_o a_o state_n and_o posture_n of_o war_n and_o engage_v in_o a_o mortal_a and_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n against_o each_o other_o when_o ever_o man_n part_v communion_n every_o party_n must_v of_o necessity_n esteem_v the_o other_o impious_a and_o heretical_a in_o that_o they_o never_o divide_v but_o with_o pretence_n that_o they_o can_v not_o agree_v without_o be_v guilty_a of_o some_o sin_n or_o other_o as_o blasphemy_n or_o idolatry_n or_o superstition_n or_o heresy_n or_o the_o like_a for_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o principle_n that_o peace_n ought_v always_o to_o be_v preserve_v where_o it_o can_v without_o offend_a god_n and_o offer_v violence_n to_o conscience_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o one_o another_o as_o lie_v under_o the_o divine_a wrath_n and_o displeasure_n and_o consequent_o in_o a_o damnable_a condition_n and_o then_o be_v both_o party_n engage_v as_o they_o love_v god_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o labour_v one_o another_o ruin_n and_o when_o the_o party_n be_v form_v and_o man_n be_v list_v into_o it_o by_o chance_n and_o education_n the_o distinguish_a opinion_n of_o the_o party_n be_v to_o they_o the_o most_o material_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o their_o belief_n and_o so_o they_o must_v account_v of_o all_o that_o either_o disowne_n or_o deny_v it_o as_o of_o heathen_n infidel_n and_o
enemy_n to_o the_o faith_n beside_o that_o all_o man_n be_v natural_o more_o zealous_a about_o the_o principle_n in_o which_o they_o differ_v than_o about_o those_o in_o which_o they_o agree_v opposition_n whet_v and_o sharpen_v their_o zeal_n because_o it_o endanger_v the_o truth_n they_o contend_v for_o whereas_o those_o that_o be_v not_o oppose_v be_v secure_a and_o out_o of_o hazard_n of_o be_v stifle_v by_o the_o adverse_a party_n that_o be_v concern_v equal_o with_o themselves_o for_o their_o preservation_n and_o hence_o we_o see_v by_o daily_a experience_n that_o man_n who_o be_v tame_a and_o cool_a enough_o in_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n be_v yet_o utter_o impatient_a about_o their_o own_o unlearned_a and_o impertinent_a wrangling_n and_o lay_v a_o great_a stress_n upon_o the_o speculation_n of_o their_o own_o sect_n than_o upon_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o absolute_a and_o indispensable_a necessity_n only_o because_o those_o be_v contradict_v by_o their_o adversary_n and_o these_o be_v not_o well_o then_o see_v all_o dissent_v party_n be_v possess_v with_o a_o furious_a and_o passionate_a zeal_n to_o promote_v their_o own_o persuasion_n and_o see_v they_o be_v persuade_v that_o their_o zeal_n be_v in_o god_n cause_n and_o against_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n truth_n how_o vain_a be_v it_o to_o expect_v peace_n and_o settlement_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n where_o their_o religion_n keep_v man_n in_o a_o state_n of_o war_n where_o zeal_n be_v arm_v against_o zeal_n and_o conscience_n encounter_v conscience_n where_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n lie_v at_o stake_n and_o where_o curse_v you_o meroz_n be_v the_o word_n of_o both_o party_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o project_n fansiful_a man_n may_v propose_v to_o themselves_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n as_o long_o as_o difference_n and_o competition_n in_o religion_n be_v keep_v up_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o keep_v down_o mutual_a hatred_n jealousy_n and_o animosity_n and_o so_o many_o divide_a church_n as_o there_o be_v in_o a_o state_n there_o will_v ever_o be_v so_o many_o different_a army_n who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o always_o in_o actual_a fight_n be_v always_o in_o a_o disposition_n to_o it_o beside_o where_o there_o be_v divide_v interest_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o same_o kingdom_n how_o shall_v the_o prince_n behave_v himself_o towards_o they_o if_o he_o go_v about_o to_o balance_v they_o against_o one_o another_o this_o be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o forfeit_v his_o interest_n in_o they_o all_o and_o whilst_o he_o seem_v concern_v for_o no_o party_n no_o party_n will_v be_v real_o concern_v for_o he_o every_o one_o have_v so_o much_o esteem_n for_o itself_o as_o to_o think_v it_o ought_v to_o enjoy_v more_o of_o his_o favour_n and_o countenance_n than_o any_o other_o and_o withal_o it_o be_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n and_o difficulty_n to_o poise_v they_o so_o equal_o but_o that_o one_o party_n shall_v grow_v more_o strong_a and_o numerous_a than_o the_o rest_n and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o appease_v their_o zeal_n till_o it_o have_v destroy_v and_o swallow_v up_o all_o the_o weak_a interest_n but_o suppose_v he_o be_v able_a to_o manage_v they_o so_o prudent_o as_o always_o to_o keep_v the_o balance_n equal_a he_o do_v thereby_o but_o keep_v up_o so_o many_o party_n that_o be_v ready_a form_v to_o join_v with_o any_o emergent_a quarrel_n of_o state_n and_o whenever_o the_o grandee_n fall_v out_o it_o be_v but_o head_v one_o of_o these_o and_o there_o be_v a_o army_n and_o let_v man_n but_o reflect_v upon_o all_o the_o late_a civil_a war_n and_o rebellion_n of_o christendom_n and_o then_o tell_v i_o which_o way_n they_o can_v either_o have_v be_v commence_v or_o continue_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o different_a faction_n of_o religion_n if_o he_o side_n with_o one_o party_n and_o by_o his_o favour_n mount_v it_o above_o the_o rest_n that_o not_o only_o discontent_n but_o combine_v all_o the_o other_o dissent_v faction_n into_o a_o unite_a opposition_n against_o his_o own_o and_o it_o become_v their_o common_a interest_n to_o work_v and_o contrive_v its_o ruin_n its_o prosperity_n do_v but_o exasperate_v the_o competition_n of_o all_o its_o rival_n into_o rage_n and_o indignation_n and_o as_o success_n make_v itself_o more_o secure_a in_o its_o settlement_n so_o it_o make_v they_o more_o restless_a and_o industrious_a to_o overturn_v it_o no_o party_n can_v ever_o be_v quiet_a or_o content_a as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v under_o any_o other_o but_o will_v ever_o be_v heave_v and_o struggle_v to_o dismount_v the_o power_n that_o keep_v it_o down_o and_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o all_o dissenter_n from_o the_o establish_a frame_n of_o thing_n be_v always_o assault_v it_o with_o open_a violence_n or_o undermine_v it_o by_o secret_a practice_n and_o will_v hazard_v the_o state_n and_o all_o to_o free_v themselves_o from_o oppression_n and_o oppress_v they_o be_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v the_o weak_a party_n and_o therefore_o we_o never_o find_v this_o way_n of_o toleration_n put_v in_o practice_n under_o any_o government_n but_o where_o other_o exigence_n of_o state_n require_v and_o keep_v up_o a_o stand_a army_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n it_o be_v not_o so_o difficult_a to_o prevent_v the_o broil_n and_o contention_n of_o zeal_n but_o this_o be_v only_o a_o more_o violent_a way_n of_o govern_v man_n conscience_n and_o instead_o of_o restrain_v they_o by_o law_n &_o penalty_n it_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o fort_n and_o citadel_n so_o that_o unless_o we_o be_v willing_a to_o put_v ourselves_o to_o the_o expense_n and_o hazard_n of_o keep_v up_o stand_v force_n indulgence_n to_o dissent_v zealot_n do_v but_o expose_v the_o state_n to_o the_o perpetual_a squabble_n and_o war_n of_o religion_n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o suppose_v all_o man_n to_o be_v wise_a and_o honest_a and_o upon_o that_o account_n cancel_v all_o the_o law_n of_o justice_n and_o civil_a government_n as_o imagine_v where_o there_o be_v divide_v faction_n in_o religion_n that_o man_n will_v be_v temperate_a and_o peaceable_a in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o own_o conceit_n and_o not_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n to_o promote_v and_o establish_v they_o when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v from_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n that_o nothing_o have_v ever_o be_v a_o more_o effectual_a engine_n to_o work_v popular_a commotion_n than_o change_n and_o reformation_n in_o religion_n sect._n 6._o so_o that_o though_o the_o state_n think_v itself_o unconcern_v to_o restrain_v man_n persuasion_n and_o opinion_n yet_o methinks_v they_o shall_v be_v a_o little_a concern_v to_o prevent_v the_o tumult_n and_o disturbance_n that_o natural_o arise_v from_o their_o propagation_n and_o can_v it_o be_v secure_v that_o if_o all_o man_n be_v indulge_v their_o liberty_n they_o will_v use_v it_o modest_o and_o be_v satisfy_v with_o their_o own_o freedom_n than_o i_o confess_v toleration_n of_o all_o opinion_n will_v not_o be_v of_o so_o fatal_a and_o dangerous_a consequence_n as_o if_o all_o man_n be_v as_o wise_a and_o honest_a as_o socrates_n they_o may_v as_o well_o as_o he_o be_v their_o own_o law_n and_o leave_v entire_o to_o their_o own_o liberty_n as_o to_o all_o the_o intercourse_n and_o transaction_n of_o humane_a life_n but_o alas_o this_o be_v make_v infinite_o impossible_a from_o the_o corrupt_a passion_n and_o humour_n of_o man_n all_o sect_n ever_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v fierce_a and_o unruly_a to_o enlarge_v their_o own_o interest_n invade_v or_o supplant_n whatever_o oppose_v their_o increase_n and_o will_v all_o certain_o conspire_v the_o ruin_n of_o that_o party_n that_o prevail_v and_o triumph_v over_o the_o rest_n every_o faction_n ever_o apprehend_v it_o its_o due_a to_o be_v supreme_a and_o there_o will_v ever_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o reformation_n as_o long_o as_o all_o faction_n be_v not_o uppermost_a and_o it_o will_v be_v crime_n enough_o in_o any_o one_o party_n to_o be_v superior_a to_o another_o so_o that_o if_o all_o our_o dissent_v sectary_n be_v allow_v their_o entire_a liberty_n nothing_o can_v be_v expect_v especial_o from_o people_n of_o their_o complexion_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v all_o plot_n together_o against_o the_o present_a establishment_n of_o the_o church_n every_o combination_n be_v full_o persuade_v of_o its_o worthlesness_n in_o comparison_n to_o itself_o for_o unless_o they_o have_v apprehend_v their_o own_o way_n more_o excellent_a they_o have_v never_o divide_v from_o we_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o fundamental_a principle_n that_o run_v through_o all_o their_o sect_n that_o they_o be_v bind_v under_o pain_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n to_o labour_v their_o utmost_a to_o establish_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o in_o its_o great_a purity_n and_o perfection_n and_o withal_o
