consequent_o be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n and_o make_v up_o a_o particular_a sovereignty_n wherefore_o if_o both_o these_o shall_v happen_v to_o be_v join_v in_o one_o person_n he_o become_v thereby_o at_o once_o master_n over_o our_o life_n and_o conscience_n but_o if_o this_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v lodge_v in_o another_o person_n he_o must_v either_o at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v a_o power_n of_o execute_v his_o decree_n by_o his_o own_o prerogative_n or_o else_o to_o have_v only_o a_o authority_n of_o give_v sentence_n leave_v the_o execution_n of_o it_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n if_o the_o first_o of_o these_o two_o be_v suppose_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o double_a head_a sovereignty_n must_v carry_v along_o with_o it_o great_a inconvenience_n and_o distraction_n and_o if_o the_o latter_a those_o that_o exercise_v the_o sovereignty_n in_o the_o state_n must_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o executioner_n only_o to_o this_o holy_a judge_n all_o these_o thing_n due_o consider_v as_o they_o must_v needs_o occasion_v great_a convulsion_n in_o the_o state_n so_o no_o man_n that_o be_v not_o beyond_o his_o wit_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v unless_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o most_o evident_a proof_n that_o christ_n intend_v to_o introduce_v by_o his_o doctrine_n such_o pernicious_a disease_n into_o civil_a society_n for_o though_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o no_o controversy_n shall_v be_v raise_v in_o the_o church_n like_o christ_n himself_o have_v foretell_v it_o in_o the_o parable_n by_o matthew_n c._n 13._o 24._o and_o st._n paul_n in_o the_o 1_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n c._n 11._o 19_o nevertheless_o if_o any_o controversy_n do_v arise_v he_o that_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n maintain_v his_o opinion_n under_o a_o colour_n at_o least_o of_o its_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v pretend_v to_o introduce_v a_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n without_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v it_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o mad_a man_n though_o he_o shall_v call_v to_o his_o aid_n all_o the_o sophistication_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o if_o he_o shall_v insist_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o tradition_n without_o the_o scripture_n this_o will_v only_o serve_v to_o disclose_v the_o weakness_n of_o that_o foundation_n whereupon_o he_o build_v his_o doctrine_n but_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v make_v a_o attempt_n against_o any_o article_n of_o faith_n receive_v already_o as_o such_o in_o the_o church_n he_o be_v scarce_o worth_a take_a notice_n of_o unless_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o allege_v at_o least_o some_o specious_a reason_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o his_o opinion_n and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n especial_o if_o his_o endeavour_n seem_v to_o proceed_v from_o a_o real_a love_n to_o truth_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v absolute_o slight_v without_o be_v hear_v and_o his_o reason_n examine_v so_o that_o then_o the_o whole_a decision_n of_o the_o matter_n must_v depend_v from_o a_o right_a interpretation_n of_o the_o several_a passage_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n relate_v to_o this_o controversy_n and_o to_o find_v out_o this_o interpretation_n i_o see_v not_o any_o necessity_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o a_o sovereign_a power_n or_o any_o infallible_a authority_n but_o only_o to_o such_o mâ—ans_n as_o â—â—_o most_o proper_a for_o the_o search_n into_o and_o find_v out_o the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o other_o author_n viz._n by_o a_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o tongue_n and_o a_o diligent_a search_n into_o the_o nature_n and_o whole_a sâ—ame_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o by_o due_o compare_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o observe_v their_o annology_n and_o connexion_n whosoever_o beside_o this_o have_v a_o natural_a good_a judgement_n and_o be_v not_o propossess_v with_o prejudice_n private_a interest_n or_o passion_n it_o will_v oâ—_n no_o such_o difficult_a task_n for_o he_o to_o find_v out_o the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o so_o plain_o that_o such_o as_o oppose_v he_o will_n by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o understanding_n people_n be_v judge_v to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n so_o do_v our_o saviour_n at_o several_a time_n convince_v the_o pharisee_n and_o saduceans_n out_o of_o the_o whole_a scripture_n and_o by_o the_o force_n of_o his_o argument_n take_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v any_o further_a reply_n and_o why_o shall_v it_o not_o be_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o in_o each_o christian_a church_n there_o may_v be_v find_v a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o teacher_n capable_a of_o disprove_v such_o as_o pretend_v to_o introduce_v among_o they_o innovation_n and_o false_a doctrine_n but_o suppose_v that_o these_o alone_a shall_v prove_v insufficient_a they_o may_v call_v to_o their_o aid_n those_o of_o the_o neighbour_a most_o famous_a church_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o acknowledge_v a_o judge_n general_n of_o controversy_n in_o the_o church_n and_o put_v the_o case_n that_o those_o that_o dissent_n from_o the_o church_n be_v so_o numerous_a as_o to_o have_v spread_v their_o doctrine_n all_o over_o the_o state_n this_o judge_n will_v prove_v useless_a in_o his_o office_n for_o if_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o violent_a mean_n to_o make_v they_o renounce_v their_o false_a opinion_n they_o will_v in_o all_o probability_n oppose_v force_n to_o force_v but_o if_o he_o take_v the_o other_o way_n and_o endeavour_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o earor_n by_o argument_n take_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n this_o may_v be_v do_v as_o well_o by_o other_o teacher_n sit_o qualify_v for_o their_o office_n than_o by_o such_o a_o judge_n general_n in_o the_o church_n neither_o ought_v we_o to_o be_v so_o over_o timorous_a as_o to_o believe_v that_o error_n shall_v in_o so_o much_o prevail_v over_o truth_n as_o to_o domineer_v always_o and_o every_o where_n over_o it_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v but_o that_o by_o help_n of_o the_o most_o clear-sighted_a teacher_n in_o the_o church_n these_o cloud_n may_v be_v soon_o disperse_v and_o truth_n again_o appear_v in_o its_o splendour_n i_o appeal_v to_o experience_n whether_o not_o a_o great_a many_o heresy_n by_o the_o only_a help_n of_o prevail_a truth_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o such_o a_o judge_n or_o any_o human_a force_n have_v by_o degree_n dwindle_v away_o and_o at_o last_o quite_o disappear_v it_o must_v be_v confess_v there_o be_v some_o erroneous_a opinion_n which_o be_v nourish_v and_o maintain_v by_o a_o temporal_a interest_n and_o certain_a reason_n of_o state_n of_o some_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v suppress_v of_o this_o kind_n be_v those_o controversy_n wherein_o the_o protestant_n differ_v with_o the_o papish_n all_o which_o if_o due_o consider_v be_v so_o deep_o entangle_v with_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o popish_a monarchy_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o roman_a catholic_n to_o recede_v a_o inch_n from_o the_o point_n of_o the_o controvert_v article_n without_o diminution_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o endanger_v their_o great_a revenue_n so_o that_o all_o hope_n of_o a_o union_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o protestant_n be_v in_o vain_a unless_o the_o latter_a can_v resolve_v to_o submit_v themselves_o under_o the_o same_o popish_a yoke_n which_o they_o have_v shake_v off_o so_o long_o ago_o i_o can_v sufficient_o admire_v that_o gross_a way_n of_o argue_v make_v use_v of_o by_o the_o papish_n when_o they_o talk_v of_o nothing_o else_o but_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n tell_v we_o that_o if_o we_o will_v but_o once_o acknowledge_v the_o same_o all_o the_o difference_n and_o question_n concern_v the_o chief_a article_n of_o faith_n will_v fall_v a-course_n make_v themselves_o both_o party_n and_o judge_n and_o pretend_v to_o give_v sentence_n in_o their_o own_o case_n according_a to_o their_o own_o testimony_n they_o always_o make_v use_n of_o this_o sophism_n that_o they_o attribute_v only_o to_o themselves_o the_o glorious_a name_n of_o the_o true_a church_n exclude_v all_o orhe_a christian_n from_o it_o but_o such_o as_o be_v of_o the_o same_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o to_o back_o this_o pretence_n nothing_o be_v more_o common_a among_o they_o than_o to_o lay_v aside_o all_o manner_n of_o demonstrative_a argument_n found_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o in_o lien_n thereof_o to_o find_v out_o new_a method_n unknown_a to_o the_o apostle_n of_o convert_v people_n and_o to_o endeavour_v to_o establish_v their_o authority_n by_o all_o manner_n of_o violence_n against_o those_o that_o dare_v to_o maintain_v truth_n in_o opposition_n to_o their_o doctrine_n for_o which_o
