A peace-offering in an apology and humble plea for indulgence and liberty of conscience by sundry Protestants differing in some things from the present establishment about the worship of God.
         Owen, John, 1616-1683.
      
       
         
           1667
        
      
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             A peace-offering in an apology and humble plea for indulgence and liberty of conscience by sundry Protestants differing in some things from the present establishment about the worship of God.
             Owen, John, 1616-1683.
          
           [2], 37 p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London :
             1667.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary library, New York.
             Attributed to John Owen. cf. NUC pre-1956.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Liberty of conscience -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Peace-Offering
           IN
           AN
           APOLOGY
           and
           humble
           PLEA
           FOR
           INDULGENCE
           AND
           LIBERTY
           OF
           CONSCIENCE
           .
        
         
           By
           sundry
           PROTESTANTS
           differing
           in
           some
           things
           from
           the
           PRESENT
           ESTABLISHMENT
           about
           the
           Worship
           of
           GOD.
           
        
         
           
             
               Ambigua
               de
               Religione
               Capita
               quae
               plurimum
               habere
               videntur
               obscuritatis
               ,
               tantis
               tamdiu
               animis
               decertata
               ,
               apud
            
             Sapientes
             
               hoc
               fere
            
             Certum
             
               reliauerunt
               ,
               nusquam
               minus
               inveniri
               veritatem
               ,
               quam
               ubi
            
             Cogitur
             Assensus
             .
          
           
             Hugo
             Grotius
             .
          
        
         
           
             Exiguam
             sedem
             sacris
             ,
             littusque
             rogamus
          
           
             Innocuum
             ,
             &
             cunctis
             undamque
             auramque
             patentem
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           1667.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           THE
           infinitely
           Wise
           and
           Holy
           GOD
           ,
           who
           disposeth
           of
           all
           things
           according
           to
           the
           counsel
           of
           his
           own
           Will
           ,
           having
           designed
           our
           portion
           in
           the
           World
           unto
           the
           
             latter
             dayes
          
           thereof
           ;
           wherein
           ,
           besides
           those
           difficulties
           which
           in
           all
           Ages
           attend
           them
           who
           are
           called
           unto
           the
           search
           and
           profession
           of
           the
           
             Truths
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           we
           are
           forewarned
           of
           
             sundry
             Evils
          
           peculiar
           unto
           them
           ,
           rendring
           them
           
             perilous
             :
          
           as
           it
           is
           our
           duty
           to
           apply
           our selves
           to
           serve
           his
           good
           pleasure
           in
           our
           Generation
           ,
           without
           repining
           at
           that
           station
           which
           in
           his
           work
           he
           hath
           allotted
           unto
           us
           ;
           so
           also
           diligently
           to
           take
           care
           ,
           that
           we
           add
           not
           unto
           the
           
             Evils
             of
             the
             dayes
             wherein
             we
             live
             ;
          
           and
           that
           ,
           what
           we
           may
           be
           called
           to
           suffer
           in
           them
           according
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           lost
           unto
           his
           holy
           Ends
           and
           Purposes
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           some
           way
           or
           other
           redound
           unto
           his
           Glory
           .
           What
           shall
           befall
           us
           in
           the
           course
           of
           our
           Pilgrimage
           ,
           how
           we
           shall
           be
           disposed
           of
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           outward
           temporary
           concernments
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           not
           in
           
             our
             power
             to
             order
             and
             determine
             ,
          
           so
           neither
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           our
           
             care
             ,
          
           so
           as
           that
           we
           should
           be
           anxiously
           solicitous
           thereabouts
           :
           All
           things
           of
           that
           nature
           belong
           unto
           his
           
             soveraign
             Pleasure
             ,
          
           who
           will
           make
           them
           work
           together
           for
           good
           to
           them
           that
           love
           him
           .
           Resting
           in
           his
           Will
           as
           to
           our
           outward
           state
           and
           condition
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           with
           that
           of
           the
           
             Times
             and
             Seasons
          
           wherein
           our
           Lot
           is
           fallen
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           put
           in
           his
           own
           power
           ,
           we
           shall
           endeavour
           in
           reference
           thereunto
           ,
           to
           
             possess
             our
             Souls
             in
             patience
             ,
          
           waiting
           for
           that
           day
           which
           shall
           
             manifest
             every
             mans
             work
             of
             what
             sort
             it
             is
             .
          
           And
           we
           know
           that
           it
           is
           but
           yet
           a
           little
           while
           ,
           before
           it
           will
           be
           no
           grief
           of
           heart
           unto
           us
           ,
           for
           to
           have
           done
           or
           
             suffered
             any
             thing
             for
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
          
           according
           to
           his
           mind
           and
           will.
           For
           whereas
           we
           are
           well
           assured
           ,
           that
           the
           old
           Enemy
           of
           Mankind
           who
           is
           sometimes
           
             awake
             ,
          
           and
           
             sowing
             of
             Tares
          
           whilst
           Men
           sleep
           ,
           is
           never
           so
           far
           asleep
           ,
           whilst
           any
           are
           endeavouring
           to
           sow
           the
           good
           seed
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           stir
           up
           an
           opposition
           
           to
           their
           work
           ,
           and
           to
           labour
           the
           ruine
           of
           their
           persons
           ;
           so
           we
           believe
           that
           every
           sincere
           endeavour
           to
           promote
           the
           holy
           Truths
           ,
           and
           Wayes
           of
           God
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           measure
           of
           Light
           which
           he
           is
           pleased
           graciously
           to
           impart
           unto
           any
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           is
           accepted
           and
           owned
           by
           him
           ,
           
             who
             is
             a
             Rewarder
             of
             them
             that
             diligently
             seek
             him
             ;
          
           which
           is
           sufficient
           to
           secure
           their
           peace
           and
           consolation
           ,
           under
           all
           the
           evils
           that
           on
           the
           account
           of
           their
           work
           they
           may
           conflict
           withal
           .
           Neither
           is
           it
           a
           small
           alleviation
           of
           any
           trouble
           that
           we
           may
           be
           exposed
           unto
           ,
           that
           no
           pretence
           ,
           colour
           ,
           reason
           ,
           or
           arguings
           for
           our
           sufferings
           ,
           no
           means
           ,
           wayes
           ,
           or
           kinds
           of
           them
           ,
           no
           ends
           unto
           them
           ,
           can
           possibly
           be
           invented
           ,
           proposed
           ,
           pursued
           ,
           but
           what
           we
           are
           fully
           
             forewarned
             of
             ;
          
           that
           so
           we
           might
           not
           at
           any
           time
           think
           our selves
           surprized
           ,
           as
           though
           some
           strange
           thing
           had
           happened
           unto
           us
           .
           This
           then
           is
           our
           great
           concernment
           in
           the
           profession
           of
           Religion
           ,
           this
           that
           which
           we
           ought
           principally
           to
           attend
           unto
           ,
           namely
           ,
           
             To
             commend
             our
             Consciences
             unto
             God
             ,
             that
             in
             all
             sincerity
             and
             godly
             simplicity
             ,
          
           we
           exercise
           our selves
           in
           the
           Work
           that
           he
           calls
           us
           unto
           ,
           not
           
             corrupting
             his
             Word
             ,
          
           or
           staining
           our
           profession
           by
           a
           conversation
           unbecoming
           the
           holiness
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           for
           what
           may
           outwardly
           befall
           us
           ,
           though
           producing
           
             Heaviness
             and
             Sorrow
             for
             a
             season
             ,
          
           the
           last
           day
           will
           manifest
           to
           have
           been
           unspeakably
           more
           the
           concernment
           of
           other
           Men
           ,
           than
           our
           own
           .
           It
           is
           therefore
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           and
           that
           duty
           which
           we
           owe
           unto
           all
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           especially
           those
           who
           in
           any
           place
           or
           degree
           have
           the
           rule
           and
           disposal
           of
           us
           in
           this
           world
           and
           the
           things
           thereof
           ,
           committed
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           the
           hazard
           that
           attends
           us
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           every
           duty
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           we
           adventure
           to
           represent
           our
           Condition
           and
           desires
           unto
           all
           that
           endeavour
           to
           
             follow
             after
             Truth
             with
             Peace
             .
          
           For
           as
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           are
           capable
           of
           no
           greater
           Perfection
           ,
           than
           what
           consists
           in
           receiving
           the
           whole
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           nor
           their
           Souls
           of
           greater
           blessedness
           ,
           than
           attends
           obedience
           thereunto
           ,
           so
           every
           mistake
           of
           it
           ,
           every
           prejudice
           against
           it
           ,
           every
           opposition
           unto
           it
           ,
           or
           any
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           are
           not
           only
           in
           themselves
           a
           corruption
           and
           debasement
           of
           the
           mind
           ,
           but
           are
           usually
           attended
           with
           consequents
           of
           greater
           Evils
           ,
           in
           and
           unto
           them
           by
           whom
           they
           are
           entertained
           .
           And
           this
           condition
           oftentimes
           are
           men
           ,
           otherwise
           upright
           and
           wise
           ,
           cast
           into
           ;
           either
           by
           their
           own
           ingrafted
           prejudices
           ,
           or
           neglect
           of
           that
           severe
           disquisition
           after
           Truth
           ,
           which
           all
           the
           Sons
           of
           it
           are
           obliged
           unto
           ;
           or
           by
           suffering
           themselves
           to
           be
           
             imposed
          
           on
           ,
           by
           the
           suggestions
           
           of
           others
           ,
           who
           perhaps
           sacrifice
           their
           actings
           in
           and
           about
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           some
           secular
           (
           and
           it
           may
           be
           very
           corrupt
           )
           ends
           of
           their
           own
           .
           Hence
           
             Truth
          
           and
           
             Innocency
             ,
          
           which
           cannot
           be
           oppressed
           ,
           but
           when
           cloathed
           with
           misrepresentations
           and
           calumnies
           ,
           have
           in
           all
           Ages
           been
           forced
           to
           suffer
           the
           sad
           effects
           of
           
             their
             mistakes
             ,
          
           who
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           professed
           highly
           an
           avowment
           of
           them
           .
           So
           in
           particular
           ,
           the
           foundation
           of
           all
           the
           miseries
           that
           ever
           befell
           the
           Professors
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           Christ
           ,
           since
           the
           day
           that
           the
           
             Name
             of
             Christian
          
           was
           known
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           consequently
           of
           all
           that
           evil
           and
           confusion
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           which
           the
           Lusts
           of
           men
           have
           produced
           ,
           and
           the
           righteous
           Judgement
           of
           God
           inflicted
           ,
           have
           lain
           in
           general
           ,
           either
           in
           the
           ignorance
           of
           Men
           ,
           of
           the
           genuine
           nature
           and
           tendency
           of
           the
           Truth
           it self
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           credulity
           ,
           in
           giving
           credit
           unto
           those
           
             misrepresentations
          
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           it
           hath
           alwayes
           been
           the
           interest
           of
           many
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           frame
           and
           promote
           .
           Hence
           the
           Professors
           of
           
             Christianity
             ,
          
           and
           every
           particular
           way
           therein
           ,
           in
           their
           respective
           seasons
           and
           generations
           ,
           have
           esteemed
           it
           their
           duty
           ,
           not
           only
           unto
           Themselves
           ,
           to
           wave
           their
           imminent
           sufferings
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           the
           will
           of
           God
           thereby
           ,
           but
           unto
           Others
           also
           ,
           whom
           they
           judged
           to
           be
           engaged
           against
           God
           and
           his
           Truth
           ,
           in
           their
           persecution
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           declare
           freely
           and
           fully
           what
           it
           was
           that
           they
           did
           believe
           and
           practise
           ;
           and
           therein
           plead
           the
           equity
           and
           reasonableness
           of
           that
           deliverance
           which
           they
           aimed
           at
           ;
           of
           
             Themselves
          
           from
           suffering
           ,
           and
           of
           
             Others
          
           from
           sinning
           .
           And
           herein
           had
           they
           before
           their
           eyes
           ,
           the
           Example
           of
           
             the
             Great
             Apostle
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
          
           who
           with
           various
           success
           did
           oft
           times
           make
           use
           of
           the
           like
           defensatives
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           his
           Doctrine
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           the
           least
           prescription
           of
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
          
           implanted
           in
           the
           heart
           of
           man
           by
           him
           that
           made
           it
           ,
           that
           
             Innocency
          
           should
           so
           far
           undertake
           its
           own
           protection
           and
           security
           ,
           as
           to
           endeavour
           a
           removal
           of
           prejudicate
           imputations
           out
           of
           the
           minds
           of
           them
           ,
           in
           whose
           Judgement
           it
           is
           concerned
           .
           And
           this
           
             Law
             ,
          
           all
           Men
           universally
           yield
           obedience
           unto
           ,
           who
           intend
           not
           to
           abuse
           such
           imputations
           unto
           sinister
           ends
           ,
           not
           suitable
           unto
           the
           innocency
           they
           profess
           ,
           and
           so
           by
           deserting
           their
           own
           
             unblameable
             defence
             ,
          
           contract
           a
           guilt
           rendring
           them
           incapable
           of
           it
           for
           the
           future
           .
           Whereas
           therefore
           it
           hath
           pleased
           him
           in
           
             whose
             hand
             our
             life
             ,
             and
             breath
             ,
             and
             all
             our
             wayes
             are
             ,
          
           to
           place
           us
           in
           that
           condition
           ,
           wherein
           by
           the
           apprehensions
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           of
           his
           Mind
           and
           Will
           ,
           in
           some
           things
           relating
           unto
           his
           Worship
           ,
           we
           are
           forced
           to
           differ
           from
           
           others
           ,
           we
           conceive
           it
           our
           Duty
           for
           the
           prevention
           of
           farther
           Evils
           ;
           openly
           and
           candidly
           to
           declare
           both
           what
           we
           profess
           ,
           and
           what
           in
           all
           humility
           we
           desire
           thereupon
           :
           And
           we
           cannot
           but
           hope
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           matters
           of
           our
           difference
           are
           known
           and
           considered
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           not
           be
           judged
           of
           so
           high
           a
           demerit
           ;
           as
           to
           render
           a
           modest
           peaceable
           desire
           of
           
             Indulgence
          
           in
           our
           adherence
           unto
           them
           ,
           a
           new
           addition
           of
           guilt
           .
           For
           their
           case
           is
           miserable
           indeed
           ,
           who
           being
           prejudged
           into
           a
           condition
           of
           sufferings
           ,
           though
           not
           convinced
           of
           evil
           ,
           may
           not
           desire
           relief
           from
           those
           ,
           who
           alone
           are
           able
           to
           afford
           it
           ;
           that
           also
           being
           made
           an
           aggravation
           of
           their
           misery
           ,
           by
           being
           made
           an
           aggravation
           of
           their
           supposed
           guilt
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           particular
           ,
           this
           course
           is
           made
           at
           this
           season
           necessary
           unto
           us
           ,
           from
           the
           exasperation
           of
           the
           minds
           of
           many
           ,
           in
           reference
           unto
           what
           we
           profess
           and
           desire
           ,
           with
           the
           prejudices
           that
           are
           taken
           up
           and
           improved
           unto
           our
           disadvantage
           and
           trouble
           :
           For
           although
           we
           have
           with
           the
           joynt
           Consent
           of
           all
           our
           Churches
           some
           years
           since
           ,
           publickly
           declared
           what
           is
           the
           Faith
           which
           we
           profess
           ,
           and
           the
           Way
           of
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           wherein
           we
           walk
           ,
           and
           did
           hope
           that
           it
           would
           not
           be
           looked
           on
           as
           an
           unreasonable
           expectation
           ,
           that
           our
           
