pass_v their_o unwarrantable_a censure_n upon_o we_o and_o our_o action_n and_o they_o who_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o opinion_n and_o fancy_n of_o other_o can_v never_o tell_v whither_o they_o shall_v be_v lead_v by_o this_o principle_n they_o be_v slave_n to_o the_o party_n they_o espouse_v and_o must_v run_v with_o they_o into_o all_o the_o folly_n and_o extravagance_n they_o can_v be_v guilty_a of_o or_o if_o at_o last_o they_o be_v force_v to_o leave_v they_o they_o shall_v in_o the_o end_n be_v more_o hate_v and_o despise_v by_o they_o than_o if_o they_o have_v never_o humour_v they_o at_o all_o 4._o i_o add_v only_o that_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n that_o we_o must_v not_o do_v any_o thing_n which_o may_v displease_v or_o grieve_v our_o weak_a brethren_n we_o do_v in_o effect_n submit_v our_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n to_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o most_o ignorant_a and_o injudicious_a christian_n and_o yield_v to_o they_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n over_o we_o which_o we_o deny_v to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o our_o lawful_a superior_n and_o it_o can_v but_o seem_v a_o very_a hard_a case_n that_o they_o who_o be_v so_o tender_a of_o their_o christian_a liberty_n and_o think_v it_o so_o high_o infringe_v and_o violate_v by_o the_o determination_n of_o their_o superior_n about_o indifferent_a matter_n shall_v yet_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v thus_o strait_o tie_v up_o by_o the_o will_n and_o passion_n of_o their_o weak_a brethren_n if_o this_o be_v so_o say_v mr._n baxter_n p._n 134_o of_o the_o forename_a book_n the_o most_o childish_a and_o womanish_a sort_n of_o christian_n who_o have_v the_o weak_a judgement_n and_o the_o strong_a will_n and_o passion_n must_v rule_v all_o the_o world_n for_o these_o be_v hardly_a please_v and_o no_o man_n must_v displease_v they_o whatever_o condescension_n therefore_o may_v be_v due_a to_o the_o weak_a and_o ignorant_a yet_o it_o be_v never_o intend_v that_o they_o shall_v govern_v the_o wise_a and_o better_o instruct_v christian_n in_o all_o their_o action_n and_o who_o can_v govern_v more_o absolute_o than_o they_o who_o will_n must_v never_o be_v cross_v and_o who_o none_o must_v displease_v from_o all_o this_o i_o conclude_v that_o this_o can_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o scandalize_a or_o give_v offence_n viz._n do_v of_o something_o which_o another_o take_v ill_a or_o be_v angry_a with_o we_o for_o it_o 2._o i_o be_o now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o show_v what_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o offend_a or_o scandalize_a in_o scripture_n the_o greek_a word_n which_o we_o translate_v scandal_n or_o offence_n signify_v either_o a_o trap_n and_o snare_n or_o else_o more_o common_o something_o lay_v in_o the_o way_n of_o another_o which_o occasion_n his_o stumble_a or_o fall_v by_o which_o he_o be_v bruise_v and_o hurt_v and_o so_o consequent_o whatever_o it_o be_v that_o hinder_v man_n from_o become_v christ_n disciple_n or_o discourage_v they_o in_o their_o new_a profession_n or_o tempt_v they_o to_o forsake_v that_o faith_n they_o have_v late_o embrace_v be_v call_v a_o scandal_n or_o offence_n it_o be_v sometime_o render_v a_o occasion_n to_o fall_v as_o rom._n 14._o 13._o occasion_n of_o stumble_v as_o 1_o joh._n 2._o 10._o a_o stumbling-block_n revel_v 2._o 14._o or_o a_o thing_n that_o do_v offend_v as_o st._n matt._n 13._o 41._o in_o all_o which_o place_n there_o be_v the_o same_o original_a word_n hence_o to_o offend_v or_o scandalize_v any_o one_o as_o it_o be_v common_o use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o do_v something_o which_o tend_v to_o estrange_v or_o fright_v man_n from_o the_o christian_a profession_n to_o beget_v in_o they_o hard_a and_o unworthy_a thought_n of_o it_o or_o be_v apt_a when_o they_o be_v convert_v to_o turn_v they_o from_o it_o and_o make_v they_o repent_v of_o their_o change_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v give_v some_o few_o instance_n out_o of_o the_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n thus_o our_o bless_a lord_n st._n matth._n 17._o 27._o be_v say_v