they_o be_v not_o preferable_a in_o this_o point_n before_o any_o other_o in_o europe_n if_o any_o one_o question_n thâ—_n truth_n of_o it_o i_o appeal_v to_o mr._n toland_n case_n concern_v his_o treatise_n entitle_v christianity_n not_o mysterious_a it_o be_v both_o beyond_o my_o scope_n and_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o letter_n to_o enter_v upon_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n on_o both_o side_n it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a here_o to_o refer_v myself_o to_o what_o have_v be_v publish_v against_o he_o late_o here_o in_o england_n and_o in_o other_o place_n all_o which_o if_o due_o compare_v will_v soon_o evince_v how_o much_o the_o english_a clergy_n â—as_v outdo_v the_o rest_n both_o by_o force_n of_o argument_n and_o a_o generous_a gentle_a behaviour_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o have_v abuse_v your_o lordship_n patience_n i_o will_v therefore_o conclude_v with_o recommend_v both_o my_o author_n and_o myself_o to_o your_o lordship_n protection_n beg_v leave_n to_o subscribe_v myself_o my_o lord_n your_o devote_a servant_n j._n crull_n m._n d._n the_o content_n concering_n religion_n before_o civil_a society_n be_v institute_v sect_n 1._o every_o man_n be_v accountable_a to_o god_n for_o his_o own_o religion_n 2_o how_o the_o same_o may_v be_v exercise_v in_o the_o free_a state_n of_o nature_n 3_o parentâ—_n have_v original_o the_o care_n of_o religious_a worship_n lodge_v in_o they_o 4_o civil_a society_n be_v not_o constitute_v for_o religion_n sake_n 5_o subject_n do_v never_o submit_v their_o opinion_n as_o to_o religious_a worship_n to_o the_o disposal_n of_o their_o sovereign_n 6_o what_o power_n proper_o and_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n belong_v to_o sovereign_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n 7_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o reveal_v religion_n 8_o among_o the_o jew_n there_o be_v a_o very_a strict_a union_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o state_n 9_o who_o be_v the_o supreme_a head_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n 10_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o the_o jewish_a 11_o some_o reflection_n on_o the_o behaviour_n of_o moses_n when_o he_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n 12_o what_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n our_o saviour_n do_v when_o he_o establish_v his_o church_n here_o on_o earth_n 13_o christ_n be_v not_o the_o founder_n of_o a_o new_a commonwealth_n or_o people_n 14_o neither_o have_v he_o any_o territory_n belong_v to_o he_o 15_o christ_n do_v not_o exercise_v any_o sovereign_a power_n 16_o but_o thâ—_n office_n of_o a_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n 17_o the_o apostle_n do_v propagate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n 18_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v their_o authority_n of_o teach_v from_o god_n alone_o independent_a from_o any_o human_a power_n 19_o the_o apostle_n never_o assume_v any_o authority_n of_o command_v other_o 20_o whether_o their_o authority_n of_o teach_v do_v indirect_o imply_v any_o right_n of_o command_v other_o 21_o whether_o the_o power_n of_o absolution_n do_v imply_v any_o right_n of_o sovereignty_n 22_o what_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o absolve_v from_o sin_n 23_o under_o who_o authority_n the_o apostle_n do_v exercise_v the_o power_n of_o absolution_n 24_o of_o what_o nature_n it_o be_v 25_o whether_o st._n peter_n have_v any_o prerogative_n grant_v above_o other_o 26_o whether_o the_o power_n of_o excommunicate_v imply_v a_o sovereignty_n 27_o the_o commission_n grant_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o apostle_n contain_v nothing_o of_o command_n 28_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v no_o temporal_a kingdom_n 29_o whether_o the_o christian_a church_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o state_n or_o sovereignty_n 30_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v nothing_o like_o it_o 31_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o state_n 32_o and_o the_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o those_o that_o exercise_n the_o sovereignty_n in_o a_o state_n 33_o whether_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o state_n 34_o it_o be_v not_o requisite_a to_o reduce_v the_o whole_a christian_a church_n under_o one_o independent_a severeignty_n or_o head_n 35_o whether_o there_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v one_o supreme_a judge_n in_o the_o church_n to_o determine_v such_o difference_n as_o may_v arise_v from_o time_n to_o time_n 36_o a_o example_n of_o a_o controversy_n compose_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n 37_o some_o observation_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o vsefulness_n of_o general_n council_n 38_o concern_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n under_o the_o pagan_a prince_n 39_o concern_v its_o condition_n under_o the_o christian_a emperor_n 40_o the_o church_n have_v not_o change_v her_o nature_n of_o be_v a_o college_n or_o society_n 41_o neither_o be_v sovereign_n thereby_o become_v bishop_n 42_o christian_a sovereign_n be_v oblige_v to_o maintain_v and_o defend_v the_o church_n 43_o of_o the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n 44_o of_o the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n over_o the_o church_n minister_n 45_o of_o the_o power_n of_o call_v a_o synod_n or_o convention_n 46_o of_o their_o power_n as_o to_o church-discipline_n 47_o of_o their_o power_n of_o make_v law_n and_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n 48_o how_o far_o sovereign_n be_v oblige_v to_o intermeddle_v in_o religious_a affair_n when_o the_o public_a safety_n lie_v at_o stake_n 49_o concern_v toleration_n of_o several_a religion_n 50_o prince_n ought_v to_o be_v very_o careful_a not_o to_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o false_a suggestion_n 51_o sometime_o the_o prerogative_n of_o sovereign_n be_v impair_v under_o a_o religious_a pretext_n 52_o concern_v the_o power_n of_o set_v up_o a_o reformation_n 53_o whether_o subject_n without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o their_o sovereign_n can_v pretend_v to_o set_v up_o a_o reformation_n 54_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o qualification_n of_o religion_n in_o reference_n to_o civil_a society_n etc._n etc._n among_o all_o those_o question_n which_o have_v for_o many_o age_n pass_v be_v controvert_v among_o christian_n this_o may_v be_v deem_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a which_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n authority_n and_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o which_o of_o the_o several_a christian_a sect_n ought_v most_o just_o to_o claim_v the_o title_n of_o the_o true_a church_n the_o romanist_n keep_v this_o for_o their_o last_o reserve_v when_o engage_v with_o the_o protestant_n that_o they_o attribute_v the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a church_n only_o to_o themselves_o and_o bold_o stigmatize_v all_o such_o as_o be_v not_o of_o their_o communion_n with_o the_o name_n of_o rebellious_a deserter_n this_o be_v the_o main_a bulwark_n they_o rely_v upon_o think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o allege_v in_o their_o own_o behalf_n that_o they_o be_v not_o oblige_v so_o strict_o to_o examine_v and_o maintain_v every_o article_n of_o their_o faith_n against_o the_o protestant_n since_o whatever_o objection_n may_v be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o same_o aught_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o erroneous_a if_o not_o agreeable_a with_o the_o interpretation_n and_o tradition_n of_o their_o church_n thus_o make_v themselves_o both_o judge_n and_o witness_n in_o their_o own_o cause_n â—esides_v this_o it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a consequence_n both_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o public_a safety_n in_o a_o state_n to_o know_v exact_o what_o bound_n ought_v to_o be_v prescribe_v to_o the_o priestly_a order_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n as_o likewise_o to_o determine_v how_o far_o the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n extend_v itself_o in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n for_o if_o either_o of_o they_o transgress_v their_o bound_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n prove_v the_o cause_n of_o great_a abuse_n disturbance_n and_o oppression_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n i_o be_v the_o soon_o prevail_v upon_o to_o search_v into_o the_o very_a bottom_n of_o this_o question_n at_o this_o juncture_n of_o time_n when_o not_o only_o the_o romish_a priest_n apply_v all_o their_o cunning_a for_o the_o root_n out_o of_o the_o protestant_n but_o also_o some_o of_o the_o great_a prince_n in_o christendom_n set_v aside_o the_o ancient_a way_n of_o convert_v people_n by_o reason_n and_o force_v of_o argument_n have_v now_o recourse_n to_o opâ—n_a violence_n and_o by_o dragoon_v force_v their_o miserable_a subject_n to_o a_o religion_n which_o always_o appear_v abominable_a to_o they_o but_o if_o we_o propose_v to_o ourselves_o to_o examine_v this_o point_n according_a to_o its_o own_o solid_a principle_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v without_o have_v recourse_n to_o ambiguous_a term_n and_o tergiversation_n it_o be_v absolute_o requisite_a that_o we_o trace_v the_o very_a original_a of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a so_o as_o