of_o scruple_n that_o renounce_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n must_v do_v the_o same_o with_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n in_o that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o church_n in_o christendom_n who_o law_n and_o custom_n be_v not_o apparent_o liable_a either_o to_o the_o same_o or_o as_o great_a exception_n now_o magistrate_n must_v needs_o be_v oblige_v to_o deal_v wonderful_a gentle_o with_o such_o tender_a conscience_n as_o these_o that_o be_v act_v by_o such_o nice_a and_o unhappy_a principle_n as_o must_v force_v they_o to_o be_v troublesome_a and_o unpeaceable_a in_o any_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o notorious_a than_o all_o this_o these_o man_n have_v all_o along_o in_o pursuit_n of_o this_o principle_n run_v direct_o counter_a to_o their_o own_o practice_n and_o persuasion_n for_o not_o to_o puzzle_v they_o to_o discover_v in_o which_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v enjoin_v the_o form_n of_o public_a penance_n in_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n or_o to_o find_v out_o the_o stool_n of_o repentance_n either_o among_o the_o work_n of_o bezaleel_n or_o the_o furniture_n of_o the_o temple_n we_o read_v indeed_o of_o beesom_n and_o flesh-fork_n and_o pot_n and_o shovel_n and_o candlestick_n but_o not_o one_o syllable_n of_o joynt-stool_n let_v they_o tell_v i_o what_o precept_n or_o example_n they_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o sing_a psalm_n in_o meeter_n where_o have_v our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n enjoin_v a_o directory_n for_o public_a worship_n and_o that_o which_o themselves_o impose_v what_o divine_a authority_n can_v it_o challenge_v beside_o that_o of_o a_o ordinance_n of_o lord_n and_o commons_o what_o precept_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v they_o produce_v for_o the_o significant_a form_n of_o swear_v by_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o bible_n which_o yet_o they_o never_o scruple_v what_o scripture_n command_v have_v they_o for_o the_o three_o significant_a ceremony_n of_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n viz._n that_o the_o whole_a congregation_n shall_v take_v it_o 1._o uncover_v 2._o stand_v 3._o with_o their_o right_a hand_n lift_v up_o bare_a now_o what_o a_o prodigious_a piece_n of_o impudence_n be_v this_o that_o when_o they_o have_v not_o only_o write_v so_o many_o book_n with_o so_o much_o vehemence_n against_o three_o innocent_a ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n only_o because_o they_o be_v significant_a but_o have_v also_o involve_v the_o nation_n in_o a_o civil_a war_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n for_o their_o removal_n and_o have_v arm_v themselves_o and_o their_o party_n against_o their_o sovereign_n with_o this_o holy_a league_n of_o rebellion_n that_o even_o then_o they_o shall_v impose_v three_o other_o so_o gross_o and_o so_o apparent_o liable_a to_o all_o their_o own_o objection_n what_o clear_a evidence_n can_v we_o possible_o have_v that_o it_o be_v not_o conscience_n but_o humour_n and_o peevishness_n that_o dictate_v their_o scruple_n and_o what_o instance_n have_v we_o in_o any_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n of_o any_o schism_n and_o faction_n so_o unreasonable_o begin_v and_o continue_v the_o rebellion_n of_o corah_n indeed_o may_v resemble_v but_o nothing_o can_v equal_v it_o and_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v discover_v how_o vain_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o make_v proposal_n and_o condescension_n to_o such_o unreasonable_a man_n when_o it_o be_v so_o impossible_a to_o satisfy_v all_o their_o demand_n and_o suppose_v we_o shall_v yield_v and_o deliver_v up_o to_o their_o zeal_n those_o harmless_a ceremony_n they_o have_v so_o long_o worry_v with_o so_o much_o fury_n and_o impatience_n it_o will_v only_o cherish_v they_o in_o their_o restless_a and_o ungovernable_a persuasion_n for_o whilst_o their_o peevish_a temper_n be_v act_v by_o this_o exorbitant_a principle_n the_o affair_n of_o religion_n can_v never_o be_v so_o settle_v as_o to_o take_v away_o all_o occasion_n and_o pretence_n of_o quarrel_n in_o that_o there_o never_o can_v be_v any_o circumstance_n of_o religious_a worship_n against_o which_o this_o principle_n may_v not_o as_o rational_o be_v urge_v and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o perform_v religious_a worship_n without_o some_o circumstance_n or_o other_o and_o if_o all_o man_n make_v not_o use_v of_o it_o against_o all_o particular_n it_o be_v because_o they_o be_v humoursom_a as_o well_o as_o seditious_a and_o so_o allow_v one_o thing_n upon_o the_o same_o principle_n they_o disavow_v another_o for_o certain_o otherwise_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v when_o they_o pray_v refuse_v to_o wear_v a_o surplice_n and_o yet_o when_o they_o swear_v which_o be_v but_o another_o sort_n of_o divine_a worship_n never_o scruple_n to_o kiss_v the_o gospel_n so_o that_o whoever_o serious_o imbibe_v this_o persuasion_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n he_o understand_v not_o the_o consequence_n of_o his_o opinion_n if_o it_o do_v not_o lead_v he_o down_o to_o the_o low_a folly_n of_o quakerism_n which_o after_o divers_a gradual_a exorbitance_n of_o other_o less_o extravagant_a sect_n be_v but_o the_o last_o and_o utmost_a improvement_n of_o this_o principle_n and_o therefore_o whilst_o man_n be_v possess_v with_o such_o a_o restless_a and_o untoward_a persuasion_n what_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_o vain_a than_o to_o talk_v of_o accommodation_n or_o to_o hope_v for_o any_o possibility_n of_o quiet_a and_o setlement_n till_o authority_n shall_v see_v it_o necessary_a as_o it_o will_v first_o or_o last_o to_o scourge_v they_o into_o better_a manner_n and_o wise_a opinion_n so_o that_o we_o see_v the_o weight_n of_o the_o controversy_n lie_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o particular_a matter_n in_o debate_n as_o in_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v manage_v and_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n though_o we_o be_v not_o so_o fond_a as_o to_o believe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n unalterable_a yet_o we_o deem_v it_o apparent_o absurd_a to_o forego_v any_o of_o her_o establish_a ceremony_n out_o of_o compliance_n with_o these_o man_n unreasonable_a demand_n which_o as_o it_o will_v be_v coarse_o impolitic_a upon_o divers_a other_o account_n so_o main_o by_o yield_v up_o her_o law_n and_o by_o consequence_n submit_v her_o authority_n to_o such_o principle_n as_o must_v be_v eternal_a and_o invincible_a hindrance_n of_o peace_n and_o setlement_n this_o let_v they_o consider_v who_o it_o most_o concern_v §_o 5._o four_o as_o for_o their_o principle_n of_o the_o perfection_n and_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v undeniable_o certain_a as_o to_o the_o fundamental_a truth_n and_o substantial_a duty_n of_o christian_a religion_n but_o when_o this_o rule_n that_o be_v suit_v only_o to_o thing_n necessary_a be_v as_o confident_o apply_v to_o thing_n accessary_a it_o lay_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n impregnable_a principle_n of_o folly_n and_o superstition_n for_o confound_v they_o in_o their_o different_a apprehension_n between_o the_o substantial_a duty_n and_o external_a circumstance_n of_o religion_n and_o make_v they_o of_o equal_a value_n and_o necessity_n it_o make_v the_o do_v or_o not_o do_v of_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o procure_v the_o divine_a acceptance_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v not_o make_v so_o and_o place_n a_o religion_n in_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o religious_a and_o possess_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o false_a and_o groundless_a fear_n of_o god_n wherein_o consist_v the_o very_a essence_n and_o formality_n of_o superstition_n whereas_o be_v they_o due_o instruct_v in_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a and_o thing_n mere_o decent_a and_o circumstantial_a this_o will_v not_o only_o preserve_v they_o in_o the_o right_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n but_o also_o keep_v up_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n decency_n of_o worship_n and_o due_a reverence_n of_o authority_n and_o therefore_o when_o these_o man_n will_v punctual_o tie_v up_o the_o magistrate_n to_o add_v nothing_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v enjoin_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o their_o meaning_n be_v of_o new_a article_n of_o belief_n it_o be_v notorious_o impertinent_a because_o to_o this_o no_o civil_a magistrate_n pretend_v but_o if_o their_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o determine_v the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v leave_v undetermined_a by_o the_o divine_a law_n it_o be_v then_o indeed_o to_o the_o purpose_n but_o as_o notorious_o false_a in_o that_o we_o be_v certain_o bind_v to_o obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n lawful_a and_o every_o thing_n be_v so_o that_o be_v not_o make_v unlawful_a by_o some_o prohibition_n for_o thing_n become_v evil_a not_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o their_o being_n not_o command_v but_o upon_o that_o of_o their_o be_v forbid_v and_o what_o the_o scripture_n forbid_v not_o it_o
necessary_a that_o either_o the_o same_o or_o some_o other_o in_o their_o stead_n be_v establish_v that_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n beside_o it_o be_v not_o unworthy_a observation_n that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o proper_o the_o end_n of_o government_n to_o punish_v enormity_n as_o to_o prevent_v disturbance_n and_o when_o they_o bring_v malefactor_n to_o justice_n as_o we_o term_v it_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o inflict_v a_o punishment_n upon_o the_o crime_n for_o that_o belong_v peculiarly_a to_o the_o cognizance_n of_o another_o tribunal_n as_o provide_v for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n by_o cut_v off_o such_o person_n as_o be_v pest_n and_o enemy_n to_o it_o and_o by_o the_o example_n of_o their_o punishment_n deter_v other_o from_o the_o like_a practice_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v some_o sin_n of_o which_o governor_n take_v not_o so_o much_o notice_n that_o be_v more_o heinous_a in_o themselves_o and_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n than_o other_o that_o they_o punish_v with_o capital_a infliction_n because_o they_o be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n so_o destructive_a of_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o the_o good_a of_o public_a society_n so_o that_o action_n be_v punishable_a by_o humane_a law_n not_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o crime_n but_o of_o their_o ill_a consequence_n to_o the_o public_a when_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v otherwise_o even_o innocent_a be_v in_o this_o regard_n injurious_a it_o as_o much_o concern_v authority_n to_o give_v it_o check_v by_o severity_n of_o law_n and_o punishment_n as_o any_o the_o foul_a immorality_n temporal_a punishment_n than_o be_v inflict_v upon_o such_o person_n that_o be_v turbulent_a against_o prescribe_a rule_n of_o public_a worship_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o they_o be_v against_o those_o that_o offend_v against_o all_o other_o public_a edict_n of_o government_n they_o be_v both_o equal_o intend_v to_o secure_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o society_n and_o when_o either_o of_o they_o be_v violate_v they_o equal_o tend_v to_o its_o disturbance_n and_o therefore_o as_o man_n act_n against_o the_o civil_a law_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o its_o governor_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v all_o their_o offence_n against_o its_o ecclesiastical_a law_n liable_a to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o same_o authority_n so_o that_o the_o matter_n debate_v in_o its_o last_o result_n be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o question_n of_o religion_n as_o of_o policy_n not_o so_o much_o of_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o quiet_a and_o preservation_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n and_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o good_a christian_a and_o yet_o his_o opinion_n be_v intolerable_a upon_o the_o score_n of_o its_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o the_o necessary_a end_n of_o government_n for_o it_o be_v easy_o imaginable_a how_o a_o honest_a and_o well-meaning_a man_n may_v through_o mere_a ignorance_n fall_v into_o such_o error_n which_o though_o god_n will_v pardon_v yet_o governor_n must_v punish_v his_o integrity_n may_v expiate_v the_o crime_n but_o can_v prevent_v the_o mischief_n of_o his_o error_n nay_o so_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o man_n to_o deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o conscience_n that_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n in_o which_o be_v government_n right_o understand_v and_o due_o manage_v mistake_v and_o abuse_n of_o religion_n will_v not_o supply_v the_o