to_o have_v pay_v tribute_n lest_o he_o shall_v offend_v or_o scandalize_v the_o jew_n this_o be_v more_o than_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o for_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o child_n be_v free_a but_o he_o do_v it_o that_o he_o may_v not_o give_v any_o occasion_n to_o his_o enemy_n to_o represent_v he_o to_o the_o people_n as_o a_o contemner_n of_o their_o law_n or_o a_o enemy_n to_o caesar_n according_a as_o you_o understand_v that_o tribute_n to_o be_v pay_v either_o to_o the_o roman_n or_o the_o temple_n and_o so_o prejudice_v they_o against_o his_o person_n and_o doctrine_n thus_o our_o saviour_n own_o countryman_n who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o his_o father_n and_o mother_n and_o kindred_n who_o know_v the_o meanness_n of_o his_o birth_n and_o education_n mark_v 6._o 3._o be_v offend_v or_o scandalize_v at_o he_o they_o be_v astonish_v at_o the_o great_a thing_n he_o do_v and_o the_o great_a thing_n he_o speak_v and_o will_v in_o all_o probability_n have_v believe_v on_o he_o have_v they_o not_o know_v his_o mean_a original_a and_o employment_n be_v not_o this_o the_o carpenter_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n etc._n etc._n after_o the_o same_o manner_n when_o our_o lord_n st._n john_n 6._o 61._o have_v discourse_v of_o eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n they_o that_o hear_v he_o take_v it_o in_o a_o gross_a carnal_a sense_n be_v offend_v or_o scandalize_v at_o he_o they_o begin_v to_o doubt_v of_o his_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n or_o the_o messiah_n who_o will_v teach_v his_o disciple_n to_o turn_v cannibal_n thus_o again_o our_o saviour_n before_o the_o night_n in_o which_o he_o be_v betray_v tell_v his_o disciple_n st._n matt._n 26._o 31._o all_o of_o you_o shall_v be_v offend_v or_o scandalize_v because_o of_o i_o this_o night_n that_o be_v shall_v fly_v away_o and_o shameful_o forsake_v i_o when_o you_o behold_v my_o hard_a usage_n and_o dismal_a suffering_n so_o christ_n crucify_a 1_o cor._n 1._o 23._o to_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o scandal_n or_o stumbling-block_n that_o be_v they_o have_v set_v their_o mind_n and_o heart_n on_o a_o temporal_a earthly_a king_n and_o expect_v to_o be_v free_v from_o the_o roman_a yoke_n and_o to_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o former_a dominion_n and_o greatness_n as_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o come_n of_o their_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v persuade_v to_o own_v he_o for_o their_o prince_n and_o saviour_n and_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o be_v put_v to_o such_o a_o curse_a and_o ignominious_a death_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n they_o who_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n mark_v 4._o 17._o and_o receive_v it_o with_o gladness_n but_o have_v no_o root_n in_o themselves_o when_o affliction_n or_o persecution_n arise_v for_o the_o word_n sake_n be_v present_o offend_v or_o scandalize_v that_o be_v be_v ready_a to_o leave_v and_o renounce_v that_o profession_n that_o be_v likely_a to_o cost_v they_o so_o dear_a after_o the_o publish_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o apostle_n that_o which_o most_o stumble_v the_o jewish_a convert_v be_v the_o danger_n moses_n law_n and_o their_o temple_n worship_n and_o the_o singular_a preeminence_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n seem_v to_o be_v in_o of_o be_v undermine_v by_o christianity_n they_o be_v strange_o wed_v to_o their_o legal_a observance_n fond_a of_o circumcision_n and_o those_o peculiarity_n which_o distinguish_v their_o nation_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n they_o be_v jealous_a of_o any_o doctrine_n that_o encroach_v upon_o their_o privilege_n or_o tend_v to_o bring_v they_o down_o to_o the_o same_o level_n with_o the_o uncircumcised_a world_n this_o mighty_o offend_v they_o and_o harden_v they_o against_o christianity_n whereas_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o gentile_a convert_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n be_v afraid_a of_o put_v their_o neck_n under_o so_o heavy_a a_o yoke_n or_o be_v bring_v into_o subjection_n to_o the_o