christ_n disciple_n quite_o lose_v among_o we_o and_o the_o continuance_n of_o these_o miserable_a distraction_n among_o we_o upon_o such_o frivolous_a account_n if_o compare_v with_o the_o interest_n of_o peace_n and_o charity_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o sad_a consideration_n to_o all_o lively_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o forebode_n great_a evil_n impendent_a over_o our_o church_n and_o state_n i_o doubt_v not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o devil_n have_v fight_v more_o successful_o against_o religion_n under_o the_o mark_n of_o a_o zealous_a reformer_n than_o under_o any_o other_o disguise_n whatever_o the_o grand_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n have_v by_o various_a way_n and_o mean_v all_o along_o contrive_v and_o endeavour_v to_o defeat_v the_o design_n of_o heaven_n for_o the_o good_a and_o happiness_n of_o man_n and_o as_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n have_v in_o several_a age_n of_o the_o world_n manifest_v itself_o for_o the_o encourage_n and_o promote_a of_o true_a righteousness_n and_o 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sufficient_o convince_v man_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v hope_v that_o any_o discourse_n shall_v we_o little_o consider_v who_o interest_n we_o thus_o serve_v and_o promote_v we_o do_v his_o work_n who_o be_v most_o delight_v with_o srife_n and_o confusion_n and_o every_o one_o can_v tell_v who_o that_o be_v and_o where_o he_o reign_v to_o be_v sure_a by_o these_o uncharitable_a separation_n we_o high_o gratify_v the_o common_a eenemy_n who_o great_a design_n and_o policy_n it_o have_v all_o along_o be_v by_o the_o folly_n and_o invincible_a scruple_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n to_o weaken_v and_o by_o degree_n pull_v down_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o then_o we_o all_o become_v a_o become_v a_o easy_a prey_n to_o rome_n if_o any_o now_o tell_v i_o that_o to_o prevent_v this_o great_a mischief_n and_o danger_n that_o arise_v from_o our_o division_n it_o be_v not_o so_o necessary_a that_o the_o people_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o scruple_n which_o they_o can_v well_o do_v 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the_o church_n will_v not_o justify_v our_o leave_v it_o nay_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o it_o be_v our_o best_a and_o safe_a course_n to_o submit_v and_o comply_v with_o such_o order_n notwithstanding_o our_o scruple_n but_o i_o add_v 2._o if_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o the_o constitution_n of_o any_o church_n shall_v be_v alter_v because_o some_o thing_n be_v scruple_v in_o it_o there_o never_o can_v be_v a_o settle_a church_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n stand_v for_o since_o there_o will_v be_v always_o a_o difference_n in_o man_n understanding_n and_o temper_n some_o weak_a and_o injudicious_a other_o peevish_a and_o proud_a there_o will_v consequent_o be_v many_o that_o shall_v scruple_n and_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o best_a and_o most_o innocent_a constitution_n and_o if_o the_o ceremony_n now_o in_o use_n among_o we_o have_v not_o be_v retain_v at_o our_o first_o reformation_n those_o very_a person_n who_o be_v now_o so_o much_o dissatisfy_v with_o 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time_n find_v cavil_v objection_n against_o any_o constitution_n that_o can_v be_v make_v they_o be_v like_o man_n give_v to_o sue_v and_o go_v to_o law_n they_o never_o want_v some_o pretence_n to_o disturb_v themselves_o and_o their_o neighbour_n man_n may_v talk_v of_o reconcile_a our_o difference_n and_o make_v up_o our_o breach_n to_o their_o life_n end_v and_o propound_v their_o several_a project_n and_o frame_v their_o model_n and_o conceive_v fine_a design_n of_o union_n and_o accommodation_n yet_o none_o of_o these_o will_v have_v any_o effect_n or_o do_v any_o good_a till_o man_n learn_v humility_n and_o modesty_n and_o be_v content_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o other_o in_o thing_n indifferent_a till_o self-conceit_n and_o pride_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n root_v out_o and_o when_o this_o be_v effectual_o do_v there_o will_v then_o be_v find_v but_o