galley_n with_o vast_o great_a number_n than_o villainy_n chap._n vii_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o obligation_n of_o scandal_n and_o of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o pretend_v it_o against_o the_o command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n the_o content_n the_o leader_n of_o the_o separation_n be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o silliness_n of_o the_o principle_n with_o which_o they_o abuse_v the_o people_n think_v to_o shelter_v themselves_o by_o fly_v to_o the_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n scandal_n be_v any_o thing_n that_o occasion_n the_o sin_n of_o another_o and_o be_v not_o in_o itself_o determinate_o good_a or_o evil._n all_o scandal_n be_v equal_o take_v but_o not_o equal_o criminal_a man_n be_v to_o govern_v themselves_o in_o this_o affair_n by_o their_o own_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n of_o st._n paul_n contrary_a behaviour_n towards_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o avoid_v their_o contrary_a scandal_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n in_o this_o point_n between_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n and_o galatian_n the_o proper_a obligation_n of_o scandal_n be_v extend_v only_o to_o indifferent_a thing_n the_o case_n in_o which_o it_o be_v concern_v be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v determine_v by_o settle_a law_n and_o constitution_n how_o scandalous_o these_o man_n prevaricate_v with_o the_o world_n in_o their_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n that_o may_v excuse_v their_o refusal_n of_o conformity_n but_o give_v no_o account_n of_o their_o separation_n of_o their_o scruple_v to_o renounce_v the_o covenant_n this_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o drive_v they_o from_o divine_a service_n into_o conventicle_n how_o shameful_o these_o man_n juggle_v with_o the_o world_n and_o impose_v upon_o their_o follower_n if_o they_o will_v but_o persuade_v their_o proselyte_n to_o be_v of_o their_o own_o mind_n it_o will_v end_v all_o our_o difference_n they_o first_o lead_v the_o people_n into_o the_o scandal_n and_o then_o make_v this_o the_o formal_a reason_n why_o they_o must_v follow_v they_o if_o the_o people_n scruple_n be_v groundless_a then_o to_o comply_v with_o they_o be_v to_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o sinful_a disobedience_n a_o further_a account_n of_o their_o shameful_a prevarication_n the_o ridiculousness_n of_o the_o people_n pretend_v it_o concern_v themselves_o that_o they_o be_v scandalize_v by_o their_o avoid_v private_a offence_n they_o run_v into_o public_a scandal_n they_o scandalize_v their_o own_o weak_a brethren_n most_o of_o all_o by_o comply_v with_o they_o old_a and_o inveterate_a scandal_n be_v not_o to_o be_v comply_v with_o but_o oppose_v and_o such_o be_v those_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n the_o command_v of_o authority_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o obedience_n infinite_o outweigh_v and_o utter_o evacuate_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n sect._n 1_o though_o the_o former_a principle_n viz._n that_o no_o man_n may_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n do_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o be_v not_o warrant_v by_o some_o precept_n or_o precedent_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v rivet_v into_o the_o people_n mind_n as_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o the_o puritan_n separation_n yet_o their_o leader_n seem_v to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o their_o own_o folly_n and_o be_v drive_v from_o this_o and_o all_o their_o other_o little_a hold_n and_o shelter_n they_o have_v at_o length_n think_v it_o the_o safe_a and_o the_o wise_a course_n to_o fly_v to_o the_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n this_o be_v their_o fort_n royal_a in_o which_o they_o have_v at_o last_o secure_v and_o entrench_v themselves_o as_o for_o their_o own_o part_n they_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v not_o so_o fond_a as_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v so_o superstitious_a and_o antichristian_a and_o that_o themselves_o may_v lawful_o use_v they_o be_v it_o not_o that_o there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o sincere_a but_o weak_a christian_n that_o apprehend_v they_o to_o be_v sinful_a and_o for_o this_o reason_n they_o dare_v not_o conform_v to_o our_o ceremonial_a constitution_n for_o fear_v of_o ensnare_a and_o scandalize_a weak_a conscience_n which_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n account_v of_o it_o no_o less_o than_o spiritual_a murder_n and_o whatever_o be_v due_a to_o authority_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v too_o high_a a_o tribute_n none_o can_v be_v more_o ready_a than_o themselves_o to_o submit_v to_o all_o lawful_a command_n but_o here_o they_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v when_o they_o can_v obey_v but_o at_o the_o price_n of_o soul_n it_o be_v a_o dreadful_a doom_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v denounce_v against_o those_o who_o offend_v any_o of_o his_o little_a one_o i._n e._n babe_n and_o weakling_n in_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o though_o they_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o hazard_v their_o own_o life_n in_o obedience_n to_o authority_n yet_o nothing_o can_v oblige_v they_o to_o be_v so_o cruel_a and_o so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o destroy_v any_o for_o who_o christ_n die_v which_o be_v certain_o do_v by_o cast_v snare_n and_o scandal_n before_o their_o weak_a brethren_n this_o be_v the_o last_o refuge_n of_o the_o leader_n of_o the_o separation_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o examine_v its_o strength_n and_o reasonableness_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v as_o
vain_a and_o frivolous_a as_o all_o their_o other_o cavil_n and_o shuffle_a pretence_n sect._n 2._o scandal_n then_o be_v a_o word_n of_o a_o large_a and_o ambiguous_a signification_n and_o the_o thing_n it_o import_v be_v not_o determinate_o either_o good_a or_o evil_n but_o be_v sometime_o innocent_a and_o sometime_o criminal_a according_a to_o the_o different_a nature_n of_o those_o thing_n from_o whence_o it_o arise_v or_o of_o those_o circumstance_n wherewith_o it_o be_v attend_v for_o in_o the_o full_a and_o proper_a extent_n of_o the_o word_n it_o be_v any_o thing_n whether_o good_a or_o evil_a or_o indifferent_a that_o occasion_n the_o fall_n or_o sin_n of_o another_o now_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scandal_n or_o that_o which_o occasion_n another_o sin_n be_v in_o itself_o good_a and_o virtuous_a this_o casual_a event_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o reflect_v any_o charge_n or_o disparagement_n upon_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o scripture_n frequent_o attribute_v to_o the_o best_a of_o thing_n to_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n to_o christ_n himself_o and_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o criminal_a though_o it_o be_v chief_o unblamable_a upon_o its_o own_o account_n yet_o this_o usual_o aggravate_v and_o enhance_v the_o original_a guilt_n of_o the_o action_n but_o last_o if_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a and_o a_o matter_n of_o christian_a liberty_n then_o be_v it_o either_o faultless_a or_o chargeable_a according_a to_o its_o different_a case_n and_o circumstance_n as_o christian_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n shall_v determine_v so_o various_a and_o contingent_a a_o thing_n not_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v govern_v by_o any_o fix_a and_o settle_a measure_n some_o be_v scandalize_v out_o of_o weakness_n and_o some_o out_o of_o peevishness_n some_o before_o due_a information_n of_o their_o mistake_n and_o some_o after_o it_o some_o because_o they_o do_v not_o and_o some_o because_o they_o will_v not_o understand_v all_o which_o with_o infinite_a other_o circumstance_n man_n ought_v to_o consider_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o christian_a liberty_n and_o suitable_o to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o wisdom_n and_o charity_n that_o determine_v they_o in_o all_o the_o other_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n for_o the_o action_n it_o self_n be_v only_o the_o remote_a occasion_n and_o not_o the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o the_o scandal_n in_o that_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a and_o by_o consequence_n innocent_a it_o can_v be_v direct_o and_o from_o itself_o productive_a of_o any_o criminal_a effect_n and_o therefore_o its_o be_v abuse_v and_o pervert_v to_o purpose_n and_o opportunity_n of_o sin_n be_v pure_o accidental_a and_o the_o proper_a and_o immediate_a cause_n of_o every_o man_n fall_v be_v something_o within_o himself_o it_o be_v either_o folly_n or_o malice_n or_o ignorance_n or_o wilfulness_n too_o little_a understanding_n or_o too_o much_o passion_n that_o betray_v some_o man_n into_o sin_n by_o occasion_n of_o other_o man_n action_n so_o that_o the_o school_n distinction_n of_o scandal_n into_o passive_a or_o that_o which_o be_v take_v and_o active_a or_o that_o which_o be_v give_v be_v apparent_o false_a and_o impertinent_a and_o be_v the_o main_a thing_n that_o have_v perplex_v and_o intricate_v all_o discourse_n of_o this_o article_n because_o scandal_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v never_o give_v but_o when_o it_o be_v take_v as_o be_v only_o a_o occasion_n of_o offence_n take_v by_o one_o manfrom_o the_o action_n of_o another_o now_o if_o his_o take_a offence_n where_o it_o be_v not_o give_v proceed_v from_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n then_o be_v his_o case_n pitiable_a and_o a_o good-natured_a man_n will_v out_o of_o tenderness_n and_o charity_n forbear_v such_o thing_n as_o he_o seize_v on_o to_o abuse_v to_o his_o own_o destruction_n for_o all_o the_o obligation_n of_o scandal_n proceed_v pure_o from_o that_o extraordinary_a height_n of_o charity_n and_o tenderness_n of_o good_a nature_n that_o be_v so_o signal_o recommend_v in_o the_o gospel_n which_o will_v oblige_v we_o to_o forbear_v any_o action_n that_o we_o may_v lawful_o omit_v when_o we_o know_v it_o will_v prove_v a_o occasion_n of_o sin_n and_o mischief_n to_o some_o well-meaning_a but_o less_o know_a christian_n but_o if_o it_o proceed_v from_o humour_n or_o pride_n or_o wilfulness_n or_o any_o other_o vicious_a principle_n then_o be_v the_o man_n to_o be_v treat_v as_o a_o peevish_a and_o stubborn_a person_n and_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o part_n with_o his_o own_o freedom_n because_o his_o neighbour_n be_v froward_a and_o humorous_a and_o if_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o fall_v there_o be_v no_o reason_n i_o shall_v forego_v the_o use_n of_o my_o liberty_n because_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o make_v that_o his_o stumbling-block_n so_o that_o we_o see_v all_o scandal_n be_v equal_o take_v but_o not_o equal_o criminal_a in_o that_o some_o take_v it_o only_o because_o they_o be_v weak_a and_o some_o because_o they_o be_v peevish_a according_a to_o which_o different_a case_n we_o be_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o with_o a_o different_a demeanour_n in_o this_o affair_n §_o 3._o and_o for_o this_o we_o have_v variety_n of_o example_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o action_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o opposite_a scandal_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n if_o they_o comply_v with_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o rigorous_a observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a rite_n this_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o gentile_n by_o lead_v they_o into_o a_o false_a and_o mischievous_a opinion_n of_o their_o necessity_n if_o they_o do_v not_o comply_v then_o that_o