in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o or_o that_o any_o humane_a power_n have_v such_o a_o exorbitant_a and_o unlimited_a authority_n of_o impose_v right_n and_o ceremony_n on_o the_o church_n as_o they_o think_v good_a which_o principle_n have_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o so_o many_o corruption_n impose_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o indeed_o upon_o which_o principle_n may_v be_v bring_v upon_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o the_o restraint_n of_o liberty_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o the_o imposition_n of_o ceremony_n a_o great_a yoke_n and_o burden_n than_o be_v impose_v by_o god_n own_o law._n but_o we_o may_v not_o think_v that_o god_n have_v now_o free_v the_o christian_a religion_n under_o the_o gospel_n from_o the_o bondage_n of_o his_o own_o ceremony_n and_o yet_o leave_v they_o under_o a_o humane_a power_n to_o impose_v what_o they_o think_v good_a but_o we_o desire_v that_o what_o be_v say_v on_o this_o subject_a by_o way_n of_o argumentation_n may_v not_o be_v interpret_v a_o prescribe_v to_o authority_n or_o limit_v their_o power_n and_o therefore_o we_o humble_o conceive_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v power_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o impose_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o be_v lawful_a certain_a and_o necessary_a hence_o than_o he_o may_v not_o enjoin_v in_o religion_n thing_n that_o be_v either_o 1._o sinful_a 2._o doubtful_a 3._o mere_o indifferent_a first_o not_o thing_n sinful_a this_o i_o think_v will_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o that_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v lawful_o require_v to_o be_v do_v that_o which_o be_v in_o itself_o sinful_a and_o if_o any_o such_o law_n be_v make_v they_o must_v necessary_o be_v void_a in_o themselves_o as_o to_o any_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n have_v not_o the_o proper_a matter_n of_o law_n which_o must_v always_o be_v some_o useful_a good._n second_o not_o thing_n doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a in_o religion_n and_o such_o thing_n we_o call_v doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a that_o real_o in_o themselves_o and_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o learned_a and_o good_a man_n have_v no_o apparent_a foundation_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o the_o magistrate_n can_v make_v law_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n only_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o christ_n have_v command_v and_o to_o do_v they_o decent_o and_o orderly_o because_o there_o be_v but_o one_o legislator_n and_o lawgiver_n in_o and_o over_o the_o church_n christ_n jesus_n jam._n 4._o 18._o and_o humane_a authority_n have_v no_o proper_a dictatory_n or_o legislative_a power_n but_o only_o a_o ministratory_n and_o directive_n one_o in_o the_o thing_n of_o religion_n therefore_o whatever_o the_o magistrate_n command_v in_o religion_n must_v be_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o church_n and_o not_o his_o own_o law_n for_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o like_o a_o civil_a body_n that_o humane_a law_n be_v the_o constitutive_a form_n of_o it_o but_o the_o church_n and_o all_o its_o law_n privilege_n and_o liberty_n be_v all_o sound_v on_o the_o word_n of_o god._n thus_o as_o under_o the_o law_n all_o that_o power_n which_o the_o magistrate_n than_o have_v about_o religion_n be_v direct_v and_o limit_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n those_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v institute_v and_o appoint_v in_o his_o worship_n to_o be_v do_v he_o be_v to_o take_v care_n for_o the_o due_a observation_n of_o it_o but_o be_v not_o to_o add_v thereto_o nor_o diminish_v from_o it_o deut._n 12._o 32._o so_o under_o the_o gospel_n all_o the_o power_n of_o magistrate_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v plain_o prescribe_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o by_o evident_a consequence_n deducible_a from_o it_o and_o what_o be_v not_o so_o may_v be_v call_v a_o thing_n doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a at_o the_o best_a and_o therefore_o shall_v not_o be_v enforce_v by_o law_n three_o nor_o in_o thing_n mere_o indifferent_a by_o thing_n indifferent_a i_o mean_v thing_n not_o necessary_a nor_o require_v by_o any_o divine_a law._n now_o there_o be_v a_o twofold_a necessity_n of_o thing_n the_o one_o natural_a and_o intrinfical_a the_o other_o circumstantial_a or_o accidental_a only_a and_o of_o indifferent_a thing_n i_o call_v that_o so_o that_o be_v intrinsical_a and_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a