Theomachia; or The grand imprudence of men running the hazard of fighting against God, in suppressing any way, doctrine, or practice, concerning which they know not certainly whether it be from God or no. Being the substance of two sermons, preached in Colemanstreet, upon occasion of the late disaster sustain'd in the west. With some necessary enlargements thereunto. / By John Goodvvin, pastor of the Church of God there.
         Goodwin, John, 1594?-1665.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A85418 of text R5086 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E12_1). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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             Theomachia; or The grand imprudence of men running the hazard of fighting against God, in suppressing any way, doctrine, or practice, concerning which they know not certainly whether it be from God or no. Being the substance of two sermons, preached in Colemanstreet, upon occasion of the late disaster sustain'd in the west. With some necessary enlargements thereunto. / By John Goodvvin, pastor of the Church of God there.
             Goodwin, John, 1594?-1665.
          
           [4], 52 p.
           
             Printed for Henry Overton, and are to be sold at his shop entering into Pope's-head-Alley out of Lumbard-street,
             London :
             1644.
          
           
             First word in title transliterated from Greek characters.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "Octo: 7".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Sermons, English -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A85418  R5086  (Thomason E12_1).  civilwar no Theomachia; or The grand imprudence of men running the hazard of fighting against God, in suppressing any way, doctrine, or practice, concer Goodwin, John 1644    27399 115 80 0 0 0 0 71 D  The  rate of 71 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           ΘΕΟΜΑΧΙΑ
           ;
           
             OR
          
           THE
           GRAND
           IMPRUDENCE
           of
           men
           running
           the
           hazard
           of
           
             FIGHTING
             AGAINST
             GOD
             ,
          
           In
           suppressing
           any
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           Practice
           ,
           concerning
           which
           they
           know
           not
           
             certainly
             whether
             it
             be
             from
             God
             or
             no
             .
          
        
         
           Being
           the
           substance
           of
           two
           Sermons
           ,
           Preached
           in
           
             Colemanstreet
             ,
          
           upon
           occasion
           of
           the
           late
           disaster
           sustain'd
           in
           the
           West
           .
        
         
           
             With
             some
             necessary
             Enlargements
             thereunto
             .
          
        
         
           
             By
          
           JOHN
           GOODVVIN
           ,
           
             Pastor
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             there
             .
          
        
         
           HEB.
           10.
           31.
           
        
         
           It
           is
           a
           fearefull
           thing
           to
           fall
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           living
           God
           .
        
         
           MAT.
           21.
           44.
           
        
         
           Whosoever
           shall
           fall
           on
           
             (
             or
             ,
             stumble
             at
             )
          
           this
           stone
           ,
           shall
           be
           broken
           in
           pieces
           .
        
         
           Imprimatur
           .
           
             John
             Bachiler
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ;
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Henry
             Overton
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           his
           Shop
           entring
           into
           
             Popes-head
          
           Alley
           out
           of
           
             Lumbard-street
             .
          
        
         
           1644.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           
             READER
             ;
          
        
         
           WE
           have
           an
           English
           saying
           ,
           that
           
             the
             burnt
             childe
             dreads
             the
             fire
             .
          
           I
           have
           oft
           been
           cast
           into
           the
           fire
           of
           mens
           zealous
           indignations
           ,
           by
           an
           uncleane
           spirit
           of
           calumnie
           and
           slander
           ;
           Some
           have
           reported
           ,
           that
           I
           deny
           justification
           by
           Christ
           ,
           
             i.
          
           that
           the
           Sun
           is
           up
           at
           noone
           day
           ;
           Others
           ,
           that
           I
           deny
           the
           immortalitie
           of
           the
           soule
           ,
           
             i.
          
           that
           I
           murthered
           my
           father
           and
           my
           mother
           ;
           Others
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           preached
           against
           the
           Parliament
           and
           Assembly
           ,
           
             i.
          
           that
           I
           am
           out
           of
           my
           wits
           ,
           and
           weary
           of
           my
           present
           life
           ,
           and
           carelesse
           of
           that
           which
           is
           to
           come
           .
           I
           perceive
           there
           are
           more
           Sons
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           then
           those
           that
           witnessed
           against
           
             Naboth
             ,
          
           that
           
             he
             blasphemed
             God
             and
             the
             King
             .
          
           
           But
           having
           no
           vineyard
           to
           accommodate
           any
           man
           ,
           I
           cannot
           easily
           conceive
           ,
           what
           men
           and
           their
           tongues
           meane
           to
           be
           still
           up
           in
           such
           unchristian
           contestations
           with
           me
           ;
           except
           this
           be
           it
           ;
           Because
           I
           speak
           the
           
             truth
             ,
          
           and
           men
           are
           not
           able
           to
           beare
           it
           ;
           therefore
           they
           resolve
           (
           it
           seems
           )
           to
           make
           me
           speak
           such
           
             untruths
             ,
          
           that
           I
           my selfe
           shall
           not
           be
           able
           to
           beare
           .
           I
           confesse
           ,
           I
           doe
           not
           much
           dread
           this
           fire
           ,
           made
           of
           the
           tongues
           of
           asps
           and
           vipers
           ,
           not
           because
           I
           have
           not
           been
           sufficiently
           burnt
           by
           it
           ,
           but
           partly
           because
           I
           have
           been
           a
           long
           time
           accustomed
           to
           such
           burnings
           ,
           and
           have
           found
           them
           rather
           purifying
           ,
           then
           consuming
           :
           partly
           ,
           because
           the
           great
           Apostle
           informs
           me
           ,
           that
           the
           way
           by
           which
           he
           passed
           into
           his
           glory
           ,
           was
           
             through
             honour
             ,
             and
             dishonour
             ,
             through
             good
          
           
           
             report
             ,
             and
             evill
             report
             .
          
           Yet
           neverthelesse
           ,
           I
           had
           rather
           give
           an
           account
           of
           mine
           own
           words
           ,
           then
           of
           other
           mens
           pretending
           to
           be
           mine
           ;
           and
           so
           to
           keep
           out
           of
           the
           fire
           ,
           as
           farre
           as
           the
           peace
           and
           safety
           of
           my
           own
           soule
           and
           other
           mens
           ,
           will
           suffer
           me
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           true
           account
           (
           Reader
           )
           of
           the
           publishing
           of
           these
           Sermons
           ,
           which
           (
           haply
           )
           had
           not
           been
           an
           action
           so
           necessary
           otherwise
           .
           Understanding
           that
           the
           soule
           spirit
           ,
           which
           hath
           for
           severall
           years
           haunted
           my
           
           ministery
           ,
           was
           beginning
           to
           practise
           upō
           〈…〉
           ●ermons
           also
           ,
           I
           thought
           it
           the
           safer
           course
           of
           the
           two
           ,
           to
           put
           my self
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Truth
           (
           which
           yet
           perhaps
           will
           not
           much
           befirend
           me
           neither
           ,
           in
           the
           thoughts
           and
           hearts
           of
           men
           ,
           though
           with
           God
           ,
           I
           am
           certain
           ,
           it
           will
           )
           then
           to
           expose
           both
           it
           and
           my selfe
           to
           be
           rent
           and
           torne
           by
           him
           .
           What
           good
           ,
           or
           hurt
           ,
           they
           will
           or
           are
           like
           to
           doe
           ,
           now
           they
           are
           gotten
           abroad
           ,
           is
           not
           easie
           ,
           either
           for
           thee
           ,
           or
           me
           ,
           so
           much
           as
           to
           conjecture
           .
           Be
           it
           in
           this
           ,
           as
           God
           and
           men
           shall
           agree
           .
           When
           the
           danger
           of
           the
           disease
           runs
           high
           ,
           there
           is
           little
           hope
           but
           onely
           in
           that
           physicke
           ,
           whereof
           there
           is
           some
           feare
           .
           We
           are
           under
           a
           bondage
           of
           much
           misery
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           onely
           the
           
             Truth
          
           (
           as
           our
           Saviour
           saith
           )
           that
           can
           
             make
             us
             free
             :
          
           and
           yet
           
           such
           is
           our
           condition
           and
           misery
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           cause
           to
           feare
           ,
           lest
           the
           Truth
           ,
           which
           onely
           is
           able
           to
           
             make
             us
             free
             ,
          
           should
           increase
           our
           bondage
           and
           misery
           ,
           by
           being
           rejected
           and
           opposed
           by
           us
           ,
           when
           it
           comes
           in
           love
           and
           mercy
           to
           
             visit
          
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           
             blesse
          
           us
           out
           of
           our
           misery
           .
           
             For
             this
             end
             I
             was
             borne
          
           (
           as
           our
           Saviour
           saith
           of
           himself
           ,
           
             Joh.
             18.
             37.
             
             )
             that
             I
             should
             beare
             witnesse
             to
             the
             truth
             ,
          
           not
           to
           the
           opinions
           or
           apprehensions
           of
           men
           .
           In
           which
           respect
           I
           know
           I
           am
           like
           to
           have
           the
           harder
           quarter
           and
           service
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           but
           God
           hath
           made
           me
           a
           lover
           of
           men
           in
           such
           a
           degree
           ,
           that
           I
           can
           willingly
           consecrate
           my selfe
           unto
           their
           service
           ,
           through
           any
           sufferings
           from
           them
           .
           If
           this
           world
           faile
           me
           ,
           I
           know
           God
           hath
           prepared
           another
           for
           a
           reserve
           ,
           which
           will
           stand
           by
           me
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           faile
           .
           Reader
           ,
           take
           my
           prayers
           along
           with
           thee
           ,
           and
           an
           honest
           heart
           of
           thine
           own
           ;
           and
           so
           passe
           on
           to
           the
           Sermons
           before
           thee
           ;
           doubtlesse
           they
           will
           either
           strengthen
           thy
           hand
           in
           the
           way
           thou
           art
           in
           ,
           or
           guide
           thy
           feet
           into
           a
           way
           thou
           art
           not
           in
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           qualifie
           thy
           spirit
           with
           christian
           patience
           and
           respects
           towards
           such
           a
           way
           .
        
         
           
             From
             my
             study
             in
             
               Colemanstreet
               ,
            
             
               
                 Octob.
              
               2.
               1644.
               
            
          
           
             Thine
             with
             an
             upright
             and
             single
             heart
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             JOHN
             GOODVVIN
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           θεομαχια
           
             OR
          
           The
           Grand
           Imprudence
           of
           men
           ,
           running
           the
           hazard
           of
           
             Fighting
             against
             God
             ,
          
           in
           suppressing
           any
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           Practice
           ,
           concerning
           which
           they
           know
           not
           certainly
           whether
           it
           be
           from
           God
           ,
           or
           no
           .
        
         
           
             ACTS
             5.
             38.
             
          
           
             And
             now
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Refraine
             your selves
             from
             these
             men
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             alone
             :
             for
             if
             this
             counsell
             or
             work
             be
             of
             men
             ,
             it
             will
             come
             to
             nought
             ;
             but
             if
             it
             be
             of
             God
             ,
             yee
             cannot
             destroy
             it
             ,
             lest
             yee
             be
             found
             even
             fighters
             against
             God
             .
          
        
         
           WHen
           the
           Children
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           in
           the
           progresse
           of
           their
           Warres
           upon
           the
           
             Canaanites
             ▪
          
           wherein
           God
           had
           promised
           to
           be
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           them
           successe
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           man
           of
           their
           enemies
           should
           not
           be
           able
           to
           stand
           against
           them
           :
           notwithstanding
           they
           fought
           under
           the
           protection
           of
           many
           such
           promises
           as
           these
           ,
           yet
           met
           with
           a
           disaster
           and
           losse
           ,
           thirty
           six
           of
           them
           being
           slaine
           by
           the
           men
           of
           
             Ai
             ,
          
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           partie
           ingaged
           in
           that
           service
           put
           to
           rout
           ,
           and
           chased
           by
           their
           enemies
           :
           God
           himselfe
           upon
           the
           great
           dejection
           and
           solemne
           humiliation
           of
           the
           Elders
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           
             Joshua
          
           their
           Generall
           ,
           was
           pleased
           to
           make
           knowne
           unto
           him
           by
           speciall
           revelation
           ,
           what
           root
           of
           bitternesse
           
           it
           was
           that
           brought
           forth
           this
           fruit
           of
           death
           ,
           what
           sin
           by
           name
           it
           was
           amongst
           them
           ,
           that
           had
           separated
           between
           him
           and
           them
           in
           their
           late
           sad
           miscarriage
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           would
           separate
           still
           ,
           to
           their
           further
           and
           greater
           misery
           ,
           except
           they
           took
           a
           course
           to
           make
           an
           atonement
           for
           themselves
           ,
           by
           purging
           and
           clensing
           themselves
           from
           it
           .
           Onely
           the
           discovery
           or
           finding
           out
           of
           the
           person
           that
           had
           committed
           the
           sin
           ,
           was
           put
           upon
           
             Joshua
          
           and
           the
           people
           ;
           wherein
           yet
           againe
           they
           were
           directed
           by
           God
           to
           such
           a
           method
           or
           means
           for
           this
           discovery
           ,
           that
           God
           himselfe
           may
           be
           said
           too
           to
           have
           discovered
           even
           the
           sinner
           also
           .
           For
           he
           it
           was
           ,
           that
           by
           a
           speciall
           directing
           hand
           of
           his
           providence
           ,
           caused
           the
           lot
           to
           fall
           upon
           
             Achan
             ,
          
           who
           was
           the
           man
           that
           in
           taking
           the
           
             excommunicate
             thing
             ,
          
           had
           fin'd
           that
           great
           and
           speciall
           provocation
           ,
           which
           was
           fallen
           in
           this
           gust
           of
           wrath
           from
           Heaven
           upon
           the
           people
           .
           These
           things
           you
           shall
           finde
           related
           more
           at
           large
           
             Josh.
          
           7.
           
           From
           which
           passages
           by
           the
           way
           (
           amongst
           many
           other
           very
           observable
           )
           you
           may
           take
           knowledge
           of
           these
           three
           things
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           when
           God
           is
           at
           any
           time
           ingaged
           ,
           and
           his
           hand
           in
           (
           as
           we
           use
           to
           say
           )
           shewing
           mercy
           and
           doing
           good
           to
           his
           people
           ,
           he
           is
           seldome
           or
           never
           wont
           to
           change
           or
           alter
           the
           tenour
           of
           his
           present
           dispensations
           ,
           to
           break
           off
           the
           course
           of
           his
           grace
           by
           suffering
           evill
           to
           come
           upon
           them
           ,
           but
           upon
           some
           speciall
           discontent
           taken
           ,
           from
           some
           speciall
           sin
           or
           other
           ,
           one
           or
           more
           ,
           committed
           by
           them
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           sometimes
           the
           sin
           of
           one
           or
           of
           some
           few
           ,
           in
           a
           great
           societie
           or
           body
           of
           people
           ,
           in
           the
           provocation
           or
           guilt
           of
           it
           ,
           redounds
           and
           runs
           over
           to
           the
           involving
           and
           defiling
           of
           the
           whole
           societie
           ,
           and
           rendring
           all
           the
           members
           thereof
           obnoxious
           to
           the
           displeasure
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           the
           best
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           onely
           way
           for
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           being
           under
           the
           disfavour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           stroke
           of
           his
           displeasure
           ,
           to
           make
           atonement
           for
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           recover
           his
           favour
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           diligent
           search
           and
           strict
           inquiry
           ,
           what
           that
           sin
           by
           name
           should
           be
           ,
           which
           hath
           turned
           away
           the
           heart
           of
           their
           God
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           to
           remove
           it
           .
        
         
           My
           Brethren
           ,
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Children
           of
           
             Israel
          
           upon
           their
           losse
           neere
           unto
           the
           Citie
           of
           
             Ai
             ,
          
           is
           our
           condition
           and
           case
           at
           this
           day
           ;
           save
           onely
           that
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           hath
           been
           laid
           heavier
           upon
           us
           ,
           
           then
           it
           was
           upon
           them
           ,
           in
           that
           breach
           .
           God
           had
           begun
           to
           doe
           great
           and
           gracious
           things
           for
           us
           ,
           yea
           he
           had
           gon
           on
           for
           a
           good
           space
           together
           ,
           treading
           and
           trampling
           downe
           the
           strength
           of
           our
           Enemies
           under
           us
           apace
           ;
           insomuch
           ,
           that
           wee
           began
           to
           take
           our
           Harps
           down
           from
           the
           willow
           trees
           ,
           on
           which
           we
           had
           hung
           them
           ,
           to
           prepare
           our selves
           to
           sing
           
             the
             song
             of
             Moses
             ,
             the
             man
             of
             God
             :
          
           but
           loe
           on
           the
           suddaine
           wee
           are
           
             smitten
          
           back
           againe
           
             into
             the
             places
             of
             Dragons
             ,
          
           and
           the
           God
           of
           our
           lives
           
             hath
             covered
             us
             with
             the
             shadow
             of
             Death
             .
          
           That
           vision
           of
           peace
           and
           good
           things
           which
           was
           let
           downe
           from
           heaven
           unto
           us
           ,
           and
           was
           come
           so
           neere
           us
           ,
           that
           wee
           began
           to
           arise
           ,
           thinking
           none
           other
           but
           to
           fall
           to
           and
           eate
           presently
           ;
           is
           now
           againe
           taken
           up
           from
           us
           into
           the
           heavens
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           lost
           the
           sight
           of
           it
           .
           The
           best
           art
           and
           wisdome
           we
           can
           use
           to
           open
           the
           heavens
           over
           us
           ,
           and
           cause
           them
           to
           deliver
           downe
           that
           treasure
           againe
           to
           us
           ,
           to
           heale
           our
           present
           wound
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           deadly
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           as
           narrow
           a
           search
           ,
           as
           strict
           an
           inquiry
           ,
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           what
           that
           particular
           and
           speciall
           sin
           or
           provocation
           amongst
           us
           is
           ,
           the
           chastisement
           whereof
           is
           now
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           which
           hath
           brought
           the
           rod
           of
           this
           indignation
           upon
           our
           backs
           .
           If
           God
           himselfe
           would
           please
           by
           speciall
           revelation
           to
           make
           knowne
           what
           this
           sin
           is
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           unto
           
             Joshua
          
           and
           the
           people
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           satisfaction
           in
           this
           point
           were
           at
           hand
           ,
           nor
           should
           we
           need
           to
           abide
           the
           various
           and
           conjecturall
           discourses
           of
           men
           ,
           Ministers
           or
           others
           ,
           about
           the
           matter
           :
           But
           having
           perfected
           that
           standing
           Revelation
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           he
           refraines
           revelations
           extraordinary
           ,
           and
           leaves
           his
           people
           to
           consult
           with
           these
           Oracles
           of
           his
           for
           resolution
           ,
           in
           all
           such
           cases
           of
           Question
           and
           difficulty
           as
           this
           ;
           onely
           promising
           the
           gracious
           assistance
           and
           guidance
           of
           his
           Spirit
           unto
           those
           that
           shall
           aske
           it
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           lay
           stumbling
           blocks
           in
           their
           way
           otherwise
           ,
           to
           direct
           them
           in
           such
           dark
           and
           dubious
           inquiries
           as
           these
           .
           And
           one
           speciall
           end
           (
           I
           conceive
           )
           ay●ed
           at
           by
           that
           Authority
           ,
           which
           hath
           set
           apart
           this
           day
           for
           a
           solemne
           humiliation
           of
           our selves
           before
           God
           ,
           was
           ,
           that
           Ministers
           and
           people
           should
           joyne
           together
           in
           fervent
           prayer
           ▪
           and
           supplication
           unto
           God
           ,
           that
           the
           one
           may
           be
           directed
           to
           make
           a
           true
           and
           unpartiall
           discovery
           of
           this
           ●inne
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           judge
           of
           the
           discovery
           being
           made
           accordingly
           :
           that
           so
           the
           troubler
           of
           
             Israel
          
           being
           found
           out
           ,
           execution
           may
           be
           done
           ,
           and
           God
           pacified
           .
           In
           consideration
           whereof
           it
           is
           ,
           
           that
           I
           made
           choice
           of
           the
           Scripture
           read
           unto
           you
           ,
           upon
           the
           present
           occasion
           ;
           Conceiving
           that
           very
           sin
           to
           be
           there
           described
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           expressed
           by
           name
           ,
           (
           though
           somewhat
           more
           generall
           )
           which
           hath
           occasioned
           the
           sad
           interruption
           of
           late
           made
           in
           our
           hopefull
           proceedings
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           which
           in
           all
           likelihood
           wrought
           against
           us
           formerly
           ,
           both
           in
           that
           blow
           which
           was
           reached
           us
           from
           heaven
           ,
           in
           that
           as
           strange
           ,
           as
           sorrowfull
           a
           defeat
           at
           
             Newark
             ,
          
           and
           otherwise
           ;
           but
           was
           not
           then
           known
           or
           considered
           of
           .
           The
           Lord
           grant
           that
           yet
           at
           last
           it
           may
           enter
           into
           all
           our
           hearts
           to
           conceive
           aright
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           of
           it
           ,
           lest
           it
           brings
           forth
           yet
           againe
           like
           bitter
           fruits
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           magnifies
           it selfe
           at
           last
           in
           our
           utter
           ruine
           and
           destruction
           .
        
         
           But
           let
           us
           addresse
           unto
           the
           words
           ;
           and
           in
           them
           consider
           ,
           first
           ,
           their
           relation
           and
           coherence
           in
           the
           Context
           ,
           and
           then
           their
           sense
           and
           meaning
           .
           For
           the
           former
           ;
           the
           words
           are
           part
           of
           a
           speech
           made
           by
           one
           
             Gamaliel
          
           (
           as
           he
           is
           called
           
             ver.
          
           34.
           )
           a
           Pharisee
           ,
           and
           Doctor
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           in
           an
           Assembly
           or
           Councell
           at
           
             Jerusalem
             .
          
           The
           Councell
           (
           as
           appeares
           
             ver.
          
           21.
           &c.
           )
           was
           called
           ,
           about
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           their
           Doctrine
           and
           proceedings
           ;
           the
           chief
           designe
           and
           intendment
           of
           it
           ,
           was
           to
           consider
           and
           resolve
           what
           course
           to
           take
           with
           them
           ,
           how
           to
           suppresse
           both
           them
           and
           their
           Doctrine
           ,
           being
           both
           looked
           upon
           as
           prejudiciall
           to
           their
           personall
           and
           private
           interests
           ,
           both
           of
           honour
           and
           profit
           ,
           in
           that
           State
           and
           Nation
           ;
           and
           as
           likely
           to
           carry
           away
           the
           hearts
           and
           affections
           of
           much
           people
           from
           them
           .
           When
           they
           had
           sent
           for
           
             Peter
          
           and
           the
           other
           Apostles
           by
           a
           Captain
           with
           his
           Officers
           ,
           to
           appeare
           before
           the
           Councell
           ,
           the
           Prolocutor
           or
           chief
           Priest
           ,
           charged
           them
           after
           this
           manner
           :
           
             ver.
             28.
             
             Did
             not
             we
             straitly
             command
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             should
             not
             teach
             in
             this
             Name
             ?
             and
             yee
             have
             filled
             Jerusalem
             with
             your
             Doctrine
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           When
           
             Peter
          
           and
           the
           other
           Apostles
           ,
           standing
           stiffe
           to
           their
           tackling
           ,
           had
           made
           their
           answer
           ,
           fully
           justifying
           what
           they
           had
           done
           ,
           and
           given
           a
           brief
           accompt
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           about
           which
           they
           were
           questioned
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           calling
           to
           preach
           and
           beare
           witnesse
           of
           the
           same
           unto
           the
           world
           ;
           it
           is
           said
           (
           
             ver.
          
           33.
           )
           that
           the
           Councell
           ,
           seeing
           them
           upon
           those
           termes
           ,
           hearing
           them
           speake
           at
           such
           a
           rate
           ,
           
             burst
             in
             sunder
             for
             anger
          
           (
           as
           the
           former
           translation
           )
           or
           (
           as
           the
           latter
           hath
           it
           )
           
             were
             cut
             at
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             took
             counsell
             how
             to
             slay
             them
             .
          
           What
           ?
           would
           they
           not
           submit
           to
           the
           Authority
           and
           advice
           of
           such
           a
           Reverend
           ,
           
           learned
           ,
           and
           pious
           Assembly
           as
           that
           ?
           Did
           they
           thinke
           themselves
           wiser
           then
           they
           ?
           would
           they
           preach
           a
           Doctrine
           that
           should
           asperse
           them
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           out
           of
           credit
           and
           request
           with
           the
           people
           ?
           Such
           men
           as
           they
           were
           not
           meet
           to
           be
           
             tolerated
          
           in
           the
           State
           ,
           nor
           yet
           to
           live
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           would
           fall
           upon
           some
           course
           ,
           how
           to
           free
           themselves
           ,
           the
           State
           and
           Nation
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           must
           be
           in
           no
           lighter
           way
           ,
           with
           no
           lower
           hand
           ,
           then
           death
           it selfe
           ,
           they
           must
           die
           for
           it
           .
           This
           (
           it
           seems
           )
           was
           the
           sense
           and
           resolution
           of
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           untill
           one
           of
           them
           ,
           (
           that
           
             Gamaliel
          
           we
           speake
           of
           )
           a
           man
           of
           a
           better
           temper
           and
           deeper
           reach
           then
           his
           fellowes
           ,
           excited
           to
           speak
           ,
           and
           assisted
           in
           speciall
           manner
           by
           God
           in
           speaking
           ,
           by
           a
           grave
           Speech
           tending
           to
           moderation
           ,
           qualified
           their
           spirits
           in
           part
           ,
           and
           brought
           them
           to
           accept
           of
           somewhat
           a
           lighter
           attonement
           from
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           for
           their
           supposed
           sin
           ,
           then
           their
           lives
           would
           have
           amounted
           unto
           .
           For
           their
           spirits
           were
           so
           full
           of
           bitterness
           and
           indignation
           against
           them
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           all
           that
           
             Gamaliel
          
           could
           say
           ,
           they
           were
           resolved
           to
           have
           their
           peniworths
           of
           them
           ,
           (
           as
           we
           use
           to
           say
           )
           to
           ease
           themselves
           on
           them
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           to
           cause
           them
           to
           be
           beaten
           ,
           and
           withall
           ,
           severely
           to
           charge
           them
           the
           second
           time
           ,
           to
           give
           over
           preaching
           their
           erroneous
           and
           dangerous
           Doctrine
           ,
           
             to
             speak
             no
             more
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Jesus
             ,
             ver.
          
           40.
           
           What
           the
           tenor
           of
           
             Gamaliels
          
           Speech
           was
           ,
           from
           the
           begining
           to
           the
           end
           of
           it
           ,
           you
           may
           read
           ,
           beginning
           at
           
             ver.
          
           35.
           untill
           the
           end
           of
           39.
           
           
             Men
             of
             Israel
             ,
             take
             heed
             to
             your selves
             ,
             what
             yee
             do
             to
             these
             men
             ;
          
           as
           if
           he
           should
           have
           said
           ,
           yee
           will
           but
           run
           a
           needlesse
           hazard
           of
           bringing
           evill
           ,
           or
           ruine
           upon
           your selves
           by
           attempting
           any
           thing
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           in
           a
           way
           of
           violence
           against
           these
           men
           ;
           implying
           ,
           that
           men
           had
           need
           take
           heed
           how
           they
           ingage
           themselves
           to
           suppresse
           ,
           molest
           ,
           or
           destroy
           any
           generation
           or
           sort
           of
           men
           whatsoever
           ,
           untill
           they
           have
           a
           cleer
           and
           expresse
           warrant
           from
           heaven
           for
           the
           execution
           .
           To
           perswade
           them
           not
           to
           be
           too
           precipitate
           or
           forward
           in
           any
           course
           of
           violence
           against
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           he
           declares
           to
           them
           by
           a
           double
           instance
           (
           well
           known
           unto
           themselves
           )
           that
           if
           they
           be
           seducers
           and
           evill
           men
           ,
           and
           so
           worthy
           to
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           God
           himself
           would
           in
           a
           short
           time
           ,
           reveal
           his
           wrath
           from
           heaven
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           and
           their
           work
           to
           ruin
           .
           For
           thus
           he
           had
           done
           both
           formerly
           by
           one
           
             T●e●d●●
             ,
          
           and
           more
           lately
           by
           
             Judas
          
           of
           
             Galilee
             ;
          
           who
           projecting
           great
           matters
           for
           themselves
           
           without
           any
           warrant
           or
           authority
           from
           God
           ,
           though
           they
           went
           on
           ,
           and
           seem'd
           for
           a
           while
           to
           prosper
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           drawing
           great
           numbers
           of
           people
           after
           them
           ,
           were
           yet
           ,
           both
           they
           and
           all
           their
           complices
           and
           followers
           ,
           by
           a
           speciall
           hand
           of
           God
           scattered
           and
           brought
           to
           nought
           .
           Upon
           the
           mention
           of
           these
           two
           memorable
           examples
           of
           Divine
           justice
           against
           Seducers
           and
           Deceivers
           ,
           he
           infers
           as
           followeth
           in
           the
           words
           read
           unto
           you
           .
        
