when_o the_o dort_n opinion_n be_v very_o predominant_a among_o many_o divine_n of_o this_o church_n they_o use_v it_o may_v be_v a_o little_a more_o scholastic_a subtlety_n to_o reconcile_v their_o own_o opinion_n with_o these_o article_n but_o never_o condemn_v the_o latter_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o former_a and_o at_o this_o day_n divers_a good_a man_n be_v in_o the_o service_n of_o this_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o private_a judgement_n of_o the_o dort_n persuasion_n and_o yet_o never_o think_v their_o subscription_n to_o these_o article_n do_v any_o violence_n to_o their_o conscience_n or_o judgement_n therefore_o this_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n of_o our_o trouble_n nor_o ground_n of_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n a_o second_o pretence_n against_o this_o church_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_o purge_v from_o the_o dross_n of_o popish_a superstition_n that_o it_o come_v too_o near_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o so_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o be_v 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in_o this_o suggestion_n for_o 1._o it_o be_v certain_a there_o have_v be_v little_a or_o no_o alteration_n make_v in_o either_o the_o doctrine_n discipline_n or_o liturgy_n since_o the_o first_o reformation_n and_o therefore_o if_o either_o of_o they_o incline_v too_o much_o that_o way_n they_o do_v so_o from_o the_o beginning_n now_o that_o which_o i_o inquire_v into_o be_v what_o shall_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o late_a revolt_n and_o separation_n from_o this_o church_n or_o what_o shall_v make_v that_o discernible_a change_n in_o man_n affection_n towards_o it_o from_o what_o be_v in_o the_o former_a age_n and_o he_o that_o tell_v i_o it_o be_v popish_o constitute_v at_o first_o gives_z indeed_o a_o reason_n if_o it_o be_v true_a why_o this_o reformation_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v entertain_v at_o first_o but_o do_v not_o assign_v a_o cause_n why_o those_o shall_v depart_v from_o it_o now_o that_o have_v embrace_v it_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n former_o he_o therefore_o that_o 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know_a story_n he_o to_o deride_v the_o conceit_a folly_n of_o the_o age_n expose_v to_o public_a view_n a_o masterpiece_n of_o his_o work_n and_o as_o it_o usual_o happen_v that_o every_o body_n pretend_v to_o skill_n in_o reform_v by_o the_o encouragement_n of_o the_o proverb_n that_o say_v facile_fw-la est_fw-la inventu_fw-la addere_fw-la scarce_o any_o person_n that_o pass_v by_o but_o spend_v their_o verdict_n upon_o the_o picture_n all_o commend_v it_o in_o the_o general_n yet_o to_o give_v some_o special_a instance_n of_o their_o skill_n every_o one_o find_v some_o fault_n or_o other_o one_o will_v have_v have_v more_o shadow_n another_o less_o one_o commend_v the_o eye_n but_o blame_v a_o lip_n etc._n etc._n the_o subtle_a artist_n observe_v all_o and_o still_o as_o any_o passenger_n have_v shoot_v his_o bolt_n alter_v the_o picture_n according_o the_o result_n be_v that_o at_o last_o by_o so_o many_o reformation_n it_o become_v so_o deform_v and_o monstrous_a a_o piece_n that_o not_o only_o wise_a man_n but_o these_o vulgar_a reformer_n themselves_o wonder_v at_o it_o and_o can_v now_o discern_v nothing_o worthy_a so_o fame_v a_o artist_n he_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o right_v himself_o produce_v another_o piece_n of_o the_o same_o beauty_n and_o art_n which_o he_o have_v hitherto_o keep_v up_o by_o he_o and_o have_v escape_v their_o censure_n and_o upbraid_v they_o thus_o hanc_fw-la ego_fw-la feci_fw-la istam_fw-la populus_fw-la this_o latter_a be_v my_o work_n the_o other_o be_v a_o monster_n of_o your_o own_o make_n this_o be_v our_o case_n christian_a religion_n be_v by_o holy_a and_o wise_a man_n our_o reformer_n devest_v of_o those_o gaudy_a and_o meretricious_a accoutrement_n the_o romanist_n have_v dress_v she_o up_o in_o and_o habited_z according_a to_o primitive_a simplicity_n but_o this_o will_v not_o please_v every_o body_n every_o sect_n and_o party_n will_v have_v something_o or_o other_o add_v or_o alter_v according_a to_o their_o several_a fancy_n and_o hypothesis_n which_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v allow_v the_o opinion_n of_o man_n be_v so_o contrary_a one_o to_o another_o as_o well_o as_o to_o