yet_o such_o indifferent_a thing_n by_o reason_n of_o circumstance_n about_o necessary_a thing_n or_o by_o accident_n may_v become_v either_o inexpedient_a and_o also_o scandalous_a and_o so_o unlawful_a or_o they_o may_v become_v expedient_a and_o so_o circumstantial_o necessary_a now_o that_o in_o religion_n that_o intrinsical_o and_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v necessary_a or_o else_o be_v necessary_a by_o reason_n of_o circumstance_n or_o accident_n be_v the_o only_a proper_a matter_n of_o law_n &_o what_o be_v not_o such_o i_o call_v a_o thing_n mere_o indifferent_a now_o such_o thing_n shall_v not_o be_v put_v into_o law_n that_o be_v either_o 1._o mere_o indifferent_a 2._o much_o less_o when_o such_o indifferent_a thing_n be-become_a inexpedient_a and_o 3._o lest_o of_o all_o when_o they_o become_v scandalous_a first_o such_o thing_n about_o religion_n that_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a and_o have_v no_o circumstantial_a necessity_n attend_v it_o that_o require_v a_o restraint_n be_v that_o wherein_o christian_n ought_v to_o have_v their_o liberty_n and_o not_o to_o be_v restrain_v by_o law_n because_o if_o authority_n can_v restrain_v christian_a liberty_n further_o than_o in_o thing_n necessary_a bare_o upon_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o will_n they_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o foundation_n take_v off_o all_o liberty_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a but_o this_o they_o can_v do_v just_o without_o wrong_n because_o liberty_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a be_v a_o branch_n of_o that_o christian_a liberty_n we_o have_v by_o the_o gospel_n and_o be_v a_o appendix_n to_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n gal._n 5._o 1._o 1_o cor._n 10._o 23._o now_o as_o the_o magistrate_n can_v just_o deprive_v any_o man_n of_o any_o of_o his_o civil_a right_n and_o property_n without_o just_a reason_n and_o cause_n much_o less_o may_v he_o deprive_v we_o of_o any_o of_o our_o religious_a right_n and_o privilege_n without_o a_o just_a and_o necessary_a cause_n and_o liberty_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a be_v one_o of_o these_o right_n we_o ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o it_o and_o not_o to_o be_v bring_v under_o a_o rest_n raint_n therein_o say_v the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 6._o 12._o all_o thing_n be_v lawful_a for_o i_o but_o i_o will_v not_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n of_o any_o thing_n by_o all_o thing_n he_o mean_v thing_n indifferent_a and_o lawful_a only_o and_o not_o necessary_a yet_o will_v not_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n of_o any_o of_o these_o which_o prove_v that_o no_o christian_n shall_v be_v bring_v by_o law_n under_o a_o power_n either_o of_o do_v or_o not_o do_v thing_n in_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o use_n only_o indifferent_a and_o lawful_a and_o the_o scripture_n in_o divers_a place_n assert_n the_o liberty_n of_o christian_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a 1_o cor._n 10._o 23._o rom._n 14._o 3_o 5._o and_o we_o see_v also_o that_o our_o saviour_n vindicate_v his_o disciple_n in_o use_v their_o liberty_n in_o the_o forbearance_n of_o a_o thing_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a though_o enjoin_v by_o authority_n mat._n 15._o which_o prove_v also_o that_o authority_n as_o it_o may_v not_o impose_v thing_n mere_o indifferent_a so_o can_v make_v they_o necessary_a when_o impose_v and_o indeed_o if_o it_o have_v be_v lawful_a to_o restrain_v christian_n of_o their_o liberty_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a how_o easy_a have_v it_o bâ—en_o for_o the_o apostle_n paul_n to_o have_v silence_v all_o dispute_n about_o the_o observation_n of_o meat_n and_o day_n and_o suchlike_a indifferent_a thing_n by_o determinine_v the_o practice_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o thing_n on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o by_o some_o law_n or_o canon_n and_o by_o direct_v the_o church_n in_o aftertime_n in_o the_o like_a case_n to_o make_v law_n in_o order_n to_o heal_v and_o take_v off_o such_o difference_n but_o because_o he_o do_v not_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n do_v so_o frequent_o assert_v the_o liberty_n of_o every_o christian_a in_o thing_n indifferent_a to_o use_v with_o prudence_n and_o charity_n it_o follow_v therefore_o that_o such_o law_n shall_v not_o be_v make_v which_o violate_v and_o infringe_v christian_a liberty_n second_o but_o much_o less_o may_v indifferent_a thing_n be_v impose_v when_o they_o become_v inexpedient_a which_o they_o do_v in_o religion_n when_o they_o be_v unprofitable_a and_o tend_v not_o to_o edisication_n thus_o the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 10._o 23._o all_o thing_n be_v lawful_a