jewish_a law_n and_o there_o be_v no_o such_o effectual_a way_n to_o scare_v they_o from_o christianity_n as_o when_o it_o come_v attend_v with_o the_o burden_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a ceremony_n which_o be_v a_o offence_n to_o they_o that_o be_v do_v discourage_v they_o from_o believe_v in_o christ_n or_o continue_v in_o his_o faith_n now_o to_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o these_o different_a apprehension_n among_o the_o christian_a proselyte_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o that_o first_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n mention_v act_n 15._o and_o of_o those_o direction_n which_o st._n paul_n give_v rom._n 14._o concern_v our_o behaviour_n towards_o weak_a brethren_n another_o case_n there_o be_v concern_v eat_n of_o thing_n offer_v to_o idol_n of_o which_o st._n paul_n discourse_v in_o his_o first_o
epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n chap._n 8._o and_o 10._o the_o sum_n of_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o the_o strong_a and_o wise_a christian_n ought_v to_o abstain_v from_o eat_v what_o have_v be_v offer_v to_o idol_n though_o as_o ordinary_a meat_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o any_o one_o who_o with_o conscience_n of_o the_o idol_n do_v eat_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n offer_v to_o a_o idol_n for_o such_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n so_o weak_a as_o not_o yet_o to_o have_v quite_o leave_v off_o their_o idolatrous_a worship_n and_o a_o christian_n eat_v what_o have_v be_v offer_v in_o sacrifice_n before_o such_o a_o one_o may_v serve_v to_o harden_v and_o confirm_v he_o in_o his_o error_n who_o conscience_n be_v weak_a be_v defile_v of_o who_o soul_n st._n paul_n profess_v himself_o to_o have_v so_o great_a regard_n that_o he_o will_v eat_v no_o such_o meat_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n last_v rather_o than_o lay_v such_o a_o stumbling-block_n before_o or_o wound_v their_o weak_a conscience_n in_o all_o these_o place_n and_o many_o more_o that_o may_v be_v name_v for_o the_o full_a explication_n of_o which_o i_o refer_v you_o to_o interpreter_n and_o those_o that_o have_v write_v large_o on_o this_o subject_n no_o less_o than_o apostasy_n from_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v the_o sin_n into_o which_o these_o weak_a christian_n be_v so_o apt_a to_o fall_v and_o by_o a_o undue_a use_n of_o our_o liberty_n to_o give_v occasion_n to_o another_o forsake_v the_o christian_a religion_n whereby_o our_o saviour_n lose_v a_o disciple_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o our_o brother_n perish_v be_v the_o proper_a sin_n of_o offend_a or_o give_v scandal_n i_o shall_v mention_v but_o one_o place_n more_o which_o be_v revel_v 2._o 14._o where_o balaam_n be_v say_v to_o have_v teach_v balac_n to_o cast_v a_o stumbling-block_n or_o scandal_n before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n which_o relate_v of_o his_o entice_a they_o by_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n to_o fornication_n and_o idolatry_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n provoke_v god_n against_o they_o so_o that_o in_o the_o most_o general_a sense_n to_o scandalize_v or_o offend_v any_o one_o be_v to_o give_v occasion_n to_o his_o sin_n and_o consequent_o his_o ruin_n and_o undo_n and_o this_o i_o suppose_v will_v be_v grant_v by_o all_o that_o do_v not_o receive_v their_o opinion_n from_o the_o mere_a sound_n of_o word_n hence_o i_o shall_v conclude_v these_o few_o thing_n 1._o the_o better_a man_n be_v the_o hard_a it_o be_v to_o scandalize_v they_o those_o be_v not_o such_o godly_a person_n as_o they_o will_v be_v think_v who_o be_v so_o ready_a at_o all_o turn_v to_o be_v offend_v for_o how_o can_v they_o be_v reckon_v to_o excel_v other_o in_o knowledge_n or_o goodness_n who_o be_v so_o easy_o upon_o every_o occasion_n draw_v or_o tempt_v to_o sin_n thus_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o tell_v the_o separatist_n in_o his_o cure_n of_o church_n division_n usual_o say_v he_o man_n talk_v most_o against_o scandalize_a those_o who_o they_o account_v to_o be_v the_o best_a and_o the_o best_a be_v least_o in_o danger_n of_o sin_v and_o so_o they_o