truth_n the_o true_a lineament_n of_o christianity_n will_v quite_o be_v lose_v upon_o this_o consideration_n have_v not_o this_o church_n be_v very_o fond_a of_o alteration_n but_o to_o all_o this_o it_o be_v likely_a it_o will_v be_v reply_v that_o now_o we_o have_v more_o light_n and_o discover_v blemish_n and_o deformity_n which_o though_o they_o be_v before_o yet_o we_o can_v not_o discern_v when_o ourselves_o come_v out_o of_o the_o dark_a den_n of_o popery_n at_o first_o like_o the_o man_n under_o cure_n of_o his_o blindness_n mark_v 8._o 24._o we_o see_v man_n as_o tree_n walk_v we_o discover_v only_o some_o more_o palpable_a error_n but_o now_o we_o discern_v though_o lesser_a yet_o not_o tolerable_a deformity_n 2._o to_o this_o therefore_o i_o answer_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o it_o be_v certain_a all_o be_v not_o to_o be_v esteem_v popery_n that_o be_v hold_v or_o practise_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o it_o can_v be_v our_o duty_n as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o to_o depart_v further_o from_o she_o than_o she_o have_v depart_v from_o the_o truth_n for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v our_o duty_n to_o forsake_v christianity_n itself_o in_o detestation_n of_o popery_n to_o reform_v be_v not_o sure_o to_o cast_v away_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o use_n before_o unless_o barbarism_n be_v the_o only_a through_o reformation_n the_o historian_n observe_v of_o those_o that_o spoil_v province_n and_o ransack_v kingdom_n ubi_fw-la solitudinem_fw-la fecere_fw-la pacem_fw-la appellant_n when_o they_o have_v convert_v a_o flourish_a country_n into_o a_o desolate_a wilderness_n they_o call_v this_o a_o profound_a peace_n but_o sure_a to_o reform_v be_v not_o to_o destroy_v and_o lay_v waste_n but_o to_o amend_v unless_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o she_o hold_v or_o practice_n any_o thing_n false_a or_o sinful_a it_o will_v little_o avail_v they_o that_o object_n against_o she_o and_o as_o little_o be_v any_o blemish_n to_o her_o constitution_n that_o in_o some_o thing_n she_o concur_v with_o the_o roman_a nor_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o say_v such_o a_o thing_n be_v receive_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n mere_o because_o there_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v unless_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v no_o where_o else_o for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o many_o thing_n be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o church_n in_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v church_n of_o christ_n at_o all_o else_o yet_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o agree_v be_v such_o and_o no_o other_o as_o be_v receive_v general_o by_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o by_o the_o roman_a
what_o age_n soever_o do_v not_o think_v themselves_o at_o year_n of_o discretion_n enough_o to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n upon_o and_o prescribe_v to_o the_o body_n politic_a whether_o church_n or_o state_n though_o it_o usual_o happen_v that_o such_o empiric_n either_o to_o show_v their_o wit_n suspect_v distemper_n where_o there_o be_v none_o make_v they_o or_o while_o they_o rash_o adventure_v quiet_a a_o movere_fw-la and_o like_o englishman_n will_v be_v always_o mend_v they_o make_v work_v for_o better_a skill_n than_o their_o own_o or_o last_o if_o they_o discover_v some_o small_a matter_n amiss_o mistake_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o not_o only_o lose_v their_o time_n and_o labour_n which_o will_v be_v easy_o pardonable_a but_o exhaust_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o patient_n with_o improper_a medicine_n and_o purge_v out_o the_o good_a and_o useful_a juice_n as_o noxious_a humour_n and_o so_o the_o physician_n become_v far_o the_o great_a disease_n of_o the_o two_o that_o our_o church_n be_v of_o a_o sound_n and_o healthful_a constitution_n and_o may_v have_v continue_v so_o have_v it_o not_o meet_v with_o this_o fortune_n i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o though_o brief_o manifest_v in_o the_o forego_n introduction_n but_o some_o man_n either_o love_v to_o be_v always_o reform_v or_o have_v first_o separate_v from_o it_o that_o they_o may_v either_o commend_v their_o own_o skill_n or_o justify_v their_o own_o fact_n must_v accuse_v the_o church_n we_o read_v of_o brutus_n