prove_v a_o scandal_n to_o those_o jew_n that_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o full_o instruct_v in_o the_o right_a nature_n and_o extent_n of_o their_o christian_a liberty_n and_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o so_o will_v be_v tempt_v to_o fall_v back_o from_o that_o religion_n that_o incline_v man_n to_o a_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n now_o between_o these_o two_o extreme_n they_o be_v force_v to_o walk_v with_o great_a prudence_n and_o wariness_n incline_v sometime_o to_o one_o and_o sometime_o to_o the_o other_o as_o they_o apprehend_v most_o beneficial_a to_o the_o end_n &_o interest_n of_o christianity_n thus_o though_o st._n paul_n condescend_v to_o the_o circumcision_n of_o timothy_n to_o humour_n and_o gratify_v the_o jew_n who_o can_v not_o be_v so_o sudden_o wrought_v off_o from_o the_o prejudices_fw-la and_o strong_a impression_n of_o their_o education_n and_o therefore_o be_v for_o a_o time_n indulge_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o ancient_a rite_n and_o custom_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v among_o the_o gentile_n he_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v to_o yield_v so_o far_o to_o the_o jewish_a obstinacy_n as_o to_o suffer_v the_o circumcision_n of_o titus_n but_o oppose_v it_o with_o his_o utmost_a zeal_n and_o vehemence_n because_o this_o will_v in_o probability_n have_v frustrate_v the_o success_n of_o all_o his_o labour_n in_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n among_o foreign_a nation_n if_o he_o who_o have_v before_o so_o vehement_o assert_v their_o christian_a liberty_n and_o instruct_v they_o in_o their_o freedom_n from_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o particular_o from_o this_o ceremony_n shall_v now_o seem_v inconsistent_a with_o himself_o by_o act_v direct_o contrary_a to_o his_o former_a doctrine_n and_o bring_v man_n into_o a_o subjection_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n after_o himself_o have_v so_o often_o declare_v its_o be_v reverse_v and_o superannuated_a for_o what_o else_o can_v be_v probable_o expect_v than_o that_o his_o gentile_a proselyte_n be_v discourage_v partly_o by_o his_o prevarication_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o weight_n of_o that_o noke_n to_o which_o they_o foresee_v or_o at_o least_o suspect_v they_o must_v submit_v shall_v be_v strong_o tempt_v to_o a_o utter_a apostasy_n and_o therefore_o wise_o weigh_v with_o himself_o that_o the_o scandal_n be_v less_o dangerous_a in_o anger_v the_o jew_n than_o in_o hazard_v the_o gentile_n he_o choose_v rather_o to_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o peevishness_n than_o to_o hazard_v the_o revolt_n of_o these_o gal._n 2._o 4_o 5._o §_o 4._o and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n as_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v observe_v of_o this_o great_a apostle_n different_a deportment_n in_o this_o particular_a towards_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o galatia_n because_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n there_o live_v no_o small_a number_n of_o natural_a jew_n who_o when_o they_o be_v first_o convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v not_o so_o well_o instruct_v in_o the_o abrogation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n the_o method_n whereby_o the_o apostle_n invite_v they_o at_o first_o to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n be_v bare_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o its_o evidence_n and_o divine_a authority_n
indispensable_a duty_n of_o mankind_n because_o most_o necessary_a to_o their_o well-being_n to_o act_v against_o our_o own_o scruple_n out_o of_o obedience_n to_o authority_n be_v a_o eminent_a instance_n of_o virtue_n in_o case_n of_o a_o public_a concern_v man_n be_v to_o be_v govern_v not_o by_o their_o own_o private_a but_o by_o the_o public_a judgement_n in_o these_o matter_n the_o command_n of_o public_a authority_n be_v the_o supreme_a rule_n of_o conscience_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o liberty_n and_o authority_n of_o conscience_n the_o puritan_n tenderness_n of_o conscience_n be_v one_o of_o the_o rank_a sort_n of_o heresy_n wherefore_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o authority_n to_o command_v thing_n indifferent_a the_o conclusion_n of_o all_o sect._n 1_o the_o last_o refuge_n for_o godly_a disobedience_n be_v the_o pretence_n of_o a_o poubtful_a scrupulous_a &_o unsatisfy_a conscience_n for_o say_v they_o though_o we_o can_v positive_o condemn_v the_o ceremonial_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n as_o thing_n in_o themselves_o unlawful_a yet_o unlawful_a they_o be_v to_o we_o who_o conscience_n be_v not_o sufficient_o satisfy_v concern_v they_o because_o whatsoever_o be_v do_v with_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n i._n e._n without_o faith_n or_o a_o full_a persuasion_n of_o mind_n be_v do_v against_o it_o according_a to_o that_o clear_a and_o unquestionable_a maxim_n of_o st._n paul_n whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n but_o this_o precarious_a pretence_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o scandal_n be_v but_o a_o aftergame_n of_o conscience_n they_o first_o resolve_v to_o quarrel_v our_o constitution_n and_o then_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o want_v satisfaction_n about_o they_o and_o when_o man_n argument_n depend_v upon_o their_o will_n it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o power_n only_o to_o repeal_v they_o and_o all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n can_v never_o cure_v wilful_a and_o artificial_a scruple_n however_o if_o the_o obligation_n of_o law_n must_v yield_v to_o that_o of_o a_o weak_a and_o tender_a conscience_n how_o impregnable_o be_v every_o man_n that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o disobey_v arm_v against_o all_o the_o command_v of_o his_o superior_n no_o authority_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o govern_v he_o far_o than_o himself_o please_v and_o if_o he_o dislike_v the_o law_n he_o be_v sufficient_o excuse_v from_o all_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n and_o no_o law_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o oblige_v any_o man_n that_o either_o have_v or_o can_v pretend_v to_o a_o weak_a conscience_n for_o see_v no_o man_n can_v discern_v the_o reality_n of_o man_n pretension_n it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o the_o concernment_n of_o government_n whether_o the_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n that_o man_n plead_v to_o excuse_v their_o disobedience_n be_v serious_a or_o counterfeit_a for_o whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o so_o it_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o end_n and_o interest_n of_o government_n and_o if_o it_o be_v admit_v for_o a_o sufficient_a excuse_n to_o disobey_v it_o be_v a_o effectual_a and_o incurable_a dissolution_n of_o all_o the_o force_n of_o law_n and_o make_v they_o obligatory_a then_o only_o when_o every_o man_n please_v and_o he_o that_o will_n may_v obey_v and_o he_o that_o will_v not_o may_v choose_v see_v it_o be_v so_o easy_a for_o any_o man_n that_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o the_o law_n to_o claim_v the_o inviolable_a privilege_n of_o a_o tender_a conscience_n so_o that_o to_o make_v proviso_n for_o tender_a conscience_n be_v to_o abate_v the_o whole_a law_n see_v it_o give_v every_o man_n liberty_n to_o exempt_v himself_o and_o if_o he_o dislike_v the_o law_n he_o be_v under_o no_o obligation_n to_o obey_v it_o but_o suppose_v this_o pretence_n to_o be_v serious_a without_o design_n or_o disguise_n be_v it_o fit_v the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n shall_v ask_v leave_n of_o every_o ignorant_a and_o well-meaning_n man_n whether_o they_o shall_v be_v law_n or_o no_o a_o weak_a conscience_n be_v the_o product_n of_o a_o weak_a understanding_n and_o he_o be_v a_o very_a subtle_a man_n that_o can_v find_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o tender_a head_n and_o a_o tender_a conscience_n and_o therefore_o if_o prince_n must_v consult_v their_o subject_n conscience_n in_o all_o their_o law_n this_o will_v make_v all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o government_n submit_v to_o the_o power_n of_o folly_n and_o ignorance_n and_o when_o any_o person_n plead_v weakness_n or_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n against_o the_o obligation_n of_o any_o law_n his_o meaning_n be_v that_o he_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n with_o his_o governor_n and_o it_o be_v wise_a and_o handsome_a and_o become_v the_o grandeur_n or_o authority_n in_o all_o its_o law_n to_o comply_v with_o the_o learned_a apprehension_n of_o every_o honest_a and_o illiterate_a peasant_n who_o if_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o their_o determination_n may_v cancel_v their_o obligation_n as_o to_o himself_o and_o if_o they_o offer_v to_o force_v this_o honest_a man_n to_o submission_n they_o invade_v the_o sacred_a and_o inviolable_a liberty_n of_o a_o tender_a conscience_n so_o full_a of_o anarchy_n be_v all_o these_o man_n pretence_n and_o therefore_o governor_n must_v look_v to_o the_o public_a and_o let_v tender_a conscience_n look_v to_o themselves_o law_n must_v be_v of_o a_o unyielding_n and_o inflexible_a temper_n and_o not_o such_o soft_a and_o easy_a thing_n as_o to_o bend_v to_o every_o man_n humour_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o command_v and_o unless_o government_n be_v manage_v by_o some_o settle_a principle_n it_o must_v for_o ever_o remain_v weak_a and_o unfixed_a prince_n must_v not_o be_v diffident_a in_o their_o rule_n and_o maxim_n of_o policy_n but_o as_o they_o must_v set_v down_o some_o to_o themselves_o so_o they_o must_v act_v up_o roundly_o to_o they_o for_o all_o change_n of_o the_o public_a law_n and_o method_n of_o policy_n sad_o weaken_v if_o they_o do_v not_o utter_o unsettle_v the_o commonwealth_n in_o that_o prescription_n be_v at_o least_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n the_o great_a strength_n and_o security_n of_o government_n it_o be_v indeed_o the_o fountain_n of_o authority_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o ve_v prince_n with_o their_o prerogative_n and_o no_o power_n what_o right_a or_o title_n soever_o it_o may_v plead_v can_v ever_o be_v firm_o establish_v till_o it_o can_v plead_v the_o warrant_n and_o authority_n of_o prescription_n and_o therefore_o if_o prince_n will_v be_v resolute_a and_o if_o they_o will_v govern_v so_o they_o must_v be_v they_o may_v easy_o make_v the_o most_o stubborn_a conscience_n bend_v to_o their_o command_n but_o if_o they_o will_v not_o they_o must_v submit_v themselves_o and_o their_o power_n to_o all_o the_o folly_n and_o passion_n of_o their_o subject_n for_o there_o be_v no_o conceit_n so_o extravagant_a or_o so_o pernicious_a that_o may_v not_o pass_v for_o principle_n of_o conscience_n in_o brief_a there_o be_v nothing_o so_o ungovernable_a as_o a_o tender_a conscience_n or_o so_o restive_a and_o inflexible_a as_o folly_n or_o wickedness_n when_o harden_v with_o religion_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o be_v comply_v with_o they_o must_v be_v restrain_v with_o a_o more_o peremptory_a and_o unyield_a rigour_n than_o naked_a and_o unsanctified_a villainy_n else_o will_v they_o quick_o discover_v themselves_o to_o be_v pregnant_a with_o great_a and_o more_o fatal_a danger_n sect._n 2._o this_o stale_a pretence_n come_v now_o too_o late_o and_o be_v so_o ancient_a that_o it_o be_v long_a since_o superannuated_a old_a doubt_n and_o scruple_n be_v like_o old_a scandal_n wear_v out_o of_o date_n by_o time_n and_o experience_n they_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o ignorance_n weakness_n be_v their_o parent_n and_o folly_n their_o nurse_n and_o if_o they_o improve_v not_o into_o confidence_n they_o never_o survive_v their_o infancy_n but_o of_o themselves_o vanish_v and_o dissolve_v into_o nothing_o and_o therefore_o this_o pretence_n have_v outlive_v itself_o be_v become_v its_o own_o answer_n and_o confutation_n because_o man_n ought_v not_o nay_o they_o can_v remain_v so_o long_o under_o uncertainty_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o they_o shall_v before_o this_o time_n be_v competent_o determine_v as_o to_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o for_o if_o in_o so_o long_a a_o time_n they_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v that_o sinfulness_n in_o they_o they_o suspect_v that_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o their_o be_v innocent_a because_o their_o scruple_n have_v occasion_v they_o to_o be_v so_o thorough_o sift_v and_o examine_v and_o if_o after_o all_o that_o hot_a and_o vehement_a contention_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v about_o they_o it_o appear_v not_o yet_o wherein_o they_o be_v criminal_a and_o chargeable_a for_o if_o it_o do_v than_o the_o doubt_n cease_v