of_o the_o church_n be_v either_o for_o a_o time_n deprive_v from_o enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o public_a worship_n or_o entire_o exclude_v from_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o utmost_a unto_o which_o any_o college_n can_v pretend_v viz._n entire_o to_o exclude_v a_o member_n of_o their_o society_n this_o exclusion_n though_o in_o itself_o consider_v of_o the_o great_a moment_n since_o thereby_o a_o christian_a be_v deprive_v of_o the_o whole_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n nevertheless_o do_v not_o alter_v the_o civil_a state_n or_o condition_n of_o a_o subject_a but_o those_o that_o be_v thus_o excommunicate_v suffer_v no_o loss_n in_o their_o dignity_n honour_n right_n or_o fortune_n for_o that_o the_o church_n censure_n shall_v extend_v to_o the_o real_a prejudice_n of_o the_o civil_a condition_n of_o any_o subject_a be_v not_o any_o way_n requisite_a for_o the_o obtain_v the_o end_n for_o which_o the_o church_n be_v establish_v neither_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o without_o defraud_v sovereign_n of_o their_o right_n such_o a_o power_n can_v be_v exercise_v over_o subject_n unless_o with_o their_o own_o consent_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o public_a civil_a authority_n §_o 40._o the_o next_o thing_n which_o deserve_v our_o consideration_n be_v whether_o the_o church_n be_v and_o prince_n concern_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n under_o christian_a prince_n how_o far_o it_o receive_v any_o alteration_n from_o its_o former_a condition_n after_o prince_n whole_a kingdom_n and_o state_n do_v profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n where_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o church_n do_v thereby_o not_o receive_v any_o essential_a perfection_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v exercise_v and_o subsist_v without_o the_o state_n and_o commonwealth_n do_v not_o depend_v from_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o scope_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o civil_a government_n be_v quite_o different_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n for_o our_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d our_o conversation_n 19_o phil._n 3._o 20._o 2_o cor._n 5_o â—_o 8._o 1_o cor._n 14_o 19_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n in_o christ_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v never_o forward_a to_o appear_v before_o prince_n though_o they_o may_v have_v obtain_v a_o easy_a access_n by_o their_o miraculous_a deed_n so_o herod_n be_v exceed_v glad_a when_o he_o see_v jesus_n because_o he_o hope_v to_o have_v see_v some_o miracle_n do_v 8._o luke_n 23._o 8._o by_o he_o but_o they_o be_v very_o cautious_a in_o this_o point_n lest_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o some_o as_o if_o the_o gospel_n want_v to_o be_v maintain_v by_o human_a strength_n or_o that_o perhaps_o those_o prince_n may_v pretend_v to_o a_o great_a authority_n over_o they_o than_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v not_o in_o any_o wise_a impair_n or_o eclipse_v the_o legal_a right_n of_o sovereign_n but_o rather_o confirm_v and_o establish_v the_o civil_a power_n 24._o mat._n 22._o 21._o joh._n 18._o 2._o rom._n 13._o 1_o cor._n 35._o 24._o as_o be_v apparent_a out_o of_o several_a passage_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o state_n independent_a from_o any_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n the_o consequence_n will_v be_v this_o that_o the_o civil_a power_n can_v not_o but_o receive_v a_o most_o remarkable_a limitation_n and_o diminution_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o subject_a must_v receive_v a_o great_a alteration_n whereas_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o condition_n of_o christian_n or_o of_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n consider_v as_o such_o be_v neither_o abolish_v nor_o alter_v because_o either_o the_o prince_n or_o the_o subject_n in_o general_n do_v receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o footstep_n to_o be_v meet_v withal_o in_o the_o scripture_n imply_v any_o such_o alteration_n beside_o this_o there_o be_v not_o any_o express_a command_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n direct_v to_o sovereign_n which_o entitle_v they_o to_o any_o particular_a prerogative_n in_o the_o church_n like_v to_o that_o which_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n have_v receive_v in_o the_o 17_o chap._n of_o deuteronomy_n from_o whence_o arise_v this_o conclusion_n that_o what_o right_a sovereign_n can_v claim_v in_o the_o church_n and_o church_n affair_n must_v be_v deduce_v either_o out_o of_o the_o natural_a constitution_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o out_o of_o the_o true_a genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o else_o must_v owe_v its_o offspring_n to_o the_o free_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n §_o 41._o out_o of_o what_o have_v be_v lay_v down_o it_o college_n church_n do_v not_o alter_v their_o nature_n of_o be_v a_o college_n appear_v first_o of_o all_o that_o if_o a_o prince_n or_o whole_a commonwealth_n do_v receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n the_o church_n do_v thereby_o not_o receive_v any_o other_o alteration_n as_o to_o her_o natural_a constitution_n but_o that_o whereas_o she_o be_v former_o to_o be_v consider_v only_o as_o a_o private_a society_n or_o college_n yet_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v cherish_v by_o the_o high_a power_n who_o have_v no_o legal_a right_o to_o disturb_v prosecute_v or_o destroy_v it_o she_o now_o be_v put_v under_o the_o particular_a protection_n of_o her_o sovereign_n enjoy_v a_o great_a share_n of_o security_n and_o be_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o infidel_n notwithstanding_o this_o the_o church_n be_v thereby_o not_o exalt_v from_o a_o college_n to_o a_o state_n since_z by_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o civil_a government_n do_v not_o undergo_v any_o alteration_n or_o diminution_n on_o the_o contrary_a sovereign_n loose_a nothing_o of_o their_o legal_a right_n neither_o be_v subject_n in_o any_o wise_a absolve_v from_o their_o duty_n and_o obligation_n for_o it_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n that_o a_o double_a sovereignty_n and_o two_o different_a sort_n of_o obligation_n in_o the_o subject_n shall_v be_v lodge_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o commonwealth_n it_o be_v a_o frivolous_a objection_n that_o the_o church_n and_o civil_a government_n have_v different_a end_n and_o object_n not_o repugnant_a to_o one_o another_o for_o from_o thence_o be_v not_o to_o be_v infer_v that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v a_o state_n or_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v propagate_v maintain_v or_o exercise_v without_o the_o church_n assume_v the_o same_o power_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a government_n in_o these_o place_n therefore_o where_o the_o whole_a people_n and_o the_o prince_n profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o commonwealth_n receive_v the_o church_n into_o its_o protection_n and_o though_o strict_o unite_v there_o be_v no_o collision_n or_o emulation_n betwixt_o they_o nor_o do_v either_o of_o they_o receive_v any_o prejudice_n in_o their_o respective_a right_n but_o without_o the_o least_o interference_n with_o one_o another_o the_o church_n remain_v a_o college_n whereof_o the_o prince_n and_o all_o the_o subject_n be_v now_o become_v member_n so_o that_o each_o subject_n beside_o the_o person_n he_o represent_v in_o the_o state_n have_v assume_v that_o of_o a_o christian_a and_o in_o this_o respect_n be_v esteem_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v every_o one_o to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o station_n or_o dignity_n he_o bear_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o these_o qualification_n be_v as_o it_o be_v lay_v aside_o there_o and_o he_o be_v only_o regard_v as_o a_o christian_a so_o that_o the_o general_n of_o a_o army_n can_v claim_v any_o prerogative_n to_o himself_o in_o the_o church_n beyond_o the_o private_a centinel_n and_o it_o be_v pass_v all_o doubt_n that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o man_n may_v represent_v several_a person_n according_a to_o the_o several_a function_n and_o obligation_n belong_v to_o he_o §_o 42._o it_o be_v also_o according_a to_o my_o opinion_n bishop_n 〈…〉_o make_v bishop_n beyond_o question_n that_o king_n prince_n or_o other_o civil_a magistrate_n by_o receive_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v not_o constitute_v bishop_n or_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n this_o function_n not_o proper_o belong_v to_o every_o christian_a but_o only_o to_o such_o as_o have_v a_o lawful_a vocation_n and_o be_v fit_o qualify_v for_o it_o beside_o this_o the_o royal_a office_n and_o that_o of_o teacher_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o they_o can_v convenient_o be_v administer_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o person_n not_o because_o of_o any_o natural_a repugnancy_n betwixt_o