little_a need_n of_o any_o alteration_n in_o the_o present_a constitution_n the_o foundation_n of_o our_o peace_n and_o 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deliver_v in_o a_o certain_a prescribe_a form_n of_o word_n shall_v his_o importunate_a renew_a request_n fail_v of_o success_n because_o he_o still_o use_v the_o same_o expression_n and_o read_v his_o prayer_n out_o of_o a_o book_n be_v god_n please_v with_o variety_n of_o word_n or_o the_o copiousness_n of_o our_o invention_n or_o the_o elegancy_n of_o our_o phrase_n and_o style_n be_v it_o not_o the_o heart_n and_o inward_a frame_n of_o spirit_n that_o god_n principal_o respect_v in_o all_o our_o prayer_n or_o can_v we_o think_v so_o mean_o of_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v shut_v his_o ear_n against_o the_o unite_a prayer_n of_o his_o people_n because_o offend_v at_o the_o colour_n of_o the_o garment_n in_o which_o the_o minister_n officiate_n suppose_v two_o person_n both_o with_o equal_a preparation_n with_o true_a repentance_n and_o faith_n to_o approach_v the_o lord_n table_n one_o of_o they_o out_o of_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o his_o unworthiness_n to_o receive_v so_o great_a blessing_n and_o out_o of_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o benefit_n therein_o confer_v upon_o he_o take_v the_o sacrament_n upon_o his_o knee_n in_o the_o humble_a posture_n the_o other_o sit_v or_o stand_v can_v you_o think_v that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v effectual_a or_o beneficial_a or_o that_o god_n bless_v it_o only_o to_o he_o that_o sit_v or_o that_o it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o advantage_n to_o he_o if_o he_o also_o have_v receive_v it_o kneel_v to_o surmise_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v sure_o to_o dishonour_n god_n as_o if_o he_o be_v a_o low_a poor_a humoursome_a be_v like_o a_o father_n that_o shall_v disinherit_v his_o child_n though_o in_o all_o respect_n most_o dutiful_a to_o he_o and_o every_o way_n deserve_v his_o great_a kindness_n only_o because_o he_o do_v not_o like_o his_o complexion_n or_o the_o colour_n of_o his_o hair_n the_o wise_a and_o great_a any_o person_n be_v to_o who_o we_o address_v ourselves_o the_o less_o he_o will_v stand_v upon_o little_a punctilio_n under_o the_o jewish_a law_n the_o minute_a circumstance_n of_o worship_n be_v exact_o describe_v and_o determine_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o it_o be_v not_o ordinary_o lawful_a for_o the_o people_n at_o all_o to_o vary_v from_o they_o but_o it_o be_v necessary_a then_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v thus_o because_o the_o jewish_a worship_n be_v typical_a of_o what_o be_v to_o come_v hereafter_o and_o those_o many_o nice_a observance_n that_o be_v appoint_v be_v not_o command_v for_o themselves_o as_o if_o there_o be_v any_o excellency_n in_o they_o but_o they_o be_v shadow_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v which_o be_v all_o now_o do_v away_o by_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o bring_n in_o of_o everlasting_a righteousness_n the_o only_a thing_n always_o please_v to_o god_n and_o agreeable_a to_o his_o nature_n it_o be_v a_o spiritual_a rational_a service_n god_n now_o expect_v from_o we_o and_o delight_n in_o and_o he_o must_v look_v upon_o god_n as_o a_o very_a fond_a and_o captious_a be_v who_o can_v persuade_v himself_o that_o our_o prayer_n and_o thansgiving_n and_o other_o act_n of_o worship_n though_o we_o be_v most_o hearty_a and_o devout_a in_o they_o yet_o shall_v be_v reject_v by_o he_o only_o because_o of_o some_o particular_a habit_n or_o gesture_n we_o use_v which_o be_v neither_o dishonourable_a to_o god_n nor_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o religious_a performance_n such_o mean_a thought_n of_o god_n be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o all_o superstition_n when_o we_o think_v to_o court_v and_o please_v he_o by_o make_v great_a conscience_n about_o little_a thing_n and_o so_o it_o have_v be_v true_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v far_o more_o superstition_n in_o conscientious_a abstain_v from_o that_o which_o god_n have_v no_o where_o forbid_v than_o there_o be_v in_o do_v that_o which_o god_n have_v not_o command_v a_o man_n may_v certain_o do_v what_o