distance_n and_o disproportion_n forasmuch_o as_o obedience_n be_v a_o virtue_n of_o so_o absolute_a necessity_n and_o so_o diffusive_a usefulness_n whereas_o the_o goodness_n of_o those_o little_a thing_n they_o oppose_v to_o it_o be_v so_o small_a that_o it_o be_v confess_o scarce_a discernible_a and_o their_o conscience_n as_o nice_a and_o curious_a as_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o determine_v positive_o whether_o they_o be_v good_a or_o evil_n and_o therefore_o what_o a_o prodigious_a madness_n be_v it_o to_o weigh_v such_o trifle_a and_o contemptible_a thing_n against_o the_o vast_a mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o disobedience_n the_o voice_n of_o the_o public_a law_n can_v but_o drown_v the_o uncertain_a whisper_n of_o a_o tender_a conscience_n all_o its_o scruple_n be_v hush_v and_o silence_v by_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n it_o dare_v not_o whimper_v when_o that_o forbid_v and_o the_o nod_n of_o a_o prince_n awe_v it_o into_o silence_n and_o submission_n but_o if_o they_o dare_v to_o murmur_v and_o their_o proud_a stomach_n will_v swell_v against_o the_o rebuke_n of_o their_o superior_n then_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o the_o rod_n and_o correction_n they_o must_v be_v chastise_v out_o of_o their_o peevishness_n and_o lash_v into_o obedience_n in_o a_o word_n though_o religion_n so_o high_o consult_v the_o interest_n of_o commonwealth_n and_o be_v the_o great_a instrument_n of_o the_o peace_n &_o happiness_n of_o kingdom_n yet_o so_o monstrous_o have_v it_o be_v abuse_v by_o the_o folly_n of_o some_o and_o wickedness_n of_o other_o that_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v the_o mother_n of_o more_o mischief_n to_o government_n the_o main_a cause_n of_o which_o have_v be_v man_n not_o observe_v the_o due_a scale_n and_o subordination_n of_o duty_n and_o that_o in_o case_n of_o competition_n the_o great_a always_o destroy_v the_o less_o for_o hence_o have_v they_o oppose_v the_o law_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o peace_n of_o the_o society_n for_o a_o opinion_n or_o a_o ceremony_n or_o a_o subordinate_a instrumental_a duty_n whereas_o have_v they_o sober_o consider_v the_o important_a necessity_n of_o their_o obedience_n they_o will_v scarce_o have_v find_v any_o duty_n of_o moment_n enough_o to_o weigh_v against_o it_o for_o see_v almost_o all_o virtue_n be_v enjoin_v we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o felicity_n of_o man_n and_o see_v there_o be_v nothing_o more_o conducive_a to_o it_o than_o that_o which_o tend_v to_o the_o public_a weal_n and_o good_a of_o all_o and_o see_v this_o be_v the_o design_n and_o natural_a tendency_n of_o the_o public_a law_n and_o our_o obedience_n to_o they_o that_o have_v need_n be_v huge_o certain_o and_o absolute_o evil_a that_o cancel_v their_o obligation_n and_o dispense_v with_o our_o obedience_n and_o not_o a_o form_n or_o a_o ceremony_n or_o a_o outward_a expression_n or_o any_o other_o instrumental_a part_n of_o religion_n but_o some_o menthink_v it_o better_a to_o be_v disputative_a than_o peaceable_a and_o that_o there_o be_v more_o godliness_n in_o be_v captious_a and_o talkative_a than_o in_o be_v humble_a and_o obedient_a it_o be_v a_o pleasure_n to_o they_o to_o be_v troublesome_a to_o authority_n they_o beat_v about_o and_o search_v into_o every_o little_a corner_n for_o doubt_n &_o exception_n against_o their_o command_n and_o how_o do_v they_o triumph_v when_o they_o can_v but_o start_v a_o scruple_n they_o labour_v to_o stumble_v at_o atom_n to_o boggle_v at_o straw_n and_o shadow_n and_o cherish_v their_o scruple_n till_o they_o become_v as_o big_a as_o they_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o lay_v so_o much_o stress_n upon_o they_o as_o to_o make_v they_o outweigh_v the_o great_a and_o most_o weighty_a thing_n of_o the_o law_n and_o it_o be_v prodigious_o strange_a and_o yet_o as_o common_a too_o to_o consider_v how_o most_o man_n who_o pretend_v and_o that_o perhaps_o sincere_o to_o great_a tenderness_n of_o conscience_n and_o scruple_n posture_n and_o innocent_a ceremony_n be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o digest_v the_o most_o wicked_a and_o most_o mischievous_a villainy_n they_o can_v dispense_v with_o spightfulness_n malice_n disobedience_n schism_n and_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o all_o to_o nourish_v a_o weak_a and_o a_o impotent_a scruple_n and_o in_o pursuit_n of_o any_o little_a conceit_n they_o will_v run_v themselves_o into_o the_o great_a and_o most_o palpable_a enormity_n and_o will_v cherish_v it_o till_o it_o weigh_v down_o the_o peace_n of_o kingdom_n and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o common_a honesty_n find_v i_o a_o man_n that_o be_v obstinate_o scrupulous_a and_o i_o will_v show_v you_o one_o that_o be_v incurable_o seditious_a and_o whoever_o will_v prefer_v his_o scruple_n before_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o obedience_n peace_n quietness_n and_o humility_n can_v avoid_v be_v often_o betray_v into_o tumult_n and_o sedition_n but_o if_o we_o will_v resolve_v to_o be_v tender_a of_o our_o obedience_n to_o the_o great_a undoubted_a and_o unalterable_a command_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o will_v defend_v our_o conscience_n against_o the_o vexation_n of_o scruple_n and_o little_a inadvertency_n protect_v the_o public_a from_o all_o the_o disturbance_n of_o a_o peevish_a and_o wayward_a godliness_n and_o secure_v our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n without_o be_v so_o punctual_a and_o exact_a in_o the_o offering_n of_o mint_n and_o cummin_n sect._n 6._o in_o case_n and_o dispute_n of_o a_o public_a concern_v private_a man_n be_v not_o proper_o svi_fw-la juris_fw-la they_o have_v no_o power_n over_o their_o own_o action_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v direct_v by_o their_o own_o judgement_n or_o determine_v by_o their_o own_o will_n but_o by_o the_o command_n and_o determination_n of_o the_o public_a conscience_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o sin_n in_o the_o command_n he_o that_o impose_v it_o shall_v answer_v for_o it_o and_o not_o i_o who_o whole_a duty_n it_o be_v to_o obey_v the_o command_n of_o authority_n will_v warrant_v my_o obedience_n my_o obedience_n will_v hallow_v or_o at_o least_o excuse_v my_o action_n and_o so_o secure_v i_o from_o sin_n if_o not_o from_o error_n because_o i_o follow_v the_o best_a guide_n and_o most_o probable_a direction_n i_o be_o capable_a of_o and_o though_o i_o may_v mistake_v my_o integrity_n shall_v preserve_v my_o innocence_n and_o in_o all_o doubtful_a and_o disputable_a case_n it_o be_v better_a to_o err_v with_o authority_n than_o be_v in_o the_o right_n against_o it_o not_o only_o because_o the_o danger_n of_o a_o little_a error_n and_o so_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v disputable_a be_v outweigh_v by_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o obedience_n that_o be_v more_o serviceable_a to_o the_o main_a end_n of_o religion_n than_o a_o more_o nice_a and_o exact_a way_n of_o act_v in_o opposition_n to_o government_n but_o also_o because_o they_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v the_o fit_a judge_n of_o what_o tend_v to_o the_o public_a good_a who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o understand_v public_a affair_n and_o therefore_o in_o all_o such_o matter_n their_o command_n be_v the_o supreme_a rule_n of_o conscience_n as_o be_v more_o competent_a judge_n of_o public_a concern_v than_o man_n own_o private_a persuasion_n and_o so_o must_v have_v a_o superior_a authority_n over_o they_o and_o bind_v they_o to_o yield_v and_o submit_v to_o their_o determination_n and_o if_o we_o take_v away_o this_o condescension_n of_o our_o private_a conscience_n to_o public_a authority_n we_o immediate_o dissolve_v all_o government_n for_o in_o case_n of_o dissension_n unless_o we_o submit_v our_o persuasion_n to_o their_o command_n their_o command_n must_v submit_v to_o our_o persuasion_n and_o then_o let_v any_o man_n tell_v i_o wherein_o consist_v the_o power_n of_o prince_n when_o it_o may_v be_v control_v by_o every_o subject_n opinion_n and_o what_o can_v follow_v but_o perfect_a disorder_n and_o confusion_n when_o every_o man_n will_v be_v govern_v by_o nothing_o but_o his_o own_o conceit_n and_o if_o subject_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o dispute_v the_o prudence_n and_o convenience_n of_o all_o law_n government_n will_v be_v but_o a_o weak_a and_o helpless_a thing_n and_o prince_n will_v command_v at_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o their_o subject_n and_o therefore_o people_n be_v never_o curious_a in_o their_o exception_n against_o any_o public_a law_n unless_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o that_o case_n they_o study_v for_o reason_n to_o disobey_v because_o it_o gratify_v their_o pride_n &_o vanity_n to_o seem_v more_o know_v than_o their_o governor_n in_o that_o part_n of_o wisdom_n that_o they_o think_v most_o valuable_a self-conceit_n and_o spiritual_a pride_n be_v strange_a temptation_n to_o disobedience_n and_o be_v there_o not_o something_o of_o this_o in_o it_o man_n will_v find_v out_o other_o command_v more_o liable_a to_o their_o exception_n for_o how_o seldom_o be_v it_o that_o