religion_n ought_v to_o be_v declare_v erroneous_a before_o it_o be_v due_o examine_v and_o the_o party_n convict_v especial_o if_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o prove_v the_o same_o out_o of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o great_a care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v that_o such_o a_o decision_n be_v not_o leave_v to_o the_o management_n of_o their_o adversary_n who_o be_v perhaps_o guide_v by_o self_n interest_n oftentimes_o be_v both_o accuser_n and_o judge_n there_o be_v not_o a_o few_o politician_n who_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o sovereign_n may_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n give_v protection_n to_o their_o subject_n though_o of_o a_o erroneous_a opinion_n provide_v it_o be_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n especial_o if_o care_n be_v take_v that_o they_o do_v not_o draw_v away_o other_o into_o the_o same_o error_n for_o suppose_v the_o establish_a religion_n both_o in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n and_o morality_n to_o excel_v all_o other_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o the_o dissent_v party_n may_v be_v in_o time_n bring_v over_o to_o it_o rather_o than_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o they_o shall_v seduce_v other_o beside_o that_o it_o may_v contribute_v to_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o zeal_n and_o learning_n of_o the_o establish_a clergy_n it_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v by_o experience_n that_o in_o those_o place_n and_o time_n where_o and_o when_o no_o religious_a difference_n be_v in_o agitation_n the_o clergy_n soon_o degenerate_v into_o idleness_n and_o barbarity_n §_o 51._o furthermore_o as_o sovereign_n in_o all_o other_o flatterer_n sovereign_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v misguide_v by_o flatterer_n matter_n of_o moment_n ought_v to_o act_v with_o great_a circumspection_n so_o especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o can_v proceed_v with_o too_o much_o caution_n a_o injustice_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v the_o most_o sensible_a of_o all_o that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o a_o subject_a for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o abominable_a than_o to_o let_v subject_n suffer_v unjust_o for_o their_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o that_o perhaps_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o some_o other_o out_o of_o self_n interest_n can_v agree_v with_o they_o in_o opinion_n and_o if_o a_o prince_n who_o prompt_v by_o his_o own_o cruel_a inclination_n tyrannise_n over_o his_o subject_n be_v odious_a to_o all_o the_o world_n how_o much_o more_o abominable_a appear_v a_o prince_n who_o act_v the_o part_n of_o a_o executioner_n and_o be_v make_v a_o instrument_n by_o other_o to_o fulfil_v their_o cruel_a design_n against_o their_o fellow_n subject_n all_o christian_a prince_n therefore_o as_o they_o tender_v their_o conscience_n aught_o to_o avoid_v all_o manner_n of_o extremity_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o ought_v never_o to_o be_v undertake_v unless_o they_o be_v well_o instruct_v beforehand_o in_o every_o particular_a point_n a_o prince_n ought_v not_o only_o to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o or_o rely_v entire_o on_o what_o be_v represent_v to_o he_o by_o his_o clergy_n though_o never_o so_o pious_a in_o outward_a appearance_n there_o be_v too_o many_o instance_n to_o be_v give_v that_o the_o best_a of_o prince_n by_o their_o own_o inclination_n abhor_v all_o manner_n of_o cruelty_n have_v by_o the_o instigation_n of_o overzealous_a clergyman_n turn_v the_o most_o cruel_a tyrant_n we_o scarce_o ever_o read_v of_o any_o prince_n who_o undertake_v to_o decide_v controversy_n in_o physic_n or_o other_o science_n except_o he_o have_v attain_v to_o a_o particular_a knowledge_n in_o these_o matter_n and_o why_o shall_v sovereign_n be_v too_o forward_o in_o decide_v religious_a difference_n which_o be_v of_o much_o great_a moment_n the_o eternal_a and_o temporal_a welfare_n of_o million_o of_o people_n do_v depend_v thereon_o unless_o they_o be_v very_o well_o instruct_v in_o every_o thing_n that_o have_v any_o relation_n to_o it_o and_o since_o prince_n very_o rare_o bestow_v sufficient_a time_n and_o pain_n in_o be_v full_o instruct_v in_o divinity_n it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o they_o will_v be_v bias_v by_o their_o own_o natural_a understanding_n rather_o than_o be_v influence_v by_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o as_o for_o a_o instance_n in_o those_o controversy_n which_o be_v betwixt_o the_o protestant_n and_o papist_n there_o be_v such_o evident_a sign_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v a_o difficult_a matter_n for_o a_o christian_a prince_n to_o discern_v which_o of_o these_o two_o ought_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o other_o for_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o protestant_n be_v so_o far_o from_o forbid_v the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o the_o laity_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o exhort_v they_o to_o it_o and_o make_v the_o scripture_n the_o touchstone_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o true_a judge_n of_o their_o controversy_n that_o the_o protestant_n trust_v upon_o the_o goodness_n of_o their_o own_o cause_n do_v not_o forbid_v the_o read_n of_o popish_a author_n but_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v public_o sell_v as_o be_v confident_a that_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o argument_n can_v have_v any_o influence_n even_o over_o a_o indifferent_a understanding_n it_o can_v but_o seem_v very_o strange_a why_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o laity_n be_v not_o allow_v the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nay_o that_o they_o leave_v no_o stone_n unturned_a to_o suppress_v the_o validity_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o that_o in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o inquisition_n be_v in_o vogue_n a_o man_n may_v with_o less_o danger_n be_v guilty_a of_o blasphemy_n perjury_n and_o other_o the_o most_o enormous_a crime_n than_o to_o read_v and_o examine_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n what_o a_o clamour_n do_v they_o make_v about_o tradition_n and_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o church_n which_o title_n they_o claim_v as_o belong_v in_o a_o most_o peculiar_a manner_n to_o themselves_o and_o notwithstanding_o the_o same_o be_v not_o allow_v they_o by_o other_o they_o assume_v to_o themselves_o the_o authority_n of_o give_v judgement_n in_o their_o own_o cause_n it_o be_v very_o well_o worth_a the_o consideration_n of_o a_o prince_n that_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v our_o book_n to_o be_v read_v among_o they_o and_o especial_o how_o careful_a they_o be_v in_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o great_a man_n though_o belong_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o their_o church_n who_o be_v so_o ignorant_a as_o not_o to_o know_v what_o great_a difficulty_n and_o obstacle_n be_v to_o be_v surmount_v before_o it_o can_v be_v obtain_v that_o the_o augsburgh_n confession_n be_v read_v to_o the_o emperor_n charles_n v._o all_o which_o take_v together_o be_v most_o evident_a proof_n to_o any_o unbiased_a person_n that_o the_o protestant_n act_n like_o man_n as_o rely_v upon_o the_o goodness_n of_o their_o cause_n but_o the_o roman_a catholic_n as_o mistrust_v themselves_o and_o fear_v that_o if_o their_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v examine_v according_a to_o the_o tenure_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o out_o of_o the_o protestant_a wrtting_n the_o same_o will_v scarce_o bear_v the_o touchstone_n it_o may_v also_o be_v take_v into_o consideration_n how_o far_o different_a the_o interest_n of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n party_n be_v from_o that_o of_o the_o protestant_n for_o though_o both_o party_n with_o equal_a zeal_n in_o public_a pretend_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o a_o great_a many_o among_o the_o roman_a catholic_n be_v very_o zealous_a for_o the_o same_o nevertheless_o if_o we_o due_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n in_o general_n it_o may_v easy_o be_v suppose_v that_o they_o aim_v at_o something_o more_o and_o what_o this_o something_o be_v be_v easy_o discernible_a if_o we_o make_v a_o due_a comparison_n betwixt_o the_o clergy_n of_o both_o party_n among_o the_o protestant_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v so_o stint_v in_o their_o revenue_n as_o to_o give_v they_o no_o opportunity_n of_o live_v in_o state_n what_o respect_n be_v pay_v they_o be_v on_o the_o account_n of_o their_o function_n as_o be_v teacher_n their_o power_n very_o seldom_o reach_v beyond_o their_o revenue_n which_o be_v very_o moderate_a and_o oftentimes_o very_a mean_v both_o their_o person_n and_o estate_n depend_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o sovereign_n neither_o have_v they_o any_o where_o else_o to_o seek_v for_o protection_n on_o the_o contrary_a in_o what_o pomp_n and_o affluence_n of_o fortune_n do_v the_o popish_a clergy_n live_v unto_o what_o height_n have_v they_o not_o exalt_v their_o power_n in_o europe_n have_v they_o not_o so_o order_v their_o matter_n as_o to_o be_v almost_o independent_a from_o the_o civil_a
