consideration_n concern_v the_o present_a engagement_n whether_o it_o may_v lawful_o be_v enter_v into_o yea_o or_o no_o write_a at_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o friend_n by_o j._n d._n john_n 3.21_o he_o that_o do_v the_o truth_n come_v to_o the_o light_n november_n 27._o 1649._o imprimatur_fw-la joseph_n caryl_n london_n print_v by_o john_n clowes_n for_o richard_n wodenoth_n at_o the_o star_n under_o st._n peter_n church_n in_o cornhill_n 1649._o consideration_n concern_v the_o present_a engagement_n sir_n you_o have_v oblige_v i_o many_o way_n to_o serve_v in_o all_o that_o i_o can_v for_o your_o good_a but_o the_o matter_n of_o your_o special_a concernment_n wherewith_o you_o have_v acquaint_v i_o of_o late_a do_v lead_v i_o of_o my_o own_o accord_n by_o my_o own_o inclination_n beyond_o all_o obligation_n to_o endeavour_v your_o satisfaction_n see_v then_o your_o conscience_n be_v scruple_v about_o the_o engagement_n which_o by_o the_o parliament_n be_v offer_v to_o be_v take_v and_o you_o say_v you_o can_v subscribe_v thereunto_o till_o three_o main_a doubt_n concern_v the_o same_o be_v clear_v i_o shall_v take_v they_o into_o serious_a consideration_n to_o show_v you_o what_o i_o think_v of_o the_o weight_n thereof_o which_o indeed_o be_v of_o exceed_v great_a moment_n for_o you_o say_v 1._o that_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o the_o nationall_n covenant_n be_v still_o bind_v and_o contradictory_n to_o this_o present_a engagement_n 2._o that_o the_o present_a power_n by_o which_o the_o engagement_n be_v tender_v be_v very_o doubtful_a as_o a_o power_n unlawful_o usurp_v to_o which_o usurpation_n you_o think_v you_o will_v be_v accessary_a if_o you_o take_v the_o engagement_n 3._o that_o the_o consequence_n of_o the_o engagement_n seem_v to_o tend_v to_o a_o opposition_n against_o the_o lawful_a heir_n of_o the_o crown_n and_o the_o right_a constitution_n of_o the_o parliament_n whereunto_o you_o be_v pre-engaged_n and_o from_o which_o you_o can_v recede_v to_o satisfy_v your_o desire_n i_o shall_v lay_v before_o you_o as_o brief_o as_o may_v be_v my_o sense_n thereof_o that_o you_o who_o have_v be_v always_o well-affected_n to_o the_o common_a cause_n of_o liberty_n against_o the_o design_n of_o tyranny_n may_v be_v help_v somewhat_o to_o discern_v how_o lawful_a or_o unlawful_a how_o expedient_a or_o unexpedient_a it_o will_v be_v for_o you_o to_o take_v or_o not_o to_o take_v this_o engagement_n for_o the_o public_a good_a and_o the_o discharge_n of_o your_o duty_n towards_o the_o same_o first_o then_o concern_v the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o the_o nationall_n covenant_n represent_v unto_o yourself_o the_o true_a meaning_n thereof_o and_o so_o order_v your_o thought_n to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v answerable_a thereunto_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n as_o you_o know_v do_v bind_v all_o man_n as_o subject_n in_o law_n to_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a to_o the_o king_n person_n to_o his_o heir_n and_o successor_n as_o they_o be_v invest_v with_o the_o authority_n which_o the_o law_n do_v give_v they_o nor_o be_v it_o ever_o mean_v by_o the_o parliament_n which_o enact_v the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n that_o any_o shall_v be_v absolute_o bind_v to_o the_o king_n &_o his_o heir_n as_o they_o be_v man_n to_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a to_o their_o personal_a will_n but_o only_o to_o they_o &_o their_o will_n as_o they_o have_v a_o legal_a stand_n that_o be_v to_o the_o authority_n confer_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v testify_v in_o &_o under_o a_o law_n whereunto_o the_o king_n and_o his_o heir_n be_v bind_v for_o the_o kingdom_n good_a by_o oath_n so_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o king_n and_o