any_o war_n be_v commence_v upon_o just_a and_o warrantable_a ground_n and_o yet_o how_o few_o be_v they_o that_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o judge_v their_o lawfulness_n all_o man_n here_o think_v their_o prince_n command_v a_o sufficient_a warrant_n to_o serve_v he_o and_o satisfy_v themselves_o in_o this_o that_o in_o case_n the_o cause_n prove_v to_o be_v unjust_a the_o fault_n liesentire_o upon_o he_o that_o command_v and_o not_o at_o all_o on_o he_o who_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o obey_v and_o if_o it_o be_v otherwise_o that_o no_o subject_a be_v bind_v to_o take_v up_o arm_n till_o himself_o have_v approve_v the_o justness_n of_o the_o cause_n commonwealth_n must_v be_v brave_o secure_v and_o their_o safety_n must_v lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o humoursome_a and_o pragmatical_a fellow_n and_o yet_o to_o this_o piece_n of_o arrogance_n do_v man_n tempt_v themselves_o when_o they_o affect_v to_o be_v think_v more_o godly_a than_o their_o neighbour_n it_o be_v a_o gallant_a thing_n to_o understand_v religion_n better_o than_o their_o superior_n and_o to_o pity_v their_o ignorance_n in_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o by_o seem_v to_o compassionate_v their_o weakness_n to_o despise_v their_o authority_n but_o if_o prince_n will_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v control_v by_o the_o pride_n and_o insolence_n of_o these_o contentious_a zealot_n they_o do_v but_o tempt_v they_o to_o slight_v both_o their_o person_n and_o their_o government_n and_o if_o they_o will_v endure_v to_o be_v check_v in_o their_o law_n spiritual_a and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o every_o systematical_a theologue_n and_o most_o not_o to_o say_v the_o best_a of_o our_o adversary_n be_v little_o better_o they_o may_v as_o well_o bear_v to_o see_v themselves_o affront_v in_o their_o law_n civil_a and_o government_n of_o the_o state_n by_o every_o village-attorney_n and_o solicitor_n well_o then_o all_o man_n that_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o government_n be_v bind_v in_o all_o matter_n doubtful_a and_o disputable_a to_o submit_v the_o dictate_v of_o private_a conscience_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o public_a authority_n nor_o do_v this_o oblige_v any_o man_n to_o act_v against_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n but_o only_o by_o alter_v the_o case_n alter_v his_o persuasion_n i.e._n though_o every_o man_n consider_v absolute_o and_o by_o himself_o be_v bind_v to_o follow_v his_o own_o private_a judgement_n yet_o when_o he_o be_v consider_v as_o the_o member_n of_o a_o society_n then_o must_v be_v govern_v than_o he_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v his_o own_o private_a thought_n to_o public_a determination_n and_o it_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o every_o man_n conscience_n that_o be_v not_o turbulent_a and_o seditious_a that_o it_o ought_v in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o of_o a_o great_a &_o apparent_a necessity_n whatever_o be_v own_o private_a judgement_n of_o they_o be_v to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o determination_n of_o its_o governor_n in_o order_n to_o public_a peace_n and_o unity_n for_o unless_o this_o be_v do_v there_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o eternal_a disorder_n and_o confusion_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o all_o man_n shall_v have_v the_o same_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n and_o consider_v the_o temper_n and_o passion_n of_o mankind_n as_o impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v not_o pursue_v their_o difference_n and_o controversy_n with_o too_o much_o heat_n &_o vehemence_n and_o therefore_o unless_o whatever_o their_o own_o judgement_n and_o apprehension_n be_v they_o be_v bind_v in_o all_o such_o case_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o decision_n and_o determination_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n in_o order_n to_o its_o peace_n and_o setlement_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a way_n of_o avoid_v endless_a squabble_n and_o confusion_n and_o unless_o this_o be_v a_o fundamental_a rule_n &_o dictate_v of_o every_o man_n conscience_n that_o as_o he_o be_v bind_v in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n to_o follow_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o best_a result_n of_o his_o own_o private_a persuasion_n where_o he_o neither_o have_v nor_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v any_o other_o guide_n or_o rule_v of_o his_o action_n so_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o forego_v they_o all_o provide_v his_o plain_a and_o necessary_a duty_n be_v secure_v out_o of_o obedience_n to_o authority_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o due_a government_n of_o the_o society_n there_o never_o can_v be_v any_o peace_n or_o setlement_n in_o any_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o every_o conscience_n that_o be_v not_o thus_o persuade_v be_v upon_o that_o account_n to_o be_v reckon_v as_o seditious_a and_o unpeaceable_a and_o so_o to_o be_v treat_v according_o sect._n 7._o he_o that_o with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n and_o confidence_n resign_v up_o his_o own_o reason_n to_o any_o superior_a on_o earth_n in_o all_o thing_n be_v a_o fool_n and_o he_o be_v as_o great_a a_o fool_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o that_o will_v do_v it_o in_o nothing_o for_o as_o all_o man_n be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o god_n alone_o in_o matter_n of_o indispensable_a duty_n that_o be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v in_o our_o present_a dispute_n so_o be_v they_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n to_o condescend_v to_o the_o decree_n and_o determination_n of_o their_o lawful_a superior_n neither_o be_v this_o to_o put_v man_n upon_o that_o supreme_a folly_n of_o renounce_v the_o use_n and_o guidance_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n out_o of_o obedience_n to_o any_o man_n infallibility_n for_o by_o reason_n we_o mean_v nothing_o but_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n make_v use_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o prudential_a method_n to_o guide_v itself_o in_o all_o its_o action_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o any_o sort_n of_o maxim_n and_o principle_n in_o philosophy_n but_o it_o extend_v itself_o to_o any_o knowledge_n that_o may_v be_v gain_v by_o prudence_n experience_n and_o observation_n and_o hence_o right_a reason_n when_o it_o be_v employ_v about_o the_o action_n of_o man_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n now_o the_o reason_n of_o any_o wise_a and_o sober_a man_n will_v tell_v he_o that_o it_o be_v most_o prudent_a discreet_a and_o reasonable_a to_o forego_v his_o own_o private_a persuasion_n in_o thing_n doubtful_a and_o disputable_a out_o of_o obedience_n to_o his_o lawful_a superior_n because_o without_o this_o the_o world_n can_v never_o be_v govern_v and_o suppose_v man_n judgement_n and_o understanding_n to_o be_v never_o so_o much_o above_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o all_o humane_a authority_n and_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v to_o submit_v his_o reason_n to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o command_v of_o god_n yet_o every_o man_n owe_v at_o least_o so_o much_o civility_n to_o the_o will_n of_o his_o prince_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o his_o country_n as_o to_o bring_v himself_o to_o a_o compliance_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o public_a judgement_n rather_o than_o to_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n for_o the_o gratification_n of_o his_o own_o fancy_n and_o opinion_n which_o be_v no_o enslave_v of_o his_o reason_n to_o any_o man_n usurpation_n over_o his_o faith_n and_o conscience_n but_o only_o a_o bring_v it_o to_o a_o modest_a compliance_n in_o order_n to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o humane_a society_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o duty_n of_o subjection_n yet_o it_o be_v one_o of_o peaceableness_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o our_o obligation_n to_o the_o authority_n itself_o yet_o it_o be_v most_o clear_o derive_v from_o a_o high_a obligation_n that_o all_o man_n be_v under_o to_o advance_v the_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n and_o more_o particular_o of_o that_o society_n they_o live_v in_o that_o be_v antecedent_n to_o those_o of_o government_n which_o be_v institute_v only_o in_o order_n to_o the_o common_a good_a and_o therefore_o though_o our_o duty_n in_o such_o case_n can_v not_o be_v deduce_v from_o our_o obligation_n to_o any_o humane_a authority_n yet_o it_o clear_o arise_v from_o that_o duty_n of_o charity_n we_o owe_v to_o our_o fellow_n creature_n and_o though_o we_o be_v not_o to_o submit_v our_o understand_n to_o any_o humane_a power_n yet_o we_o be_v to_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a law_n of_o charity_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o forego_v all_o more_o private_a and_o inferior_a obligation_n when_o they_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o it_o and_o thus_o st._n paul_n notwithstanding_o he_o declaim_v with_o so_o much_o vehemence_n against_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o judaical_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n never_o scruple_v to_o use_v they_o as_o oft_o as_o it_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n
and_o by_o consequence_n the_o good_a of_o mankind_n and_o all_o i_o will_v persuade_v man_n to_o be_v only_o that_o they_o will_v do_v as_o much_o out_o of_o duty_n as_o st._n paul_n do_v out_o of_o civility_n that_o as_o he_o comply_v with_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o jew_n retain_v his_o own_o private_a judgement_n to_o himself_o for_o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o religion_n so_o they_o will_v whatever_o their_o own_o persuasion_n be_v of_o some_o thing_n not_o clear_o and_o absolute_o sinful_a comply_v with_o the_o determination_n of_o their_o governor_n when_o it_o be_v conducive_a to_o the_o noble_a end_n of_o public_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n a_o thing_n in_o itself_o so_o good_a and_o so_o necessary_a that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o action_n that_o it_o will_v not_o render_v virtuous_a whatever_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o whenever_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v useful_a and_o instrumental_a to_o its_o attainment_n and_o therefore_o in_o all_o matter_n that_o be_v no_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o religion_n he_o that_o act_n cross_v to_o the_o command_n of_o authority_n have_v no_o sense_n either_o of_o the_o great_a end_n of_o order_n and_o government_n or_o great_a duty_n of_o humanity_n modest_a peaceableness_n meekness_n and_o civility_n i._n e._n he_o be_v a_o proud_a and_o factious_a person_n and_o have_v no_o other_o motive_n so_o to_o do_v but_o the_o pleasure_n of_o be_v peevish_a and_o disobedient_a in_o fine_a there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o liberty_n and_o authority_n of_o conscience_n the_o former_a consist_v in_o the_o freedom_n of_o a_o man_n own_o judgement_n and_o of_o this_o no_o magistrate_n can_v deprive_v we_o in_o that_o he_o can_v tie_v up_o any_o man_n understanding_n from_o judge_v of_o thing_n as_o himself_o please_v but_o as_o for_o the_o latter_a that_o consist_v in_o the_o power_n over_o man_n outward_a action_n and_o this_o as_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v all_o public_a affair_n every_o man_n do_v and_o of_o necessity_n must_v pass_v away_o to_o the_o ruler_n of_o that_o society_n he_o live_v in_o because_o though_o i_o have_v say_v it_o often_o enough_o already_o yet_o too_o often_o i_o can_v say_v it_o in_o that_o it_o be_v the_o main_a key_n of_o the_o controversy_n and_o yet_o but_o little_a if_o at_o all_o regard_v by_o our_o adversary_n the_o very_a nature_n of_o government_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o power_n of_o command_n over_o man_n action_n and_o therefore_o unless_o all_o man_n grant_v it_o away_o to_o their_o governor_n they_o live_v not_o under_o government_n but_o in_o a_o state_n of_o anarchy_n every_o man_n will_v be_v prince_n and_o monarch_n to_o himself_o and_o as_o free_v from_o all_o command_n as_o if_o he_o live_v out_o of_o all_o society_n see_v only_a himself_o shall_v have_v any_o real_a dominion_n over_o his_o own_o action_n and_o his_o governor_n shall_v not_o have_v power_n to_o command_v he_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o himself_n first_o think_v fit_a to_o do_v and_o i_o hope_v i_o need_v not_o to_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a dissolution_n of_o all_o government_n so_o that_o when_o man_n will_v be_v the_o absolute_a master_n of_o their_o own_o action_n it_o be_v not_o the_o freedom_n of_o conscience_n but_o its_o power_n and_o sovereignty_n for_o which_o they_o contend_v they_o will_v endure_v none_o to_o rule_v over_o they_o but_o themselves_o and_o force_v prince_n to_o submit_v their_o law_n to_o their_o saucy_a and_o imperious_a humour_n and_o it_o be_v this_o they_o mean_v by_o their_o pretence_n to_o a_o tender_a conscience_n i._n e._n a_o conscience_n that_o scruple_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o government_n that_o will_v in_o spite_n of_o all_o public_a law_n be_v entire_o at_o its_o own_o liberty_n that_o will_v not_o submit_v itself_o to_o any_o rule_n but_o its_o own_o private_a persuasion_n that_o affect_v to_o be_v nice_a and_o squeamish_a