contain_v every_o particular_a point_n of_o doctrine_n in_o the_o true_a sense_n as_o they_o be_v propose_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o those_o be_v call_v heretic_n who_o only_o profess_v some_o particular_a point_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a writ_n for_o such_o as_o absolute_o reject_v it_o be_v count_v infidel_n and_o reprobate_n but_o either_o deny_v or_o explain_v the_o rest_n in_o a_o wrong_n and_o pervert_v sense_n how_o can_v the_o popish_a clergy_n therefore_o assume_v the_o title_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n before_o they_o have_v and_o that_o without_o contradiction_n prove_v every_o point_n of_o their_o faith_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o exclude_v we_o protestant_n from_o that_o title_n till_o they_o have_v prove_v that_o our_o doctrine_n be_v contrary_a to_o it_o last_o it_o be_v call_v the_o apostolical_a church_n as_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o true_a church_n lose_v nothing_o of_o its_o intrinsic_a value_n whether_o it_o have_v be_v plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o whether_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n have_v be_v transmit_v to_o they_o by_o other_o §_o 54._o but_o it_o be_v not_o a_o very_a difficult_a task_n to_o religion_n whether_o subject_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o sovereign_n may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o a_o erroneous_a religion_n introduce_v a_o reformation_n in_o religion_n with_o the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o sovereign_n and_o subject_n so_o it_o may_v be_v question_v whether_o subject_n may_v attempt_v a_o reformation_n when_o their_o sovereign_n and_o the_o whole_a clergy_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v their_o error_n but_o rather_o pretend_v to_o maintain_v it_o in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v our_o opinion_n that_o provide_v these_o error_n â—o_o touch_v the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o our_o 〈…〉_o subject_n as_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o â—ight_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n have_v attainâ—â—he_v true_a knowledge_n may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o sovereign_n of_o the_o clergy_n for_o every_o body_n be_v accountable_a to_o god_n for_o his_o religion_n and_o answerable_a for_o his_o own_o soul_n â—hose_v salvation_n can_v absolute_o be_v commit_v to_o any_o body_n else_o and_o a_o christian_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o altogether_o to_o rely_v upon_o his_o sovereign_n or_o the_o clergy_n at_o lest_o no_o far_o than_o their_o doctrine_n be_v congruous_a with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o subject_n may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v process_v by_o their_o sovereign_n and_o clergy_n provide_v they_o can_v make_v it_o evident_o appear_v that_o such_o a_o church_n be_v infect_v with_o gross_a abuse_n and_o dangerous_a error_n for_o the_o church_n be_v a_o college_n who_o member_n be_v not_o keep_v in_o union_n by_o any_o temporal_a power_n but_o by_o the_o union_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o whosoever_o relinquish_v that_o he_o dissolve_v the_o sacred_a tie_n of_o the_o believer_n beside_o that_o it_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o our_o salvation_n that_o the_o church_n be_v compose_v of_o a_o great_a number_n but_o the_o same_o may_v be_v obtain_v either_o by_o a_o great_a or_o lesser_a number_n of_o the_o believer_n neither_o can_v this_o separation_n prove_v in_o the_o least_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n it_o be_v suppose_v that_o those_o who_o have_v separate_v themselves_o adhere_v to_o the_o true_a pure_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n free_a from_o all_o poison_n and_o principle_n dangerous_a or_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o government_n for_o civil_a society_n be_v not_o institute_v for_o religion_n sake_n neither_o do_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n participate_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o temporal_a state_n and_o therefore_o a_o prince_n that_o embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n do_v not_o thereby_o acquire_v a_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o the_o church_n or_o man_n conscience_n so_o that_o if_o notwithstanding_o this_o separation_n the_o subject_n pay_v due_a allegiance_n to_o their_o prince_n in_o temporal_a affair_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n sufficient_a which_o can_v oblige_v he_o to_o trouble_v they_o mere_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o their_o conscience_n for_o what_o loss_n be_v it_o to_o the_o prince_n whether_o his_o subject_n be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n with_o himself_o or_o of_o unother_n or_o which_o be_v suppose_v before_o whether_o they_o do_v maintain_v the_o same_o error_n as_o he_o do_v the_o case_n indeed_o will_v be_v quite_o different_a if_o they_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o their_o allegiance_n to_o set_v up_o a_o separate_a society_n without_o his_o consent_n though_o it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o there_o be_v some_o case_n of_o necessity_n when_o this_o civil_a tie_n or_o allegiance_n may_v be_v dissolve_v as_o for_o instance_n when_o subject_n for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a protection_n from_o their_o natural_a prince_n be_v so_o hardly_o press_v upon_o by_o a_o more_o potent_a enemy_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o submit_v to_o his_o power_n and_o grant_v the_o power_n of_o sovereign_n in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v much_o great_a than_o in_o effect_n it_o be_v subject_n be_v nevertheless_o bind_v to_o take_v care_n of_o their_o soul_n who_o salvation_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o all_o other_o thing_n in_o regard_n of_o which_o they_o may_v separate_v themselves_o from_o a_o establish_v religion_n provide_v they_o be_v convince_v of_o its_o error_n for_o that_o subject_a who_o sacrifice_n his_o life_n for_o his_o prince_n do_v doubtless_o a_o glorious_a action_n but_o what_o prince_n can_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o expect_v that_o his_o subject_n shall_v sacrifice_v their_o soul_n to_o the_o devil_n for_o his_o sake_n that_o prince_n therefore_o who_o do_v trouble_v his_o faithful_a subject_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o they_o can_v conform_v to_o his_o opinion_n especial_o if_o they_o can_v maintain_v they_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n commit_v a_o act_n of_o injustice_n nay_o i_o can_v see_v how_o he_o can_v with_o justice_n force_v they_o out_o of_o his_o territory_n it_o be_v true_a he_o may_v refuse_v to_o receive_v heretic_n into_o his_o dominion_n unless_o it_o be_v for_o reason_n of_o state_n neither_o can_v a_o true_a believer_n take_v it_o amiss_o if_o he_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o settle_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n govern_v by_o heretic_n for_o the_o right_a of_o naturalisation_n belong_v to_o sovereign_n which_o they_o may_v refuse_v and_o give_v to_o who_o they_o think_v it_o convenient_a but_o as_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o great_a injustice_n in_o the_o world_n to_o force_v a_o inborn_a natural_a subject_n who_o have_v settle_v all_o his_o fortune_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n mere_o for_o his_o religion_n sake_n without_o be_v convict_v of_o his_o error_n out_o of_o his_o native_a country_n to_o the_o great_a detriment_n and_o danger_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o family_n so_o if_o a_o subject_a incline_v voluntary_o to_o leave_v his_o native_a country_n either_o to_o avoid_v the_o frown_n of_o his_o prince_n or_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o common_a people_n and_o to_o serve_v god_n with_o more_o freedom_n according_a to_o his_o own_o conscience_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v refuse_v by_o his_o sovereign_n i_o remember_v there_o be_v a_o certain_a proverb_n use_v among_o the_o german_n viz._n he_o that_o command_v the_o country_n command_v religion_n but_o this_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o roman_n catholic_n religion_n who_o can_v lay_v any_o claim_n to_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o popish_a clergy_n do_v not_o allow_v any_o such_o thing_n to_o these_o prince_n and_o as_o to_o what_o concern_v the_o protestant_a estate_n of_o germany_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o make_v use_v of_o this_o pretention_n against_o the_o emperor_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n which_o however_o ought_v to_o be_v thus_o interpret_v that_o they_o deny_v the_o emperor_n to_o have_v any_o power_n of_o intermeddle_v in_o the_o affair_n relate_v to_o their_o own_o dominion_n not_o that_o only_o they_o claim_v it_o as_o belong_v to_o the_o right_n of_o sovereignty_n to_o impose_v any_o religion_n though_o never_o so_o false_a upon_o their_o subject_n notwithstanding_o all_o which_o there_o be_v not_o want_v example_n that_o prince_n have_v act_v conformable_a to_o this_o proverb_n with_o their_o subject_n a_o prince_n who_o trouble_v his_o faithful_a subject_n mere_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o religion_n commit_v a_o gross_a error_n no_o christian_a prince_n be_v oblige_v to_o propagate_v his_o religion_n by_o forcible_a mean_n provide_v his_o subject_n stand_v firm_a to_o their_o allegiance_n to_o he_o