people_n make_v a_o law_n that_o whosoever_o will_v not_o seek_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n 2_o chron._n 15._o 13._o and_o these_o be_v approve_v for_o so_o do_v whereas_o those_o king_n that_o take_v no_o care_n of_o religion_n but_o do_v either_o set_v up_o idolatry_n or_o do_v not_o suppress_v it_o be_v brand_v for_o such_o as_o do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n object_n but_o it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o what_o the_o magistrate_n thus_o do_v under_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n be_v but_o the_o execution_n of_o god_n own_o law_n which_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v but_o that_o this_o be_v no_o precedent_n for_o christian_a magistrate_n under_o the_o gospel_n because_o those_o law_n be_v now_o abrogate_a and_o there_o be_v no_o new_a law_n prescribe_v by_o god_n under_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o inflict_a of_o any_o punishment_n either_o pecuniary_a or_o corporal_a for_o any_o offence_n against_o religion_n and_o therefore_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o authority_n to_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o this_o end_n answ_n though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o gospel_n prescribe_v no_o punishment_n for_o offence_n against_o religion_n and_o that_o the_o judicial_a law_n also_o as_o it_o be_v peculiar_a to_o that_o nation_n so_o be_v not_o precise_o bind_v on_o any_o nation_n under_o the_o gospel_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o magistrate_n may_v not_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o offence_n against_o religion_n for_o then_o upon_o that_o ground_n he_o may_v not_o make_v law_n for_o offence_n against_o second-table-commands_a as_o murder_n adultery_n thâ—ft_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v not_o prescribe_v any_o and_o therefore_o on_o this_o account_n some_o have_v be_v so_o wild_a to_o think_v that_o no_o corporal_a punishment_n shall_v be_v inflict_v under_o the_o gospel_n by_o christian_a man_n but_o it_o be_v general_o agree_v by_o all_o that_o the_o natural_a and_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o wit_n that_o which_o be_v found_v on_o reason_n and_o moral_a justice_n be_v still_o obligatory_a on_o all_o nation_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o judicial_a law_n be_v but_o a_o exposition_n and_o enforcement_n of_o the_o natural_a and_o moral_a law_n of_o god_n hence_o most_o of_o the_o penalty_n inflict_v by_o that_o law_n for_o offence_n against_o any_o of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n we_o may_v find_v that_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o penalty_n may_v in_o many_o thing_n be_v draw_v from_o the_o moral_a nature_n of_o the_o crime_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o will_n of_o god_n prescribe_v the_o kind_n of_o penalty_n now_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o where_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o penalty_n for_o such_o and_o such_o offence_n be_v natural_a and_o moral_a there_o those_o penal_a law_n be_v so_o far_o still_o in_o force_n that_o they_o remain_v on_o record_n both_o as_o precedent_n and_o engagement_n on_o all_o nation_n to_o make_v law_n in_o conformity_n to_o they_o and_o sure_o where_o we_o can_v so_o clear_o see_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o penalty_n yet_o where_o the_o offence_n against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v the_o same_o there_o the_o will_n of_o god_n impose_v penalty_n for_o such_o and_o such_o offence_n against_o his_o law_n be_v the_o best_a rule_n and_o pattern_n for_o the_o law_n of_o all_o magistrate_n in_o the_o world_n now_o if_o the_o abolition_n of_o the_o jevish_a pedagogy_n and_o their_o civil_a state_n for_o which_o these_o penal_a law_n be_v more_o peculiar_o adapt_v do_v not_o null_a the_o power_n of_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o the_o violation_n of_o second-table-commands_a as_o for_o murder_n wheredom_n theft_n etc._n etc._n why_o shall_v it_o any_o more_o null_a his_o power_n to_o make_v penal_a law_n for_o the_o violation_n of_o first-table-commands_a as_o for_o idolatry_n superstition_n blasphemy_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o first-table-commands_a have_v still_o the_o precedent_a obligation_n to_o the_o second_o and_o the_o violation_n of_o they_o have_v the_o same_o moral_a obliquity_n and_o gild_n as_o under_o the_o law_n therefore_o law_n to_o punish_v those_o