forsake_v the_o assemble_v of_o themselves_o together_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o be_v but_o exhort_v one_o another_o and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o as_o you_o see_v the_o day_n approach_v which_o at_o least_o suppose_n that_o to_o forsake_v the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n do_v great_o dispose_v man_n to_o a_o final_a apostasy_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o follow_a verse_n wherein_o he_o urge_v the_o great_a danger_n of_o apostasy_n which_o have_v be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n have_v not_o separation_n at_o least_o be_v the_o beginning_n of_o it_o but_o if_o we_o sin_v wilful_o after_o that_o we_o 29._o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n there_o remain_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n but_o a_o certain_a fearful_a look_v for_o of_o vengeance_n and_o fiery_a indignation_n which_o shall_v devour_v the_o adversary_n he_o that_o despise_a moses_n '_o s_o law_n die_v without_o mercy_n under_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n of_o how_o much_o sore_a punishment_n shall_v he_o be_v think_v worthy_a that_o trample_v under_o foot_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o have_v count_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o covenant_n wherewith_o he_o be_v sanctify_v a_o unholy_a thing_n and_o have_v do_v despite_n unto_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n the_o truth_n be_v whoever_o careful_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o the_o apostolical-churche_n according_a to_o that_o account_n we_o find_v of_o they_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o i_o may_v add_v of_o the_o succeed_a age_n from_o the_o report_n of_o the_o most_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a father_n will_v find_v that_o none_o but_o apostate_n from_o christianity_n by_o apostate_n not_o mean_v those_o who_o whole_o renounce_v the_o name_n and_o profession_n but_o those_o who_o renounce_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n actual_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n which_o s._n paul_n 12._o reprove_v they_o for_o but_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o actual_o separate_v into_o distinct_a communion_n but_o contend_v among_o themselves_o about_o the_o preference_n of_o several_a apostle_n which_o of_o they_o be_v great_a every_o one_o of_o you_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n and_o i_o of_o cephas_n or_o peter_n and_o i_o of_o christ._n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o case_n in_o the_o second_o schism_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n who_o write_v a_o letter_n to_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n persuade_v they_o to_o peace_n unity_n and_o order_n but_o beside_o these_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n which_o s._n paul_n make_v a_o great_a sign_n of_o carnality_n for_o be_v you_o not_o carnal_a 4._o for_o whereas_o there_o be_v among_o you_o envy_v and_o strife_n and_o division_n be_v you_o not_o carnal_a and_o walk_v as_o man_n for_o while_o one_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o another_o i_o be_o of_o apollo_n be_v you_o not_o carnal_a there_o be_v also_o schism_n from_o the_o church_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o st._n paul_n epistle_n to_o timothy_n for_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v 8._o they_o who_o creep_v into_o house_n who_o keep_v secret_a and_o clandestine_v meeting_n and_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n lade_v with_o sin_n led_z away_o with_o divers_a lust_n ever_o learning_n but_o never_o able_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n now_o as_o jannes_n and_o jambres_n withstand_v moses_n so_o do_v these_o also_o resist_v the_o truth_n that_o be_v they_o oppose_v themselves_o against_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o only_a teacher_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o be_v that_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o moses_n be_v to_o the_o jew_n which_o plain_o signify_v that_o they_o set_v themselves_o up_o against_o the_o apostle_n and_o gather_v church_n in_o opposition_n to_o they_o of_o such_o separatist_n st._n john_n speak_v who_o he_o call_v antichrist_n they_o go_v out_o 19_o from_o we_o because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v continue_v with_o we_o but_o they_o go_v out_o that_o it_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o we_o where_o the_o apostle_n express_o affirm_v that_o they_o go_v