             Confession
          
           might
           have
           received
           a
           Christian
           charitable
           sedate
           consideration
           ,
           before
           it
           were
           condemned
           ,
           or
           those
           that
           adhere
           unto
           it
           judged
           as
           evil-doers
           for
           their
           so
           doing
           ;
           yet
           considering
           the
           sad
           exasperations
           of
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           though
           upon
           occasions
           wholly
           forreign
           to
           the
           matter
           of
           our
           Faith
           and
           Profession
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           without
           some
           apprehensions
           ,
           that
           far
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           those
           who
           are
           
             loudest
          
           in
           their
           cryes
           for
           
             severity
          
           against
           us
           ,
           have
           scarce
           been
           so
           faithfull
           to
           Christian
           Candor
           and
           Ingenuity
           ,
           as
           seriously
           to
           examine
           whether
           there
           be
           in
           what
           we
           believe
           and
           practise
           ,
           a
           just
           foundation
           for
           that
           kind
           of
           proceeding
           and
           acting
           towards
           us
           ,
           which
           they
           so
           earnestly
           desire
           to
           engage
           our
           Rulers
           into
           .
           If
           for
           no
           other
           reason
           than
           ,
           but
           to
           endeavour
           to
           call
           off
           the
           thoughts
           of
           Men
           from
           
             Persons
             ,
          
           and
           Personal
           Provocations
           ,
           unto
           those
           things
           which
           are
           the
           pretended
           foundation
           of
           their
           actions
           ,
           and
           with
           reference
           whereunto
           ,
           their
           Account
           must
           be
           made
           at
           the
           last
           Day
           ,
           when
           other
           mens
           real
           or
           apprehended
           Miscarriages
           will
           give
           no
           countenance
           to
           theirs
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           judge
           it
           a
           Duty
           incumbent
           on
           us
           ,
           to
           remind
           them
           what
           the
           things
           are
           which
           must
           give
           construction
           unto
           all
           that
           in
           this
           matter
           they
           shall
           undertake
           or
           perform
           ;
           and
           whereinto
           ,
           under
           all
           imputations
           whatever
           of
           things
           of
           other
           natures
           ,
           our
           
             comfort
             ,
          
           be
           it
           what
           
           it
           will
           ,
           true
           or
           false
           ,
           in
           all
           our
           sufferings
           that
           we
           may
           be
           called
           unto
           ,
           is
           resolved
           .
           And
           we
           do
           know
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           one
           day
           find
           themselves
           under
           a
           
             woful
             mistake
             ,
          
           who
           suppose
           that
           their
           severity
           against
           us
           ,
           will
           be
           any
           further
           justified
           ,
           than
           there
           is
           ground
           for
           it
           in
           the
           
             Principles
          
           which
           we
           profess
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           this
           cannot
           but
           be
           evident
           unto
           them
           (
           if
           they
           will
           give
           themselves
           but
           the
           liberty
           of
           unprejudiced
           consideration
           )
           who
           know
           that
           a
           
             relinquishment
             of
             those
             Principles
          
           would
           instantly
           cause
           all
           those
           
             other
             Pleas
             and
             Pretences
          
           to
           vanish
           out
           of
           their
           minds
           ,
           which
           
             at
             present
             they
             only
             make
             use
             of
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           also
           shall
           we
           not
           much
           concern
           our selves
           in
           any
           other
           charge
           that
           is
           laid
           against
           us
           ,
           but
           only
           as
           to
           what
           we
           profess
           ,
           and
           practise
           in
           the
           ways
           and
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           knowing
           that
           from
           thence
           alone
           all
           occasion
           is
           taken
           for
           them
           .
           We
           shall
           therefore
           only
           briefly
           declare
           our
           sense
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           then
           proceed
           to
           that
           which
           is
           our
           real
           concernment
           .
           For
           there
           is
           not
           
             any
             new
             thing
             herein
             under
             the
             Sun.
             
          
        
         
           In
           all
           ages
           ,
           where
           ever
           any
           way
           in
           Religion
           hath
           been
           judged
           by
           the
           most
           ,
           rightly
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           ,
           to
           be
           contrary
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           by
           them
           apprehended
           ,
           it
           hath
           been
           immediately
           charged
           with
           the
           guilt
           of
           all
           the
           evils
           that
           fell
           out
           in
           the
           days
           of
           its
           profession
           ,
           though
           evidently
           they
           had
           other
           Causes
           and
           Occasions
           .
           Such
           was
           the
           condition
           of
           
             Christianity
          
           in
           general
           of
           old
           ,
           as
           is
           manifest
           from
           the
           
             Apologetical
          
           Writings
           of
           
             Justin
             Martyr
             ,
             Tertullian
             ,
             Arnobius
             ,
             Cyprian
             ,
             Lactantius
             ,
             Minutius
             Foelix
             ,
             Augustine
             ,
          
           and
           others
           .
           Upon
           every
           occasion
           of
           trouble
           ,
           the
           common
           cry
           was
           ,
           
             Christianos
             ad
             Leones
             .
          
           Such
           was
           also
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           Professors
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           upon
           the
           first
           Reformation
           ,
           throughout
           the
           world
           ;
           under
           which
           prejudice
           and
           imputation
           ,
           they
           are
           yet
           forced
           to
           suffer
           the
           wrath
           of
           men
           in
           many
           places
           .
           What
           ever
           disadvantages
           then
           on
           this
           account
           we
           may
           be
           exposed
           unto
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           complain
           or
           think
           strange
           of
           ,
           it
           being
           no
           other
           than
           all
           men
           in
           the
           like
           condition
           in
           all
           ages
           have
           had
           to
           conflict
           withall
           ;
           and
           will
           have
           so
           ,
           whilst
           sin
           and
           darkness
           continue
           in
           the
           world
           .
           To
           commend
           our
           consciences
           unto
           God
           in
           well-doing
           ,
           is
           the
           only
           means
           of
           peace
           in
           our selves
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           
             Defensative
          
           in
           reference
           unto
           others
           ,
           which
           in
           this
           case
           is
           left
           unto
           us
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           if
           any
           who
           either
           really
           make
           profession
           of
           
             any
             way
          
           in
           Religion
           ,
           or
           are
           generally
           esteemed
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           fall
           into
           personal
           crimes
           and
           miscarriages
           ,
           which
           
             no
             way
          
           can
           secure
           it self
           against
           ,
           men
           justly
           provoked
           thereby
           have
           scarce
           the
           patience
           to
           attend
           unto
           any
           plea
           for
           the
           
             way
          
           it self
           ,
           or
           those
           who
           peaceably
           and
           innocently
           walk
           therein
           ,
           
           though
           the
           charge
           against
           it
           be
           altogether
           groundless
           and
           unreasonable
           .
           Thus
           the
           abominations
           of
           the
           
             Gnosticks
          
           of
           old
           ,
           was
           charged
           upon
           the
           whole
           body
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           the
           unwarrantable
           zeal
           of
           one
           man
           in
           firing
           a
           Temple
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           
             Persia
             ,
          
           reflected
           an
           imputation
           of
           
             Sedition
          
           on
           all
           the
           Professors
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           their
           extirpation
           out
           of
           that
           Empire
           .
           But
           the
           unrighteousness
           of
           this
           charge
           is
           ,
           we
           hope
           ,
           evident
           even
           to
           themselves
           ,
           who
           would
           fain
           make
           use
           of
           it
           unto
           our
           disadvantage
           ;
           for
           
             no
             Society
             in
             the
             world
          
           can
           give
           security
           for
           the
           deportment
           of
           all
           
             Individuals
          
           belonging
           unto
           it
           ,
           according
           unto
           the
           Rules
           of
           the
           whole
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           may
           be
           charged
           with
           such
           miscarriages
           ,
           it
           were
           easie
           to
           demonstrate
           ,
           that
           no
           
             Community
             ,
          
           no
           
             Profession
          
           of
           men
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           no
           
             Order
             ,
          
           no
           
             Way
          
           can
           be
           acquitted
           from
           guilt
           ,
           or
           thought
           meet
           to
           have
           moderation
           exercised
           towards
           it
           .
           Besides
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           in
           particular
           ,
           but
           that
           all
           occasions
           of
           reflecting
           upon
           
             our
             Societies
          
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           have
           ,
           by
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           been
           prevented
           ,
           for
           which
           we
           are
           humbly
           thankful
           unto
           his
           holy
           Majesty
           .
           But
           if
           to
           accuse
           be
           enough
           to
           render
           any
           men
           nocent
           ,
           none
           can
           be
           long
           innocent
           .
           
             Thiaestaean
             Banquets
             ,
             promiscuous
             Lusts
             and
             Incests
             ,
          
           must
           on
           that
           ground
           be
           thought
           to
           be
           the
           Ends
           of
           the
           ,
           
             Primitive
             Assemblies
             of
             Christians
             .
          
           If
           men
           will
           take
           to
           themselves
           the
           liberty
           of
           entertaining
           evil
           and
           groundless
           surmizes
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           us
           ,
           or
           any
           living
           ,
           to
           set
           bounds
           to
           their
           imaginations
           .
           So
           that
           we
           have
           nothing
           in
           this
           case
           to
           do
           ,
           but
           to
           leave
           the
           Authors
           of
           such
           fake
           and
           calumnious
           insinuations
           unto
           that
           Reward
           ,
           which
           God
           and
           their
           own
           Consciences
           will
           not
           suffer
           them
           to
           lose
           ;
           and
           our
           Vindication
           unto
           the
           
             Providence
             of
             God
             ,
          
           over
           our
           
             present
          
           and
           
             future
             deportment
             .
          
           It
           may
           be
           thought
           of
           nearer
           concernment
           unto
           us
           ,
           when
           the
           
             late
             troubles
             in
             these
             Nations
          
           are
           objected
           ,
           and
           the
           remembrance
           of
           them
           renewed
           unto
           our
           prejudice
           .
           But
           whether
           the
           frequent
           and
           importunate
           urging
           of
           them
           ,
           since
           by
           his
           
             Majesty's
             Clemency
             and
             Grace
          
           they
           are
           put
           into
           
             Legal
             Oblivion
          
           for
           ever
           ,
           do
           tend
           unto
           the
           composure
           and
           settlement
           of
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           which
           is
           certainly
           the
           duty
           of
           all
           good
           Subjects
           to
           aim
           at
           ,
           we
           leave
           it
           unto
           the
           consideration
           of
           those
           who
           are
           wiser
           than
           we
           ,
           and
           on
           whom
           the
           care
           of
           
             the
             peace
             and
             welfare
             of
             the
             Kingdom
          
           is
           in
           an
           
             especial
             manner
             incumbent
             .
          
           For
           our
           own
           parts
           ,
           we
           shall
           only
           say
           ,
           That
           whereas
           they
           were
           neither
           begun
           ,
           nor
           carried
           on
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           that
           
             way
             in
             the
             worship
             of
             God
          
           which
           we
           profess
           ;
           may
           the
           remembrance
           of
           them
           be
           never
           so
           
             severely
          
           revived
           ,
           we
           cannot
           fear
           any
           just
           conclusion
           from
           thence
           ,
           unto
           a
           suspition
           of
           
             Troubles
             of
             the
             like
             nature
             
             for
             the
             future
             ;
          
           as
           well
           knowing
           the
           
             absolute
             freedom
          
           of
           our
           
             Principles
             from
             any
             such
             tendency
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             providential
             unravelling
             of
             all
             those
             interwoven
             Interests
             and
             Occasions
             ,
             which
             individual
             persons
             countenanced
             themselves
             withall
             in
             their
             engagements
             in
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             Magistracy
          
           we
           
             own
             ,
          
           as
           
             the
             Ordinance
          
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           and
           
             His
             Majesty
          
           as
           
             the
             Person
          
           set
           over
           us
           by
           his
           
             Providence
             ,
          
           in
           
             the
             Chief
             and
             Royal
             Administration
          
           thereof
           :
           In
           
             submission
             unto
             Him
             ,
          
           we
           profess
           it
           our
           
             Duty
          
           to
           regulate
           our
           
             Obedience
          
           by
           
             the
             Laws
             and
             Customs
          
           over
           which
           
             He
          
           presides
           in
           the
           
             Government
          
           of
           these
           
             Nations
             .
          
           So
           that
           OUR
           PRACTICAL
           ADHERENCE
           UNTO
           OUR
           OWN
           AVOWED
           PRINCIPLES
           ,
           is
           all
           that
           in
           this
           matter
           can
           fall
           under
           
             the
             most
             suspicious
             and
             uncharitable
             surmize
             .
          
           That
           there
           is
           any
           means
           of
           giving
           such
           absolute
           satisfaction
           concerning
           
             future
             events
             ,
          
           which
           depend
           on
           the
           minds
           and
           wills
           of
           men
           ,
           as
           to
           leave
           
             all
             suspicion
          
           concerning
           them
           impossible
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           ;
           much
           less
           to
           prevent
           some
           mens
           
             pretending
             suspicions
          
           for
           ends
           best
           known
           unto
           
             themselves
             .
          
           But
           this
           we
           know
           ,
           that
           what
           ways
           or
           means
           soever
           are
           warranted
           ,
           or
           established
           by
           
             the
             Laws
             of
             this
             Land
             ,
          
           or
           may
           be
           so
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           such
           as
           
             mankind
          
           must
           
             content
             themselves
             withall
             ,
          
           as
           incapable
           of
           
             further
             or
             greater
             assurance
             ,
          
           or
           
             what
             ever
             else
          
           may
           be
           
             rationally
          
           and
           
             justly
          
           expected
           from
           us
           ,
           we
           
             have
             given
             ,
          
           and
           are
           
             ready
          
           to
           
             give
             security
             by
             ,
          
           against
           the
           Evils
           intimated
           in
           this
           
             Charge
          
           upon
           us
           ;
           which
           being
           
             the
             utmost
             that
             our
             Duty
             calls
             upon
             us
             for
             ,
          
           we
           
             hope
          
           we
           shall
           
             not
             always
             suffer
          
           for
           being
           
             the
             unhappy
             objects
          
           of
           
             some
             mens
          
           GROUNDLESS
           JEALOUSIES
           ,
           which
           for
           
             us
             to
             remove
             is
             altogether
             impossible
             ,
          
           God
           himself
           having
           not
           appointed
           any
           way
           or
           means
           for
           us
           to
           use
           to
           that
           end
           or
           purpose
           .
        
         
           As
           then
           neither
           
             we
          
           nor
           
             others
          
           can
           hinder
           men
           from
           making
           use
           of
           
             this
             Pretence
          
           for
           
             some
             ends
             of
             their
             own
             ,
          
           (
           though
           we
           
             know
             ,
          
           as
           it
           is
           
             used
             by
             them
             ,
          
           it
           contributes
           nothing
           to
           Publick
           Tranquility
           ,
           and
           
             the
             composure
             of
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             )
          
           so
           
             we
             hope
          
           that
           GOD
           will
           so
           far
           in
           his
           
             good
          
           time
           clear
           up
           
             the
             Innocency
             and
             Sincerity
          
           of
           our
           
             Intentions
             ,
          
           and
           their
           suitableness
           unto
           our
           declared
           Principles
           ,
           that
           
             no
             just
             occasion
             of
             reproach
          
           be
           administred
           unto
           
             Them
             ,
          
           who
           wait
           for
           
             Advantages
          
           against
           us
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           are
           We
           ,
           that
           Publick
           Disturbance
           should
           be
           feared
           from
           us
           ?
           
             Nec
             pondera
             rerum
             ,
             nec
             momenta
             sumus
             :
          
           by
           what
           way
           or
           means
           ,
           were
           we
           never
           so
           desirous
           ,
           could
           we
           contribute
           any
           thing
           thereunto
           ?
           what
           
             Designs
          
           are
           we
           capable
           of
           ?
           what
           
             Interests
          
           have
           we
           to
           pursue
           ?
           what
           
             Assistance
          
           to
           expect
           or
           look
           after
           ?
           what
           
             Title
          
           to
           pretend
           ?
           what
           hopes
           of
           
             Success
             ?
          
           what
           
             Reward
          
           of
           any
           
             hazard
          
           to
           be
           undergone
           ?
           We
           
           have
           no
           Form
           of
           Government
           ,
           
             Civil
          
           or
           
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
          
           to
           impose
           on
           the
           Nation
           ;
           nay
           ,
           no
           
             pretence
          
           unto
           
             Power
          
           to
           be
           exercised
           on
           the
           
             Persons
          
           of
           any
           of
           his
           
             Majesties
             Subjects
             ;
          
           have
           no
           
             Expectations
          
           from
           
             Persons
          
           or
           
             Nations
             ,
          
           that
           might
           induce
           us
           to
           further
           or
           promote
           any
           sinister
           aims
           of
           
             other
             men
             :
          
           the
           utmost
           of
           our
           aim
           is
           but
           to
           pass
           the
           residue
           of
           our
           Pilgrimage
           in
           peace
           ,
           serving
           God
           in
           the
           way
           of
           our
           Devotion
           .
           We
           covet
           no
           mens
           silver
           or
           their
           gold
           ,
           their
           places
           or
           preferments
           :
           our
           whole
           desire
           is
           that
           of
           
             Israel
          
           of
           old
           to
           their
           brother
           
             Edom
             ,
             Let
             us
             pass
             ,
             we
             pray
             ,
             through
             the
             Country
             ;
             we
             will
             not
             pass
             through
             the
             fields
             or
             through
             the
             vine-yards
             ,
             neither
             will
             we
             drink
             of
             the
             water
             of
             the
             wells
             ;
             we
             will
             go
             by
             the
             Kings
             high
             way
             ,
             we
             will
             not
             turn
             to
             the
             right
             hand
             ,
             nor
             to
             the
             left
             ,
             until
             we
             have
             passed
             thy
             borders
             .
          