         
           
             And
             now
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Refraine
             from
             these
             men
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             alone
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           This
           for
           the
           coherence
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           words
           (
           briefly
           )
           Refrain
           from
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           stand
           ,
           or
           keep
           off
           from
           them
           ,
           depart
           from
           them
           ,
           go
           yee
           your
           way
           ,
           and
           let
           them
           go
           their
           way
           ;
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           let
           them
           alone
           ,
           or
           suffer
           them
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           (
           as
           some
           understand
           it
           )
           do
           not
           only
           forbeare
           persecuting
           of
           them
           your selves
           by
           your
           authority
           ,
           but
           be
           no
           occasion
           that
           the
           
             Roman
          
           power
           any
           wayes
           interposeth
           to
           molest
           them
           :
           do
           not
           betray
           them
           into
           the
           hand
           of
           violence
           otherwise
           ;
           or
           else
           the
           doubling
           of
           the
           caution
           ,
           may
           import
           the
           weightinesse
           of
           the
           matter
           in
           his
           apprehension
           that
           speaketh
           .
           However
           ,
           by
           this
           double
           Caution
           or
           Item
           he
           gives
           unto
           them
           ,
           not
           to
           have
           any
           thing
           to
           do
           (
           for
           the
           present
           )
           with
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           in
           any
           way
           of
           molestation
           ,
           he
           discovers
           an
           utter
           aversenesse
           in
           him
           to
           such
           proceedings
           .
           Wherefore
           he
           gives
           this
           reason
           further
           .
        
         
           
             For
             if
             this
             counsell
             or
             work
             be
             of
             men
             ,
             it
             will
             come
             to
             nought
             ]
             i.
             
          
           If
           the
           design
           which
           these
           men
           drive
           ,
           with
           the
           method
           ,
           course
           and
           means
           whereby
           they
           carry
           it
           on
           ,
           hath
           no
           better
           foundation
           to
           bear
           it
           up
           ,
           but
           either
           their
           own
           wisdomes
           ,
           interest
           ,
           and
           authority
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           mens
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           dissolved
           ,
           or
           come
           to
           nought
           ,
           it
           will
           soon
           discover
           its
           originall
           by
           its
           end
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           taken
           out
           of
           the
           dust
           ,
           to
           dust
           it
           will
           return
           ;
           and
           they
           that
           are
           ingaged
           in
           it
           ,
           will
           fall
           and
           sink
           with
           it
           .
           
             But
             if
             it
             be
             from
             God
             ]
             i.
             
          
           If
           it
           be
           countenanced
           or
           authorized
           by
           God
           ,
           if
           he
           be
           the
           Founder
           of
           it
           ;
           
             Yee
             cannot
             destroy
             or
             dissolve
             it
             ,
             lest
             ,
             &c.
             i.
          
           you
           must
           not
           ,
           or
           you
           ought
           not
           ,
           to
           attempt
           any
           thing
           against
           it
           to
           destroy
           or
           dissolve
           it
           ,
           because
           by
           such
           an
           attempt
           as
           this
           ,
           you
           will
           do
           no
           better
           then
           
             fight
             against
             God
             .
             Yee
             cannot
             ]
             viz.
          
           lawfully
           ,
           or
           wisely
           ,
           or
           upon
           any
           good
           ground
           .
           There
           is
           a
           double
           impotency
           ,
           or
           impossibility
           often
           mentioned
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           the
           one
           we
           may
           call
           
             naturall
             ,
          
           or
           
             physicall
             ,
          
           the
           other
           
             morall
             .
          
           
           With
           the
           first
           kinde
           of
           impossibility
           ,
           things
           are
           said
           to
           be
           unpossible
           ,
           when
           there
           wants
           a
           naturall
           or
           executive
           principle
           of
           strength
           or
           power
           in
           any
           kind
           to
           do
           them
           :
           with
           the
           latter
           ,
           that
           is
           said
           to
           be
           unpossible
           for
           a
           man
           to
           do
           ,
           for
           the
           doing
           wherof
           he
           hath
           no
           ground
           or
           warrant
           either
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           in
           reason
           or
           equity
           ,
           though
           he
           hath
           never
           so
           much
           naturall
           strength
           or
           power
           to
           do
           it
           .
           Of
           this
           latter
           kind
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           
             Paul
          
           speaketh
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           13.
           8.
           where
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             that
             hee
             could
             do
             nothing
             against
             the
             truth
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             truth
             ;
          
           meaning
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           no
           ground
           or
           warrant
           ,
           either
           from
           God
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           ,
           to
           do
           any
           such
           thing
           .
           So
           again
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             10.
             21.
             
             Yee
             cannot
             drink
             the
             cup
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             the
             cup
             of
             the
             Devill
             ;
             i.
          
           yee
           cannot
           do
           it
           
             lawfully
             ;
          
           or
           with
           any
           congruity
           either
           to
           the
           principles
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           of
           sound
           reason
           .
           Of
           this
           kind
           of
           impotency
           or
           impossibility
           ,
           that
           common
           saying
           in
           the
           Civill
           Law
           speaketh
           ,
           
             Id
             tantum
             possumus
             ,
             quod
             jure
             possumus
             .
          
           Of
           the
           other
           kind
           ,
           we
           have
           many
           instances
           also
           ;
           
             I
             spake
             to
             thy
             Disciples
             to
             cast
             him
             out
             ,
             but
             they
             could
             not
             (
             Mar.
             9.
             18.
             
             )
             i.
          
           they
           wanted
           an
           executive
           principle
           or
           power
           ,
           whereby
           to
           do
           it
           :
           otherwise
           it
           was
           lawfull
           enough
           for
           them
           to
           have
           done
           it
           .
           So
           again
           ,
           
             Mar.
          
           6.
           19.
           and
           
             Mar.
          
           2.
           4.
           besides
           many
           other
           .
        
         
           
             Destroy
             or
             dissolve
             it
             ]
             i.
          
           do
           or
           attempt
           any
           thing
           to
           destroy
           it
           .
           Not
           only
           the
           endevours
           and
           attempts
           ,
           but
           even
           the
           purposes
           and
           intents
           of
           doing
           things
           ,
           are
           often
           in
           Scripture
           expressed
           by
           words
           ,
           which
           properly
           signifie
           the
           doing
           or
           effecting
           the
           things
           themselves
           .
           
             Many
             good
             works
          
           (
           saith
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Joh.
             10.
             32
             )
             have
             I
             shewed
             you
             from
             my
             Father
             :
             for
             which
             of
             these
             works
             do
             you
             stone
             me
             ?
             i.
          
           do
           you
           intend
           ,
           or
           go
           about
           to
           stone
           me
           ?
           for
           they
           had
           not
           yet
           actually
           stoned
           him
           .
           Thus
           
             Heb.
             11.
             17.
             
             Abraham
          
           is
           twice
           said
           to
           have
           
             offered
             up
             his
             son
             Isaac
             ,
          
           because
           he
           was
           fully
           intended
           ,
           and
           had
           attempted
           to
           offer
           him
           .
           Besides
           many
           the
           like
           :
           So
           here
           ,
           
             you
             cannot
             destroy
             it
             ,
             i.
          
           you
           ought
           not
           ,
           you
           cannot
           with
           reason
           go
           about
           or
           attempt
           the
           destroying
           of
           it
           .
           —
           
             Lest
             you
             be
             found
             even
             fighters
             against
             God
             ;
          
           meaning
           ,
           that
           in
           case
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           way
           of
           those
           men
           ,
           against
           whom
           they
           were
           incensed
           ,
           should
           be
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           they
           nevertheless
           seek
           to
           destroy
           them
           ,
           they
           would
           by
           such
           a
           course
           dash
           themselves
           against
           such
           a
           stone
           as
           would
           break
           them
           to
           pieces
           ;
           they
           would
           
             be
             found
             even
             to
             fight
             against
             God
             .
          
           That
           causall
           particle
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             lest
             ,
          
           doth
           not
           alwayes
           note
           a
           hazard
           ,
           or
           uncertainty
           of
           an
           
           effect
           or
           consequent
           ;
           but
           many
           times
           signifies
           as
           much
           as
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             ut
             non
             ,
          
           and
           is
           us'd
           as
           well
           to
           signifie
           the
           dependance
           as
           well
           of
           a
           certain
           and
           necessary
           ,
           as
           of
           a
           contingent
           effect
           ,
           upon
           its
           cause
           :
           ●
           So
           
           here
           ,
           
             you
             cannot
             destroy
             it
             ,
             lest
             you
             be
             found
             ,
             &c.
             i.
          
           if
           you
           attempt
           to
           destroy
           it
           ,
           
             you
             will
             be
             found
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Be
             found●
          
           The
           word
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           
             to
             be
             found
             ,
          
           in
           such
           a
           construction
           as
           this
           ,
           oft
           notes
           the
           unexpectednesse
           of
           somewhat
           befalling
           a
           person
           ,
           whether
           in
           respect
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           or
           other
           mens
           expectations
           .
           Thus
           it
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Virgin
           
             Mary
             ,
          
           that
           before
           
             Joseph
          
           and
           she
           came
           together
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             she
             was
             FOVND
             with
             child
             ,
          
           meaning
           ,
           beyond
           ,
           or
           contrary
           to
           expectation
           .
           So
           
             Luk.
          
           9.
           36.
           whereas
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Elias
          
           were
           immediately
           before
           the
           voyce
           from
           heaven
           ,
           taken
           notice
           of
           by
           the
           Apostles
           to
           have
           been
           present
           with
           Christ
           upon
           the
           mount
           ,
           as
           soone
           as
           ever
           the
           voyce
           was
           past
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           of
           him
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             he
             was
             found
             alone
             ,
          
           to
           imply
           that
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Elias
          
           were
           withdrawn
           before
           the
           Apostles
           were
           aware
           ,
           or
           thought
           of
           it
           .
           To
           passe
           by
           other
           instances
           for
           this
           importance
           of
           the
           word
           ;
           it
           is
           said
           of
           
             Babylon
          
           the
           Great
           ▪
           (
           
             Rev.
             18.
             24.
             
             )
             that
             in
             her
             was
             found
             (
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             )
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             that
             were
             slain
             upon
             the
             earth
             ;
          
           meaning
           ,
           that
           whereas
           this
           City
           had
           till
           now
           thought
           her self
           the
           most
           religious
           City
           under
           heaven
           ,
           the
           Mother
           and
           Patroness
           of
           Prophets
           and
           Saints
           ,
           an
           enemy
           only
           unto
           Heretiques
           and
           persons
           hatefull
           unto
           God
           ;
           now
           when
           God
           came
           to
           call
           her
           to
           an
           account
           ,
           and
           to
           
             enter
             into
             judgement
             with
             her
             ,
          
           contrary
           to
           her
           expectation
           and
           opinion
           of
           her self
           ,
           she
           was
           discovered
           and
           evicted
           to
           have
           been
           the
           most
           cruell
           and
           bloody
           enemy
           that
           ever
           
             Prophets
          
           or
           
             Saints
          
           had
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           further
           ,
           a
           principall
           Actress
           in
           the
           slaughter
           of
           many
           millions
           otherwise
           .
           So
           
             Gamaliel
             ,
          
           expressing
           himself
           thus
           to
           the
           Councell
           ,
           
             lest
             you
             be
             FOVND
             even
             fighters
             against
             God
             ;
          
           gives
           them
           to
           understand
           ,
           that
           how
           holy
           ,
           wise
           ,
           or
           just
           soever
           they
           might
           seem
           in
           their
           own
           eyes
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           might
           think
           themselves
           the
           furthest
           of
           any
           men
           under
           heaven
           from
           practising
           or
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             ,
          
           yet
           if
           they
           went
           on
           with
           their
           present
           intentions
           and
           resolutions
           against
           the
           men
           they
           had
           now
           before
           them
           ,
           they
           might
           fall
           into
           this
           heavie
           guilt
           and
           condemnation
           ,
           when
           they
           thought
           least
           of
           it
           .
           The
           heaviness
           of
           which
           guilt
           is
           further
           implyed
           ,
           in
           that
           emphaticall
           particle
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             even
             ▪
             even
             fighters
             against
             God
             ;
          
           which
           particle
           of
           speech
           in
           such
           constructions
           as
           this
           ,
           is
           intensive
           in
           an
           
           high
           degree
           ,
           and
           still
           imports
           somewhat
           very
           remarkable
           in
           what
           is
           joyned
           with
           it
           .
           In
           such
           an
           importance
           as
           this
           ,
           you
           shall
           find
           it
           used
           ,
           
             Matth.
             12.
             8.
             for
             the
             son
             of
             man
             is
             Lord
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             even
             of
             the
             Sabbath
             ;
          
           meaning
           ,
           that
           this
           was
           a
           very
           transcendent
           Lordship
           indeed
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           was
           incompatible
           unto
           any
           ,
           but
           unto
           him
           who
           need
           count
           it
           no
           robbery
           to
           be
           equall
           with
           God
           .
           So
           
             Mar.
          
           13.
           22.
           and
           elsewhere
           .
           Thus
           
             Gamaliel
          
           admonishing
           his
           Colleagues
           ,
           to
           consider
           well
           what
           they
           did
           ,
           
             lest
             they
             should
             be
             found
             EVEN
             fighters
             against
             God
             ,
          
           plainly
           intimates
           unto
           you
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           one
           of
           the
           worst
           stones
           in
           the
           world
           to
           stumble
           at
           ,
           and
           that
           no
           improvidence
           or
           inconsiderateness
           whatsoever
           besides
           ,
           is
           like
           to
           make
           any
           such
           breach
           upon
           the
           comfort
           and
           peace
           of
           the
           creature
           ,
           as
           for
           men
           to
           ingage
           themselves
           in
           any
           such
           action
           or
           course
           ,
           wherein
           they
           shall
           be
           found
           fighters
           against
           God
           .
        
         
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             Fighters
             against
             God
          
           ]
           .
           Every
           act
           of
           sin
           ,
           especially
           with
           knowledge
           and
           consent
           of
           will
           ,
           is
           (
           in
           a
           sense
           )
           a
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             :
          
           but
           that
           sin
           which
           
             Gamaliel
          
           here
           intends
           in
           his
           expression
           of
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             ,
          
           is
           a
           sin
           of
           an
           higher
           nature
           then
           ordinary
           ,
           as
           appeares
           by
           the
           particle
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             even
             ,
          
           joyn'd
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           formerly
           opened
           .
           Therefore
           by
           
             fighting
             against
             God
          
           (
           in
           this
           place
           )
           must
           needs
           be
           meant
           some
           high
           and
           peremptory
           action
           or
           ingagement
           of
           the
           creature
           ,
           wherein
           it
           opposeth
           God
           in
           some
           speciall
           or
           remarkable
           design
           ,
           which
           he
           seeketh
           either
           to
           set
           on
           foot
           ,
           or
           else
           to
           carry
           on
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           whether
           the
           opposer
           knowes
           it
           to
           be
           a
           designe
           of
           God's
           or
           no
           .
           And
           thus
           the
           propagating
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           the
           Apostles
           preached
           ,
           being
           a
           designe
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           opposition
           of
           the
           councell
           against
           it
           ,
           especially
           with
           so
           high
           an
           hand
           as
           the
           crushing
           ,
           or
           slaying
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           who
           were
           appointed
           by
           God
           to
           publish
           it
           ,
           would
           have
           been
           ,
           was
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           been
           very
           properly
           ,
           
             a
             fighting
             against
             God
             .
          
        
         
           The
           words
           explain'd
           ,
           are
           matter
           ready
           prepared
           for
           Doctrine
           and
           observation
           .
           Onely
           one
           word
           (
           by
           the
           way
           )
           for
           Answer
           to
           that
           Question
           ;
           What
           authoritie
           ,
           weight
           ,
           or
           credit
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           given
           to
           that
           which
           
             Gamaliel
          
           delivers
           in
           this
           speech
           of
           his
           to
           the
           Councell
           ?
           Whether
           may
           we
           build
           upon
           every
           thing
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           ,
           spoken
           by
           him
           ,
           as
           authorized
           by
           God
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ;
        
         
           
             1.
             
             That
             there
             is
             little
             question
             to
             be
             made
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             Spirit
             
             of
             the
             man
             ,
             was
             in
             speciall
             manner
             touch'd
             and
             stirr'd
             up
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             interpose
             in
             the
             behalfe
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             ;
             as
             the
             spirit
             of
             
               Nicodemus
            
             (
             another
             branch
             of
             the
             same
             root
             )
             formerly
             had
             been
             ,
             to
             stand
             up
             and
             speake
             in
             the
             behalfe
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Joh.
            
             7.
             51.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             principall
             end
             and
             scope
             of
             what
             he
             spake
             ,
             being
             the
             rescuing
             of
             the
             Apostles
             from
             the
             bloudy
             Counsells
             of
             those
             who
             had
             concluded
             their
             death
             ,
             and
             were
             consulting
             about
             the
             execution
             ;
             plainly
             sheweth
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             more
             of
             God
             then
             ordinary
             in
             the
             thing
             ,
             especially
             if
             we
             consider
             further
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             thus
             inexpectedly
             appeared
             with
             shield
             and
             buckler
             for
             the
             Apostles
             defence
             ,
             was
             of
             that
             sect
             or
             generation
             of
             men
             ,
             who
             generally
             hated
             and
             opposed
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Christ
             with
             more
             inveterate
             and
             viperous
             malignitie
             of
             spirit
             ,
             then
             any
             other
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Evident
             it
             is
             ,
             1.
             that
             the
             intent
             ,
             end
             ,
             and
             scope
             of
             
               Gamaliel
            
             in
             this
             speech
             to
             the
             Councell
             ,
             being
             the
             bringing
             of
             the
             Apostles
             from
             the
             bloudy
             rage
             and
             violence
             of
             men
             ,
             was
             good
             ,
             and
             agreeable
             to
             the
             will
             and
             word
             of
             God
             .
             And
             2.
             as
             evident
             likewise
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             speech
             it selfe
             ,
             in
             the
             whole
             carriage
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             the
             passages
             of
             it
             ,
             is
             duly
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             exactnesse
             of
             wisdome
             and
             prudence
             ,
             proportioned
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             and
             tends
             in
             a
             direct
             and
             regular
             way
             to
             effect
             it
             .
             Now
             whatsoever
             directly
             and
             regularly
             tends
             to
             the
             effecting
             of
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             good
             ,
             and
             consequently
             from
             God
             .
             That
             which
             is
             good
             may
             occasionally
             and
             by
             some
             collaterall
             influence
             of
             Providence
             ,
             be
             brought
             to
             passe
             ,
             by
             means
             that
             are
             evill
             ;
             but
             in
             a
             regular
             and
             direct
             way
             ,
             it
             can
             onely
             be
             produced
             by
             that
             which
             is
             good
             .
             There
             is
             no
             more
             friendship
             or
             fellowship
             naturally
             ,
             between
             good
             ends
             and
             ill
             means
             ,
             then
             is
             between
             
               light
               and
               darknesse
               ,
               Christ
               and
               Belial
               .
            
             But
          
           
             4.
             (
             and
             lastly
             )
             There
             being
             nothing
             in
             all
             this
             speech
             (
             excepting
             onely
             the
             historicall
             instances
             ,
             the
             truth
             of
             which
             ,
             it
             seems
             ,
             
             was
             generally
             knowne
             among
             the
             
               Jews
               ,
            
             and
             is
             attested
             by
             
               Josephus
            
             their
             great
             Historian
             )
             but
             what
             is
             fully
             consonant
             with
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             (
             unquestionably
             so
             acknowledged
             )
             elsewhere
             ,
             the
             credit
             and
             authority
             of
             it
             ,
             for
             matter
             of
             truth
             ,
             is
             one
             and
             the
             same
             with
             those
             other
             Scriptures
             corresponding
             with
             it
             .
             
               What
               we
               here
               learne
            
             (
             saith
             
               Gualter
            
             upon
             the
             place
             )
             
               should
               be
               unto
               us
               as
               an
               Oracle
               ,
            
             viz.
             
               that
               the
               counsells
               of
               God
               are
               not
               to
               be
               defeated
               or
               hindred
               by
               any
            
             
             
               strength
               of
               man
               ;
            
             but
             
               for
               the
               counsells
               of
               men
               ,
               they
               fall
               ,
               and
               sink
               ,
               and
               come
               to
               nothing
               of
               themselves
               .
            
          
        
         
           In
           the
           words
           ,
           there
           be
           these
           six
           ensuing
           Points
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           faire
           and
           large
           ,
           besides
           many
           others
           of
           a
           more
           collaterall
           and
           illative
           observation
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           From
           those
           words
           ,
           
             ver.
             38.
             
             And
             now
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Refraine
             from
             these
             men
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             alone
             :
             for
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Observe
           ,
           that
           
             it
             is
             a
             point
             of
             much
             wisdome
             to
             forbeare
             the
             oppression
             ,
             or
             suppression
             of
             such
             persons
             ,
             Doctrines
             ,
             and
             wayes
             ,
             which
             men
             have
             any
             reasonable
             cause
             at
             all
             to
             judge
             or
             thinke
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             ,
             or
             may
             be
             ,
             from
             God
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           From
           those
           doubtfull
           expressions
           of
           so
           great
           a
           Doctor
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           one
           that
           knew
           how
           to
           measure
           and
           estimate
           the
           Authoritie
           and
           weight
           of
           a
           Councell-determination
           ,
           and
           besides
           can
           no
           wayes
           be
           suspected
           of
           any
           disaffection
           or
           prejudicatenesse
           against
           such
           Authoritie
           ,
           from
           those
           doubtfull
           expressions
           (
           I
           say
           )
           of
           this
           man
           ,
           
             If
             this
             counsell
             or
             work
             be
             of
             men
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           And
           againe
           ,
           
             If
             it
             be
             of
             God
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Observe
           ,
           That
           
             the
             determination
             of
             a
             Councell
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             major
             part
             of
             a
             Councell
             against
             a
             way
             ,
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             practice
             ,
             is
             no
             demonstrative
             or
             sufficient
             proofe
             for
             any
             wise
             man
             to
             rest
             or
             build
             upon
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             way
             ,
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             practice
             ,
             are
             not
             from
             God
             .
          
           The
           whole
           Councell
           ,
           as
           you
           heard
           ,
           this
           one
           man
           excepted
           ,
           had
           peremptorily
           concluded
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           practice
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           to
           be
           ,
           not
           from
           God
           ,
           but
           from
           men
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           were
           in
           high
           consultation
           to
           suppresse
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           death
           ;
           yet
           all
           this
           did
           not
           satisfie
           
             Gamaliel
          
           in
           point
           of
           judgement
           or
           conscience
           ,
           he
           was
           still
           but
           where
           he
           was
           ,
           doubtfull
           and
           in
           suspence
           with
           himselfe
           about
           the
           businesse
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           From
           that
           clause
           ,
           
             If
             this
             counsell
             or
             work
             be
             from
             men
             ,
             it
             will
             come
             to
             nought
          
           ]
           Observe
           ,
           that
           
             every
             invention
             ,
             contrivance
             ,
             way
             ,
             or
             device
             of
             man
             ,
             especially
             in
             things
             either
             appertaining
             or
             pretending
             to
             appertaine
             unto
             God
             ,
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             will
             in
             time
             weare
             out
             into
             nothing
             and
             be
             dissolved
             .
          
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           From
           the
           Connexion
           or
           dependance
           between
           the
           former
           and
           latter
           parts
           of
           
             ver.
             39.
             
             But
             if
             it
             be
             from
             God
             ,
             yee
             cannot
             destroy
             it
             ,
             lest
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Observe
           ,
           That
           
             for
             any
             man
             ,
             or
             men
             ,
             to
             attempt
             the
             suppression
             of
             any
             Doctrine
             ,
             way
             ,
             or
             practise
             that
             is
             from
             God
             ,
             is
             to
             fight
             against
             God
             himselfe
             .
          
        
         
           Fiftly
           ,
           From
           that
           significant
           phrase
           or
           expression
           ,
           of
           being
           
           
             FOVND
             fighters
             against
             God
             ,
          
           ver.
           39.
           
           Observe
           ,
           
             that
             many
             ,
             who
             possibly
             for
             the
             present
             may
             conceive
             and
             thinke
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             much
             confidence
             ,
             that
             they
             fight
             for
             God
             ,
             when
             the
             truth
             comes
             to
             an
             unpartiall
             and
             perfect
             scanning
             ,
             will
             be
             found
             to
             have
             fought
             against
             him
             .
          
        
         
           Sixtly
           ,
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           From
           the
           importance
           and
           weight
           of
           that
           emphaticall
           particle
           ,
           
             even
             ,
          
           in
           the
           last
           clause
           ,
           
             Lest
             yee
             be
             found
             EVEN
             fighters
             against
             God
             ;
          
           Observe
           ,
           that
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             ,
             is
             a
             most
             dangerous
             posture
             or
             ingagement
             ,
             for
             a
             creature
             to
             be
             taken
             or
             found
             in
             by
             God
             at
             any
             time
             .
          
           The
           dread
           and
           terror
           of
           such
           a
           misprision
           as
           this
           ,
           is
           the
           base
           and
           ground-work
           upon
           which
           
             Gamaliel
          
           builds
           the
           fabrick
           of
           that
           important
           counsell
           and
           advice
           ,
           which
           he
           gives
           unto
           his
           fellows
           ,
           thoroughout
           his
           discourse
           or
           speech
           made
           unto
           them
           .
        
         
           We
           shall
           for
           the
           present
           (
           passing
           by
           all
           the
           rest
           )
           pitch
           upon
           that
           Doctrine
           mentioned
           in
           the
           fourth
           place
           ,
           the
           tenor
           and
           effect
           whereof
           was
           this
           ;
           
             That
             for
             any
             man
             to
             endeavour
             or
             attempt
             the
             suppression
             of
             any
             Doctrine
             ,
             practice
             ,
             or
             way
             ,
             which
             is
             from
             God
             ,
             is
             to
             fight
             against
             God
             himselfe
             .
          
        
         
           For
           the
           sense
           and
           true
           import
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           ,
           I
           shall
           need
           to
           adde
           little
           beyond
           what
           was
           said
           ,
           in
           explication
           of
           the
           words
           ;
           here
           we
           briefly
           shewed
           what
           was
           meant
           by
           fighting
           against
           God
           .
           I
           now
           onely
           adde
           this
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           somewhat
           more
           particular
           )
           that
           it
           is
           not
           every
           degree
           or
           kind
           of
           opposing
           a
           way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           designe
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           either
           the
           text
           ,
           or
           the
           Doctrine
           calleth
           
             a
             fighting
             against
             God
             ;
          
           but
           onely
           such
           an
           opposing
           which
           is
           peremptory
           ,
           and
           carried
           on
           with
           an
           high
           hand
           ,
           so
           that
           those
           Agents
           or
           Instruments
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           anointed
           to
           hold
           forth
           that
           way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           Designe
           of
           his
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           are
           not
           suffered
           to
           execute
           their
           Commission
           ,
           but
           are
           countermanded
           either
           by
           the
           Authoritie
           or
           over-bearing
           strength
           and
           power
           of
           men
           .
           It
           is
           one
           thing
           to
           oppose
           ,
           or
           contend
           against
           a
           Doctrine
           or
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           
             per
             modum
             Doctoris
             ,
          
           as
           when
           a
           Minister
           through
           a
           mistake
           or
           weaknesse
           of
           judgement
           ,
           pleads
           for
           
             Baal
          
           against
           God
           ,
           preacheth
           error
           up
           ,
           and
           truth
           downe
           ,
           which
           may
           befall
           the
           best
           and
           faithfullest
           of
           men
           :
           another
           ,
           to
           doe
           it
           
             per
             modum
             Judicis
             ,
          
           as
           when
           men
           will
           assume
           an
           Authoritative
           power
           ,
           whether
           Ecclesiastique
           or
           Civill
           ,
           to
           suppresse
           or
           silence
           the
           publishing
           ,
           practising
           ,
           arguing
           ,
           or
           debating
           of
           such
           wayes
           or
           Doctrines
           ,
           with
           the
           judgements
           and
           consciences
           
           of
           men
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           even
           this
           kind
           of
           opposing
           them
           ,
           is
           sometimes
           incident
           to
           men
           otherwise
           upright
           in
           the
           maine
           before
           God
           :
           but
           the
           children
           of
           this
           contention
           and
           contestation
           against
           their
           Maker
           ,
           must
           expect
           to
           be
           taught
           r●ore
           wisdome
           and
           reverence
           towards
           him
           ,
           with
           briars
           and
           thornes
           .
           If
           men
           fight
           against
           God
           after
           any
           such
           manner
           as
           this
           ,
           upon
           such
           termes
           as
           if
           they
           were
           Gods
           too
           ,
           this
           will
           ingage
           him
           to
           take
           up
           armes
           also
           in
           his
           own
           defence
           ,
           and
           provoke
           him
           to
           fight
           against
           those
           ,
           who
           fight
           against
           him
           .
           This
           for
           opening
           the
           Doctrine
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           confirmation
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           it
           ,
           wee
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           cause
           many
           Scriptures
           to
           labour
           :
           the
           word
           will
           be
           sufficiently
           established
           in
           the
           mouth
           of
           two
           or
           three
           of
           these
           Witnesses
           .
           