out_o from_o they_o that_o be_v forsake_v the_o christian_a assembly_n by_o which_o he_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v not_o of_o they_o i._n e._n that_o they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o same_o body_n and_o society_n but_o have_v entertain_v such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v destructive_a to_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v separate_v from_o the_o christian_a church_n now_o this_o necessary_o suppose_v that_o christian_a communion_n be_v so_o indispensible_a a_o duty_n that_o no_o man_n can_v causeless_o separate_v from_o the_o christian_a church_n without_o at_o least_o bring_v his_o christianity_n into_o question_n that_o nothing_o can_v reasonable_o tempt_v man_n to_o a_o separation_n but_o their_o renounce_v some_o great_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n nor_o can_v any_o thing_n justify_v a_o separation_n but_o such_o corruption_n as_o destroy_v the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n for_o otherwise_o there_o have_v be_v no_o force_n in_o the_o apostle_n argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v corrupt_a in_o the_o faith_n from_o their_o separation_n they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o no_o doubt_n they_o will_v have_v continue_v with_o we_o so_o that_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o schism_n as_o dr._n owen_n earnest_o contend_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o division_n and_o contention_n among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n without_o the_o breach_n of_o church-communion_n and_o therefore_o separatist_n be_v not_o proper_o schismatic_n i_o know_v not_o what_o he_o gain_v by_o this_o when_o separation_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o much_o great_a evil_n than_o schism_n and_o yet_o none_o but_o heretic_n or_o apostate_n from_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v in_o those_o day_n guilty_a of_o it_o and_o if_o the_o apostle_n argument_n hold_v good_a a_o sinful_a and_o causeless_a separation_n can_v never_o be_v own_a without_o some_o degree_n of_o apostasy_n it_o be_v to_o no_o great_a purpose_n to_o dispute_v the_o signification_n of_o word_n when_o the_o difference_n between_o thing_n be_v plain_a and_o notorious_a but_o yet_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o manifest_a difference_n in_o scripture_n between_o schism_n and_o heresy_n the_o first_o be_v common_o apply_v to_o signify_v those_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o communion_n the_o second_o if_o not_o always_o yet_o chief_o apply_v to_o signify_v separation_n from_o the_o church_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d proper_o signify_v a_o sect_n or_o party_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o sectarian_n thus_o christianity_n itself_o when_o the_o christian_n unite_v into_o a_o distinct_a church-society_n be_v call_v heresy_n or_o a_o new_a sect_n and_o 5._o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarene_o thus_o we_o read_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharisee_n where_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o heresy_n be_v always_o use_v now_o though_o these_o different_a sect_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o separate_v into_o distinct_a assembly_n for_o worship_n but_o all_o worship_v at_o the_o temple_n as_o even_o the_o christian_a jew_n do_v while_o the_o temple_n stand_v as_o appear_v from_o what_o happen_v to_o st._n paul_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o last_o time_n he_o 24._o go_v thither_o yet_o they_o be_v distinguish_v by_o different_a opinion_n rite_n and_o usage_n and_o school_n and_o which_o be_v usual_o the_o effect_n of_o such_o distinction_n by_o different_a interest_n and_o affection_n and_o in_o allusion_n to_o those_o jewish_a sect_n these_o difference_n among_o christian_n which_o do_v not_o break_v forth_o into_o open_a separation_n but_o occasion_v great_a siding_n and_o party_n and_o heat_n and_o animosity_n be_v indifferent_o call_v schism_n or_o heresy_n 20._o thus_o st._n paul_n join_v hatred_n variance_n wrath_n sedition_n heresy_n but_o then_o there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o heresy_n which_o always_o end_v in_o separation_n for_o such_o man_n be_v always_o either_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n or_o separate_v themselves_o such_o be_v those_o which_o st._n peter_n call_v damnable_a heresy_n who_o 1._o he_o compare_v with_o the_o fall_v angel_n and_o the_o old_a world_n which_o be_v destroy_v with_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n and_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n who_o he_o call_v presumptuous_a 6._o self-willed_a and_o that_o be_v not_o