           May
           we
           thus
           far
           prevail
           ,
           under
           the
           protection
           of
           God's
           providence
           ,
           his
           Majesty's
           favour
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           innocency
           ;
           we
           
             have
          
           no
           Principles
           ,
           we
           
             shall
          
           have
           no
           Reason
           ,
           farther
           to
           trouble
           our selves
           or
           others
           .
           If
           it
           be
           denied
           unto
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           must
           yet
           be
           scattered
           over
           the
           face
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           we
           shall
           pray
           for
           the
           prosperity
           of
           his
           
             Majesty
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Land
             of
             our
             Nativity
             ,
          
           patiently
           bearing
           the
           indignation
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           against
           whom
           we
           have
           sinned
           ,
           and
           
             waiting
             for
             his
             salvation
             .
          
        
         
           That
           which
           of
           late
           is
           principally
           urged
           unto
           our
           prejudice
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             The
             prohibition
             of
             that
             way
             of
             worship
             which
             we
             desire
             to
             walk
             in
             ,
             and
             the
             establishment
             of
             another
             by
             LAW
             ,
             to
             whose
             Authority
             we
             owe
             subjection
             .
          
           When
           this
           begins
           once
           to
           be
           pleaded
           ,
           the
           real
           merits
           of
           the
           cause
           in
           debate
           is
           usually
           over-seen
           ,
           and
           the
           obedience
           required
           by
           
             Law
          
           is
           only
           insisted
           on
           ;
           as
           though
           that
           were
           grown
           a
           
             Civil
             difference
          
           by
           the
           interposition
           of
           a
           Law
           ,
           which
           before
           was
           purely
           Religious
           .
           This
           
             Paul
          
           himself
           found
           to
           be
           one
           of
           the
           most
           difficult
           cases
           he
           had
           to
           contend
           withall
           ;
           it
           was
           objected
           unto
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           taught
           
             Customs
             which
             it
             was
             not
             lawful
             for
             to
             do
             among
             the
             Romans
             ,
             Acts
          
           16.
           21.
           
           All
           that
           Doctrine
           which
           he
           had
           to
           declare
           ,
           was
           antecedently
           in
           general
           forbidden
           by
           Law
           ;
           it
           being
           determined
           by
           the
           
             Romans
             ,
          
           That
           
             no
             worship
             of
             God
             should
             be
             admitted
             amongst
             them
             ,
             not
             establish'd
             by
             Publick
             Authority
             .
          
           And
           had
           not
           the
           Light
           and
           Truth
           of
           
             Christianity
          
           broken
           through
           that
           opposition
           ,
           it
           must
           have
           lain
           shut
           up
           in
           darkness
           to
           this
           day
           .
           For
           our
           parts
           ,
           we
           have
           only
           this
           to
           say
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           to
           urge
           this
           as
           a
           
             peculiar
             Objection
          
           against
           us
           ,
           it
           being
           the
           
             only
             Foundation
          
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           only
           occasion
           of
           the
           difference
           about
           which
           we
           treat
           .
           Had
           not
           a
           
             Law
          
           enjoyned
           the
           practice
           of
           some
           things
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           according
           unto
           our
           present
           Light
           we
           cannot
           
           assent
           unto
           ,
           without
           ceasing
           to
           worship
           him
           ,
           (
           for
           to
           worship
           him
           in
           our
           own
           thoughts
           ,
           against
           his
           mind
           and
           will
           ,
           is
           to
           prophane
           his
           Name
           and
           Worship
           )
           had
           it
           not
           forbidden
           the
           exercise
           and
           discharge
           of
           some
           duties
           which
           we
           account
           our selves
           obliged
           unto
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           God
           himself
           ,
           we
           had
           had
           no
           need
           to
           implore
           the
           clemency
           of
           our
           Governours
           ,
           to
           relieve
           us
           against
           that
           severity
           which
           we
           fear
           .
           This
           then
           we
           acknowledge
           ;
           but
           withall
           ,
           to
           state
           this
           Difference
           upon
           its
           right
           foundation
           ,
           do
           solemnly
           in
           all
           sincerity
           protest
           before
           God
           ,
           his
           holy
           Angels
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           world
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           not
           out
           of
           any
           
             unwarrantable
             Obstinacy
          
           that
           we
           are
           conscious
           of
           unto
           our selves
           ;
           nor
           from
           any
           disaffection
           unto
           ,
           or
           dissatisfaction
           in
           the
           Government
           that
           God
           hath
           set
           over
           us
           :
           but
           meerly
           from
           a
           sense
           of
           that
           account
           which
           we
           have
           one
           day
           to
           make
           before
           JESUS
           CHRIST
           ,
           the
           JUDGE
           of
           All
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           yield
           that
           compliance
           unto
           the
           
             Act
             for
             Uniformity
          
           which
           it
           requireth
           of
           us
           .
           The
           
             Case
          
           then
           ,
           notwithstanding
           this
           prejudice
           ,
           is
           still
           the
           same
           ;
           
             Conscience
          
           towards
           God
           in
           the
           things
           of
           his
           own
           Worship
           ,
           is
           still
           ,
           and
           alone
           concerned
           ,
           whatever
           other
           pretences
           and
           reasonings
           may
           in
           this
           case
           be
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           (
           as
           many
           are
           ,
           and
           ever
           were
           in
           the
           like
           cases
           ,
           and
           will
           so
           be
           )
           the
           whole
           real
           cause
           of
           that
           severity
           which
           we
           humbly
           deprecate
           ,
           and
           only
           Reason
           lying
           against
           the
           Indulgence
           we
           desire
           ,
           is
           our
           Profession
           and
           Practice
           in
           the
           things
           that
           
             are
             not
             of
             this
             world
             ,
          
           but
           purely
           relating
           to
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Mind
           and
           Worship
           of
           GOD.
           What-ever
           therefore
           men
           may
           plead
           ,
           pretend
           or
           urge
           of
           another
           nature
           ,
           we
           are
           so
           far
           conscious
           unto
           our
           own
           Integrity
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           fully
           satisfied
           in
           our
           minds
           ,
           That
           what-ever
           
             Dangers
          
           we
           may
           be
           in
           this
           matter
           exposed
           unto
           ,
           or
           what-ever
           we
           may
           be
           called
           to
           suffer
           ,
           it
           is
           all
           meerly
           for
           
             believing
             in
             God
             ,
          
           and
           worshipping
           of
           him
           ,
           according
           to
           what
           he
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           reveal
           of
           his
           mind
           unto
           us
           .
           And
           as
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           in
           the
           power
           of
           any
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           to
           deprive
           us
           of
           that
           
             Consolation
             ,
          
           which
           an
           apprehension
           of
           the
           truth
           will
           afford
           unto
           them
           that
           sincerely
           and
           conscientiously
           embrace
           it
           ;
           so
           whether
           any
           men
           can
           commend
           their
           consciences
           to
           God
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           the
           blessed
           Gospel
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           in
           our
           molestation
           and
           trouble
           ,
           we
           leave
           it
           unto
           all
           unprejudiced
           men
           to
           judge
           .
           And
           that
           we
           may
           yet
           farther
           remove
           all
           grounds
           of
           mistake
           ,
           and
           obviate
           all
           other
           pretences
           against
           us
           ,
           we
           shall
           candidly
           declare
           the
           general
           Principles
           both
           of
           our
           Faith
           and
           Worship
           ,
           and
           then
           leave
           our
           condition
           ,
           what-ever
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           to
           the
           Judgment
           of
           him
           ,
           who
           
             hath
             appointed
             a
             day
             
             wherein
             he
             will
             judge
             the
             World
             in
             Righteousness
             ,
          
           of
           his
           Majesty
           whom
           he
           hath
           set
           over
           us
           in
           supream
           Power
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           other
           Persons
           whatever
           ,
           who
           have
           any
           sense
           of
           the
           Terror
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           the
           account
           we
           must
           make
           of
           serving
           Him
           according
           to
           what
           He
           is
           pleased
           to
           reveal
           of
           himself
           unto
           us
           ,
           the
           nature
           of
           things
           known
           only
           by
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           
             infirm
             frail
             condition
             of
             Mankind
          
           in
           this
           World.
           
        
         
           For
           the
           
             Faith
          
           which
           we
           
             profess
             ,
          
           and
           which
           we
           desire
           
             to
             walk
             according
             unto
             ,
          
           we
           need
           not
           insist
           upon
           the
           particular
           heads
           of
           it
           ;
           having
           some
           years
           since
           in
           our
           
             Confessions
          
           publickly
           declared
           is
           ,
           with
           
             the
             joynt
             consent
             of
             all
             our
             Churches
             ;
          
           neither
           do
           we
           own
           or
           avow
           any
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           but
           what
           is
           therein
           
             asserted
          
           and
           
             declared
             .
          
           And
           we
           hope
           it
           will
           not
           be
           looked
           upon
           as
           an
           
             unreasonable
             Request
             ,
          
           if
           we
           humbly
           desire
           ,
           That
           it
           may
           receive
           a
           Christian
           charitable
           sedate
           consideration
           ,
           before
           it
           be
           condemned
           .
           May
           we
           be
           convinced
           of
           any
           thing
           therein
           ,
           not
           agreeable
           unto
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           not
           taught
           and
           revealed
           in
           them
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           with
           the
           first
           in
           its
           rejection
           .
           That
           this
           hath
           been
           by
           any
           as
           yet
           attempted
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           ;
           and
           yet
           are
           we
           judged
           ,
           censured
           and
           reproached
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           it
           :
           So
           far
           are
           Men
           degenerated
           from
           that
           frame
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           was
           in
           the
           
             Christians
             of
             old
             ;
          
           so
           far
           have
           they
           relinquished
           the
           wayes
           wherein
           they
           walk
           towards
           those
           who
           dissented
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           Nor
           do
           we
           decline
           the
           Judgement
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Church
             ;
          
           being
           fully
           satisfied
           ,
           That
           we
           teach
           and
           adhere
           unto
           ,
           is
           as
           consonant
           unto
           the
           Doctrine
           thereof
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           any
           Church
           at
           this
           day
           in
           the
           World.
           The
           
             four
             first
             General
             Councels
             ,
          
           as
           to
           what
           was
           determined
           in
           them
           in
           matters
           of
           Faith
           ,
           are
           confirmed
           by
           
             Law
          
           in
           this
           Nation
           ;
           which
           is
           all
           that
           from
           
             Antiquity
          
           hath
           any
           peculiar
           stamp
           of
           
             Authority
          
           put
           upon
           it
           amongst
           us
           ;
           This
           also
           we
           willingly
           admit
           of
           ,
           and
           fully
           assert
           in
           our
           
             Confession
             .
          
           Neither
           doth
           the
           addition
           of
           ours
           ,
           disturb
           the
           
             Harmony
          
           that
           is
           in
           the
           
             Confessions
          
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           being
           in
           all
           material
           points
           the
           same
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           no
           otherwise
           differing
           from
           any
           of
           them
           in
           things
           of
           less
           importance
           ,
           than
           as
           they
           do
           one
           from
           another
           ;
           and
           as
           all
           Confessions
           have
           done
           ,
           since
           the
           first
           Introduction
           of
           their
           use
           into
           the
           Churches
           of
           God.
           That
           which
           amongst
           them
           is
           of
           most
           special
           regard
           and
           consideration
           unto
           us
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           declared
           in
           the
           
             Articles
             of
             Religion
             :
          
           And
           herein
           in
           particular
           ,
           what
           is
           purely
           
             Doctrinal
             ,
          
           we
           fully
           embrace
           ,
           and
           constantly
           adhere
           unto
           .
           And
           though
           we
           shall
           not
           compare
           our
           
           selves
           with
           others
           ,
           in
           Ability
           to
           assert
           ,
           teach
           and
           maintain
           it
           ;
           yet
           we
           cannot
           ,
           whilst
           we
           are
           conscious
           unto
           our selves
           of
           our
           Integrity
           in
           our
           cordial
           adherence
           unto
           it
           ,
           but
           bear
           with
           regret
           the
           
             Clamorous
             Accusations
          
           of
           some
           against
           us
           ,
           for
           departing
           from
           
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           who
           have
           not
           given
           that
           testimony
           of
           their
           adherence
           unto
           
             Its
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           which
           we
           have
           done
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           help
           of
           God
           shall
           continue
           to
           do
           .
           It
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           there
           are
           some
           
             Enlargements
          
           in
           our
           Confession
           of
           the
           things
           delivered
           in
           the
           Thirty
           Nine
           Articles
           ;
           some
           Additions
           of
           things
           not
           expresly
           contained
           in
           them
           ,
           which
           we
           were
           necessitated
           unto
           ,
           for
           the
           full
           declaration
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           to
           obviate
           that
           
             obloquy
          
           which
           otherwise
           we
           might
           have
           been
           exposed
           unto
           ,
           as
           reserving
           our
           Judgement
           in
           matters
           that
           had
           received
           great
           publick
           debate
           since
           the
           composure
           of
           those
           Articles
           :
           But
           yet
           we
           are
           fully
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           not
           any
           proposition
           in
           our
           whole
           Confession
           ,
           which
           is
           repugnant
           unto
           any
           thing
           contained
           in
           the
           Articles
           ,
           or
           is
           not
           by
           just
           consequence
           deducible
           from
           them
           .
           Neither
           were
           we
           the
           
             Authors
          
           of
           the
           Explanations
           or
           Enlargements
           mentioned
           ;
           there
           being
           nothing
           contained
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           what
           we
           
             have
             learned
          
           and
           been
           instructed
           in
           from
           the
           Writings
           of
           the
           most
           famous
           
             Divines
          
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           
             Bishops
          
           and
           
             Others
             ,
          
           ever
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ;
           which
           being
           published
           by
           
             Legal
             Authority
             ,
          
           have
           been
           alwayes
           esteemed
           ,
           both
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           ,
           faithfully
           to
           represent
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           We
           have
           
             no
             new
             Faith
          
           to
           
             Declare
             ,
             no
             new
             Doctrine
             to
             Teach
             ,
             no
             private
             Opinions
             to
             Divulge
             ;
          
           no
           Point
           ,
           or
           Truth
           do
           we
           Profess
           ,
           
             no
             not
             one
             ,
          
           which
           hath
           not
           been
           declared
           ,
           taught
           ,
           divulged
           and
           esteemed
           as
           the
           common
           Doctrine
           
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ever
           since
           the
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           If
           then
           we
           evince
           not
           the
           
             Faith
             we
             profess
          
           to
           be
           consonant
           unto
           
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             ,
             of
             the
             four
             first
             General
             Councels
             ,
             the
             Confessions
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             beyond
             the
             Seas
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             particular
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           we
           shall
           acknowledge
           the
           Condition
           of
           Things
           in
           reference
           unto
           that
           Liberty
           ,
           which
           we
           humbly
           desire
           ,
           to
           be
           otherwise
           stated
           ,
           than
           hitherto
           we
           have
           apprehended
           .
           But
           if
           this
           be
           the
           condition
           of
           our
           
             Profession
             ,
          
           as
           we
           hope
           it
           is
           manifest
           unto
           all
           Unprejudiced
           and
           Ingenious
           Persons
           to
           be
           ,
           who
           esteem
           it
           their
           Duty
           not
           to
           judge
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           great
           importance
           before
           they
           hear
           it
           .
           We
           can
           hardly
           think
           that
           They
           give
           up
           Themselves
           to
           the
           Conduct
           of
           the
           Meek
           and
           Holy
           Spirit
           of
           CHRIST
           ,
           who
           are
           ready
           to
           breathe
           out
           Extirpation
           against
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           Interest
           
             in
             this
             
             World
             ,
          
           for
           the
           profession
           of
           
             Those
             Principles
          
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           They
           pretend
           to
           build
           their
           own
           Interests
           upon
           
             for
             another
             .
          