             Why
             doe
          
           
           
             the
             Heathen
             rage
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           
             David
             )
             and
             the
             people
             imagine
             a
             vaine
             thing
             ?
             The
             Kings
             of
             the
             Earth
             set
             themselves
             ,
             and
             the
             Rulers
             take
             counsell
             together
             against
             the
             Lord
             and
             against
             his
             Anointed
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Let
             us
             break
             their
             bands
             asunder
             ,
             and
             cast
             away
             their
             cords
             from
             us
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Those
           expressions
           ,
           of
           
             raging
             ,
             setting
             themselves
             ,
             taking
             counsell
             together
             against
             the
             Lord
             and
             his
             Anointed
             ,
          
           amount
           every
           whit
           as
           much
           as
           to
           a
           
             fighting
             against
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           And
           what
           was
           it
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Heathen
             ,
             people
             ,
             Kings
             ,
             and
             Rulers
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           did
           ,
           or
           attempted
           to
           doe
           
             against
             the
             Lord
             and
             against
             his
             Anointed
             ;
          
           (
           meaning
           Christ
           )
           Was
           it
           any
           thing
           else
           but
           to
           quench
           that
           fire
           ,
           which
           Christ
           (
           as
           himselfe
           saith
           )
           
             came
             to
             kindle
             ,
          
           to
           suppresse
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           cut
           off
           those
           wayes
           of
           righteousnesse
           and
           holinesse
           from
           the
           knowledge
           and
           practise
           of
           men
           ,
           which
           are
           therein
           recommended
           and
           held
           forth
           unto
           the
           world
           ?
           These
           are
           the
           
             bands
             ,
          
           which
           they
           
             set
             themselves
          
           thus
           
             to
             cut
             asunder
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             cords
             ,
          
           which
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           been
           possible
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           
             cast
             from
             them
             .
             Saul
             ,
             Saul
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           from
           Heaven
           unto
           him
           ,
           as
           he
           was
           travailing
           towards
           
             Damascus
             )
             Why
             persecutest
             thou
             me
             ?
             And
             he
             said
             ,
             Who
             art
             thou
             Lord
             ?
             And
             the
             Lord
             said
             ,
             I
             am
             Jesus
             ,
             whom
             thou
             persecutest
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Act.
           9.
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           To
           
             persecute
          
           Christ
           (
           and
           consequenly
           ,
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           who
           is
           in
           Christ
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           5.
           )
           imports
           every
           whit
           as
           much
           ,
           as
           to
           
             fight
             against
          
           Christ
           ,
           and
           somewhat
           more
           .
           But
           why
           is
           
             Saul
          
           here
           charged
           with
           
             persecuting
          
           Christ
           ?
           What
           course
           of
           hostilitie
           did
           he
           run
           or
           practice
           against
           him
           ?
           It
           is
           said
           (
           
             ver.
          
           2.
           )
           that
           
             he
             desired
             Letters
             of
             the
             high
             Priest
             to
             Damascus
             to
             the
             Synagogues
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             found
             any
             of
             this
             WAY
             ,
             whether
             they
             were
             men
             ,
             or
             women
             ,
             he
             might
             bring
             them
             bound
             to
             Jerusalem
             .
          
           Whereby
           it
           appears
           ,
           
           that
           the
           precise
           opposition
           against
           Christ
           ,
           upon
           which
           
             Saul
          
           was
           arrested
           from
           Heaven
           (
           as
           we
           heard
           )
           under
           the
           termes
           of
           
             persecuting
          
           him
           ,
           was
           his
           attempting
           with
           so
           high
           and
           bloudy
           an
           hand
           ,
           to
           destroy
           out
           of
           the
           world
           that
           
             WAY
          
           of
           worshipping
           &
           serving
           God
           ,
           which
           Christ
           in
           his
           Gospel
           recommends
           unto
           ,
           and
           chargeth
           upon
           the
           world
           .
           
             Men
             and
             women
          
           were
           not
           the
           precise
           and
           formall
           object
           of
           his
           hatred
           and
           persecution
           ,
           but
           that
           
             way
          
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           they
           maintained
           ,
           practised
           ,
           and
           taught
           ,
           who
           were
           persecuted
           by
           him
           .
           If
           he
           could
           have
           told
           how
           otherwise
           to
           have
           gotten
           this
           
             WAY
          
           out
           of
           their
           hearts
           ,
           tongues
           ,
           and
           lives
           ,
           and
           consequently
           out
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           then
           by
           molesting
           ,
           vexing
           ,
           and
           persecuting
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           like
           that
           he
           would
           have
           proceeded
           against
           them
           ,
           with
           so
           rough
           and
           cruell
           an
           hand
           .
           It
           is
           said
           (
           
             Revel.
             12.
             7.
             )
             That
             there
             was
             warre
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             Michael
             and
             his
             Angels
             fought
             against
             the
             Dragon
             ;
             and
             the
             Dragon
             fought
             ,
             and
             his
             Angels
             .
          
           Whether
           
             Michael
          
           in
           this
           Scripture
           be
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           (
           as
           ancient
           Interpreters
           generally
           carried
           it
           )
           or
           some
           prime
           Angel
           appointed
           by
           Christ
           ,
           to
           be
           as
           a
           Generall
           or
           Head
           to
           his
           Saints
           and
           servants
           ,
           in
           those
           warres
           and
           fiery
           conflicts
           ,
           wherein
           they
           were
           for
           a
           long
           time
           engaged
           against
           Satan
           ,
           and
           his
           bloudy
           Agents
           in
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           ,
           (
           as
           some
           later
           Expositors
           conceive
           )
           is
           not
           much
           materiall
           .
           But
           it
           is
           here
           expresly
           said
           ,
           that
           
             the
             Dragon
             and
             his
             Angels
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Devill
           and
           his
           Instruments
           ,
           ignorant
           and
           bloud-thirsty-men
           ,
           
             fought
             ,
          
           viz.
           against
           
             Michael
          
           and
           his
           Angels
           ,
           
             i.
          
           against
           Christ
           himselfe
           in
           those
           appointed
           by
           him
           to
           hold
           forth
           the
           way
           and
           Gospel
           of
           his
           Kingdome
           unto
           the
           world
           .
           But
           why
           ,
           or
           how
           are
           they
           said
           to
           have
           
             fought
             against
             Christ
             ?
          
           What
           was
           their
           ingagement
           or
           attempt
           against
           him
           ?
           Questionlesse
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           extirpation
           and
           ejection
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Way
           of
           his
           Gospel
           out
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           by
           the
           torments
           ,
           slaughter
           and
           ruine
           of
           those
           who
           professed
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           profession
           ,
           gave
           them
           a
           speciall
           subsistence
           and
           beeing
           in
           the
           world
           .
           For
           that
           rule
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           way
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           practised
           or
           professed
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           languisheth
           ,
           and
           is
           little
           better
           then
           dead
           .
           I
           adde
           but
           one
           Scripture
           more
           ,
           and
           then
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           proofe
           of
           the
           Point
           ,
           in
           this
           kind
           .
           
             Then
             cometh
             the
             end
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             15.
             24.
             
             )
             when
             he
             (
             i.
          
           Christ
           )
           
             shall
             have
             delivered
             up
             the
             Kingdome
             to
             God
             even
             the
             Father
             ,
             when
             he
             shall
             have
             put
             downe
             all
             rule
             ,
             and
             all
             authoritie
             and
             power
             .
          
           Why
           the
           
             end
          
           should
           not
           
           
             be
             ,
          
           untill
           Christ
           hath
           
             put
             downe
             all
             rule
             ,
             and
             all
             authoritie
             and
             power
             ,
             i.
          
           all
           kinds
           of
           rule
           ,
           Authoritie
           and
           power
           ;
           this
           reason
           is
           rendred
           ,
           
             ver.
             25.
             
             For
             he
             must
             reigne
             ,
             till
             he
             hath
             put
             all
             enemies
             under
             his
             feet
             .
          
           I
           demand
           ,
           why
           should
           
             all
             rule
             ,
             all
             Authoritie
             and
             power
             ,
          
           as
           well
           Ecclesiasticall
           as
           Civill
           ,
           be
           looked
           upon
           ,
           as
           enemies
           unto
           Christ
           ?
           What
           is
           the
           enmity
           or
           hostilitie
           they
           exercise
           against
           him
           ?
           Doubtlesse
           no
           lawfull
           rule
           ,
           Authoritie
           ,
           or
           power
           ,
           are
           enemies
           to
           Christ
           ,
           either
           in
           their
           nature
           or
           institution
           ,
           but
           are
           confederate
           with
           him
           .
           It
           is
           their
           degeneration
           in
           their
           exercise
           and
           actings
           ,
           that
           renders
           them
           of
           an
           hostile
           interpretation
           to
           him
           .
           There
           is
           none
           of
           them
           all
           but
           is
           apt
           ever
           and
           anon
           to
           be
           
             fighting
             against
             him
             ,
          
           and
           that
           by
           some
           peremptory
           and
           stiffe
           opposing
           and
           suppressing
           some
           way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           practise
           of
           his
           ,
           where
           they
           have
           to
           doe
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           quarrell
           which
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           hath
           to
           the
           whole
           fraternitie
           or
           association
           of
           them
           ;
           for
           this
           he
           counts
           them
           his
           
             enemies
             .
          
        
         
           The
           reasons
           of
           the
           point
           ,
           which
           we
           shall
           briefly
           touch
           ,
           are
           three
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           He
           that
           attempts
           or
           seeks
           by
           an
           high
           hand
           to
           suppress
           any
           
           Doctrine
           ,
           Way
           or
           Practice
           which
           is
           from
           God
           ,
           may
           well
           be
           conceived
           and
           said
           to
           
             fight
             against
             God
             ,
          
           because
           he
           opposeth
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           vehemence
           and
           might
           ,
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           a
           very
           considerable
           act
           ,
           motion
           ,
           or
           desire
           of
           it
           .
           There
           is
           no
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           Practice
           ,
           which
           is
           from
           God
           ,
           but
           his
           will
           stands
           strongly
           bent
           for
           the
           propagation
           and
           spreading
           of
           it
           in
           the
           world
           .
           
             I
             am
          
           
           
             come
          
           (
           saith
           Christ
           )
           
             to
             send
          
           (
           or
           ,
           cast
           )
           
             fire
             on
             the
             earth
             :
             and
             what
             WILL
             I
             ,
          
           (
           or
           ,
           what
           is
           my
           desire
           ,
           as
           the
           former
           translation
           had
           it
           )
           
             if
             it
             be
             already
             kindled
             ?
          
           meaning
           ,
           that
           his
           desire
           to
           see
           the
           Gospel
           on
           foot
           ,
           to
           see
           it
           well
           taken
           ,
           and
           sufficiently
           rooted
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           was
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           once
           saw
           it
           ,
           he
           cared
           not
           how
           soon
           he
           left
           the
           world
           .
           So
           
             Luke
             22.
             15.
             
             And
             he
             said
             unto
             them
             ,
             With
             desire
             have
             I
             desired
             to
             eat
             this
             passeover
             with
             you
             ,
             before
             I
             suffer
             :
          
           meaning
           that
           he
           even
           longed
           to
           erect
           and
           found
           that
           great
           Ordinance
           of
           the
           Supper
           ,
           for
           the
           use
           and
           benefit
           of
           the
           world
           in
           after
           times
           ,
           before
           he
           left
           the
           world
           .
           Many
           other
           Scriptures
           there
           are
           that
           speak
           this
           over
           and
           over
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           the
           heart
           and
           soul
           of
           God
           are
           firmly
           and
           deeply
           set
           within
           him
           ,
           to
           have
           such
           Wayes
           ,
           Doctrines
           and
           Ordinances
           as
           come
           from
           him
           ,
           published
           ,
           maintained
           ,
           preached
           ,
           and
           held
           forth
           unto
           the
           world
           .
           Therefore
           they
           who
           ingage
           themselves
           with
           all
           their
           strength
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           might
           ,
           to
           resist
           
           this
           will
           of
           his
           in
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           it
           ,
           what
           do
           they
           else
           but
           fight
           against
           him
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Hee
           that
           magnifies
           himself
           to
           suppresse
           ,
           quash
           ,
           or
           
           keep
           down
           any
           way
           ,
           Practice
           or
           Counsell
           which
           is
           from
           God
           ,
           proportionably
           opposeth
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           doth
           what
           in
           him
           lies
           ,
           to
           keep
           God
           from
           being
           magnified
           in
           the
           hearts
           and
           lives
           of
           men
           ,
           at
           least
           as
           far
           as
           that
           Way
           ,
           Practice
           or
           Counsell
           which
           hee
           seeks
           to
           suppress
           ,
           tends
           to
           such
           a
           magnification
           of
           him
           .
           And
           will
           this
           ,
           being
           weighed
           in
           the
           ballance
           of
           the
           Sanctuary
           ,
           be
           found
           any
           whit
           lighter
           ,
           then
           a
           fighting
           against
           God
           ?
           Certain
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           a
           stock
           of
           glory
           in
           the
           hand
           of
           every
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           and
           Practice
           ,
           which
           he
           recommends
           unto
           the
           world
           ;
           yea
           ,
           in
           all
           and
           every
           of
           these
           ,
           he
           hath
           a
           peculiar
           designe
           for
           the
           exaltation
           of
           his
           Name
           .
           The
           
             beauty
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           is
           said
           to
           be
           seen
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           
             beheld
          
           in
           the
           Wayes
           and
           Ordinances
           of
           his
           
             House
             ,
          
           or
           Temple
           .
           
             Psal.
          
           27.
           4.
           
           There
           is
           no
           way
           or
           truth
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           carries
           an
           impression
           in
           it
           of
           some
           lineament
           or
           other
           of
           the
           glory
           and
           loveliness
           of
           his
           face
           .
           So
           again
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           67.
           
           The
           Prophet
           having
           (
           
             ver.
          
           1.
           )
           petitioned
           that
           at
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           (
           
             ver.
          
           2.
           )
           might
           make
           his
           
             way
             to
             be
             known
             on
             earth
             ,
             &c.
          
           he
           breaks
           out
           (
           
             ver.
          
           3.
           )
           in
           this
           propheticall
           strain
           ,
           
             Let
             the
             people
             praise
             thee
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             let
             all
             the
             people
             praise
             thee
             ;
          
           clearly
           implying
           ,
           that
           the
           
             way
             of
             God
          
           being
           published
           ,
           and
           made
           known
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           increaseth
           the
           Revenues
           of
           the
           throne
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           raiseth
           and
           procureth
           new
           contributions
           of
           praise
           and
           glory
           from
           men
           unto
           God
           .
           So
           then
           he
           that
           shall
           rise
           up
           to
           oppose
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           in
           any
           of
           those
           methods
           ,
           counsels
           or
           projections
           of
           his
           ,
           whereby
           he
           projects
           the
           exaltation
           and
           advancement
           of
           his
           own
           great
           Name
           and
           Glory
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           may
           in
           as
           proper
           a
           sense
           ,
           as
           the
           phrase
           lightly
           will
           bear
           ,
           be
           said
           
             to
             fight
             against
             God
             ;
          
           especially
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           but
           this
           one
           thing
           further
           :
           that
           Gods
           glory
           is
           his
           darling
           ,
           his
           
             unica
             ,
          
           his
           only
           one
           ,
           (
           as
           
             David
          
           cal'd
           his
           life
           ,
           
             Eripe
             à
             gladio
             animam
             meam
             ,
             a
             cane
             unicam
             meam
             ,
             Ps.
          
           22.
           21.
           
           )
           it
           is
           the
           only
           life
           which
           he
           lives
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           only
           apple
           that
           his
           soul
           careth
           to
           eat
           of
           ,
           out
           of
           that
           great
           Orchard
           which
           he
           hath
           planted
           (
           I
           mean
           the
           world
           .
           )
           Therefore
           doubtless
           ,
           he
           that
           shall
           oppose
           him
           in
           his
           gathering
           of
           this
           fruit
           ,
           hath
           the
           greater
           sin
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           there
           is
           in
           every
           thing
           that
           proceeds
           or
           derives
           
           
           its
           originall
           or
           being
           from
           another
           ,
           somewhat
           of
           the
           nature
           ,
           property
           ,
           or
           spirit
           of
           that
           ,
           from
           which
           it
           takes
           this
           rise
           or
           spring
           of
           its
           being
           :
           there
           is
           somewhat
           of
           the
           father
           in
           the
           childe
           ,
           of
           the
           root
           in
           the
           fruit
           and
           in
           the
           branches
           ,
           &c.
           
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           in
           every
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           or
           Practice
           which
           is
           from
           God
           ,
           there
           is
           somewhat
           of
           God
           himself
           .
           The
           very
           substance
           ,
           frame
           and
           constitution
           of
           them
           ,
           at
           least
           that
           which
           is
           operative
           ,
           quickning
           and
           spirituall
           in
           them
           ,
           what
           is
           it
           but
           a
           kinde
           of
           heavenly
           composition
           ,
           the
           ingredients
           whereof
           are
           the
           holiness
           ,
           wisdome
           ,
           mercy
           ,
           goodness
           and
           bounty
           of
           God
           ?
           and
           what
           are
           these
           ,
           and
           every
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           God
           himself
           ?
           Every
           Ordinance
           or
           Way
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           a
           benigne
           constellation
           of
           these
           stars
           unto
           the
           world
           ;
           out
           of
           the
           midst
           of
           which
           he
           gives
           a
           gracious
           aspect
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           communicates
           those
           sweet
           and
           rich
           influences
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           light
           ,
           and
           life
           ,
           and
           strength
           ,
           and
           peace
           ,
           and
           joy
           ,
           unto
           the
           world
           .
           It
           is
           said
           ,
           (
           1
           
             King.
          
           19.
           11.
           
           )
           that
           the
           Lord
           neither
           was
           in
           the
           
             strong
             wind
             that
             rent
             the
             mountains
             ,
          
           nor
           yet
           in
           the
           
             earthquake
          
           that
           followed
           it
           ,
           nor
           in
           the
           
             fire
          
           that
           came
           after
           that
           ;
           but
           after
           these
           there
           came
           
             a
             still
             voyce
             ,
          
           wherein
           it
           is
           implied
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           was
           .
           The
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           God
           had
           neither
           prepared
           or
           intended
           ,
           either
           the
           wind
           ,
           earthquake
           or
           fire
           ,
           by
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           which
           to
           impart
           himself
           unto
           his
           Prophet
           
             Elijah
             ;
          
           he
           had
           only
           prepared
           and
           sanctified
           the
           
             still
             and
             soft
             voyce
          
           for
           such
           a
           purpose
           as
           this
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           is
           expresly
           denyed
           to
           have
           been
           in
           any
           other
           ,
           and
           consequently
           supposed
           to
           have
           been
           in
           this
           .
           In
           such
           a
           sense
           or
           manner
           as
           God
           was
           in
           this
           
             still
             voyce
             ,
          
           he
           is
           in
           every
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           Ordinance
           of
           his
           ;
           in
           ,
           by
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           all
           and
           every
           of
           these
           ,
           he
           communicates
           and
           imparts
           himself
           graciously
           unto
           the
           world
           .
           Therefore
           whosoever
           shall
           fight
           against
           any
           of
           these
           ,
           by
           seeking
           to
           supplant
           ,
           suppress
           ,
           or
           keep
           them
           down
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           
             run
             and
             be
             glorified
          
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           what
           do
           they
           else
           ,
           let
           this
           work
           and
           course
           of
           theirs
           be
           truly
           interpreted
           ,
           but
           fight
           against
           God
           himself
           ?
        
         
           We
           have
           done
           with
           the
           Reasons
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           ;
           we
           shall
           conclude
           with
           somewhat
           by
           way
           of
           use
           and
           application
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Instruction
           :
           If
           to
           attempt
           the
           suppression
           or
           keeping
           down
           ,
           any
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           Practice
           which
           is
           from
           God
           ,
           be
           of
           no
           less
           concernment
           ,
           of
           no
           safer
           interprepation
           ,
           then
           a
           fighting
           against
           God
           ,
           then
           certainly
           it
           is
           the
           greatest
           imprudence
           
           or
           improvidence
           under
           heaven
           ,
           for
           any
           man
           ,
           or
           rank
           of
           men
           whatsoever
           ,
           to
           appear
           ,
           especially
           in
           any
           hgh-handed
           opposition
           or
           contestation
           against
           any
           Way
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           Practice
           whatsoever
           ,
           untill
           they
           have
           proof
           upon
           proof
           ,
           demonstration
           upon
           demonstration
           ,
           evidence
           upon
           evidence
           ;
           yea
           ,
           all
           the
           security
           that
           men
           in
           an
           ordinary
           way
           (
           at
           least
           )
           are
           capable
           of
           ,
           that
           such
           Wayes
           or
           Doctrines
           only
           pretend
           unto
           God
           as
           the
           author
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           truth
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           at
           all
           from
           him
           ,
           but
           either
           from
           men
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           baser
           parentage
           .
           For
           what
           do
           men
           by
           such
           a
           practice
           and
           ingagement
           of
           themselves
           as
           this
           ,
           but
           run
           an
           apparent
           hazard
           ,
           of
           dashing
           their
           foot
           against
           that
           stone
           ,
           at
           which
           
             Paul
          
           stumbled
           ,
           (
           when
           time
           was
           )
           yea
           ,
           and
           without
           the
           highest
           hand
           of
           mercy
           that
           was
           ever
           lift
           up
           to
           save
           a
           mortall
           man
           ,
           had
           been
           utterly
           broken
           to
           pieces
           by
           it
           ?
           
             It
             is
             a
             hard
             thing
             for
             thee
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Lord
           by
           a
           voyce
           from
           
           heaven
           to
           him
           )
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             to
             kick
          
           or
           dash
           thy self
           against
           sharp
           goads
           or
           nails
           ,
           made
           of
           steele
           or
           iron
           ,
           (
           for
           so
           the
           word
           signifies
           )
           meaning
           that
           his
           undertaking
           or
           setting
           himselfe
           with
           such
           violence
           ,
           to
           suppresse
           that
           way
           which
           Christ
           had
           a
           purpose
           to
           advance
           and
           set
           up
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           was
           an
           enterprise
           of
           the
           sorest
           and
           most
           grievous
           consequence
           and
           portendance
           to
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           ever
           he
           could
           have
           lift
           up
           either
           heart
           ,
           or
           head
           ,
           or
           hand
           unto
           .
           
             Vho
             ever
             hath
             been
             fierce
             against
             him
          
           (
           saith
           
             Job
             ,
          
           speaking
           of
           God
           )
           
             and
             hath
             prospered
             ?
             Job
          
           9.
           4.
           
           He
           that
           is
           fierce
           against
           any
           Way
           or
           Doctrine
           which
           is
           from
           God
           ,
           makes
           a
           covenant
           with
           sorrow
           and
           trouble
           ,
           which
           is
           like
           to
           stand
           .
           And
           (
           to
           make
           the
           best
           of
           such
           a
           doubtfull
           and
           blind
           ingagement
           )
           put
           the
           case
           that
           that
           Way
           or
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           men
           shall
           prosecute
           with
           so
           much
           violence
           and
           fiercenesse
           of
           spirit
           ,
           shall
           in
           conclusion
           be
           found
           to
           have
           been
           mistaken
           ,
           erroneous
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           God
           :
           yet
        
         
           ●
           .
           In
           this
           case
           men
           shall
           but
           offer
           the
           sacrifice
           of
           fooles
           ,
           a
           kinde
           of
           sacrifice
           ,
           wherewith
           God
           is
           not
           delighted
           .
           The
           
             Athenians
          
           worshipped
           the
           true
           God
           ,
           as
           appeares
           by
           those
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           unto
           them
           ,
           
             Act.
             17.
             23.
             
             Whom
             yee
             then
             ignorantly
             worship
             ,
             him
             s●ew
             I
             unto
             you
             ;
          
           and
           yet
           were
           Idolaters
           notwithstanding
           .
           The
           same
           Apostle
           
             beares
             record
          
           unto
           his
           Country-men
           the
           
             Jewes
             ,
             That
             they
             had
          
           
           
             the
             zeale
             of
             God
             ;
          
           but
           this
           zeale
           of
           theirs
           not
           being
           
             according
             to
             knowledge
             ,
          
           in
           the
           prosecution
           of
           it
           ,
           they
           
             neither
             pleased
             God
             ,
             and
             were
             contrary
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             forbidding
          
           the
           Apostles
           
             to
             preach
             unto
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             that
          
           
           
             they
             might
             be
             saved
             ,
             to
             fulfill
             their
             sins
             alwayes
             ;
             because
             wrath
             was
             come
             upon
             them
             to
             the
             uttermost
             ,
          
           Thes.
           2.
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           The
           beast
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           
             a
             first-borne
             ,
          
           yet
           was
           not
           to
           be
           
             sanctified
          
           or
           offered
           
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           if
           it
           were
           either
           
             lame
             ,
             or
             blind
             ,
          
           Deut.
           15.
           19.
           21.
           
           Nor
           was
           any
           man
           ,
           though
           of
           
             Aarons
          
           seed
           ,
           admitted
           to
           serve
           at
           the
           Altar
           ,
           that
           had
           any
           blemish
           or
           imperfection
           of
           
             blindnesse
          
           on
           him
           ,
           
             Levit.
          
           21.
           17
           ,
           18.
           
           God
           regards
           no
           mans
           
             zeale
          
           without
           
             knowledge
             ,
          
           though
           it
           should
           pitch
           and
           fasten
           upon
           things
           ,
           never
           so
           agreeable
           unto
           his
           will
           :
           nor
           doth
           he
           care
           that
           his
           enemies
           themselves
           should
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           but
           upon
           lawfull
           triall
           and
           conviction
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Whatsoever
           Doctrine
           or
           way
           is
           recommended
           and
           tendered
           unto
           men
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           whether
           either
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           be
           from
           God
           or
           no
           ,
           yet
           he
           expects
           from
           men
           (
           as
           well
           he
           may
           )
           that
           reverence
           and
           regard
           unto
           that
           Great
           Name
           of
           his
           ,
           wherein
           such
           things
           are
           brought
           and
           tendered
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           diligently
           considered
           ,
           and
           due
           proofe
           and
           examination
           made
           ,
           whether
           they
           be
           from
           him
           ,
           or
           no
           ,
           before
           they
           be
           rejected
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           before
           opposed
           .
           And
           certainly
           men
           doe
           but
           pollute
           and
           prophane
           that
           ever-blessed
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           making
           refuse
           ,
           yea
           abomination
           (
           as
           many
           doe
           )
           of
           such
           things
           as
           are
           brought
           unto
           them
           in
           that
           Name
           ,
           before
           they
           know
           upon
           any
           considerable
           grounds
           or
           terms
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           whether
           the
           things
           be
           indeed
           from
           God
           ,
           or
           no
           ;
           yea
           ,
           though
           the
           things
           thus
           rejected
           should
           at
           last
           be
           found
           worthy
           of
           no
           better
           entertainment
           ,
           as
           having
           no
           agreement
           with
           God
           ,
           or
           his
           Word
           .
           The
           event
           or
           issue
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           though
           it
           should
           fall
           out
           to
           the
           best
           for
           such
           men
           ,
           will
           very
           little
           case
           or
           qualifie
           their
           sin
           .
           Shall
           not
           that
           wicked
           tyrant
           and
           enemy
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Eglon
             ,
             rise
             up
             in
             judgement
             ,
             and
             condemne
             that
             generation
          
           of
           men
           we
           now
           speak
           of
           ,
           who
           ,
           when
           
             Ehud
          
           onely
           signified
           that
           he
           
             had
             a
             message
             from
             God
             unto
             him
             ,
          
           did
           not
           presently
           reject
           the
           message
           before
           he
           knew
           it
           ,
           or
           fall
           foule
           upon
           the
           messenger
           ,
           but
           (
           as
           the
           Text
           saith
           ,
           
             Judg.
             2.
             20.
             