and_o curious_a speculation_n but_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o miracle_n which_o be_v so_o sensible_a a_o argument_n that_o the_o mean_a people_n understand_v it_o as_o well_o as_o the_o great_a philosopher_n those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o which_o have_v be_v own_v in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n till_o our_o day_n do_v as_o certain_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v as_o if_o we_o have_v hear_v god_n speak_v in_o a_o audible_a voice_n from_o heaven_n to_o we_o and_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v whatever_o he_o have_v reveal_v though_o we_o can_v perfect_o understand_v all_o the_o difficulty_n of_o it_o and_o when_o we_o have_v once_o embrace_v christianity_n we_o have_v the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o be_v express_o forbid_v in_o those_o write_n every_o man_n without_o any_o great_a skill_n in_o controversy_n know_v to_o be_v unlawful_a as_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o plain_a countryman_n may_v understand_v the_o difference_n between_o popery_n and_o reform_a christianity_n the_o peculiar_a doctrine_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v express_o contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o express_o contrary_a to_o the_o gospel_n than_o worship_v image_n pray_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n pray_v in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n the_o half_a communion_n where_o the_o priest_n drink_v the_o wine_n by_o himself_o and_o give_v nothing_o but_o a_o wafer_n to_o the_o people_n these_o thing_n require_v indeed_o great_a subtlety_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o defend_v they_o but_o may_v be_v understand_v and_o confute_v by_o the_o plain_a man_n who_o be_v no_o master_n of_o subtlety_n but_o the_o case_n be_v quite_o different_a in_o the_o dispute_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o dissenter_n we_o desire_v no_o more_o from_o they_o but_o to_o show_v we_o where_o any_o one_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v express_o condemn_v in_o scripture_n or_o by_o such_o a_o natural_a and_o easy_a consequence_n as_o every_o honest_a man_n though_o no_o schoolman_n nor_o philosopher_n may_v understand_v it_o where_o do_v they_o find_v that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v antichristian_a which_o have_v be_v continue_v in_o the_o church_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o who_o successor_n they_o be_v if_o we_o will_v believe_v the_o ancient_a father_n where_o do_v they_o read_v that_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v unlawful_a when_o christ_n himself_o give_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o his_o disciple_n and_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n consist_v of_o a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o praise_n which_o be_v use_v in_o their_o public_a worship_n where_o do_v they_o find_v that_o the_o ceremony_n of_o our_o church_n be_v idolatrous_a and_o superstitious_a when_o they_o can_v produce_v no_o text_n of_o scripture_n where_o they_o be_v forbid_v unless_o they_o think_v that_o because_o god_n have_v forbid_v worship_v image_n in_o the_o second_o commandment_n therefore_o he_o have_v forbid_v all_o external_a circumstance_n of_o worship_n institute_v for_o decency_n and_o order_n which_o be_v so_o subtle_a a_o consequence_n as_o will_v make_v a_o very_a metaphysical_a head_n ache_v to_o discover_v it_o now_o when_o there_o be_v no_o direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n but_o man_n argue_v whole_o from_o some_o uncertain_a and_o far-fetched_a consequence_n how_o shall_v the_o common_a people_n who_o understand_v none_o of_o the_o artificial_a law_n of_o reason_v judge_v of_o such_o argument_n it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o to_o make_v some_o terrible_a impression_n upon_o their_o fancy_n by_o great_a confidence_n and_o a_o uncouth_a sound_n of_o word_n which_o they_o understand_v not_o as_o that_o our_o ceremony_n be_v symbolical_a that_o they_o be_v new_a sacrament_n not_o mere_a circumstance_n but_o part_n of_o worship_n now_o how_o few_o be_v there_o of_o our_o separatist_n who_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o talk_n how_o long_a time_n will_v they_o take_v to_o teach_v a_o countryman_n who_o be_v not_o book-learned_a what_o a_o symbolical_a ceremony_n be_v or_o to_o understand_v