dangerous_a excursion_n 10._o because_o that_o when_o pious_a and_o good_a man_n have_v their_o public_a liberty_n and_o make_v use_n of_o that_o liberty_n only_o to_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o their_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o the_o king_n etc._n etc._n one_o chief_a end_n of_o the_o magistrate_n care_v of_o the_o state_n be_v obtain_v which_o be_v to_o maintain_v sound_a doctrine_n 11._o because_o thereby_o they_o will_v be_v better_o enable_v and_o encourage_v to_o perform_v other_o good_a office_n to_o the_o king_n and_o state_n 2._o then_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o church_n these_o reason_n be_v add_v 1._o because_o agree_v in_o fundamental_o with_o their_o prosecutor_n they_o be_v a_o great_a addition_n of_o strength_n against_o the_o force_n and_o subtlety_n of_o rome_n 2._o because_o thereby_o schism_n will_v come_v to_o a_o great_a closure_n when_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v in_o their_o profitable_a doctrine_n and_o peaceable_a behaviour_n which_o will_v create_v a_o great_a desire_n of_o peace_n and_o union_n 3._o because_o by_o this_o public_a preach_v multitude_n of_o poor_a soul_n that_o will_v go_v no_o where_o else_o be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n and_o profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o which_o some_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v so_o deep_o sensible_a that_o they_o treat_v the_o nonconformist_n as_o friend_n and_o fellow_n labourer_n all_o which_o reason_n be_v more_o at_o large_a discuss_v in_o the_o conformist_n plea_n for_o the_o nonconformist_n to_o which_o the_o reader_n be_v refer_v there_o remain_v now_o no_o more_o than_o only_a the_o humble_a proposal_n of_o some_o few_o query_n and_o so_o to_o conclude_v first_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o church_n 1._o whether_o a_o dissenter_n may_v be_v lawful_o prohibit_v from_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n at_o any_o time_n or_o in_o any_o place_n 2._o whether_o by_o the_o blessing_n and_o reward_n that_o be_v promise_v to_o those_o that_o propagate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o do_v it_o 3._o whether_o the_o example_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n do_v not_o admit_v of_o preach_v in_o house_n street_n and_o field_n to_o more_o than_o five_o in_o a_o company_n 4._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o something_a erroneon_n for_o the_o law_n of_o man_n to_o contradict_v the_o law_n 5._o whether_o the_o passive_a obedience_n of_o person_n prohibit_v by_o a_o law_n from_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v not_o destructive_a to_o the_o propagation_n and_o maintenance_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n 2._o in_o reference_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n 1._o whether_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o commons_o of_o england_n that_o the_o prosecution_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n upon_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v at_o this_o time_n grievous_a to_o the_o subject_a a_o weaken_n of_o the_o protestant_n interest_n and_o a_o encouragement_n to_o popery_n and_o dangerous_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v take_v into_o a_o more_o serious_a consideration_n 2._o whether_o the_o prosecution_n of_o dissenter_n do_v not_o seem_v a_o little_a strange_a as_o to_o the_o present_a time_v of_o it_o when_o the_o papist_n lie_v under_o several_a conviction_n of_o seek_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o protestant_n religion_n in_o the_o kingdom_n and_o when_o the_o kingdom_n be_v under_o such_o fear_n and_o jealousy_n of_o the_o predominancy_n of_o their_o abettor_n 3._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o more_o proper_a to_o begin_v with_o popery_n before_o they_o go_v about_o to_o extirpate_v nonconformity_n 4._o whether_o they_o who_o have_v with_o so_o much_o inveteracy_n rake_v into_o the_o forget_a and_o pardon_v miscarriage_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o