             )
             arose
             up
             from
             his
             throne
             ,
          
           addressing
           himselfe
           in
           that
           deportment
           of
           Reverence
           to
           receive
           it
           ?
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           It
           is
           extreme
           madnesse
           in
           men
           to
           run
           the
           hazard
           we
           speake
           of
           ,
           I
           meane
           of
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             ,
          
           in
           seeking
           to
           suppresse
           such
           waies
           or
           courses
           as
           they
           are
           not
           able
           to
           demonstrate
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           are
           waies
           of
           God
           indeed
           ,
           because
           ,
           in
           case
           they
           be
           not
           the
           waies
           of
           God
           ,
           he
           himselfe
           will
           give
           testimony
           from
           Heaven
           against
           
           them
           in
           due
           time
           ,
           he
           will
           suppresse
           and
           scatter
           them
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           to
           nought
           :
           and
           then
           there
           will
           be
           no
           danger
           for
           men
           to
           reject
           and
           abhorre
           them
           .
           
             Dearly
             beloved
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             Rom.
             12.
             19.
             
             )
             avenge
             not
             your selves
             ,
             but
             give
             place
             unto
             wrath
             ,
          
           i.
           unto
           the
           wrath
           of
           God
           ,
           whose
           just
           avenging
           hand
           is
           lift
           up
           against
           those
           that
           wrong
           you
           ,
           and
           deale
           unjustly
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           is
           ready
           to
           smite
           for
           your
           sakes
           ;
           as
           it
           followeth
           :
           
             For
             it
             is
             written
             ,
             Vengeance
             is
             mine
             :
             I
             will
             repay
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           It
           were
           great
           folly
           in
           any
           man
           ,
           to
           expose
           himselfe
           to
           the
           just
           offence
           and
           displeasure
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           seeking
           to
           right
           himselfe
           in
           an
           angry
           and
           revengefull
           manner
           upon
           him
           ,
           whom
           he
           certainly
           knows
           hath
           injur'd
           him
           ,
           God
           himselfe
           being
           ready
           with
           his
           stroke
           of
           justice
           to
           do
           him
           right
           ,
           and
           to
           avenge
           him
           on
           his
           adversary
           ,
           though
           he
           himselfe
           should
           be
           patient
           and
           ●it
           still
           .
           But
           it
           would
           be
           a
           point
           yet
           of
           seven-times
           greater
           folly
           then
           so
           ,
           for
           a
           man
           to
           fall
           foule
           in
           a
           way
           of
           revenge
           upon
           an
           imaginary
           adversary
           ,
           and
           who
           (
           at
           most
           )
           can
           onely
           be
           supposed
           or
           suspected
           to
           have
           done
           him
           wrong
           ,
           considering
           that
           God
           who
           is
           an
           infallible
           discerner
           and
           judge
           of
           injuries
           and
           wrongs
           ,
           and
           withall
           a
           just
           Avenger
           of
           all
           such
           things
           ,
           will
           shortly
           appeare
           for
           his
           full
           vindication
           ,
           in
           case
           he
           hath
           been
           wronged
           indeed
           .
           Nor
           hath
           any
           man
           cause
           in
           this
           case
           to
           feare
           ,
           lest
           
             whilst
             the
             grasse
             grows
             ,
             the
             s●eed
             should
             starve
             ,
          
           (
           as
           the
           Proverb
           is
           )
           I
           meane
           ,
           that
           the
           person
           injured
           ,
           whether
           really
           or
           in
           supposition
           onely
           ,
           should
           suffer
           losse
           ,
           by
           
             possessing
             his
             soule
             in
             patience
             ,
          
           untill
           the
           day
           of
           divine
           recompence
           and
           vengeance
           shall
           come
           .
           For
           God
           certainly
           will
           give
           full
           and
           ample
           consideration
           for
           all
           forbearance
           and
           long-suffering
           of
           men
           ,
           wherein
           and
           whereby
           the
           rights
           of
           his
           Throne
           are
           tendered
           and
           maintained
           .
           It
           were
           no
           lesse
           then
           an
           exaltation
           of
           folly
           in
           any
           man
           ,
           to
           expose
           his
           own
           life
           to
           the
           stroke
           of
           justice
           ,
           by
           assaulting
           the
           life
           of
           a
           malefactor
           whilst
           he
           is
           going
           to
           execution
           .
        
         
           Againe
           ,
           secondly
           ,
           (
           by
           way
           of
           Instruction
           )
           If
           to
           attempt
           the
           destruction
           or
           suppression
           of
           any
           Doctrine
           ,
           or
           way
           ,
           which
           is
           from
           God
           in
           so
           high
           and
           peremptory
           a
           manner
           ,
           as
           was
           formerly
           expressed
           ,
           be
           a
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             ,
          
           take
           we
           knowledge
           from
           hence
           also
           ,
           what
           ●in
           by
           name
           in
           all
           likelihood
           (
           at
           least
           )
           and
           with
           highest
           pregnancy
           of
           conjecture
           ,
           it
           is
           ,
           which
           ever
           and
           anon
           thus
           separates
           between
           God
           and
           us
           ,
           which
           still
           troubles
           our
           proceedings
           ,
           and
           makes
           the
           Sun
           of
           our
           peace
           to
           goe
           so
           often
           backwards
           in
           the
           
           Heavens
           thereof
           .
           Is
           there
           not
           a
           
             fighting
             against
             God
          
           amongst
           us
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           fighting
           for
           him
           ?
           and
           doe
           we
           not
           pull
           downe
           by
           the
           one
           ,
           what
           we
           build
           up
           by
           the
           other
           ?
           Are
           not
           the
           hearts
           ,
           and
           the
           heads
           ,
           and
           the
           hands
           of
           farre
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           men
           amongst
           us
           ,
           ingaged
           ,
           and
           that
           to
           the
           highest
           of
           all
           bitternesse
           ,
           hatred
           ,
           and
           enmity
           ,
           against
           that
           
             Way
          
           of
           ordering
           the
           things
           of
           God's
           worship
           ,
           and
           of
           governing
           his
           Churches
           and
           Saints
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           ,
           and
           still
           is
           held
           forth
           in
           his
           Name
           unto
           this
           Nation
           ,
           by
           some
           Embassadors
           and
           Messengers
           of
           his
           of
           a
           very
           choice
           anoynting
           ,
           and
           indued
           with
           strength
           from
           on
           High
           ,
           (
           many
           of
           them
           )
           as
           it
           were
           on
           purpose
           to
           stand
           by
           some
           such
           
             way
          
           or
           counsell
           of
           God
           ,
           untill
           it
           had
           throughly
           taken
           the
           hearts
           ,
           and
           judgements
           ,
           and
           consciences
           of
           men
           ;
           besides
           many
           thousands
           more
           ,
           and
           those
           (
           for
           the
           most
           part
           )
           of
           the
           best
           and
           choicest
           servants
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           ?
           Is
           not
           this
           
             WAY
          
           blasphemed
           and
           spoken
           against
           ;
           yea
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           destruction
           and
           ruine
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           the
           grinding
           of
           the
           faces
           and
           breaking
           of
           the
           bones
           ,
           with
           the
           suppression
           and
           crushing
           of
           those
           that
           hold
           it
           forth
           unto
           us
           ,
           consulted
           ,
           studied
           ,
           and
           attempted
           by
           some
           that
           would
           be
           thought
           Pillars
           and
           prime
           men
           in
           the
           House
           and
           Temple
           of
           God
           ?
           And
           have
           they
           not
           a
           great
           vote
           of
           the
           generality
           of
           people
           ,
           who
           know
           little
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           his
           Wayes
           ,
           concurring
           with
           them
           ,
           to
           strengthen
           their
           hand
           herein
           ?
           May
           we
           not
           say
           of
           this
           
             WAY
             ,
          
           as
           the
           
             Jews
          
           sometimes
           said
           unto
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           concerning
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           which
           he
           preached
           ,
           with
           those
           that
           professed
           it
           ;
           
             We
             know
             that
             this
             Sect
             is
             every where
             spoken
             against
             ?
          
           Act.
           28.
           22.
           
           So
           
           then
           in
           case
           it
           ever
           shall
           appeare
           ,
           or
           be
           found
           to
           be
           a
           
             WAY
          
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           in
           a
           
             Praemunire
          
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           have
           forfeited
           our
           peace
           ,
           help
           and
           comfort
           in
           God
           ,
           as
           touching
           deliverance
           from
           our
           present
           dangers
           and
           miseries
           ,
           by
           this
           our
           
             fighting
             against
             him
             .
          
           I
           presume
           you
           will
           all
           readily
           acknowledge
           and
           confesse
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           be
           such
           a
           sin
           ruling
           and
           ●aigning
           amongst
           us
           ,
           as
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             ,
          
           this
           of
           all
           other
           is
           like
           to
           be
           the
           
             Achan
             ,
          
           the
           
             Troubler
             of
             our
             Israel
             ;
          
           that
           betrays
           our
           armies
           ,
           our
           faithfull
           and
           valiant
           men
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           their
           and
           our
           enemies
           ,
           and
           that
           makes
           us
           ever
           and
           anon
           ,
           retrograde
           in
           our
           motions
           and
           tendencies
           towards
           rest
           and
           peace
           .
           
             Whoever
             hath
          
           
           
             hardened
             himself
             against
             him
          
           (
           saith
           
             Job
             ,
          
           as
           wee
           heard
           before
           )
           
             and
             prospered
             ?
          
           If
           this
           be
           but
           granted
           ,
           it
           is
           enough
           to
           demonstrate
           our
           case
           and
           condition
           to
           be
           very
           dangerous
           and
           doubtfull
           ▪
           at
           the
           best
           :
           
           For
           whether
           that
           
             WAY
          
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           generally
           troden
           and
           trampled
           upon
           like
           clay
           and
           mire
           in
           the
           streets
           ,
           as
           well
           by
           the
           foot
           of
           ignorance
           and
           prophanenesse
           ,
           as
           of
           learning
           and
           better
           accomplishment
           ,
           be
           the
           
             WAY
          
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           no
           ;
           most
           certain
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           wit
           ,
           wisdome
           ,
           parts
           ,
           learning
           ,
           judgement
           ,
           that
           have
           encountered
           and
           opposed
           it
           hitherto
           ,
           have
           not
           been
           able
           by
           any
           demonstrative
           or
           concluding
           proofe
           ,
           to
           overthrow
           that
           title
           or
           claim
           which
           it
           maketh
           unto
           God
           as
           the
           author
           and
           founder
           of
           it
           .
           Therefore
           unto
           me
           it
           is
           a
           thing
           of
           the
           saddest
           consideration
           under
           heaven
           ,
           and
           of
           more
           grievous
           portendance
           unto
           us
           ,
           then
           any
           thing
           else
           ,
           (
           as
           far
           as
           I
           am
           able
           to
           discern
           )
           that
           we
           should
           hang
           the
           great
           weight
           of
           the
           peace
           and
           safety
           of
           a
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           all
           our
           hopes
           and
           expectations
           of
           help
           and
           assistance
           from
           God
           in
           our
           greatest
           extremities
           ,
           upon
           the
           brittle
           pin
           of
           so
           doubtfull
           a
           disputation
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           is
           maintained
           ,
           and
           yet
           depending
           ,
           between
           the
           one
           
             WAY
          
           and
           the
           other
           .
           For
           in
           case
           that
           
             way
          
           against
           which
           the
           spirits
           of
           men
           are
           so
           generally
           and
           fiercely
           bent
           ,
           shall
           at
           last
           be
           found
           to
           be
           the
           
             Way
          
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           all
           this
           while
           look'd
           upon
           from
           heaven
           as
           
             fighters
             against
             God
             ,
          
           and
           so
           have
           as
           good
           as
           given
           hostages
           to
           our
           enemies
           ,
           that
           we
           never
           mean
           to
           prosper
           ,
           or
           do
           any
           great
           thing
           against
           them
           .
           Whereas
           ,
           if
           men
           would
           but
           follow
           
             Gamaliels
          
           counsell
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           and
           refrain
           themselves
           for
           a
           season
           from
           laying
           either
           violent
           hands
           ,
           or
           tongues
           upon
           this
           way
           ,
           untill
           God
           had
           either
           untied
           or
           cut
           the
           knot
           ,
           till
           he
           had
           given
           sentence
           against
           it
           ,
           the
           
             doubtfulnesse
          
           of
           the
           
             disputation
             ,
          
           need
           not
           ,
           would
           not
           be
           prejudiciall
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           either
           to
           our
           present
           proceedings
           ,
           or
           future
           peace
           :
           and
           men
           do
           but
           make
           themselves
           
             wise
             above
             that
             which
             is
             written
             ;
          
           yea
           ,
           above
           that
           which
           is
           either
           
             reason
          
           or
           
             faith
             ,
          
           to
           think
           ,
           or
           speak
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           objected
           ,
           that
           Reformation
           suffers
           and
           loseth
           time
           ,
           because
           that
           
             Way
          
           is
           not
           yet
           hedgd
           up
           with
           thorns
           ,
           but
           men
           are
           suffered
           to
           walk
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           First
           ,
           If
           the
           
             Way
          
           be
           one
           of
           those
           
             wayes
          
           which
           call
           God
           Father
           ;
           Reformation
           indeed
           suffers
           ,
           and
           loseth
           time
           ,
           but
           not
           because
           this
           
             Way
          
           is
           not
           hedg'd
           up
           with
           thorns
           ,
           but
           because
           it
           is
           not
           laid
           more
           open
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           not
           repaired
           and
           made
           more
           passable
           by
           the
           favour
           and
           countenance
           of
           men
           in
           place
           ,
           whether
           Ministers
           or
           others
           ;
           that
           so
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           whose
           hearts
           are
           towards
           it
           ,
           may
           walk
           therein
           without
           fear
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           That
           reformation
           (
           so
           called
           )
           which
           is
           the
           apple
           of
           so
           many
           eyes
           ,
           and
           the
           joy
           of
           so
           many
           hearts
           ,
           needs
           suffer
           nothing
           ,
           nor
           lose
           an
           hours
           time
           ,
           though
           the
           
             Way
          
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           be
           occupied
           in
           peace
           by
           those
           ,
           whose
           feet
           by
           the
           light
           of
           Gods
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           (
           at
           least
           as
           they
           conceive
           )
           are
           guided
           into
           it
           .
           For
           what
           doth
           the
           poor
           Flie
           sitting
           on
           the
           top
           of
           the
           wheele
           to
           hinder
           the
           waggoner
           from
           driving
           on
           his
           way
           ?
           If
           the
           residue
           of
           the
           Nation
           be
           subjected
           to
           this
           Reformation
           ,
           the
           Nation
           it self
           may
           be
           said
           to
           be
           reformed
           (
           according
           to
           such
           a
           denomination
           ,
           as
           this
           Reformation
           will
           afford
           )
           notwithstanding
           such
           a
           number
           of
           persons
           (
           comparatively
           so
           inconsiderable
           ,
           I
           mean
           as
           touching
           their
           
             *
          
           number
           )
           as
           adhere
           to
           this
           
             Way
             ,
          
           be
           not
           concluded
           in
           it
           .
           During
           the
           regency
           of
           Prelaticall
           extravagancy
           ,
           there
           were
           many
           Non-conformists
           ;
           yea
           ,
           severall
           Congregations
           of
           people
           in
           the
           land
           ,
           who
           openly
           disclaimed
           and
           protested
           against
           that
           government
           ;
           and
           yet
           the
           Nation
           was
           look'd
           upon
           as
           Episcopally
           
             reformed
             ,
          
           notwithstanding
           .
           The
           irregularity
           of
           the
           mountains
           and
           valleys
           in
           the
           surface
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           troubles
           no
           mans
           opinion
           concerning
           the
           perfect
           roundnesse
           of
           it
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           swallowed
           up
           into
           victory
           by
           the
           vastnesse
           of
           the
           globe
           .
           
             John
          
           saith
           ▪
           that
           
             this
             whole
             world
             lyeth
             in
             wickednesse
             ,
          
           notwithstanding
           a
           remnant
           who
           were
           born
           of
           God
           .
           The
           gleanings
           of
           Independency
           (
           so
           called
           )
           will
           not
           hinder
           the
           vintage
           of
           Presbytery
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           a
           complete
           Nationall
           Reformation
           be
           indeed
           the
           Garland
           or
           Crown
           that
           is
           contended
           for
           ,
           let
           but
           
             Presbyterie
          
           bestir
           her self
           ,
           and
           act
           her
           part
           within
           her
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           with
           as
           much
           diligence
           ,
           wisdome
           and
           faithfulness
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Congregationall
             Way
          
           will
           undertake
           to
           act
           hers
           amongst
           her
           Proselytes
           ;
           and
           there
           will
           not
           be
           the
           least
           occasion
           to
           fear
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           whole
           and
           entire
           body
           of
           the
           Nation
           will
           shine
           with
           the
           beauty
           and
           lustre
           of
           a
           perfect
           Reformation
           .
           If
           this
           
             Way
          
           shall
           be
           found
           tardy
           ,
           or
           loose
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           keep
           pace
           with
           her
           sister
           in
           carrying
           on
           the
           work
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           even
           her
           
             enemies
             themselves
             being
             Judges
             ,
          
           let
           her
           suffer
           ;
           yea
           ,
           let
           her
           with
           her
           children
           be
           cast
           out
           of
           doors
           .
           Therefore
           it
           is
           but
           a
           frivolous
           and
           putid
           slander
           cast
           upon
           her
           ,
           when
           she
           is
           charged
           with
           enmity
           to
           Reformation
           :
           But
           ,
        
         
           4.
           
           (
           And
           lastly
           )
           I
           would
           gladly
           know
           ,
           what
           ,
           or
           what
           manner
           of
           Reformation
           can
           reasonably
           be
           expected
           ,
           or
           hoped
           for
           ,
           without
           her
           .
           Such
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           as
           that
           whereby
           that
           Angel
           
           of
           darknesse
           ,
           Satan
           is
           reformed
           ,
           when
           he
           
             is
             transformed
             into
             an
             Angel
             of
             light
          
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaketh
           )
           is
           no
           reformation
           of
           desires
           :
           
           open
           loosenesse
           and
           prophaneness
           reformed
           into
           Pharasaicall
           hypocrisie
           ,
           brings
           in
           little
           to
           religion
           .
           For
           what
           saith
           our
           Saviour
           of
           such
           a
           Reformation
           as
           this
           ?
           
             Verily
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             that
             Publicans
             and
             Harlots
             go
             before
             you
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             .
          
           If
           then
           such
           a
           reformation
           
           as
           this
           should
           take
           place
           ,
           it
           is
           much
           to
           be
           feared
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           Genealogie
           of
           it
           shall
           be
           sought
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           found
           to
           be
           of
           the
           house
           and
           linage
           of
           that
           Reformation
           ,
           which
           the
           
             Scribes
          
           and
           
             Pharisees
          
           attempted
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           when
           
             they
             compassed
             Sea
             and
             Land
             to
          
           
           
             make
             one
             Proselyte
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             was
             made
             ,
             they
             made
             him
             twofold
             more
             a
             child
             of
             hell
             ,
          
           then
           he
           was
           before
           ;
           yea
           ,
           
             then
             they
             were
             themselves
             ;
          
           Or
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           wherein
           the
           
             Way
          
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           cannot
           be
           admitted
           to
           have
           either
           part
           or
           fellowship
           ?
           Will
           it
           take
           the
           
             members
             of
             an
             Harlot
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             the
             members
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           whether
           either
           
             Christ
          
           or
           such
           
             members
          
           themselves
           ,
           will
           or
           no
           ?
           Or
           will
           it
           undertake
           to
           reconcile
           darkness
           with
           light
           ,
           to
           settle
           a
           communion
           betwixt
           Christ
           and
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           to
           throw
           down
           the
           partition
           wall
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           wildernesse
           of
           the
           world
           the
           garden
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           world
           ,
           enter-commoners
           ?
           Or
           what
           is
           the
           glory
           or
           greatnesse
           of
           the
           design
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           the
           Congregationall
           
             Way
          
           is
           counted
           unworthy
           to
           be
           so
           much
           as
           a
           stander
           by
           ,
           and
           to
           behold
           it
           ?
           Will
           it
           lift
           up
           its
           hand
           ,
           to
           quash
           and
           crush
           ,
           to
           break
           the
           hearts
           and
           bones
           of
           the
           one
           half
           of
           the
           most
           religiously
           affected
           ,
           and
           best
           conscienced
           people
           in
           the
           Land
           ,
           for
           trading
           in
           Apes
           and
           Peacocks
           ,
           for
           holding
           some
           erroneous
           opinions
           (
           perhaps
           erroneously
           so
           called
           )
           as
           if
           it self
           were
           the
           Lord
           of
           infallibility
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           
             non
             posse
             errare
          
           settled
           by
           God
           ,
           as
           an
           inheritance
           upon
           it
           ?
           I
           professe
           ingenuously
           ,
           that
           when
           I
           put
           my self
           into
           a
           posture
           of
           the
           greatest
           indulgency
           I
           am
           able
           ,
           to
           consider
           of
           the
           reformation
           so
           much
           spoken
           of
           ,
           and
           even
           conflict
           with
           my
           spirit
           to
           forme
           and
           cast
           the
           possible
           effects
           and
           fruits
           of
           it
           to
           the
           greatest
           advantage
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           able
           to
           apprehend
           any
           thing
           desireable
           likely
           to
           come
           of
           it
           ,
           either
           in
           respect
           of
           a
           civill
           ,
           or
           religious
           accommodarion
           unto
           the
           Nation
           ,
           above
           what
           might
           be
           expected
           ,
           and
           that
           upon
           terms
           of
           a
           far
           more
           promising
           hope
           ,
           from
           the
           other
           
             Way
          
           which
           indureth
           so
           much
           contradiction
           from
           men
           .
           But
           I
           apparently
           foresee
           many
           inconveniences
           ,
           and
           those
           not
           of
           a
           light
           or
           contemptible
           importance
           
           likely
           to
           attend
           it
           ,
           for
           which
           no
           place
           would
           be
           found
           in
           the
           other
           
             Way
             .
          
           Particularly
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           mee
           instead
           of
           all
           arguments
           and
           demonstrations
           ,
           that
           no
           Reformation
           is
           according
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           and
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           which
           is
           destructive
           to
           the
           edification
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           directly
           impeding
           their
           
             growth
             in
             grace
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
           And
           whether
           such
           a
           Reformation
           (
           if
           yet
           it
           be
           lawfull
           so
           to
           call
           it
           )
           which
           injoynes
           the
           Saints
           to
           sit
           under
           ,
           and
           hold
           themselves
           to
           such
           Pastors
           ,
           with
           whom
           their
           hearts
           cannot
           close
           in
           that
           relation
           with
           any
           tolerable
           satisfaction
           ,
           nor
           yet
           are
           capable
           of
           his
           Ministery
           ,
           or
           any
           edification
           by
           it
           ,
           be
           not
           under
           that
           condemnation
           ,
           I
           leave
           to
           men
           that
           have
           not
           sold
           themselves
           under
           partiality
           ,
           to
           judge
           and
           determine
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           but
           men
           shall
           have
           liberty
           to
           choose
           what
           Pastor
           they
           please
           ,
           and
           to
           sit
           under
           what
           Ministery
           they
           desire
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           but
           choose
           their
           dwellings
           accordingly
           .
           I
           answer
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           may
           be
           (
           and
           I
           believe
           are
           )
           many
           of
           a
           rich
           anoynting
           from
           God
           for
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           and
           much
           desired
           by
           a
           considerable
           number
           of
           godly
           persons
           ,
           in
           Pastorall
           relation
           ,
           who
           must
           say
           their
           consciences
           nay
           ,
           to
           accept
           of
           a
           Parochiall
           charge
           .
           In
           this
           case
           the
           change
           of
           a
           mans
           house
           will
           do
           nothing
           towards
           the
           blessing
           of
           his
           soul
           ;
           if
           such
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           as
           most
           mens
           thoughts
           run
           upon
           ,
           should
           be
           established
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           All
           the
           dwellings
           within
           the
           Parochiall
           line
           ,
           relating
           to
           the
           Pastor
           that
           is
           desired
           ,
           may
           be
           fill'd
           with
           Inhabitants
           already
           ;
           and
           so
           there
           is
           no
           place
           ,
           or
           possibility
           (
           at
           least
           for
           the
           present
           )
           for
           him
           whose
           soul
           longeth
           after
           that
           Pastor
           ,
           to
           injoy
           him
           :
           and
           when
           ,
           or
           whether
           ever
           whilest
           he
           liveth
           ,
           the
           door
           now
           shut
           against
           him
           will
           be
           open
           ,
           no
           man
           knoweth
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Many
           times
           the
           situation
           and
           conveniency
           of
           a
           mans
           present
           dwelling
           for
           trade
           ,
           imployment
           ,
           &c.
           is
           such
           ,
           that
           he
           cannot
           remove
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           perill
           of
           his
           estate
           ,
           and
           ruining
           himself
           and
           his
           whole
           family
           .
           And
           how
           they
           ,
           who
           shall
           compell
           men
           ,
           either
           to
           sacrifice
           their
           peace
           ,
           comfort
           ,
           and
           subsistenc
           〈…〉
           this
           present
           world
           ,
           or
           else
           run
           the
           hazard
           of
           losing
           a
           subsistence
           in
           that
           which
           is
           to
           come
           ,
           will
           answer
           it
           either
           before
           the
           righteous
           God
           ,
           or
           reasonable
           men
           ,
           is
           above
           my
           apprehension
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           This
           liberty
           of
           choosing
           Pastors
           only
           by
           choosing
           houses
           ,
           is
           so
           conditioned
           ,
           that
           it
           smiles
           only
           upon
           the
           rich
           ,
           (
           and
           that
           but
           somewhat
           
           faintly
           neither
           )
           but
           frowns
           upon
           the
           poor
           ;
           and
           so
           is
           partiall
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           Christian
           .
           He
           that
           hath
           enough
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           (
           as
           
             Solomon
          
           saith
           )
           
             answers
             all
             things
             ,
          
           may
           probably
           be
           able
           to
           accommodate
           
           himself
           within
           the
           precincts
           of
           what
           parish
           he
           pleaseth
           ,
           in
           point
           of
           dwelling
           ;
           as
           either
           by
           buying
           out
           some
           Inhabitant
           ,
           or
           by
           purchasing
           ground
           ,
           and
           building
           upon
           it
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ;
           but
           the
           case
           of
           the
           poor
           man
           is
           many
           times
           such
           ,
           that
           he
           cannot
           tell
           where
           to
           finde
           another
           hole
           in
           all
           the
           world
           to
           hide
           his
           head
           in
           ,
           besides
           that
           wherein
           it
           is
           hid
           already
           .
           So
           that
           this
           liberty
           of
           choosing
           a
           Pastor
           ,
           being
           nothing
           else
           ,
           if
           plainly
           interpreted
           ,
           but
           only
           a
           liberty
           of
           choosing
           such
           or
           such
           a
           Parish
           determinately
           to
           dwell
           in
           ,
           is
           little
           better
           then
           a
           meer
           collusion
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           those
           that
           are
           poor
           ,
           and
           (
           indeed
           )
           rather
           an
           upbraiding
           of
           them
           with
           their
           poverty
           ,
           then
           any
           gratification
           of
           them
           with
           a
           liberty
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           (
           And
           lastly
           )
           such
           a
           liberty
           as
           this
           we
           now
           speak
           of
           ▪
           were
           it
           more
           valueable
           then
           it
           is
           ,
           is
           no
           gratuity
           ,
           benefit
           or
           blessing
           of
           that
           Reformation
           so
           importunely
           demanded
           and
           pressed
           for
           by
           many
           ,
           being
           nothing
           else
           ,
           but
           what
           was
           every
           mans
           permission
           and
           enjoyment
           under
           the
           iron
           rod
           of
           Episcopall
           tyranny
           .
           I
           am
           more
           beholding
           to
           every
           man
           that
           comes
           neer
           me
           ,
           for
           not
           taking
           away
           my
           life
           ,
           then
           I
           am
           to
           any
           Reformation
           whatsoever
           ,
           for
           giving
           me
           liberty
           to
           choose
           my
           Pastor
           upon
           such
           terms
           .
           This
           for
           answer
           in
           full
           to
           that
           undue
           charge
           against
           the
           Congregationall
           
             Way
             ,
          
           wherein
           it
           was
           attainded
           of
           inconsistency
           with
           ,
           and
           enmity
           against
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           A
           second
           objection
           levied
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           all
           sufferance
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           those
           that
           are
           adversaries
           to
           it
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           if
           it
           be
           permitted
           quietly
           to
           walk
           up
           and
           down
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           suppressed
           ,
           it
           will
           soon
           make
           the
           Land
           unquiet
           ,
           fill
           the
           Land
           with
           troubles
           ,
           t●mults
           ,
           divisions
           ,
           distractions
           ,
           dissentions
           ,
           discontents
           ,
           confusions
           ,
           in
           City
           ,
           in
           Countrey
           ,
           in
           relations
           ,
           in
           families
           ,
           and
           where
           not
           ?
           To
           this
           also
           I
           answer
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           perempt
           〈…〉
           ness
           and
           height
           of
           confidence
           in
           an
           accuser
           ,
           is
           no
           signe
           at
           all
           of
           reality
           or
           truth
           in
           the
           accusation
           .
           
