may_v call_v it_o the_o essence_n of_o conscience_n second_o we_o will_v examine_v and_o consider_v its_o manner_n of_o operation_n and_o act_n in_o all_o man_n now_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o conscience_n be_v knowledge_n for_o no_o man_n can_v have_v a_o conscience_n to_o himself_o of_o any_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v not_o know_v nor_o of_o any_o thing_n further_o than_o he_o do_v know_v it_o for_o example_n i_o know_v that_o god_n be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v and_o therefore_o my_o conscience_n tell_v i_o i_o be_o oblige_v to_o act_v according_a to_o that_o knowledge_n and_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o adore_v he_o i_o know_v that_o no_o creature_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v with_o divine_a adoration_n and_o therefore_o my_o conscience_n tell_v i_o i_o sin_n against_o knowledge_n if_o i_o give_v adoration_n by_o worship_v either_o man_n or_o angel_n much_o more_o if_o i_o bestow_v it_o upon_o the_o more_o ignoble_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n gold_n silver_n wood_n stone_n creep_v thing_n bird_n or_o fourfooted_a beast_n i_o do_v not_o certain_o know_v whether_o saint_n depart_v this_o life_n can_v hear_v my_o prayer_n though_o make_v to_o they_o in_o the_o most_o modest_a sense_n and_o in_o the_o same_o nature_n as_o i_o will_v do_v if_o they_o be_v alive_a beg_v of_o they_o to_o pray_v or_o intercede_v for_o i_o and_o therefore_o if_o i_o do_v not_o pray_v to_o they_o to_o pray_v for_o i_o my_o conscience_n do_v not_o accuse_v i_o of_o have_v neglect_v a_o duty_n which_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v or_o sin_v against_o my_o knowledge_n so_o that_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o to_o know_v be_v of_o the_o essence_n of_o conscience_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o conscience_n without_o it_o now_o scientia_fw-la est_fw-la de_fw-la certis_fw-la &_o indubitatis_fw-la all_o knowledge_n be_v of_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a thing_n and_o this_o certainty_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o knowledge_n be_v ground_v either_o upon_o the_o demonstration_n of_o sense_n reason_n or_o divine_a revelation_n and_o whatever_o i_o know_v it_o be_v because_o i_o have_v a_o certainty_n that_o it_o be_v such_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n either_o from_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n which_o can_v deceive_v i_o or_o from_o clear_a and_o plain_a reason_n or_o else_o from_o a_o positive_a divine_a revelation_n which_o proceed_v from_o he_o who_o therefore_o will_v not_o because_o he_o can_v deceive_v i_o be_v truth_n itself_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o thing_n i_o will_v know_v be_v either_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n uncertain_a as_o be_v all_o future_a contingency_n and_o many_o past_a action_n of_o former_a age_n about_o which_o i_o want_v sufficient_a mean_n of_o a_o certain_a information_n i_o can_v have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o they_o and_o by_o consequence_n no_o obligation_n upon_o my_o mind_n to_o believe_v they_o or_o act_n according_a to_o they_o but_o wheresoever_o there_o be_v a_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n either_o from_o sense_n reason_n or_o divine_a revelation_n there_o my_o mind_n be_v not_o leave_v at_o liberty_n but_o have_v a_o obligation_n lay_v upon_o it_o to_o act_v or_o not_o to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o command_n of_o that_o knowledge_n and_o that_o this_o be_v not_o my_o private_a opinion_n but_o agreeable_a to_o the_o great_a truth_n let_v the_o most_o learned_a apostle_n st._n paul_n give_v his_o testimony_n in_o that_o well_o know_a place_n ult_n rom._n 14._o ult_n whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n for_o by_o faith_n there_o can_v be_v mean_v that_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o grace_n of_o believe_v to_o salvation_n because_o every_o thing_n to_o be_v know_v or_o do_v be_v not_o the_o object_n of_o that_o faith_n and_o therefore_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o five_o verse_n by_o faith_n there_o he_o understand_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o full_a assurance_n of_o a_o man_n own_o mind_n which_o be_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o the_o result_n of_o a_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v and_o be_v proper_o oppose_v to_o that_o doubt_v and_o waver_v of_o a_o man_n mind_n occasion_v by_o the_o want_n of_o knowledge_n and_o therefore_o he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v a_o damnable_a sin_n to_o do_v