accuse_v they_o to_o be_v the_o worst_a or_o else_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o say_v for_o suppose_v a_o separatist_n shall_v say_v if_o you_o hold_v communion_n with_o any_o parish_n minister_n or_o church_n in_o england_n it_o will_v be_v a_o scandal_n to_o many_o good_a people_n i_o will_v ask_v such_o a_o one_o why_o call_v you_o those_o good_a people_n that_o be_v easy_o draw_v to_o sin_n against_o god_n nay_o that_o will_v sin_n because_o i_o do_v my_o duty_n therefore_o if_o you_o know_v what_o you_o say_v you_o make_v the_o separatist_n almost_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n that_o will_v sin_n against_o god_n because_o another_o will_v not_o sin_v the_o great_a thing_n our_o nonconformist_n pretend_v unto_o above_o other_o man_n be_v tenderness_n of_o conscience_n by_o which_o they_o must_v mean_v if_o they_o mean_v any_o virtue_n by_o it_o a_o great_a fear_n of_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v evil_a and_o this_o where_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n be_v the_o best_a security_n that_o can_v be_v devise_v against_o be_v scandalize_v or_o offend_v by_o what_o other_o man_n do_v that_o be_v against_o be_v draw_v into_o sin_n by_o it_o so_o that_o they_o do_v real_o disparage_v and_o severe_o reflect_v upon_o the_o dissenter_n who_o be_v thus_o afraid_a of_o give_v they_o offence_n as_o i_o have_v explain_v it_o 2._o no_o man_n can_v with_o sense_n say_v of_o himself_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v scandalize_v at_o what_o another_o man_n do_v for_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o by_o such_o a_o person_n and_o action_n he_o shall_v be_v lead_v into_o sin_n ignorant_o and_o his_o say_v this_o confute_v his_o ignorance_n if_o he_o know_v it_o to_o be_v a_o sin_n he_o be_v not_o betray_v into_o it_o nor_o do_v he_o fall_v into_o it_o through_o ignorance_n and_o mistake_n which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o be_v scandalize_v but_o wilful_o commit_v it_o this_o a_o great_a bishop_n compare_v with_o the_o peevishness_n of_o a_o little_a child_n who_o when_o he_o be_v command_v to_o pronounce_v the_o word_n he_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o tell_v you_o he_o can_v pronounce_v that_o word_n at_o the_o same_o time_n name_v the_o word_n he_o pretend_v he_o can_v speak_v such_o nonsense_n it_o be_v for_o a_o man_n to_o forbid_v i_o do_v any_o thing_n upon_o pretence_n it_o will_v be_v a_o scandal_n to_o he_o or_o make_v he_o through_o mistake_n fall_v into_o some_o sin_n when_o by_o this_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o he_o know_v of_o it_o beforehand_o and_o so_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o avoid_v the_o stumbling-block_n that_o be_v lay_v before_o he_o and_o the_o danger_n that_o he_o be_v expose_v unto_o sure_o say_v solomon_n prov._n 1._o 17._o in_o vain_a be_v the_o net_n spread_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o any_o bird._n if_o to_o offend_v or_o scandalize_v any_o one_o be_v to_o tempt_v and_o draw_v he_o into_o some_o sin_n whereby_o his_o conscience_n be_v wound_v there_o then_o can_v be_v no_o fear_n of_o give_v offence_n by_o our_o conformity_n to_o the_o order_n and_o usage_n of_o our_o church_n because_o there_o be_v nothing_o appoint_v by_o or_o use_v in_o it_o but_o what_o may_v be_v comply_v withal_o without_o sin_n for_o this_o as_o i_o before_o observe_v be_v suppose_v in_o the_o question_n i_o at_o first_o propound_v to_o discourse_n of_o that_o he_o who_o absent_v from_o his_o parish_n church_n for_o fear_n of_o offend_a his_o weak_a brethren_n be_v convince_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o all_o that_o be_v enjoin_v and_o therefore_o by_o his_o own_o conformity_n he_o can_v only_o engage_v other_o to_o do_v as_o he_o have_v do_v which_o as_o long_o as_o he_o be_v persuade_v to_o be_v lawful_a i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o he_o can_v be_v afraid_a of_o scandalize_a other_o by_o it_o or_o make_v they_o to_o sin_n by_o his_o example_n unless_o he_o will_v imagine_v his_o brethren_n not_o so_o weak_a but_o so_o wicked_a as_o to_o worship_n the_o host_n because_o he_o kneel_v at_o receive_v of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o