that_o have_v kill_v caesar_n he_o be_v always_o after_o inveigh_v against_o he_o as_o a_o tyrant_n ità _fw-la enim_fw-la facto_fw-la ejus_fw-la expediebat_fw-la say_v the_o historian_n it_o be_v expedient_a he_o shall_v call_v caesar_n tyrant_n for_o otherwise_o himself_o must_v be_v a_o notorious_a traitor_n so_o these_o man_n though_o the_o great_a disorder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o what_o themselves_o have_v make_v must_v find_v fault_n that_o they_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o have_v raise_v all_o the_o dust_n and_o withdraw_v themselves_o and_o other_o from_o it_o without_o cause_n 1._o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n be_v blame_v though_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o be_v of_o so_o little_a discretion_n as_o to_o bring_v in_o this_o charge_n and_o those_o that_o be_v will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v it_o the_o main_a if_o not_o the_o only_a thing_n except_v against_o in_o this_o kind_n be_v that_o the_o thirty_o nine_o article_n be_v not_o so_o punctual_a in_o define_v the_o five_o point_n debate_v at_o the_o synod_n of_o dort_n as_o they_o can_v wish_v but_o this_o though_o it_o neither_o need_v nor_o deserve_v a_o answer_n yet_o i_o shall_v reply_v these_o two_o thing_n to_o it_o first_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n as_o with_o common_a art_n and_o science_n which_o depend_v upon_o humane_a wit_n and_o invention_n and_o consequent_o be_v capable_a of_o daily_a improvement_n for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n have_v not_o a_o intuitive_a knowledge_n but_o proceed_v by_o way_n of_o discourse_n discover_v one_o thing_n by_o another_o and_o infer_v thing_n from_o one_o another_o so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o nè_fw-la plus_fw-la ultrà _fw-la in_o those_o thing_n but_o daily_o new_a discovery_n &_o dies_fw-la diem_fw-la docet_fw-la whereto_o accord_v the_o say_n of_o wise_a man_n antiquitas_fw-la saeculi_fw-la est_fw-la juventus_fw-la mundi_fw-la that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o old_a world_n be_v but_o indeed_o the_o infancy_n of_o knowledge_n and_o the_o latter_a time_n must_v needs_o have_v as_o much_o the_o advantage_n of_o truth_n as_o they_o have_v of_o deliberation_n and_o experiment_n but_o it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o with_o christianity_n for_o that_o depend_v sole_o upon_o divine_a revelation_n can_v admit_v of_o no_o new_a discovery_n time_n may_v obscure_v it_o and_o the_o busy_a wit_n of_o man_n may_v perplex_v and_o confound_v it_o with_o its_o invention_n but_o can_v never_o discover_v any_o thing_n new_a or_o bring_v to_o light_v any_o truth_n that_o be_v not_o so_o from_o the_o beginning_n for_o if_o we_o admit_v of_o new_a revelation_n we_o lose_v the_o old_a and_o our_o religion_n together_o we_o accuse_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o if_o they_o have_v not_o sufficient_o reveal_v god_n mind_n to_o the_o world_n and_o we_o incur_v st._n paul_n anathema_n which_o he_o denounce_v against_o he_o whosoever_o it_o shall_v be_v nay_o if_o a_o anger_n from_o heaven_n that_o shall_v preach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n than_o what_o have_v be_v receive_v and_o st._n judas_n have_v tell_v we_o the_o faith_n be_v once_o that_o be_v either_o at_o once_o or_o once_o for_o all_o deliver_v to_o or_o by_o the_o saint_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v pretend_v a_o private_a spirit_n or_o revelation_n to_o discover_v and_o interpret_v what_o be_v before_o deliver_v we_o do_v as_o bad_a we_o suppose_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o deliver_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n and_o we_o open_v a_o gap_n for_o all_o imposture_n and_o delusion_n perpetual_o to_o infest_v and_o corrupt_a christian_a doctrine_n the_o consequence_n of_o these_o premise_n be_v that_o contrary_a to_o what_o i_o affirm_v before_o of_o other_o science_n the_o elder_a any_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o true_a and_o according_o deserve_v the_o great_a veneration_n from_o we_o as_o come_v near_o the_o fountain_n of_o evangelical_n truth_n divine_a revelation_n and_o that_o he_o that_o talk_v of_o more_o clear_a light_n of_o the_o latter_a time_n and_o clear_a discovery_n in_o religion_n talk_v as_o foolish_o as_o he_o that_o shall_v affirm_v he_o can_v discern_v thing_n better_o at_o a_o mile_n distance_n