controversy_n soon_o compose_v and_o heresy_n suppress_v or_o quite_o extinguish_v but_o if_o the_o whole_a matter_n be_v due_o weigh_v it_o will_v appear_v that_o such_o a_o ecclesiastical_a monarch_n may_v be_v very_o easy_o spare_v in_o the_o church_n for_o grant_v such_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o set_v up_o a_o general_a judge_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o the_o church_n a_o universal_a judge_n of_o all_o controversy_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n he_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o that_o beyond_o all_o contradiction_n as_o well_o in_o point_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o case_n for_o it_o may_v so_o happen_v that_o it_o be_v plain_a enough_o whether_o a_o doctrine_n be_v erroneous_a or_o not_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o may_v be_v disputable_a whether_o the_o say_a error_n ought_v to_o be_v lay_v to_o a_o certain_a man_n charge_n or_o not_o for_o if_o a_o appeal_n be_v allow_v from_o this_o judge_n after_o sentence_n pronounce_v there_o will_v never_o be_v a_o end_n of_o the_o process_n it_o be_v therefore_o absolute_o requisite_a that_o this_o infallible_a authority_n shall_v be_v so_o manifest_o prove_v that_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v call_v in_o question_n for_o unless_o this_o authority_n be_v unquestionable_a for_o the_o decision_n of_o this_o controversy_n we_o must_v run_v from_o this_o judge_n to_o another_o who_o must_v also_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o so_o in_o infinite_a it_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o without_o exception_n that_o no_o body_n ought_v to_o be_v a_o judge_n in_o his_o own_o case_n and_o since_o this_o privilege_n of_o be_v infallible_a can_v not_o be_v grant_v by_o any_o body_n but_o by_o god_n alone_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o invest_v with_o such_o a_o power_n it_o must_v plain_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o this_o particular_a prerogative_n and_o authority_n be_v grant_v to_o one_o certain_a person_n for_o he_o and_o his_o successor_n to_o decide_v all_o controversy_n concern_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n without_o be_v liable_a to_o any_o error_n but_o of_o this_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o footstep_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nay_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o be_v send_v by_o christ_n into_o all_o the_o world_n be_v endue_v with_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o have_v a_o equal_a authority_n so_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n now_o leave_v for_o the_o attain_n to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n both_o for_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n and_o all_o believer_n in_o general_a which_o be_v to_o study_v the_o scripture_n devout_o and_o without_o intermission_n and_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n 15._o 2_o tim._n 3._o 14._o 15._o or_o to_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n aught_o by_o undeniable_a demonstration_n to_o justify_v his_o pretension_n these_o qualification_n which_o the_o apostle_n paul_n describe_v in_o the_o 2_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n c._n 2._o 24_o 25_o aught_o to_o be_v apply_v to_o all_o bishop_n and_o teacher_n in_o general_a and_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n he_o say_v must_v not_o strive_v but_o be_v gentle_a unto_o all_o man_n apt_a to_o teach_v patient_o in_o meekness_n instruct_v those_o that_o oppose_v themselves_o if_o god_n peradventure_o will_v give_v they_o repentance_n to_o the_o acknowledge_v of_o the_o truth_n out_o of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v apparent_a that_o if_o any_o one_o now_o adays_o do_v pretend_v to_o any_o prerogative_n or_o infallibility_n in_o decide_v controversy_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o extraordinary_a qualification_n as_o be_v most_o requisite_a for_o the_o due_a explain_v and_o interpret_n the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o this_o in_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n as_o that_o the_o other_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n be_v not_o able_a to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o he_o nay_o that_o even_o all_o their_o joint_a endeavour_n in_o this_o kind_n be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v to_o his_o judgement_n beside_o this_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o this_o universal_a judge_n except_o he_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o useless_a engine_n must_v be_v invest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o execute_v his_o decree_n and_o to_o oblige_v all_o christian_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o his_o judgement_n for_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o his_o decree_n have_v no_o other_o force_n than_o as_o far_o as_o they_o influence_n people_n by_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n they_o will_v be_v either_o useless_a or_o else_o this_o judge_n in_o vain_a pretend_v thereby_o to_o any_o further_a prerogative_n but_o what_o he_o have_v in_o common_a with_o other_o christian_n that_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n furthermore_o this_o oblige_a power_n must_v either_o have_v be_v obtain_v by_o a_o peculiar_a privilegde_v grant_v by_o god_n almighty_a or_o by_o a_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_n or_o by_o a_o inherent_a right_n to_o a_o sovereignty_n over_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o for_o a_o privilege_n grant_v by_o god_n or_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o proof_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o ever_o i_o can_v find_v and_o as_o to_o the_o pretend_a sovereign_a power_n its_o legal_a title_n ought_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o such_o document_n as_o be_v suitable_a to_o so_o great_a a_o pretention_n for_o it_o be_v a_o very_a insignificant_a proof_n to_o allege_v in_o a_o case_n of_o such_o moment_n tradition_n and_o a_o long_a continue_a usurpation_n which_o add_v nothing_o to_o the_o right_n of_o a_o long_o continue_v illegal_a possession_n and_o can_v be_v take_v for_o a_o solid_a foundation_n whereupon_o to_o build_v a_o real_a pretention_n to_o such_o a_o sovereignty_n for_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o whereas_o something_o of_o a_o prerogative_n be_v intend_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n the_o same_o in_o process_n of_o time_n have_v be_v abuse_v and_o consequent_o degenerate_v into_o a_o insufferable_a tyranny_n we_o can_v therefore_o but_o look_v upon_o such_o a_o tradition_n aâ—â—_n aâ—_n not_o the_o least_o foundation_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o very_o suspicious_a especial_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o such_o a_o sovereign_a power_n be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o true_a genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v object_v that_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v so_o powerful_a to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o all_o controversy_n but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v also_o that_o thereby_o the_o worse_a sort_n of_o slavery_n must_v be_v introduce_v worse_o than_o that_o whereof_o tacitus_n complain_v in_o his_o time_n adempto_fw-la per_fw-la inquisitiones_fw-la &_o loquendi_fw-la audiendioque_fw-la 〈◊〉_d â—â—_o que_fw-fr ipsacum_fw-la voce_fw-la memoria_fw-la perdatur_fw-la si_fw-la tam_fw-la in_o nostra_fw-la potestate_fw-la foret_fw-la oblivisci_fw-la quam_fw-la tacere_fw-la by_o the_o inquisition_n the_o benefit_n of_o our_o tongue_n and_o ear_n be_v take_v away_o at_o once_o and_o if_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o control_v man_n memory_n as_o it_o be_v to_o bridle_v their_o tongue_n the_o very_a remembrance_n of_o thing_n past_a have_v be_v long_o ago_o abolish_v among_o we_o true_o by_o such_o method_n perhaps_o the_o commonwealth_n may_v be_v stock_v with_o hypocrite_n and_o dissemble_a heretic_n but_o few_o will_v be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o orthodox_n christian_n faith_n as_o it_o be_v therefore_o absolute_o requisite_a that_o a_o hide_a ulcer_n shall_v be_v lay_v open_a whereby_o it_o may_v the_o soon_o be_v purge_v from_o its_o malignancy_n and_o proper_a remedy_n more_o immediate_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o affect_a part_n so_o be_v it_o much_o conduce_v in_o the_o church_n that_o such_o scruple_n and_o erroneous_a opinion_n as_o have_v seize_v our_o mind_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o light_v that_o by_o apply_v timely_a remedy_n they_o may_v be_v remove_v before_o they_o be_v go_v too_o far_o than_o by_o couch_v they_o over_o to_o let_v they_o run_v into_o a_o malignant_a suppuration_n which_o at_o last_o may_v turn_v to_o a_o incurable_a gangrene_n it_o be_v also_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o if_o this_o ecclesiastical_a sovereignty_n be_v grant_v there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v a_o double_a head_a sovereign_a power_n in_o one_o state_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o subject_n will_v be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o ecclesiastical_a judge_n in_o point_n of_o controversy_n as_o well_o and_o in_o the_o same_o measure_n as_o they_o do_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o civil_a governor_n in_o civil_a action_n and_o since_o this_o ecclesiastical_a sovereignty_n have_v a_o different_a scope_n from_o that_o for_o which_o civil_a society_n be_v erect_v it_o must_v