that_o which_o i_o doubt_v i_o ought_v not_o for_o say_v he_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o eat_v because_o it_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o a_o full_a assurance_n of_o knowledge_n that_o what_o he_o do_v be_v lawful_a for_o to_o such_o a_o person_n till_o he_o have_v a_o full_a assurance_n from_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n that_o it_o be_v not_o it_o be_v sin_n because_o for_o aught_o he_o know_v it_o may_v be_v so_o and_o the_o rule_n tell_v he_o he_o be_v to_o abstain_v from_o the_o very_a appearance_n of_o evil_n and_o reason_n tell_v he_o tutum_fw-la est_fw-la errare_fw-la à _fw-la dextra_fw-la it_o be_v the_o best_a to_o err_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n by_o abstain_v from_o that_o which_o i_o be_o not_o full_o assure_v of_o but_o it_o may_v be_v sinful_a and_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n the_o same_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o occasion_n of_o those_o mistake_n in_o the_o church_n about_o eat_v thing_n offer_v in_o sacrifice_n to_o idol_n proceed_v from_o a_o want_n of_o this_o knowledge_n howbeit_o say_v he_o there_o be_v not_o in_o every_o man_n this_o knowledge_n and_o for_o want_v of_o this_o he_o tell_v they_o their_o conscience_n be_v weak_a that_o be_v their_o mind_n be_v doubtful_a and_o some_o be_v of_o one_o persuasion_n other_o of_o another_o about_o it_o so_o that_o knowledge_n be_v of_o the_o essence_n of_o conscience_n and_o certainty_n be_v of_o the_o essence_n of_o knowledge_n it_o follow_v that_o conscience_n proper_o so_o call_v can_v be_v exercise_v but_o about_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v certain_o know_v and_o therefore_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v which_o plain_o show_v the_o unwarrantable_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o some_o man_n who_o impose_v many_o thing_n upon_o people_n as_o indispensible_a matter_n of_o conscience_n which_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n admit_v of_o the_o great_a doubt_n and_o uncertainty_n and_o which_o they_o have_v no_o lawful_a authority_n to_o establish_v as_o obligatory_a to_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o men._n but_o to_o confirm_v this_o second_o let_v we_o examine_v the_o manner_n of_o operation_n and_o act_n of_o conscience_n in_o all_o man_n now_o the_o exercise_n of_o conscience_n consist_v in_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o i_o inquire_v with_o myself_o whether_o i_o have_v do_v what_o i_o ought_v or_o abstain_v from_o what_o i_o ought_v second_o i_o inquire_v if_o i_o have_v do_v or_o abstain_v as_o i_o ought_v whether_o i_o have_v do_v it_o after_o that_o manner_n and_o with_o those_o due_a circumstance_n as_o i_o ought_v now_o in_o both_o these_o operation_n the_o necessity_n of_o they_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o that_o necessity_n be_v my_o certain_a knowledge_n that_o they_o be_v so_o for_o thus_o i_o judge_v i_o have_v do_v this_o because_o i_o certain_o know_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o rule_n i_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o i_o have_v abstain_v from_o that_o because_o i_o certain_o know_v that_o i_o ought_v of_o necessity_n not_o to_o do_v it_o i_o have_v do_v it_o after_o this_o manner_n because_o i_o be_o certain_o assure_v that_o this_o be_v according_a to_o the_o way_n direct_v by_o my_o rule_n therefore_o my_o conscience_n that_o be_v my_o power_n of_o judge_v myself_o pronounce_v for_o i_o that_o i_o have_v do_v right_a and_o well_o and_o then_o my_o mind_n or_o conscience_n be_v satisfy_v i_o be_o at_o ease_n and_o quiet_a within_o myself_o and_o this_o be_v call_v a_o good_a conscience_n or_o peace_n of_o conscience_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o i_o have_v do_v either_o what_o i_o certain_o know_v i_o ought_v not_o or_o but_o doubt_v i_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v do_v or_o omit_v what_o i_o be_o assure_v i_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v or_o where_o i_o have_v not_o do_v what_o i_o ought_v to_o do_v according_a as_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v it_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o performance_n with_o all_o due_a circumstance_n my_o conscience_n tell_v i_o i_o have_v not_o do_v well_o or_o according_a to_o my_o knowledge_n and_o therefore_o my_o mind_n be_v unquiet_a and_o unsatisfied_a haunt_v with_o guilt_n of_o the_o evil_a and_o terrify_v with_o the_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o punishment_n and_o this_o be_v call_v a_o evil_a conscience_n or_o to_o speak_v more_o proper_o a_o conscience_n of_o evil_n but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o command_n to_o act_v or_o to_o abstain_v nor_o any_o direction_n for_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n