        
         
           The
           NON-CONFORMITY
           then
           that
           we
           may
           be
           charged
           with
           ,
           being
           very
           remote
           from
           a
           dissent
           unto
           that
           Doctrine
           which
           is
           here
           publickly
           avowed
           ,
           and
           confirmed
           by
           Law
           ,
           it
           cannot
           but
           seem
           strange
           unto
           us
           ,
           that
           any
           should
           endeavour
           to
           cast
           us
           under
           the
           
             same
             severity
          
           with
           them
           who
           utterly
           renounce
           it
           :
           and
           would
           entayl
           upon
           their
           Posterity
           ,
           on
           the
           forfeiture
           of
           all
           their
           Publick
           Rights
           ,
           as
           
             English-Men
             ,
          
           and
           benefit
           of
           their
           private
           Estates
           ,
           not
           only
           an
           adherence
           unto
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
             ,
          
           but
           a
           Precise
           and
           Determinate
           Judgement
           and
           Practice
           in
           things
           of
           very
           
             Little
          
           Concernment
           therein
           ;
           and
           of
           
             none
          
           at
           all
           ,
           as
           to
           publick
           Tranquility
           .
        
         
           Would
           it
           not
           seem
           strange
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           might
           at
           as
           easie
           and
           cheap
           a
           rate
           ,
           renounce
           the
           
             Protestant
             Profession
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Fundamental
             Doctrines
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           in
           things
           indispensably
           necessary
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           mistaken
           ,
           or
           suspend
           his
           assent
           about
           
             things
             dark
             and
             disputable
             in
             their
             own
             nature
             ,
          
           and
           of
           
             very
             small
             importance
             ,
             which
             way
             soever
             they
             are
             determined
             ?
          
           So
           that
           Men
           in
           the
           
             embracing
          
           or
           
             refusal
          
           of
           them
           ,
           rebel
           not
           against
           that
           
             commanding
             Light
             of
             God
          
           set
           up
           in
           their
           hearts
           to
           rule
           them
           in
           His
           Name
           ,
           in
           that
           apprehension
           which
           they
           have
           of
           the
           Revelation
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           which
           is
           unto
           them
           
             of
             great
             and
             eternal
             moment
             .
          
        
         
           They
           are
           then
           only
           things
           relating
           unto
           
             Outward
             Order
             and
             Worship
             ,
          
           wherein
           our
           
             dissent
          
           from
           the
           
             present
             Establishment
          
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           doth
           consist
           ;
           things
           about
           which
           there
           hath
           been
           
             variety
          
           of
           Judgement
           ,
           and
           
             difference
          
           in
           Practice
           ,
           from
           the
           days
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           probably
           will
           be
           so
           untill
           the
           end
           of
           the
           World
           :
           For
           we
           find
           by
           experience
           ,
           that
           the
           late
           
             Expedient
          
           for
           the
           ending
           of
           differences
           about
           them
           ,
           by
           vindicating
           of
           them
           into
           the
           
             arbitrary
             disposal
          
           of
           every
           
             Church
             ,
          
           or
           those
           that
           preside
           therein
           ,
           in
           whose
           
             Determinations
          
           all
           persons
           are
           to
           acquiesce
           ;
           is
           so
           far
           from
           accomplishing
           the
           work
           whereunto
           it
           is
           designed
           ,
           that
           it
           contributes
           largely
           to
           their
           increase
           and
           perpetuation
           .
           Our
           only
           guilt
           then
           is
           ,
           Our
           
             Not
             agreeing
             with
             others
          
           in
           those
           things
           wherein
           there
           never
           yet
           was
           an
           agreement
           among
           
             Christians
             :
          
           Nor
           perhaps
           ,
           had
           they
           all
           that
           frame
           of
           Spirit
           in
           Moderation
           and
           mutual
           Forbearance
           which
           
             the
             Gospel
             requireth
             in
             them
             ,
          
           would
           it
           ever
           by
           any
           way
           needful
           that
           there
           should
           so
           be
           .
        
         
           For
           our
           parts
           ,
           about
           these
           things
           we
           
             judge
             not
          
           other
           men
           ,
           nor
           do
           ,
           or
           ever
           did
           seek
           to
           
             impose
             our
             apprehensions
             on
             their
             Judgements
             or
             Practice
             .
          
           
           What
           in
           them
           is
           agreeable
           unto
           Truth
           ,
           
             God
             knows
             ,
          
           and
           will
           one
           day
           declare
           .
           Unto
           our
           
             present
             Light
          
           in
           the
           Revelation
           of
           His
           
             Will
             ,
          
           must
           our
           practice
           be
           conformed
           ,
           unless
           to
           please
           Men
           ,
           and
           secure
           our
           transitory
           ,
           perishing
           Concernments
           ,
           we
           intend
           to
           break
           his
           Bonds
           ,
           and
           cast
           away
           his
           Cords
           from
           us
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           it
           may
           the
           better
           appear
           what
           is
           both
           our
           Judgement
           and
           Practice
           ,
           in
           and
           about
           these
           things
           ;
           unto
           what
           we
           have
           declared
           in
           the
           close
           of
           our
           
             Confession
             ,
          
           (
           which
           we
           suppose
           they
           cannot
           reasonably
           and
           with
           satisfaction
           to
           their
           own
           Consciences
           ,
           wholly
           overlook
           ,
           who
           because
           thereof
           ,
           are
           ready
           to
           reflect
           with
           severe
           thoughts
           upon
           us
           )
           we
           shall
           now
           only
           add
           ,
           The
           
             General
             Principles
          
           whereunto
           all
           that
           we
           profess
           or
           practise
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           is
           resolved
           .
           And
           of
           them
           we
           humbly
           desire
           ,
           that
           a
           Christian
           and
           Candid
           Consideration
           may
           be
           had
           :
           As
           supposing
           that
           to
           pass
           a
           
             Sentence
             of
             Condemnation
          
           against
           us
           for
           our
           dissent
           unto
           any
           thing
           ,
           without
           a
           previous
           weighing
           of
           the
           Reasons
           of
           that
           dissent
           ,
           is
           scarce
           suitable
           unto
           that
           Law
           whereby
           we
           are
           Men
           ,
           and
           engaged
           into
           Civil
           Societies
           .
           As
           then
           Religion
           is
           publickly
           received
           and
           established
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           
             outward
             Concernments
          
           of
           it
           ,
           relating
           unto
           
             Persons
          
           and
           
             Things
             ,
          
           that
           are
           disposed
           and
           regulated
           by
           and
           according
           to
           the
           Laws
           thereof
           :
           Such
           is
           that
           which
           is
           called
           ,
           
             Power
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
          
           or
           Authority
           to
           dispose
           of
           those
           
             Affairs
             of
             the
             Church
          
           with
           
             coercive
          
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           which
           relates
           to
           the
           
             outward
             publick
             Concernments
          
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           Legal
           interests
           of
           Men
           in
           them
           .
           This
           we
           acknowledge
           and
           own
           to
           be
           vested
           in
           the
           Supream
           Magistrate
           ,
           the
           
             Kings
             Majesty
             ,
          
           who
           is
           the
           Fountain
           and
           Spring
           of
           all
           
             Jurisdiction
          
           in
           his
           own
           Kingdoms
           what-ever
           .
           No
           power
           can
           be
           put
           forth
           or
           exercised
           towards
           any
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           manner
           or
           nature
           of
           its
           exertion
           ,
           hath
           the
           force
           of
           a
           Law
           ,
           Sentence
           ,
           or
           Jurisdiction
           ;
           or
           which
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           effect
           of
           it
           ,
           reacheth
           either
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           Estates
           ,
           or
           Liberties
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           derived
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           binding
           
             formally
          
           on
           that
           sole
           Reason
           ,
           and
           no
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           Hence
           we
           have
           no
           Principle
           in
           the
           least
           seducing
           us
           to
           transgress
           against
           any
           of
           those
           Laws
           which
           in
           former
           dayes
           were
           looked
           on
           as
           
             safe
             Preservatives
          
           of
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
             and
             Interest
             in
             this
             Nation
             .
          
           Did
           we
           assert
           a
           
             Forreign
             Power
          
           over
           his
           Majesties
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           claim
           an
           obedience
           from
           them
           in
           some
           such
           cases
           as
           might
           at
           our
           pleasure
           be
           extended
           to
           the
           whole
           that
           is
           due
           unto
           Him
           ;
           Did
           we
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           us
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           any
           
             Office
          
           we
           hold
           in
           
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
          
           claim
           and
           
           exercise
           a
           
             Jurisdiction
          
           over
           the
           Persons
           of
           his
           Majesties
           Subjects
           in
           Form
           and
           Course
           of
           Law
           ;
           Or
           did
           we
           so
           much
           as
           pretend
           unto
           
             the
             exercise
          
           of
           any
           Spiritual
           Power
           that
           should
           produce
           effects
           on
           the
           Outward
           Man
           ;
           We
           might
           well
           fear
           ,
           left
           just
           offence
           should
           be
           taken
           against
           us
           .
           But
           whereas
           the
           way
           wherein
           we
           worship
           God
           is
           utterly
           unconcerned
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           we
           willingly
           profess
           the
           Spring
           of
           all
           
             Outward
             Coercive
             Jurisdiction
             ,
          
           to
           be
           in
           
             the
             Person
             of
             the
             Kings
             Majesty
             alone
             ,
          
           without
           the
           least
           intermixture
           of
           any
           other
           Power
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           ,
           directly
           or
           by
           consequence
           ;
           we
           cannot
           but
           say
           with
           confidence
           ,
           That
           it
           will
           be
           utterly
           impossible
           to
           convince
           us
           ,
           That
           on
           this
           account
           we
           are
           Offendors
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Order
           therein
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           
             purely
             Spiritual
             and
             Evangelical
             )
          
           we
           acknowledge
           indeed
           
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           to
           be
           the
           only
           
             Institutor
          
           or
           
             Author
          
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           the
           
             only
             Principle
          
           revealing
           ,
           the
           
             only
             Rule
          
           to
           judge
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           square
           it
           by
           .
           It
           is
           not
           now
           our
           design
           to
           plead
           the
           Truth
           of
           this
           Principle
           ,
           nor
           yet
           to
           clear
           it
           from
           mistakes
           ,
           or
           vindicate
           it
           from
           opposition
           :
           All
           which
           are
           done
           elsewhere
           .
           Let
           it
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           an
           
             Error
          
           or
           
             Mistake
             ,
          
           which
           is
           
             the
             worst
             that
             can
             be
             supposed
             of
             It
             ;
          
           we
           must
           needs
           say
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           an
           
             Error
          
           which
           hath
           so
           much
           seeming
           countenance
           given
           unto
           it
           by
           innumerable
           places
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           by
           so
           many
           Testimonies
           of
           the
           Antient
           and
           Modern
           Doctors
           of
           
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           is
           every
           way
           so
           free
           from
           the
           production
           of
           any
           Consequent
           of
           evil
           importance
           ;
           That
           if
           there
           be
           any
           
             faylure
          
           of
           
             the
             Minds
             of
             Men
             ,
          
           in
           and
           about
           
             the
             things
             of
             God
             ,
          
           which
           from
           a
           common
           sense
           of
           
             the
             frailty
             of
             Humane
             Nature
             ,
          
           may
           rationally
           expect
           forbearance
           and
           pardon
           from
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           the
           happiness
           to
           be
           from
           all
           miscarriage
           of
           that
           kind
           
             (
             if
             any
             such
             there
             be
             )
          
           this
           may
           claim
           a
           share
           and
           interest
           among
           them
           .
        
         
           Nor
           are
           we
           able
           as
           yet
           to
           discern
           ,
           how
           any
           acceptable
           account
           can
           be
           given
           to
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           at
           the
           last
           day
           ,
           of
           severity
           against
           
             This
             Principle
             ,
          
           or
           those
           that
           otherwise
           inoffensive
           ,
           walk
           according
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           Whereas
           Principles
           
             True
          
           in
           
             Themselves
             ,
          
           may
           in
           their
           application
           unto
           Practice
           be
           pressed
           to
           give
           countenance
           unto
           that
           which
           directly
           they
           lead
           not
           unto
           ;
           We
           have
           the
           advantage
           yet
           farther
           particularly
           to
           declare
           ,
           That
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           we
           have
           no
           other
           Ordinances
           or
           Administrations
           ,
           but
           what
           are
           
             by
             the
             Law
             and
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           Now
           whatever
           other
           occasion
           may
           
           be
           sought
           against
           us
           ,
           (
           which
           we
           pray
           God
           not
           to
           lay
           to
           their
           charge
           who
           delight
           in
           such
           practices
           )
           we
           know
           full
           well
           that
           we
           differ
           in
           nothing
           from
           the
           whole
           form
           of
           
             Religion
             established
             in
             England
             ,
          
           but
           only
           in
           some
           few
           things
           in
           outward
           Worship
           ,
           wherein
           we
           cannot
           consent
           without
           the
           renunciation
           of
           this
           Principle
           ,
           of
           whose
           
             falshood
          
           we
           are
           not
           convinced
           .
           This
           being
           our
           
             only
             crime
             ,
          
           if
           it
           be
           a
           crime
           ,
           this
           the
           
             only
             mistake
          
           that
           we
           are
           charged
           with
           ,
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ;
           we
           yet
           hope
           that
           sober
           men
           will
           not
           judge
           it
           of
           so
           high
           a
           demerit
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           offended
           with
           our
           humble
           desire
           of
           Indulgence
           ,
           and
           a
           share
           in
           that
           Princely
           favour
           towards
           persons
           of
           tender
           consciences
           ,
           which
           his
           Majesty
           hath
           often
           declared
           his
           Inclinations
           for
           .
        
         
           We
           confess
           that
           oftentimes
           ,
           when
           such
           
             Dissents
          
           are
           made
           a
           
             crime
             ,
          
           they
           are
           quickly
           esteemed
           the
           
             greatest
             ,
          
           yea
           ,
           almost
           
             all
          
           that
           is
           criminal
           :
           but
           whether
           such
           a
           Judgment
           owes
           not
           it self
           more
           to
           
             Passion
             ,
             Prejudice
             ,
          
           and
           
             private
             Interest
             ,
          
           than
           to
           right
           Reason
           ,
           is
           not
           hard
           to
           determine
           .
        
         
           For
           our
           parts
           ,
           as
           we
           said
           before
           ,
           they
           are
           no
           great
           things
           which
           we
           desire
           for
           our selves
           ,
           the
           utmost
           of
           our
           aim
           being
           to
           pass
           the
           remainder
           of
           the
           few
           days
           of
           our
           Pilgrimage
           in
           the
           
             Land
             of
             our
             Nativity
             ,
          
           serving
           the
           Lord
           according
           to
           what
           he
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           reveal
           of
           his
           mind
           and
           will
           unto
           us
           .
           And
           we
           suppose
           that
           those
           who
           are
           forward
           in
           suggesting
           counsels
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           know
           not
           well
           how
           to
           
             countervail
             the
             Kings
             dammage
             .
          
