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26_o to_o the_o 31_o verse_n lest_o while_o you_o gather_v up_o the_o tare_n you_o root_v up_o also_o the_o wheat_n with_o they_o let_v both_o grow_v together_o until_o the_o harvest_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o harvest_n i_o will_v say_v to_o the_o reaper_n gather_v you_o together_o first_o the_o tare_n etc._n etc._n whereby_o he_o declare_v that_o this_o work_n neither_o his_o own_o minister_n nor_o any_o else_o can_v discern_o enough_o or_o judge_o perform_v without_o his_o own_o immediate_a direction_n in_o his_o own_o fit_a season_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v till_o then_o not_o to_o attempt_v it_o which_o be_v further_o confirm_v 2_o cor._n 1.24_o not_o that_o we_o have_v dominion_n over_o your_o faith_n but_o be_v helper_n of_o your_o joy_n if_o apostle_n have_v no_o dominion_n or_o constrain_a power_n over_o faith_n or_o conscience_n much_o less_o have_v ordinary_a minister_n 1_o pet._n 5.2_o 3._o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n not_o by_o constraint_n etc._n etc._n 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better_a than_o a_o temporal_a indulgence_n of_o sin_n for_o money_n whether_o by_o the_o church_n exact_v or_o by_o the_o magistrate_n both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o a_o temporal_a satisfaction_n for_o what_o christ_n have_v satisfy_v eternal_o a_o popish_a commute_n of_o penalty_n corporal_a for_o spiritual_a a_o satisfaction_n to_o man_n especial_o to_o the_o magistrate_n for_o what_o and_o to_o who_o we_o owe_v none_o these_o and_o more_o be_v the_o injustice_n of_o force_n and_o fine_v in_o religion_n beside_o what_o i_o most_o insist_v on_o the_o violation_n of_o god_n express_a commandment_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o have_v be_v show_v thus_o than_o if_o church-governor_n can_v use_v force_n in_o religion_n though_o but_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o they_o can_v infallible_o determine_v to_o the_o conscience_n without_o convincement_n much_o less_o have_v civil_a magistrate_n authority_n to_o use_v force_n where_o they_o can_v much_o less_o judge_n unless_o they_o 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thus_o another_o greek_a apparition_n stand_v in_o our_o way_n heresy_n and_o heretic_n in_o like_o manner_n also_o rail_v at_o to_o the_o people_n as_o in_o a_o tongue_n unknown_a they_o shall_v first_o interpret_v to_o they_o that_o heresy_n by_o what_o it_o signify_v in_o that_o language_n be_v no_o word_n of_o evil_a note_n mean_v only_o the_o choice_n or_o follow_v of_o any_o opinion_n good_a or_o bad_a in_o religion_n or_o any_o other_o learning_n and_o thus_o not_o only_o in_o heathen_a author_n but_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n itself_o without_o censure_n or_o blame_v act_n 15.5_o certain_a of_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o pharise_n which_o believe_v and_o 26.5_o after_o the_o exact_a heresy_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o live_v a_o pharisee_n in_o which_o sense_n presbyterian_a or_o independent_a may_v without_o reproach_n be_v call_v a_o heresy_n where_o it_o be_v mention_v with_o blame_n it_o seem_v to_o differ_v little_a from_o schism_n 1_o cor._n 11.18_o 19_o i_o hear_v that_o there_o be_v schism_n among_o you_o etc._n etc._n for_o there_o must_v also_o heresy_n be_v among_o you_o though_o some_o who_o write_v of_o heresy_n after_o their_o own_o head_n will_v make_v it_o far_o worse_o than_o schism_n when_o as_o on_o the_o contrary_a schism_n signify_v division_n and_o in_o the_o worst_a sense_n heresy_n choice_n only_o of_o one_o opinion_n before_o another_o which_o may_v be_v without_o discord_n in_o apostolic_a time_n therefore_o ere_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v heresy_n be_v a_o