how_o our_o ceremony_n be_v transform_v into_o sacrament_n and_o yet_o whoever_o separate_v upon_o such_o account_n as_o these_o without_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o those_o terrible_a objection_n be_v most_o certain_o a_o schismatic_a and_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o than_o this_o to_o be_v know_v before_o man_n can_v justify_v their_o separation_n for_o suppose_v they_o shall_v discover_v some_o fault_n in_o our_o constitution_n they_o must_v further_o inquire_v whether_o these_o be_v only_o some_o tolerable_a defect_n and_o imperfection_n or_o whether_o they_o be_v sin_n whether_o they_o pollute_v the_o communicant_n and_o make_v communion_n unlawful_a whether_o they_o be_v only_o active_a or_o passive_a in_o it_o whether_o suppose_v the_o wear_n of_o a_o surplice_n be_v superstitious_a all_o that_o be_v present_a at_o the_o public_a prayer_n who_o disown_n such_o superstition_n be_v yet_o guilty_a of_o it_o and_o must_v separate_v to_o preserve_v their_o innocence_n and_o to_o declare_v their_o abomination_n of_o such_o superstition_n whether_o the_o child_n who_o be_v sign_v with_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n at_o baptism_n be_v ever_o the_o worse_a for_o it_o or_o whether_o the_o parent_n who_o dislike_v such_o a_o ceremony_n sin_n in_o submit_v their_o child_n to_o it_o in_o obedience_n to_o their_o superior_n or_o whether_o the_o fault_n be_v they_o who_o enjoin_v it_o these_o be_v matter_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o every_o ordinary_a capacity_n to_o determine_v and_o therefore_o though_o separation_n be_v in_o itself_o lawful_a very_o few_o man_n can_v separate_v lawful_o 6._o i_o shall_v add_v but_o one_o thing_n more_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o trial_n of_o these_o man_n honesty_n whether_o they_o separate_v upon_o true_a principle_n of_o conscience_n and_o that_o be_v by_o consider_v how_o they_o behave_v themselves_o towards_o their_o governor_n the_o conscience_n of_o any_o honest_a man_n especial_o when_o it_o dissent_v from_o public_a constitution_n be_v a_o very_a modest_a and_o peaceable_a principle_n such_o man_n think_v it_o very_o well_o if_o they_o have_v leave_v to_o dissent_v and_o quiet_o withdraw_v though_o they_o have_v not_o leave_v to_o vilify_v the_o establish_a religion_n nor_o undermine_v public_a constitution_n and_o though_o they_o can_v obtain_v thus_o much_o favour_n but_o be_v persecute_v for_o a_o good_a conscience_n yet_o they_o suffer_v patient_o after_o the_o example_n of_o their_o great_a master_n who_o when_o he_o be_v revile_v revile_v not_o again_o when_o he_o suffer_v threaten_v not_o but_o commit_v himself_o to_o he_o who_o judge_v righteous_o but_o a_o schismatic_a who_o conscience_n serve_v a_o interest_n must_v miss_v of_o his_o end_n if_o he_o suffer_v patient_o such_o be_v indeed_o as_o little_a in_o love_n with_o suffering_n as_o other_o man_n but_o yet_o they_o love_v to_o have_v some_o pretence_n or_o other_o to_o make_v a_o great_a noise_n and_o clamour_n about_o their_o suffering_n as_o it_o be_v observe_v of_o the_o schismatical_a donatist_n that_o there_o be_v several_a law_n make_v against_o that_o by_o optatum_fw-la theodosius_n the_o emperor_n and_o though_o none_o of_o those_o law_n be_v scarce_o ever_o execute_v yet_o they_o set_v up_o a_o mighty_a cry_n aggravate_v every_o little_a matter_n to_o cast_v a_o odium_fw-la upon_o the_o government_n complain_v that_o they_o be_v injurious_o handle_v that_o their_o cause_n be_v never_o fair_o hear_v and_o determine_v by_o its_o intrinsic_a merit_n but_o oppress_v with_o force_n and_o power_n and_o how_o parallel_n this_o story_n be_v to_o the_o case_n of_o some_o in_o these_o day_n i_o need_v not_o tell_v you_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o separate_v from_o our_o church_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o godly_a party_n who_o take_v as_o little_a care_n to_o govern_v their_o tongue_n or_o pen_n tho_o st._n james_n make_v this_o the_o character_n of_o a_o perfect_a man_n as_o any_o schsmaticks_n in_o the_o world_n ever_o do_v who_o neither_o express_v any_o regard_n to_o prince_n nor_o to_o truth_n and_o honesty_n if_o they_o can_v but_o serve_v their_o cause_n by_o cast_v dirt_n upon_o the_o government_n or_o blast_v the_o reputation_n of_o virtuous_a and_o peaceable_a man_n who_o will_v not_o