        
         
           That
           this
           our
           desire
           is
           neither
           
             unreasonable
             nor
             unjust
             ;
          
           that
           it
           containeth
           nothing
           contrary
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           old
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           disadvantage
           of
           the
           publick
           tranquility
           of
           
             these
             Nations
             :
          
           but
           that
           all
           outward
           violence
           and
           severity
           on
           the
           account
           of
           our
           
             dissent
             ,
          
           is
           destitute
           of
           any
           firm
           foundation
           in
           
             Scripture
             ,
             Reason
             ,
          
           or
           
             the
             present
             juncture
             of
             Affairs
             amongst
             us
             ,
          
           we
           humbly
           crave
           liberty
           ,
           in
           the
           further
           pursuit
           of
           our
           own
           JUST
           DEFENCE
           ,
           briefly
           to
           declare
           and
           evidence
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           
             Fundamental
             Law
          
           amongst
           men
           ,
           from
           which
           all
           others
           spring
           ,
           and
           whereby
           they
           ought
           to
           be
           regulated
           ,
           is
           that
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           by
           which
           they
           are
           disposed
           unto
           
             Civil
             Society
             ,
          
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           and
           every
           individual
           Member
           thereof
           .
           And
           this
           good
           being
           of
           the
           greatest
           importance
           unto
           all
           ,
           doth
           unspeakably
           out-ballance
           those
           
             Inconveniencies
          
           which
           may
           befall
           any
           of
           them
           through
           a
           restriction
           put
           upon
           them
           by
           the
           particular
           Laws
           and
           
           Bonds
           of
           the
           
             Society
          
           wherein
           they
           are
           engaged
           .
           It
           is
           not
           impossible
           ,
           but
           that
           sundry
           persons
           might
           honestly
           improve
           many
           things
           unto
           their
           advantage
           in
           the
           increase
           of
           their
           interest
           in
           things
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           were
           not
           bounds
           set
           unto
           their
           endeavours
           ,
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Community
           whereof
           they
           are
           members
           .
           But
           whereas
           no
           
             Security
          
           may
           be
           obtained
           that
           they
           shall
           not
           have
           their
           particular
           limits
           and
           concernments
           broken
           in
           upon
           by
           an
           hand
           of
           violence
           and
           injustice
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           pursuit
           of
           that
           
             Principle
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           which
           directs
           them
           to
           the
           only
           
             Remedy
             of
             that
             Evil
          
           in
           
             Civil
             Society
             ,
          
           they
           are
           all
           in
           general
           willing
           to
           fore-go
           their
           
             particular
             advantages
             ,
          
           for
           that
           which
           gives
           them
           
             Assurance
          
           and
           
             Peace
          
           in
           all
           that
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           besides
           .
           All
           such
           conveniencies
           therefore
           as
           consist
           in
           the
           things
           that
           are
           within
           the
           power
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           are
           inferiour
           to
           that
           Good
           and
           Advantage
           which
           
             Publick
             Society
          
           doth
           afford
           ,
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
             directing
             men
             unto
             their
             chiefest
             Good
             ,
          
           commands
           them
           ,
           as
           occasion
           requires
           ,
           to
           forbear
           and
           quit
           .
           Nor
           can
           any
           
             Community
             be
             established
          
           without
           
             obedience
          
           unto
           that
           
             command
             .
          
           But
           of
           the
           things
           that
           
             are
             not
             within
             the
             power
             of
             men
             ,
          
           there
           is
           another
           reason
           .
           If
           the
           Law
           of
           Society
           did
           require
           that
           all
           men
           engaging
           thereunto
           should
           be
           of
           
             one
             stature
             and
             form
             of
             visage
             ,
          
           or
           should
           have
           the
           same
           measure
           of
           
             Intellectual
             abilities
             ,
          
           or
           the
           same
           conception
           of
           all
           objects
           of
           a
           rational
           understanding
           ,
           it
           were
           utterly
           impossible
           that
           any
           
             Community
          
           should
           ever
           be
           raised
           among
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           .
        
         
           As
           then
           all
           inconveniencies
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           mischiefs
           relating
           unto
           things
           
             within
             the
             power
             of
             men
             ,
          
           are
           to
           be
           undergone
           and
           born
           with
           ,
           that
           are
           less
           than
           the
           Evils
           which
           nothing
           but
           
             Political
             Societies
          
           can
           prevent
           for
           the
           sake
           thereof
           :
           So
           the
           allowance
           of
           those
           Differences
           which
           are
           inseparable
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           ,
           as
           diversified
           in
           Individuals
           ,
           and
           insuperable
           unto
           any
           of
           their
           endeavours
           ,
           is
           supposed
           in
           the
           Principles
           of
           its
           being
           and
           constitution
           .
           Yea
           ,
           this
           is
           one
           
             Principle
             of
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           to
           which
           we
           owe
           the
           Benefits
           of
           humane
           Conversation
           and
           Administration
           of
           Justice
           ,
           that
           those
           differences
           amongst
           men
           ,
           which
           unto
           them
           are
           absolutely
           unavoidable
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           themselves
           not
           intrenching
           upon
           ,
           nor
           disannulling
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           (
           for
           nature
           doth
           not
           intersere
           with
           itself
           )
           should
           be
           forborn
           and
           allowed
           among
           them
           ,
           seeing
           an
           endeavour
           for
           their
           extinguishment
           must
           irresistibly
           extinguish
           the
           Community
           itself
           ,
           as
           taking
           away
           the
           main
           supposal
           on
           which
           it
           is
           founded
           .
           And
           in
           that
           
             harmony
             ,
          
           which
           by
           an
           answerableness
           
           of
           one
           thing
           unto
           another
           ,
           riseth
           from
           such
           differences
           ,
           doth
           the
           chiefest
           glory
           and
           beauty
           of
           Civil
           Society
           consist
           ;
           the
           several
           particulars
           of
           it
           also
           being
           rendred
           useful
           unto
           the
           whole
           thereby
           .
           Of
           this
           nature
           are
           the
           things
           concerning
           which
           we
           discourse
           .
           They
           relate
           ,
           as
           is
           confessed
           ,
           unto
           
             things
             spiritual
             and
             supernatural
             :
          
           that
           the
           will
           of
           God
           in
           
             these
             things
          
           cannot
           be
           known
           but
           by
           Revelation
           from
           himself
           ,
           all
           men
           will
           acknowledge
           :
           and
           we
           suppose
           they
           will
           with
           no
           less
           readiness
           consent
           ,
           That
           
             Divine
             Revelation
             cannot
             be
             apprehended
             or
             assented
             unto
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             the
             nature
             and
             measure
             of
             that
             light
             ,
             which
             God
             is
             pleased
             to
             communicate
             unto
             them
             ,
             unto
             whom
             such
             Revelation
             is
             made
             :
          
           That
           
             this
             Light
          
           doth
           so
           equally
           affect
           
             the
             minds
             of
             all
             men
             ,
          
           or
           
             that
             it
             is
             possible
             it
             should
             do
             so
             ,
          
           considering
           the
           divers
           ways
           and
           means
           of
           its
           communication
           ,
           with
           the
           different
           dispositions
           of
           them
           that
           receive
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           all
           have
           the
           same
           apprehensions
           of
           the
           things
           proposed
           
             unto
             them
             ,
             none
          
           will
           
             judge
             ,
          
           but
           
             such
          
           as
           take
           up
           
             their
             profession
          
           in
           
             these
             things
          
           on
           Custom
           ,
           Prejudice
           or
           Interest
           .
           It
           will
           then
           hence
           evidently
           follow
           ,
           That
           mens
           
             apprehensions
             of
             things
             spiritual
             and
             supernatural
             ,
          
           such
           ,
           we
           mean
           ,
           as
           have
           no
           alliance
           unto
           the
           ingrafted
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           are
           not
           absolutely
           under
           
             their
             own
             power
             ,
          
           or
           depend
           
             on
             the
             liberty
             of
             their
             wills
             ,
          
           whereunto
           all
           Law
           is
           given
           .
           And
           therefore
           is
           the
           diversity
           in
           and
           about
           them
           to
           be
           reckoned
           among
           
             those
             unavoidable
             differences
          
           which
           are
           supposed
           in
           
             the
             Law
             of
             Civil
             Society
             ,
          
           and
           without
           which
           supposal
           ,
           every
           attempt
           for
           any
           such
           Society
           would
           be
           destructive
           of
           it self
           .
           Among
           
             these
             apprehensions
             ,
          
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           our
           consciences
           towards
           God
           upon
           
             them
             ,
          
           lies
           all
           the
           difference
           from
           the
           present
           Establishment
           ,
           which
           we
           desire
           an
           
             Indulgence
          
           to
           be
           shewed
           towards
           ;
           not
           at
           all
           questioning
           but
           that
           it
           is
           lawful
           for
           them
           who
           have
           attained
           unto
           an
           
             agreement
          
           in
           them
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           they
           have
           attained
           ,
           to
           confirm
           and
           strengthen
           that
           agreement
           among
           themselves
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           desirable
           unto
           others
           ,
           by
           all
           such
           ways
           and
           means
           as
           by
           right
           ,
           and
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Society
           whereof
           they
           are
           ,
           they
           may
           make
           use
           of
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           is
           ,
           as
           we
           humbly
           conceive
           ,
           in
           vain
           pretended
           ,
           
             That
             it
             is
             not
             the
             apprehensions
             of
             mens
             minds
             ,
             and
             their
             consciences
             unto
             God
             upon
             them
             ,
             but
             only
             their
             outward
             Actings
             that
             fall
             under
             the
             Penalties
             desired
             by
             some
             to
             be
             indispensably
             imposed
             on
             Dissenters
             from
             the
             Established
             Form
             ;
          
           seeing
           
             those
             penalties
          
           are
           not
           only
           annexed
           unto
           Actions
           ,
           which
           those
           apprehensions
           require
           ,
           as
           
             Duties
             unto
             God
             ,
          
           
           but
           also
           unto
           a
           
             not
             acting
          
           contrary
           unto
           them
           ,
           which
           directly
           and
           immediately
           reflect
           on
           the
           Mind
           and
           Conscience
           it self
           :
           other
           wayes
           to
           reach
           the
           
             Consciences
             of
             their
             Brethren
             ,
          
           it
           is
           utterly
           impossible
           to
           find
           out
           .
           And
           to
           teach
           men
           that
           their
           Consciences
           towards
           God
           are
           not
           concerned
           either
           in
           
             not
             acting
          
           according
           to
           their
           Light
           in
           his
           Worship
           ,
           or
           in
           
             acting
             against
          
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           teach
           them
           to
           be
           Atheists
           .
        
         
           We
           cannot
           therefore
           but
           hope
           that
           our
           distance
           from
           the
           present
           Establishment
           ,
           in
           some
           few
           things
           relating
           unto
           
             Supernatural
             Revelation
             ,
          
           (
           especially
           whilst
           in
           our
           agreement
           with
           it
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           salve
           for
           all
           things
           in
           the
           least
           intrenching
           on
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           whatever
           ,
           that
           even
           of
           Revelation
           itself
           ,
           are
           necessary
           to
           the
           grand
           end
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           Security
           against
           any
           thing
           that
           may
           any
           way
           incommodate
           Publick
           Tranquility
           )
           being
           unto
           us
           insuperable
           ,
           and
           therefore
           provided
           for
           by
           the
           Fundamental
           Law
           of
           all
           Civil
           Societies
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           not
           alwayes
           receive
           so
           severe
           a
           construction
           as
           to
           deprive
           us
           of
           the
           Good
           and
           Benefit
           thereof
           .
           For
           to
           annex
           Penalties
           ,
           which
           in
           their
           progress
           will
           deprive
           men
           of
           all
           those
           advantages
           in
           their
           outward
           Concernments
           which
           Publick
           Society
           doth
           or
           can
           afford
           ,
           unto
           those
           Differences
           ,
           without
           a
           supposition
           whereof
           ,
           and
           provision
           for
           ,
           there
           could
           be
           no
           such
           Society
           at
           all
           ,
           is
           to
           destroy
           that
           whose
           good
           and
           preservation
           is
           intended
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           the
           different
           Conceptions
           of
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           in
           the
           things
           under
           consideration
           ,
           with
           actings
           consonant
           unto
           them
           ,
           being
           not
           only
           an
           unavoidable
           Consequent
           of
           Natures
           constant
           production
           of
           the
           Race
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           in
           that
           various
           diversity
           which
           in
           all
           instances
           we
           behold
           ,
           but
           also
           rendered
           farther
           insuperable
           ,
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           
             the
             things
             themselves
             about
             which
             they
             are
             exercised
             ,
          
           (
           being
           of
           Divine
           Revelation
           )
           they
           were
           ever
           in
           the
           World
           esteemed
           without
           the
           Line
           of
           
             Civil
             Coercion
          
           and
           Punishment
           ,
           untill
           it
           came
           to
           the
           Interest
           of
           some
           to
           offer
           Violence
           to
           those
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           in
           Themselves
           ,
           which
           any
           outward
           Alteration
           in
           the
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           is
           capable
           of
           rendring
           their
           own
           best
           Protection
           and
           Defence
           .
        
         
           And
           on
           these
           Grounds
           ,
           it
           is
           ,
           That
           FORCE
           never
           yet
           attained
           ,
           or
           long
           kept
           that
           in
           RELIGION
           which
           it
           aimed
           at
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           Great
           
             Roman
             Historian
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           
             Indecorum
             
             Principi
             adtrectare
             ,
             quod
             non
             obtineat
             ;
          
           No
           way
           honourable
           unto
           a
           Soveraign
           Prince
           ,
           to
           attempt
           that
           which
           will
           never
           be
           accomplished
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           what
           may
           seem
           obscure
           in
           this
           Reason
           of
           things
           and
           Principles
           of
           Community
           ,
           (
           which
           usually
           affect
           Them
           only
           ,
           who
           without
           Interest
           or
           Prejudice
           ,
           give
           up
           Themselves
           to
           the
           Conduct
           of
           Rational
           and
           Sedate
           Consideration
           ,
           with
           which
           sort
           of
           Persons
           
             alone
             ,
          
           we
           have
           not
           to
           deal
           )
           is
           exemplified
           in
           the
           GOSPEL
           ,
           whose
           furtherance
           is
           on
           all
           Hands
           pretended
           ;
           We
           shall
           thence
           also
           briefly
           manifest
           ,
           that
           the
           way
           pretended
           for
           the
           promotion
           of
           its
           Interest
           ,
           by
           
             Severity
             in
             external
             Penalties
             ,
          
           on
           the
           account
           of
           such
           Differences
           as
           we
           are
           concerned
           in
           ,
           is
           both
           opposite
           unto
           the
           Spirit
           of
           its
           Author
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           the
           Rules
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           the
           Practice
           of
           Those
           who
           have
           walked
           according
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           As
           among
           the
           many
           blessed
           Ends
           of
           the
           
             Conversation
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           it
           was
           not
           of
           the
           least
           moment
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           set
           us
           a
           
             Pattern
             ,
          
           and
           give
           us
           an
           example
           of
           that
           Frame
           of
           Heart
           ,
           and
           Holiness
           of
           Life
           ,
           whereby
           we
           may
           become
           like
           unto
           our
           HEAVENLY
           FATHER
           ,
           and
           be
           acceptable
           before
           Him
           ;
           so
           in
           his
           carrying
           on
           of
           that
           Design
           ,
           there
           was
           not
           any
           thing
           that
           he
           more
           
             emphatically
          
           called
           upon
           his
           Disciples
           to
           endeavour
           a
           Conformity
           unto
           him
           in
           ,
           than
           in
           his
           
             Meekness
             ,
             Lowliness
             ,
             Gentleness
             ,
          
           and
           
             Tenderness
          
           towards
           all
           .
           These
           he
           took
           all
           occasions
           for
           our
           good
           to
           shew
           forth
           in
           Himself
           ,
           and
           commend
           unto
           Others
           .
           Whatever
           Provocation
           He
           met
           withall
           ;
           whatever
           injurious
           Opposition
           He
           was
           exposed
           unto
           ,
           He
           did
           not
           
             contend
             ,
          
           nor
           
             cry
             ,
          
           nor
           
             cause
             his
             Voyce
             to
             be
             heard
          
           with
           Strife
           or
           Anger
           .
           The
           
             Sins
          
           of
           Men
           indeed
           ,
           He
           reproved
           
             with
             all
             Authority
             ,
          
           their
           groundless
           Traditions
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           He
           rejected
           ;
           their
           Errors
           He
           refuted
           by
           the
           Word
           :
           But
           to
           the
           
             Persons
          
           of
           Men
           ,
           He
           was
           alwayes
           
             Meek
          
           and
           
             Tender
             ,
          
           as
           coming
           to
           
             Save
             ,
          
           and
           not
           
             Destroy
             ;
          
           to
           
             keep
             Alive
             ,
          
           and
           not
           to
           
             Kill
             .
          