doctrine_n maintain_v against_o the_o doctrine_n by_o they_o deliver_v which_o in_o these_o time_n can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o define_v then_o a_o doctrine_n maintain_v against_o the_o light_n which_o we_o now_o only_o have_v of_o the_o scripture_n see_v therefore_o that_o no_o man_n no_o synod_n no_o session_n of_o man_n though_o call_v the_o church_n can_v judge_v definitive_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n to_o another_o man_n conscience_n which_o be_v well_o know_v to_o be_v a_o general_a maxim_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n it_o follow_v plain_o that_o he_o who_o hold_v in_o religion_n that_o belief_n or_o those_o opinion_n which_o to_o his_o conscience_n and_o utmost_a understanding_n appear_v with_o most_o evidence_n or_o probability_n in_o the_o scripture_n though_o to_o other_o he_o seem_v erroneous_a can_v no_o more_o be_v just_o censure_v for_o a_o heretic_n than_o his_o censurer_n who_o do_v but_o the_o same_o thing_n themselves_o while_o they_o censure_v he_o for_o so_o do_v for_o ask_v they_o or_o any_o protestant_a which_o have_v most_o authority_n the_o church_n or_o the_o scripture_n they_o will_v answer_v doubtless_o that_o the_o scripture_n and_o what_o have_v most_o authority_n that_o no_o doubt_n but_o they_o will_v confess_v be_v to_o be_v follow_v he_o then_o who_o to_o his_o best_a apprehension_n follow_v the_o scripture_n though_o against_o any_o point_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o whole_a church_n receive_v be_v not_o the_o heretic_n but_o he_o who_o follow_v the_o church_n against_o his_o conscience_n and_o persuasion_n ground_v on_o the_o scripture_n to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o undeniable_a i_o shall_v only_o borrow_v a_o plane_n simile_n the_o same_o which_o our_o own_o writer_n when_o they_o will_v demonstrate_v plain_a that_o we_o right_o prefer_v the_o scripture_n before_o the_o church_n use_v frequent_o against_o the_o papist_n in_o this_o manner_n as_o the_o samaritan_n believe_v christ_n first_o for_o the_o woman_n word_n but_o next_o and_o much_o rather_o for_o his_o own_o so_o we_o the_o scripture_n first_o on_o the_o church_n word_n but_o afterwards_o and_o much_o more_o for_o its_o own_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o the_o church_n itself_o we_o believe_v then_o for_o the_o scripture_n the_o inference_n of_o itself_o follow_v if_o by_o the_o protestant_a doctrine_n we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n not_o for_o the_o church_n say_v but_o for_o its_o own_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o ought_v we_o to_o believe_v what_o in_o our_o conscience_n we_o apprehend_v the_o scripture_n to_o say_v though_o the_o visible_a church_n with_o all_o her_o doctor_n gainsay_v and_o be_v teach_v to_o believe_v they_o only_o for_o the_o scripture_n they_o who_o so_o do_v be_v not_o heretic_n but_o the_o best_a protestant_n and_o by_o their_o opinion_n whatever_o they_o be_v can_v hurt_v no_o protestant_a who_o rule_n be_v not_o to_o receive_v they_o but_o from_o the_o scripture_n which_o to_o interpret_v convince_o to_o his_o own_o conscience_n none_o be_v able_a but_o himself_o guide_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o not_o so_o guide_v none_o then_o he_o to_o himself_o can_v be_v a_o worse_a deceiver_n to_o protestant_n therefore_o who_o common_a rule_n and_o touchstone_n be_v the_o scripture_n nothing_o can_v with_o more_o conscience_n more_o equity_n nothing_o more_o protestant_o can_v be_v permit_v then_o a_o free_a and_o lawful_a debate_n at_o all_o time_n by_o writing_n conference_n or_o disputation_n of_o what_o opinion_n soever_o disputable_a by_o scripture_n conclude_v that_o no_o man_n in_o religion_n be_v proper_o a_o heretic_n at_o this_o day_n but_o he_o who_o maintain_v tradition_n or_o opinion_n