sin_n have_v the_o same_o reason_n and_o moral_a justice_n in_o they_o as_o the_o other_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o magistrate_n be_v under_o equal_a obligation_n to_o impose_v such_o law_n as_o the_o other_o object_n but_o it_o will_v be_v further_o object_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v only_o appoint_v under_o the_o gospel_n the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v the_o spiritual_a sword_n for_o the_o propagate_a and_o maintain_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o man_n be_v invite_v to_o believe_v and_o embrace_v this_o religion_n upon_o free_a choice_n and_o election_n and_o upon_o principle_n of_o pure_a conviction_n and_o conscience_n and_o not_o compel_v or_o force_v to_o it_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v be_v promote_v by_o a_o temporal_a power_n or_o man_n punish_v for_o disobedience_n to_o it_o answ_n for_o answer_v this_o mistake_n of_o deny_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n come_v to_o pass_v by_o not_o distinguish_v between_o those_o two_o distinct_a office_n viz._n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o of_o the_o magistracy_n which_o be_v office_n of_o a_o different_a order_n that_o have_v each_o their_o peculiar_a property_n and_o employment_n though_o both_o to_o the_o great_a and_o general_a end_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o also_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n the_o ministerial_a office_n be_v proper_o found_v on_o christ_n commission_n as_o mediator_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o be_v commit_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n both_o of_o doctrine_n and_o of_o discipline_n but_o the_o office_n of_o the_o magistracy_n be_v of_o another_o order_n and_o found_v on_o god_n law_n as_o he_o be_v rector_n of_o the_o world_n to_o who_o be_v commit_v the_o sword_n of_o justice_n and_o that_o not_o only_o between_o man_n and_o man_n but_o between_o god_n and_o man._n magistracy_n therefore_o be_v not_o proper_o a_o gospel_n but_o a_o moral_a institution_n now_o as_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o abrogate_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_n do_v establish_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n rom._n 3._o 13._o so_o by_o consequence_n it_o do_v not_o null_a either_o the_o office_n or_o any_o part_n of_o the_o moral_a duty_n of_o the_o office_n of_o magistracy_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n do_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v it_o as_o it_o do_v all_o other_o matter_n of_o moral_a duty_n and_o religion_n it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o our_o saviour_n only_o appoint_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n in_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o minister_n and_o so_o propagate_v his_o religion_n and_o in_o that_o capacity_n commissionated_a and_o send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n and_o gospel-minister_n he_o do_v not_o intermeddle_v with_o the_o office_n of_o the_o magistracy_n but_o leave_v that_o to_o stand_v on_o its_o own_o bottom_n as_o found_v on_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o king_n yet_o his_o kingdom_n be_v spiritual_a and_o not_o of_o this_o world_n and_o therefore_o as_o he_o take_v not_o the_o power_n of_o the_o temporal_a sword_n himself_o as_o he_o may_v have_v do_v upon_o divine_a right_n so_o he_o give_v no_o such_o power_n to_o any_o of_o the_o ministerial_a order_n and_o we_o find_v also_o that_o god_n almighty_a in_o who_o power_n be_v the_o heart_n of_o king_n and_o magistrate_n do_v not_o use_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n for_o the_o promotion_n and_o advancement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n at_o the_o first_o which_o he_o may_v have_v do_v by_o effectual_o call_v and_o convert_v they_o by_o his_o grace_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o so_o incline_v their_o heart_n to_o improve_v their_o power_n and_o office_n for_o his_o glory_n as_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o do_v but_o he_o do_v not_o and_o that_o no_o doubt_n in_o great_a wisdom_n that_o so_o the_o gospel_n be_v propagate_v by_o such_o weak_a and_o contemptible_a instrument_n as_o the_o apostle_n be_v without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n yea_o and_o against_o such_o great_a opposition_n from_o they_o may_v be_v give_v to_o the_o world_n one_o of_o the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v thence_o but_o that_o it_o be_v