to_o adore_v the_o cross_n because_o he_o bow_v at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n or_o that_o they_o will_v renounce_v all_o religion_n because_o he_o have_v forsake_v their_o way_n of_o separation_n this_o can_v but_o prove_v a_o vain_a excuse_n for_o i_o to_o forbear_v do_v that_o in_o which_o there_o be_v real_o no_o evil_a lest_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o my_o example_n i_o make_v other_o sin_n in_o do_v the_o same_o innocent_a action_n which_o in_o this_o case_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o if_o by_o my_o example_n i_o prevail_v with_o other_o to_o return_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n they_o be_v not_o thereby_o at_o all_o scandalize_v but_o i_o have_v do_v they_o a_o most_o signal_n kindness_n and_o benefit_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o though_o what_o i_o do_v be_v in_o itself_o lawful_a yet_o it_o may_v minister_v occasion_n or_o provocation_n to_o other_o to_o do_v something_o else_o that_o be_v unlawful_a and_o so_o i_o become_v true_o guilty_a of_o give_v offence_n i_o answer_v that_o we_o be_v accountable_a only_o for_o the_o natural_a tendency_n or_o probable_a effect_n of_o our_o action_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o foresee_v and_o prevent_v remote_a probability_n and_o contingency_n and_o bare_a possibility_n come_v not_o into_o reckon_v nor_o be_v they_o at_o all_o to_o be_v weigh_v if_o in_o every_o action_n i_o be_o bind_v to_o consider_v what_o advantage_n a_o wicked_a sensual_a man_n or_o a_o weak_a silly_a man_n may_v take_v and_o
doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o breed_v scruple_n and_o perplexity_n in_o well_o meaning_n but_o less_o know_v member_n of_o it_o and_o by_o degree_n produce_v a_o distaste_n or_o dislike_n of_o our_o worship_n and_o plain_o hinder_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n as_o administer_v in_o our_o church_n while_o it_o create_v prejudices_fw-la in_o people_n against_o they_o as_o impure_a and_o corrupt_a and_o why_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o due_a regard_n have_v to_o those_o many_o who_o be_v offend_v at_o our_o dissenter_n conventicle_n worship_n as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v scandalize_v by_o our_o church_n service_n i_o can_v at_o all_o guess_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v here_o that_o irreverent_a sit_v at_o the_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n man_n unmannerly_a wear_v their_o hat_n in_o time_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o oftentimes_o put_v they_o off_o but_o half_a way_n at_o their_o prayer_n their_o indecent_a posture_n and_o antic_a gesture_n at_o their_o devotion_n the_o extravagancy_n and_o folly_n not_o to_o say_v worse_o some_o of_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o extemporary_a effusion_n the_o strange_a uncouth_a metaphor_n and_o phrase_n they_o use_v in_o their_o preach_a in_o a_o word_n the_o slovenly_a performance_n of_o divine_a worship_n among_o the_o dissenter_n be_v much_o more_o scandalous_a than_o all_o the_o ceremony_n of_o our_o church_n can_v ever_o be_v 4._o consider_v the_o scandal_n that_o be_v hereby_o give_v to_o magistrate_n and_o our_o superior_n by_o bring_v their_o law_n and_o authority_n into_o contempt_n concern_v which_o the_o forename_a mr._n jean_n in_o his_o first_o edition_n of_o his_o discourse_n about_o abstinence_n from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a have_v these_o word_n if_o say_v he_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o sea_n with_o a_o millstone_n about_o one_o neck_n than_o to_o offend_v a_o little_a one_o a_o poor_a and_o illiterate_a artisan_n what_o expression_n shall_v we_o then_o find_v answerable_a to_o the_o heinousness_n of_o a_o scandal_n give_v to_o a_o pious_a magistrate_n to_o a_o religious_a prince_n to_o a_o parliament_n and_o convocation_n to_o a_o whole_a church_n and_o commonwealth_n 5._o by_o this_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n great_a scandal_n be_v give_v to_o the_o papist_n not_o that_o they_o be_v displease_v at_o it_o they_o be_v not_o indeed_o offend_v in_o that_o sense_n but_o this_o serve_v wonderful_o to_o harden_v they_o