action_n of_o pilate_n it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v no_o otherwise_o than_o a_o public_a robbery_n and_o a_o power_n 53._o luk._n 22._o 53._o of_o darkness_n since_o in_o all_o his_o proceed_n there_o be_v not_o a_o footstep_n of_o a_o legal_a process_n to_o be_v meet_v with_o and_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o when_o religious_a matter_n be_v in_o question_n the_o due_a method_n and_o judicial_a order_n of_o a_o legal_a process_n have_v be_v violate_v a_o thousand_o time_n over_o and_o over_o that_o it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a to_o allege_v any_o example_n of_o it_o here_o when_o sovereign_n punish_v or_o chastise_v a_o pastor_n or_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v abuse_v his_o function_n or_o be_v defective_a in_o it_o this_o power_n do_v proper_o not_o proceed_v from_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n but_o from_o a_o right_o translate_v to_o the_o sovereign_n by_o the_o church_n but_o those_o that_o be_v punish_v by_o the_o civil_a authority_n because_o they_o have_v stir_v up_o by_o their_o turbulent_a speech_n and_o sermon_n the_o people_n to_o rebellion_n against_o their_o soverereigns_n or_o have_v attempt_v to_o withdraw_v the_o auditor_n from_o and_o to_o resist_v the_o power_n of_o a_o legal_a jurisdiction_n can_v be_v say_v to_o undergo_v punishment_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n furthermore_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o church_n consider_v as_o such_o can_v claim_v any_o jurisdiction_n proper_o speak_v it_o be_v no_o less_o false_a that_o the_o power_n of_o dispose_v and_o exercise_v those_o function_n belong_v to_o each_o church_n be_v a_o civil_a act_n in_o regard_n of_o its_o public_a effect_n mr._n houtuyn_n have_v be_v draw_v into_o all_o these_o error_n by_o confound_v the_o commonwealth_n with_o the_o church_n if_o these_o two_o be_v not_o very_o nice_o distinguish_v but_o we_o allow_v the_o church_n to_o be_v entire_o swallow_v up_o in_o the_o civil_a power_n what_o have_v we_o get_v by_o shake_v of_o the_o popish_a yoke_n for_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n will_v be_v never_o the_o better_a if_o all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n without_o exception_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o arbitrary_a disposal_n of_o sovereign_n to_o maintain_v which_o mr._n houtuyn_n in_o contradiction_n to_o all_o reason_n and_o the_o scripture_n itself_o have_v invent_v a_o spiritual_a good_a or_o the_o eternal_a welfare_n of_o people_n as_o the_o main_a end_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o he_o enable_v his_o prince_n to_o force_v his_o subject_n to_o profess_v public_o what_o religion_n he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o impose_v upon_o they_o though_o never_o so_o contrary_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n for_o it_o may_v be_v sufferable_a for_o a_o man_n to_o keep_v his_o own_o opinion_n conceal_v to_o himself_o but_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v what_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o it_o be_v both_o abominable_a and_o intolerable_a the_o say_v of_o constantine_n the_o great_a so_o much_o extol_v by_o mr._n houtuyn_n himself_o be_v contradictory_n to_o his_o assertion_n viz._n that_o he_o can_v have_v wish_v all_o his_o subject_n to_o have_v be_v christian_n but_o that_o he_o never_o force_v any_o for_o this_o emperor_n not_o only_o never_o attempt_v to_o force_v any_o one_o from_o his_o own_o opinion_n which_o indeed_o be_v beyond_o his_o power_n but_o also_o never_o constrain_v his_o subject_n to_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n against_o their_o own_o inclination_n our_o author_n do_v also_o not_o a_o little_a contradict_v himself_o in_o what_o he_o say_v concern_v word_n sometime_o exempt_n they_o from_o any_o civil_a cognisance_n whereas_o before_o he_o have_v make_v they_o liable_a to_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n what_o say_v he_o if_o our_o faith_n express_v by_o word_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o sovereign_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o crime_n but_o rather_o as_o a_o error_n to_o correct_v which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v effect_v by_o punishment_n which_o do_v illuminate_v our_o mind_n but_o rather_o by_o good_a instruction_n but_o those_o that_o know_v the_o real_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v betwixt_o the_o state_n and_o a_o college_n may_v without_o much_o difficulty_n dissolve_v these_o knotty_a question_n which_o he_o have_v start_v concerine_n the_o jurisdiction_n and_o legislative_a power_n of_o prince_n over_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o §_o lxix_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v put_v beyond_o all_o question_n that_o sovereign_n have_v a_o right_a to_o give_v the_o authority_n and_o force_n of_o a_o law_n to_o such_o statute_n as_o they_o find_v suitable_a to_o the_o state_n it_o be_v their_o prerogative_n to_o determine_v according_a to_o what_o law_n judgement_n be_v to_o be_v give_v in_o civil_a court_n of_o judicature_n what_o be_v punishable_a and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o subject_a but_o it_o imply_v a_o absurdity_n to_o attribute_v to_o sovereign_n a_o right_a of_o give_v public_a authority_n to_o prophecy_n themselves_o neither_o the_o intrinsic_a nor_o historical_a faith_n have_v any_o dependence_n on_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n by_o the_o force_n of_o which_o subject_n may_v be_v oblige_v to_o act_v but_o not_o to_o believe_v from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o any_o prophecy_n appear_v to_o be_v from_o god_n it_o can_v receive_v any_o addition_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prince_n no_o more_o than_o if_o he_o shall_v declare_v cicero_n to_o be_v a_o good_a latin_a author_n but_o in_o case_n a_o pretend_a prophecy_n be_v either_o ambiguous_a or_o supposititious_a in_o itself_o and_o a_o prince_n shall_v persuade_v himself_o to_o be_v able_a by_o his_o own_o authority_n to_o make_v it_o pass_v current_a for_o truth_n he_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o one_o beyond_o his_o sense_n what_o he_o insinuate_v concern_v the_o new_a testament_n in_o general_n be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o stamp_n it_o be_v not_o say_v he_o in_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o establish_v this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n by_o public_a authority_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n it_o remain_v in_o a_o private_a condition_n â—ill_v such_o time_n when_o prince_n have_v receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n they_o give_v it_o a_o public_a authority_n and_o the_o force_n of_o law_n but_o the_o rule_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n can_v receive_v any_o additional_a strength_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n it_o be_v contrary_a to_o its_o genius_n to_o be_v establish_v and_o promote_v by_o civil_a punishment_n for_o whosoever_o out_o of_o fear_n of_o temporal_a punishment_n profess_v in_o outward_a show_n only_o this_o doctrine_n do_v not_o act_v according_a to_o nor_o fulfil_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n the_o same_o may_v be_v repliy_v to_o §_o lxx_o for_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n do_v not_o owe_v their_o authority_n to_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n the_o latter_a be_v introduce_v in_o the_o government_n by_o god_n peculiar_a assistance_n inspite_o of_o all_o the_o resistance_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n so_o ought_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o the_o ambiguous_a and_o controvert_v passage_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n not_o to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n it_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o prince_n only_o but_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o such_o as_o be_v authorise_v by_o the_o church_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o prince_n consider_v as_o the_o chief_a member_n of_o it_o can_v bâ—â—xcluded_v from_o have_v his_o share_n in_o such_o a_o debate_n it_o be_v a_o profane_a expression_n when_o he_o say_v christ_n himself_o have_v a_o unquestionable_a power_n of_o introduce_v a_o new_a law_n must_v needs_o have_v a_o right_a to_o interpret_v the_o same_o but_o since_o during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o abode_n here_o he_o live_v among_o those_o that_o either_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o disobedience_n do_v not_o own_o christ_n and_o that_o in_o a_o private_a condition_n subject_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o his_o law_n doctrine_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o they_o do_v acquire_v their_o oblige_a power_n and_o public_a authority_n from_o the_o civil_a constitution_n a_o little_a more_o will_v have_v make_v the_o office_n of_o christ_n as_o be_v mediator_n of_o the_o world_n also_o dependent_a from_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n be_v it_o not_o a_o prodigious_a absurdity_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n have_v receive_v its_o public_a authority_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n among_o those_o who_o deny_v christ_n and_o what_o follow_v that_o if_o at_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n prince_n have_v be_v christian_n they_o will_v have_v acknowledge_v he_o for_o the_o