subject_n be_v mutual_a and_o must_v needs_o stand_v and_o fall_v together_o according_a as_o the_o condition_n by_o which_o they_o be_v beget_v be_v keep_v or_o break_v which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o law_n according_a to_o which_o he_o and_o his_o subject_n agree_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v their_o king_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v his_o subject_n for_o as_o you_o be_v swear_v to_o the_o king_n so_o he_o be_v swear_v to_o you_o as_o you_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v faithful_a to_o he_o so_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v faithful_a to_o his_o trust_n nor_o be_v he_o your_o liege_n further_o than_o he_o be_v faithful_a thereunto_o if_o then_o he_o be_v find_v unfaithful_a to_o his_o trust_n you_o be_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la absolve_v from_o your_o allegiance_n unto_o he_o and_o if_o according_a to_o law_n he_o receive_v not_o his_o authority_n you_o be_v not_o in_o law_n his_o subject_a at_o all_o now_o the_o just_a and_o natural_a foundation_n of_o all_o law_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o body_n of_o every_o nation_n in_o their_o parl._n which_o have_v the_o sole_a right_o to_o propose_v &_o choose_v the_o law_n by_o which_o they_o will_v be_v rule_v whence_o it_o have_v be_v as_o i_o suppose_v a_o perpetual_a custom_n in_o this_o nation_n for_o the_o commons_o at_o all_o time_n to_o ask_v and_o propose_v the_o make_n of_o law_n and_o for_o the_o lord_n and_o king_n to_o give_v their_o consent_n thereunto_o the_o lord_n as_o the_o judge_n in_o case_n of_o transgression_n and_o the_o king_n as_o the_o executer_n and_o public_a trustee_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o common_a good_a and_o wealth_n thereby_o for_o in_o a_o kingdom_n there_o be_v a_o commonwealth_n as_o the_o intrinsicall_a substance_n of_o the_o be_v thereof_o for_o which_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o king_n and_o lord_n as_o the_o public_a servant_n thereof_o and_o minister_n not_o master_n of_o state_n therein_o if_o the_o king_n then_o shall_v set_v himself_o wilful_o to_o be_v above_o this_o reason_n of_o the_o nation_n which_o be_v the_o only_a original_a of_o the_o law_n and_o refuse_v obstinate_o the_o law_n which_o they_o shall_v choose_v to_o be_v settle_v he_o put_v himself_o ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la out_o of_o the_o capacity_n of_o be_v a_o king_n any_o more_o unto_o they_o and_o if_o this_o can_v be_v make_v out_o to_o have_v be_v the_o way_n wherein_o the_o late_a king_n set_v himself_o and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n to_o uphold_v and_o enable_v he_o to_o follow_v that_o way_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o so_o far_o as_o he_o do_v by_o that_o mean_v actual_o un-king_n himself_o as_o to_o this_o nation_n so_o far_o also_o they_o that_o assist_v he_o in_o that_o design_n do_v unlord_n themselves_o in_o the_o state_n thereof_o and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o guilt_n of_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n by_o other_o practice_n and_o proceed_n more_o than_o by_o a_o indifferency_n and_o compliance_n with_o the_o hamiltonian_a in_o vasion_n to_o help_v the_o king_n to_o such_o a_o power_n i_o know_v not_o what_o to_o answer_v for_o they_o but_o as_o to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n as_o by_o the_o perpetual_a consent_n of_o all_o age_n it_o never_o be_v otherwise_o understand_v and_o by_o the_o three_o article_n of_o the_o nationall_n covenant_n which_o be_v another_o branch_n of_o this_o doubt_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a it_o be_v then_o undeniable_a that_o the_o three_o article_n of_o that_o nationall_n covenant_n be_v never_o mean_v by_o those_o that_o make_v it_o or_o