have_v not_o better_o have_v spare_v their_o pain_n as_o nothing_o at_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n except_o to_o what_o be_v unbecoming_a either_o peaceable_a or_o wise_a man_n 5._o five_o whether_o a_o law_n that_o create_v arbitrary_a distress_n and_o imprisonment_n be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o fundamental_o of_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la 3._o in_o reference_n to_o the_o law_n of_o scripture_n and_o nature_n 1._o whether_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o law_n enforcer_n be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n whatever_o you_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v do_v unto_o you_o do_v you_o even_o the_o same_o unto_o they_o for_o this_o be_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n 2._o whether_o it_o be_v according_a to_o scripture_n for_o protestant_n acknowledge_v the_o same_o jesus_n the_o same_o scripture_n and_o agree_v in_o the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n only_o for_o difference_n in_o human_a ceremony_n to_o tear_v and_o devour_v one_o another_o 3._o whether_o in_o point_n of_o appeal_n to_o make_v party_n themselves_o judges_n be_v a_o thing_n usual_a 4._o whether_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o protestant_n by_o protestant_n to_o make_v use_n of_o informer_n and_o promoter_n which_o the_o lord_n cook_n call_v turbiolum_fw-la hominum_fw-la genus_fw-la instead_o of_o christian_a advice_n and_o solid_a argument_n be_v according_a to_o scripture_n 4._o in_o point_n of_o policy_n 1._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o policy_n for_o englishman_n of_o the_o same_o religion_n by_o cruelty_n and_o severity_n to_o destroy_v one_o another_o which_o must_v of_o necessity_n weaken_v the_o force_n and_o destroy_v the_o trade_n of_o the_o nation_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o lord_n cook_n be_v maxim_n that_o a_o king_n can_v never_o be_v poor_a when_o his_o subject_n be_v rich_a and_o therefore_o 2._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o policy_n to_o set_v up_o a_o law_n for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o vexatious_a informer_n who_o under_o the_o reverend_a mantle_n of_o love_n and_o justice_n to_o use_v the_o lord_n cook_n be_v own_o word_n institute_v for_o the_o protection_n of_o the_o innocent_a and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonwealth_n vex_v and_o depauperize_v the_o subject_a for_o malice_n and_o private_a end_n never_o for_o love_v of_o justice_n 3._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o prudence_n to_o make_v attempt_n in_o fruitless_a undertake_n since_o it_o be_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o persecution_n rather_o increase_v than_o appease_v enmity_n and_o the_o common_a maxim_n be_v that_o sanguis_fw-la martyrum_fw-la est_fw-la semen_fw-mi ecclesiae_fw-la 4._o whether_o forbearance_n and_o mildness_n will_v not_o absolute_o remove_v the_o scandal_n give_v to_o the_o protestant_n church_n abroad_o and_o endear_v we_o to_o our_o foreign_a protestant_n alliance_n 5._o whether_o it_o be_v prudence_n to_o afflict_v protestant_n at_o home_n when_o we_o entertain_v afflict_a protestant_n from_o abroad_a 6._o whether_o by_o these_o unnatural_a division_n the_o necessary_a league_n and_o tie_v of_o friendship_n and_o acquaintance_n common_a trust_n and_o confidence_n among_o man_n may_v not_o in_o time_n be_v break_v to_o the_o ruin_n of_o all_o society_n 7._o whether_o the_o wicked_a distinction_n of_o tory_n and_o whigg_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o set_v on_o foot_n to_o increase_v the_o dissension_n between_o protestant_n and_o whether_o the_o invention_n and_o the_o malicious_a continuance_n of_o they_o do_v not_o deserve_v a_o punishment_n equal_a to_o the_o worst_a of_o felony_n 5._o in_o reference_n to_o the_o executive_a part_n 1._o whether_o the_o issue_v out_o of_o general_a warrant_n by_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n not_o authorize_v by_o the_o statute_n do_v not_o render_v they_o obnoxious_a to_o