unanimous_o agree_v upon_o this_o follow_a explanation_n to_o declare_v and_o witness_v to_o the_o world_n the_o perfect_a consistency_n of_o their_o religion_n both_o with_o civil_a government_n and_o civil_a society_n join_v also_o in_o the_o same_o paper_n the_o like_a expression_n of_o their_o belief_n concerning_o some_o few_o other_o point_n which_o they_o be_v inform_v to_o be_v more_o obnoxious_a to_o exception_n than_o the_o rest_n as_o the_o undervalue_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o overvalue_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n invocation_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o worship_n of_o image_n and_o above_o all_o the_o proud_a opinion_n of_o merit_n this_o paper_n they_o draw_v up_o as_o a_o preparatory_a to_o a_o more_o full_a and_o perfect_a clear_n of_o their_o faith_n from_o those_o prejudice_n and_o misunderstanding_n which_o ordinary_o man_n of_o different_a persuasion_n entertain_v especial_o in_o controversy_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o paper_n contain_v certain_a doctrine_n of_o the_o papist_n and_o by_o they_o deliver_v to_o divers_a person_n of_o quality_n for_o their_o particular_a satisfaction_n we_o believe_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a 16._o inspiration_n and_o infallible_a authority_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v therein_o contain_v we_o firm_o assent_v unto_o as_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o author_n of_o all_o truth_n but_o since_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unstable_a wrist_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n we_o therefore_o profess_v for_o the_o end_n of_o controversy_n in_o our_o religion_n and_o settle_v of_o peace_n in_o our_o conscience_n to_o submit_v our_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n represent_v in_o a_o free_a general_n council_n 2._o 17._o we_o humble_o believe_v the_o sacred_a mystery_n of_o the_o the_o bless_a trinity_n one_o eternal_a almighty_a and_o incomprehensible_a god_n who_o only_o we_o adore_v and_o worship_v as_o alone_o have_v sovereign_a dominion_n over_o all_o thing_n to_o who_o only_o we_o acknowledge_v as_o due_a from_o man_n and_o angle_n all_o glory_n service_n and_o obedience_n abhor_v from_o our_o heart_n as_o a_o most_o detestable_a sacrilege_n to_o give_v our_o creator_n honour_n to_o any_o creature_n whatsoever_o and_o therefore_o we_o solemn_o protest_v that_o by_o the_o prayer_n we_o address_v to_o angel_n and_o saint_n we_o intend_v no_o other_o than_o humble_o to_o solliciâ—e_n their_o assistance_n before_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n as_o we_o desire_v the_o prayer_n of_o one_o another_o here_o upon_o earth_n not_o that_o we_o hope_v any_o thing_n from_o they_o as_o original_a author_n thereof_o but_o from_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o only_a mediator_n and_o redeemer_n neither_o do_v we_o believe_v any_o divinity_n or_o virtue_n to_o be_v in_o image_n for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v worship_v as_o the_o gentile_n do_v their_o idol_n but_o we_o retain_v they_o with_o due_a and_o decent_a respect_n in_o our_o church_n as_o instrument_n which_o we_o find_v by_o experience_n do_v often_o assist_v our_o memory_n and_o excite_v our_o affection_n 3._o 24_o we_o firm_o believe_v that_o no_o force_n of_o nature_n nor_o dignity_n of_o our_o best_a work_n can_v merit_v our_o justification_n but_o we_o be_v justify_v free_o by_o grace_n through_o the_o redemption_n that_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o although_o we_o shall_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n persevere_v unto_o the_o end_n in_o a_o godly_a life_n and_o holy_a obedience_n to_o the_o commandment_n yet_o be_v our_o hope_n of_o eternal_a glory_n still_o build_v upon_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n jesus_n all_o other_o merit_n according_a to_o our_o sense_n of_o that_o word_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o action_n do_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n to_o which_o it_o have_v please_v his_o goodness_n to_o promise_v a_o