in_o their_o false_a and_o idolatrous_a worship_n it_o increase_v their_o confidence_n that_o their_o church_n be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n of_o christ_n because_o among_o they_o only_o be_v find_v peace_n and_o unity_n and_o this_o be_v a_o mighty_a temptation_n to_o many_o waver_a christian_n to_o turn_v papist_n insomuch_o that_o mr._n baxter_n have_v tell_v we_o that_o thousand_o have_v be_v draw_v to_o popery_n or_o confirm_v in_o it_o by_o this_o argument_n already_o and_o he_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o argument_n else_o in_o bellarmin_n and_o all_o other_o book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v have_v not_o do_v so_o much_o to_o make_v papist_n in_o england_n as_o the_o multitude_n of_o sect_n among_o ourselves_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o great_a scandal_n to_o our_o protestant_a religion_n and_o be_v that_o which_o the_o papist_n be_v on_o all_o occasion_n so_o forward_o to_o object_v against_o we_o and_o hit_v we_o in_o the_o tooth_n with_o and_o by_o our_o hearty_a unite_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n we_o may_v certain_o wrest_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n the_o most_o dangerous_a weapon_n they_o use_v against_o the_o reformation_n 6._o this_o tend_v to_o the_o scandal_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n it_o prejudice_v man_n against_o it_o as_o a_o uncertain_a thing_n a_o matter_n of_o endless_a dispute_n and_o debate_n it_o make_v some_o man_n utter_o reject_v it_o as_o consist_v most_o in_o little_a trifle_n and_o nicety_n about_o which_o they_o observe_v the_o great_a noise_n and_o contention_n to_o be_v make_v or_o as_o destructive_a of_o the_o public_a peace_n of_o society_n when_o they_o see_v what_o dangerous_a feud_n and_o quarrel_n commence_v from_o our_o religious_a difference_n and_o all_o the_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n that_o they_o have_v cause_v here_o in_o england_n shall_v by_o some_o be_v charge_v upon_o christianity_n itself_o thus_o our_o causeless_a separation_n and_o division_n open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o atheism_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o profaneness_n and_o irreligion_n after_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v of_o old_a and_o always_o will_v be_v where_o there_o be_v party_n in_o religion_n and_o one_o contend_v that_o their_o separation_n be_v lawful_a and_o the_o other_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a the_o common_a people_n soon_o become_v doubtful_a and_o ready_a to_o forsake_v all_o religion_n i_o may_v add_v here_o that_o such_o separation_n necessary_o occasion_n breach_n of_o charity_n they_o beget_v implacable_a enmity_n and_o animosity_n hence_o come_v strife_n emulation_n envy_v one_o party_n continual_o endeavour_v to_o overtop_v the_o other_o watch_v for_o one_o another_o halt_n rejoice_v in_o one_o another_o sin_n and_o misfortune_n constant_a undermine_a one_o another_o to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a government_n and_o endanger_v the_o civil_a peace_n of_o all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o than_o i_o can_v now_o mention_v the_o present_a distract_a condition_n of_o our_o nation_n be_v so_o great_a and_o undeniable_a a_o evidence_n that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o word_n to_o show_v the_o mischief_n that_o attend_v such_o division_n and_o now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o maintain_n of_o charity_n among_o brethren_n the_o keep_n out_o popery_n and_o atheism_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o society_n we_o be_v member_n of_o the_o honour_n and_o credit_n of_o our_o religion_n last_o whether_o give_v offence_n to_o all_o both_o conformist_n and_o nonconformist_n those_o only_o except_v of_o our_o own_o particular_a sect_n and_o division_n nay_o scandalize_a they_o also_o in_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o scandal_n be_v not_o of_o far_o great_a and_o more_o weighty_a consideration_n than_o the_o fear_n of_o displease_v or_o grieve_v some_o few_o weak_a dissatisfied_a brethren_n woe_n to_o those_o by_o who_o offence_n come_v but_o these_o thing_n i_o have_v very_o