             Wee
             know
          
           (
           say
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
          
           concerning
           Christ
           )
           
             that
             this
             man
             is
             a
             sinner
             ,
          
           Joh.
           9.
           24.
           
           And
           again
           ,
           Joh.
           8.
           48.
           
           
             Say
             wee
             not
             well
             ,
             that
             thou
             art
             a
             Samaritan
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             hast
             a
             Devill
             ?
          
           And
           yet
           for
           all
           their
           
             knowledge
             ,
          
           and
           confidence
           of
           
             well-speaking
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           was
           never
           the
           more
           either
           a
           
             Sinner
             ,
          
           
           or
           a
           
             Samaritan
             ,
          
           or
           
             had
             a
             Devill
             .
          
           The
           Way
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           is
           never
           the
           neerer
           the
           guilt
           of
           those
           things
           that
           are
           charged
           upon
           it
           ,
           because
           her
           accusers
           bewray
           so
           little
           tendernesse
           or
           ●esitancy
           in
           drawing
           up
           their
           charge
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Nor
           is
           the
           tragicall
           dresse
           or
           pointed
           stile
           of
           an
           accusation
           any
           demonstrative
           proof
           of
           a
           guilt
           commensurable
           thereunto
           ;
           no
           ,
           nor
           yet
           of
           any
           proportion
           or
           degree
           of
           guilt
           at
           all
           .
           Want
           of
           crime
           and
           delinquency
           ,
           either
           in
           things
           or
           persons
           ,
           which
           are
           accused
           ▪
           many
           times
           makes
           a
           greater
           noyse
           in
           the
           accusation
           ,
           then
           a
           reality
           or
           fulnesse
           of
           guilt
           would
           do
           .
           Innocency
           ●ath
           beg●tten
           the
           rankest
           and
           fiercest
           accusations
           that
           ever
           were
           managed
           by
           the
           tongues
           or
           pens
           of
           men
           .
           
             Thou
             lovest
             all
             devouring
             words
          
           (
           said
           
             David
             )
             O
             tho●
             deceitfull
          
           
           (
           or
           ,
           false
           )
           
             tongue
             .
          
           They
           that
           accuse
           either
           upon
           knowledge
           or
           fear
           of
           little
           or
           no
           guilt
           in
           the
           accused
           ,
           still
           labour
           to
           lay
           on
           accusation
           enough
           ,
           lest
           nothing
           otherwise
           should
           be
           believed
           by
           the
           Judge
           .
           That
           mount
           of
           accusation
           which
           is
           raised
           so
           high
           against
           the
           
             Way
          
           we
           now
           maintain
           ,
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           prove
           that
           there
           is
           any
           thing
           in
           it
           that
           deserves
           battery
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           is
           no
           substantiall
           reason
           at
           all
           can
           be
           given
           ,
           why
           this
           
             Way
          
           should
           occasion
           troubles
           ,
           divisions
           ,
           discontents
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ,
           above
           the
           rate
           of
           that
           other
           
             Way
             ,
          
           which
           so
           much
           magnifies
           it self
           against
           it
           ;
           except
           (
           haply
           )
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           hath
           more
           of
           God
           and
           Christ
           in
           it
           ,
           then
           that
           other
           :
           and
           then
           it
           is
           no
           marvell
           if
           it
           be
           more
           offensive
           ,
           and
           troublesome
           to
           the
           world
           .
           But
           suppose
           both
           equally
           interessed
           in
           this
           ,
           I
           affirm
           and
           undertake
           to
           demonstrate
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           nature
           ,
           frame
           ,
           and
           constitution
           of
           it
           otherwise
           ,
           it
           is
           every
           whit
           as
           gentle
           ,
           sweet
           ,
           complying
           and
           accommodating
           ,
           and
           no
           whit
           more
           threatning
           or
           portending
           troubles
           or
           distractions
           ,
           then
           the
           other
           ;
           yea
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           such
           considerations
           as
           these
           ,
           it
           hath
           the
           preheminence
           :
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           seeketh
           not
           ,
           it
           attempteth
           not
           the
           molestation
           ,
           harm
           ,
           or
           disturbance
           of
           any
           sort
           of
           men
           that
           are
           contrary-minded
           to
           it
           ;
           it
           thinketh
           no
           evill
           ,
           it
           speaketh
           no
           evill
           of
           such
           :
           if
           it
           conceives
           them
           upright
           and
           faithfull
           with
           God
           and
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           it
           imbraceth
           them
           with
           all
           love
           ,
           tendernesse
           and
           honour
           ,
           as
           
             partakers
             of
             like
             precious
             faith
          
           with
           it self
           ;
           and
           nothing
           doubts
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           serve
           and
           worship
           God
           with
           as
           much
           sincerity
           and
           singlenesse
           of
           heart
           ,
           and
           are
           accordingly
           accepted
           by
           him
           in
           their
           
             Way
             ,
          
           as
           it self
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           If
           God
           should
           please
           to
           give
           it
           favour
           in
           the
           eyes
           ,
           and
           interest
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           powers
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           it
           thinks
           it
           very
           un-Christian
           and
           unworthy
           ,
           to
           arm
           it self
           with
           this
           interest
           ,
           to
           fight
           against
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           consciences
           of
           other
           men
           .
           If
           any
           of
           this
           
             Way
          
           have
           miscarried
           in
           any
           of
           these
           particulars
           ,
           they
           have
           done
           it
           as
           men
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           children
           of
           this
           
             Way
             ;
          
           the
           principles
           of
           their
           
             Way
          
           taught
           them
           better
           things
           .
           And
           why
           ,
           or
           how
           a
           
             way
             ,
          
           baptized
           into
           no
           worse
           ,
           or
           harder
           spirit
           then
           this
           ,
           should
           come
           to
           be
           arraigned
           ,
           as
           a
           troubler
           of
           State
           ,
           or
           strife-maker
           ,
           a
           dissention-breeder
           amongst
           men
           ,
           except
           it
           be
           by
           a
           spirit
           of
           contention
           and
           strife
           indeed
           ,
           is
           to
           me
           a
           thing
           incomprehensible
           .
           Neverthelesse
           it
           is
           no
           new
           thing
           ,
           that
           both
           the
           wayes
           and
           servants
           of
           God
           should
           be
           charged
           with
           such
           crimes
           and
           demerits
           ,
           not
           only
           whereof
           they
           are
           wholly
           innocent
           and
           free
           ,
           but
           which
           have
           a
           speciall
           contrariety
           to
           some
           such
           grace
           or
           vertue
           ,
           wherein
           they
           have
           a
           remarkable
           and
           choyce
           preheminence
           above
           others
           .
           Thus
           
             Joseph
             ,
          
           the
           great
           mirrour
           of
           chastity
           ,
           was
           accused
           of
           Adultery
           ,
           
             Gen.
             39.
             
             Moses
             ,
          
           the
           meekest
           man
           upon
           earth
           ,
           of
           ambition
           ,
           and
           self-assuming
           ,
           
             Numb.
             16.
             
             Elijah
          
           of
           being
           the
           troubler
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
             1
             King.
          
           18.
           who
           was
           the
           Chariot
           and
           Horse-men
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           to
           defend
           it
           :
           2
           
             King.
          
           2.
           
           The
           Lord
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           
             in
             whom
             the
             Godhead
             dwelt
             bodily
             ,
          
           of
           
             having
             a
             Devill
             ,
             Joh.
          
           8.
           and
           so
           of
           being
           
             an
             enemy
             unto
             Cesar
             ,
          
           when
           as
           it
           was
           ,
           and
           is
           he
           ,
           
             by
             whom
             Kings
             reign
             ;
          
           with
           many
           the
           like
           .
           Therefore
           however
           it
           may
           seem
           strange
           that
           a
           
             Way
          
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           eminently
           set
           ,
           strongly
           bent
           ,
           and
           (
           in
           a
           manner
           )
           every
           wayes
           calculated
           for
           peace
           ,
           should
           suffer
           in
           the
           tongues
           and
           thoughts
           of
           men
           as
           a
           disturber
           of
           States
           ,
           and
           sower
           of
           dissentions
           amongst
           men
           ,
           yet
           is
           there
           nothing
           in
           this
           ,
           but
           what
           hath
           been
           acted
           ,
           and
           that
           over
           and
           over
           upon
           the
           Theatre
           of
           the
           world
           formerly
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           here
           replied
           and
           said
           ;
           Yea
           ,
           but
           experience
           riseth
           up
           ,
           and
           confirms
           the
           truth
           of
           that
           accusation
           and
           charge
           against
           the
           
             Way
          
           you
           speak
           of
           ,
           which
           you
           would
           wipe
           off
           ;
           this
           shewes
           and
           proves
           against
           all
           deniall
           and
           exception
           ,
           that
           where
           your
           
             Way
          
           is
           entertained
           ,
           Congregations
           are
           torn
           ,
           families
           rent
           ,
           relations
           distanced
           and
           divided
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           first
           ,
           that
           
             Aristotle
          
           long
           since
           observed
           ,
           that
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           was
           a
           very
           frequent
           Paralogisme
           or
           mistake
           amongst
           men
           ,
           nothing
           is
           more
           ordinary
           then
           for
           men
           to
           range
           consequents
           and
           
           effects
           under
           one
           &
           the
           same
           notion
           ,
           especially
           where
           the
           disproportion
           of
           causality
           is
           not
           very
           notorious
           and
           broad
           .
           A
           man
           in
           reason
           can
           hardly
           think
           ,
           that
           any
           man
           ,
           
             compos
             mentis
             ,
          
           (
           as
           we
           use
           to
           say
           )
           should
           be
           so
           defective
           or
           weak
           in
           his
           inellectualls
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           that
           the
           building
           of
           
             Tenderton
          
           Steeple
           ,
           should
           be
           the
           cause
           of
           
             Godwins
             Sands
             ,
          
           only
           because
           these
           sands
           were
           never
           known
           to
           be
           before
           the
           building
           of
           that
           Steeple
           ;
           yet
           old
           Mr.
           
             Latimer
          
           relates
           the
           Story
           in
           one
           of
           his
           Sermrns
           ,
           and
           improves
           it
           to
           very
           good
           purpose
           :
           By
           such
           a
           form
           of
           arguing
           as
           this
           ,
           
             Judas
          
           his
           betraying
           his
           Master
           ,
           should
           have
           been
           the
           effect
           of
           the
           womans
           powring
           out
           
             that
             box
             of
             oyntment
             upon
             his
             head
             ,
          
           mentioned
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           26.
           7.
           
           For
           he
           never
           betrayed
           him
           untill
           this
           oyntment
           was
           powred
           out
           upon
           him
           ;
           and
           immediately
           after
           ,
           he
           did
           .
           The
           
             Way
          
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           is
           never
           the
           more
           any
           cause
           of
           troubles
           ,
           dissentions
           ,
           or
           divisions
           ,
           because
           troubles
           ,
           dissentions
           and
           divisions
           ,
           many
           times
           follow
           upon
           the
           embracement
           and
           entertainment
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           troubles
           or
           divisions
           were
           the
           proper
           effects
           of
           this
           
             way
             ,
          
           then
           the
           more
           ,
           and
           more
           generally
           it
           were
           taken
           up
           and
           practised
           in
           a
           familie
           ,
           Citie
           ,
           or
           Countrey
           ,
           the
           more
           troubles
           and
           divisions
           there
           would
           be
           .
           Effects
           are
           still
           found
           in
           proportion
           to
           their
           causes
           ,
           where
           nothing
           interposeth
           to
           hinder
           it
           .
           But
           where
           it
           is
           generally
           assented
           and
           submitted
           unto
           ,
           whether
           in
           families
           ,
           relations
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           ,
           there
           is
           as
           much
           unitie
           ,
           love
           ,
           and
           peace
           ,
           (
           as
           touching
           matter
           of
           government
           )
           as
           where
           Presbyterie
           hath
           its
           highest
           throne
           .
           Therefore
           the
           reason
           why
           troubles
           and
           divisions
           sometimes
           accompany
           it
           ,
           is
           not
           because
           it
           is
           intertained
           ,
           but
           because
           it
           is
           not
           intertained
           sufficiently
           ,
           or
           with
           that
           generalitie
           of
           consent
           ,
           which
           is
           desireable
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           When
           troubles
           and
           divisions
           are
           occasioned
           in
           relations
           ,
           families
           ,
           Congregations
           ,
           &c.
           by
           the
           meeting
           together
           of
           two
           opposite
           wayes
           ,
           why
           should
           the
           one
           
             way
          
           be
           still
           burthened
           and
           charged
           with
           the
           occasion
           of
           such
           troubles
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           acquitted
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           ground
           or
           reason
           at
           all
           ,
           why
           either
           that
           which
           is
           acquitted
           ,
           should
           be
           judged
           more
           innocent
           ;
           or
           that
           which
           is
           charged
           ,
           more
           obnoxious
           or
           peccant
           ,
           in
           this
           kind
           .
           Nay
           ,
        
         
           4.
           
           If
           matters
           were
           duly
           and
           fairely
           examined
           between
           the
           two
           Combatants
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           the
           
             way
          
           wee
           plead
           for
           ,
           would
           be
           found
           
             via
             lactea
             ,
          
           the
           candid
           ,
           harmlesse
           ,
           and
           peaceable
           
             way
             :
          
           and
           her
           corrivall
           
           or
           competitresse
           ,
           
             via
             sanguinea
             ,
          
           the
           trouble
           and
           strife-making
           way
           .
           
             Onely
             by
             pride
          
           (
           saith
           
             Solomon
             )
             cometh
             contention
             .
          
           Surely
           that
           
           way
           which
           commandeth
           homage
           and
           subjection
           unto
           her
           from
           all
           her
           fellowes
           ,
           and
           threatens
           to
           breake
           them
           all
           in
           pieces
           like
           a
           potters
           vessell
           with
           a
           rod
           of
           iron
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           not
           bow
           ,
           and
           deny
           themselves
           for
           her
           sake
           ,
           is
           the
           way
           of
           
             pride
             ,
          
           and
           so
           of
           
             contention
             ,
          
           (
           according
           to
           
             Solomons
          
           Logique
           )
           not
           that
           which
           is
           gentle
           ,
           and
           easie
           to
           be
           entreated
           by
           all
           others
           ,
           claiming
           no
           superioritie
           or
           jurisdiction
           over
           any
           .
           If
           there
           be
           any
           clashing
           or
           unkindnesse
           between
           the
           two
           wayes
           ,
           
             Independency
          
           (
           so
           called
           )
           and
           
             Presbyterie
             ,
          
           when
           they
           meet
           together
           ,
           either
           in
           a
           relation
           ,
           familie
           ,
           &c.
           the
           very
           complexion
           of
           the
           latter
           bewrayes
           that
           to
           be
           still
           the
           foundresse
           of
           the
           quarrell
           .
           To
           me
           it
           is
           a
           wonder
           of
           the
           first
           magnitude
           ,
           how
           men
           come
           to
           have
           so
           much
           ground
           of
           hope
           as
           to
           set
           their
           foot
           upon
           ,
           of
           composing
           differences
           and
           distractions
           ,
           of
           setling
           peace
           and
           love
           throughout
           the
           Nation
           ,
           by
           exalting
           one
           way
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           for
           the
           treading
           downe
           and
           trampling
           under
           foot
           all
           others
           .
           If
           
             Ephraim
             be
             against
             Manasseh
             ,
          
           is
           it
           any
           wayes
           
           like
           but
           that
           
             Manasseh
          
           will
           be
           
             against
             Ephraim
             ?
          
           And
           God
           himselfe
           prophecying
           of
           
             Ishmael
             ,
          
           told
           his
           mother
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           
             be
             a
             wild
          
           
           
             man
             :
          
           and
           
             that
             his
             hand
             should
             be
             against
             every
             man
             ;
             and
             every
             mans
             hand
             against
             him
             .
          
           Undoubtedly
           that
           way
           ,
           whose
           hand
           shall
           be
           against
           every
           way
           ,
           will
           find
           that
           the
           hand
           of
           every
           way
           will
           be
           against
           it
           :
           and
           then
           what
           manner
           of
           peace
           can
           reasonably
           be
           expected
           under
           the
           predominancy
           of
           such
           a
           way
           ?
           That
           
             way
          
           which
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           
             out-reason
             ,
          
           not
           that
           which
           shall
           
             out-clubbe
             ,
          
           all
           other
           wayes
           ,
           will
           at
           last
           exalt
           unitie
           ,
           and
           be
           it selfe
           exalted
           by
           gathering
           in
           all
           other
           wayes
           unto
           it
           .
           
             Solomon
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           all
           that
           is
           
             taken
             in
             hunting
             ,
          
           is
           
           not
           alwayes
           
             roasted
             ;
          
           and
           that
           
             an
             inheritance
             may
             be
             hastily
             gotten
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             yet
             the
             end
             thereof
             not
             be
             blessed
             :
          
           and
           the
           Prophet
           
             Habakk
             〈…〉
          
           denounceth
           a
           
             woe
          
           against
           him
           that
           
             shall
             build
             a
             towne
             with
             bloud
             .
          
           But
           ,
           
        
         
           5.
           
           I
           would
           gladly
           know
           what
           the
           plaintiffe
           in
           the
           objection
           means
           ,
           by
           distractions
           ,
           rents
           ,
           divisions
           ,
           in
           relations
           ,
           families
           ,
           Congregations
           ,
           &c.
           
           If
           he
           means
           onely
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           father
           goes
           to
           heare
           one
           Minister
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           and
           the
           son
           another
           Minister
           ,
           in
           another
           ,
           and
           that
           some
           within
           the
           same
           parochiall
           line
           goe
           to
           this
           Minister
           ,
           or
           are
           members
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           others
           to
           another
           Minister
           ,
           and
           are
           members
           of
           another
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           &c.
           
           I
           answer
           ,
           
           That
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           more
           occasion
           ,
           (
           at
           least
           no
           more
           necessitie
           )
           of
           any
           distraction
           ,
           rent
           ,
           or
           division
           ,
           then
           when
           the
           father
           being
           free
           of
           one
           company
           ,
           as
           suppose
           of
           Merchant-taylors
           ,
           shall
           still
           upon
           occasion
           of
           the
           meeting
           of
           this
           company
           ,
           repaire
           to
           the
           hall
           belonging
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           the
           son
           being
           free
           of
           another
           ,
           as
           perhaps
           of
           the
           company
           of
           Grocers
           ,
           shall
           upon
           the
           like
           occasion
           repaire
           to
           the
           hall
           appertaining
           to
           them
           .
           Who
           knows
           not
           that
           the
           members
           of
           all
           the
           severall
           Companies
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           dwell
           scatteringly
           and
           promiscuously
           up
           and
           downe
           the
           Citie
           ,
           with
           the
           greatest
           irregularitie
           of
           intermixture
           that
           lightly
           can
           be
           ,
           and
           without
           any
           observation
           of
           their
           relations
           to
           their
           respective
           Companies
           ,
           sundry
           members
           of
           twenty
           severall
           Companies
           (
           it
           may
           be
           )
           inhabiting
           within
           one
           and
           the
           same
           parish
           ;
           and
           yet
           without
           any
           complaint
           or
           inconvenience
           of
           
             rents
             ,
             distractions
             ,
             or
             divisions
             ?
          
           Or
           if
           by
           
             rents
             ,
             distractions
             ,
             and
             divisions
             ,
          
           he
           means
           distances
           or
           alienations
           in
           affections
           ;
           nor
           can
           these
           with
           any
           face
           of
           reason
           be
           charged
           upon
           that
           
             way
             ,
          
           whose
           cause
           we
           plead
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           a
           maine
           principle
           and
           maxime
           in
           this
           
             way
             ,
          
           to
           hold
           terms
           of
           love
           and
           Christian
           correspondence
           ,
           with
           all
           persons
           of
           what
           judgement
           soever
           in
           point
           of
           Government
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           godly
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           with
           her
           owne
           children
           (
           as
           hath
           in
           effect
           been
           argued
           formerly
           .
           )
           But
           in
           this
           case
           the
           Roman
           proverb
           (
           it
           seems
           )
           must
           be
           verified
           ;
           
             Aemilius
             fecit
             ,
             plectitur
             Rutilius
             .
          
           Or
           3.
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           if
           by
           
             rents
             ,
             distractions
             ,
             &
             ●
             .
          
           he
           means
           ,
           the
           shaking
           or
           troubling
           of
           mens
           judgements
           ,
           raising
           doubts
           or
           scruples
           in
           mens
           consciences
           concerning
           the
           way
           they
           went
           peaceably
           in
           before
           :
           I
           answer
           ,
           1.
           
           That
           if
           they
           were
           built
           upon
           sure
           and
           cleere
           foundations
           in
           their
           former
           way
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           ground
           or
           reason
           why
           they
           should
           be
           troubled
           or
           shaken
           in
           their
           judgements
           ,
           because
           they
           see
           another
           
             way
          
           acted
           and
           practised
           by
           others
           :
           or
           2.
           if
           they
           were
           but
           at
           peradventure
           in
           their
           former
           way
           ,
           and
           it
           was
           not
           the
           knowledge
           ,
           but
           the
           ignorance
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           that
           both
           put
           them
           into
           it
           and
           kept
           them
           in
           it
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           cause
           to
           complaine
           of
           being
           awakened
           out
           of
           so
           sinfull
           and
           dangerous
           a
           sleep
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           never
           so
           sweet
           and
           pleasing
           to
           them
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           6.
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           S
           〈…〉
           pose
           that
           all
           which
           the
           objection
           chargeth
           upon
           the
           
             way
          
           we
           speake
           for
           ,
           be
           granted
           for
           truth
           ,
           that
           
             where
             this
             Way
             comes
             and
             is
             entertained
             ,
             Congregations
             are
             torne
             ▪
             families
             rent
             ,
             relations
             distanced
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Yet
           this
           maketh
           much
           more
           for
           it
           ,
           then
           against
           
           it
           ;
           because
           such
           figures
           and
           characters
           as
           these
           ,
           are
           the
           knowne
           impressions
           of
           the
           Gospel
           upon
           the
           world
           ,
           where
           it
           comes
           in
           power
           ,
           and
           is
           entertained
           in
           truth
           .
           
             Thinke
             yee
          
           (
           saith
           our
           Saviour
           )
           
           
             that
             I
             am
             come
             to
             give
             peace
             on
             earth
             ?
             I
             tell
             you
             ,
             nay
             ,
             but
             rather
             debate
             .
             For
             from
             henceforth
             there
             shall
             be
             five
             in
             one
             house
             divided
             ,
             three
             against
             two
             ,
             and
             two
             against
             three
             .
             The
             father
             shall
             be
             divided
             against
             the
             son
             ,
             and
             the
             son
             against
             the
             father
             :
             the
             mother
             against
             the
             daughter
             ,
             and
             the
             daughter
             against
             the
             mother
             :
             the
             mother
             in
             law
             against
             her
             daughter
             in
             law
             ,
             and
             the
             daughter
             in
             law
             against
             her
             mother
             in
             law
             .
          
           Nor
           is
           it
           to
           be
           conceived
           that
           these
           
             divisions
          
           in
           relations
           and
           families
           ,
           foretold
           by
           Christ
           as
           the
           common
           and
           ordinary
           effects
           and
           consequents
           of
           the
           Gospel
           (
           for
           in
           different
           respects
           they
           may
           be
           either
           )
           are
           to
           be
           limited
           onely
           to
           such
           either
           relations
           or
           families
           ,
           wherein
           the
           ground
           or
           occasion
           of
           the
           division
           should
           be
           ,
           the
           receiving
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           the
           maine
           truth
           and
           substance
           of
           it
           by
           the
           one
           partie
           ,
           the
           other
           partie
           absolutely
           rejecting
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           onely
           to
           take
           place
           in
           such
           cases
           as
           this
           ;
           but
           they
           are
           to
           be
           extended
           to
           such
           both
           families
           and
           relations
           also
           ,
           where
           some
           particular
           and
           speciall
           points
           or
           truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           are
           intertained
           by
           one
           partie
           ,
           and
           rejected
           by
           another
           ,
           though
           both
           agree
           as
           well
           in
           the
           beliefe
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Profession
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           the
           generall
           .
           Experience
           shews
           that
           
             rents
             &
             divisions
          
           take
           place
           in
           both
           ,
           as
           well
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           as
           much
           heate
           and
           distemper
           of
           affection
           ,
           in
           the
           latter
           case
           and
           upon
           the
           latter
           occasion
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           former
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           question
           in
           this
           latter
           case
           be
           ,
           Whether
           the
           occasion
           of
           the
           division
           be
           rather
           to
           be
           imputed
           to
           the
           truth
           held
           and
           practised
           by
           the
           one
           partie
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           error
           held
           and
           practised
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           truth
           ,
           by
           the
           other
           :
           The
           answer
           is
           ,
           that
           where
           all
           were
           before
           bound
           up
           in
           unitie
           and
           peace
           ,
           by
           a
           common
           band
           of
           error
           ,
           there
           the
           occasion
           of
           the
           division
           must
           needs
           be
           imputed
           unto
           the
           truth
           comming
           amongst
           them
           .
           Therefore
           were
           it
           granted
           ,
           that
           the
           way
           so
           much
           contested
           against
           ,
           did
           indeed
           occasion
           ,
           
             rents
             ,
             divisions
             ,
             distractions
             ,
          
           in
           relations
           ,
           in
           families
           ,
           in
           Congregations
           where
           it
           comes
           ,
           this
           would
           rather
           
             turne
             unto
          
           it
           
             for
             a
             testimony
             ,
          
           and
           assert
           its
           originall
           from
           God
           ,
           then
           otherwise
           :
           The
           Gospel
           〈…〉
           elfe
           works
           no
           otherwise
           then
           thus
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           preached
           and
           intertained
           .
           And
           as
           
             Aristotle
          
           supposeth
           ,
           that
           in
           case
           any
           piece
           or
           fragment
           were
           broken
           off
           from
           the
           maine
           body
           of
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           it
           would
           move
           circularly
           ,
           
           according
           to
           the
           naturall
           motion
           of
           the
           maine
           body
           ;
           in
           like
           manner
           any
           particular
           opinion
           or
           practise
           which
           moves
           ,
           acts
           ,
           and
           works
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           manner
           and
           tenor
           of
           that
           motion
           ,
           acting
           ,
           and
           working
           ,
           which
           are
           genuine
           and
           proper
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           so
           much
           the
           more
           likely
           to
           be
           a
           parcell
           or
           branch
           of
           the
           Gospel
           :
           but
           however
           ,
           such
           a
           moving
           ,
           acting
           ,
           and
           working
           as
           this
           ,
           can
           with
           no
           semblance
           or
           colour
           of
           reason
           ,
           be
           drawn
           into
           any
           contrary
           interpretation
           ,
           or
           be
           made
           an
           argument
           of
           the
           nonconformitie
           of
           it
           unto
           the
           truth
           .
        