of_o my_o action_n i_o find_v no_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n and_o so_o no_o absolute_a necessity_n within_o myself_o to_o act_v or_o not_o to_o act_v to_o abstain_v or_o not_o to_o abstain_v or_o if_o i_o do_v any_o such_o action_n where_o i_o be_o leave_v at_o liberty_n i_o find_v no_o necessity_n of_o do_v it_o this_o way_n or_o the_o other_o but_o be_o leave_v to_o my_o own_o freedom_n because_o i_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n from_o the_o rule_n to_o determine_v i_o so_o that_o if_o i_o do_v it_o my_o conscience_n do_v not_o accuse_v i_o if_o i_o do_v it_o not_o i_o find_v no_o uneasy_a guilt_n to_o sit_v heavy_a upon_o my_o mind_n for_o the_o neglect_n and_o what_o way_n soever_o i_o perform_v it_o still_o my_o mind_n be_v at_o peace_n and_o quiet_a with_o itself_o and_o all_o because_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n from_o the_o rule_n and_o therefore_o no_o necessity_n or_o determination_n and_o so_o by_o plain_a consequence_n no_o part_n of_o the_o dominion_n of_o conscience_n for_o this_o necessity_n of_o knowledge_n be_v the_o law_n of_o conscience_n and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n 4.15_o rom._n 4.15_o there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n no_o obligation_n nor_o afflict_a guilt_n let_v not_o any_o person_n now_o think_v that_o i_o have_v straighten_a the_o diocese_n of_o this_o universal_a bishop_n or_o to_o speak_v without_o offence_n this_o overseer_n of_o the_o world_n for_o thus_o far_o his_o proper_a and_o absolute_a jurisdiction_n do_v extend_v itself_o but_o conscience_n have_v likewise_o a_o collateral_a dominion_n over_o all_o indifferent_a action_n which_o be_v thus_o all_o our_o action_n which_o may_v be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v without_o sin_n on_o either_o part_n be_v call_v indifferent_a as_o for_o example_n if_o for_o my_o health_n or_o pleasure_n i_o design_n to_o take_v the_o air_n it_o be_v indifferent_a whether_o i_o ride_v or_o walk_v or_o whether_o i_o go_v into_o that_o fair_a field_n or_o this_o fresh_a meadow_n now_o all_o these_o action_n though_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n free_a and_o indifferent_a have_v yet_o this_o necessity_n upon_o they_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o carry_v a_o respect_n to_o the_o forementioned_a great_a design_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v address_v to_o those_o end_n and_o manage_v according_o and_o if_o any_o indifferent_a action_n do_v not_o in_o some_o measure_n contribute_v to_o these_o end_n i_o be_o bind_v in_o conscience_n not_o to_o do_v it_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a severity_n our_o saviour_n pronounce_v against_o idle_a word_n 12.36_o s_o matth_n 12.36_o not_o only_o such_o as_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o end_n but_o such_o as_o by_o their_o be_v uncapable_a of_o contribute_v to_o those_o great_a design_n be_v therefore_o sinful_a and_o unlawful_a because_o useless_a and_o unprofitable_a thus_o for_o i_o to_o ride_v or_o walk_v to_o take_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o fresh_a and_o free_a air_n though_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n free_a and_o leave_v to_o my_o choice_n yet_o i_o have_v this_o obligation_n upon_o i_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o choose_v that_o part_n which_o either_o from_o my_o own_o or_o better_a judgement_n may_v be_v think_v most_o proper_a and_o conducive_a to_o my_o health_n that_o so_o i_o may_v be_v in_o a_o better_a capacity_n to_o praise_n and_o glorify_v my_o creator_n for_o and_o by_o the_o advantage_n of_o health_n strength_n vigour_n and_o alacrity_n of_o mind_n and_o body_n and_o that_o by_o these_o i_o may_v be_v enable_v both_o for_o my_o own_o part_n to_o participate_v of_o the_o bountiful_a happiness_n which_o kind_a heaven_n have_v so_o plentiful_o bestow_v upon_o this_o life_n and_o also_o that_o i_o may_v be_v in_o a_o better_a capacity_n to_o promote_v and_o advance_v the_o happiness_n of_o my_o fellow_n creature_n so_o far_o as_o my_o power_n do_v extend_v itself_o and_o therefore_o in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o be_o not_o to_o be_v injurious_a to_o any_o person_n nor_o in_o take_v the_o air_n to_o ride_v or_o walk_v over_o the_o ear_a corn_n or_o full_o grow_v meadow_n and_o all_o this_o not_o only_o out_o of_o a_o obligation_n to_o humane_a law_n or_o for_o fear_n of_o a_o action_n of_o trespass_n a_o clausum_fw-la fregit_fw-la or_o pedibus_fw-la ambulando_fw-la