against_o all_o the_o command_n of_o its_o superior_n and_o love_v to_o censure_v they_o upon_o the_o light_a and_o most_o slender_a presumption_n and_o that_o will_v not_o yield_v up_o any_o thing_n of_o its_o own_o fantastic_a humour_n to_o its_o prince_n will_v or_o the_o church_n peace_n i._n e._n in_o effect_n the_o tenderness_n of_o their_o conscience_n for_o which_o forsooth_o they_o must_v be_v bear_v with_o consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o their_o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o notorious_a heretic_n for_o the_o rank_a sort_n of_o heresy_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o product_n of_o a_o peevish_a and_o contentious_a spirit_n and_o a_o heretic_n be_v one_o that_o delight_v in_o quarrel_n and_o faction_n whence_o erasmus_n render_v s._n paul_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sectarum_fw-la author_n a_o man_n that_o love_v to_o be_v the_o leader_n of_o a_o party_n it_o be_v peevishness_n and_o obstinacy_n of_o will_n that_o turn_v small_a error_n into_o great_a heresy_n pride_n and_o passion_n and_o whatsoever_o can_v make_v a_o opinion_n vicious_a be_v its_o fundamental_a ingredient_n and_o give_v it_o its_o essential_a formality_n this_o vice_n lie_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o opinion_n as_o in_o the_o temper_n of_o man_n it_o be_v a_o stubborn_a and_o refractory_a disposition_n of_o mind_n or_o a_o peremptoriness_n in_o a_o man_n own_o conception_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v by_o saint_n paul_n reckon_v among_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o flesh_n as_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o brutish_a peevishness_n that_o be_v direct_o oppose_v to_o that_o lenity_n and_o yieldingness_n of_o mind_n that_o be_v one_o of_o the_o choice_a fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n whence_o he_o advise_v not_o to_o confute_v but_o to_o admonish_v such_o a_o one_o i_o e._n that_o be_v quarrelsome_a and_o boisterous_a for_o every_o trifle_n and_o every_o fancy_n because_o through_o pride_n and_o perverseness_n he_o be_v uncapable_a of_o instruction_n and_o therefore_o can_v only_o be_v advise_v and_o not_o dispute_v into_o sobriety_n or_o to_o use_v the_o phrase_n of_o saint_n paul_n he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o fellow_n that_o be_v troublesome_a and_o contentious_a especial_o about_o the_o external_a rite_n and_o usage_n of_o the_o church_n and_o such_o a_o malapert_a nonconformist_a he_o suppose_v dispute_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n that_o their_o woman_n ought_v contrary_a to_o their_o receive_a custom_n to_o be_v uncover_v at_o divine_a service_n but_o he_o take_v he_o up_o with_o this_o short_a and_o peremptory_a answer_n if_o any_o man_n seem_v to_o be_v contentious_a we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n neither_o the_o church_n of_o god_n i._n e._n in_o thing_n neither_o moral_o good_a nor_o evil_a as_o few_o external_a rite_n be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o warrant_n of_o their_o lawfulness_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o decency_n and_o that_o be_v satisfaction_n enough_o to_o any_o sober_a and_o peaceable_a mind_n and_o he_o that_o shall_v refractory_o persist_v to_o control_v it_o must_v be_v treat_v as_o a_o disturber_n of_o the_o peace_n i._n e._n pity_v and_o punish_v as_o be_v all_o other_o turbulent_a and_o seditious_a person_n when_o man_n conscience_n be_v so_o squeamish_a or_o so_o humoursome_a as_o that_o they_o will_v rise_v against_o the_o custom_n and_o injunction_n of_o the_o church_n they_o live_v in_o she_o must_v scourge_v they_o into_o order_n and_o chastise_v they_o not_o so_o much_o for_o their_o fond_a persuasion_n as_o for_o their_o troublesome_a peevishness_n and_o this_o use_n of_o the_o church_n rod_n and_o censure_n be_v so_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o it_o be_v the_o only_a effectual_a way_n to_o preserve_v she_o from_o faction_n and_o contention_n not_o only_o because_o upon_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n soft_a method_n can_v make_v no_o impression_n but_o also_o because_o if_o we_o remove_v the_o limit_n and_o boundary_n of_o discipline_n there_o will_v be_v no_o end_n of_o the_o folly_n and_o frenzy_n of_o brainsick_a people_n and_o when_o they_o be_v once_o let_v loose_a who_o then_o can_v set_v bound_n to_o the_o wildness_n of_o godly_a madness_n for_o this_o we_o have_v too_o clear_a a_o proof_n in_o the_o frantic_a practice_n of_o our_o modern_a sectary_n who_o when_o they_o have_v inflame_v their_o little_a zeal_n against_o the_o ceremonial_a constitution_n of_o our_o church_n run_v themselves_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a gesture_n they_o measure_v the_o simplicity_n of_o christ_n worship_n by_o its_o opposition_n to_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o decency_n all_o institution_n of_o order_n be_v unwarrantable_a invention_n and_o tradition_n of_o man_n all_o custom_n be_v superstition_n and_o all_o discipline_n be_v popish_a and_o antichristian_a novelty_n how_o uncouth_a and_o fantastic_a soever_o be_v their_o only_a rule_n of_o decency_n and_o every_o sect_n distinguish_v itself_o from_o all_o other_o by_o some_o
rod_n or_o in_o love_n and_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n i._o e._n consider_v with_o yourselves_o that_o see_v i_o have_v determine_v to_o visit_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n whether_o when_o i_o come_v you_o have_v rather_o i_o shall_v chastise_v you_o with_o the_o apostolical_a rod_n by_o exercise_v my_o power_n of_o inflict_a punishment_n and_o by_o consign_v the_o refractory_a to_o those_o sharp_a and_o grievous_a disease_n that_o be_v wont_n immediate_o to_o follow_v apostolical_a censure_n or_o whether_o i_o shall_v come_v with_o a_o more_o gentle_a and_o merciful_a design_n without_o be_v force_v by_o your_o stubborness_n upon_o a_o necessity_n of_o use_v this_o severity_n among_o you_o as_o you_o behave_v yourselves_o so_o may_v you_o expect_v to_o find_v i_o at_o my_o come_n and_o thus_o again_o 2_o cor._n 10._o 6._o he_o threaten_v they_o with_o his_o be_v in_o a_o readiness_n if_o he_o shall_v come_v among_o they_o to_o revenge_v all_o their_o disobedience_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n he_o immediate_o profess_v himself_o not_o ashamed_a to_o boast_v of_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o 13._o chapter_n of_o the_o same_o epistle_n he_o again_o shake_v the_o same_o rod_n over_o they_o threaten_v that_o if_o their_o refractoriness_n force_v he_o to_o strike_v they_o with_o some_o judgement_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o sharp_a and_o severe_a one_o if_o i_o come_v again_o i_o will_v not_o spare_v since_o you_o seek_v a_o proof_n of_o christ_n speak_v in_o i_o these_o extraordinary_a infliction_n be_v sign_n and_o evidence_n of_o his_o apostleship_n and_o he_o will_v make_v they_o know_v that_o he_o be_v commissioned_n by_o christ_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v their_o church_n by_o make_v they_o to_o feel_v the_o sad_a effect_n of_o his_o miraculous_a power_n if_o nothing_o else_o will_v satisfy_v they_o about_o the_o right_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v the_o same_o apostle_n command_v to_o the_o same_o church_n concern_v the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a 1_o cor._n 5._o 5._o that_o they_o shall_v deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n i._n e._n that_o they_o shall_v denounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n against_o he_o which_o will_v amount_v to_o no_o small_a a_o punishment_n than_o his_o be_v resign_v up_o to_o the_o power_n and_o possession_n of_o some_o evil_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysost._n in_o 1._o ad_fw-la cor._n hom._n 15._o to_o be_v torment_v with_o ulcer_n or_o some_o other_o bodily_a disease_n and_o infliction_n which_o be_v then_o the_o usual_a consequent_a of_o excommunication_n the_o end_n of_o all_o which_o be_v as_o immediate_o follow_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n i._n e._n that_o be_v humble_v and_o bring_v to_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o his_o sin_n by_o the_o sadness_n of_o his_o condition_n and_o the_o heavy_a stroke_n of_o this_o cruel_a executioner_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n this_o may_v be_v a_o mean_n of_o work_v he_o to_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n and_o to_o the_o same_o end_n do_v the_o same_o apostle_n deliver_v hymeneus_n and_o alexander_n unto_o satan_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v not_o to_o blaspheme_v that_o be_v vex_v and_o torment_v by_o some_o evil_a spirit_n this_o may_v take_v down_o their_o proud_a and_o haughty_a stomach_n and_o make_v they_o cease_v to_o traduce_v and_o disparage_v his_o apostolical_a authority_n when_o they_o have_v smart_v so_o severe_o for_o contradict_v it_o and_o thus_o be_v the_o divine_a providence_n please_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o want_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n by_o his_o own_o almighty_a power_n so_o necessary_a be_v a_o coercive_a jurisdiction_n to_o the_o due_a government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n that_o god_n himself_o be_v fain_o to_o bestow_v it_o on_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o miraculous_a manner_n and_o thus_o be_v the_o primitive_a discipline_n maintain_v by_o miracle_n of_o severity_n as_o long_o as_o it_o want_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n but_o when_o christianity_n have_v once_o prevail_v and_o triumph_v over_o all_o the_o opposition_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n and_o have_v gain_v the_o empire_n of_o the_o world_n into_o its_o own_o possession_n and_o be_v become_v the_o imperial_a religion_n than_o begin_v its_o government_n to_o re-settle_a where_o nature_n have_v place_v it_o and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n for_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o emperor_n thought_n themselves_o concern_v to_o look_v to_o its_o government_n and_o protection_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o abet_v the_o spiritual_a power_n of_o the_o clergy_n with_o their_o secular_a authority_n then_o begin_v the_o divine_a providence_n to_o withdraw_v the_o miraculous_a power_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o he_o do_v by_o degree_n all_o the_o other_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n as_o their_o necessity_n cease_v as_o be_v now_o as_o well_o supply_v by_o the_o natural_a &_o ordinary_a power_n of_o the_o prince_n so_o that_o though_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o ministerial_a function_n still_o continue_v in_o the_o person_n that_o be_v thereunto_o original_o commissioned_n by_o our_o saviour_n the_o exercise_n of_o its_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v restore_v to_o the_o imperial_a diadem_n and_o the_o bishop_n become_v then_o as_o they_o be_v now_o minister_n of_o state_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n and_o challenge_v not_o any_o secular_a power_n but_o what_o they_o derive_v from_o the_o prince_n who_o suppose_v they_o best_a able_a to_o understand_v and_o manage_v the_o interest_n of_o religion_n grant_v they_o commission_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o himself_o and_o vest_v they_o with_o as_o much_o coercive_a power_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o judge_n be_v depute_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n to_o govern_v the_o affair_n of_o justice_n and_o to_o inflict_v the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n upon_o delinquent_n so_o that_o bishop_n neither_o have_v nor_o ever_o have_v any_o temporal_a authority_n but_o only_o as_o they_o be_v the_o king_n ecclesiastical_a judge_n appoint_v by_o he_o to_o govern_v affair_n of_o religion_n as_o civil_a or_o secular_a judge_n be_v to_o govern_v affair_n of_o justice_n §_o 17._o and_o now_o that_o the_o government_n of_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n devolve_v upon_o the_o royal_a authority_n assoon_o as_o it_o become_v christian_n be_v undeniable_o evident_a from_o all_o the_o law_n and_o record_n of_o the_o empire_n praes_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o time_n that_o the_o emperor_n become_v christian_a the_o disposal_n and_o government_n of_o church_n affair_n depend_v entire_o on_o their_o authority_n constantine_n be_v no_o soon_o settle_v in_o his_o imperial_a throne_n but_o he_o take_v the_o settlement_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n into_o his_o own_o cognizance_n he_o call_v synod_n and_o council_n in_o order_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n he_o ratify_v their_o canon_n into_o law_n he_o prohibit_v the_o conventicle_n of_o the_o donatist_n and_o demolish_v their_o meeting-house_n he_o make_v edict_n concern_v festival_n the_o rite_n of_o sepulture_n the_o immunity_n of_o church_n the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n the_o privilege_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o divers_a other_o thing_n appertain_v to_o the_o outward_a polity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o which_o jurisdiction_n he_o be_v careful_o follow_v by_o all_o his_o successor_n which_o can_v but_o be_v know_v to_o every_o man_n that_o be_v not_o as_o utter_o ignorant_a of_o the_o civil_a law_n as_o he_o in_o the_o comedy_n who_o suppose_v corpus_fw-la juris_fw-la civilis_fw-la to_o be_v a_o dutchman_n the_o code_n the_o authentic_o the_o french_a capitular_o be_v full_a of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o constitution_n the_o first_o book_n of_o the_o code_n treat_v of_o nothing_o but_o religion_n and_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o public_a worship_n the_o privilege_n of_o ecclesiastical_a man_n and_o thing_n the_o distinct_a office_n and_o function_n of_o the_o several_a degree_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n and_o the_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o religious_a affair_n and_o infinite_a other_o thing_n that_o immediate_o concern_v the_o interest_n of_o religion_n and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o authentic_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v every_o where_o scatter_v up_o and_o down_o through_o the_o whole_a volume_n which_o be_v divide_v into_o nine_o collation_n have_v not_o
above_o one_o viz._n the_o four_o that_o have_v not_o divers_a law_n relate_v to_o church_n affair_n and_o as_o for_o the_o capitular_o of_o charles_n the_o great_a together_o with_o the_o addition_n of_o lewis_n the_o godly_a his_o son_n and_o successor_n they_o contain_v little_a else_o but_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o lindembrogius_fw-la his_o collection_n of_o ancient_a law_n together_o with_o divers_a other_o law_n of_o theodorick_n and_o other_o gothish_a king_n §_o 18._o and_o next_o to_o the_o divine_a providence_n we_o owe_v the_o settlement_n and_o preservation_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o conduct_n of_o christian_a prince_n for_o by_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o primitive_a spirit_n and_o genius_n of_o christianity_n be_v wear_v out_o of_o fashion_n and_o the_o meekness_n and_o humility_n of_o its_o first_o professor_n begin_v to_o give_v place_n to_o a_o furious_a and_o tumultuary_a zeal_n and_o no_o soon_o do_v the_o heat_n of_o persecution_n begin_v to_o abate_v but_o the_o church_n be_v present_o shatter_v into_o swarm_n of_o faction_n by_o the_o violent_a passion_n and_o animosity_n of_o its_o member_n about_o bare_a speculation_n or_o useless_a practice_n and_o of_o all_o the_o quarrel_n that_o ever_o disturb_a the_o world_n there_o be_v never_o any_o perhaps_o so_o excuseless_a or_o so_o irregular_a as_o those_o of_o christendom_n of_o which_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o determine_v whether_o they_o be_v commence_v with_o more_o folly_n and_o indiscretion_n or_o pursue_v with_o more_o passion_n and_o frowardness_n the_o rage_n and_o fierceness_n of_o christian_n have_v kindle_v such_o a_o fire_n in_o the_o church_n that_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v be_v consume_v by_o its_o own_o combustion_n have_v not_o the_o christian_a emperor_n employ_v all_o their_o power_n to_o suppress_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o flame_n and_o though_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o their_o prudence_n and_o industry_n christianity_n be_v sad_o impair_v by_o its_o own_o tumult_n and_o sedition_n yet_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o care_n of_o christian_a prince_n it_o have_v in_o all_o humane_a probability_n be_v utter_o destroy_v and_o the_o flame_n that_o have_v once_o catch_v its_o superstructure_n must_v without_o remedy_n have_v burn_v up_o its_o very_a foundation_n and_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o record_n and_o history_n of_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o most_o dangerous_a disturbance_n that_o threaten_v the_o state_n have_v their_o beginning_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o empire_n be_v more_o shake_v by_o the_o intestine_a commotion_n that_o arise_v from_o religion_n than_o by_o foreign_a war_n and_o invasion_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v it_o that_o we_o find_v they_o so_o high_o concern_v to_o reconcile_v all_o the_o discord_n and_o allay_v all_o the_o heat_n about_o religion_n by_o silence_v needless_a and_o unprofitable_a controversy_n determine_v certain_a &_o necessary_a truth_n prescribe_v decent_a rite_n &_o ceremony_n of_o public_a worship_n and_o all_o other_o wise_a and_o prudent_a expedient_n to_o bring_v the_o mind_n and_o practice_n of_o man_n to_o sobriety_n and_o moderation_n §_o 19_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v the_o outward_a polity_n of_o the_o church_n tolerable_o well_o establish_v and_o the_o affair_n of_o religion_n competent_o well_o ground_v though_o better_o or_o worse_o according_a to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o vigilance_n of_o the_o several_a emperor_n till_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n usurp_v one_o half_a of_o the_o imperial_a power_n and_o annex_v the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o supremacy_n to_o their_o own_o see_n for_o take_v advantage_n of_o the_o distraction_n occasion_v partly_o by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o northern_a nation_n on_o the_o west_n partly_o by_o the_o invasion_n of_o the_o turkish_a power_n on_o the_o east_n but_o main_o by_o the_o division_n of_o the_o empire_n itself_o they_o gain_v either_o by_o force_n or_o fraud_n the_o whole_a dominion_n of_o religion_n to_o themselves_o and_o by_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n usurp_v a_o absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a empire_n over_o the_o faith_n and_o conscience_n of_o mankind_n and_o whilst_o they_o at_o first_o pretend_v no_o other_o title_n to_o their_o sovereignty_n but_o what_o they_o derive_v from_o religion_n they_o be_v constrain_v to_o serve_v up_o their_o power_n to_o a_o unmeasurable_a tyranny_n thereby_o to_o secure_v themselves_o in_o those_o insolence_n and_o indignity_n wherewith_o they_o perpetual_o affront_v the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n and_o know_v the_o freeborn_a reason_n of_o man_n will_v never_o tame_o brook_v to_o be_v enslave_v to_o so_o ignoble_a a_o tyranny_n they_o proclaim_v it_o a_o traitor_n or_o what_o be_v the_o same_o a_o heretic_n to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o by_o their_o loud_a noise_n and_o menace_n fright_v it_o out_o of_o christendom_n in_o which_o design_n they_o at_o length_n advance_v so_o far_o till_o rome_n christian_n become_v little_o less_o fond_a and_o superstitious_a than_o rome_n heathen_a and_o christianity_n itself_o be_v almost_o debauch_v to_o the_o low_a guise_n of_o paganism_n and_o europe_n the_o seat_n of_o the_o most_o refine_a and_o polite_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v involve_v in_o a_o more_o than_o african_a ignorance_n and_o barbarity_n and_o thus_o do_v they_o easy_o usher_v in_o the_o grand_a departure_n and_o apostasy_n from_o religion_n by_o the_o fall_n away_o from_o reason_n and_o found_v the_o roman_a faith_n as_o well_o as_o empire_n upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o humane_a liberty_n §_o 20._o in_o which_o sad_a posture_n continue_v the_o affair_n of_o christendom_n till_o the_o reformation_n which_o though_o it_o have_v wrought_v wonderful_a alteration_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n yet_o have_v it_o not_o be_v able_a to_o resettle_v prince_n in_o their_o full_a &_o natural_a right_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o concern_v of_o religion_n for_o although_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n in_o religious_a matter_n be_v express_o assert_v in_o all_o the_o public_a confession_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n but_o especial_o in_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o be_v not_o content_v bare_o to_o affirm_v it_o but_o denounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n against_o all_o that_o deny_v it_o yet_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o exorbitant_a power_n that_o some_o pert_a and_o pragmatical_a divine_n have_v gain_v over_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n this_o great_a article_n have_v find_v little_a or_o no_o entertainment_n in_o their_o practice_n there_o start_v up_o a_o race_n of_o proud_a and_o imperious_a man_n about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n who_o not_o regard_v the_o prince_n power_n take_v upon_o themselves_o to_o frame_v precise_a hypothesis_n of_o orthodoxy_n and_o to_o set_v up_o their_o own_o pedantic_a system_n and_o institution_n for_o the_o standard_n of_o divine_a truth_n and_o want_v what_o the_o other_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o prescription_n they_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o this_o pretence_n not_o only_o excuse_v but_o justify_v any_o wild_a theorem_n they_o can_v not_o prove_v by_o sober_a reason_n and_o those_o that_o will_v be_v awe_v with_o it_o they_o embrace_v for_o orthodox_n and_o those_o that_o will_v not_o they_o brand_v for_o heretic_n by_o which_o little_a device_n they_o decoy_v the_o silly_a and_o ignorant_a rabble_n into_o their_o own_o party_n the_o effect_n of_o all_o which_o have_v be_v nothing_o but_o a_o brutish_a and_o fanatic_a ignorance_n make_v man_n to_o talk_v of_o little_a else_o but_o rapture_n and_o ecstasy_n and_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o a_o buzz_n and_o noise_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n whereby_o they_o be_v only_o impregnable_o possess_v with_o their_o own_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a fancy_n become_v saucy_a and_o impudent_a for_o religion_n confound_v order_n and_o despise_v government_n and_o will_v be_v guide_v by_o nothing_o but_o the_o whimsy_n and_o humour_n of_o a_o unaccountable_a conscience_n §_o 21._o and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o most_o protestant_a prince_n have_v be_v fright_v not_o to_o say_v hector_v out_o of_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o the_o clamour_n of_o giddy_a and_o distemper_a zealot_n superstition_n and_o enthusiasm_n have_v outface_v the_o law_n and_o put_v government_n out_o of_o countenance_n by_o the_o boldness_n of_o their_o pretension_n confident_n man_n have_v talk_v so_o loud_o of_o the_o inviolable_a sacredness_n and_o authority_n of_o their_o conscience_n that_o governor_n not_o thorough_o instruct_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n so_o late_o restore_v to_o they_o have_v be_v almost_o scare_v from_o intermeddle_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v upon_o this_o score_n plead_v its_o privilege_n and_o exemption_n from_o their_o command_n and_o how_o