than_o the_o man_n that_o have_v as_o good_a eye_n as_o himself_o and_o yet_o stand_v close_o by_o the_o object_n this_o be_v so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o excellency_n and_o great_a commendation_n of_o this_o church_n that_o her_o article_n of_o doctrine_n agree_v better_o with_o the_o first_o time_n of_o christianity_n than_o the_o last_o age_n and_o be_v a_o irrefragable_a argument_n that_o she_o derive_v it_o not_o from_o any_o lake_n or_o low_a stream_n trouble_v and_o mud_v with_o man_n passion_n and_o dispute_n but_o from_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o from_o those_o who_o certain_o have_v best_o advantage_n of_o understand_v it_o in_o its_o own_o simplicity_n the_o primitive_a church_n that_o no_o one_o father_n or_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o greek_n or_o latin_a before_o st._n augustine_n time_n agree_v in_o doctrine_n with_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o dort_n be_v so_o notorious_o plain_a that_o it_o need_v no_o proof_n nor_o can_v be_v deny_v and_o if_o he_o i_o mean_v st._n austin_n agree_v therewith_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o so_o do_v he_o disagree_v as_o much_o with_o himself_o as_o he_o do_v with_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o what_o if_o st._n austin_n a_o devout_a good_a man_n but_o who_o piety_n be_v far_o more_o commendable_a than_o his_o reason_n be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o by_o the_o manichee_n on_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o pelagian_n on_o the_o other_o be_v not_o able_a to_o extricate_v himself_o who_o can_v help_v it_o shall_v his_o opinion_n and_o that_o which_o he_o be_v rather_o force_v into_o by_o disputation_n than_o make_v choice_n of_o but_o especial_o shall_v the_o determination_n of_o a_o few_o divine_n at_o dort_n vie_v with_o the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n or_o make_v that_o a_o imputation_n upon_o our_o church_n which_o be_v real_o among_o its_o glory_n must_v a_o novel_a dutch_a synod_n prescribe_v doctrine_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o outweigh_v all_o antiquity_n shall_v those_o that_o know_v not_o how_o god_n can_v be_v just_a unless_o he_o be_v cruel_a nor_o great_a unless_o he_o decree_v to_o damn_v the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n that_o can_v not_o tell_v how_o man_n shall_v be_v keep_v humble_a unless_o they_o make_v he_o not_o a_o man_n but_o a_o stock_n or_o stone_n shall_v i_o say_v such_o man_n and_o such_o opinion_n confront_v the_o ancient_n catholic_n apostolic_a faith_n hold_v forth_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n second_o the_o article_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n do_v with_o such_o admirable_a prudence_n and_o wariness_n handle_v these_o point_n we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o as_o if_o particular_a respect_n be_v have_v to_o these_o man_n and_o care_v take_v that_o they_o may_v abundare_fw-la svo_fw-la sensu_fw-la enjoy_v their_o own_o judgement_n and_o yet_o without_o check_n subscribe_v to_o these_o article_n and_o according_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o not_o many_o year_n since_o
the_o other_o side_n require_v as_o great_a a_o condescension_n to_o our_o brethren_n and_o if_o now_o the_o scale_n seem_v even_o then_o certain_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o law_n in_o be_v will_v be_v of_o weight_n enough_o to_o turn_v the_o balance_n and_o that_o humility_n and_o obedience_n our_o religion_n teach_v will_v prevail_v with_o we_o to_o leave_v it_o to_o public_a wisdom_n to_o decide_v between_o both_o party_n and_o then_o the_o result_n of_o all_o will_v be_v that_o instead_o of_o prescribe_v to_o the_o magistrate_n what_o he_o shall_v determine_v or_o dispute_v what_o he_o have_v conclude_v on_o we_o shall_v compose_v our_o mind_n and_o order_n our_o circumstance_n to_o the_o more_o easy_a and_o cheerful_a compliance_n therewith_o and_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o say_n of_o paulus_n aemilius_n who_o when_o several_a of_o his_o soldier_n will_v be_v suggest_v to_o he_o their_o several_a model_n of_o management_n vos_fw-fr gladios_fw-la acuite_fw-la bid_v they_o whet_v their_o sword_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o execute_v what_o shall_v be_v command_v they_o but_o leave_v the_o management_n of_o affair_n to_o he_o their_o general_n chap._n vii_o wherein_o