but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n because_o i_o be_o bind_v by_o the_o rule_n to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o but_o injury_n to_o none_o and_o this_o true_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o st._n paul_n in_o those_o two_o place_n 10.31_o 1_o cor._n 10.31_o whether_o you_o eat_v or_o drink_v or_o whatsoever_o you_o do_v let_v all_o be_v do_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n ult_n rom._n 14._o ult_n that_o be_v whatsoever_o indifferent_a action_n i_o do_v i_o ought_v to_o have_v a_o full_a assurance_n that_o it_o be_v not_o contrary_a but_o conducive_a to_o this_o great_a design_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o creation_n chap._n vi_o the_o occasion_n of_o those_o difference_n among_o we_o about_o matter_n of_o conscience_n proceed_v from_o the_o mistake_n of_o opinion_n and_o private_a persuasion_n for_o conscience_n what_o opinion_n be_v and_o what_o persuasion_n and_o how_o they_o differ_v from_o conscience_n thus_o far_o i_o think_v it_o be_v clear_v what_o conscience_n be_v and_o how_o far_o its_o proper_a dominion_n do_v extend_v now_o that_o conscience_n thus_o right_o understand_v do_v universal_o and_o absolute_o oblige_v all_o man_n i_o can_v think_v there_o be_v any_o will_v make_v the_o least_o scruple_n unless_o it_o be_v such_o who_o conscience_n be_v sear_v with_o a_o hot_a iron_n and_o give_v up_o to_o that_o unthinking_a sense_n which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o and_o to_o those_o who_o be_v past_a feeling_n i_o do_v not_o address_v myself_o or_o this_o discourse_n but_o the_o misfortune_n of_o our_o age_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o this_o particular_a we_o may_v have_v some_o of_o those_o who_o have_v no_o conscience_n but_o we_o have_v multitude_n of_o other_o who_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v none_o that_o they_o be_v all_o conscience_n who_o strain_n at_o every_o gnat_n and_o make_v every_o thing_n a_o scruple_n and_o matter_n of_o conscience_n in_o the_o strict_a sense_n i_o do_v hearty_o wish_v whilst_o they_o do_v so_o that_o they_o do_v not_o swallow_v many_o a_o camel_n and_o in_o the_o end_n make_v shipwreck_n of_o true_a faith_n charity_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n for_o such_o as_o these_o be_v be_v these_o paper_n intend_v with_o all_o christian_a tenderness_n and_o compassion_n if_o possible_a to_o give_v they_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o what_o be_v so_o infinite_a dear_a and_o tender_a to_o they_o for_o to_o my_o certain_a knowledge_n as_o by_o much_o experience_n and_o frequent_a conference_n with_o many_o of_o they_o i_o be_o able_a to_o affirm_v most_o of_o this_o sort_n of_o people_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v act_v by_o conscience_n in_o every_o thing_n be_v not_o yet_o able_a to_o give_v a_o tolerable_a account_n what_o conscience_n be_v it_o be_v something_o within_o they_o but_o they_o know_v not_o what_o some_o of_o they_o i_o be_o confident_a be_v so_o stupid_a as_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v some_o live_a thing_n within_o they_o distinct_a from_o both_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o i_o remember_v a_o quaker_n to_o who_o i_o put_v the_o question_n a_o little_a hasty_o what_o be_v conscience_n after_o he_o have_v show_v his_o great_a surprise_n and_o ignorance_n by_o be_v in_o every_o joint_n a_o quaker_n and_o the_o first_o that_o ever_o i_o see_v do_v the_o trick_n he_o very_o confident_o as_o well_o as_o blasphemous_o tell_v i_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n i_o demand_v if_o he_o mean_v the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o third_z person_n in_o the_o bless_a trinity_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v yea._n which_o make_v i_o fear_v that_o more_o who_o be_v not_o of_o his_o persuasion_n yet_o may_v be_v of_o his_o sense_n and_o believe_v what_o they_o call_v conscience_n within_o they_o to_o be_v some_o omnipotent_a thing_n to_o which_o every_o thing_n ought_v to_o bow_v and_o obey_v there_o have_v be_v and_o will_v be_v in_o all_o age_n some_o man_n who_o do_v ill_a with_o a_o design_n and_o knowledge_n of_o do_v ill_o other_o there_o be_v who_o do_v ill_a with_o a_o design_n of_o do_v well_o to_o both_o these_o it_o be_v that_o we_o may_v ascribe_v those_o unhappy_a division_n among_o we_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n and_o have_v they_o take_v half_a that_o pain_n and_o care_n right_o to_o instruct_v people_n what_o conscience_n be_v that_o they_o have_v