other_o law_n 2._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o almost_o moral_o impossible_a to_o swear_v a_o dissenter_n meet_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o liturgy_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n where_o there_o be_v no_o overt_a act_n of_o public_a disturbance_n or_o seditious_a doctrine_n 3._o whether_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o law_n do_v not_o afford_v several_a advantage_n to_o the_o spiteful_a and_o revengeful_a to_o reck_v their_o spleen_n upon_o their_o neighbour_n upon_o every_o slight_a disgust_n or_o fall_v out_o 4._o whither_o it_o do_v not_o afford_v great_a opportunitis_n of_o combination_n between_o some_o needy_a justice_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o their_o more_o needy_a associate_n the_o informer_n to_o prosecute_v unlawful_a gain_n it_o be_v the_o general_a complaint_n of_o treble_a distress_n make_v without_o any_o return_n 5._o whether_o the_o constable_n not_o be_v authorize_v to_o break_v open_a any_o door_n or_o force_n and_o gate_n or_o hedge_n if_o the_o informer_n be_v so_o foolhardy_a as_o to_o do_v either_o and_o the_o constable_n follow_v he_o the_o constable_n and_o the_o informer_n be_v not_o liable_a to_o the_o law_n 6._o whether_o there_o be_v any_o penalty_n above_o 5_o l._n direct_v by_o this_o act_n to_o be_v lay_v upon_o a_o constable_n that_o shall_v be_v negligent_a in_o make_v distress_n pursuant_n
smell_v in_o history_n than_o that_o of_o a_o bonner_n they_o will_v sure_o steer_v another_o course_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v think_v well_o to_o weigh_v with_o themselves_o that_o of_o vis_fw-fr unita_fw-la est_fw-la fortior_fw-la and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o divide_a house_n while_o by_o a_o fatal_a disagreement_n with_o their_o brethren_n about_o outward_a form_n and_o unnecessary_a circumstance_n they_o render_v themselves_o less_o able_a to_o withstand_v the_o impetuosity_n of_o daily_a menace_v popery_n that_o be_v nothing_o the_o decree_n be_v go_v forth_o and_o must_v be_v obey_v and_o though_o the_o preamble_n of_o the_o law_n may_v be_v avoid_v the_o body_n of_o it_o more_o explanatory_n of_o itself_o admit_v no_o evasion_n for_o the_o law_n positive_o say_v that_o if_o any_o person_n or_o person_n above_o the_o age_n of_o sixteen_o year_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v present_a at_o any_o assembly_n conventicle_n or_o meet_v under_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o any_o exercise_n of_o religion_n in_o other_o manner_n than_o according_a to_o the_o liturgy_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n etc._n etc._n where_o there_o shall_v be_v five_o or_o more_o person_n assemble_v over_o and_o above_o those_o of_o the_o household_n etc._n etc._n as_o to_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o word_n whoever_o shall_v be_v present_a at_o any_o assembly_n or_o meeting_n under_o pretence_n or_o colour_n of_o any_o exercise_n of_o religion_n etc._n etc._n some_o question_n do_v arise_v upon_o the_o fair_a account_n of_o reason_n and_o policy_n 1._o whether_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n extend_v themselves_o to_o such_o a_o exercise_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v true_o christian_a and_o according_a to_o the_o direct_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n 2._o or_o whether_o only_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o carry_v only_o a_o pretence_n and_o colour_n without_o any_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n as_o to_o the_o first_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o christian_a exercise_n of_o devotion_n carry_v with_o it_o a_o pretence_n and_o colour_n as_o well_o as_o the_o false_a one_o though_o it_o be_v only_o that_o of_o serve_v and_o perform_v our_o duty_n to_o god_n now_o than_o it_o can_v never_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o this_o law_n be_v ever_o to_o prevent_v the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n and_o true_a piety_n let_v the_o place_n or_o the_o number_n