then_o the_o duty_n of_o magistrate_n even_o when_o they_o be_v enemy_n to_o christ_n both_o to_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o to_o employ_v their_o power_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o god_n true_a religion_n and_o worship_n for_o this_o they_o be_v moral_o oblige_v to_o do_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office._n and_o therefore_o christ_n employ_v the_o gospel-minister_n in_o a_o ministerial_a way_n do_v not_o dissolve_v those_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o tho_o magistrate_n by_o the_o moral_a law_n of_o god_n to_o take_v care_n for_o the_o advancement_n and_o security_n of_o true_a religion_n for_o see_v the_o office_n of_o magistracy_n be_v contiun_v under_o the_o gospel_n we_o need_v no_o new_a testament-precept_n to_o enforce_v his_o duty_n in_o this_o respect_n which_o be_v incumbent_n on_o he_o not_o immediate_o by_o any_o gospel-precept_n but_o by_o a_o previous_a obligation_n antecedent_n to_o the_o gospel-ministry_n which_o be_v moral_a and_o perpetual_a inherent_a in_o his_o very_a office_n and_o dignity_n that_o have_v authority_n from_o god_n and_o be_v in_o his_o stead_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v employ_v his_o power_n best_o for_o god_n service_n and_o glory_n and_o as_o the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o disoblige_v to_o promote_v and_o preserve_v true_a religion_n under_o the_o gospel_n from_o the_o office_n of_o the_o gospel-ministry_n employ_v to_o that_o end_n neither_o be_v it_o disagreeable_a with_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n that_o he_o shall_v do_v so_o more_o than_o former_o under_o the_o law_n for_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o any_o of_o the_o moral_a obligation_n of_o religion_n but_o chief_o in_o the_o positive_a and_o typical_a and_o ceremonial_a part_n which_o be_v now_o fulfil_v by_o the_o come_v of_o christ_n and_o so_o do_v away_o but_o the_o moral_a part_n be_v still_o the_o same_o as_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o those_o few_o positive_a doctrine_n and_o institution_n that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o gospel_n be_v all_o include_v in_o the_o moral_a law_n for_o the_o first-table_n commandment_n do_v comprehend_v all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o require_v belief_n of_o they_o and_o obedience_n to_o they_o and_o indeed_o the_o moral_a law_n do_v comprehend_v the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n for_o it_o require_v belief_n in_o whatsoever_o god_n shall_v reveal_v and_o obedience_n to_o whatsoever_o he_o shall_v command_v now_o i_o argue_v thus_o that_o if_o the_o whole_a law_n of_o god_n be_v the_o foundation_n and_o rule_n of_o law_n and_o magistracy_n as_o we_o note_v before_o then_o certain_o the_o magistrate_n be_v keeper_n of_o both_o â—_z of_o the_o law_n or_o else_o he_o be_v keeper_n of_o neither_o hence_o it_o will_v then_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o gospel_n institution_n thus_o include_v in_o the_o first-table-commands_a be_v under_o the_o care_n of_o the_o magistracy_n as_o well_o as_o those_o duty_n that_o respect_v the_o second-table-commands_a thus_o it_o be_v very_o clear_a that_o the_o magistrate_n under_o the_o gospel_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o employ_v his_o power_n and_o care_n for_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o god._n and_o if_o so_o than_o he_o ought_v no_o doubt_n to_o make_v law_n for_o the_o promotion_n and_o support_v of_o it_o for_o that_o the_o power_n and_o office_n of_o magistracy_n be_v exert_v by_o law_n to_o which_o law_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o be_v a_o sanction_n of_o penalty_n upon_o the_o breach_n of_o they_o for_o if_o the_o magistrate_n have_v only_o a_o mandative_a and_o preceptive_a power_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o power_n to_o inflict_v penalty_n for_o the_o violation_n of_o law_n he_o may_v be_v say_v to_o bear_v the_o sword_n in_o vain_a in_o that_o respect_n and_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o law_n that_o they_o be_v back_v with_o penalty_n not_o only_o to_o further_a obedience_n but_o also_o to_o maintain_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n but_o as_o to_o the_o magistrate_n force_v person_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n this_o he_o can_v do_v because_o faith_n be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o the_o will_n but_o where_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o general_o profess_v he_o may_v both_o require_v the_o attendance_n of_o the_o person_n on_o the_o public_a preach_n of_o the_o word_n and_o also_o prohibit_v and_o suppress_v all_o public_a profession_n and_o practice_n of_o idolatry_n and_o false_a religion_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n