christian_a liberty_n consist_v and_o that_o it_o do_v not_o discharge_v we_o from_o obedience_n to_o law_n all_z that_o we_o have_v hitherto_o discourse_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n some_o think_v may_v be_v avoid_v by_o plead_v the_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la of_o christian_a liberty_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n it_o will_v therefore_o be_v necessary_a in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o consider_v the_o true_a notion_n and_o extent_n of_o that_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o charter_n be_v out_o of_o doubt_n the_o new_a testament_n frequent_o make_v mention_n of_o it_o put_v of_o we_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o gratitude_n we_o owe_v to_o he_o that_o purchase_v it_o for_o we_o of_o the_o price_n it_o cost_v he_o and_o require_v we_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o the_o liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v we_o free_a gal._n 5._o 1._o but_o what_o be_v the_o content_n of_o it_o be_v not_o so_o well_o agree_v on_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v too_o evident_a that_o few_o of_o those_o that_o contend_v so_o much_o for_o it_o and_o plead_v it_o upon_o all_o occasion_n know_v what_o it_o be_v or_o wherein_o it_o consist_v it_o be_v a_o smart_a answer_n of_o a_o spartan_a captive_a who_o be_v expose_v to_o sale_n in_o the_o market_n and_o there_o ask_v as_o the_o manner_n be_v by_o one_o that_o come_v to_o buy_v slave_n quid_fw-la sciret_fw-la what_o he_o be_v good_a for_o what_o business_n he_o understand_v answer_v scio_fw-la quid_fw-la sit_fw-la liberum_fw-la esse_fw-la i_o know_v what_o belong_v to_o freedom_n have_v christian_a liberty_n be_v all_o along_o as_o well_o understand_v as_o talk_v of_o the_o religion_n have_v obtain_v more_o reputation_n the_o church_n more_o peace_n state_n and_o kingdom_n more_o security_n and_o more_o soul_n have_v go_v to_o heaven_n but_o for_o want_v of_o this_o man_n have_v commit_v as_o gross_a error_n as_o that_o tully_n complain_v of_o clodius_n for_o that_o he_o set_v up_o simulacrum_fw-la meretricis_fw-la tanagraeae_fw-la the_o image_n of_o a_o famous_a harlot_n for_o that_o of_o liberty_n the_o gnostic_n about_o the_o apostle_n time_n plead_v christian_a liberty_n both_o on_o the_o behalf_n of_o their_o cowardly_a revolt_v from_o christianity_n in_o time_n of_o persecutition_n and_o of_o their_o sensual_a debauchery_n as_o if_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n give_v a_o privilege_n neither_o to_o profess_v nor_o practice_v it_o when_o either_o the_o one_o prove_v too_o incommodious_a to_o their_o secular_a interest_n or_o the_o other_o too_o disgustful_a to_o their_o sensual_a inclination_n other_o and_o they_o also_o in_o the_o first_o time_n of_o christianity_n think_v christian_a liberty_n have_v be_v a_o civil_a enfranchisement_n and_o have_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o cancel_v all_o bond_n of_o people_n subjection_n to_o their_o prince_n or_o of_o servant_n to_o their_o master_n and_o hereupon_o like_o the_o pretence_n of_o zeal_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o degenerate_a time_n christian_n liberty_n be_v the_o passport_n of_o fugitive_a servant_n and_o the_o pretext_n for_o outrage_n and_o rebellion_n and_o this_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o apostle_n almost_o in_o all_o their_o write_n to_o press_v obedience_n to_o superior_n a_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n have_v mistake_v this_o gospel_n liberty_n to_o be_v a_o discharge_n from_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o have_v be_v so_o prodigious_o absurd_a as_o to_o take_v the_o gospel_n to_o contain_v nothing_o else_o proper_o but_o a_o publication_n of_o god_n promise_n or_o decree_v rather_o and_o to_o require_v only_o a_o bare_a assent_n to_o they_o or_o belief_n of_o they_o and_o that_o those_o promise_n be_v absolute_a and_o without_o any_o condition_n of_o our_o obedience_n save_v only_o as_o that_o shall_v reciprocal_o become_v we_o by_o way_n of_o gratitude_n not_o that_o justification_n or_o salvation_n depend_v upon_o it_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o antinomian_o or_o modern_a libertine_n and_o be_v a_o persuasion_n fit_a to_o debauch_v the_o whole_a world_n be_v it_o not_o that_o few_o man_n can_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o believe_v it_o though_o