reward_n a_o doctrine_n so_o far_o from_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o it_o be_v their_o principal_a design_n to_o invite_v and_o provoke_v we_o to_o a_o diligent_a observance_n of_o the_o commandment_n by_o promise_a heaven_n as_o the_o reward_n of_o our_o obedience_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 8._o godliness_n be_v profitable_a to_o all_o thing_n have_v the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o rom._n 2._o 6._o god_n will_v render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o deed_n to_o they_o who_o by_o patient_a confidence_n in_o well-doing_n seek_v for_o glory_n and_o honour_n and_o immortality_n eternal_a life_n and_o again_o rom._n 8._o 13._o if_o you_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n you_o shall_v die_v but_o if_o through_o the_o spirit_n you_o mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n you_o shall_v live_v and_o heb._n 6._o 10._o god_n be_v not_o unjust_a to_o forget_v your_o work_n and_o labour_n of_o love_n which_o you_o have_v show_v for_o his_o name_n etc._n etc._n nothing_o be_v so_o frequent_o repeat_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o his_o gracious_a promise_n to_o recompense_v with_o everlasting_a glory_n the_o say_v and_o obedience_n of_o his_o servant_n nor_o be_v the_o bounty_n of_o god_n bare_o according_a to_o our_o work_n but_o high_a and_o plentiful_a 38._o even_o beyond_o our_o capacity_n give_v full_a measure_n heap_v up_o press_v down_o and_o run_v over_o into_o the_o bosom_n of_o all_o that_o love_v he_o thus_o we_o believe_v the_o merit_n or_o rewardableness_n of_o holy_a live_n both_o which_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o we_o arise_v not_o from_o the_o self-valuâ—_z even_o of_o our_o best_a action_n as_o they_o be_v we_o but_o from_o the_o grace_n and_o bounty_n of_o god_n 10._o and_o for_o ourselves_o we_o sincere_o profess_v when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v command_v we_o we_o be_v unprofiâ—able_a servant_n have_v do_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o be_v our_o duty_n so_o that_o our_o â—oasting_n be_v not_o in_o ourselves_o but_o all_o our_o glory_v be_v in_o christ_n 4._o 13._o we_o firm_o believe_v and_o high_o reverence_v the_o moral_a law_n be_v so_o solemn_o deliver_v to_o moses_n upon_o the_o mount_n so_o express_o confirm_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o contain_v in_o itself_o so_o perfect_a a_o abridgement_n of_o our_o whole_a duty_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n which_o moral_a law_n we_o believe_v oblige_v all_o man_n to_o proceed_v with_o faithfulness_n and_o sincerity_n in_o their_o mutual_a contract_n one_o towards_o another_o and_o therefore_o our_o constant_a profession_n be_v that_o we_o be_v most_o strict_o and_o absolute_o bind_v to_o the_o exact_a and_o entire_a performance_n of_o our_o promise_n make_v to_o any_o person_n of_o what_o religion_n soever_o much_o more_o to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o civil_a power_n under_o who_o protection_n we_o live_v who_o we_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o obey_v not_o only_o for_o fear_n but_o conscience_n sake_n and_o to_o who_o we_o will_v most_o faithful_o observe_v our_o promise_n of_o duty_n and_o obedience_n notwithstanding_o any_o dispensation_n absolution_n or_o other_o proceed_n of_o any_o foreign_a power_n or_o authority_n whatsoever_o wherefore_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o renounce_v that_o false_a and_o scandalous_a position_n that_o faith_n be_v not_o to_o be_v keep_v with_o heretic_n as_o most_o uncharita_o impute_v to_o our_o practice_n and_o most_o unjust_o pin_v upon_o our_o religion_n these_o we_o sincere_o and_o solemn_o profess_v as_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n the_o searcher_n of_o all_o heart_n take_v the_o word_n plain_o and_o simple_o in_o their_o usual_a and_o familiar_a sense_n without_o any_o equivocation_n or_o mental_a reservation_n whatsoever_o these_o expression_n concerning_o four_o of_o the_o most_o offensive_a point_n wherein_o the_o papist_n differ_v from_o we_o have_v i_o confess_v give_v