run_v headlong_o into_o the_o same_o excess_n with_o themselves_o i_o will_v not_o enlarge_v upon_o this_o argument_n lest_o tell_v plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n shall_v be_v call_v bitterness_n and_o rail_a for_o some_o man_n out_o of_o a_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n be_v guilty_a of_o such_o vile_a and_o lewd_a practice_n as_o they_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o hear_v of_o again_o and_o think_v themselves_o slander_v if_o they_o do_v all_o that_o i_o shall_v say_v of_o it_o be_v only_o this_o that_o a_o tender_a conscience_n never_o teach_v man_n to_o revile_v and_o reproach_v their_o governor_n but_o this_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n and_o character_n of_o the_o most_o infamous_a heretic_n and_o schismatic_n ever_o since_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n st._n jude_n give_v a_o great_a many_o hard_a word_n to_o some_o man_n in_o his_o day_n which_o i_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o apply_v to_o any_o in_o we_o who_o despise_v dominion_n and_o speak_v evil_a of_o dignity_n yet_o michael_n the_o archangel_n when_o contend_v with_o the_o devil_n he_o dispute_v about_o the_o body_n of_o moses_n dare_v not_o bring_v against_o he_o a_o rail_a accusation_n but_o say_v the_o lord_n rebuke_v thou_o but_o these_o speak_v evil_a of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v not_o woe_n unto_o they_o for_o they_o have_v go_v in_o the_o way_n of_o cain_n and_o run_v greedy_o after_o the_o error_n of_o balaam_n for_o reward_n and_o perish_v in_o the_o gainsaying_n of_o core_n these_o be_v spot_n in_o your_o feast_n of_o charity_n when_o they_o feast_v with_o you_o feed_v themselves_o without_o fear_n cloud_n be_v they_o without_o water_n carry_v about_o of_o wind_n tree_n who_o fruit_n wither_v without_o fruit_n twice_o dead_a pluck_v up_o by_o the_o root_n rage_v wave_n of_o the_o sea_n foam_v out_o their_o own_o shame_n wander_v star_n to_o who_o be_v reserve_v the_o blackness_n of_o darkness_n for_o ever_o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o that_o admirable_a rule_n of_o st._n austin_n in_o answer_n to_o parmenianus_n the_o donatist_n whoever_o correct_v what_o he_o can_v 2._o by_o reason_n and_o discourse_n and_o shut_v out_o or_o lays_z aside_o what_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o amendment_n as_o far_o as_o this_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o preservation_n of_o christian_a peace_n and_o unity_n and_o modest_o disallow_v and_o yet_o uphold_v what_o can_v be_v part_v with_o without_o break_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o true_a peacemaker_n sect_n ii_o contain_v some_o general_a consideration_n in_o order_n to_o remove_v those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o some_o have_v entertain_v against_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o shall_v now_o lay_v down_o some_o general_a principle_n which_o may_v contribute_v towards_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o man_n mind_n to_o remove_v their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o worship_n of_o our_o church_n the_o thing_n common_o object_v to_o drive_v away_o our_o people_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o parish_n church_n be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n the_o unlawfulness_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n the_o surplice_n the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n and_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n and_o such_o like_a which_o concern_v the_o use_n of_o some_o indifferent_a and_o uncommand_v thing_n in_o religious_a worship_n for_o we_o have_v always_o challenge_v our_o adversary_n to_o produce_v any_o one_o express_a law_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v contradict_v and_o break_v by_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n or_o the_o administration_n of_o our_o religious_a office_n they_o can_v never_o produce_v any_o yet_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a never_o can_v and_o if_o man_n will_v abuse_v and_o scare_v themselves_o with_o some_o fanciful_a application_n of_o scripture_n and_o remote_a and_o illogical_a consequence_n there_o be_v no_o help_n that_o i_o know_v of_o since_o it_o be_v a_o endless_a work_n to_o answer_v all_o such_o cavil_n for_o man_n who_o can_v make_v objection_n without_o any_o just_a reason_n may_v at_o the_o same_o rate_n return_n answer_v too_o without_o end_n therefore_o the_o best_a and_o short_a way_n i_o can_v think_v of_o be_v to_o lay_v down_o some_o such_o general_a consideration_n as_o may_v satisfy_v all_o honest_a and_o teachable_a mind_n that_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o raise_v objection_n against_o any_o thing_n yet_o those_o objection_n must_v prove_v fallacious_a which_o