not_o probable_a by_o scripture_n who_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v be_v the_o papist_n only_o he_o the_o only_a heretic_n who_o count_v all_o heretic_n but_o himself_o such_o as_o these_o indeed_o be_v capital_o punish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o the_o only_a true_a heretic_n idolater_n plane_n and_o open_a deserter_n of_o god_n and_o his_o know_a law_n but_o in_o the_o gospel_n such_o be_v punish_v by_o excommunion_n only_o tit._n 3.10_o a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v but_o they_o who_o think_v not_o this_o heavy_a enough_o and_o understand_v not_o that_o dreadful_a awe_n and_o spiritual_a efficacy_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v express_v so_o high_o to_o be_v in_o church-discipline_n
teach_v every_o one_o to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n though_o against_o the_o church_n count_v heretical_a and_o persecute_v against_o his_o own_o principle_n they_o who_o in_o any_o particular_a so_o believe_v as_o he_o in_o general_a teach_v they_o they_o who_o most_o honour_n and_o believe_v divine_a scripture_n but_o not_o against_o it_o any_o human_a interpretation_n though_o universal_a they_o who_o interpret_v scripture_n only_o to_o themselves_o which_o by_o his_o own_o position_n none_o but_o they_o to_o themselves_o can_v interpret_v they_o who_o use_v the_o scripture_n no_o otherwise_o by_o his_o own_o doctrine_n to_o their_o edification_n than_o he_o himself_o use_v it_o to_o their_o punish_n and_o so_o who_o his_o doctrine_n acknowledge_v a_o true_a believer_n his_o discipline_n persecute_v as_o a_o heretic_n the_o papist_n exact_v our_o belief_n as_o to_o the_o church_n due_a above_o scripture_n and_o by_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o whole_a people_n of_o god_n understand_v the_o pope_n the_o general_a counsel_n prelatical_a only_o and_o the_o surname_a father_n but_o the_o force_a protestant_a though_o he_o deny_v such_o belief_n to_o any_o church_n whatsoever_o yet_o take_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o his_o teacher_n of_o far_o less_o authority_n then_o to_o be_v call_v the_o church_n and_o above_o scripture_n believe_v which_o render_v his_o practice_n both_o contrary_a to_o his_o belief_n and_o far_o worse_a than_o that_o belief_n which_o he_o condemn_v in_o the_o papist_n by_o all_o which_o well_o consider_v the_o more_o he_o profess_v to_o be_v a_o true_a protestant_a the_o more_o he_o have_v to_o answer_v for_o his_o persecute_v then_o a_o papist_n no_o protestant_a therefore_o of_o what_o sect_n soever_o follow_v scripture_n only_o which_o be_v the_o common_a sect_n wherein_o they_o all_o agree_v and_o the_o grant_a rule_n of_o every_o man_n conscience_n to_o himself_o ought_v by_o the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o protestant_n to_o be_v force_v or_o molest_v for_o religion_n but_o as_o for_o popery_n and_o idolatry_n why_o they_o also_o may_v not_o hence_o plead_v to_o be_v tolerate_v i_o have_v much_o less_o to_o say_v their_o religion_n the_o more_o consider_v the_o less_o can_v be_v acknowledge_v a_o religion_n but_o a_o roman_a principality_n rather_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v up_o her_o old_a universal_a dominion_n under_o a_o new_a name_n and_o mere_a shadow_n of_o a_o catholic_a religion_n be_v indeed_o more_o right_o name_v a_o catholic_a heresy_n against_o the_o scripture_n support_v main_o by_o a_o civil_a and_o except_o in_o rome_n by_o a_o foreign_a power_n just_o therefore_o to_o be_v suspect_v not_o tolerate_v by_o the_o magistrate_n of_o another_o country_n beside_o of_o a_o implicit_a faith_n which_o they_o profess_v the_o conscience_n also_o become_v implicit_a and_o so_o by_o voluntary_a servitude_n to_o man_n law_n forfeit_v her_o christian_a liberty_n who_o then_o can_v plead_v for_o such_o a_o