i_o a_o great_a and_o unexpected_a satisfaction_n and_o though_o i_o remain_v in_o the_o same_o mind_n as_o to_o the_o erroneousness_n of_o many_o of_o their_o tenet_n yet_o i_o see_v we_o may_v easy_o be_v too_o passionate_a in_o the_o degree_n of_o detest_v any_o different_a opinion_n since_o every_o error_n be_v not_o present_o to_o be_v censure_v as_o a_o unsufferable_a abomination_n and_o too_o severe_a in_o the_o degree_n of_o persecute_v the_o dissenter_n from_o our_o own_o judgement_n as_o if_o they_o be_v unworthy_a to_o breathe_v the_o same_o air_n with_o ourselves_o certain_o many_o protestant_n who_o quiet_o enjoy_v a_o just_a and_o unmolested_a freedom_n approach_v very_o near_o to_o the_o first_o assertion_n of_o the_o papist_n whilst_o some_o both_o writer_n and_o discourser_n profess_v to_o submit_v their_o private_a judgement_n unappealable_o to_o a_o truly-free_a general_n
benefit_n by_o teach_v to_o believe_v what_o appear_v untrue_a seem_v to_o i_o impossible_a to_o profess_v what_o we_o believe_v untrue_a i_o be_o sure_o be_v damnable_a 6._o as_o it_o be_v certain_a whosoever_o swerve_v from_o the_o dictate_n of_o his_o conscience_n commit_v a_o grievous_a sin_n rom._n 14._o so_o without_o question_n they_o that_o endeavour_n by_o force_n or_o artifice_n to_o draw_v any_o man_n to_o profess_v or_o act_v contrary_a to_o what_o his_o foul_a believe_v be_v as_o deep_o guilty_a of_o the_o same_o crime_n when_o you_o wound_v the_o weak_a conscience_n of_o your_o brethren_n you_o sin_n against_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 8._o 12._o how_o dangerous_o then_o do_v they_o expose_v themâ—elves_n to_o the_o just_a indignation_n of_o god_n who_o by_o oath_n imprisonment_n forfeiture_n etc._n etc._n both_o drive_v other_o and_o fall_v themselves_o into_o eternal_a perdition_n how_o desperate_o do_v they_o attempt_v to_o extinguish_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n which_o indispensable_o oblige_v all_o man_n to_o deal_v with_o other_o as_o they_o will_v be_v deal_v with_o themâ—elves_n a_o light_n place_v by_o god_n in_o clear_a and_o candid_a soul_n to_o shine_v and_o guide_v they_o but_o in_o black_a one_o to_o condemn_v and_o burn_v they_o i_o shall_v close_v this_o discourse_n with_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 14._o 13._o let_v we_o therefore_o use_v our_o judgement_n rather_o in_o this_o that_o no_o man_n put_v a_o stumble_a block_n before_o his_o brother_n 2._o unanswerable_a text_n of_o scripture_n against_o coercency_n in_o religion_n nor_o be_v these_o so_o excellent_a and_o important_a truth_n build_v only_o upon_o the_o firm_a foundation_n of_o solid_a reason_n but_o also_o upon_o the_o infallible_a authority_n of_o evident_a scripture_n 2_o tim._n 2._o 24._o etc._n etc._n the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n must_v not_o strive_v but_o be_v gentle_a unto_o all_o man_n apt_a to_o teach_v forbear_v in_o meekness_n instruct_v those_o that_o be_v contrary-minded_a if_o god_n per_fw-la adventure_n will_v give_v they_o repentance_n to_o the_o acknowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v recover_v themselves_o out_o of_o the_o snare_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o be_v take_v captive_a by_o he_o at_o his_o will_n and_o another_o apostle_n forbid_v we_o to_o condemn_v one_o another_o say_v james_n 4._o 12._o there_o be_v one_o lawgiver_n who_o be_v able_a to_o save_v and_o to_o destroy_v who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o and_o in_o paul_n to_o the_o roman_n 14._o 4._o who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o servant_n to_o his_o own_o master_n he_o stand_v or_o fall_v yea_o he_o shall_v be_v hold_v up_o for_o god_n be_v able_a to_o make_v he_o stand_v one_o man_n esteem_v one_o day_n above_o another_o another_o esteem_v every_o day_n alike_o let_v every_o man_n be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n have_v thou_o faith_n have_v it_o to_o thyself_o before_o god_n happy_a be_v he_o that_o condemn_v not_o himself_o in_o that_o which_o he_o allow_v that_o be_v who_o conscience_n inward_o accuse_v not_o his_o outward_a profession_n the_o same_o most_o