         
           A
           third
           objection
           against
           that
           
             way
          
           whose
           condemnation
           out-runs
           her
           triall
           day
           and
           way
           ,
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           is
           ;
           that
           it
           opens
           a
           doore
           to
           all
           errors
           ,
           heresies
           ,
           and
           unsound
           opinions
           ,
           yea
           to
           all
           loosenesse
           and
           prophanenesse
           ,
           and
           consequently
           it
           cannot
           but
           be
           a
           thing
           displeasing
           unto
           God
           ,
           and
           so
           prejudiciall
           to
           the
           peace
           and
           safetie
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           if
           it
           should
           be
           tolerated
           ,
           or
           practised
           amongst
           us
           .
           But
           to
           these
           things
           also
           full
           and
           clear
           answers
           are
           not
           wanting
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           it
           being
           certain
           that
           error
           cannot
           be
           healed
           or
           suppressed
           but
           by
           the
           manifestation
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           as
           darknesse
           cannot
           be
           destroyed
           or
           removed
           but
           by
           the
           shining
           of
           the
           light
           ;
           that
           way
           which
           affords
           the
           greatest
           advantages
           and
           the
           best
           incouragements
           unto
           men
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           searching
           out
           ▪
           and
           bringing
           forth
           into
           light
           the
           truth
           being
           found
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           so
           farre
           from
           opening
           doores
           unto
           
             errors
             ,
             heresies
             ,
             unsound
             opinions
             ,
          
           &c.
           that
           it
           steers
           the
           mo●●
           advantagious
           and
           hopefull
           course
           that
           lightly
           can
           be
           taken
           ,
           for
           the
           evicting
           ,
           and
           consequently
           for
           the
           suppression
           of
           them
           .
           I
           need
           not
           adde
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           the
           congregationall
           
             way
          
           (
           and
           this
           onely
           amongst
           all
           its
           fellows
           )
           that
           rejoyecth
           in
           the
           method
           of
           this
           warfare
           and
           advance
           against
           those
           enemies
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ,
           errors
           and
           heresies
           .
           And
           ,
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           for
           the
           way
           sir-named
           
             Presbyterian
             ,
          
           which
           conjures
           all
           mens
           gifts
           ,
           parts
           ,
           and
           industrie
           into
           a
           synodicall
           circle
           ,
           and
           suffers
           ▪
           them
           onely
           to
           dance
           there
           ,
           as
           it
           may
           possibly
           shut
           the
           doores
           against
           some
           errors
           and
           heresies
           ,
           which
           were
           not
           like
           to
           stay
           long
           ,
           in
           case
           they
           should
           enter
           under
           the
           other
           
             way
             ;
          
           so
           it
           is
           in
           every
           whit
           as
           much
           possibilitie
           and
           danger
           ,
           of
           shutting
           the
           doore
           upon
           ,
           and
           compelling
           such
           errors
           and
           heresies
           as
           are
           alreadie
           gotten
           in
           ,
           and
           otherwise
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           be
           gone
           ,
           to
           stay
           
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           infest
           and
           annoy
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           peace
           of
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           against
           their
           wils
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           I
           would
           gladly
           learn
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           this
           objection
           ,
           how
           ,
           which
           way
           ,
           or
           in
           what
           respect
           the
           
             way
          
           so
           much
           objected
           against
           ,
           commits
           this
           folly-deed
           of
           opening
           a
           doore
           unto
           errors
           and
           heresies
           .
           Certain
           I
           am
           ,
           first
           ,
           that
           this
           
             way
          
           hates
           both
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           with
           as
           
             perfect
             an
             b●tred
             ,
          
           as
           her
           competitresse
           doth
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           fully
           beleeve
           ,
           that
           this
           
             way
          
           is
           as
           diligent
           ,
           faithfull
           ,
           and
           industrious
           to
           slay
           these
           enemies
           of
           Christ
           by
           
             the
             sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
          
           (
           which
           is
           in
           speciall
           manner
           consecrated
           for
           such
           executions
           )
           as
           the
           other
           way
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           if
           the
           error
           be
           dangerous
           ,
           amounting
           to
           ,
           or
           neer
           an
           heresie
           ,
           after
           two
           or
           three
           admonitions
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           according
           to
           her
           warrant
           from
           Heaven
           )
           she
           casts
           it
           out
           of
           the
           line
           of
           her
           communication
           ,
           unto
           him
           who
           cast
           it
           in
           (
           I
           mean
           ,
           Satan
           .
           )
           If
           to
           hate
           errors
           and
           heresies
           ,
           to
           preach
           with
           all
           diligence
           and
           faithfulnesse
           against
           errors
           and
           heresies
           ,
           to
           excommunicate
           errors
           and
           heresies
           ,
           be
           to
           open
           a
           doore
           unto
           error
           and
           heresies
           ,
           then
           must
           the
           adversaries
           of
           the
           
             way
          
           whereof
           we
           speak
           ,
           be
           justified
           in
           their
           accusation
           of
           her
           :
           otherwise
           they
           speak
           at
           the
           utmost
           perill
           of
           their
           reputations
           ,
           when
           they
           lay
           such
           things
           to
           her
           charge
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           here
           replyed
           and
           said
           ;
           Yea
           ,
           but
           all
           this
           notwithstanding
           ,
           the
           
             w●y
          
           you
           plead
           for
           ,
           is
           but
           feeble-handed
           ,
           for
           the
           suppression
           of
           errors
           and
           heresies
           ;
           because
           these
           ,
           though
           hated
           ,
           preach'd
           against
           ,
           and
           cast
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           excommunication
           ,
           may
           yet
           live
           and
           gather
           head
           again
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           except
           error
           and
           errant
           be
           further
           restrained
           by
           a
           secular
           hand
           ,
           and
           heresie
           and
           heretique
           put
           to
           silence
           together
           in
           the
           grave
           .
           And
           this
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           onely
           effectuall
           means
           to
           preserve
           the
           wheat
           from
           those
           tares
           ,
           the
           
             way
          
           of
           your
           desires
           exerciseth
           not
           ,
           nor
           yet
           approveth
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           :
           first
           ,
           we
           presume
           that
           
             Prisons
          
           and
           
             Swords
          
           are
           no
           
             Church-officers
             ,
          
           nor
           any
           appurtenances
           to
           any
           Ecclesiastique
           authority
           in
           what
           form
           of
           Government
           soever
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           we
           suppose
           that
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           so
           far
           tendered
           the
           spirituall
           safety
           and
           peace
           of
           his
           Churches
           ,
           as
           to
           leave
           them
           sufficiently
           furnished
           ,
           and
           every
           wayes
           appointed
           with
           internall
           provision●
           ,
           for
           the
           effectuall
           procurement
           and
           preservation
           of
           
           them
           ,
           without
           any
           concurrence
           of
           any
           heterogeneall
           or
           externall
           power
           .
           Especially
           considering
           ,
           that
           he
           fore-saw
           ,
           that
           these
           Churches
           of
           his
           ,
           for
           the
           space
           of
           three
           hundred
           yeers
           together
           ,
           and
           somewhat
           more
           (
           during
           which
           terme
           he
           knew
           likewise
           that
           they
           would
           continue
           in
           their
           greatest
           puritie
           ,
           and
           perfection
           of
           love
           and
           loyaltie
           towards
           him
           )
           were
           not
           like
           to
           have
           any
           accommodation
           at
           all
           in
           this
           kind
           from
           any
           secular
           or
           civill
           power
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           though
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           during
           this
           period
           of
           time
           wherein
           they
           had
           no
           comportance
           with
           any
           secular
           arm
           for
           their
           preservation
           either
           in
           this
           or
           any
           other
           kind
           ,
           were
           not
           wholly
           free
           from
           
             errors
             and
             heresies
             ;
          
           yet
           did
           they
           quit
           and
           defend
           themselves
           against
           the
           danger
           spreading
           and
           troublesomenesse
           of
           them
           upon
           better
           terms
           ,
           and
           with
           farre
           better
           successe
           ,
           then
           they
           were
           able
           to
           do
           afterwards
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           an
           arme
           of
           flesh
           and
           a
           sword
           in
           it
           ▪
           to
           assist
           them
           .
           Note
           this
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           if
           persons
           delivered
           up
           unto
           Satan
           by
           the
           Church
           ,
           whether
           for
           Error
           ,
           Heresie
           ▪
           or
           other
           crime
           ,
           were
           presently
           to
           be
           cut
           off
           by
           the
           secular
           Sword
           ,
           all
           opportunitie
           for
           the
           effectuall
           and
           saving
           work
           of
           that
           ordinance
           of
           Christ
           upon
           the
           persons
           so
           delivered
           up
           ,
           would
           be
           cut
           off
           also
           .
           The
           Apostle
           ,
           1
           ▪
           
             Corinth
             .
          
           5.
           5.
           expresly
           affirms
           the
           end
           of
           Excommunication
           or
           
             delivering
             up
             unto
             Satan
             ,
          
           to
           be
           the
           
             destruction
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             that
             the
             spirit
             may
             be
             saved
             in
             the
             day
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             .
          
           And
           1
           
             Tim.
          
           1.
           20.
           he
           ●aith
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           
             delivered
             Hymeneus
             and
             Alexander
             unto
             Satan
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             learn
             not
             to
             blaspheme
             .
          
           Now
           as
           naturall
           medicines
           and
           physicall
           receits
           ,
           must
           have
           a
           time
           to
           work
           ,
           before
           they
           can
           in
           an
           ordinarie
           course
           of
           providence
           produce
           their
           m●st
           proper
           and
           desired
           effects
           ;
           in
           like
           manner
           the
           ordinances
           and
           means
           which
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           hath
           graciously
           appointed
           for
           the
           everlasting
           salvation
           of
           the
           precious
           souls
           of
           men
           ,
           must
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           nature
           and
           condition
           of
           their
           respective
           workings
           ,
           and
           the
           tenor
           of
           Gods
           providence
           observed
           for
           the
           time
           of
           his
           falling
           in
           with
           them
           to
           make
           them
           effectuall
           ,
           have
           their
           full
           and
           just
           allowance
           of
           time
           given
           and
           permitted
           unto
           them
           ,
           to
           work
           upon
           men
           effectually
           .
           And
           whosoever
           shall
           limit
           or
           straiten
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           by
           any
           hasty
           or
           violent
           taking
           away
           a
           soul
           from
           under
           the
           influence
           and
           working
           of
           any
           ordinance
           of
           Christ
           appointed
           for
           his
           salvation
           ,
           before
           the
           blessed
           work
           of
           
           Repentance
           be
           accomplished
           in
           him
           ,
           will
           be
           arraigned
           before
           the
           tribunall
           of
           the
           living
           God
           ,
           as
           accessarie
           to
           the
           blood
           of
           that
           ●oul
           ,
           except
           he
           can
           shew
           a
           better
           warrant
           from
           God
           for
           such
           an
           action
           ,
           then
           I
           know
           any
           .
           And
           God
           himself
           having
           no where
           prescribed
           or
           limited
           any
           determinate
           or
           set
           time
           ,
           within
           which
           he
           intends
           to
           make
           the
           sentence
           of
           Excommunication
           after
           the
           passing
           of
           it
           by
           the
           Church
           ,
           effectuall
           to
           the
           saving
           of
           the
           soul
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           never
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           I
           conceive
           it
           can
           be
           no
           lesse
           then
           an
           act
           of
           high
           presumption
           in
           any
           man
           to
           undertake
           any
           such
           prescription
           or
           limitation
           .
           As
           God
           by
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Gospel
           calls
           some
           at
           the
           third
           and
           sixth
           houre
           ;
           so
           he
           cals
           others
           
           at
           the
           ninth
           ,
           and
           some
           at
           the
           eleventh
           houre
           :
           and
           why
           may
           he
           not
           work
           savingly
           ,
           by
           the
           sentence
           of
           Excommunication
           with
           as
           much
           libertie
           ,
           and
           difference
           in
           respect
           of
           time
           ?
           And
           this
           sentence
           being
           the
           last
           and
           utmost
           means
           which
           God
           is
           like
           to
           afford
           a
           poore
           hardened
           ,
           impenitent
           soul
           for
           the
           eternall
           peace
           and
           salvation
           of
           it
           ,
           how
           can
           it
           but
           be
           conceived
           an
           act
           most
           unworthy
           of
           Christian
           bowels
           ,
           to
           cut
           him
           off
           from
           this
           also
           ,
           whilst
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           spare
           him
           ?
           If
           it
           be
           here
           objected
           and
           said
           ,
           But
           if
           an
           heretique
           be
           suffered
           to
           live
           ,
           he
           is
           in
           danger
           of
           infecting
           others
           ,
           and
           destroying
           them
           eternally
           .
           I
           answer
           ▪
           first
           ,
           so
           is
           a
           drunkard
           ,
           a
           fornicatour
           ,
           a
           swearer
           ,
           a
           covetous
           person
           ,
           with
           the
           like
           ;
           the
           lives
           of
           all
           these
           kinds
           of
           sinners
           are
           of
           as
           dangerous
           a
           consequence
           in
           respect
           of
           infecting
           ,
           yea
           and
           of
           destroying
           the
           souls
           of
           others
           ,
           as
           the
           life
           of
           an
           heretique
           is
           :
           and
           yet
           no
           man
           (
           I
           presume
           )
           judgeth
           this
           a
           sufficient
           ground
           why
           such
           men
           should
           be
           punished
           with
           death
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           as
           for
           those
           that
           are
           within
           the
           Church
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           any
           communion
           or
           commerce
           with
           an
           Heretique
           that
           is
           cast
           out
           by
           Excommunication
           ,
           and
           so
           are
           not
           in
           danger
           of
           being
           infected
           by
           him
           :
           and
           for
           those
           that
           are
           without
           ,
           these
           are
           infected
           already
           with
           a
           disease
           every
           whit
           as
           mortall
           ,
           as
           any
           heresie
           ,
           I
           mean
           unbelief
           .
           So
           that
           infection
           with
           heresie
           ,
           will
           not
           much
           impaire
           the
           estates
           or
           conditions
           of
           these
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           that
           an
           Heretique
           being
           dead
           (
           especially
           if
           punished
           with
           death
           for
           his
           opinion
           sake
           )
           speaketh
           in
           his
           surviving
           heresie
           with
           every
           whit
           as
           much
           authoritie
           ,
           and
           consequently
           with
           every
           whit
           as
           much
           danger
           of
           infecting
           others
           therewith
           ,
           as
           he
           could
           do
           if
           he
           were
           alive
           ,
           if
           not
           with
           more
           .
           And
           so
           ,
        
         
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           concerning
           other
           civill
           means
           for
           the
           suppression
           and
           restraint
           of
           those
           spirituall
           evils
           ,
           errors
           ,
           heresies
           ,
           &c.
           as
           imprisonment
           ,
           b●nishment
           ,
           interdictions
           ,
           finings
           ,
           &c.
           both
           reason
           and
           experience
           concurre
           in
           this
           demonstration
           ,
           that
           such
           fetters
           as
           these
           put
           upon
           the
           feet
           of
           errors
           and
           heresies
           to
           secure
           and
           keep
           them
           under
           ,
           still
           have
           prov'd
           (
           and
           are
           like
           to
           prove
           no
           other
           ,
           but
           )
           wings
           whereby
           they
           raise
           themselves
           the
           higher
           in
           the
           thoughts
           and
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           gain
           an
           opportunitie
           of
           a
           further
           and
           ranker
           propagation
           of
           themselves
           in
           the
           world
           .
           It
           was
           an
           observation
           of
           
             Tacitus
          
           long
           since
           ,
           that
           
             punitis
             ingeniis
             gliscit
             authoritas
             ;
          
           To
           punish
           men
           of
           parts
           and
           wit
           ,
           is
           to
           cast
           a
           spirit
           of
           Authoritie
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           their
           reputation
           glowe
           .
           Men
           of
           ordinarie
           capacitie
           ,
           and
           vulgar
           apprehension
           ,
           are
           and
           ever
           will
           be
           inclinable
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           men
           of
           wisdome
           and
           worth
           will
           never
           expose
           themselves
           to
           sufferings
           ,
           but
           for
           that
           which
           is
           weightie
           ,
           and
           which
           hath
           more
           in
           it
           ,
           then
           every
           man
           seeth
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           men
           of
           better
           breed
           ,
           may
           easily
           be
           swayed
           by
           such
           a
           principle
           as
           this
           ,
           that
           wise
           men
           ,
           whilest
           they
           have
           the
           advantage
           and
           odds
           of
           their
           adversaries
           in
           
             reason
             ,
          
           will
           never
           renounce
           or
           disclaim
           this
           so
           honourable
           an
           advantage
           by
           calling
           in
           the
           more
           ignoble
           assistance
           of
           horn
           and
           hoof
           to
           their
           aid
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           when
           Christ
           was
           handled
           with
           this
           rough
           hand
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           that
           piece
           of
           prophecie
           was
           verified
           ;
           
             I
             will
             smite
             the
             Shepherd
             ,
             and
             the
             sheep
             shall
             be
             scattered
             ;
          
           but
           ordinarily
           the
           smiting
           of
           the
           Shepherd
           or
           head
           of
           any
           Sect
           or
           error
           ,
           is
           the
           gathering
           together
           ,
           yea
           the
           multiplication
           and
           increase
           ,
           of
           his
           sheep
           .
           But
        
         
           Fourthly
           (
           to
           the
           main
           objection
           last
           propounded
           )
           whereas
           the
           innocent
           
             way
          
           is
           condemned
           as
           opening
           a
           doore
           to
           all
           loosenesse
           and
           prophanenesse
           ,
           she
           may
           justly
           take
           up
           
             Davids
          
           complaint
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Cruell
             witnesses
             did
             rise
             up
             :
             they
             laid
             to
             my
             charge
             things
             that
             I
             knew
             not
             .
          
           Psal.
           35.
           11.
           
           The
           very
           truth
           is
           ,
           that
           this
           way
           ,
           above
           all
           her
           fellows
           ,
           is
           so
           farre
           from
           holding
           any
           intelligence
           or
           correspondence
           with
           loosenesse
           and
           prophanenesse
           ,
           that
           her
           face
           is
           set
           to
           advance
           righteousnesse
           and
           true
           holinesse
           in
           all
           her
           quarters
           .
           Her
           heart
           runs
           parallel
           with
           
             Davids
          
           heart
           in
           those
           his
           meditations
           and
           vows
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           101.
           3
           ,
           4.
           &c.
           
             I
             will
             set
             ●o
             wicked
             thing
             before
             mine
             eyes
             :
             I
             hate
             the
             work
             of
             them
             that
             turn
          
           
           
             aside
             :
             it
             shall
             not
             cleave
             to
             me
             .
             I
             will
             not
             know
             a
             wicked
             person
             .
             Who
             so
             privily
             slandereth
             his
             neighbour
             ,
             him
             will
             I
             cut
             off
             :
             him
             that
             hath
             an
             high
             look
             and
             a
             proud
             heart
             ,
             will
             I
             not
             suffer
             .
             Mine
             eyes
             shall
             be
             upon
             the
             faithfull
             of
             the
             land
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             dwell
             with
             me
             :
             he
             that
             walketh
             in
             a
             perfect
             way
             ,
             shall
             serve
             me
             .
             He
             that
             worketh
             deceit
             ,
             shall
             not
             dwell
             within
             my
             house
             :
             he
             that
             telleth
             lies
             shall
             not
             t●rrie
             in
             my
             sight
             .
             I
             will
             early
             destroy
             all
             the
             wicked
             of
             the
             land
             :
             that
             I
             may
             cut
             off
             all
             wicked
             doers
             from
             the
             Citie
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           This
           is
           such
           a
           draught
           and
           copie
           of
           Reformation
           as
           the
           
             Way
          
           we
           speak
           of
           (
           
             mutatis
             mutandis
          
           )
           emulates
           ,
           and
           aspires
           unto
           .
           If
           
             David
          
           in
           those
           resolutions
           and
           practises
           mentioned
           ,
           opened
           a
           d●ore
           to
           loosenesse
           and
           prophanenesse
           ,
           then
           cannot
           she
           excuse
           her self
           from
           part
           and
           fellowship
           with
           him
           ,
           in
           that
           sin
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           replyed
           and
           said
           ;
           but
           this
           
             way
          
           taketh
           care
           for
           none
           in
           point
           of
           holinesse
           ,
           but
           her
           own
           :
           she
           suffereth
           all
           the
           world
           about
           her
           to
           
             lie
             in
             wickednesse
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             sleep
             in
             death
             ,
          
           without
           looking
           after
           them
           ,
           or
           taking
           any
           pitie
           or
           compassion
           on
           them
           .
           To
           this
           also
           we
           answer
           in
           one
           word
           :
        
         
           That
           she
           doth
           as
           tenderly
           ,
           as
           affectionately
           desire
           and
           pray
           for
           ,
           yea
           and
           with
           as
           much
           diligence
           and
           faithfulnesse
           ,
           yea
           and
           prudence
           of
           endevour
           otherwise
           ,
           and
           likelihood
           of
           successe
           ,
           attempts
           and
           seeks
           the
           salvation
           of
           those
           that
           sit
           in
           darknesse
           and
           in
           the
           shadow
           of
           death
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           way
           can
           do
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           she
           doth
           not
           judge
           it
           any
           wayes
           conducing
           towards
           the
           quickning
           of
           those
           that
           
             are
             dead
             in
             sins
             and
             trespasses
             ,
          
           to
           put
           them
           into
           a
           conceit
           that
           they
           are
           
             living
             stones
          
           (
           whilest
           they
           are
           yet
           dead
           )
           by
           putting
           them
           into
           the
           building
           of
           the
           
             spirituall
             temple
          
           of
           God
           :
           she
           knows
           no
           such
           method
           or
           means
           of
           converting
           souls
           unto
           God
           ,
           as
           this
           .
           Nor
           doth
           she
           willingly
           suffer
           any
           man
           
             to
             ●at
             and
          
           
           
             drink
             damnation
             unto
             himself
             ,
          
           to
           further
           him
           in
           his
           salvation
           .
           Nor
           doth
           she
           make
           Faith
           of
           apparent
           unbelief
           in
           parents
           ,
           by
           baptizing
           their
           children
           ,
           as
           any
           wayes
           accommodating
           the
           souls
           either
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           other
           .
           Therefore
           if
           she
           declines
           such
           things
           as
           these
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           argued
           from
           hence
           (
           except
           either
           ignorance
           ,
           or
           a
           worse
           Logician
           ,
           makes
           the
           syllogis●e
           )
           that
           therefore
           she
           neglects
           or
           casts
           off
           all
           care
           of
           seeking
           the
           salvation
           of
           others
           ;
           but
           onely
           this
           ,
           that
           she
           thinks
           it
           no
           point
           either
           of
           wisdome
           or
           charity
           to
           expose
           her self
           to
           the
           displeasure
           of
           God
           by
           doing
           
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           more
           like
           to
           expose
           others
           also
           to
           the
           same
           stroke
           ,
           then
           any
           wayes
           to
           comfort
           or
           relieve
           them
           .
           But
           whatsoever
           she
           can
           reasonably
           conceive
           or
           judge
           to
           be
           a
           means
           any
           wayes
           likely
           to
           
             save
             a
             soul
             from
             death
             ,
          
           to
           
             translate
          
           men
           
             from
             darknesse
             unto
             life
             ,
          
           she
           girds
           her self
           to
           minister
           unto
           the
           world
           both
           farre
           and
           neer
           ,
           in
           every
           such
           thing
           :
           She
           cordially
           prayes
           for
           the
           conversion
           of
           the
           unconverted
           ,
           she
           mourns
           over
           them
           ,
           she
           causes
           
             her
             light
             to
             shine
             before
             them
             ,
          
           she
           bears
           their
           burthens
           ,
           she
           intreats
           them
           gently
           ,
           she
           feeds
           their
           hungry
           ,
           and
           cloatheth
           their
           naked
           (
           as
           she
           is
           able
           )
           she
           recompenceth
           evill
           for
           evill
           unto
           none
           of
           them
           ,
           with
           all
           such
           exemplatities
           of
           life
           and
           conversation
           ,
           which
           are
           sanctified
           ,
           and
           appointed
           by
           God
           for
           the
           
             winning
             of
             those
             without
             the
             Word
             ,
          
           who
           refuse
           
             to
             obey
             it
             .
          
           1
           Pet.
           3.
           1.
           
           And
           besides
           all
           this
           ,
           (
           that
           which
           is
           the
           first-born
           means
           of
           conversion
           )
           she
           preacheth
           the
           Gospel
           with
           as
           much
           diligence
           ,
           and
           faithfulnesse
           ,
           and
           power
           ,
           and
           with
           as
           much
           libertie
           and
           freedome
           unto
           all
           to
           partake
           with
           her
           in
           this
           her
           ministration
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           way
           whatsoever
           :
           yea
           ,
           as
           readie
           and
           forward
           she
           is
           as
           any
           other
           ,
           to
           contribute
           her
           proportion
           to
           the
           full
           ,
           whether
           in
           counsell
           ,
           purse
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           ,
           for
           the
           furnishing
           of
           all
           the
           candlesticks
           in
           the
           land
           with
           burning
           and
           shining
           lights
           ,
           I
           mean
           for
           the
           erecting
           and
           setting
           up
           a
           faithfull
           preaching
           Ministery
           throughout
           the
           Land
           ,
           yea
           if
           it
           were
           possible
           ,
           throughout
           the
           whole
           world
           .
           Therefore
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           (
           and
           lastly
           ,
           to
           the
           main
           objection
           )
           whereas
           this
           
             way
          
           with
           the
           permission
           and
           sufferance
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           burthened
           with
           this
           jealousie
           and
           fear
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           so
           highly
           displeasing
           unto
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           not
           like
           to
           turn
           in
           mercie
           unto
           the
           Nation
           ,
           untill
           it
           be
           removed
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           factors
           for
           it
           taken
           away
           .
           I
           answer
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           this
           jealousie
           and
           fear
           is
           of
           the
           same
           inspiration
           ,
           with
           that
           wherewith
           
             Rabshakeh
          
           of
           old
           ,
           sought
           to
           possesse
           the
           heart
           of
           the
           good
           King
           
             Hezekiah
          
           and
           the
           inhabitants
           of
           Jerusalem
           ,
           that
           so
           upon
           the
           discouragement
           they
           might
           be
           the
           more
           willing
           to
           compound
           for
           their
           City
           .
           
             But
             if
             thou
             say
             to
             me
             ,
             ●●
             trust
          
           
           
             in
             the
             Lord
             our
             God
             ;
             is
             it
             not
             he
             whose
             high
             places
             ,
             and
             whose
             altars
             Hezekiah
             hath
             taken
             away
             ,
             and
             said
             to
             Judah
             and
             Jerusalem
             ,
             ye
             shall
             worship
             before
             this
             altar
             ?
          
           That
           which
           
             Hezekiah
          
           had
           done
           (
           in
           destroying
           Idolatry
           )
           with
           great
           acceptation
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           which
           consequently
           was
           in
           it self
           a
           pledge
           and
           confirmation
           
           unto
           him
           and
           his
           people
           that
           God
           was
           and
           would
           be
           with
           them
           to
           save
           them
           and
           their
           Citie
           out
           of
           
             Rabshakehs
          
           hand
           ,
           this
           doth
           this
           deceived
           ambitious
           man
           contrive
           into
           an
           argument
           of
           jealousie
           and
           fear
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           God
           was
           offended
           with
           them
           ;
           and
           so
           represents
           their
           
             hope
             and
             confidence
             ,
          
           in
           the
           shape
           of
           
             diffidence
          
           and
           deep
           
             discouragement
          
           unto
           them
           .
           He
           that
           perswaded
           the
           woman
           ,
           that
           God
           knew
           how
           that
           
             in
             the
             day
             wherein
             they
             should
             eat
             of
          
           
           
             the
             tree
             i●
             the
             mid
             ●●st
             of
             the
             garden
             ,
             their
             eyes
             should
             be
             opened
             ,
             and
             they
             be
             like
             gods
             ,
          
           &c.
           hath
           (
           it
           seems
           )
           possest
           many
           amongst
           us
           with
           this
           semblable
           apprehension
           ,
           that
           from
           the
           day
           wherein
           they
           shall
           destroy
           that
           
             way
          
           we
           speak
           of
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           suppre●●e
           all
           those
           that
           walk
           in
           it
           ,
           God
           will
           be
           gracious
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           remember
           their
           iniquities
           no
           more
           ;
           as
           if
           to
           sacrifice
           the
           children
           in
           the
           Fathers
           sight
           ,
           were
           the
           onely
           means
           of
           making
           atonement
           with
           him
           .
           But
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           how
           doth
           this
           carrie
           any
           shew
           or
           shadow
           of
           reason
           or
           truth
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           turn
           away
           his
           face
           from
           a
           State
           or
           Nation
           ,
           for
           not
           hating
           his
           people
           or
           for
           refusi●g
           to
           persecute
           his
           anointed
           ones
           ?
           God
           sometimes
           said
           ,
           
             That
             Nation
             whom
             they
             shall
             serve
             ,
             I
             will
             iudge
             .
          