conscience_n as_o be_v implicit_o enthral_v to_o man_n instead_o of_o god_n almost_o become_v no_o conscience_n as_o the_o will_v not_o free_a become_v no_o will_n nevertheless_o if_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v tolerate_v it_o be_v for_o just_a reason_n of_o state_n more_o than_o of_o religion_n which_o they_o who_o force_n though_o profess_v to_o be_v protestant_n deserve_v as_o little_a to_o be_v tolerate_v themselves_o be_v no_o less_o guilty_a of_o popery_n in_o the_o most_o popish_a point_n last_o for_o idolatry_n who_o know_v it_o not_o to_o be_v evident_o against_o all_o scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o a_o true_a heresy_n or_o rather_o a_o impiety_n wherein_o a_o right_a conscience_n can_v have_v nought_o to_o do_v and_o the_o work_n thereof_o so_o manifest_a that_o a_o magistrate_n can_v hardly_o err_v in_o prohibit_v and_o quite_o remove_v at_o least_o the_o public_a and_o scandalous_a use_n thereof_o from_o the_o riddance_n of_o these_o objection_n i_o proceed_v yet_o to_o another_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o use_v force_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v because_o to_o judge_v in_o those_o thing_n though_o we_o shall_v grant_v he_o able_a which_o be_v prove_v he_o be_v not_o yet_o as_o a_o civil_a magistrate_n he_o have_v no_o right_a christ_n have_v a_o government_n of_o his_o own_o sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o all_o his_o end_n and_o purpose_n in_o govern_v his_o church_n but_o much_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o the_o difference_n in_o this_o very_a thing_n principal_o consist_v that_o it_o govern_v not_o by_o outward_a force_n and_o that_o for_o two_o reason_n first_o because_o it_o deal_v only_o with_o the_o inward_a man_n and_o his_o action_n which_o be_v all_o spiritual_a and_o to_o outward_a force_n not_o liable_a second_o to_o show_v we_o the_o divine_a excellence_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n able_a without_o worldly_a force_n to_o subdue_v all_o the_o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n which_o be_v uphold_v by_o outward_a force_n only_o that_o the_o inward_a man_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o inward_a part_n of_o man_n his_o understanding_n and_o his_o will_n and_o that_o his_o action_n thence_o proceed_v yet_o not_o simple_o thence_o but_o from_o the_o work_n of_o divine_a grace_n upon_o they_o be_v the_o whole_a matter_n of_o religion_n under_o the_o gospel_n will_v appear_v plain_o by_o consider_v what_o that_o religion_n be_v whence_o we_o shall_v perceive_v yet_o more_o plain_o that_o it_o can_v be_v force_v what_o evangelic_a religion_n be_v be_v tell_v in_o two_o word_n faith_n and_o charity_n or_o belief_n and_o practice_n that_o both_o these_o flow_n either_o the_o one_o from_o the_o understanding_n the_o other_o from_o the_o will_n or_o both_o joint_o from_o both_o once_o indeed_o natural_o free_a but_o now_o only_o as_o they_o be_v regenerate_v and_o wrought_v on_o by_o divine_a grace_n be_v in_o part_n evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o principle_n unquestioned_a the_o rest_n by_o scripture_n concerning_o our_o belief_n mat._n 16.17_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o unto_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n concerning_o our_o practice_n as_o it_o be_v religious_a and_o not_o mere_o civil_a gal._n 5.22_o 23_o and_o other_o place_n declare_v it_o to_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n only_o nay_o our_o whole_a practical_a duty_n in_o religion_n be_v contain_v in_o charity_n or_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n no_o way_n to_o be_v force_v yet_o the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o whole_a practice_n in_o religion_n if_o then_o both_o our_o belief_n and_o practice_n which_o