they_o will_v but_o it_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o very_a name_n and_o nature_n of_o a_o covenant_n which_o the_o gospel_n be_v style_v to_o be_v so_o express_o contrary_a to_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o go_v so_o cross_a to_o the_o very_a sense_n of_o every_o honest_a mind_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o spend_v any_o more_o time_n or_o word_n about_o it_o there_o be_v a_o four_o mistake_n which_o though_o i_o will_v not_o say_v it_o be_v equal_o dangerous_a with_o any_o of_o the_o former_a yet_o be_v mischievous_a enough_o and_o equal_o false_a that_o though_o the_o bond_n of_o civil_a subjection_n be_v not_o quite_o dissolve_v by_o the_o gospel_n yet_o that_o all_o christian_n be_v discharge_v from_o the_o interposition_n of_o the_o magistrate_n in_o affair_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o there_o he_o ought_v no_o further_o to_o intermeddle_v than_o he_o can_v produce_v express_a warrant_n from_o scripture_n for_o his_o particular_a injunction_n but_o if_o notwithstanding_o the_o governor_n shall_v arrogate_v to_o himself_o a_o large_a sphere_n of_o authority_n and_o make_v any_o definition_n in_o religion_n or_o especial_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o first_o table_n it_o be_v then_o and_o in_o that_o case_n not_o only_o lawful_a for_o a_o good_a christian_a to_o refuse_v obedience_n but_o that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v to_o withstand_v a_o invasion_n of_o his_o christian_a liberty_n and_o a_o incorachment_n upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o mistake_n that_o be_v most_o rife_o among_o we_o and_o which_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o much_o of_o the_o unhappiness_n of_o this_o age._n it_o be_v not_o my_o work_n laborious_o to_o confute_v this_o opinion_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v many_o word_n necessary_a in_o the_o case_n yet_o of_o the_o many_o absurd_a consequence_n let_v we_o note_v these_o follow_v 1._o this_o opinion_n make_v all_o civil_a government_n the_o most_o ticklish_a and_o uncertain_a and_o the_o condition_n of_o magistrate_n the_o most_o servile_a and_o precarious_a that_o can_v well_o be_v imagine_v forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o thing_n can_v fall_v under_o their_o care_n and_o cognizance_n or_o capable_a to_o be_v make_v matter_n of_o law_n or_o injunction_n but_o have_v such_o affinity_n to_o or_o connexion_n with_o religion_n as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a upon_o this_o principle_n to_o raise_v a_o dispute_n of_o jurisdiction_n so_o that_o the_o case_n between_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o religion_n will_v be_v like_o the_o condition_n of_o affair_n that_o often_o happen_v in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n and_o court_n of_o rome_n be_v receive_v there_o be_v a_o perpetual_a contention_n about_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o jurisdiction_n between_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a court_n for_o while_o the_o civil_a judge_n go_v about_o to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o the_o cause_n the_o ecclesiastical_a will_v it_o may_v be_v challenge_v the_o person_n as_o belong_v to_o his_o jurisdiction_n or_o if_o the_o person_n be_v laic_a and_o alieni_fw-la fort_n yet_o it_o will_v go_v hard_a but_o the_o cause_n shall_v be_v find_v to_o have_v some_o connexion_n with_o religion_n and_o so_o the_o ecclesiastical_a court_n either_o direct_o or_o in_o ordine_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la draw_v all_o matter_n to_o it_o and_o not_o unlike_a be_v the_o state_n of_o affair_n a_o long_a while_n together_o in_o the_o kingdom_n and_o church_n of_o scotland_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o very_a persuasion_n