zealous_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n return_v so_o condescend_v and_o moderate_a a_o answer_n to_o a_o case_n of_o a_o far_o hard_a sound_n than_o we_o undertake_v to_o maintain_v that_o it_o sufficient_o prove_v he_o take_v his_o gentle_a pen_n from_o the_o soft_a wing_n of_o the_o dove_n 1_o cor._n 7._o 12._o etc._n etc._n if_o any_o brother_n have_v a_o wife_n that_o believe_v not_o and_o she_o be_v please_v to_o dwell_v with_o he_o let_v he_o not_o put_v she_o away_o and_o the_o woman_n that_o have_v a_o husband_n that_o believe_v not_o and_o he_o be_v please_v to_o dwell_v with_o she_o let_v she_o not_o leave_v he_o but_o if_o the_o unbelieving_a depart_v let_v he_o depart_v a_o brother_n or_o a_o sister_n be_v not_o in_o bondage_n in_o such_o case_n but_o god_n have_v call_v we_o to_o peace_n for_o what_o know_v thou_o o_o wife_n whether_o thou_o shall_v save_v thy_o husband_n and_o what_o know_v thou_o o_o man_n whether_o thou_o shall_v save_v thy_o wife_n as_o god_n have_v distribute_v to_o every_o man_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v every_o one_o so_o let_v he_o walk_v and_o so_o ordain_v i_o in_o all_o church_n what_o can_v be_v say_v more_o efficacious_o to_o oblige_v christian_n in_o charity_n and_o meekness_n to_o forbear_v one_o another_o than_o so_o express_v a_o injunction_n of_o so_o great_a a_o apostle_n to_o live_v peaceable_o even_o with_o a_o infidel_n and_o again_o 2_o cor._n 1._o 24._o he_o deny_v that_o even_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v any_o sovereignty_n over_o the_o conscience_n but_o only_a commission_n to_o assist_v the_o conscientious_a not_o that_o we_o have_v say_v he_o to_o the_o corinthian_n dominion_n over_o your_o faith_n but_o be_v helper_n of_o your_o joy_n therein_o exact_o observe_v the_o order_n which_o christ_n give_v to_o his_o apostle_n go_v and_o teach_v not_o compel_v and_o if_o any_o one_o receive_v you_o not_o shake_v off_o the_o dust_n of_o your_o foot_n not_o trample_v upon_o they_o as_o dust_n under_o foot_n mat._n 10._o 14._o constaut_n to_o which_o doctrine_n of_o meekness_n our_o saviour_n thus_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n mat._n 23._o 9_o be_v not_o call_v rabbi_n that_o be_v master_n in_o spiritual_a matter_n for_o one_o be_v your_o master_n even_o christ_n and_o all_o you_o be_v brethren_n to_o this_o belong_v the_o patient_a forbear_v the_o tare_n and_o let_v they_o grow_v together_o with_o the_o wheat_n till_o the_o time_n of_o harvest_n as_o also_o that_o admirable_a precedent_n of_o mildness_n towards_o the_o samaritan_n who_o refuse_v to_o receive_v even_o christ_n himself_o whereupon_o the_o disciple_n james_n and_o john_n will_v immediate_o command_v fire_n from_o heaven_n to_o consume_v they_o as_o in_o the_o day_n of_o elias_n but_o our_o merciful_a lord_n rebuke_v their_o zeal_n with_o this_o sweet_a and_o tender_a reply_n you_o know_v not_o what_o manner_n of_o spirit_n you_o be_v of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v not_o come_v to_o destroy_v man_n life_n but_o to_o save_v they_o luk._n 9_o 54._o which_o one_o example_n abundant_o satisfy_v all_o objection_n draw_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o elias_n jehu_n the_o son_n of_o levi_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o as_o they_o have_v a_o express_a command_n from_o god_n to_o warrant_v their_o zeal_n we_o have_v a_o express_a warrant_n from_o christ_n to_o command_v we_o meekness_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v shuffle_v in_o a_o suspicion_n that_o this_o moderate_a temper_n be_v mean_v only_o for_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o the_o christian_n have_v no_o temporal_a power_n let_v he_o first_o confess_v that_o those_o be_v the_o best_a and_o pure_a time_n and_o then_o show_v a_o warrant_n dormant_a under_o our_o saviour_n hand_n that_o be_v in_o his_o gospel_n to_o commissionate_v his_o disciple_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o shall_v get_v the_o sword_n into_o their_o hand_n to_o cut_v the_o throat_n of_o all_o disobeyer_n and_o i_o submit_v but_o if_o they_o can_v cite_v no_o such_o authority_n let_v they_o