be_v more_o or_o less_o in_o a_o rational_a proportion_n for_o if_o so_o the_o statute_n will_v be_v void_a in_o itself_o in_o regard_n that_o all_o unbiased_a casuist_n lawyer_n and_o divine_n agree_v that_o all_o humane_a law_n make_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la annul_v as_o to_o any_o obligation_n upon_o the_o conscience_n see_v therefore_o it_o can_v be_v think_v that_o this_o law_n intend_v the_o destruction_n of_o itself_o there_o must_v be_v a_o look_v backward_o to_o the_o reason_n and_o policy_n of_o the_o law_n which_o from_o the_o preamble_n be_v apparent_a to_o be_v only_o the_o prevention_n of_o disloyalty_n and_o insurrection_n for_o the_o repose_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o kingdom_n now_o then_o let_v a_o meeting_n be_v suppose_v though_o of_o more_o than_o five_o or_o ten_o yet_o if_o at_o this_o meet_v there_o be_v nothing_o do_v that_o tend_v to_o disloyalty_n insurrection_n or_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n the_o law_n have_v its_o end_n and_o can_v take_v no_o far_o notice_n there_o be_v no_o breach_n of_o the_o law_n and_o consequent_o no_o occasion_n of_o punishment_n and_o this_o be_v collect_v from_o reason_n itself_o for_o shall_v any_o other_o construction_n be_v put_v upon_o the_o word_n it_o will_v be_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n as_o intend_v to_o prevent_v the_o true_a and_o real_a worship_n of_o god_n under_o pretence_n of_o innovation_n and_o disloyalty_n a_o thought_n a_o intention_n which_o it_o be_v a_o crime_n to_o imagine_v such_o worthy_a and_o pious_a legislator_n ever_o dream_v of_o however_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o law_n may_v be_v strain_v in_o the_o absence_n of_o its_o maker_n now_o that_o such_o a_o mean_v of_o the_o act_n as_o it_o be_v enforce_v be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v apparent_a from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o act_v 28._o and_o paul_n dwell_v two_o year_n in_o his_o hire_a house_n and_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v to_o he_o preach_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o 1_o tim._n 2._o i_o will_v therefore_o that_o man_n pray_v every_o where_o with_o several_a other_o nor_o will_v it_o serve_v as_o a_o objection_n to_o say_v that_o the_o time_n be_v otherwise_o now_o that_o there_o be_v such_o plenty_n of_o public_a church_n for_o if_o they_o be_v possess_v by_o such_o as_o will_v not_o admit_v their_o fellow-christians_a to_o come_v together_o without_o prejudice_n to_o their_o conscience_n it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o they_o as_o if_o those_o place_n be_v not_o at_o all_o which_o be_v a_o clear_a confirmation_n that_o god_n may_v be_v worship_v in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n in_o any_o place_n or_o at_o any_o time_n it_o be_v as_o clear_v that_o the_o mean_v of_o this_o law_n can_v reach_v the_o exercise_n of_o real_a piety_n for_o if_o the_o worship_n in_o itself_o be_v evil_a it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v in_o four_o if_o consonant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o number_n of_o fourscore_o can_v render_v it_o criminal_a but_o here_o in_o regard_n there_o be_v so_o much_o insist_v and_o stress_n put_v upon_o the_o word_n conventicle_n it_o will_v be_v much_o to_o be_v clear_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o act_n to_o inquire_v in_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o word_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o take_v too_o unwary_o in_o a_o ill_a sense_n by_o those_o that_o will_v extend_v the_o reason_n and_o meaning_n of_o this_o act_n beyond_o its_o limit_n a_o conventicle_n then_o in_o the_o general_a sense_n be_v a_o certain_a place_n appoint_v for_o the_o assemble_v and_o come_v together_o of_o people_n to_o some_o purpose_n or_o other_o in_o the_o particular_a sense_n it_o signify_v the_o assembly_n itself_o there_o meet_v if_o then_o the_o purpose_n be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o divine_a worship_n it_o will_v be_v fit_a next_o to_o