           In
           the
           Things
           of
           
             Man
             ,
          
           He
           referred
           all
           unto
           the
           Just
           Authority
           and
           Righteous
           Laws
           of
           Men
           ;
           but
           in
           the
           Things
           of
           
             GOD
             ,
          
           never
           gave
           the
           lest
           intimation
           of
           
             Severity
             ,
          
           but
           only
           in
           his
           
             Holy
             Threats
          
           of
           future
           Evil
           in
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ,
           upon
           Mens
           Final
           Impenitency
           and
           Unbelief
           .
           COERCE
           ,
           FINE
           ,
           IMPRISON
           ,
           BANISH
           ,
           
             Those
             that
             apprehend
             not
             aright
             all
             and
             every
             thing
             that
             I
             would
             have
             you
             instructed
             in
             ;
          
           are
           Words
           that
           never
           proceeded
           out
           
           of
           His
           holy
           Mouth
           ,
           Things
           that
           never
           entered
           into
           His
           gracious
           Heart
           .
           And
           we
           are
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           thing
           of
           marvelous
           difficulty
           ,
           for
           any
           Man
           seriously
           to
           think
           ,
           That
           He
           who
           was
           and
           is
           so
           full
           of
           compassion
           towards
           all
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           even
           the
           Worst
           of
           them
           ,
           should
           ever
           give
           the
           least
           consent
           unto
           the
           
             punishment
             ,
          
           and
           gradual
           destruction
           ,
           of
           Those
           who
           in
           sincerity
           desire
           to
           love
           and
           obey
           Him
           ,
           and
           do
           yet
           unavoidably
           
             mistake
          
           in
           their
           apprehensions
           of
           some
           few
           things
           ,
           pleaded
           to
           be
           according
           to
           His
           Mind
           ,
           their
           Love
           and
           Obedience
           unto
           Him
           thereby
           being
           no
           whit
           impeached
           .
           When
           some
           of
           his
           Disciples
           of
           old
           ,
           in
           
             zeal
          
           as
           they
           pretended
           ,
           unto
           Himself
           ,
           and
           the
           Truths
           preached
           by
           Him
           ,
           would
           have
           called
           for
           
             fire
             from
             Heaven
             ,
          
           on
           those
           who
           had
           
             contumeliously
             slighted
          
           Him
           upon
           a
           supposed
           diversity
           in
           Religion
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           thought
           themselves
           warranted
           (
           though
           falsly
           )
           by
           a
           
             President
             out
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ;
          
           He
           lets
           them
           know
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           an
           unacquaintedness
           with
           their
           
             own
             spirits
             ,
          
           causing
           them
           to
           imagine
           that
           to
           be
           
             Zeal
             for
             the
             Truth
             ,
          
           which
           was
           indeed
           but
           Self-Revenge
           ,
           and
           private
           Interest
           ,
           which
           had
           caused
           them
           to
           speak
           so
           unadvisedly
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           
             the
             same
             mind
             might
             be
             in
             us
             that
             was
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           that
           His
           Example
           is
           to
           be
           a
           Rule
           unto
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           all
           to
           be
           
             baptised
             into
             the
             same
             Spirit
             with
             Him
             ;
          
           that
           what
           from
           His
           Frame
           of
           Heart
           and
           Actings
           ,
           as
           revealed
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           we
           can
           rationally
           conclude
           that
           He
           would
           approve
           or
           disallow
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           square
           our
           Proceedings
           and
           Judgements
           unto
           ,
           none
           that
           own
           his
           Name
           ,
           can
           deny
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           Men
           would
           not
           
             stifle
             ,
          
           but
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           guided
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           their
           Convictions
           ,
           they
           would
           quickly
           perceive
           how
           inconsistent
           with
           it
           ,
           are
           their
           thoughts
           of
           
             Rigour
          
           and
           
             Severity
          
           towards
           those
           which
           differ
           from
           them
           in
           some
           few
           things
           relating
           to
           the
           Mind
           of
           God
           in
           and
           about
           His
           Worship
           .
        
         
           Certainly
           this
           Readiness
           of
           
             Servants
             ;
          
           who
           are
           themselves
           
             pardoned
             Talents
             ,
          
           to
           fall
           with
           violence
           on
           their
           Fellows
           (
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           his
           Service
           ,
           though
           otherwise
           it
           may
           be
           poor
           and
           despicable
           in
           the
           World
           )
           for
           
             lesser
             Debts
             ,
          
           and
           those
           only
           supposed
           ,
           not
           proved
           real
           ,
           will
           appear
           at
           the
           Last
           Day
           ,
           not
           to
           have
           been
           so
           acceptable
           unto
           him
           ,
           as
           some
           Men
           on
           grounds
           and
           pretences
           utterly
           forreign
           unto
           this
           whole
           business
           ,
           are
           willing
           now
           to
           perswade
           themselves
           that
           it
           is
           .
           Would
           men
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           which
           are
           principally
           
           
             His
             ,
          
           and
           not
           their
           own
           Concernments
           ,
           but
           as
           
             His
             ,
          
           labour
           to
           be
           alwayes
           cloathed
           with
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           do
           nothing
           but
           what
           they
           can
           rationally
           satisfie
           themselves
           ,
           that
           He
           Himself
           would
           do
           in
           like
           case
           ;
           there
           would
           be
           an
           end
           not
           only
           of
           this
           
             Debate
             ,
          
           but
           of
           many
           other
           Mischiefs
           also
           ,
           which
           the
           
             Christian
             World
          
           is
           at
           this
           day
           pestered
           withal
           .
           And
           it
           must
           needs
           seem
           strange
           that
           Men
           can
           perswade
           themselves
           that
           they
           do
           that
           for
           Christ
           which
           they
           cannot
           once
           think
           or
           imagine
           that
           He
           would
           do
           Himself
           .
           Certainly
           setting
           aside
           provocations
           and
           prejudices
           ,
           any
           Man
           who
           hath
           but
           read
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           gives
           any
           Credit
           unto
           it
           ,
           is
           a
           competent
           Judge
           ,
           whether
           
             External
             Force
          
           in
           these
           Things
           ,
           do
           more
           answer
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           that
           from
           which
           He
           suffered
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           have
           not
           only
           His
           Heart
           and
           Actings
           for
           our
           Example
           ,
           but
           His
           Word
           also
           ,
           as
           revealed
           by
           Himself
           and
           His
           Apostles
           ,
           as
           our
           Rule
           in
           
             this
             matter
             .
          
        
         
           With
           nothing
           more
           doth
           it
           abound
           as
           to
           our
           Duty
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           than
           with
           Precepts
           for
           ,
           and
           Exhortation
           unto
           
             mutual
             forbearance
          
           of
           one
           another
           in
           our
           Mistakes
           and
           Failings
           .
           And
           although
           there
           be
           force
           and
           Light
           enough
           in
           its
           
             General
             Rules
             ,
          
           to
           guide
           us
           in
           all
           particulars
           ,
           yet
           lest
           any
           should
           imagine
           that
           the
           Cause
           under
           Consideration
           ,
           about
           different
           
             Apprehensions
             and
             Practices
             in
             some
             things
             relating
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
          
           might
           be
           exempted
           from
           them
           ,
           even
           that
           also
           is
           variously
           instanced
           in
           ;
           and
           confirmed
           by
           Examples
           approved
           by
           himself
           .
           The
           great
           Apostle
           ,
           who
           gives
           us
           that
           general
           Rule
           ,
           That
           we
           
             should
             walk
             together
             in
             one
             mind
             ,
          
           so
           far
           as
           .
           we
           have
           attained
           ,
           and
           for
           other
           things
           of
           difference
           ,
           wait
           for
           the
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Mind
           of
           God
           unto
           them
           that
           differ
           ,
           
             Phil.
          
           3.
           15
           ,
           16.
           every
           where
           applyes
           his
           
             own
             Rule
          
           unto
           the
           great
           difference
           that
           was
           in
           those
           dayes
           ,
           and
           long
           after
           ,
           between
           the
           
             Jewish
          
           and
           
             Gentile
             Believers
             .
          
           The
           one
           continued
           under
           a
           supposal
           of
           an
           obligation
           to
           the
           observation
           of
           
             Mosaical
             Rites
          
           and
           
             Ceremonies
             ,
          
           from
           which
           the
           other
           was
           instructed
           that
           they
           were
           set
           at
           liberty
           .
           This
           difference
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           manner
           among
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           wrought
           various
           Jealousies
           between
           them
           ,
           with
           disputes
           and
           censurings
           of
           each
           other
           ;
           whereof
           the
           Apostle
           gives
           us
           a
           full
           account
           ,
           especially
           in
           his
           Epistle
           to
           the
           
             Romans
             ,
             Chap.
          
           14.
           15.
           
           Neither
           did
           they
           rest
           here
           ,
           but
           those
           of
           the
           Circumcision
           every
           where
           kept
           their
           Assemblies
           and
           Worship
           distinct
           from
           the
           Cougregations
           of
           the
           Gentile-Believers
           ;
           Hence
           in
           most
           places
           of
           note
           ,
           there
           were
           
             two
             Churches
             ,
          
           
           one
           of
           
             the
             Jews
             ,
          
           and
           
             another
             of
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
          
           walking
           at
           peace
           in
           
             the
             Faith
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           but
           differing
           as
           to
           some
           
             Ceremonial
             Observances
             .
          
           The
           whole
           
             Society
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
          
           observing
           
             their
             difference
             ,
          
           to
           prevent
           any
           evil
           consequent
           in
           
             their
          
           Assembly
           at
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           assigned
           
             to
             the
             several
             Parties
             their
             particular
             bounds
             ,
             how
             far
             they
             should
             accommodate
             themselves
             unto
             one
             another
             by
             a
             mutual
             condescension
             ;
             that
             they
             might
             walk
             in
             love
             and
             Peace
             ,
             as
             to
             what
             remained
             of
             difference
             among
             them
             .
          
           The
           
             Jews
          
           are
           
             taught
          
           by
           
             them
             not
             to
             impose
             their
             Rites
             and
             Ceremonies
             on
             the
             Gentiles
             ;
          
           and
           
             the
             Gentiles
          
           to
           abstain
           from
           some
           
             things
          
           for
           a
           season
           ,
           whereunto
           their
           liberty
           did
           extend
           ,
           whereby
           the
           other
           were
           principally
           provoked
           .
        
         
           Their
           Bounds
           being
           so
           
             fixed
             ,
          
           and
           their
           
             general
             duty
             stated
             ,
          
           both
           parties
           were
           left
           at
           liberty
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           practice
           in
           the
           things
           wherein
           they
           could
           not
           yet
           be
           recondiled
           :
           and
           in
           that
           different
           practice
           did
           they
           continue
           for
           many
           years
           ,
           until
           the
           occasion
           of
           their
           division
           was
           ,
           by
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           in
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           Judaical
           Church
           ,
           utterly
           taken
           away
           .
        
         
           These
           were
           the
           Rules
           they
           proceeded
           by
           ,
           this
           their
           course
           and
           practice
           ,
           which
           unquestionably
           under
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           were
           intrusted
           with
           supreme
           Authority
           over
           the
           whole
           Church
           ,
           of
           that
           kind
           which
           is
           not
           transmitted
           unto
           any
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           after
           the
           ceasing
           of
           their
           Office
           and
           Work
           ,
           and
           were
           guided
           infallibly
           in
           all
           their
           determinations
           .
           
             Coercions
             ,
             Restraints
             ,
          
           corporal
           punishments
           ,
           were
           far
           from
           their
           thoughts
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           very
           exercise
           of
           any
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Power
          
           against
           them
           who
           dissented
           from
           what
           they
           knew
           to
           be
           truth
           ,
           so
           that
           in
           general
           they
           were
           sound
           in
           the
           Faith
           ,
           and
           walked
           in
           their
           Lives
           as
           became
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           they
           sometimes
           carry
           the
           matter
           to
           a
           supposal
           of
           disobedience
           unto
           those
           important
           things
           which
           they
           taught
           and
           commanded
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           their
           Lord
           and
           Master
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           proceeded
           to
           denounce
           Threatnings
           against
           the
           Disobedient
           ,
           they
           expresly
           disclaim
           all
           thoughts
           of
           proceeding
           against
           them
           ,
           or
           any
           power
           or
           warrant
           from
           Christ
           committed
           unto
           them
           ,
           (
           or
           any
           others
           ,
           or
           that
           afterward
           in
           his
           Providence
           should
           so
           be
           ,
           so
           to
           do
           )
           with
           external
           carnal
           force
           and
           penalties
           ;
           avowing
           their
           Authority
           over
           all
           ,
           that
           was
           ever
           to
           be
           put
           forth
           in
           things
           of
           that
           nature
           ,
           to
           be
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           spiritual
           manner
           only
           to
           be
           exercised
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           10.
           4
           ,
           5.
           
        
         
           And
           because
           the
           Church
           might
           not
           seem
           to
           be
           disadvantaged
           
           by
           this
           disclamour
           of
           Power
           
             externally
             ,
          
           to
           
             coerce
          
           such
           as
           received
           not
           the
           truth
           that
           it
           embraced
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           cast
           into
           a
           worse
           condition
           than
           that
           of
           the
           
             Jews
          
           which
           went
           before
           ,
           whose
           Ordinances
           being
           carnal
           ,
           were
           established
           and
           vindicated
           by
           carnal
           Power
           :
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           lets
           them
           know
           ,
           That
           this
           alteration
           is
           for
           the
           better
           ;
           and
           the
           coercion
           of
           miscarriages
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           by
           threatnings
           of
           the
           future
           Judgment
           ,
           which
           would
           have
           a
           special
           respect
           unto
           them
           ,
           more
           weighty
           than
           the
           severest
           Penalties
           that
           were
           appointed
           by
           
             Moses
             Law
             ,
             Heb.
          
           10.
           28
           ,
           29
           ,
           30.
           
        
         
           Not
           that
           
             lesser
             Differences
          
           in
           apprehensions
           of
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           had
           any
           punishment
           assigned
           unto
           them
           under
           
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
          
           whose
           penalties
           concerned
           them
           only
           who
           turned
           away
           to
           the
           worship
           of
           any
           other
           god
           but
           the
           God
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           (
           and
           such
           no
           man
           pleads
           for
           )
           But
           that
           the
           whole
           nature
           of
           the
           Ordinances
           and
           Worship
           of
           the
           Church
           being
           changed
           from
           carnal
           and
           earthly
           ,
           to
           heavenly
           and
           spiritual
           ;
           so
           also
           are
           the
           Laws
           of
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           annexed
           unto
           them
           .
           These
           were
           the
           Rules
           ,
           this
           the
           Practice
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           of
           the
           Apostles
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ.
           These
           Rules
           ,
           this
           Practice
           ,
           hath
           he
           recorded
           in
           his
           Word
           for
           our
           Instruction
           and
           Direction
           .
        
         
           Might
           all
           those
           who
           profess
           Obedience
           unto
           his
           Name
           ,
           be
           prevailed
           on
           to
           regulate
           their
           judgments
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           square
           their
           proceedings
           unto
           them
           ,
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           would
           have
           peace
           ,
           and
           the
           work
           of
           God
           be
           effectually
           carried
           on
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           days
           of
           old
           .
           And
           for
           our
           parts
           ,
           we
           will
           never
           open
           our
           mouthes
           to
           deprecate
           any
           severity
           that
           may
           be
           warranted
           from
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           or
           Apostolical
           direction
           and
           practice
           ;
           against
           any
           mistake
           of
           that
           importance
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           our
           Principles
           and
           ways
           may
           rationally
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           .
           For
           although
           we
           are
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           what
           we
           profess
           and
           practise
           is
           according
           unto
           the
           mind
           of
           Christ
           ;
           yet
           because
           it
           is
           our
           lot
           and
           portion
           to
           have
           our
           
             Governours
          
           and
           
             Rulers
          
           otherwise
           minded
           ,
           we
           are
           contented
           to
           be
           dealt
           withall
           so
           ,
           as
           the
           blessed
           Gospel
           will
           warrant
           any
           to
           deal
           with
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           far
           in
           the
           wrong
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           supposed
           to
           be
           .
           And
           if
           herein
           we
           cannot
           prevail
           ,
           we
           shall
           labour
           to
           possess
           
             our
             souls
             in
             patience
             ,
             and
             to
             commit
             our
             cause
             to
             him
             that
             judgeth
             righteously
             .
          