comprehend_v our_o whole_a religion_n flow_v from_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o inward_a man_n free_a and_o unconstrainable_a of_o themselves_o by_o nature_n and_o our_o practice_n not_o only_o from_o faculty_n endue_v with_o freedom_n but_o from_o love_n and_o charity_n beside_o incapable_a of_o force_n and_o all_o these_o thing_n by_o transgression_n lose_v but_o renew_v and_o regenerate_v in_o we_o by_o the_o power_n and_o gift_n of_o god_n alone_o how_o can_v such_o religion_n as_o this_o admit_v of_o force_n from_o man_n or_o force_n be_v any_o way_n apply_v to_o such_o religion_n especial_o under_o the_o free_a offer_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o gospel_n but_o it_o must_v forthwith_o frustrate_v and_o make_v of_o no_o effect_n both_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o to_o compel_v outward_a profession_n which_o they_o will_v say_v perhaps_o ought_v to_o be_v compel_v though_o inward_a religion_n can_v be_v to_o compel_v hypocrisy_n not_o to_o advance_v religion_n shall_v yet_o though_o of_o itself_o clear_a enough_o be_v ere_o the_o conclusion_n further_o manifest_v the_o other_o reason_n why_o christ_n reject_v outward_a force_n in_o the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n be_v as_o i_o say_v before_o to_o show_v we_o the_o divine_a excellence_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n able_a without_o worldly_a force_n to_o subdue_v all_o the_o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n which_o be_v uphold_v by_o outward_a force_n only_o by_o which_o to_o uphold_v religion_n otherwise_o then_o to_o defend_v the_o religious_a from_o outward_a violence_n be_v no_o service_n to_o christ_n or_o his_o kingdom_n but_o rather_o a_o disparagement_n and_o degrade_v it_o from_o a_o divine_a and_o spiritual_a kingdom_n to_o a_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v because_o it_o need_v not_o force_v to_o confirm_v it_o ioh._n 18.36_o if_o my_o kingdom_n be_v of_o this_o world_n then_o will_v my_o servant_n fight_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o jew_n this_o prove_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n not_o govern_v by_o outward_a force_n as_o be_v none_o of_o this_o world_n who_o
a_o treatise_n of_o civil_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o power_n on_o earth_n to_o compel_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o author_n j._n m._n london_n print_v by_o tho._n newcomb_n anno_fw-la 1659._o to_o the_o parliament_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o england_n with_o the_o dominion_n thereof_o i_o have_v prepare_v supreme_a council_n against_o the_o much_o expect_a time_n of_o your_o sit_v this_o treatise_n which_o though_o to_o all_o christian_a magistrate_n equal_o belong_v and_o therefore_o to_o have_v be_v write_v in_o the_o common_a language_n of_o christendom_n natural_a duty_n and_o affection_n have_v confine_v and_o dedicate_v first_o to_o my_o own_o nation_n and_o in_o a_o season_n wherein_o the_o timely_a read_n thereof_o to_o the_o easy_a accomplishment_n of_o your_o great_a work_n may_v save_v you_o much_o labour_n and_o interruption_n of_o two_o part_n usual_o propose_v civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a recommend_v civil_a only_o to_o your_o proper_a care_n ecclesiastical_a to_o they_o only_o from_o who_o it_o take_v both_o that_o name_n and_o nature_n yet_o not_o for_o this_o cause_n only_o do_v i_o require_v or_o trust_v to_o find_v acceptance_n but_o in_o a_o twofold_a respect_n beside_o first_o as_o bring_v clear_a evidence_n of_o scripture_n and_o protestant_a maxim_n to_o the_o parliament_n of_o england_n who_o in_o all_o their_o late_a act_n upon_o occasion_n have_v professd_v to_o assert_v only_o the_o true_a protestant_a christian_n religion_n as_o it_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n