inquire_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o church-assemble_o and_o a_o conventicle-assemble_o that_o which_o constitute_v a_o church_n be_v a_o assembly_n or_o congregation_n of_o people_n call_v to_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n by_o prayer_n by_o teach_v and_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o the_o due_a administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o this_o assembly_n be_v the_o holy_a trinity_n in_o general_a particular_o christ_n the_o form_n of_o this_o assembly_n consist_v in_o a_o double_a communion_n of_o the_o assembly_n with_o christ_n as_o the_o head_n and_o of_o the_o particular_a member_n among_o themselves_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o assembly_n be_v the_o person_n or_o several_a member_n call_v to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o end_n of_o this_o assembly_n be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o their_o own_o salvation_n the_o mark_n of_o the_o real_a christianity_n and_o legality_n of_o this_o assembly_n be_v the_o true_a preach_v the_o word_n and_o due_a administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n if_o then_o the_o same_o substantial_a efficient_a cause_n the_o same_o substantial_a matter_n the_o same_o substantial_a form_n the_o same_o substantial_a end_n the_o same_o substantial_a mark_n of_o a_o true_o christian_a assembly_n be_v find_v in_o a_o house_n or_o any_o other_o convenient_a place_n though_o not_o adorn_v with_o steeple_n or_o stone_n arch_n call_v they_o presbyterian_o or_o dissenter_n or_o what_o you_o please_v they_o centre_n the_o main_a fundamental_o of_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n differ_v only_o in_o some_o slight_a and_o outward_a ceremony_n and_o be_v therefore_o a_o essential_a body_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o external_n circumstance_n in_o dispute_n they_o be_v to_o be_v argue_v and_o determine_v among_o themselves_o not_o by_o the_o arbitrary_a power_n of_o a_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n who_o be_v a_o officer_n only_o of_o the_o peace_n and_o not_o of_o the_o conscience_n so_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v think_v that_o the_o determination_n of_o christian_a prudence_n will_v ever_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v rational_a that_o this_o law_n be_v ever_o make_v for_o the_o prevention_n of_o such_o conventicle_n which_o must_v prove_v the_o suppression_n of_o much_o true_a piety_n and_o devotion_n this_o make_v some_o people_n think_v that_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v in_o a_o very_a weak_a condition_n and_o most_o deficient_a of_o itself_o when_o it_o be_v so_o earnest_a and_o clamorous_a after_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o indeed_o
a_o perfect_n guide_n for_o protestant_a dissenter_n in_o case_n of_o prosecution_n upon_o any_o of_o the_o penal_a statute_n make_v against_o them_o together_o with_o the_o statute_n of_o 35_o eliz._n and_o 22_o car._n 2._o at_o large_a to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o postscript_n about_o ecclesiastical_a court_n and_o prosecution_n in_o them_o london_n print_v for_o r._n baldwin_n 1682._o the_o preface_n it_o be_v the_o common_a practice_n now_o adays_o for_o base_a and_o mercenary_a pen_n to_o pass_v the_o worst_a censure_n upon_o the_o best_a intention_n of_o men._n the_o argument_n that_o follow_v be_v all_o ground_a either_o upon_o scripture_n and_o reason_n or_o upon_o equal_a justice_n and_o prudent_a morality_n and_o those_o not_o enforce_v with_o heat_n and_o passion_n but_o with_o all_o the_o mildness_n and_o submission_n imaginable_a which_o argue_v the_o fairness_n and_o honesty_n of_o the_o design_n viz._n to_o procure_v if_o it_o may_v be_v do_v a_o happy_a union_n between_o protestant_n and_o protestant_n who_o it_o rather_o main_o concern_v to_o join_v their_o force_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n of_o their_o profession_n than_o to_o make_v themselves_o the_o scorn_n and_o triumph_n of_o popish_a cunning_n by_o a_o needless_a separation_n