god_n have_v not_o command_v and_o yet_o never_o think_v to_o flatter_v god_n by_o it_o nor_o place_v any_o religion_n in_o it_o but_o he_o may_v do_v it_o only_o out_o of_o obedience_n to_o his_o superior_n for_o outward_a order_n and_o decency_n for_o which_o end_n our_o ceremony_n be_v appoint_v and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o superstition_n in_o they_o but_o now_o a_o man_n cannout_n out_o of_o conscience_n refuse_v to_o do_v what_o god_n have_v not_o forbid_v and_o be_v by_o lawful_a authority_n require_v of_o he_o but_o he_o must_v think_v to_o please_v god_n by_o such_o abstain_v and_o in_o this_o conceit_n of_o please_v or_o humour_v god_n by_o indifferent_a thing_n consist_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o superstition_n have_v great_a and_o honourable_a thought_n of_o god_n and_o behold_v all_o these_o thing_n will_v be_v clean_a to_o you_o 2._o which_o be_v the_o particular_a rule_n of_o my_o text_n lay_v out_o your_o great_a care_n and_o zeal_n about_o the_o necessary_a and_o 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usual_o except_v against_o let_v he_o consult_v with_o some_o of_o our_o church_n before_o he_o leave_v it_o let_v he_o honest_o repair_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o parish_n or_o some_o other_o who_o he_o have_v in_o great_a estimation_n and_o ingenious_o open_v his_o mind_n to_o he_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v he_o most_o stumble_v at_o and_o hear_v what_o can_v be_v offer_v for_o the_o resolution_n of_o his_o doubt_n if_o consult_v with_o one_o person_n will_v not_o do_v it_o let_v he_o advise_v with_o other_o and_o try_v this_o often_o before_o he_o condemn_v we_o and_o divide_v from_o we_o will_v man_n do_v this_o serious_o with_o earnest_a desire_n of_o instruction_n without_o doubt_n we_o shall_v have_v far_o few_o separatist_n and_o they_o who_o after_o this_o do_v still_o dissent_v from_o we_o will_v be_v far_o more_o excusable_a in_o it_o than_o otherwise_o they_o be_v and_o this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o man_n ordinary_o do_v in_o their_o temporal_a affair_n 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know_a and_o experience_a physician_n be_v the_o only_a proper_a mean_n to_o determine_v he_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o here_o when_o any_o private_a christian_a be_v trouble_v and_o perplex_v with_o fear_n and_o scruple_n that_o concern_v his_o duty_n or_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n he_o ought_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o public_a guide_n and_o minister_n of_o religion_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o be_v best_a fit_v to_o direct_v and_o conduct_v he_o i_o say_v to_o come_v to_o they_o not_o only_o to_o dispute_v and_o argue_v with_o they_o and_o pert_o to_o oppose_v they_o but_o with_o all_o modesty_n to_o propound_v their_o doubt_n meek_o to_o hearken_v to_o and_o receive_v instruction_n humble_o beg_v of_o god_n to_o open_v their_o understanding_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o embrace_v the_o truth_n take_v great_a care_n that_o no_o evil_a affection_n love_v of_o a_o party_n or_o carnal_a interest_n 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to_o change_v their_o mind_n when_o they_o see_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o can_v we_o thus_o prevail_v with_o the_o people_n diligent_o to_o examine_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n our_o church_n will_v every_o day_n gain_v more_o ground_n among_o all_o wise_a man_n for_o we_o care_v not_o how_o much_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n our_o people_n have_v so_o they_o be_v but_o humble_a and_o modest_a with_o it_o nor_o do_v we_o desire_v man_n to_o become_v our_o proselyte_n any_o further_a than_o we_o give_v they_o good_a scripture_n and_o reason_n for_o it_o 2._o but_o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o so_o capable_a of_o examine_v or_o judge_v for_o themselves_o as_o few_o of_o the_o common_a people_n who_o separate_v from_o we_o real_o be_v they_o not_o be_v able_a to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o their_o dissent_n from_o we_o only_o in_o general_a word_n declaim_v against_o popery_n superstition_n antichristian_a