        
         
           This
           we
           know
           ,
           That
           the
           Judgment
           and
           Practice
           of
           the
           
             first
             Churches
          
           after
           the
           days
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           was
           conform
           to
           the
           Rules
           and
           Examples
           that
           by
           them
           were
           given
           unto
           them
           .
           Differences
           
           in
           
             External
             Rites
             of
             Worship
             ,
          
           which
           were
           found
           amongst
           them
           ,
           where
           the
           
             substance
             of
             Faith
             was
             preserved
             ,
          
           they
           looked
           upon
           as
           no
           breach
           of
           
             Union
          
           at
           all
           .
           A
           long
           Catalogue
           of
           such
           differences
           ,
           as
           were
           from
           time
           immemorial
           amongst
           them
           ,
           is
           given
           us
           by
           
             Socrates
          
           the
           
             Historian
             .
          
           And
           he
           who
           first
           disturbed
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Churches
           about
           them
           ,
           by
           dividing
           their
           communion
           ,
           
             (
             Victor
          
           of
           
             Rome
             )
          
           is
           left
           branded
           upon
           record
           ,
           with
           the
           censures
           of
           the
           principal
           persons
           for
           
             Learning
          
           and
           
             Holiness
          
           throughout
           the
           world
           ,
           
             in
             those
             days
             .
          
           Nor
           is
           our
           
             dissent
          
           from
           the
           
             present
             Establishment
          
           of
           any
           larger
           extent
           ,
           than
           such
           as
           the
           general
           consent
           of
           all
           the
           first
           
             Churches
          
           extended
           the
           bond
           of
           their
           communion
           unto
           .
        
         
           
             Impositions
          
           of
           things
           indifferent
           ,
           with
           subscriptions
           to
           precise
           determinations
           on
           
             points
          
           doubtful
           and
           ambiguous
           ,
           with
           confinements
           of
           mens
           practices
           in
           all
           outward
           ceremonies
           and
           circumstances
           of
           Worship
           ,
           were
           things
           not
           born
           in
           the
           world
           for
           some
           hundreds
           of
           years
           after
           the
           first
           planting
           of
           Churches
           .
           
             Origen
          
           in
           his
           third
           Book
           against
           
             Celsus
          
           pleads
           expresly
           ,
           That
           there
           ever
           were
           differences
           amongst
           Professors
           of
           
             Christianity
          
           from
           the
           beginning
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           was
           impossible
           but
           that
           there
           should
           so
           be
           ,
           which
           yet
           he
           shews
           hindered
           not
           their
           Faith
           ,
           Love
           and
           Obedience
           .
           
             Justin
             Martyr
          
           in
           his
           
             second
             Apology
             ,
          
           declares
           his
           forbearance
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Churches
          
           of
           those
           days
           ,
           towards
           those
           who
           believing
           in
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           yet
           thought
           themselves
           obliged
           to
           the
           observation
           of
           
             Mosaical
             Rites
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
          
           provided
           that
           they
           did
           not
           impose
           the
           practice
           of
           them
           upon
           others
           .
           
             Ignatius
          
           before
           them
           ,
           in
           his
           
             Epistle
          
           to
           the
           
             Philadelphians
             ,
          
           professeth
           ,
           
             That
             to
             persecute
             men
             on
             the
             account
             of
             God
             or
             Religion
             ,
             is
             to
             make
             our selves
             conformable
             to
             the
             Heathen
             that
             know
             not
             God.
             Tertullian
             ,
             Origen
             ,
             Arnobius
             ,
          
           and
           
             Lactantius
             ,
          
           openly
           pleaded
           for
           
             a
             Liberty
             in
             Religion
             ,
             as
             founded
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           and
           their
           consistence
           of
           
             Faith
          
           with
           
             Compulsion
             ,
          
           in
           that
           extent
           which
           we
           aim
           not
           at
           .
           The
           
             Synod
             of
             Alexandria
             ,
          
           in
           the
           case
           of
           
             Athanasius
             ,
          
           condemns
           all
           
             external
             force
          
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           reproacheth
           the
           
             Arians
             ,
          
           as
           the
           first
           Inventers
           and
           Promoters
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           indeed
           pleaded
           by
           some
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Christians
             of
             those
             days
             had
             reason
             to
             assert
             this
             Liberty
             ,
             because
             there
             was
             then
             no
             Christian
             Magistrate
             ,
             who
             might
             make
             use
             of
             the
             Civil
             Sword
             in
             their
             behalf
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             Dissenters
             from
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             this
             was
             the
             reason
             of
             their
             so
             doing
             .
          
        
         
           But
           the
           
             Dishonesty
          
           of
           this
           pretence
           is
           notorious
           .
           They
           affirm
           
           directly
           ,
           That
           no
           force
           ,
           coercion
           or
           restraint
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           used
           in
           or
           about
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           nor
           outward
           power
           in
           a
           way
           of
           
             Penalties
             ,
          
           to
           be
           exercised
           over
           the
           consciences
           of
           men
           herein
           .
        
         
           To
           say
           they
           thus
           pleaded
           and
           pretended
           ,
           meerly
           to
           serve
           their
           own
           present
           condition
           and
           occasion
           ,
           but
           that
           upon
           the
           alteration
           of
           things
           they
           would
           be
           otherwise
           minded
           ,
           is
           calumniously
           to
           reflect
           upon
           those
           holy
           Witnesses
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           guilt
           of
           the
           highest
           
             hypocrisie
          
           imaginable
           .
           And
           men
           cannot
           invent
           a
           more
           effectual
           means
           to
           cast
           contempt
           on
           all
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           root
           a
           due
           sense
           of
           it
           out
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           than
           by
           fomenting
           such
           imaginations
           .
           Let
           them
           therefore
           rest
           in
           peace
           ,
           under
           that
           reputation
           of
           holiness
           and
           sincerity
           which
           they
           justly
           deserve
           ;
           what
           ever
           be
           the
           issue
           of
           things
           with
           us
           ,
           or
           those
           which
           may
           suffer
           with
           us
           in
           the
           like
           condition
           .
        
         
           But
           neither
           were
           they
           alone
           :
           the
           great
           
             CONSTANTINE
          
           himself
           ,
           the
           first
           Christian
           Magistrate
           with
           Supreme
           Power
           ,
           by
           a
           publick
           Edict
           declared
           ,
           THAT
           THE
           LIBERTY
           OF
           WORSHIP
           WAS
           NOT
           TO
           BE
           DENIED
           UNTO
           ANY
           .
           And
           until
           the
           latter
           end
           of
           his
           Reign
           ,
           there
           were
           no
           thoughts
           of
           exercising
           severity
           ,
           with
           reference
           unto
           any
           divisions
           amongst
           
             CHRISTIANS
          
           about
           the
           
             WORSHIP
          
           of
           GOD.
           
        
         
           After
           the
           rise
           of
           the
           
             Arian
             Heresie
             ,
          
           when
           the
           interposition
           of
           Civil
           Censures
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           Difference
           about
           things
           spiritual
           ,
           had
           made
           an
           entrance
           by
           the
           solicitations
           of
           some
           zealous
           persons
           for
           the
           banishment
           of
           
             Arius
             ,
          
           and
           some
           of
           his
           Co-partners
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           easie
           to
           relate
           what
           miseries
           and
           confusions
           were
           brought
           upon
           the
           Churches
           thereby
           ,
           imprisonments
           ,
           banishments
           ,
           and
           ruine
           of
           Churches
           ,
           make
           up
           much
           of
           the
           
             Ecclesiastical
             History
          
           of
           those
           days
           .
        
         
           After
           a
           while
           ,
           
             Arius
          
           is
           recalled
           from
           banishment
           ,
           and
           
             Athanasius
          
           driven
           into
           it
           .
           In
           a
           short
           tract
           of
           time
           ,
           
             Arianism
          
           it self
           got
           the
           Civil
           Sword
           in
           many
           places
           ,
           wherewith
           it
           raged
           against
           all
           the
           Orthodox
           Professors
           of
           the
           Deity
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Synod
             of
             Alexandria
          
           complains
           .
        
         
           Much
           they
           suffered
           in
           the
           days
           of
           
             Constantius
             ,
          
           unto
           whom
           the
           words
           of
           
             Hillary
          
           in
           this
           case
           are
           worthy
           consideration
           :
           
             Let
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             your
             Clemency
             take
             care
             and
             order
             ,
             that
             the
             Presidents
             of
             the
             Provinces
             look
             to
             Publick
             Civil
             Affairs
             ,
             which
             alone
             are
             committed
             to
             them
             ,
             but
             not
             meddle
             in
             things
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           And
           again
           ,
           
             Let
             your
             gentleness
             
             suffer
             the
             People
             to
             hear
             them
             teaching
             whom
             they
             desire
             ,
             whom
             they
             think
             well
             of
             ,
             whom
             they
             choose
             .
             GOD
             TEACHETH
             ,
             rather
             than
             BY
             FORCE
             EXACTETH
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             Himself
             ,
             and
             ascertaining
             the
             Authority
             of
             his
             Commands
             by
             Works
             of
             Power
             ,
             DESPISETH
             ALL
             COMPELLED
             Confession
             of
             Him.
             If
             Force
             be
             used
             to
             compel
             Men
             unto
             the
             True
             Faith
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             that
             profess
             it
             would
             interpose
             ,
             and
             say
             ,
             God
             is
             the
             God
             of
             the
             whole
             World
             ,
             he
             needs
             no
             compelled
             obedience
             ,
             nor
             requires
             any
             such
             Confession
             of
             him
             .
             He
             is
             not
             to
             be
             deceived
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             well
             pleased
             .
             Whence
             is
             it
             then
             ,
             that
             persons
             are
             taught
             how
             to
             worship
             God
             by
             Bonds
             and
             Perils
             ?
          
           These
           are
           the
           words
           of
           
             Hillary
             .
          
        
         
           But
           the
           same
           Persons
           suffered
           more
           during
           the
           Reign
           of
           
             Valens
             ,
          
           who
           was
           disswaded
           from
           Cruelty
           against
           the
           Christians
           by
           
             Themistius
             ,
          
           a
           Pagan
           Philosopher
           ,
           on
           the
           Principles
           of
           Common
           Reason
           and
           Honesty
           ;
           plainly
           telling
           him
           ,
           That
           by
           the
           
             way
             he
             used
             ,
             he
             might
             force
             some
             to
             venerate
             his
             Imperial
             Robes
             ,
             but
             never
             any
             one
             to
             worship
             God
             aright
             .
          
        
         
           But
           the
           best
           Emperours
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           bewailed
           those
           fierce
           Animosities
           ,
           whereby
           every
           Sect
           and
           Party
           laboured
           to
           oppress
           their
           Adversaries
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           had
           obtained
           an
           Interest
           in
           Imperial
           Favour
           ,
           and
           kept
           themselves
           from
           putting
           forth
           their
           Authority
           against
           any
           Dissenters
           in
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           who
           retained
           the
           Foundation
           of
           the
           Faith
           in
           any
           competent
           measure
           .
           
             Valentinianus
          
           by
           publick
           Decree
           ,
           granted
           liberty
           of
           Religion
           unto
           all
           Christians
           ,
           as
           
             Zosomen
          
           testifies
           ,
           
             Lib.
          
           6.
           
           
             Ammianus
             Marcellinus
          
           in
           his
           History
           observes
           the
           same
           ,
           
             Gratian
          
           made
           a
           Law
           ,
           that
           Religion
           should
           be
           free
           to
           all
           sorts
           and
           sects
           of
           Christians
           ,
           except
           the
           
             Manichees
             ,
             Eunomians
             ,
          
           and
           
             Photinians
             ;
          
           and
           that
           they
           should
           have
           their
           Meetings
           free
           ;
           as
           both
           
             Socrates
          
           and
           
             Zosomen
          
           acquaint
           us
           .
        
         
           Neither
           have
           they
           been
           without
           their
           Followers
           in
           those
           Ages
           wherein
           the
           Differences
           about
           Religion
           have
           risen
           to
           as
           great
           a
           height
           as
           they
           are
           capable
           of
           in
           this
           World.
           
        
         
           Nor
           will
           Posterity
           be
           ever
           able
           to
           take
           off
           the
           lasting
           Blot
           from
           the
           Honour
           of
           
             Sigismund
          
           the
           Emperour
           ,
           who
           suffered
           himself
           to
           be
           imposed
           upon
           by
           the
           Council
           of
           
             Constance
          
           to
           break
           his
           word
           of
           Safety
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           to
           
             John
             Hus
             ,
          
           and
           
             Jerom
          
           of
           
             Prague
             .
          
        
         
           And
           what
           did
           
             Charles
          
           the
           Fifth
           obtain
           ,
           by
           filling
           the
           World
           with
           Blood
           and
           Uprores
           ,
           for
           the
           extirpation
           of
           
             Protestantism
             ?
          
           Notwithstanding
           
           all
           his
           Victories
           and
           Successes
           ,
           which
           for
           a
           while
           smiled
           upon
           Him
           ,
           his
           whole
           Design
           ended
           in
           loss
           and
           disappointment
           .
        
         
           
             Ferdinand
          
           his
           Brother
           and
           Successor
           ,
           made
           wise
           by
           his
           Example
           ,
           kept
           constant
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Empire
           ,
           by
           a
           constant
           peace
           granted
           to
           the
           Consciences
           of
           Men.
           
        
         
           His
           Son
           
             Maximilian
          
           continually
           professed
           ,
           That
           the
           Empire
           of
           
             Conscience
          
           belonged
           unto
           GOD
           alone
           ,
           wherein
           He
           would
           never
           interpose
           .
           And
           upon
           the
           Return
           of
           
             Henry
          
           the
           Third
           of
           
             France
          
           out
           of
           
             Poland
             ,
          
           He
           gave
           Him
           that
           Advice
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           which
           it
           had
           been
           happy
           for
           that
           Prince
           ,
           if
           He
           had
           understood
           and
           followed
           ,
           before
           He
           came
           to
           dye
           .
           But
           then
           even
           He
           also
           ,
           having
           the
           severe
           Instruction
           given
           Him
           of
           His
           own
           Experience
           ,
           left
           that
           as
           His
           last
           Advice
           to
           his
           Councellors
           ,
           That
           they
           should
           no
           more
           with
           Force
           interpose
           in
           the
           matters
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           
             Rodulphus
          
           who
           succeeded
           
             Maximilian
             ,
          
           by
           the
           same
           means
           for
           a
           long
           time
           preserved
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Empire
           .
           And
           after
           he
           had
           by
           the
           perswasions
           of
           some
           ,
           whose
           interest
           it
           was
           so
           to
           perswade
           him
           ,
           interdicted
           the
           
             Protestants
          
           in
           
             Bohemia
          
           the
           use
           of
           their
           Religion
           upon
           the
           tydings
           of
           a
           defeat
           given
           to
           his
           Forces
           in
           
             Hungary
          
           by
           the
           Turks
           ,
           he
           instantly
           replyed
           ,
           
             I
             looked
             for
             no
             other
             issue
             ,
             since
             I
             invaded
             the
             Throne
             of
             God
             ,
             imposing
             on
             the
             Consciences
             of
             Men
             :
          
           and
           therefore
           granted
           them
           their
           former
           Liberty
           .
        
         
           Doth
           not
           all
           the
           World
           behold
           the
           contrary
           issue
           of
           the
           Wars
           in
           
             France
             ,
          
           and
           those
           in
           the
           
             United
             Provinces
             ,
          
           begun
           and
           carried
           on
           on
           the
           same
           account
           :
           The
           
             Great
             Henry
          
           of
           
             France
          
           winding
           up
           all
           the
           differences
           thereof
           ,
           by
           granting
           Liberty
           to
           the
           
             Hugonots
             ,
          
           laid
           a
           firm
           Foundation
           of
           the
           future
           Peace
           ,
           and
           present
           Greatness
           of
           that
           Kingdom
           .
           Whereas
           the
           Cruelty
           of
           the
           
             Duke
             D'Alva
             ,
          
           and
           his
           Successors
           ,
           implacably
           pursuing
           the
           
             Netherlands
          
           to
           ruine
           on
           the
           same
           account
           ,
           hath
           ended
           in
           the
           utter
           loss
           of
           sundry
           Provinces
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Rule
           and
           Authority
           that
           he
           and
           they
           endeavoured
           absolutely
           to
           inthrone
           ,
           and
           rendered
           the
           rest
           of
           them
           scarce
           worth
           the
           keeping
           .
        