free_o acknowledge_v that_o persecution_n for_o conscience_n be_v a_o unwarrantable_a tyranny_n over_o the_o just_a privilege_n and_o liberty_n of_o a_o christian_a 3._o our_o own_o priuciple_n against_o constraint_n upon_o the_o conscience_n consonant_a to_o these_o reason_n and_o clear_a text_n of_o scripture_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o all_o the_o godly_a and_o well-affected_a of_o this_o nation_n to_o begin_v with_o they_o to_o who_o we_o owe_v this_o liberty_n of_o discourse_v the_o unparelleled_a army_n in_o all_o who_o proceed_n and_o declaration_n especial_o since_o manage_v by_o the_o prodigious_o successful_a hand_n of_o the_o two_o late_a general_n their_o motto_n have_v be_v liberty_n to_o all_o tender_a and_o oppress_a conscience_n the_o glory_n of_o which_o so_o dazzle_v the_o eye_n of_o our_o enemy_n and_o encourage_v the_o heart_n of_o our_o friend_n that_o notwithstanding_o whatever_o other_o disadvantage_n we_o still_o find_v the_o author_n of_o our_o victory_n mindful_a of_o the_o word_n which_o himself_o give_v to_o our_o army_n the_o meek_a shall_v inherit_v the_o land_n of_o which_o short_a text_n write_v in_o our_o ensign_n we_o may_v read_v a_o clear_a and_o perfect_a commentary_n in_o the_o proposal_n of_o the_o same_o still-triumph_a army_n 1_o aug._n 1647._o when_o penetrate_v exact_o into_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n they_o prudent_o distinguish_v between_o quiet_a exerciser_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o active_a prejudicer_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o thereupon_o offer_v their_o earnest_a desire_n that_o all_o coâ—rcive_a power_n and_o all_o civil_a penalty_n for_o nonconformity_n be_v whole_o repeal_v and_o some_o other_o provision_n make_v against_o
needs_o appear_v the_o most_o harsh_a and_o severe_a proceed_n that_o ever_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o world_n wherefore_o i_o shall_v close_v this_o second_o letter_n with_o my_o humble_a prayer_n to_o the_o gracious_a redeemer_n of_o our_o soul_n that_o you_o will_v cease_v to_o impute_v all_o our_o fault_n to_o our_o religion_n and_o we_o begin_v to_o commit_v no_o other_o fault_n but_o our_o religion_n so_o shall_v we_o happy_o overcome_v our_o own_o infirmity_n and_o full_o satisfy_v your_o jealousy_n when_o i_o have_v well_o peruse_v this_o gentleman_n discourse_n and_o attentive_o read_v his_o letter_n i_o must_v free_o confess_v i_o can_v not_o have_v believe_v that_o either_o the_o papist_n have_v suffer_v so_o much_o from_o we_o or_o be_v able_a to_o say_v so_o much_o for_o themselves_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v in_o order_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o our_o persecution_n since_o real_o to_o my_o understanding_n our_o 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break_v promise_n or_o oath_n make_v to_o any_o of_o the_o foresay_a person_n under_o pretence_n that_o they_o be_v heretic_n these_o they_o utter_o disclaim_v and_o renounce_v as_o no_o part_n of_o their_o belief_n profess_v under_o their_o hand_n their_o readiness_n to_o abjure_v if_o the_o state_n shall_v so_o require_v the_o pracâ—ise_n and_o execution_n of_o they_o all_o which_o give_v i_o so_o much_o the_o more_o satisfaction_n by_o how_o much_o it_o be_v beside_o my_o expectation_n nor_o have_v i_o now_o any_o thing_n to_o say_v against_o they_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o consider_v these_o difference_n between_o we_o impartial_o our_o suspicion_n be_v not_o only_o confute_v â—ut_o shame_v by_o own_o daily_a experience_n for_o we_o trust_v paâ—ists_n in_o all_o negotiation_n as_o indifferent_o as_o protestant_n â—ay_v even_o our_o traveller_n and_o merchant_n beyond_o sea_n where_o the_o papist_n be_v master_n converse_v and_o traffic_v â—ecurely_o with_o 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so_o prudent_o for_o the_o just_a security_n of_o the_o people_n against_o the_o unjust_a encroachment_n of_o prerogative_n from_o who_o have_v all_o those_o excellent_a custom_n and_o statute_n of_o this_o nation_n descend_v upon_o we_o be_v it_o possible_a we_o shall_v derive_v