contradict_v other_o great_a and_o apparent_a truth_n and_o i_o shall_v reduce_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v to_o these_o four_o general_a head_n first_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n second_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n three_o the_o example_n of_o christ._n four_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostolic_a and_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n first_o let_v we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n for_o god_n be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n and_o that_o be_v the_o best_a worship_n which_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o his_o nature_n thus_o our_o saviour_n teach_v we_o to_o argue_v god_n be_v a_o spirit_n and_o they_o that_o 24._o worship_v he_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n and_o thus_o the_o wise_a man_n argue_v god_n be_v in_o heaven_n and_o thou_o upon_o 2._o earth_n therefore_o let_v thy_o word_n be_v few_o now_o to_o apply_v this_o brief_o to_o our_o present_a case_n can_v any_o man_n who_o consider_v what_o god_n be_v imagine_v that_o he_o will_v be_v displease_v with_o his_o creature_n for_o offer_v up_o their_o prayer_n and_o thanks-givings_a to_o he_o in_o a_o pious_a and_o sober_a form_n of_o word_n can_v god_n be_v please_v with_o the_o volubility_n of_o the_o tongue_n or_o quickness_n of_o fancy_n or_o variety_n of_o invention_n more_o than_o with_o devout_a affection_n than_o with_o a_o soul_n inflame_v with_o divine_a love_n and_o possess_v with_o a_o reverence_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n and_o offer_v up_o itself_o to_o he_o in_o few_o grave_n and_o considerate_a word_n will_v a_o father_n reject_v the_o petition_n of_o his_o child_n if_o as_o often_o as_o he_o want_v require_v he_o use_v the_o same_o word_n when_o he_o ask_v the_o same_o thing_n do_v a_o prince_n like_o a_o long_a extemporary_a harangue_n when_o his_o subject_n come_v to_o beg_v a_o boon_n of_o he_o or_o a_o short_a and_o well_o compose_v petition_n the_o wise_a man_n i_o be_o sure_a tell_v we_o that_o few_o and_o become_v word_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o more_o expressive_a of_o that_o distance_n which_o be_v between_o he_o and_o we_o and_o therefore_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o public_a worship_n which_o be_v only_o a_o external_a signification_n of_o the_o reverence_n and_o devotion_n of_o the_o mind_n prayer_n be_v a_o necessary_a part_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o be_v a_o duty_n incumbent_n on_o mankind_n before_o god_n make_v any_o other_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n than_o by_o natural_a reason_n and_o therefore_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n be_v a_o very_a proper_a judge_n in_o what_o manner_n we_o must_v pray_v to_o god_n unless_o there_o be_v a_o express_a positive_a law_n make_v about_o it_o revelation_n may_v suggest_v new_a matter_n for_o our_o prayer_n and_o direct_v we_o to_o pray_v to_o god_n in_o the_o powerful_a and_o prevail_a name_n of_o the_o holy_a jesus_n but_o word_n and_o posture_n and_o other_o external_a circumstance_n of_o prayer_n which_o be_v not_o express_o determine_v by_o revelation_n may_v be_v determine_v by_o humane_a prudence_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o rule_n for_o these_o matter_n before_o god_n reveal_v his_o will_n and_o if_o god_n have_v not_o alter_v this_o rule_n by_o a_o plain_a positive_a law_n it_o must_v be_v our_o rule_n still_o for_o we_o have_v no_o better_o and_o therefore_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n who_o be_v our_o supreme_a lawgiver_n and_o discover_v his_o will_n to_o we_o partly_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o partly_o by_o revelation_n shall_v be_v angry_a with_o his_o creature_n for_o follow_v the_o best_a reason_n they_o have_v nay_o for_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o public_a reason_n and_o authority_n of_o church_n and_o state_n whoever_o only_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n must_v certain_o judge_v it_o fit_a to_o meditate_v before_o hand_n and_o to_o take_v word_n with_o we_o when_o we_o approach_v the_o presence_n of_o so_o great_a a_o majesty_n than_o to_o venture_v say_v any_o thing_n which_o come_v next_o and_o neither_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n nor_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n condemn_v any_o external_a ceremony_n for_o decency_n and_o order_n and_o a_o useful_a signification_n but_o have_v teach_v all_o mankind_n to_o use_v they_o in_o all_o