next_o in_o regard_n that_o your_o power_n be_v but_o for_o a_o time_n and_o have_v in_o yourselves_o a_o christian_n liberty_n of_o your_o own_o which_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o may_v be_v oppress_v thereof_o true_o sensible_a it_o will_v concern_v you_o while_o you_o be_v in_o power_n so_o to_o regard_v other_o man_n conscience_n as_o you_o will_v your_o own_o shall_v be_v regard_v in_o the_o power_n of_o other_o and_o to_o consider_v that_o any_o law_n against_o conscience_n be_v alike_o in_o force_n against_o any_o conscience_n and_o so_o may_v one_o way_n or_o other_o just_o redound_v upon_o yourselves_o one_o advantage_n i_o make_v no_o doubt_n of_o that_o i_o shall_v write_v to_o many_o eminent_a person_n of_o your_o number_n already_o perfect_a and_o resolve_v in_o this_o important_a article_n of_o christianity_n some_o of_o who_o i_o remember_v to_o have_v hear_v often_o for_o several_a year_n at_o a_o council_n next_o in_o authority_n to_o your_o own_o so_o well_o join_v religion_n with_o civil_a prudence_n and_o yet_o so_o well_o distinguish_v the_o different_a power_n of_o either_o and_o this_o not_o only_o vote_v but_o frequent_o reason_v why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o that_o if_o any_o there_o present_a have_v be_v before_o of_o a_o opinion_n contrary_a he_o may_v doubtless_o have_v depart_v thence_o a_o convert_n in_o that_o point_n and_o have_v confess_v that_o then_o both_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n will_v at_o length_n if_o ever_o flourish_v in_o christendom_n when_o either_o they_o who_o govern_v discern_v between_o civil_a and_o religious_a or_o they_o only_o who_o so_o discern_v shall_v be_v admit_v to_o govern_v till_o than_o nothing_o but_o trouble_n persecution_n commotion_n can_v be_v expect_v the_o inward_a decay_n of_o true_a religion_n among_o ourselves_o and_o the_o utter_a overthrow_n at_o last_o by_o a_o common_a enemy_n of_o civil_a liberty_n i_o have_v write_v heretofore_o by_o the_o appointment_n and_o not_o without_o the_o approbation_n of_o civil_a power_n of_o christian_a liberty_n i_o write_v now_o which_o other_o long_o since_o have_v do_v with_o all_o freedom_n under_o heathen_a emperor_n i_o shall_v do_v wrong_a to_o suspect_v that_o i_o now_o shall_v with_o less_o under_o christian_a governor_n and_o such_o especial_o as_o profess_v open_o their_o defence_n of_o christian_a liberty_n although_o i_o write_v this_o not_o otherwise_o appoint_v or_o induce_v then_o by_o a_o inward_a persuasion_n of_o the_o christian_a duty_n which_o i_o may_v useful_o discharge_v herein_o to_o the_o common_a lord_n and_o master_n of_o we_o all_o and_o the_o certain_a hope_n of_o his_o approbation_n first_o and_o chief_a to_o be_v seek_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o who_o providence_n i_o remain_v pray_v all_o success_n and_o good_a event_n on_o your_o public_a counsel_n to_o the_o defence_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o our_o civil_a right_n john_n milton_n a_o treatise_n of_o civil_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n two_o thing_n there_o be_v which_o have_v be_v ever_o find_v work_v much_o mischief_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o the_o advancement_n of_o truth_n force_n on_o the_o one_o side_n restrain_v and_o hire_v on_o the_o other_o side_n corrupt_v the_o teacher_n thereof_o few_o age_n have_v be_v since_o the_o ascension_n of_o our_o saviour_n wherein_o the_o one_o of_o these_o two_o or_o both_o together_o have_v not_o prevail_v it_o can_v be_v at_o no_o time_n therefore_o unseasonable_a to_o speak_v of_o these_o thing_n since_o by_o they_o the_o church_n be_v either_o in_o continual_a detriment_n and_o oppression_n or_o in_o continual_a danger_n the_o former_a shall_v be_v at_o this_o time_n my_o argument_n the_o latter_a as_o i_o shall_v