the_o prince_n or_o the_o state_n can_v enact_v nothing_o almost_o but_o the_o kirk-man_n find_v themselves_o grieve_v and_o religion_n concern_v and_o excommunication_n be_v denounce_v the_o kirk_n on_o the_o other_o side_n make_v their_o decree_n and_o the_o civil_a power_n declare_v they_o null_a and_o grant_v prohibition_n etc._n etc._n he_o that_o will_v satisfy_v himself_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o thereby_o convince_v himself_o of_o the_o mischief_n of_o the_o principle_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o let_v he_o read_v the_o judicious_a history_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n write_v by_o the_o most_o reverend_a archbishop_n spot_n swood_n and_o he_o shall_v find_v that_o this_o unhappy_a notion_n raise_v and_o maintain_v for_o many_o year_n a_o bellum_fw-la limitaneum_fw-la and_o that_o it_o be_v like_o the_o march_n or_o bateable_a ground_n betwixt_o two_o border_a potentate_n a_o scene_n of_o contention_n and_o a_o field_n of_o blood_n whereas_o do_v we_o agree_v of_o certain_a limit_n and_o make_v the_o magistrate_n power_n and_o province_n extend_v to_o all_o that_o which_o god_n have_v not_o take_v in_o by_o express_a law_n both_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o magistrate_n authority_n will_v be_v keep_v entire_a and_o there_o will_v be_v neither_o cause_n nor_o room_n for_o controversy_n 2._o this_o opinion_n at_o once_o condemn_v all_o the_o state_n and_o kingdom_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n of_o impiety_n and_o irreligion_n forasmuch_o as_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o have_v be_v any_o such_o constitution_n as_o have_v not_o have_v some_o law_n of_o religion_n that_o can_v not_o be_v deduce_v particular_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o he_o that_o be_v of_o this_o persuasion_n and_o will_v be_v true_a to_o it_o be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o be_v a_o rebel_n wherever_o he_o live_v 3._o it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a fear_n a_o mere_a melancholy_a jealousy_n and_o express_v superstition_n instead_o of_o religion_n to_o suspect_v that_o either_o the_o magistrate_n can_v offend_v in_o make_v or_o the_o people_n in_o obey_v such_o law_n as_o though_o they_o be_v not_o express_o warrant_v yet_o be_v no_o where_o forbid_v by_o the_o scripture_n for_o it_o be_v a_o supposition_n that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o sinner_n when_o yet_o he_o break_v no_o law_n contrary_a to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o st._n john_n 1_o ep._n 3._o 4._o who_o define_v sin_n to_o be_v a_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n and_o as_o be_v the_o usual_a genius_n of_o all_o superstition_n it_o misrepresents_a god_n as_o cruel_a and_o tyrannical_a that_o can_v condemn_v man_n ex_fw-la post_fw-la sacto_fw-la for_o do_v of_o that_o against_o which_o there_o be_v no_o law_n in_o be_v but_o 4._o which_o be_v most_o observable_a this_o doctrine_n instead_o of_o assert_v christian_a liberty_n in_o truth_n subvert_v it_o and_o lay_v far_o more_o severe_a bond_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n than_o the_o very_a law_n of_o moses_n do_v that_o be_v a_o yoke_n say_v the_o apostle_n act_n 15._o 10._o which_o neither_o we_o nor_o our_o father_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v upon_o this_o account_n especial_o because_o it_o enjoin_v a_o great_a number_n of_o little_a observance_n which_o by_o their_o multitude_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v remember_v by_o their_o nicety_n difficult_a to_o be_v observe_v and_o by_o their_o mere_a positive_a nature_n and_o have_v no_o essential_a goodness_n in_o themselves_o have_v less_o power_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o awaken_v their_o care_n and_o diligence_n about_o they_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o law_n contain_v no_o precept_n that_o be_v in_o itself_o impossible_a to_o be_v perform_v but_o because_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o attend_v to_o many_o thing_n at_o once_o especial_o if_o also_o the_o thing_n in_o which_o his_o care_n and_o obedience_n be_v require_v be_v such_o as_o be_v not_o enact_v in_o his_o conscience_n and_o when_o he_o can_v see_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o or_o advantage_n by_o his_o obedience_n but_o mere_o his_o obedience_n therefore_o be_v that_o law_n call_v impossible_a now_o if_o a_o man_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o gospel_n to_o avoid_v all_o those_o particular_n that_o be_v command_v by_o moses_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o servitude_n and_o the_o difficulty_n will_v be_v the_o same_o but_o if_o not_o only_o so_o but_o he_o be_v also_o bind_v to_o avoid_v all_o that_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v silent_a in_o his_o obligation_n be_v infinite_a and_o his_o servitude_n intolerable_a for_o positives_n be_v determinate_a and_o definite_a and_o so_o fall_v more_o easy_o within_o our_o care_n and_o attention_n but_o