that_o take_v it_o to_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n but_o altogether_o agreeable_a thereunto_o what_o then_o the_o meaning_n of_o that_o article_n be_v must_v needs_o also_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n that_o article_n than_o do_v oblige_v you_o to_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o parliament_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n in_o your_o call_v absolute_o and_o without_o any_o limitation_n but_o as_o for_o the_o king_n person_n and_o authority_n it_o do_v oblige_v you_o only_o thereunto_o conditional_o and_o with_o a_o limitation_n namely_o in_o the_o preservation_n and_o defence_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o liberty_n of_o this_o kingdom_n if_o then_o the_o king_n do_v not_o give_v to_o the_o representative_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o assurance_n which_o be_v satisfactory_a and_o necessary_a that_o their_o religion_n and_o liberty_n shall_v be_v preserve_v none_o but_o his_o subject_n be_v bind_v either_o by_o their_o allegiance_n or_o covenant_n to_o defend_v his_o person_n and_o the_o authority_n which_o be_v confer_v upon_o he_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n therefore_o be_v bottom_v upon_o the_o law_n which_o the_o representative_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o parl._n have_v choose_v to_o be_v observe_v concern_v their_o religion_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o he_o refractory_o either_o cast_n off_o or_o seem_v to_o yield_v unto_o in_o such_o a_o way_n that_o no_o trust_n
be_v high_o mind_v in_o their_o own_o conceit_n &_o their_o ruin_n come_v sudden_o &_o without_o remedy_n if_o they_o all_o or_o any_o of_o they_o will_v as_o israel_n once_o do_v say_v to_o the_o seer_n see_v not_o &_o to_o the_o prophet_n prophesy_v not_o right_a thing_n unto_o we_o prophesy_v deceit_n &_o cause_v the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n &_o his_o law_n to_o cease_v from_o before_o we_o &_o if_o when_o they_o begin_v to_o despise_v his_o word_n as_o some_o of_o they_o otherwise_o very_o active_a &_o instrumental_a in_o outward_a change_n seem_v to_o do_v they_o trust_v then_o in_o oppression_n and_o perversenese_n &_o lean_a upon_o their_o word_n and_o stay_v thereod_a they_o must_v take_v notice_n they_o shall_v be_v teach_v to_o know_v with_o dear_a experience_n if_o they_o alter_v not_o their_o course_n esa_n 50.11.12.13_o that_o this_o iniquity_n shall_v be_v to_o they_o as_o a_o breach_n ready_a to_o fall_v swell_v out_o in_o a_o high_a wall_n who_o break_v come_v sudden_o and_o at_o a_o instant_n for_o if_o the_o tall_a cedar_n be_v not_o spare_v but_o cut_v down_o when_o they_o exalt_v themselves_o above_o the_o tree_n of_o the_o forest_n how_o shall_v the_o small_a shrub_n be_v bear_v withal_o when_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o misdemeanour_n they_o therefore_o that_o stand_v before_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n let_v they_o be_v wise_a and_o fear_n he_o stand_v among_o the_o god_n and_o judge_v even_o he_o who_o be_v the_o king_n of_o king_n come_v to_o serve_v all_o man_n through_o love_n and_o do_v teach_v all_o man_n to_o deny_v themselves_o and_o deceive_v his_o disciple_n learn_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v meek_a and_o humble_a of_o heart_n if_o they_o seek_v themselves_o and_o not_o the_o commonwealth_n whereunto_o they_o pretend_v to_o engage_v other_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v out_o by_o those_o who_o they_o engage_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n who_o mind_n it_o sincere_o and_o be_v discover_v they_o shall_v be_v cast_v out_o of_o their_o greatness_n in_o it_o we_o have_v see_v several_a â—â—â—ties_n up_o and_o their_o several_a interest_n set_v a_o foot_n and_o their_o change_n come_v