breach_n of_o communion_n and_o i_o know_v there_o be_v and_o have_v be_v many_o eminent_a man_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n who_o have_v whole_o differ_v in_o their_o judgement_n about_o some_o abstruse_a point_n of_o divinity_n without_o prejudice_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n either_o of_o the_o church_n or_o state_n in_o regard_n they_o defend_v they_o only_o as_o their_o private_a persuasion_n and_o be_v both_o too_o modest_a prudent_a and_o charitable_o honest_a to_o disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o church_n or_o state_n by_o endeavour_v to_o impose_v their_o particular_a judgement_n in_o thing_n not_o clear_a and_o evident_a as_o necessary_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n or_o practice_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o other_o men._n the_o main_a and_o grand_a difference_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o all_o those_o who_o have_v separate_v themselves_o from_o her_o communion_n so_o far_o as_o i_o be_o able_a to_o discover_v by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o several_a party_n be_v either_o about_o the_o government_n itself_o or_o about_o the_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o worship_n that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v government_n in_o the_o church_n i_o suppose_v all_o party_n will_v ready_o acknowledge_v because_o a_o great_a apostle_n tell_v we_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o order_n and_o not_o of_o confusion_n 39_o 1_o cor._n 14.33_o 39_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o god_n by_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o that_o be_v no_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v not_o under_o government_n or_o which_o countenance_n confusion_n and_o therefore_o the_o same_o apostle_n absolute_o command_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o with_o order_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v complain_v of_o be_v that_o this_o way_n of_o government_n by_o the_o episcopal_a hierarchy_n be_v no_o where_n in_o plain_a and_o positive_a word_n and_o command_n thus_o set_v down_o order_v and_o establish_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o conscience_n therefore_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impose_v tyrannical_o and_o imperious_o upon_o man_n of_o weak_a and_o tender_a conscience_n especial_o when_o another_o and_o better_a way_n of_o government_n more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o primitive_a simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v now_o find_v out_o and_o discover_v for_o though_o government_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a yet_o where_o god_n do_v not_o interpose_v any_o positive_a command_n or_o direction_n as_o he_o do_v concern_v the_o jewish_a church_n there_o this_o or_o that_o government_n be_v equal_o indifferent_a and_o the_o best_a be_v to_o be_v choose_v and_o prefer_v before_o the_o rest_n how_o weak_a a_o plea_n and_o refuge_n this_o be_v to_o call_v for_o and_o expect_v plain_a and_o express_v word_n command_n or_o direction_n from_o scripture_n for_o every_o thing_n we_o do_v or_o believe_v every_o man_n must_v acknowledge_v who_o do_v but_o consider_v that_o we_o owe_v even_o the_o belief_n of_o some_o of_o the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o consequence_n from_o scripture_n and_o not_o to_o plain_a positive_a and_o express_v word_n as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o glorious_a trinity_n in_o unity_n three_o person_n but_o one_o god_n which_o word_n be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o all_o the_o holy_a canon_n how_o much_o more_o unreasonable_a be_v it_o then_o to_o expect_v express_a word_n and_o command_n of_o scripture_n for_o government_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v of_o a_o far_o more_o inferior_a concern_v than_o faith_n and_o how_o dangerous_a a_o matter_n it_o be_v to_o admit_v of_o this_o proposition_n that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v for_o which_o there_o can_v be_v bring_v a_o clear_a and_o positive_a place_n of_o scripture_n let_v all_o christian_n judge_n and_o whither_o if_o it_o be_v as_o hearty_o practise_v as_o it_o be_v by_o some_o man_n vigorous_o press_v it_o will_v not_o root_v out_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n but_o we_o will_v join_v issue_n with_o they_o upon_o the_o point_n and_o give_v they_o a_o fair_a trial_n at_o the_o bar_n of_o conscience_n their_o own_o judge_n upon_o their_o own_o assertion_n if_o therefore_o government_n be_v undetermined_a by_o scripture_n be_v indifferent_a whether_o this_o or_o that_o and_o the_o best_a to_o be_v prefer_v how_o shall_v it_o be_v determine_v and_o by_o what_o authority_n which_o