in_o such_o government_n where_o all_o have_v take_v up_o the_o profession_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o true_a religion_n at_o least_o in_o the_o speculative_a and_o doctrinal_a part_n of_o it_o and_o have_v vow_v by_o baptism_n to_o adhere_v to_o that_o religion_n both_o in_o profession_n and_o practice_n also_o where_o some_o have_v take_v on_o they_o the_o ministerial_a function_n in_o the_o church_n and_o thereby_o have_v oblige_v themselves_o to_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o same_o in_o these_o case_n doubtless_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n may_v according_a to_o the_o example_n of_o good_a king_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n require_v and_o cause_n by_o good_a law_n both_o minister_n and_o people_n to_o do_v their_o respective_a duty_n in_o religion_n and_o impose_v penalty_n for_o defection_n or_o neglect_v agreeable_a to_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o fault_n and_o for_o grievous_a offence_n against_o religion_n as_o idolatry_n heresy_n blasphemy_n etc._n etc._n when_o they_o be_v certain_a and_o apparent_a may_v doubtless_o inflict_v corporal_a punishment_n after_o the_o example_n of_o god_n own_o law_n and_o that_o the_o infliction_n of_o corporal_a punishment_n for_o great_a offence_n against_o religion_n be_v not_o disagreeable_a with_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n appear_v plain_o by_o the_o example_n of_o st._n peter_n act._n 5._o 10._o who_o use_v a_o extraordinary_a authority_n above_o that_o of_o the_o ministry_n do_v wonderful_o put_v ananias_n and_o saphira_n to_o death_n for_o sacril_n dge_n and_o lie_v and_o paul_n strike_v elymas_n the_o sorcerer_n with_o blindness_n for_o oppose_v the_o gospel_n act._n 13._o 11._o which_o miraculous_a way_n of_o punishment_n be_v accommodate_v to_o that_o present_a state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o want_n of_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o succour_v and_o descend_v it_o who_o be_v then_o so_o far_o from_o maintain_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v the_o great_a enemy_n to_o it_o and_o persecuter_n of_o it_o but_o yet_o nevertheless_o those_o example_n prove_v that_o corporal_a punishment_n for_o great_a offence_n against_o religion_n be_v consistent_a with_o the_o gospel_n dispensation_n thus_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v the_o power_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o magistrate_n under_o the_o gospel_n to_o promote_v and_o maintain_v by_o law_n the_o true_a religion_n and_o so_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o second_o question_n quest_n ii_o whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o give_v a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n or_o what_o liberty_n in_o religion_n he_o ought_v to_o allow_v answ_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v in_o the_o negative_a that_o he_o may_v not_o give_v a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n put_v what_o have_v be_v lay_v down_o aâ—d_v prove_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o former_a question_n may_v indeed_o serve_v for_o a_o answer_n likewise_o in_o part_n both_o to_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a question_n which_o will_v be_v easy_o and_o plain_o answer_v in_o the_o negative_a upon_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o former_a hypothesis_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o promote_v and_o maintain_v the_o true_a religion_n from_o thence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o he_o may_v neither_o give_v a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n nor_o the_o subject_n consent_v to_o such_o a_o toleration_n or_o to_o the_o repeal_n the_o law_n that_o establish_v and_o preserve_v the_o true_a religion_n that_o he_o may_v not_o give_v a_o general_a toleration_n of_o all_o religion_n i_o urge_v therefore_o first_o from_o the_o inconsistency_n of_o give_v such_o a_o toleration_n with_o his_o duty_n to_o promote_v and_o maintain_v the_o true_a religion_n for_o thence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o he_o ought_v not_o willing_o at_o least_o to_o tolerate_v any_o but_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o that_o he_o ought_v also_o to_o endeavour_v by_o all_o expedient_a and_o lawful_a mean_n to_o suppress_v and_o exterminate_v all_o idolatry_n &_o false_a religion_n and_o though_o as_o we_o note_v before_o the_o magistrate_n can_v force_v any_o without_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n yet_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v his_o duty_n where_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v not_o general_o