because_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o christianity_n wherein_o all_o commonwealth_n alone_o can_v prosper_v have_v not_o be_v so_o much_o mind_v by_o they_o as_o their_o own_o interest_n we_o shall_v therefore_o pray_v for_o those_o that_o be_v over_o we_o now_o that_o though_o they_o may_v have_v have_v and_o have_v still_o their_o fail_n yet_o that_o they_o 〈◊〉_d not_o be_v split_v upon_o this_o rock_n and_o we_o shall_v watch_v also_o over_o our_o 〈◊〉_d â—â—les_v lest_o we_o be_v make_v a_o cause_n of_o their_o own_o split_v and_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d â—f_o all_o by_o be_v entice_v to_o be_v wilful_o scrupulous_a in_o these_o matter_n 〈◊〉_d perhaps_o some_o be_v for_o end_n of_o their_o own_o to_o make_v the_o way_n of_o government_n difficult_a and_o the_o stand_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o place_n of_o power_n unsafe_a if_o any_o be_v such_o of_o which_o number_n i_o know_v you_o be_v none_o they_o shall_v eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o own_o do_n assure_o for_o if_o they_o acknowledge_v the_o jurisdiction_n deceitful_o to_o betray_v it_o god_n will_v find_v they_o out_o if_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v it_o nor_o any_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o good_a offer_v to_o the_o public_a interest_n by_o it_o only_o because_o they_o will_v keep_v man_n spirit_n at_o a_o distance_n from_o it_o they_o shall_v not_o escape_v to_o be_v consume_v by_o the_o fire_n which_o they_o do_v malicious_o kindle_v to_o destroy_v the_o commonwealth_n if_o the_o common_a interest_n which_o i_o be_o persuade_v be_v in_o simplicity_n to_o be_v aim_v 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o engagement_n according_a to_o their_o sense_n that_o offer_v it_o be_v withâ—â—â—_n scrupulosity_n and_o contradiction_n take_v up_o and_o intend_v by_o all_o what_o 〈…〉_o matter_n will_v it_o be_v in_o a_o short_a time_n to_o bring_v at_o last_o about_o a_o real_a 〈…〉_o â—â—â—mation_n of_o all_o our_o grievance_n but_o if_o those_o that_o complain_v of_o pressure_n 〈…〉_o grievance_n and_o of_o the_o charge_n of_o a_o army_n by_o their_o own_o disaffection_n 〈…〉_o public_a and_o unruliness_n under_o government_n make_v a_o army_n absoâ—â—â—â—_n 〈…〉_o â—â—cessary_a and_o occasion_n the_o grievance_n themselves_o whereof_o they_o make_v complaint_n only_o to_o cast_v a_o odium_fw-la upon_o the_o government_n they_o will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o child_n of_o their_o father_n the_o devil_n and_o receive_v with_o he_o their_o reward_n for_o he_o obstruct_v all_o that_o be_v good_a in_o every_o one_o and_o tempt_v all_o unto_o distemper_n and_o disorderly_a carriage_n and_o then_o lay_v they_o to_o their_o charge_n to_o make_v they_o odious_a thereby_o beside_o the_o scruple_n which_o you_o have_v make_v in_o this_o business_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o some_o that_o labour_n to_o make_v strange_a interpretation_n and_o inference_n upon_o every_o word_n of_o the_o engagement_n as_o if_o it_o be_v in_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o that_o offer_v it_o a_o bundle_n of_o snare_n but_o trouble_v not_o yourself_o with_o that_o for_o in_o all_o promise_n of_o this_o kind_n the_o rule_n be_v that_o you_o must_v take_v the_o sense_n which_o be_v most_o obvious_a to_o express_v a_o undeniable_a duty_n and_o by_o follow_v this_o you_o shall_v not_o be_v entangle_v into_o scruple_n and_o suspicion_n what_o other_o may_v strain_v the_o word_n unto_o another_o tell_v i_o and_o if_o i_o understand_v by_o he_o that_o many_o be_v thus_o scruple_v that_o although_o he_o can_v take_v the_o engagement_n in_o a_o lawful_a sense_n and_o approve_v the_o obvious_a sense_n of_o it_o yet_o that_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o