all_o the_o ancient_a privilege_n of_o parliament_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o subject_a contain_v in_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la etc._n etc._n from_o the_o time_n their_o religion_n govern_v the_o land_n and_o yet_o say_v now_o their_o religion_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o land_n as_o it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o sometime_o the_o pope_n power_n here_o be_v abuse_v to_o support_v a_o temporal_a interest_n so_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o those_o that_o know_v history_n that_o his_o mediation_n have_v be_v avaliable_a both_o for_o the_o prevent_v and_o reconcile_n of_o our_o difference_n as_o well_o with_o ouâ—_n neighbour_a kingdom_n as_o among_o ourselves_o nor_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o model_n of_o government_n shall_v be_v absolute_o proof_n against_o all_o exception_n but_o 〈◊〉_d the_o experience_n of_o five_o or_o six_o hundred_o year_n some_o abuseâ—_n will_v certain_o happen_v whence_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o a_o severe_a observer_n to_o gather_v objection_n enough_o to_o puzzle_v the_o mosâ—_n able_a and_o politic_a statist_n in_o the_o world_n to_o answer_v especial_o if_o they_o be_v manage_v with_o dexterity_n and_o eloquence_n aâ—mongst_a a_o half_a witted_a and_o stubborn_a people_n who_o neitheâ—_z can_v guide_v themselves_o nor_o will_v be_v lead_v by_o other_o nor_o blind_a enough_o to_o be_v ignorant_a where_o they_o be_v and_o yet_o too_o short_a sighted_a to_o see_v whether_o they_o go_v unhappy_a chief_o in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v tender_a in_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o present_a evil_n and_o whole_o incapable_a of_o foresee_v the_o destruction_n that_o follow_v their_o impatience_n hear_v what_o be_v say_v charitable_o of_o the_o papist_n in_o the_o foresay_a examination_n of_o the_o late_a synod_n confession_n of_o faith_n p._n 266._o the_o papist_n believe_v in_o the_o same_o god_n with_o the_o protestant_n even_o in_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n though_o they_o differ_v in_o some_o article_n or_o branch_n of_o article_n of_o their_o belief_n and_o in_o their_o way_n of_o worship_n yea_o some_o of_o the_o papist_n be_v regenerate_v conscientious_a and_o virtuous_a person_n wherefore_o i_o humble_o conceive_v our_o magistrate_n and_o minister_n ought_v sincere_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o make_v a_o conscience_n of_o judge_v or_o preach_v otherwise_o then_o secundum_fw-la probato_fw-la and_o not_o upon_o bare_a jealousy_n or_o the_o blind_a opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a condemn_v any_o freeborn_a member_n of_o this_o nation_n far_o than_o he_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v guilty_a nor_o do_v i_o helieve_v it_o reasonable_a to_o charge_v every_o unjustifiable_a action_n of_o particular_a papist_n or_o extravagant_a opinion_n of_o any_o private_a writer_n among_o they_o upon_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o their_o religion_n the_o decree_n of_o their_o counsel_n they_o profess_v to_o be_v the_o only_o absolute_a declarer_n of_o their_o faith_n among_o who_o determination_n there_o be_v fault_n enough_o which_o they_o strive_v to_o defend_v no_o need_n of_o impose_v upon_o they_o error_n which_o they_o flat_o deny_v let_v we_o lay_v our_o hand_n upon_o our_o own_o heat_n we_o ourselves_o want_v not_o our_o caprice_n and_o exorbitant_a conceit_n which_o ought_v â—ot_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o whole_a reform_a religion_n but_o to_o the_o imperfection_n of_o human_a nature_n easy_o deceive_v with_o the_o colour_n of_o truth_n and_o passionate_o in_o love_n with_o its_o own_o invention_n beside_o instead_o of_o jealousy_n and_o danger_n i_o can_v see_v but_o great_a security_n and_o advantage_n will_v accrue_v to_o this_o nation_n by_o treat_v in_o mercy_n all_o peaceable_a papist_n the_o pope_n will_v