           Gen.
           15.
           14.
           
           Is
           his
           mind
           so
           far
           altered
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           that
           now
           he
           should
           say
           ,
           the
           
             Nation
             who
             shall
             give
             them
             libertie
             ,
             I
             will
             iudge
             ?
          
           The
           generall
           rule
           of
           restraint
           which
           God
           hath
           charged
           upon
           States
           ,
           Kingdoms
           ,
           and
           Nations
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           
             Touch
             not
             mine
             a●●i●ted
             ,
             and
             do
             my
             Prophets
             no
             harm
             :
          
           and
           hath
           he
           
           anywhere
           made
           
             Independencie
          
           (
           so
           called
           )
           an
           exception
           from
           this
           rule
           ?
           or
           hath
           he
           anywhere
           made
           
             Presbyterie
          
           a
           distinguishing
           character
           of
           such
           of
           his
           
             anointed
          
           ones
           ,
           who
           must
           not
           be
           
             touc●'d
             ,
          
           from
           others
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           may
           be
           crush'd
           ,
           and
           whose
           
             bon●s
             m●y
             b●
             broken
             ?
          
           Surely
           
             circumcision
          
           and
           
             unci●cumcision
          
           differed
           as
           much
           ,
           as
           Presby●erie
           and
           Independencie
           can
           do
           :
           yet
           the
           Apostle
           tels
           us
           ,
           
             Gal.
          
           6.
           15.
           that
           
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             neither
             circumcision
             av●ileth
             any
             thing
             ,
             nor
             uncircumcision
             ,
             but
             a
             new
             creature
             .
          
           If
           Independents
           be
           
             new
             creatures
             ,
          
           and
           born
           of
           God
           ,
           their
           Brethren
           need
           not
           fear
           any
           displeasure
           or
           anger
           from
           their
           Father
           ,
           for
           suffering
           them
           to
           dwell
           in
           peace
           by
           them
           in
           the
           same
           Land
           ;
           but
           have
           cause
           to
           rejoyce
           in
           such
           their
           neighbourhood
           and
           societi●
           ,
           as
           being
           pillars
           of
           the
           s●me
           strength
           with
           themselves
           ,
           to
           support
           the
           State
           and
           Nation
           wherein
           they
           dwell
           .
           But
        
         
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           when
           
             mens
             table
             becomes
             a
             snare
             unto
             them
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             their
             welfare
             a
             trap
             ,
          
           it
           is
           a
           signe
           that
           God
           is
           about
           
             to
             bow
             down
             their
             backs
             ,
             if
             not
             to
             make
             their
             habitations
             desolate
             .
          
           When
           the
           Jews
           began
           to
           reason
           after
           this
           manner
           ,
           (
           and
           to
           act
           accordingly
           )
           
             If
             we
             let
             him
             thus
             alone
             ,
          
           all
           
             men
             will
             beleeve
             on
             him
             :
             and
          
           then
           
             the
             Romanes
             shall
             come
             ,
             and
             take
             away
             both
             our
             place
             and
             nation
             ;
          
           it
           was
           a
           
           presage
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Romanes
          
           indeed
           
             would
             come
             ,
          
           and
           
             take
             away
          
           both
           :
           which
           they
           did
           not
           many
           yeers
           after
           .
           
             Make
             the
             heart
             of
             this
             people
             fat
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Lord
           by
           his
           Prophet
           ,
           concerning
           the
           same
           people
           )
           
             and
             make
             their
             eares
             heavie
             ,
             and
             shut
             their
             eyes
             ,
             lest
             they
             see
             with
             their
          
           
           
             eyes
             ,
             and
             hear
             with
             their
             eares
             ,
             and
             understand
             with
             their
             heart
             ,
             and
             convert
             ,
             and
             be
             healed
             .
          
           I
           say
           no
           more
           in
           this
           ,
           but
           onely
           pray
           with
           all
           mine
           heart
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           my
           soul
           ,
           that
           the
           people
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           may
           
             see
             with
             their
             eyes
             ,
          
           and
           
             hear
             with
             their
             eares
             ,
             and
             understand
             with
             their
             hearts
             ,
          
           that
           they
           may
           
             convert
             ,
             and
             be
             healed
             .
          
           The
           Heathens
           were
           wont
           to
           say
           ,
           
             Jupiter
             ,
             quos
             vult
             perdere
             ,
             dementat
             .
          
        
         
           Another
           objection
           leavied
           against
           the
           
             Way
          
           is
           this
           :
           If
           this
           way
           be
           let
           alone
           ,
           and
           suffered
           to
           take
           place
           ,
           it
           will
           still
           undermine
           the
           credit
           and
           comfort
           ,
           of
           many
           worthy
           and
           conscientious
           Ministers
           in
           the
           land
           .
           For
           as
           fast
           as
           they
           ,
           through
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           their
           faithfull
           labours
           in
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           shall
           convert
           souls
           unto
           God
           ;
           this
           
             Way
          
           will
           allure
           them
           away
           from
           them
           unto
           it self
           ;
           whereby
           their
           hand
           must
           needs
           be
           enfeebled
           and
           discouraged
           to
           their
           work
           .
           But
           to
           this
           also
           I
           answer
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           if
           that
           way
           of
           Government
           and
           worship
           ,
           wherein
           those
           good
           Ministers
           shall
           walk
           ,
           who
           are
           supposed
           to
           convert
           people
           unto
           God
           ,
           be
           indeed
           and
           in
           truth
           the
           
             way
          
           of
           God
           ,
           there
           is
           little
           ground
           or
           cause
           of
           fear
           ,
           that
           any
           other
           way
           should
           separate
           between
           them
           and
           their
           converted
           ones
           .
           For
           first
           ,
           the
           verie
           grace
           of
           conversion
           ,
           being
           dispensed
           unto
           these
           by
           their
           hand
           ,
           is
           a
           great
           and
           solemne
           ingagement
           upon
           them
           ,
           to
           love
           and
           honour
           them
           above
           others
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           person
           being
           dearly
           lov'd
           ,
           and
           highly
           honour'd
           ,
           gives
           credit
           and
           interest
           both
           in
           the
           judgements
           and
           affections
           of
           those
           who
           do
           so
           love
           and
           honour
           ,
           to
           all
           his
           matters
           ,
           as
           well
           of
           opinion
           as
           practise
           ;
           at
           least
           is
           compleat
           
           armour
           of
           proof
           against
           any
           prejudice
           in
           respect
           of
           either
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           when
           men
           and
           women
           are
           converted
           unto
           God
           ,
           they
           are
           endued
           with
           a
           principle
           of
           a
           neerer
           and
           more
           inward
           sympathie
           and
           compliance
           with
           all
           the
           wayes
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           they
           had
           before
           .
           So
           that
           there
           is
           more
           cause
           for
           Ministers
           to
           fear
           the
           withdrawing
           of
           their
           people
           from
           them
           before
           their
           conversion
           ,
           then
           after
           ,
           in
           case
           the
           way
           of
           worship
           and
           government
           which
           they
           imbrace
           ,
           be
           of
           God
           .
           For
           in
           this
           case
           and
           supposition
           ,
           unconverted
           ones
           have
           no
           inward
           sutablenesse
           of
           soul
           ,
           to
           incline
           them
           to
           love
           or
           delight
           in
           this
           
             way
             ,
          
           and
           consequently
           their
           hearts
           must
           needs
           sit
           loose
           (
           if
           they
           stand
           not
           in
           opposition
           )
           ●o
           it
           :
           but
           those
           that
           are
           converted
           ,
           are
           baptized
           into
           such
           a
           spirit
           ,
           which
           is
           apt
           to
           comport
           and
           correspond
           with
           it
           .
           Again
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           if
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           and
           women
           upon
           their
           conversion
           unto
           God
           ,
           are
           so
           generally
           found
           (
           for
           otherwise
           there
           is
           no
           place
           for
           the
           jealo●●ie
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           ground
           of
           the
           objection
           )
           to
           stand
           in
           propension
           to
           this
           
             way
             ,
          
           is
           not
           this
           an
           argument
           ,
           if
           not
           demonstrative
           ,
           yet
           of
           a
           very
           high
           importance
           to
           evince
           ,
           that
           this
           
             way
          
           is
           of
           a
           truth
           ,
           the
           
             Way
          
           of
           God
           ?
           
             I
             will
             wait
             on
             thy
             Name
          
           (
           saith
           
             David
             )
             for
             it
             is
             good
             before
             thy
             Saints
             ;
          
           or
           ,
           
             because
             thy
          
           
           
             Saints
             like
             it
             well
          
           (
           as
           another
           translation
           reads
           .
           )
           So
           that
           this
           great
           Prophet
           and
           King
           thought
           the
           generall
           approbation
           and
           concurrence
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           sufficiently
           assertive
           of
           the
           acceptablenes
           of
           a
           way
           or
           practise
           ,
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           those
           Ministers
           who
           have
           the
           spirit
           of
           this
           glory
           cast
           upon
           them
           by
           God
           ,
           to
           beget
           sons
           and
           daughters
           unto
           him
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           have
           no
           cause
           to
           envie
           the
           line
           and
           measure
           of
           those
           who
           receive
           them
           from
           their
           hand
           ,
           upon
           such
           terms
           .
           That
           which
           our
           Saviour
           spake
           in
           another
           case
           ,
           is
           every
           what
           as
           considerably
           true
           in
           this
           :
           
             viz.
          
           that
           
             it
             is
             a
             more
             blessed
             thing
             to
             give
             ,
             then
          
           
           
             to
             receive
             :
          
           And
           the
           Apostle
           
             Paul
          
           makes
           no
           other
           account
           ,
           but
           that
           his
           relation
           of
           a
           spirituall
           Father
           unto
           the
           Corinths
           ,
           his
           begetting
           of
           them
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           was
           much
           more
           honourable
           unto
           him
           ,
           then
           the
           relation
           of
           an
           Instructor
           ,
           or
           builder
           up
           ,
           was
           ,
           or
           would
           be
           unto
           others
           .
           
             For
             though
             you
             have
             ten
             thousand
             Instructors
          
           
           
             i●
             Christ
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             yet
             have
             ye
             not
             many
             Fathers
             :
             for
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             I
             have
             begotten
             you
             through
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           And
           else-where
           he
           counts
           it
           a
           master-piece
           in
           the
           spirituall
           building
           ,
           to
           lay
           the
           foundation
           .
           
           
             According
             to
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             which
             is
             given
             to
             me
             ,
             as
             a
             wise
          
           
           
             master-builder
             I
             have
             laid
             the
             foundation
             ,
             and
             another
             buildeth
             thereon
             .
          
           So
           then
           ,
           
             planting
          
           being
           more
           Apostolicall
           then
           
             watering
          
           (
           it
           was
           
             Paul
          
           that
           
             planted
             ,
          
           and
           but
           
             Apollos
             that
             watered
             ,
             1
             Cor.
          
           3.
           6.
           
           )
           and
           laying
           the
           foundations
           of
           life
           and
           immortalitie
           in
           men
           ,
           of
           a
           more
           honourable
           interpretation
           ,
           then
           the
           building
           of
           them
           up
           in
           their
           Faith
           ;
           the
           Ministers
           so
           much
           tendered
           in
           the
           objection
           ,
           have
           not
           the
           least
           colour
           for
           any
           such
           grievance
           or
           complaint
           ,
           as
           is
           there
           presented
           on
           their
           behalf
           ,
           indeed
           and
           in
           realitie
           of
           truth
           no
           more
           ,
           then
           the
           Apostles
           themselves
           had
           ,
           for
           complaining
           against
           such
           Ministers
           and
           Pastors
           ,
           who
           feed
           those
           flock●
           of
           Christ
           which
           they
           had
           first
           converted
           unto
           him
           .
           
             And
             without
             all
          
           
           
             contradiction
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             the
             lesser
             is
             blessed
             ,
          
           but
           never
           
             envied
             ,
          
           of
           the
           greater
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           the
           gracious
           and
           bountifull
           God
           hath
           so
           laid
           it
           in
           his
           counsell
           and
           decree
           ,
           that
           ,
           though
           the
           saying
           be
           true
           ,
           which
           our
           Saviour
           taketh
           notice
           of
           ,
           
             Job
             .
             4.
             37.
             
             That
             one
             soweth
             ,
             and
             another
             reapeth
             ;
          
           yet
           
             both
             he
             that
             soweth
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             reapeth
             ,
             should
             reioyce
             together
             .
          
           ver.
           36.
           
           So
           that
           as
           
             Abigail
          
           told
           
             David
             ,
          
           
           that
           
             when
             the
             Lord
             should
             have
             done
             unto
             him
             all
             the
             good
             which
             he
             had
             promised
             him
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             no
             grief
             unto
             him
             ,
             nor
             offence
             of
             mind
             ,
             that
             he
             had
             not
             shed
             blood
             causlesse
             ,
             or
             avenged
             himself
             ;
          
           no
           more
           will
           it
           be
           the
           least
           occasion
           of
           uncomfortablenesse
           or
           complaint
           unto
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           faithfull
           unto
           God
           ,
           and
           brought
           home
           souls
           unto
           him
           ,
           when
           
             they
             shall
             shine
             like
             stars
             in
             the
             firmament
             of
          
           
           
             Heaven
             ,
          
           that
           some
           of
           the
           children
           of
           their
           labours
           departed
           from
           under
           their
           hand
           when
           time
           was
           ,
           to
           seek
           pasture
           and
           soulaccommodations
           else-where
           .
        
         
           Another
           objection
           seeming
           to
           war
           with
           an
           high
           hand
           against
           the
           
             way
          
           hitherto
           protected
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           Can
           that
           in
           reason
           be
           thought
           to
           be
           the
           
             way
          
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           seemeth
           so
           onely
           in
           the
           eyes
           of
           a
           few
           inconsiderable
           ,
           and
           (
           for
           the
           most
           part
           )
           illiterate
           persons
           ▪
           and
           not
           rather
           that
           ,
           which
           triumpheth
           in
           the
           vote
           and
           suffrage
           of
           a
           Reverend
           ,
           learned
           ,
           pious
           and
           frequent
           Assembly
           ;
           yea
           and
           further
           hath
           the
           approbation
           of
           many
           wise
           and
           worthy
           persons
           
           in
           full
           concurrence
           with
           it
           ?
           Do
           not
           wise
           men
           see
           more
           then
           those
           that
           are
           weak
           ,
           and
           many
           ,
           then
           few
           ?
           I
           answer
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           
             Solomon
             returned
             ,
             and
             saw
             under
             the
             Sun
             ,
             that
             the
          
           
           
             race
             is
             not
             to
             the
             swift
             ,
             nor
             the
             battell
             to
             the
             strong
             ,
             neither
             yet
             bread
             to
             the
             wise
             ,
             nor
             yet
             riches
             to
             men
             of
             understanding
             ,
             nor
             yet
             favour
             to
             men
             of
             skill
             ;
             but
             that
             time
             a●d
             chance
             happeneth
             unto
             them
             all
             ;
          
           meaning
           ,
           that
           God
           still
           reserves
           a
           liberty
           to
           himself
           to
           interpose
           ,
           and
           to
           carry
           the
           issues
           and
           events
           of
           things
           against
           all
           advantages
           and
           likelihoods
           of
           second
           causes
           ,
           when
           and
           where
           and
           as
           oft
           as
           he
           pleaseth
           .
           And
           therefore
           as
           King
           
             As●
          
           in
           his
           cry
           unto
           the
           Lord
           his
           
           God
           ,
           said
           ,
           
             It
             is
             nothing
             with
             thee
             to
             help
             ,
             whether
             with
             many
             ,
             or
             with
             them
             that
             have
             no
             power
             :
          
           in
           like
           manner
           it
           is
           but
           of
           one
           and
           the
           same
           consideration
           with
           God
           ,
           to
           blesse
           the
           world
           with
           the
           Revelation
           of
           truth
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           by
           few
           ,
           or
           by
           many
           ,
           by
           those
           that
           are
           learned
           ,
           or
           those
           that
           are
           look'd
           upon
           as
           men
           of
           small
           understanding
           .
           Nay
           ,
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           if
           we
           consult
           with
           the
           tenor
           of
           Gods
           providence
           and
           dispensations
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           our
           information
           or
           answer
           will
           be
           according
           to
           the
           tenor
           of
           our
           Saviours
           gratulation
           (
           being
           now
           in
           a
           kind
           of
           rapture
           or
           exultation
           of
           spiri●
           )
           unto
           his
           Father
           :
           
             I
             thank
             thee
             ,
             O
             Father
             ,
             Lord
             of
             heaven
             and
             earth
             ,
             that
             th●●
             h●st
             hid
          
           
           
             th●se
             things
             from
             the
             wise
             and
             prudent
             ,
             and
             hast
             revealed
             them
             unto
             babes
             :
             even
             so
             Father
             ,
             for
             so
             it
             seemed
             good
             in
             thy
             sight
             .
          
           Though
           God
           be
           at
           libertie
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           first
           discovery
           ,
           or
           communication
           of
           the
           light
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           unto
           the
           world
           ,
           by
           greater
           numbers
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           those
           learned
           and
           in
           high
           esteeme
           for
           wisdome
           ,
           as
           by
           Councels
           ,
           Synods
           ,
           and
           Conventions
           of
           men
           eminent
           in
           their
           qualifications
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           by
           one
           or
           fewer
           ,
           and
           these
           under
           no
           great
           observation
           for
           either
           ;
           ●et
           by
           the
           more
           frequent
           experience
           of
           all
           ages
           it
           appeareth
           ,
           that
           he
           taketh
           pleasure
           in
           this
           latter
           way
           ,
           rather
           then
           in
           the
           former
           .
           Doubtlesse
           it
           was
           not
           without
           some
           very
           considerable
           ground
           and
           reason
           ,
           that
           that
           ancient
           and
           learned
           Father
           
             *
          
           
             Gregorie
             N●zianzene
          
           should
           say
           ,
           that
           he
           never
           saw
           good
           end
           ,
           or
           desirable
           successe
           of
           any
           Councell
           ;
           or
           that
           they
           procur'd
           any
           decrease
           ,
           but
           rather
           increase
           of
           evi●s
           .
           Yea
           and
           adds
           :
           that
           the
           pertinacious
           contentions
           ,
           and
           inordinate
           desires
           of
           domineering
           or
           bearing
           rule
           ,
           were
           such
           ,
           as
           words
           could
           not
           expresse
           .
           
             Him
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             God
             raised
             up
             the
             third
             day
             ,
             and
             shewed
             him
             openly
             :
             not
             unto
             lith●
             people
             ,
             but
             unto
             witnesses
             chosen
             before
             of
             God
             ,
             even
             unto
             us
             ,
             who
             did
             eat
             and
             drink
             with
             him
             after
             he
             rose
             from
             the
             dead
             .
             Mary
          
           a
           woman
           ,
           had
           both
           the
           first
           revelation
           
           made
           unto
           her
           of
           Christs
           rising
           againe
           from
           the
           dead
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           first
           enterview
           and
           sight
           of
           him
           after
           he
           was
           risen
           .
           
             Joh.
          
           20.
           12.
           14.
           
           The
           Scripture
           takes
           speciall
           notice
           of
           
             Lots
          
           departure
           from
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           before
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           make
           that
           excellent
           discovery
           of
           himselfe
           unto
           him
           ,
           spoken
           of
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           13.
           14
           ,
           15
           ,
           &c.
           Yea
           ,
           most
           of
           those
           revelations
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           which
           he
           was
           graciously
           pleas'd
           to
           impart
           unto
           his
           ancient
           Church
           of
           the
           
             Jewes
             ,
          
           were
           not
           imparted
           unto
           them
           by
           their
           Synedrion
           or
           Great
           Councell
           ,
           but
           by
           particular
           men
           ;
           who
           likewise
           usually
           (
           if
           not
           alwayes
           )
           received
           their
           inspirations
           from
           God
           ,
           in
           their
           greatest
           privacie
           and
           sequestration
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           that
           (
           if
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           Rabbins
           will
           hold
           in
           that
           behalfe
           )
           whilst
           they
           were
           yong
           .
           That
           light
           of
           Evangelicall
           truth
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           rejoyce
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           triumph
           over
           Antichristian
           darkness
           ,
           did
           not
           break
           out
           of
           the
           clouds
           of
           Councels
           and
           Synods
           unto
           them
           ,
           but
           God
           caused
           it
           to
           shine
           upon
           them
           ,
           from
           scattered
           and
           single
           starres
           ,
           as
           
             Luther
             ,
             Calvin
             ,
             Zuinglius
             ,
             Martyr
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           God
           never
           took
           any
           pleasure
           to
           cumber
           his
           arme
           with
           flesh
           and
           bloud
           ,
           when
           he
           meant
           to
           doe
           any
           great
           thing
           for
           his
           Church
           by
           it
           .
           Wee
           find
           him
           once
           complaining
           right
           out
           ,
           that
           
             the
             people
             were
             too
             many
             for
             him
             ,
          
           to
           give
           deliverance
           or
           victory
           
           by
           ;
           but
           we
           never
           heard
           of
           any
           complaint
           from
           him
           that
           they
           were
           too
           few
           .
           And
           why
           may
           we
           not
           think
           ,
           but
           that
           God
           may
           as
           well
           say
           within
           himselfe
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           too
           many
           learned
           and
           wise
           men
           in
           a
           great
           Councell
           ,
           for
           him
           to
           reveale
           truth
           ,
           or
           to
           give
           victory
           against
           error
           by
           ?
           The
           reason
           of
           this
           kind
           of
           dispensation
           is
           obvious
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           forbeare
           (
           for
           the
           present
           )
           to
           insist
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           As
           a
           presuming
           confidence
           of
           a
           mans
           leggs
           ,
           is
           a
           signe
           of
           such
           a
           
             time
          
           or
           
             chance
          
           (
           in
           
             Solomons
          
           phrase
           )
           wherein
           the
           
             race
             shall
             not
             be
             to
             the
             swift
             ;
          
           and
           so
           the
           challenging
           a
           victorie
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           of
           course
           ,
           because
           we
           have
           chariots
           ,
           and
           horses
           ,
           and
           vast
           multitudes
           of
           men
           ,
           expert
           in
           warre
           above
           our
           enemies
           ,
           is
           a
           presage
           seldome
           failing
           ,
           that
           
             the
             battell
          
           will
           
             not
             be
             to
             the
             strong
             :
          
           in
           like
           manner
           when
           Synods
           and
           Councels
           shall
           beare
           themselves
           inordinately
           upon
           their
           numbers
           and
           multitudes
           ,
           upon
           their
           wisdome
           ,
           learning
           ,
           and
           pietie
           ,
           and
           because
           of
           these
           ,
           shall
           (
           upon
           the
           matter
           )
           challenge
           an
           infallibilitie
           (
           for
           what
           doe
           they
           lesse
           ,
           when
           they
           command
           all
           mens
           judgements
           and
           consciences
           to
           bow
           downe
           at
           the
           feet
           of
           their
           determinations
           ?
           )
           this
           is
           little
           lesse
           then
           an
           authorized
           ground
           of
           Divination
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           miscarry
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           will
           not
           honour
           
           them
           ,
           with
           the
           discovery
           of
           any
           of
           his
           Truth
           unto
           the
           world
           .
           A
           Synod
           or
           Councell
           ,
           though
           of
           men
           never
           so
           conscientious
           and
           learned
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           both
           frequent
           and
           fervent
           in
           fasting
           and
           prayer
           before
           God
           ,
           that
           shall
           assemble
           and
           meet
           together
           upon
           such
           terms
           ,
           I
           meane
           so
           as
           either
           to
           expect
           ,
           but
           especially
           peremptorily
           to
           conclude
           ,
           before
           hand
           ,
           that
           all
           men
           shall
           make
           Faith
           and
           practise
           of
           their
           decisions
           ,
           or
           else
           be
           censur'd
           ,
           and
           made
           to
           suffer
           like
           evill
           doers
           ;
           doe
           in
           this
           
             set
             up
             their
             idols
             in
             their
             heart
             ,
             and
             put
             the
          
           
           
             stumbling
             block
             of
             their
             iniquitie
             before
             their
             face
             :
          
           and
           consequently
           devest
           themselves
           of
           that
           capacitie
           ,
           wherein
           they
           should
           be
           meet
           to
           enquire
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
           
             Should
             I
             be
             enquired
             of
             at
             all
             by
             them
             ?
          
           (
           saith
           God
           himselfe
           
             Ezek.
          
           14.
           3.
           of
           such
           )
           Indeed
           where
           greater
           numbers
           of
           men
           ,
           accomplished
           with
           grace
           ,
           and
           parts
           of
           learning
           ,
           shall
           assemble
           together
           with
           humilitie
           and
           meeknesse
           ,
           and
           for
           ends
           proportioned
           to
           the
           line
           and
           sphere
           of
           men
           ,
           as
           
             viz.
          
           candidly
           and
           unpartially
           to
           argue
           and
           debate
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           finde
           out
           the
           Truth
           in
           things
           appertaining
           unto
           God
           ,
           onely
           with
           an
           intent
           and
           desire
           to
           be
           
             helpers
          
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           as
           by
           making
           rough
           things
           plaine
           ,
           and
           things
           that
           were
           hard
           ,
           easie
           ,
           and
           dark
           things
           ,
           lightsome
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           exercise
           a
           
             dominion
             over
             their
             Faith
          
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaketh
           )
           
           by
           an
           authoritative
           commanding
           them
           out
           of
           their
           present
           judgement
           ,
           what
           ever
           it
           be
           ,
           to
           doe
           homage
           to
           the
           results
           of
           their
           debates
           ,
           whether
           they
           see
           light
           and
           truth
           in
           them
           or
           no
           ;
           they
           may
           expect
           a
           speciall
           presence
           of
           God
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           Churches
           of
           God
           about
           them
           ,
           may
           comfortably
           waite
           for
           somewhat
           more
           of
           the
           minde
           of
           Christ
           from
           them
           ,
           then
           they
           knew
           .
           
             In
             the
             multitude
          
           
           
             of
          
           such
           
             Counsellors
             ,
             there
             may
             be
             safetie
             ,
          
           as
           
             Solomon
          
           speaketh
           .
           I
           would
           gladly
           beleeve
           ,
           if
           I
           could
           find
           where
           to
           set
           the
           sole
           of
           the
           foot
           of
           such
           a
           Faith
           ,
           that
           Councels
           and
           Synods
           are
           wont
           to
           meet
           upon
           such
           terms
           :
           which
           if
           they
           doe
           not
           ,
           I
           am
           (
           almost
           )
           as
           farre
           out
           of
           hope
           of
           having
           
             the
             joy
             of
          
           my
           
             Faith
          
           holpen
           or
           increased
           by
           them
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           of
           
             gathering
             grapes
             from
             thornes
             ,
             or
             figgs
             of
             thistles
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           ,
        
         
           4.
           (
           and
           lastly
           )
           Whereas
           the
           objection
           urgeth
           ,
           that
           wise
           men
           are
           like
           to
           see
           more
           then
           those
           that
           are
           weake
           ,
           and
           many
           ,
           then
           few
           :
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           this
           is
           not
           alwayes
           found
           true
           ,
           no
           not
           in
           naturall
           ,
           civill
           or
           artificiall
           things
           ,
           wherein
           notwithstanding
           there
           is
           usually
           a
           greater
           regularitie
           and
           uniformitie
           in
           the
           actings
           and
           workings
           of
           second
           causes
           ;
           much
           lesse
           is
           it
           alwayes
           true
           in
           matters
           belonging
           
           unto
           God
           ;
           wherein
           himselfe
           more
           frequently
           interposeth
           by
           his
           prerogative
           ,
           and
           ordereth
           the
           tenor
           and
           course
           of
           occurrences
           and
           effects
           ,
           besides
           the
           proportion
           of
           second
           causes
           ,
           by
           the
           good
           pleasure
           of
           his
           will
           .
           All
           the
           great
           and
           rare
           inventions
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           which
           either
           former
           ,
           or
           latter
           ages
           have
           brought
           to
           light
           ,
           were
           not
           the
           issues
           or
           results
           either
           of
           the
           thoughts
           or
           studies
           of
           the
           wisest
           or
           learnedest
           of
           men
           ,
           nor
           yet
           of
           the
           consultations
           or
           communications
           of
           the
           greatest
           numbers
           or
           multitudes
           of
           men
           :
           but
           the
           wise
           Disposer
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           owne
           good
           pleasure
           and
           will
           ,
           cast
           this
           honour
           upon
           particular
           and
           single
           men
           ,
           (
           for
           the
           most
           part
           )
           and
           those
           not
           alwayes
           of
           the
           most
           learned
           or
           profound
           ,
           as
           by
           many
           instances
           might
           readily
           be
           evicted
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           necessary
           .
           And
           
             Solomon
          
           reports
           unto
           us
           a
           case
           ,
           wherein
           one
           
             poore
          
           
           
             man
             by
             his
             wisdome
             delivered
             a
             Citie
          
           out
           of
           imminent
           danger
           ;
           which
           (
           it
           seems
           )
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Inhabitants
           did
           not
           see
           or
           apprehend
           how
           to
           doe
           .
           Yea
           ,
           in
           Councels
           themselves
           ,
           or
           greater
           assemblies
           of
           men
           ,
           it
           is
           usually
           seene
           that
           some
           one
           ,
           or
           few
           ,
           either
           of
           predominant
           parts
           ,
           or
           authoritie
           amongst
           them
           ,
           sway
           and
           steere
           all
           the
           proceedings
           ,
           and
           act
           the
           judgements
           and
           affections
           of
           the
           rest
           ,
           though
           conscientious
           and
           learned
           to
           a
           degree
           .
           So
           that
           upon
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           just
           accompt
           ,
           the
           resolution●
           of
           Councels
           and
           Synods
           themselves
           ,
           are
           but
           the
           fruits
           or
           putting-forth
           of
           the
           learning
           ,
           and
           judgement
           ,
           of
           a
           very
           few
           men
           ;
           and
           whether
           these
           be
           alwayes
           of
           the
           most
           conscientious
           ,
           I
           had
           rather
           others
           should
           consider
           ,
           then
           I
           determine
           .
        