do_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o offence_n which_o many_o godly_a people_n will_v take_v at_o he_o for_o it_o who_o can_v but_o think_v it_o a_o breach_n of_o covenant_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o in_o a_o necessary_a matter_n of_o duty_n a_o offence_n wrongful_o take_v at_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v regard_v by_o those_o that_o perform_v it_o but_o they_o ought_v rather_o to_o follow_v their_o own_o conscience_n and_o give_v to_o those_o that_o be_v offend_v at_o they_o in_o their_o way_n a_o satisfactory_a reason_n of_o the_o justice_n thereof_o to_o instruct_v they_o but_o in_o thing_n of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n which_o be_v free_a to_o be_v do_v or_o leave_v undo_v there_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o suspend_v the_o action_n which_o may_v be_v take_v offensive_o as_o for_o this_o matter_n i_o say_v that_o on_o both_o hand_n there_o will_v be_v offence_n give_v or_o take_v and_o that_o by_o the_o godly_a for_o as_o some_o godly_a will_v be_v offend_v at_o the_o take_n of_o the_o engagement_n so_o some_o other_o will_v be_v offend_v at_o the_o not_o take_v thereof_o the_o case_n then_o will_v be_v which_o of_o these_o two_o offence_n i_o be_o most_o to_o avoid_v whether_o that_o which_o be_v wrongful_o or_o that_o which_o be_v just_o take_v both_o by_o the_o godly_a and_o also_o by_o those_o that_o be_v in_o superiority_n who_o i_o offend_v so_o as_o to_o give_v they_o just_a cause_n to_o deny_v unto_o i_o for_o my_o offence_n their_o protection_n and_o my_o necessary_a safety_n and_o we_o here_o of_o the_o same_o act_n the_o offence_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n be_v sinful_o give_v and_o on_o the_o other_o wrongful_o take_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o judge_v which_o of_o the_o two_o be_v to_o be_v avoid_v i_o shall_v leave_v these_o thing_n to_o your_o conscionable_a and_o unprejudicat_fw-la consideration_n to_o be_v weigh_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n by_o you_o as_o in_o his_o presence_n without_o humane_a respect_n they_o be_v offer_v to_o you_o by_o from_o my_o chamber_n novemb_n 27._o 1649._o your_o faithful_a and_o affectionate_a friend_n in_o christ_n i._o d._n finis_fw-la
conscience_n still_o bind_v to_o preserve_v it_o &_o to_o this_o very_a thing_n also_o the_o engagement_n which_o be_v now_o offer_v do_v clear_o bind_v you_o &_o as_o i_o conceive_v to_o nothing_o else_o direct_o for_o the_o obvious_a sense_n of_o the_o express_a word_n can_v be_v none_o other_o but_o this_o that_o so_o far_o as_o the_o association_n of_o this_o people_n be_v settle_v in_o a_o course_n of_o government_n and_o in_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n you_o shall_v not_o overthrow_v but_o preserve_v the_o same_o although_o the_o administration_n of_o this_o government_n and_o justice_n be_v not_o now_o carry_v on_o by_o a_o king_n and_o house_n of_o lord_n but_o only_o by_o the_o parl._n that_o now_o be_v which_o certain_o be_v your_o duty_n at_o this_o time_n and_o if_o this_o be_v clear_o your_o duty_n for_o the_o public_a good_a than_o you_o can_v understand_v the_o word_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o be_v bind_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n but_o in_o this_o for_o the_o word_n must_v be_v take_v in_o the_o sense_n which_o they_o can_v direct_o bear_v and_o which_o do_v impart_v the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o the_o covenant_n be_v take_v for_o the_o main_a end_n of_o this_o very_a article_n whereof_o you_o make_v a_o scruple_n be_v evident_o to_o preserve_v the_o parliament_n and_o commonwealth_n for_o itself_o and_o if_o need_v so_o require_v also_o without_o the_o king_n now_o this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o engagement_n do_v direct_o also_o require_v