way_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v the_o best_a for_o till_o there_o be_v such_o a_o determination_n as_o before_o have_v be_v make_v appear_v it_o can_v be_v no_o more_o than_o private_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o can_v lay_v no_o more_o obligation_n upon_o any_o man_n conscience_n to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o it_o than_o any_o other_o particular_a persuasion_n do_v which_o can_v only_o oblige_v those_o who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n and_o only_o so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v so_o and_o no_o long_o nor_o any_o other_o who_o be_v not_o so_o persuade_v and_o therefore_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v free_a and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o for_o fear_n of_o wound_v their_o tender_a conscience_n which_o be_v the_o direct_a and_o ready_a way_n to_o have_v as_o many_o several_a government_n and_o distinct_a church_n as_o there_o be_v man_n of_o several_a mind_n and_o persuasion_n about_o which_o be_v the_o best_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o their_o liberty_n every_o man_n abound_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n will_v esteem_v best_a of_o his_o own_o way_n and_o according_a to_o the_o proverb_n every_o crow_n will_v think_v his_o own_o bird_n fair_o which_o in_o plain_a english_a at_o last_o must_v amount_v to_o anarchy_n instead_o of_o unity_n and_o confusion_n in_o the_o room_n of_o that_o decency_n and_o order_n which_o god_n expect_v and_o require_v in_o all_o his_o church_n for_o the_o scripture_n leave_v it_o in_o suspense_n and_o at_o least_o be_v silent_a as_o to_o most_o particularity_n of_o government_n there_o be_v no_o more_o plain_a and_o express_v word_n for_o any_o sort_n of_o government_n which_o any_o of_o the_o dissenter_n will_v establish_v than_o there_o be_v for_o that_o against_o which_o they_o contend_v and_o all_o party_n will_v plead_v the_o scripture_n speak_v as_o much_o or_o more_o for_o their_o way_n of_o government_n than_o for_o any_o other_o let_v we_o therefore_o try_v who_o will_v have_v the_o advantage_n and_o bid_v fair_a for_o such_o a_o determination_n as_o shall_v oblige_v all_o man_n conscience_n according_a to_o the_o forementioned_a rule_n how_o any_o indifferent_a matter_n of_o opinion_n or_o persuasion_n such_o as_o the_o question_n in_o dispute_n must_v be_v according_a as_o they_o have_v state_v it_o become_v necessary_a and_o obligatory_a to_o all_o man_n conscience_n first_o therefore_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o way_n of_o government_n now_o establish_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v the_o best_a because_o we_o find_v it_o do_v not_o contradict_v any_o know_a rule_n or_o positive_a command_n of_o scripture_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o its_o command_n direction_n doctrine_n and_o practise_v be_v found_v upon_o and_o derive_v if_o not_o from_o plain_a word_n as_o most_o of_o they_o be_v yet_o from_o most_o evident_a sense_n and_o consequence_n of_o scripture_n which_o as_o before_o be_v intimate_v concern_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v as_o obligatory_a to_o conscience_n as_o scripture_n itself_o second_o this_o way_n of_o government_n as_o it_o be_v now_o establish_v appear_v to_o follow_v the_o better_a more_o sure_a and_o warrantable_a part_n of_o our_o judgement_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o become_v oblige_v and_o that_o in_o both_o its_o branch_n viz._n first_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o judgement_n approbation_n example_n and_o practise_v of_o the_o best_a man_n in_o all_o age_n from_o the_o apostolic_a time_n as_o will_v be_v evident_a to_o all_o who_o shall_v without_o partiality_n peruse_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o where_o there_o be_v many_o not_o imperfect_a trace_n and_o footstep_n of_o this_o way_n of_o government_n so_o far_o establish_v as_o the_o power_n of_o the_o heathen_a government_n who_o then_o have_v all_o the_o civil_a and_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n will_v permit_v but_o there_o be_v a_o whole_a cloud_n of_o witness_n for_o it_o in_o the_o universal_a consent_n practice_n approbation_n and_o defence_n of_o all_o those_o holy_a man_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n who_o though_o not_o divine_o inspire_v yet_o be_v man_n of_o such_o eminent_a integrity_n and_o piety_n as_o will_v not_o permit_v they_o to_o write_v any_o thing_n direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o primitive_a truth_n which_o some_o of_o they_o do_v immediate_o receive_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o