         
           The
           last
           objection
           designed
           for
           present
           examination
           ,
           is
           this
           that
           the
           intent
           and
           project
           of
           this
           way
           ,
           is
           ambitious
           ,
           high
           ,
           and
           dangerous
           ,
           that
           it
           affecteth
           a
           Dictatorship
           Ecclesiasticall
           ,
           a
           power
           of
           Law-giving
           ,
           that
           it
           undermines
           Civill
           or
           Parliamentary
           Authoritie
           ,
           &c.
           
           But
           to
           this
           also
           we
           answer
           (
           omitting
           what
           was
           formerly
           said
           ,
           concerning
           extravagant
           height
           of
           accusations
           and
           charges
           ,
           and
           the
           slender
           probabilitie
           of
           truth
           in
           them
           :
           as
           likewise
           concerning
           the
           speciall
           disposition
           of
           God
           in
           ordering
           the
           malice
           or
           ill
           will
           of
           those
           that
           are
           enemies
           ,
           either
           to
           his
           people
           or
           wayes
           ,
           still
           to
           shoote
           the
           arrowes
           of
           their
           accusations
           against
           their
           
             b●e●s●plate
             of
             righteousnesse
             ,
          
           where
           it
           is
           strongest
           and
           least
           penetrable
           ▪
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           colour
           ,
           no
           ,
           nor
           the
           least
           colour
           of
           a
           colour
           ,
           to
           charge
           any
           ambitious
           or
           Dictator-like
           designe
           upon
           this
           
             Way
             .
          
           The
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           the
           most
           essentiall
           ,
           int●insecall
           ,
           
           and
           fundamentall
           principles
           of
           it
           ,
           stand
           diametrally
           bent
           against
           all
           dictatoring
           ,
           and
           law-giving
           by
           men
           ,
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           .
           The
           Sunne
           may
           with
           as
           much
           ,
           or
           more
           reason
           be
           suspected
           of
           consulting
           darknesse
           against
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           this
           
             Way
          
           of
           meditating
           or
           projecting
           any
           Authoritative
           greatnesse
           unto
           it self
           in
           this
           kinde
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           when
           it
           degenerates
           from
           it self
           ,
           and
           passeth
           into
           another
           kind
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           some
           danger
           and
           fear
           of
           this
           
             Way
             ;
          
           as
           there
           is
           that
           Honey
           should
           turn
           into
           choler
           ,
           when
           the
           native
           property
           of
           it
           is
           altered
           by
           the
           stomack
           .
           A
           Congregationall
           man
           become
           a
           Classique
           ,
           may
           as
           soon
           as
           another
           make
           a
           Son
           of
           such
           a
           designe
           as
           is
           specified
           in
           the
           objection
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           the
           
             Way
          
           wee
           speak
           of
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           contradictory
           to
           her self
           ,
           as
           to
           desire
           or
           project
           such
           a
           Kingdome
           ,
           as
           she
           stands
           charged
           with
           in
           the
           Objection
           ;
           yet
           should
           not
           the
           world
           have
           the
           least
           cause
           to
           fear
           her
           prosecutions
           or
           executions
           in
           this
           kinde
           .
           If
           the
           Lamb
           in
           the
           fold
           should
           threaten
           or
           project
           the
           slaughter
           and
           destruction
           of
           all
           the
           Lions
           in
           the
           Wildernesse
           ,
           had
           these
           ever
           the
           more
           cause
           to
           be
           afraid
           of
           her
           ?
           The
           kingdomes
           and
           powers
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           need
           not
           fear
           either
           the
           numbers
           or
           power
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           for
           taking
           away
           their
           crowns
           ,
           or
           breaking
           the
           scepters
           of
           their
           rule
           and
           government
           ,
           untill
           the
           world
           that
           now
           is
           be
           translated
           into
           that
           which
           is
           to
           come
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
        
         
           3.
           
           Whereas
           this
           
             Way
          
           is
           further
           arrested
           by
           the
           Objection
           ,
           for
           a
           Pioner
           and
           underminer
           of
           Magistracy
           ,
           or
           Parliamentary
           Authority
           ;
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           more
           in
           this
           
             Way
          
           to
           undermine
           or
           endanger
           any
           Civill
           Authority
           or
           Power
           whatsoever
           ,
           then
           there
           was
           in
           
             Daniels
          
           heart
           to
           prejudice
           the
           life
           and
           honour
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           
           when
           hee
           prayed
           three
           times
           a
           day
           ,
           (
           contrary
           to
           the
           Kings
           commandement
           )
           or
           then
           was
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Doctrine
           of
           
             Justification
             by
             Faith
          
           to
           make
           voyd
           the
           writings
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           or
           the
           Law
           ;
           whereby
           indeed
           he
           did
           
             establish
             it
          
           (
           as
           himself
           affirmeth
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           3.
           31.
           
           )
           though
           the
           
             Jewes
          
           apprehended
           ,
           and
           charged
           him
           with
           the
           contrary
           .
           And
           doubtlesse
           the
           learned
           Gentleman
           ,
           who
           undertakes
           the
           
             unmasking
          
           of
           Independency
           ,
           (
           which
           never
           wore
           any
           )
           is
           in
           an
           utter
           mistake
           ,
           
           not
           only
           of
           the
           intentions
           of
           the
           two
           Brethren
           of
           this
           
             Way
          
           (
           who
           ever
           they
           were
           )
           whose
           words
           he
           citeth
           ,
           
             p.
          
           3.
           of
           his
           late
           
             Examination
             ;
          
           but
           also
           of
           the
           rationall
           and
           Grammaticall
           construction
           and
           import
           of
           the
           words
           .
           For
           whereas
           they
           say
           ,
           
             that
             a
             man
             may
             as
             well
             bring
             a
             clean
             thing
             out
             of
             an
             unclean
             ,
             as
             make
             a
             spirituall
             extraction
          
           
           
             ●●t
             of
             a
             se
             〈…〉
             ,
          
           the
           Gentleman
           will
           needs
           interpret
           ,
           that
           they
           make
           both
           Parliament
           and
           Assembly
           
             secular
             and
             unclean
             ;
          
           whereas
           by
           the
           tenor
           and
           carriage
           of
           the
           whole
           passage
           ,
           it
           is
           as
           clear
           as
           the
           Sun
           ▪
           that
           in
           neither
           of
           these
           expressions
           they
           reflect
           either
           upon
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           the
           other
           ;
           no
           ,
           nor
           yet
           in
           those
           following
           words
           ,
           wherein
           they
           affirm
           ,
           that
           
             it
             will
             be
             demonstratively
             prov'd
          
           (
           against
           their
           adversary
           ,
           who
           makes
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           State
           the
           first
           and
           most
           considerable
           band
           or
           tye
           upon
           men
           ,
           for
           their
           submission
           to
           his
           Church-government
           )
           
             that
             he
             resolves
             the
             government
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             (
             in
             the
             last
             resolution
             of
             it
             )
             into
             the
             humors
             ,
             wills
             and
             pleasures
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             yea
             ,
             of
             the
             vilest
             and
             most
             unworthy
             of
             men
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           ,
           whereas
           upon
           his
           citation
           of
           these
           words
           ,
           his
           demand
           is
           ,
           
             Brethren
             ,
             bona
             verba
             quaeso
             ,
          
           the
           Brethren
           upon
           his
           interpretation
           of
           them
           ,
           have
           far
           more
           reason
           to
           make
           this
           request
           unto
           him
           ;
           Brother
           ,
           
             bonam
             glossam
             quaesum●●
             .
          
           The
           words
           are
           good
           ,
           if
           the
           interpretation
           did
           but
           answer
           .
           For
           doubtlesse
           the
           Brethren
           in
           the
           mentioned
           period
           and
           expressions
           ,
           reflected
           only
           upon
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           people
           in
           the
           Land
           ,
           who
           according
           to
           the
           Lawes
           of
           the
           Land
           ;
           yea
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           principles
           of
           all
           reason
           and
           equity
           ,
           have
           the
           right
           of
           nominating
           persons
           into
           the
           places
           of
           Parliamentary
           trust
           and
           power
           ;
           but
           have
           no
           Authority
           or
           power
           from
           Christ
           to
           nominate
           or
           appoint
           ,
           who
           shall
           be
           the
           men
           that
           shall
           order
           the
           affairs
           of
           Christs
           Kingdome
           ,
           or
           institute
           the
           government
           of
           his
           Churches
           .
           These
           ,
           and
           especially
           the
           ignorant
           and
           irreligious
           part
           of
           them
           (
           which
           they
           that
           know
           any
           thing
           concerning
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           for
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           must
           needs
           know
           to
           be
           far
           the
           greater
           part
           in
           every
           place
           )
           are
           that
           
             secular
             root
             ,
          
           out
           of
           which
           the
           Brethren
           conceive
           an
           impossibility
           ,
           that
           
             a
             spirituall
             extraction
             should
             be
             made
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           a
           legitimate
           Ecclesiastique
           power
           should
           according
           to
           the
           minde
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           any
           precept
           or
           president
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           be
           by
           them
           conferred
           upon
           any
           man
           :
           and
           this
           impossibility
           conceived
           by
           them
           ,
           they
           only
           illustrate
           and
           declare
           by
           that
           parallel
           expression
           in
           
             Job
             ,
             Who
             can
             bring
             a
             cleane
             thing
             out
             of
             an
             uncleane
             ?
          
           When
           they
           imply
           ,
           that
           men
           unworthy
           ,
           and
           strangers
           to
           the
           power
           of
           godlinesse
           and
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           have
           the
           right
           and
           power
           of
           conferring
           Parliamentary
           trust
           and
           power
           ,
           upon
           persons
           chosen
           by
           them
           hereinto
           ,
           they
           reflect
           not
           the
           least
           touch
           of
           prejudice
           or
           disparagement
           upon
           the
           persons
           honoured
           with
           that
           choyce
           :
           First
           ,
           because
           there
           is
           no
           other
           way
           ,
           no
           ,
           nor
           is
           there
           any
           conveniency
           or
           lawfulnesse
           of
           any
           way
           whereby
           to
           ascend
           the
           height
           of
           the
           interest
           and
           honour
           ,
           but
           such
           a
           choyce
           :
           And
           secondly
           ,
           the
           votes
           and
           voyces
           of
           such
           men
           being
           carried
           upon
           persons
           of
           honour
           ,
           worth
           and
           Religion
           ,
           demonstrates
           that
           there
           was
           so
           much
           the
           more
           of
           God
           in
           their
           election
           ;
           
           which
           is
           so
           far
           from
           diminishing
           their
           honour
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           that
           it
           add●
           double
           and
           treble
           unto
           it
           .
           But
           to
           hold
           that
           the
           persons
           so
           elected
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           have
           a
           power
           by
           vertue
           of
           such
           nomination
           or
           election
           ,
           to
           enact
           Laws
           and
           Statutes
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           order
           under
           mulcts
           and
           penalties
           ,
           how
           men
           shall
           worship
           and
           serve
           God
           ;
           as
           it
           is
           a
           means
           to
           awaken
           the
           eye
           of
           jealousie
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           is
           seven
           times
           more
           destructive
           unto
           ,
           and
           undermining
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           their
           power
           ,
           but
           of
           their
           honour
           ,
           peace
           ,
           and
           safety
           also
           ,
           then
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           found
           in
           the
           
             Way
          
           so
           ill
           intreated
           ;
           so
           is
           it
           the
           setling
           of
           a
           power
           upon
           the
           electors
           of
           such
           persons
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           upon
           the
           promiscuous
           multitude
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           a
           greater
           power
           then
           ever
           Jesus
           Christ
           himself
           had
           ,
           at
           least
           then
           ever
           he
           exercised
           .
           For
           as
           
             dare
             Regem
          
           argues
           a
           greater
           power
           then
           
             esse
             Regem
             ,
          
           as
           hee
           
             that
             buildeth
             an
             house
             ,
             hath
             more
             honour
             then
             the
             house
             ,
             Heb.
          
           3.
           3.
           
           So
           to
           nominate
           and
           appoint
           who
           shall
           have
           power
           to
           umpire
           in
           matters
           of
           conscience
           and
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           determine
           what
           shall
           be
           preached
           ,
           and
           what
           not
           ,
           what
           shall
           be
           believed
           ,
           and
           what
           not
           ,
           is
           a
           branch
           of
           a
           greater
           root
           of
           power
           ,
           then
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           power
           that
           is
           committed
           unto
           others
           in
           this
           behalf
           .
           Now
           though
           Jesus
           Christ
           had
           a
           power
           ,
           and
           was
           authorized
           by
           God
           to
           be
           a
           Law-giver
           himself
           unto
           his
           Churches
           and
           Saints
           ,
           in
           their
           spirituall
           Republique
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           hard
           to
           prove
           that
           ever
           he
           invested
           any
           other
           with
           such
           a
           power
           .
           His
           Apostles
           themselves
           were
           
             no
             Lords
             over
             the
             Faith
          
           of
           the
           Saints
           ;
           nor
           had
           they
           any
           power
           or
           authority
           to
           impose
           any
           thing
           upon
           men
           ,
           as
           necessary
           ,
           either
           to
           be
           believed
           or
           practised
           ,
           but
           what
           they
           had
           in
           expresse
           commission
           and
           charge
           from
           Jesus
           Christ
           himself
           to
           impose
           upon
           such
           terms
           .
           So
           that
           notwithstanding
           that
           severe
           &
           angry
           contestation
           of
           the
           fore-mentioned
           Gentleman
           against
           the
           two
           Brethren
           with
           their
           fellows
           ,
           
             Is
             this
             your
             so
             much
             boasted
             of
             preaching
             ,
             writing
             ,
             fighting
             for
             the
             rights
             &
             priviledges
             of
             Parliament
             ?
          
           whereby
           he
           thinks
           to
           dash
           both
           them
           and
           that
           
             their
             boasting
          
           together
           out
           of
           countenance
           ;
           though
           they
           boast
           neither
           little
           nor
           much
           of
           any
           thing
           ;
           boasting
           is
           their
           charge
           not
           their
           crime
           ;
           they
           only
           say
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           modesty
           yet
           ,
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           they
           are
           able
           to
           maintain
           and
           make
           good
           that
           their
           
             boasting
          
           (
           if
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           so
           called
           )
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           and
           Angels
           ,
           and
           men
           ,
           and
           Devils
           ,
           and
           
             whatsoever
             besides
             is
             named
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             but
             in
             that
             also
             which
             is
             to
             come
             .
          
           And
           though
           he
           hath
           done
           like
           himself
           ,
           and
           (
           I
           speak
           it
           to
           his
           honour
           )
           far
           above
           the
           line
           of
           many
           others
           ,
           in
           vindicating
           the
           rights
           and
           priviledges
           of
           Parliament
           ;
           yet
           (
           
             absit
             verbo
             invidia
          
           )
           I
           am
           very
           confident
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           thousands
           of
           that
           
             Way
          
           and
           judgement
           ,
           against
           which
           his
           pen
           riseth
           up
           with
           so
           much
           indignation
           ,
           who
           rateably
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           their
           means
           and
           opportunities
           ,
           have
           quitted
           themselves
           upon
           equall
           
           terms
           of
           honour
           ,
           love
           ,
           and
           faithfulnesse
           ,
           towards
           those
           honourable
           Houses
           ,
           with
           himself
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           (
           And
           lastly
           )
           It
           were
           no
           task
           of
           much
           labour
           or
           difficulty
           ,
           to
           demonstrate
           that
           the
           
             Way
             ,
          
           in
           the
           defence
           whereof
           we
           have
           thus
           far
           appeared
           ,
           is
           so
           far
           from
           carrying
           any
           malignity
           ,
           or
           seed
           of
           danger
           in
           it
           to
           the
           State
           ,
           or
           persons
           invested
           with
           civill
           power
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           of
           a
           manifest
           and
           rich
           compliance
           both
           with
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           .
           He
           that
           commanded
           
           
             to
             give
             unto
             Cesar
             the
             things
             that
             are
             Cesars
             ,
             and
             unto
             God
             the
             things
             that
             are
             Gods
             :
          
           did
           
             Cesar
          
           as
           much
           (
           if
           not
           more
           )
           service
           ,
           in
           the
           latter
           command
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           former
           .
           Silver
           and
           gold
           ,
           wood
           and
           stone
           ,
           never
           got
           any
           thing
           by
           having
           an
           artificiall
           deity
           bestowed
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           being
           worshiped
           ,
           but
           only
           a
           meer
           proximity
           to
           destruction
           .
           They
           that
           should
           only
           have
           said
           unto
           
             Herod
             ,
          
           that
           he
           had
           spoken
           like
           a
           sober
           and
           well
           advised
           man
           ,
           might
           have
           shewed
           as
           much
           affection
           to
           him
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           honoured
           him
           upon
           better
           terms
           ,
           then
           they
           that
           shouted
           ,
           
             I●s
             the
             voyce
             of
             a
          
           
           
             God
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             a
             man
             .
          
           There
           is
           no
           foundation
           so
           sure
           and
           precious
           to
           build
           the
           honour
           ,
           peace
           and
           safety
           of
           
             Cesar
          
           upon
           ,
           as
           a
           stone
           duly
           pitched
           for
           a
           land-mark
           between
           God
           and
           him
           .
           But
           if
           there
           be
           a
           question
           or
           difficult
           case
           between
           God
           and
           
             Cesar
             ,
          
           whether
           such
           and
           such
           things
           belong
           unto
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           unto
           the
           other
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           found
           the
           best
           and
           faithfullest
           Counsellors
           unto
           
             Cesar
             ,
          
           who
           shall
           advise
           him
           rather
           to
           surrender
           unto
           ,
           then
           to
           claim
           a
           doubtfull
           right
           or
           priviledge
           from
           God
           .
           The
           
             Way
          
           we
           speak
           of
           is
           so
           ingenuous
           ,
           loyall
           and
           true-hearted
           to
           men
           in
           place
           of
           civill
           authority
           and
           power
           ,
           that
           it
           teacheth
           her
           sons
           to
           expose
           themselves
           unto
           their
           displeasure
           ,
           for
           the
           procurement
           of
           their
           good
           ;
           which
           even
           the
           heathen
           themselves
           have
           attested
           for
           one
           of
           the
           best
           and
           least
           questionable
           signs
           of
           true
           friendship
           and
           love
           .
        
         
           To
           these
           answers
           of
           objections
           ,
           I
           thought
           to
           have
           added
           some
           positive
           arguments
           ,
           whereby
           the
           
             Way
             ,
          
           now
           little
           more
           then
           only
           defended
           ,
           might
           have
           gained
           the
           honour
           of
           a
           more
           perfect
           conformity
           to
           the
           Will
           and
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           (
           perhaps
           )
           hath
           been
           discovered
           or
           seen
           hitherto
           .
           Yet
           I
           cannot
           but
           think
           ,
           that
           the
           vailes
           of
           the
           principall
           objections
           which
           covered
           the
           face
           of
           it
           ,
           being
           rent
           and
           torn
           ,
           the
           beauty
           and
           brightnesse
           of
           it
           must
           needs
           shine
           forth
           in
           the
           eyes
           of
           all
           those
           who
           have
           not
           sacrificed
           unto
           partiality
           .
        
         
           To
           close
           with
           a
           word
           of
           exhortation
           .
           The
           premises
           considered
           ,
           as
           we
           love
           the
           things
           of
           our
           peace
           ,
           and
           desire
           the
           speedy
           dispersion
           and
           scattering
           of
           that
           dark
           and
           black
           cloud
           still
           hanging
           and
           hovering
           over
           our
           heads
           ,
           and
           threatning
           more
           fiery
           storms
           &
           tempests
           of
           desolation
           and
           blood
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           see
           the
           heavens
           cleering
           up
           ,
           and
           looking
           like
           Crystall
           or
           Saphire
           over
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           desire
           to
           see
           those
           terrible
           swarms
           of
           
           Locusts
           and
           Caterpillars
           ,
           which
           now
           devour
           and
           eat
           up
           our
           good
           land
           daily
           ,
           swept
           away
           ▪
           and
           carried
           by
           a
           strong
           west
           wind
           into
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           sea
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           may
           be
           fed
           again
           ,
           with
           the
           ancient
           heritage
           of
           our
           fathers
           ,
           I
           mean
           plenty
           ,
           safety
           ,
           and
           peace
           ;
           if
           there
           be
           any
           bowels
           ,
           any
           compassions
           in
           us
           towards
           our
           nation
           ,
           (
           so
           far
           spent
           &
           wasted
           with
           misery
           )
           towards
           our
           cities
           and
           habitations
           ,
           towards
           our
           friends
           ,
           towards
           our selves
           ,
           towards
           any
           thing
           which
           is
           dear
           either
           to
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           other
           ;
           let
           us
           be
           exhorted
           to
           take
           heed
           of
           
             fighting
             against
             God
             ;
          
           let
           it
           be
           the
           first-born
           of
           religious
           advisements
           and
           cautions
           to
           us
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           fierce
           ,
           no
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           as
           to
           lift
           up
           an
           hard
           thought
           against
           Doctrine
           or
           
             Way
          
           claiming
           origination
           and
           descent
           from
           God
           ,
           till
           wee
           have
           security
           upon
           security
           ,
           conditions
           as
           cleer
           as
           the
           noon-day
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           but
           counterfeits
           and
           pretenders
           only
           ,
           and
           stand
           in
           no
           relation
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           that
           of
           enmity
           and
           opposition
           unto
           God
           .
           Particularly
           ,
           let
           us
           be
           tender
           above
           all
           tenderness
           ,
           to
           act
           to
           the
           value
           of
           the
           least
           hair
           of
           our
           heads
           in
           any
           way
           of
           bitterness
           or
           blood
           ,
           against
           that
           
             Way
          
           of
           governing
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           hath
           by
           so
           many
           good
           hands
           been
           presented
           unto
           us
           as
           most
           agreeable
           unto
           the
           Word
           and
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           untill
           we
           see
           the
           condemnation
           of
           it
           written
           with
           a
           beam
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           by
           the
           finger
           of
           God
           himself
           ;
           untill
           he
           hath
           disclaimed
           or
           renounced
           it
           from
           heaven
           ,
           either
           by
           giving
           such
           wisdome
           unto
           men
           whereby
           to
           detect
           the
           error
           and
           vanity
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           else
           hath
           quite
           rased
           it
           out
           of
           the
           fleshly
           tables
           of
           the
           hearts
           of
           his
           Saints
           ,
           and
           distrest
           servants
           .
           The
           motion
           and
           matter
           is
           of
           a
           most
           serious
           and
           formidable
           importance
           ;
           therefore
           let
           me
           exhort
           you
           yet
           once
           more
           ,
           to
           
             beware
             of
             men
             ,
          
           (
           as
           our
           Saviour
           adviseth
           ,
           in
           a
           case
           of
           lesse
           consequence
           )
           to
           take
           heed
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           ,
           either
           through
           passionate
           exclamations
           and
           outcries
           ,
           or
           through
           any
           faire
           or
           flourishing
           pretences
           whatsoever
           ,
           draw
           your
           foot
           into
           this
           snare
           ,
           ingage
           you
           in
           any
           such
           warfare
           ,
           wherein
           ,
           for
           ought
           you
           know
           ,
           you
           shall
           
             fight
             against
             God
             .
          
           If
           your
           judgements
           stand
           off
           from
           the
           cause
           wee
           speak
           of
           ,
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           you
           can
           see
           nothing
           of
           God
           in
           it
           ;
           you
           may
           please
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           this
           was
           the
           case
           of
           many
           thousands
           amongst
           you
           ,
           in
           whom
           there
           is
           much
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           whose
           heart
           is
           this
           
             Way
             ,
          
           as
           a
           
             Way
          
           of
           his
           .
           If
           they
           be
           deceived
           in
           imbracing
           it
           ,
           God
           
           will
           shew
           mercy
           unto
           them
           in
           revealing
           the
           truth
           unto
           them
           in
           due
           time
           .
           But
           if
           you
           shall
           be
           deceived
           in
           the
           violence
           and
           fury
           of
           your
           
             fighting
          
           against
           it
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           much
           to
           be
           feared
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           be
           intangled
           with
           the
           guilt
           of
           such
           a
           sin
           ,
           which
           
             shall
             not
             be
             purged
             from
          
           
           
             you
             till
             yee
             die
             ?
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A85418e-280
           
             1
             King.
             21.
             10.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             ●
             .
             8.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             8.
             32.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A85418e-600
           
             ●
             See
             M●●
             .
             ●
             .
             6
             a●●
             〈◊〉
             1●
             .
             ●●
          
           
             Interim
             or
             aculi
             instar
             nobis
             esse
             debet
             ,
             quòd
             Dei
             cōsilia
             nullis
             ●omm●
             viribus
             imped
             reposse
             ,
             humana
             verò
             suá
             sp●nte
             collabi
             discimus
             .
             Gual
             .
             Homil.
             37.
             an
             Act
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             2.
             1
             ,
             2
             ▪
             3.
             
          
           
             Reason
             1.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             1●
             .
             49.
             
          
           
             Reason
             2.
             
          
           
             Reason
             3.
             
          
           
             Acts
             9.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             10.
             2.
             
          
           
             Acts
             18.
             2●
             
          
           
             Job
             9.
             4.
             
          
           
             *
             In
             severall
             populous
             towns
             in
             the
             
               Low
               Countries
               ,
            
             scarce
             every
             5th
             ,
             nay
             ,
             not
             every
             8th
             person
             (
             as
             I
             have
             been
             credibly
             informed
             )
             is
             immembred
             ▪
             into
             any
             of
             their
             Churches
             ,
             and
             yet
             the
             government
             of
             the
             Nation
             is
             reputed
             Presbyteriall
             .
             1
             Joh.
             5.
             19.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             ●●
             .
             14.
             
          
           
             Mat
             21.
             31.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             23.
             15.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             10.
             19.
             
          
           
             John
             9.
             2●
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             62.
             4.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             13.
             10.
             
          
           
             Esa.
             9.
             21.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             16.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             12.
             27.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             20.
             21.
             
          
           
             Hab.
             2.
             12.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             12.
             51.
             &c.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             20.
             6.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.
             29.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             36.
             7.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             3.
             5.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             105.
             15.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             69.
             2●
             .
             Ver.
             25.
             
          
           
             Ioh.
             11.
             48.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             6.
             10.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             52.
             9.
             
          
           
             Act.
             20
             35.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             10.
             
          
           
             Hebr.
             7.
             7.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             25.
             30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             12.
             3.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             9.
             11.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             14.
             11.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             10
             ▪
             21.
             
          
           
             *
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ;
             
               Greg.
               Naz.
               ep.
               5●
               .
               ad
               Procop●um
               .
            
             Act.
             10.
             40.
             41
             
          
           
             Judg.
             7.
             2.
             
          
           
             E●●k
             .
             14.
             3.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.
             24.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             24.
             6.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             9.
             15.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             6.
             10.
             22.
             
          
           
             Independency
             examined
             ,
             unmask'd
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             22.
             21.
             
          
           
             Act
             ▪
             12.
             22.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.
             15.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             22.
             14.