for_o which_o cause_n i_o say_v that_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o very_a promise_n you_o be_v bind_v to_o take_v the_o present_a engagement_n and_o if_o you_o take_v it_o not_o that_o you_o make_v yourself_o a_o transgressor_n of_o that_o very_a article_n which_o you_o pretend_v to_o keep_v for_o if_o you_o refuse_v to_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n as_o it_o be_v now_o establish_v you_o do_v what_o in_o you_o lie_v to_o make_v the_o remain_a right_n of_o parliament_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o our_o settlement_n void_a which_o though_o at_o first_o it_o be_v not_o intend_v to_o be_v without_o a_o king_n yet_o it_o be_v clear_o presuppose_v in_o the_o article_n itself_o as_o possible_a to_o be_v without_o he_o and_o consequent_o that_o although_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v yet_o that_o the_o commonwealth_n by_o the_o right_n of_o parliament_n and_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v be_v preserve_v which_o be_v all_o that_o now_o be_v seek_v for_o by_o the_o engagement_n i_o hope_v then_o that_o you_o shall_v find_v no_o cause_n to_o scruple_n any_o further_a at_o this_o but_o that_o such_o as_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o such_o scruple_n take_v a_o course_n to_o overthrow_v this_o parliament_n will_v be_v make_v conscionable_o awake_a to_o see_v their_o error_n and_o that_o they_o diametrical_o by_o such_o a_o purpose_n across_o the_o main_a intention_n of_o their_o covenant_n and_o become_v guilty_a of_o dissolve_v the_o whole_a tie_n of_o this_o commonwealth_n and_o this_o shall_v suffice_v concern_v your_o first_o scruple_n at_o this_o time_n as_o concern_v the_o present_a power_n by_o which_o the_o engagement_n be_v tender_v your_o doubt_n be_v what_o you_o ought_v to_o think_v of_o it_o whether_o you_o shall_v count_v it_o a_o lawful_a or_o a_o unlawful_a and_o usurp_a power_n and_o if_o such_o whether_o you_o will_v not_o be_v accessary_a to_o their_o usurpation_n by_o take_v the_o engagement_n to_o these_o question_n i_o shall_v answer_v distinct_o and_o let_v you_o see_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o i_o order_v my_o conversation_n in_o these_o case_n that_o if_o you_o have_v nothing_o to_o except_v against_o they_o you_o may_v take_v they_o up_o and_o walk_v in_o the_o righteousness_n thereof_o for_o i_o own_o part_n then_o i_o have_v take_v this_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n whereby_o all_o private_a man_n such_o as_o i_o be_o as_o christian_n ought_v to_o walk_v unblamable_o under_o the_o superior_a power_n of_o this_o world_n namely_o that_o it_o do_v not_o be_v long_o to_o we_o to_o judge_v definitive_o of_o the_o right_n which_o the_o supreme_a power_n over_o we_o in_o the_o world_n pretend_v to_o have_v unto_o their_o place_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v this_o because_o i_o find_v it_o no_o part_n of_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n to_o meddle_v with_o this_o matter_n nor_o can_v i_o see_v that_o god_n do_v allow_v private_a man_n to_o take_v so_o much_o upon_o they_o over_o their_o superior_n nor_o ought_v superior_n to_o suffer_v it_o in_o their_o subject_n nor_o will_v sound_v reason_n or_o a_o good_a conscience_n allow_v it_o in_o any_o it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o our_o christian_a profession_n to_o become_v judge_n of_o the_o great_a one_o of_o this_o world_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o right_n and_o pretension_n to_o power_n for_o we_o be_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o as_o spiritual_a man_n in_o this_o world_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o profession_n and_o as_o stranger_n and_o pilgrim_n therein_o take_v it_o as_o our_o passage_n to_o a_o kingdom_n that_o can_v be_v shake_v and_o