find_v god_n dispose_v i_o and_o opportunity_n invite_v what_o i_o argue_v shall_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o scripture_n only_o and_o therein_o from_o true_a fundamental_a principle_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o all_o know_a christian_n undeniable_a and_o if_o the_o governor_n of_o this_o commonwealth_n since_o the_o root_n out_o of_o prelate_n have_v make_v least_o use_n of_o force_n in_o religion_n and_o most_o have_v favour_v christian_a liberty_n of_o any_o in_o this_o island_n before_o they_o since_o the_o first_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o which_o we_o be_v not_o to_o forget_v our_o thanks_o to_o god_n and_o their_o due_a praise_n they_o may_v i_o doubt_v not_o in_o this_o treatise_n find_v that_o which_o not_o only_o will_v confirm_v they_o to_o defend_v still_o the_o christian_a liberty_n which_o we_o enjoy_v but_o will_v incite_v they_o also_o to_o enlarge_v it_o if_o in_o aught_o they_o yet_o straighten_v it_o to_o they_o who_o perhaps_o hereafter_o less_o experience_v in_o religion_n may_v come_v to_o govern_v or_o give_v we_o law_n this_o or_o other_o such_o if_o they_o please_v may_v be_v a_o timely_a instruction_n however_o to_o the_o truth_n it_o will_v be_v at_o all_o time_n no_o unneedfull_a testimony_n at_o least_o some_o discharge_n of_o that_o general_a duty_n which_o no_o christian_n but_o according_a to_o what_o he_o have_v receive_v know_v be_v require_v of_o he_o if_o he_o have_v aught_o more_o conduce_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o religion_n then_o what_o be_v usual_o endeavourd_a free_o to_o impart_v it_o it_o will_v require_v no_o great_a labour_n of_o exposition_n to_o unfold_v what_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v as_o soon_o apprehend_v as_o define_v such_o thing_n as_o belong_v chief_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o service_n of_o god_n and_o be_v either_o above_o the_o reach_n and_o light_n of_o nature_n without_o revelation_n from_o above_o and_o therefore_o liable_a to_o be_v various_o understand_v by_o human_a reason_n or_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v enjoind_v or_o forbid_v by_o divine_a precept_n which_o else_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n will_v seem_v indifferent_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v and_o so_o likewise_o must_v needs_o appear_v to_o every_o man_n as_o the_o precept_n be_v understand_v whence_o i_o here_o mean_a by_o conscience_n or_o religion_n that_o full_a persuasion_n whereby_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o our_o belief_n and_o practice_n as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v able_a to_o apprehend_v and_o probable_o make_v appear_v be_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a spirit_n within_o we_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v much_o rather_o than_o any_o law_n of_o man_n as_o not_o only_o his_o word_n everywhere_o bid_v we_o but_o the_o very_a dictate_n of_o reason_n tell_v we_o act._n 4.19_o whether_o it_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o harken_v to_o you_o more_o than_o to_o god_n judge_v you_o that_o for_o belief_n or_o practice_n in_o religion_n according_a to_o this_o conscientious_a persuasion_n no_o man_n ought_v be_v punish_v or_o molest_v by_o any_o outward_a force_n on_o earth_n whatsoever_o i_o distrust_v not_o through_o god_n implore_a assistance_n to_o make_v plane_n by_o these_o follow_a argument_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v be_v the_o main_a foundation_n of_o our_o protestant_a religion_n that_o we_o of_o these_o age_n have_v no_o other_o divine_a rule_n or_o authority_n from_o without_o we_o warrantable_a to_o one_o another_o as_o a_o common_a ground_n but_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o no_o other_o within_o