and_o a_o profane_a tongue_n utter_v as_o ranter_n antiâ—rinitarians_n and_o the_o like_a what_o can_v be_v more_o destructive_a to_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n than_o the_o profane_a and_o scandalous_a blasphemy_n of_o mr._n fry_n a_o late_a member_n of_o parliament_n who_o public_o in_o print_n not_o only_o deny_v but_o deride_v that_o supreme_a mystery_n of_o christian_a religio_fw-la the_o sacred_a trinity_n call_v it_o a_o chaffy_a and_o absurd_a opinion_n etc._n etc._n yet_o the_o mercy_n of_o the_o parliament_n content_v itself_o with_o a_o moderate_a and_o favourable_a punishment_n exclude_v he_o only_o from_o sit_v among_o they_o and_o if_o his_o dignity_n and_o public_a character_n have_v not_o render_v he_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o crime_n of_o scandal_n he_o may_v perhaps_o have_v remain_v as_o free_a from_o trouble_n as_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o opinion_n do_v who_o never_o yet_o have_v suffer_v the_o least_o molestation_n for_o the_o great_a 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1650._o at_o the_o than_o french-agent_n in_o long-acre_n and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o direct_a proof_n that_o they_o be_v at_o mass_n but_o at_o matin_n or_o prayer_n before_o mass_n yet_o colonel_n baxter_n do_v maintain_v against_o some_o other_o of_o the_o justice_n that_o matin_n and_o mass_n be_v all_o one_o and_o so_o the_o gentleman_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v fine_v one_o hundred_o mark_n apiece_o and_o send_v to_o prison_n according_a to_o the_o rigor_n of_o the_o statute_n in_o that_o behalf_n former_o make_v the_o severity_n of_o which_o last_o proceed_v and_o the_o partiality_n of_o the_o first_o need_v no_o comment_n why_o must_v the_o papist_n be_v thus_o single_v out_o from_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o peremptory_o force_v to_o this_o hard_a choice_n of_o either_o forfeit_v his_o estate_n or_o forsake_v his_o conscience_n if_o we_o fear_v their_o increase_n we_o overvalue_v their_o religion_n if_o we_o doubt_v their_o disturb_v we_o we_o undervalue_v our_o own_o 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know_v that_o their_o master_n also_o be_v in_o heaven_n neither_o be_v there_o respect_n of_o person_n with_o he_o thus_o clear_o do_v the_o word_n of_o god_n condemn_v as_o well_o harshness_n and_o cruelty_n in_o governor_n as_o stubbornness_n and_o treachery_n in_o subject_n so_o that_o there_o be_v also_o a_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n requifite_n on_o the_o magistrate_n part_n to_o proceed_v sincere_o and_o pure_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o people_n that_o he_o may_v true_o say_v with_o the_o apostle_n i_o seek_v not_o you_o but_o you_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 1._o and_o again_o vers._n 17._o do_v i_o make_v a_o gain_n of_o you_o by_o any_o of_o they_o who_o i_o send_v unto_o you_o in_o which_o two_o line_n we_o be_v plain_o advertise_v of_o the_o chief_a danger_n which_o superior_n ought_v careful_o to_o avoid_v that_o neither_o themselves_o nor_o their_o under_o officer_n make_v a_o profit_n of_o man_n conscience_n concerning_o matter_n of_o religion_n since_o therefore_o the_o 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rule_v in_o punish_v a_o gentle_a one_o it_o be_v indeed_o but_o powerful_a to_o thes._n 3._o 6._o witbdraw_v from_o such_o a_o one_o that_o he_o may_v be_v ashamed_a and_o verse_n 15._o esteem_v he_o not_o a_o enemy_n but_o corrâ—ct_n he_o as_o a_o brother_n at_o worst_a rebuke_v he_o sharp_o tit_n 1._o 13._o and_o after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v he_o tit._n 3._o 10._o that_o be_v leave_v he_o to_o the_o hardness_n of_o heart_n if_o his_o conscience_n grow_v tender_a it_o will_v check_v if_o obdurate_a he_o will_v soon_o break_v out_o into_o lewdness_n and_o then_o be_v just_o punâ—shable_a by_o the_o law_n as_o other_o criminal_a malefactor_n only_o we_o must_v be_v careful_a not_o to_o anticipate_v his_o condemnation_n before_o he_o be_v legal_o convince_v of_o some_o actual_a offence_n against_o the_o public_a repose_n if_o we_o suspect_v the_o disaffection_n of_o any_o party_n as_o the_o papist_n let_v we_o first_o make_v it_o their_o interest_n to_o love_v