which_o if_o due_o consider_v will_v soon_o be_v find_v unhappy_o foment_v and_o increase_v by_o the_o encourage_v emissary_n and_o scribble_a bravo_n of_o rome_n be_v it_o not_o apparent_a how_o they_o already_o begin_v to_o undermine_v and_o blow_v up_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o late_a horrid_a plot_n so_o miraculous_o discover_v to_o which_o purpose_n be_v it_o not_o likewise_o apparent_a what_o daily_o affront_v they_o put_v upon_o the_o king_n evidence_n to_o the_o end_n that_o by_o render_v their_o person_n and_o whatever_o they_o have_v say_v or_o swear_v ridiculous_a they_o may_v be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o raise_v a_o mist_n before_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o people_n and_o then_o total_o withdraw_v the_o plot_n from_o their_o belief_n be_v it_o not_o apparent_a how_o vigorous_o they_o assail_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o dissenter_n man_n of_o religious_a serious_a upright_a and_o most_o loyal_a principle_n under_o the_o scandalous_a name_n of_o fanatic_n and_o whig_n and_o by_o throw_v the_o fail_n and_o misdemeanour_n of_o some_o few_o upon_o all_o this_o earth_n not_o afford_v that_o happiness_n to_o the_o most_o holy_a society_n in_o the_o world_n of_o be_v without_o some_o hypocrite_n and_o bad_a man_n to_o cast_v a_o odium_n upon_o above_o a_o three_o part_n of_o the_o most_o industrious_a and_o wealthy_a part_n of_o the_o nation_n on_o purpose_n to_o enervate_a and_o impoverish_v the_o protestant_a interest_n and_o make_v the_o soft_a and_o more_o easy_a way_n for_o popish_a intrusion_n enormity_n much_o more_o deserve_v the_o punishment_n of_o penal_a law_n than_o public_a meeting_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n upon_o which_o consideration_n it_o can_v be_v look_v upon_o certain_o by_o person_n of_o true_o pious_a and_o cordial_a affection_n for_o the_o good_a of_o their_o country_n as_o a_o design_n either_o dishonest_a or_o factious_a to_o vindicate_v so_o far_o as_o may_v stand_v with_o equity_n and_o good_a conscience_n the_o protestant_a dissenter_n from_o the_o heavy_a imputation_n of_o schism_n sedition_n and_o disloyalty_n every_o day_n cast_v upon_o they_o though_o most_o undeserved_o by_o the_o pope_n weekly_a drudge_n here_o in_o this_o city_n to_o which_o end_n the_o design_n of_o these_o few_o sheet_n be_v to_o more_o than_o to_o plead_v their_o cause_n with_o all_o modesty_n and_o submission_n before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o justice_n and_o divine_a charity_n to_o rectify_v the_o judgement_n of_o person_n misguide_v by_o mercenary_a scribbler_n by_o set_v forth_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o these_o meeting_n and_o the_o dangerous_a consequence_n of_o set_v up_o a_o protestant_a persecution_n to_o the_o encouragement_n of_o those_o pest_n of_o the_o kingdom_n ignorant_a and_o greedy_a informer_n and_o because_o a_o sight_n of_o the_o statute_n themselves_o may_v be_v necessary_a to_o those_o that_o have_v they_o not_o they_o be_v hereunto_o annex_v there_o be_v nothing_o more_o moral_a than_o the_o reason_n of_o self-preservation_n in_o a_o legal_a and_o orderly_a way_n which_o they_o that_o seek_v by_o no_o other_o mean_n than_o by_o those_o of_o duty_n and_o allegiance_n no_o other_o be_v here_o propound_v can_v be_v think_v to_o deviate_v from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o nature_n a_o guide_n for_o protestant_a dissenter_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o seem_v a_o great_a blemish_n to_o christianity_n than_o that_o little_a difference_n about_o the_o exercise_n of_o divine_a worship_n shall_v cause_v such_o heat_n and_o animosity_n among_o man_n and_o for_o they_o who_o business_n it_o shall_v be_v to_o preach_v unity_n love_n and_o charity_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o church-government_n to_o instigate_v and_o animate_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o make_v rigid_a penal_a law_n to_o enforce_v the_o conscience_n of_o good_a people_n seem_v in_o some_o measure_n contradictory_n to_o the_o