use_v it_o as_o the_o subject_n wherein_o our_o faith_n &_o patience_n our_o mortification_n to_o thing_n present_a and_o our_o hope_n for_o thing_n to_o come_v be_v to_o be_v exercise_v a_o stranger_n passenger_n &_o pilgrim_n takes_z thing_n as_o he_o find_v they_o on_o his_o way_n make_v the_o best_a of_o they_o that_o he_o can_v and_o meddle_v only_o with_o his_o own_o matter_n how_o to_o advance_v prosperous_o and_o easy_o towards_o his_o journey_n end_n that_o be_v how_o to_o behave_v himself_o without_o blame_n and_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n in_o all_o thing_n with_o a_o good_a conscience_n hold_v forth_o the_o word_n of_o life_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o he_o do_v walk_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n towards_o other_o this_o be_v all_o that_o a_o christian_a as_o a_o christian_a that_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o profession_n be_v to_o meddle_v withal_o about_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o world_n which_o in_o so_o do_v he_o do_v judge_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o righteousness_n but_o if_o he_o do_v make_v himself_o a_o judge_n in_o another_o kind_n of_o particular_a right_n &_o pretension_n of_o the_o great_a one_o in_o this_o world_n he_o take_v upon_o he_o that_o which_o do_v not_o belong_v unto_o he_o in_o his_o profession_n of_o christianity_n for_o he_o do_v more_o than_o christ_n will_v do_v on_o earth_n for_o christ_n our_o master_n in_o this_o profession_n will_v not_o become_v a_o judge_n of_o the_o least_o matter_n between_o man_n &_o man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o how_o shall_v we_o that_o ought_v to_o be_v his_o follower_n and_o disciple_n take_v upon_o we_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o great_a of_o all_o how_o shall_v we_o answer_v this_o to_o he_o be_v not_o this_o one_o of_o the_o great_a character_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o antichrist_n that_o he_o exalt_v himself_o above_o all_o that_o be_v call_v god_n and_o wherein_o have_v he_o do_v this_o more_o remarkable_o towards_o magistrate_n who_o be_v call_v god_n among_o man_n then_o by_o exalt_v himself_o over_o they_o to_o become_v a_o judge_n of_o all_o their_o right_n and_o pretension_n to_o power_n in_o this_o world_n we_o must_v therefore_o beware_v of_o entertain_v the_o motion_n and_o practice_n of_o his_o spirit_n whereof_o this_o be_v a_o very_a eminent_a one_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o right_n of_o power_n to_o rule_v in_o the_o world_n nor_o do_v god_n allow_v in_o the_o word_n those_o who_o he_o have_v make_v subject_n to_o superior_a power_n to_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o right_n &_o title_n of_o those_o that_o be_v over_o they_o the_o rule_n of_o subject_n behaviour_n as_o subject_n be_v clear_o determine_v in_o rom._n 13.1_o till_o 8._o &_o 1_o pet_n 2.13_o 14._o &_o tit._n 3.1_o where_o we_o find_v nothing_o but_o a_o command_n of_o submission_n &_o subjection_n of_o not_o resist_v and_o of_o pay_v tax_n &_o due_n and_o of_o give_v honour_n fear_v and_o respect_n for_o conscience_n sake_n unto_o superior_a power_n because_o they_o be_v god_n ordinance_n over_o private_a man_n and_o they_o bear_v not_o the_o sword_n which_o god_n have_v put_v in_o their_o hand_n in_o vain_a now_o the_o commandment_n thus_o deliver_v without_o any_o limitation_n or_o restriction_n of_o their_o right_n to_o rule_v or_o of_o our_o obedience_n further_a than_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n i_o suppose_v do_v oblige_v all_o subject_n that_o be_v under_o they_o either_o to_o obey_v or_o to_o suffer_v patient_o if_o they_o find_v cause_n to_o refuse_v obedience_n but_o that_o private_a man_n in_o ourward_a and_o humane_a concernment_n and_o for_o worldly_a consideration_n of_o their_o