and_o unscriptural_a ceremony_n humane_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n such_o have_v better_a trust_n to_o and_o depend_v on_o those_o minister_n of_o know_a sufficiency_n for_o their_o office_n who_o be_v regular_o and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n set_v over_o they_o than_o any_o other_o guide_n or_o teacher_n that_o they_o can_v choose_v for_o themselves_o this_o to_o be_v sure_o be_v the_o safe_a course_n which_o in_o doubtful_a case_n be_v always_o to_o be_v take_v i_o speak_v now_o of_o these_o present_a controversy_n about_o form_n and_o ceremony_n so_o hot_o agitate_a among_o we_o which_o be_v above_o the_o sphere_n of_o common_a people_n out_o of_o their_o profession_n not_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o all_o man_n which_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n when_o therefore_o in_o such_o case_n about_o which_o we_o can_v easy_o satisfy_v ourselves_o we_o follow_v the_o advice_n of_o the_o public_o authorize_v guide_n and_o preacher_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o mislead_v we_o we_o have_v something_o to_o say_v or_o apologise_v for_o ourselves_o our_o error_n be_v more_o excusable_a and_o pardonable_a as_o be_v occasion_v by_o those_o to_o who_o judgement_n by_o god_n command_n we_o do_v owe_v a_o great_a respect_n and_o submission_n but_o when_o we_o choose_v instructor_n and_o counsellor_n to_o ourselves_o according_a to_o our_o own_o fancy_n and_o like_n and_o they_o teach_v we_o contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o lawful_a minister_n if_o then_o we_o prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o be_v betray_v into_o sin_n we_o may_v thank_v our_o own_o wantonness_n for_o it_o and_o be_v more_o severe_o accountable_a for_o such_o mistake_v thus_o let_v a_o man_n that_o be_v trouble_v with_o any_o threaten_a disease_n apply_v himself_o rather_o to_o the_o license_v physician_n or_o surgeon_n of_o approve_a skill_n and_o honesty_n and_o if_o he_o chance_v to_o miscarry_v under_o they_o yet_o he_o have_v this_o contentment_n that_o he_o use_v the_o best_a and_o wise_a mean_n for_o his_o health_n and_o recovery_n but_o if_o he_o leave_v they_o all_o and_o will_v hearken_v only_o to_o quack_n and_o empiric_n though_o they_o advise_v he_o quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o the_o other_o prescribe_v if_o under_o their_o hand_n he_o grow_v worse_a and_o worse_o he_o must_v then_o charge_v his_o own_o perverse_a folly_n or_o idle_a humour_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o ruin_n 4._o in_o order_n to_o the_o cure_n of_o our_o scruple_n we_o shall_v thorough_o understand_v and_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o lawful_a and_o how_o it_o differ_v from_o what_o be_v necessary_a and_o from_o what_o be_v sinful_a that_o be_v necessary_a or_o our_o duty_n which_o god_n have_v express_o command_v that_o be_v sinful_a which_o god_n have_v forbid_v that_o be_v lawful_a which_o god_n have_v not_o by_o any_o law_n oblige_v we_o either_o command_v or_o forbid_v for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n say_v the_o apostle_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n rom._n 4._o 15._o there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n but_o either_o omit_v what_o the_o law_n command_v or_o do_v what_o the_o law_n forbid_v for_o instance_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v where_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v forbid_v in_o scripture_n where_o sit_v be_v require_v where_o pray_v by_o a_o form_n be_v forbid_v and_o extemporary_a prayer_n be_v enjoin_v then_o indeed_o the_o dispute_n will_v soon_o be_v at_o a_o end_n but_o if_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o can_v be_v find_v as_o most_o certain_o they_o can_v then_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n and_o read_v prayer_n out_o of_o a_o book_n must_v be_v reckon_v among_o thing_n lawful_a and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o scruple_v they_o because_o they_o may_v be_v do_v without_o sin_n nay_o where_o they_o be_v require_v by_o our_o superior_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o because_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v they_o in_o 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