light_o touch_v because_o they_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o many_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n late_o publish_v to_o sum_v up_o all_o i_o have_v say_v since_o they_o who_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o such_o weak_a person_n as_o st._n paul_n all_o along_o describe_v and_o provide_v for_o since_o we_o can_v by_o our_o conformity_n real_o scandalize_v or_o offend_v they_o in_o that_o sense_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v those_o word_n since_o though_o we_o do_v give_v offence_n to_o they_o by_o our_o conformity_n yet_o that_o will_v not_o excuse_v we_o from_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o by_o refuse_v to_o conform_v we_o shall_v do_v both_o they_o and_o other_o great_a hurt_n and_o mischief_n i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o there_o can_v lie_v any_o obligation_n upon_o any_o private_a christian_n as_o the_o case_n now_o stand_v among_o we_o to_o absent_v himself_o from_o his_o parish-church_n or_o to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n or_o ceremony_n by_o law_n appoint_v for_o fear_v of_o offend_a his_o weak_a brethren_n i_o end_v all_o with_o one_o word_n of_o advice_n first_o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n second_o to_o those_o who_o be_v satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a 1._o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n and_o therefore_o urge_v so_o hard_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v offend_v by_o we_o i_o will_v beseech_v they_o that_o they_o will_v take_v some_o care_n and_o make_v some_o conscience_n to_o avoid_v give_v any_o needless_a offence_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o can_v but_o be_v think_v a_o reasonable_a request_n since_o they_o require_v all_o other_o to_o be_v so_o tender_a of_o they_o they_o ought_v not_o therefore_o to_o meet_v in_o such_o number_n nor_o at_o the_o same_o time_n at_o which_o we_o assemble_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o our_o public_a church_n let_v they_o not_o affront_v our_o service_n and_o common-prayer_n nor_o revile_v our_o bishop_n and_o minister_n nor_o put_v on_o their_o hat_n when_o at_o any_o time_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v present_a at_o our_o service_n in_o our_o church_n nor_o talk_v nor_o read_v in_o book_n nor_o make_v sour_a face_n at_o our_o devotion_n and_o when_o they_o observe_v these_o and_o other_o the_o like_a rule_n they_o may_v then_o with_o a_o better_a grace_n though_o with_o little_a reason_n find_v fault_n with_o our_o conformity_n as_o offensive_a to_o they_o i_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n that_o shall_v exasperate_v or_o provoke_v any_o of_o the_o dissenter_n who_o satisfaction_n i_o design_v i_o very_o well_o know_v their_o weakness_n that_o they_o can_v endure_v to_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o fault_n however_o i_o must_v tell_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o sort_n of_o person_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n profess_v religion_n and_o godliness_n that_o have_v do_v such_o scandalous_a thing_n as_o some_o of_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o protestant_n dissenter_n i_o forbear_v to_o name_v particular_n 2._o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n i_o will_v desire_v they_o so_o to_o order_v their_o return_n to_o the_o church_n as_o not_o to_o give_v any_o just_a offence_n to_o those_o who_o they_o forsake_v that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o they_o will_v do_v it_o hearty_o and_o sincere_o that_o all_o may_v see_v they_o conform_v with_o a_o willing_a mind_n be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v and_o not_o mere_o to_o satisfy_v the_o law_n or_o to_o save_v their_o purse_n or_o to_o get_v into_o a_o office_n or_o to_o capacitate_v they_o to_o vote_n or_o the_o like_a for_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o conformity_n as_o some_o practice_n and_o call_v occasional_a communion_n which_o be_v come_v to_o church_n and_o sacrament_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n be_v true_o scandalous_a to_o all_o good_a man_n of_o what_o persuasion_n soever_o finis_fw-la