negative_n be_v infinite_a and_o therefore_o such_o a_o yoke_n must_v be_v proper_o impossible_a these_o mistake_v therefore_o be_v remove_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o christian_a liberty_n will_v best_o be_v understand_v if_o we_o consider_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o visible_a church_n of_o god_n be_v enclose_v within_o a_o narrow_a pale_a and_o none_o can_v be_v member_n of_o it_o without_o submission_n to_o circumscision_n and_o the_o other_o rite_n of_o judaisme_n whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o at_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v a_o riddle_n and_o a_o astonishment_n to_o the_o very_a apostle_n themselves_o that_o the_o gentile_n be_v to_o be_v take_v into_o it_o and_o when_o the_o effect_v this_o be_v take_v in_o hand_n act_v 15._o 1._o the_o jewish_a christian_n stand_v upon_o their_o privilege_n and_o will_v not_o admit_v the_o gentile_a convert_v into_o society_n nor_o become_v of_o one_o body_n with_o they_o unless_o they_o will_v be_v circumcise_v and_o keep_v the_o law_n hereupon_o a_o council_n be_v call_v and_o there_o the_o apostle_n find_v out_o a_o temper_n and_o middle_a way_n for_o both_o part_n to_o meet_v in_o for_o the_o present_a which_o be_v that_o the_o gentile_a convert_v shall_v submit_v to_o the_o term_n of_o proselytism_n at_o large_a or_o the_o precept_n give_v to_o the_o son_n of_o noah_n as_o some_o understand_v the_o passage_n or_o as_o be_v indubitable_a that_o they_o shall_v comply_v with_o the_o jew_n in_o these_o three_o thing_n of_o abstain_v from_o fornication_n from_o thing_n strangle_v and_o from_o blood_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o jewish_a convert_v shall_v abate_v of_o their_o rigour_n and_o not_o require_v of_o the_o gentile_n the_o strict_a term_n of_o complete_a judaisme_n at_o which_o decision_n the_o gentile_a christian_n be_v transport_v with_o joy_n rejoice_v at_o the_o consolation_n v_o 31._o for_o as_o i_o say_v till_o then_o none_o can_v be_v of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o the_o jew_n in_o respect_n of_o visible_a church_n society_n without_o circumcision_n and_o universal_a submission_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n this_o therefore_o be_v a_o expedient_a for_o the_o present_a till_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v by_o degree_n better_o instruct_v in_o the_o liberty_n of_o that_o christian_a religion_n they_o have_v late_o receive_v but_o when_o the_o gospel_n be_v full_o publish_v than_o the_o aforesaid_a enclosure_n be_v lay_v open_a and_o all_o nation_n invite_v into_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o equal_a term_n neither_o party_n be_v bind_v to_o those_o nice_a law_n of_o moses_n nor_o any_o other_o but_o those_o plain_a and_o reasonable_a one_o contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o such_o other_o not_o contradictory_n to_o they_o as_o public_a wisdom_n peace_n and_o charity_n shall_v dictate_v and_o recommend_v and_o to_o this_o purpose_n be_v the_o observation_n of_o eusebius_n in_o his_o praepaeratio_fw-la evangelica_n that_o christianity_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o old_a patriarchal_a religion_n revive_v a_o restitution_n of_o that_o primitive_a simplicity_n and_o liberty_n that_o be_v before_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o now_o there_o lie_v no_o more_o bond_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o christian_n than_o do_v upon_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n save_v those_o improvement_n our_o saviour_n have_v make_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o those_o few_o positive_a institution_n of_o his_o express_o set_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o man_n obey_v these_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o conform_v to_o whatsoever_o common_a reason_n and_o equity_n or_o public_a authority_n shall_v impose_v and_o this_o discourse_n of_o eusebius_n be_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 4._o and_o gal._n 3._o especial_o v._n 19_o where_o he_o put_v this_o question_n wherefore_o then_o serve_v the_o law_n he_o answer_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v add_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o interim_n or_o like_o a_o parenthesis_n which_o when_o it_o shall_v be_v leave_v out_o the_o former_a and_o latter_a part_n join_v together_o again_o without_o any_o interruption_n