to_o examine_v both_o their_o natural_a qualification_n in_o reference_n to_o civil_a society_n for_o if_o this_o which_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o foundation_n stone_n be_v well_o secure_v and_o we_o afterward_o do_v look_v into_o the_o scripture_n to_o investigate_v in_o what_o manner_n christ_n himself_o have_v represent_v his_o doctrine_n to_o we_o it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o judge_v whether_o according_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a sovereignty_n exercise_v by_o priest_n or_o whether_o prince_n have_v a_o right_a to_o make_v use_n of_o a_o absolute_a power_n or_o can_v compel_v their_o subject_n to_o obedience_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n §_o 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a be_v the_o institute_v conceâ—â—ing_v religion_n before_o civil_a society_n wâ—râ—_n institute_v author_n and_o creator_n both_o of_o the_o universe_n and_o especial_o of_o mankind_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o worship_v as_o such_o by_o menkind_n as_o they_o be_v rational_a creature_n have_v be_v general_o receive_v not_o only_o among_o christian_n but_o also_o by_o most_o of_o the_o pagan_a philosopher_n that_o to_o pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o here_o will_v be_v superfluous_a and_o perhaps_o may_v be_v take_v as_o do_v in_o prejudice_n of_o the_o judicious_a reader_n since_o scarce_o any_o body_n that_o be_v not_o beyond_o his_o right_a wit_n can_v be_v suppose_v now_o a_o day_n to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o the_o verity_n of_o this_o assertion_n the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o divine_a worship_n arise_v from_o two_o several_a spring_n for_o we_o either_o by_o true_a ratioâ—ination_n deduce_v out_o of_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v convince_v of_o those_o sentiment_n we_o ought_v to_o have_v of_o god_n and_o what_o reverence_n be_v due_a to_o he_o from_o we_o mortal_n or_o else_o some_o matter_n be_v beyond_o our_o apprehension_n by_o the_o bare_a light_n of_o nature_n be_v by_o god_n special_a command_n reveal_v to_o mankind_n both_o kind_n be_v to_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o the_o follow_a treatise_n with_o this_o restriction_n nevertheless_o not_o to_o insist_v upon_o each_o particular_a head_n of_o either_o of_o they_o any_o further_a than_o they_o have_v relation_n to_o civil_a society_n §_o 2._o the_o first_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v both_o in_o natural_a and_o reveal_v religion_n religion_n every_o man_n be_v accountable_a for_o his_o religion_n be_v that_o every_o body_n be_v oblige_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o his_o own_o person_n religious_a duty_n be_v not_o to_o be_v perform_v by_o a_o deputy_n but_o by_o himself_o in_o person_n who_o expect_v to_o reap_v the_o benefit_n of_o religious_a worship_n promise_v by_o god_n almighty_a for_o man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n owe_v its_o offspring_n to_o god_n alone_o be_v thereby_o put_v under_o such_o a_o indispensible_a obligation_n that_o the_o cosideration_n of_o worship_v he_o to_o the_o utmost_a of_o his_o power_n can_v never_o be_v entire_o exstinguish_v in_o a_o rational_a soul_n and_o here_o lie_v the_o main_a difference_n betwixt_o that_o care_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v our_o soul_n and_o that_o of_o our_o body_n the_o latter_a of_o which_o may_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o management_n of_o other_o who_o be_v to_o be_v accountable_a for_o all_o injury_n which_o may_v befall_v we_o under_o their_o tuition_n we_o be_v thereby_o free_v from_o any_o gild_n against_o ourselves_o so_o do_v we_o commit_v ourselves_o when_o we_o pass_v the_o sea_n to_o the_o management_n of_o the_o master_n of_o a_o ship_n by_o who_o sole_a care_n without_o our_o own_o assistance_n we_o be_v conduct_v to_o the_o desire_v port._n but_o no_o body_n can_v so_o entire_o transfer_v the_o care_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o religious_a worship_n from_o himself_o to_o another_o man_n as_o to_o make_v he_o alone_o accountable_a for_o all_o miscarriage_n and_o to_o free_v himself_o from_o punishment_n every_o one_o of_o we_o shall_v give_v 3._o rom._n 14._o 12._o rom._n 9_o 3._o account_n of_o himself_o to_o god_n and_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o st._n paul_n to_o wish_v to_o be_v accurse_v from_o christ_n for_o his_o brethren_n his_o kinsman_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n and_o though_o it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o those_o who_o have_v be_v negligent_a in_o take_v care_n of_o other_o people_n soul_n that_o be_v commit_v to_o their_o charge_n shall_v receive_v punishment_n nevertheless_o these_o who_o soul_n have_v be_v thus_o neglect_v shall_v perish_v with_o they_o for_o have_v put_v too_o much_o trust_v in_o other_o and_o neglect_v their_o own_o salvation_n as_o it_o be_v plain_o express_v by_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n 33._o 7_o 8._o and_o the_o 16._o habak_v 2._o 4._o mark_v 16._o 16._o just_a shall_v live_v by_o faith_n and_o the_o evangelist_n st._n mark_n speak_v without_o any_o reservation_n he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v without_o distinction_n whether_o you_o be_v seduce_v by_o other_o or_o whether_o you_o have_v renounce_v your_o faith_n for_o worldly_a ends._n §_o 3._o from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o religion_n nature_n how_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o free_a state_n of_o nature_n have_v its_o relation_n to_o god_n the_o same_o may_v be_v exercise_v without_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o great_a many_o and_o that_o a_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o soundness_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o religion_n by_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o adhere_v to_o it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n our_o first_o parent_n may_v and_o do_v real_o perform_v religious_a duty_n and_o that_o if_o one_o alone_o or_o a_o few_o together_o live_v in_o a_o solitary_a place_n they_o be_v therefore_o not_o to_o be_v deem_v to_o live_v without_o religion_n because_o they_o do_v not_o make_v up_o a_o congregation_n for_o god_n be_v the_o only_a judge_n of_o what_o be_v best_a please_v to_o he_o in_o his_o worship_n know_v and_o search_v the_o very_a bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o since_o we_o be_v not_o able_a without_o his_o assistance_n to_o perform_v religious_a duty_n the_o same_o can_v be_v esteem_v proper_o our_o own_o invention_n as_o those_o that_o live_v in_o the_o free_a state_n of_o nature_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o any_o human_a power_n so_o in_o the_o same_o state_n their_o religion_n have_v only_o a_o relation_n to_o god_n almighty_a unto_o who_o alone_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o pay_v reverence_n it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o human_a force_n or_o power_n which_o in_o this_o state_n of_o natural_a freedom_n they_o may_v exercise_v either_o according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n or_o according_a to_o divine_a revelation_n and_o according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o knowledge_n may_v dispose_v the_o outward_a form_n of_o their_o religious_a worship_n without_o be_v accountable_a to_o any_o body_n but_o god_n almighty_a neither_o can_v they_o be_v control_v or_o force_v rather_o to_o worship_n god_n according_a to_o another_o than_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o if_o any_o body_n pretend_v to_o bring_v they_o over_o to_o his_o side_n he_o ought_v with_o suitable_a argument_n to_o convince_v they_o how_o far_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_n and_o they_o in_o the_o wrong_n there_o may_v be_v beside_o this_o another_o reason_n be_v give_v why_o no_o body_n in_o what_o condition_n soever_o aught_o to_o be_v force_v to_o another_o man_n religion_n because_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n can_v be_v implant_v in_o we_o without_o proper_a and_o convince_a argument_n such_o as_o be_v capable_a of_o prepare_v our_o mind_n for_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n and_o as_o to_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o transcend_v our_o reason_n these_o must_v be_v acquire_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a grace_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o all_o violence_n it_o be_v true_a a_o prince_n may_v force_v a_o subject_a to_o make_v a_o outward_a confession_n by_o way_n of_o mouth_n to_o comply_v in_o his_o behaviour_n with_o his_o command_n and_o to_o dissemble_v his_o thought_n or_o to_o speak_v contrary_a to_o his_o belief_n but_o he_o can_v force_v no_o body_n to_o believe_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o opinion_n for_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v with_o 37._o actâ—_n â—_o 37._o all_o our_o heart_n but_o whatever_o be_v do_v in_o order_n to_o obtain_v any_o worldly_a advantage_n or_o to_o avoid_v a_o imminent_a evil_n of_o this_o kind_n can_v be_v do_v with_o all_o our_o heart_n but_o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v 17._o rom._n 1â—_n 17._o and_o hear_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n neither_o do_v our_o saviour_n force_v his_o word_n upon_o