easy_a yoke_n of_o christian_a obedience_n it_o seem_v somewhat_o hard_a when_o a_o poor_a man_n have_v by_o his_o industry_n and_o frugality_n get_v together_o a_o small_a subsistence_n for_o himself_o and_o his_o family_n that_o because_o he_o be_v dissatisfy_v with_o some_o few_o indifferent_a circumstance_n that_o be_v impose_v upon_o their_o conscience_n he_o shall_v be_v present_o lay_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o rapacious_a informer_n and_o officer_n that_o his_o good_n shall_v be_v at_o the_o disposal_n of_o person_n many_o time_n full_a of_o heat_n and_o passion_n than_o of_o true_a charity_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v excommunicate_v and_o consequent_o under_o the_o lash_n of_o a_o civil_a writ_n because_o he_o will_v not_o come_v to_o the_o parochial_a church_n as_o if_o the_o place_n be_v so_o material_a where_o god_n be_v worship_v so_o in_o any_o place_n he_o be_v adore_v in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n nor_o be_v this_o speak_v in_o the_o least_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o civil_a government_n but_o only_o in_o point_n of_o divinity_n it_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o very_a preface_n of_o the_o act_n themselves_o hereby_o intend_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n aim_v at_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v right_o and_o just_a to_o prevent_v sedition_n for_o the_o good_a and_o quiet_a of_o the_o kingdom_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o want_v of_o charity_n in_o other_o and_o too_o much_o addictedness_n to_o opinionate_a severity_n sway_v other_o to_o extend_v the_o lawful_a pretence_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n beyond_o the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o the_o legislater_n intention_n in_o regard_n that_o for_o the_o ministry_n to_o aggravate_v civil_a crime_n upon_o their_o brethren_n and_o incense_n the_o sword_n of_o justice_n appear_v no_o where_o in_o scripture_n agreeable_a to_o christian_a doctrine_n there_o be_v two_o statute_n that_o of_o the_o 35th_o of_o elizabeth_n and_o the_o 22d_o of_o his_o present_a majesty_n that_o create_v the_o loud_a complaint_n that_o run_v through_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o yet_o the_o proem_n of_o neither_o of_o those_o act_n seem_v to_o allow_v that_o rigour_n which_o be_v at_o this_o time_n meditate_a by_o some_o person_n and_o desended_a perhaps_o with_o too_o much_o heat_n in_o the_o pulpit_n the_o preamble_n of_o 35_o eliz._n run_v thus_o for_o the_o prevent_n of_o such_o great_a inconvenience_n and_o peril_n as_o may_v happen_v and_o grow_v by_o the_o wicked_a and_o dangerous_a practice_n of_o seditious_a sectary_n and_o disloyal_a person_n the_o preamble_n of_o the_o 22d_o of_o his_o present_a majesty_n run_v thus_o for_o provide_v far_o and_o more_o speedy_a remedy_n against_o the_o grow_a and_o dangerous_a practice_n of_o seditious_a sectary_n and_o other_o disloyal_a person_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o tender_a conscience_n have_v or_o may_v at_o their_o meeting_n contrive_v insurrection_n as_o late_a experience_n have_v show_v here_o be_v two_o statute_n by_o which_o most_o lawful_a and_o most_o necessary_a provision_n be_v make_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o government_n now_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v ask_v what_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n require_v from_o hence_o it_o be_v to_o be_v answer_v in_o general_a obedience_n passive_n and_o active_a tranquillity_n public_a and_o private_a and_o particular_o that_o no_o disloyal_a person_n nor_o sectary_n shall_v meet_v under_o pretence_n of_o tender_a conscience_n to_o contrive_v insurrection_n hence_o it_o be_v submissive_o presume_v that_o if_o the_o subject_n live_v dutiful_o towards_o his_o prince_n free_a from_o give_v occasion_n of_o civil_a disturbance_n amicable_o towards_o his_o neighbour_n pay_v those_o duty_n and_o tax_n which_o the_o law_n or_o custom_n impose_v and_o active_o if_o he_o be_v always_o ready_a with_o