         
           The
           World
           is
           full
           of
           Instances
           of
           the
           like
           kind
           .
        
         
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           When
           by
           the
           crafty
           Artifices
           and
           carnal
           Interests
           of
           some
           ,
           the
           Principle
           of
           
             External
             Coercion
          
           for
           lesser
           Differences
           in
           matters
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           came
           to
           be
           inthroned
           ,
           and
           obtained
           place
           in
           the
           Emperial
           Constitutions
           ,
           and
           Laws
           of
           other
           Kingdoms
           ,
           the
           main
           use
           that
           was
           made
           of
           it
           ,
           was
           to
           drive
           
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           purity
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           to
           force
           all
           men
           to
           center
           in
           a
           Profession
           and
           Worship
           ,
           framed
           to
           the
           Interest
           of
           some
           few
           men
           ,
           who
           made
           no
           small
           advantage
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           According
           as
           the
           Power
           and
           Purity
           of
           Religion
           decayed
           ,
           so
           did
           this
           perswasion
           get
           ground
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           untill
           it
           became
           almost
           all
           the
           Religion
           that
           was
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           That
           those
           who
           submitted
           not
           unto
           the
           Dictates
           of
           them
           who
           by
           various
           wayes
           obtained
           a
           mixture
           of
           Power
           ,
           Civil
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           into
           their
           hands
           ,
           should
           be
           destroyed
           ;
           and
           rooted
           out
           of
           the
           Earth
           .
        
         
           This
           Apostacy
           from
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           Principles
           ,
           Rules
           ,
           and
           Commands
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           this
           Open
           Contradiction
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           their
           Successors
           ,
           first
           Churches
           ,
           best
           and
           wisest
           Emperours
           ,
           attended
           with
           the
           woful
           consequents
           that
           have
           ensued
           thereon
           ,
           in
           the
           ruine
           of
           Souls
           ,
           proscriptions
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           Martyrdom
           of
           thousands
           and
           ten
           thousands
           ,
           commotions
           of
           Nations
           ,
           and
           the
           destruction
           of
           many
           of
           them
           ,
           We
           hope
           will
           not
           be
           revived
           in
           these
           dayes
           of
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           near
           approach
           of
           the
           Judge
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           We
           trust
           that
           it
           will
           not
           be
           thought
           unequal
           ,
           if
           we
           appeal
           from
           the
           example
           of
           the
           Professors
           of
           Christianity
           under
           its
           wofull
           Degeneracy
           ,
           unto
           the
           first
           Institution
           and
           publick
           instance
           of
           its
           Profession
           :
           especially
           being
           encouraged
           by
           the
           Judgement
           ,
           Example
           ,
           and
           Practice
           of
           many
           
             Wise
             and
             Mighty
             Monarchs
          
           in
           these
           Latter
           Dayes
           .
        
         
           The
           Case
           is
           the
           same
           as
           it
           was
           of
           old
           ;
           no
           new
           
             Pretences
          
           are
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           no
           
             Arguments
          
           pleaded
           ,
           for
           the
           Introduction
           of
           Severity
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           have
           been
           pretended
           at
           all
           times
           by
           those
           who
           were
           in
           possession
           of
           Power
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           a
           mind
           to
           ruine
           any
           that
           dissented
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           end
           of
           their
           
             Conventicles
          
           was
           for
           Sin
           and
           Uncleanness
           ;
           that
           the
           permission
           of
           them
           was
           against
           the
           Rules
           of
           Policy
           ,
           and
           Laws
           of
           the
           Empire
           ;
           that
           they
           were
           Seminaries
           of
           Sedition
           ;
           that
           GOD
           was
           displeased
           with
           the
           confusion
           in
           Religions
           introduced
           by
           them
           ;
           that
           Errors
           and
           mis-apprehensions
           of
           GOD
           were
           nourished
           in
           them
           ;
           that
           they
           disturbed
           the
           Union
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Love
           that
           ought
           to
           be
           maintained
           among
           Mankind
           ;
           that
           they
           proceeded
           upon
           Principles
           of
           Pride
           ,
           Singularity
           ,
           Faction
           ,
           and
           Disobedience
           unto
           Superiors
           ;
           was
           from
           the
           first
           entrance
           of
           
             Christianity
          
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           charged
           on
           the
           Professors
           of
           it
           .
        
         
         
           The
           same
           Arguments
           and
           Considerations
           are
           constantly
           still
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           and
           insisted
           on
           ,
           by
           all
           men
           that
           intend
           Severity
           towards
           them
           that
           differ
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           they
           are
           such
           as
           will
           evidently
           serve
           alike
           any
           Party
           or
           Perswasion
           ,
           that
           in
           any
           place
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           shall
           be
           accompanied
           with
           Power
           :
           And
           so
           have
           been
           oftner
           managed
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           Error
           ,
           Superstition
           ,
           and
           Heresie
           ,
           than
           of
           Truth
           and
           Sobriety
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           the
           
             Bishop
             of
             Rome
             ,
          
           observing
           the
           unreasonableness
           of
           destroying
           Mankind
           upon
           such
           loose
           Principles
           and
           Pretences
           as
           are
           indifferently
           suited
           unto
           the
           Interest
           and
           Cause
           of
           all
           who
           have
           Power
           to
           make
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           all
           suppose
           the
           thing
           in
           question
           ,
           namely
           ,
           
             That
             they
             who
             enjoyed
             Power
             ,
             did
             also
             enjoy
             the
             Truth
             ;
          
           found
           out
           a
           way
           to
           appropriate
           the
           whole
           advantage
           of
           them
           to
           himself
           ,
           as
           having
           attained
           the
           ascription
           of
           an
           INFALLIBILITY
           unto
           him
           ,
           in
           determining
           what
           is
           the
           Truth
           in
           all
           things
           wherein
           Men
           do
           or
           may
           differ
           about
           Religion
           ,
           or
           the
           Worship
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           This
           being
           once
           admitted
           and
           established
           ,
           there
           seems
           great
           force
           in
           the
           foregoing
           pleas
           and
           reasonings
           :
           and
           no
           great
           danger
           in
           acting
           suitably
           unto
           them
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           admission
           of
           it
           is
           more
           pernicious
           unto
           Religion
           ,
           than
           all
           the
           consequents
           which
           it
           pretends
           to
           obviate
           .
           But
           where
           this
           infallible
           determination
           ,
           is
           disclaimed
           ,
           to
           proceed
           unto
           outward
           punishment
           for
           such
           conceptions
           of
           mens
           minds
           and
           consciences
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           pleased
           to
           impart
           unto
           them
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           true
           and
           according
           to
           his
           will
           ,
           upon
           reasons
           and
           pretences
           ,
           invented
           originally
           for
           the
           service
           of
           error
           ,
           and
           made
           use
           of
           for
           the
           most
           part
           unto
           that
           purpose
           ,
           being
           more
           fit
           for
           that
           work
           than
           for
           a
           contribution
           of
           any
           assistance
           unto
           truth
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           we
           know
           not
           how
           men
           can
           commend
           their
           Consciences
           unto
           God
           in
           .
        
         
           Besides
           what
           is
           it
           that
           is
           aimed
           at
           by
           this
           
             external
             coercion
          
           and
           punishment
           ?
           that
           all
           men
           may
           be
           of
           
             one
             mind
          
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           a
           thing
           that
           never
           was
           ,
           nor
           ever
           will
           be
           by
           that
           means
           affected
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           for
           neither
           is
           it
           absolutely
           possible
           in
           itself
           ,
           neither
           is
           the
           means
           suited
           to
           the
           procurement
           of
           it
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           possible
           .
           But
           whom
           neither
           the
           reason
           of
           the
           thing
           it self
           will
           convince
           ,
           nor
           the
           constant
           experience
           of
           so
           many
           ages
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           vain
           for
           any
           to
           contend
           withall
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           we
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           of
           them
           who
           agree
           
           together
           to
           press
           for
           severity
           against
           us
           for
           dissenting
           from
           them
           ,
           do
           differ
           among
           themselves
           in
           things
           of
           far
           greater
           importance
           in
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           than
           those
           are
           wherein
           
             we
          
           differ
           from
           them
           :
           whence
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           evident
           to
           all
           what
           is
           the
           ground
           of
           their
           
             Zeal
          
           in
           reference
           unto
           us
           and
           others
           .
        
         
           But
           all
           these
           considerations
           are
           quickly
           in
           the
           thoughts
           of
           some
           ,
           removed
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           by
           pretences
           that
           the
           
             indulgence
          
           and
           
             liberty
          
           desired
           ,
           will
           certainly
           produce
           all
           sorts
           of
           evils
           both
           in
           
             Religion
             it self
             ,
          
           and
           in
           the
           
             Civil
             state
             ;
          
           which
           being
           mentioned
           before
           in
           general
           ;
           shall
           now
           be
           a
           little
           further
           considered
           .
           For
           this
           is
           principally
           ,
           if
           not
           solely
           pleaded
           for
           the
           refusal
           and
           the
           rejection
           of
           them
           .
           Neither
           doth
           this
           course
           of
           procedure
           seem
           to
           be
           
             unwisely
          
           fixed
           upon
           ;
           by
           those
           who
           suppose
           it
           to
           be
           their
           interest
           to
           manage
           their
           opposition
           unto
           such
           an
           
             indulgence
             ,
          
           wherein
           yet
           we
           hope
           they
           will
           at
           length
           discover
           their
           mistake
           .
        
         
           For
           whereas
           the
           arguments
           to
           be
           in
           this
           case
           insisted
           on
           ,
           consist
           meerly
           in
           conjectures
           ,
           jealousies
           and
           suppositions
           of
           what
           may
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           none
           knows
           when
           ,
           or
           where
           ;
           it
           is
           easie
           for
           any
           to
           dilate
           upon
           them
           at
           their
           pleasure
           ,
           nor
           is
           it
           possible
           for
           any
           to
           give
           satisfaction
           to
           all
           that
           men
           may
           conjecture
           ,
           or
           pretend
           to
           fear
           .
           Suppose
           all
           things
           that
           are
           evil
           ,
           horrid
           ,
           pernicious
           to
           truth
           and
           mankind
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           are
           sufficiently
           aggravated
           ;
           affirm
           that
           they
           will
           ensue
           upon
           this
           forbearance
           ,
           which
           that
           all
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           them
           will
           so
           do
           ,
           no
           man
           can
           tell
           ,
           and
           this
           design
           is
           satisfied
           .
           But
           it
           is
           sufficiently
           evident
           that
           they
           are
           all
           false
           or
           mistaken
           
             suppositions
             ,
          
           that
           can
           give
           countenance
           unto
           these
           pretences
           .
        
         
           For
           either
           it
           must
           be
           pretended
           ,
           that
           
             truth
          
           and
           
             order
             ,
          
           which
           those
           who
           make
           use
           of
           those
           reasonings
           ,
           suppose
           themselves
           possest
           of
           ,
           have
           lost
           the
           power
           and
           efficacy
           of
           preserving
           themselves
           ,
           and
           of
           preventing
           the
           evils
           summoned
           up
           to
           be
           represented
           as
           the
           consequents
           of
           indulgence
           without
           external
           force
           ,
           and
           coercion
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           had
           sometimes
           and
           elsewhere
           ;
           or
           that
           indeed
           they
           have
           all
           actually
           followed
           and
           ensued
           upon
           such
           indulgence
           ,
           in
           all
           times
           and
           places
           .
           The
           latter
           of
           these
           is
           so
           notoriously
           contradicted
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           the
           whole
           world
           ,
           especially
           of
           sundry
           Kingdoms
           and
           Dominions
           in
           
             Europe
             ,
          
           as
           
             France
             ,
             Germany
             ,
             Poland
             ,
          
           and
           others
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           not
           hope
           for
           admittance
           with
           the
           most
           obnoxious
           credulity
           .
           For
           the
           former
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           certain
           that
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           did
           
           never
           so
           prevail
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           when
           there
           was
           a
           full
           liberty
           ,
           as
           unto
           civil
           punishments
           ,
           granted
           unto
           persons
           to
           dissent
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           that
           which
           is
           
             now
             so
             called
             ,
          
           continueth
           not
           to
           have
           the
           same
           effect
           ,
           it
           may
           justly
           be
           feared
           that
           it
           is
           not
           indeed
           what
           it
           is
           called
           ,
           or
           that
           it
           is
           not
           managed
           in
           a
           due
           manner
           .
           It
           is
           then
           altogether
           uncertain
           ,
           that
           upon
           the
           indulgence
           desired
           ,
           such
           variety
           of
           opinions
           will
           ensue
           as
           is
           pretended
           ,
           and
           unquestionably
           certain
           ,
           that
           all
           such
           as
           produce
           practices
           contrary
           to
           civil
           Society
           ,
           moral
           honesty
           ,
           or
           the
           light
           of
           nature
           ,
           ought
           in
           all
           instances
           of
           them
           to
           be
           restrained
           .
           For
           the
           conscience
           of
           a
           man
           can
           dictate
           no
           such
           thing
           unto
           him
           ,
           there
           being
           an
           inconsistency
           in
           them
           with
           that
           supreme
           light
           ,
           which
           rules
           in
           Conscience
           ,
           whilst
           it
           may
           be
           
             so
             called
             .
          
           And
           it
           is
           a
           hard
           thing
           to
           ruine
           multitudes
           at
           present
           sober
           and
           honest
           ,
           lest
           by
           not
           doing
           so
           ,
           some
           one
           or
           other
           may
           prove
           brainsick
           ,
           frantick
           ,
           or
           vicious
           ,
           who
           also
           may
           be
           easily
           restrained
           when
           they
           appear
           so
           to
           be
           .
        
         
           And
           moderate
           liberty
           will
           certainly
           appear
           to
           be
           Religious
           security
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           if
           the
           power
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           profession
           be
           regarded
           .
           For
           it
           is
           the
           interest
           of
           them
           who
           plead
           for
           
             indulgence
             ,
          
           to
           watch
           and
           contend
           against
           errour
           and
           heresie
           ,
           no
           less
           than
           theirs
           by
           whom
           it
           is
           opposed
           .
           For
           professing
           all
           material
           truths
           with
           them
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           to
           be
           supposed
           to
           value
           or
           esteem
           them
           less
           than
           they
           .
           And
           it
           may
           be
           it
           will
           appear
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           endeavoured
           as
           much
           their
           suppression
           in
           the
           way
           warranted
           by
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           those
           who
           profess
           such
           fears
           of
           their
           increase
           .
        
         
           They
           are
           
             Protestants
          
           only
           of
           whom
           we
           speak
           ,
           and
           to
           suppose
           that
           they
           will
           not
           do
           their
           utmost
           for
           the
           opposing
           of
           the
           rise
           ,
           growth
           ,
           or
           progress
           of
           what
           ever
           is
           contrary
           to
           that
           Religion
           which
           they
           profess
           ,
           or
           that
           their
           interest
           therein
           is
           of
           less
           concernment
           unto
           them
           than
           that
           of
           others
           from
           whom
           they
           differ
           ,
           is
           but
           a
           groundless
           surmise
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           yet
           further
           objected
           ,
           that
           the
           indulgence
           desired
           hath
           an
           inconsistency
           with
           
             publick
             peace
          
           and
           tranquility
           ,
           the
           other
           head
           of
           the
           general
           accusation
           before
           mentioned
           .
           Many
           fears
           and
           suspitions
           are
           mustered
           up
           ,
           to
           contribute
           assistance
           unto
           this
           objection
           also
           .
           For
           we
           are
           in
           the
           field
           of
           surmises
           ,
           which
           is
           endless
           and
           boundless
           .
           Unto
           such
           as
           make
           use
           of
           
             these
             pretences
             ,
          
           we
           can
           truly
           say
           ,
           that
           might
           we
           by
           any
           means
           be
           convinced
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           suggestion
           ,
           
           we
           should
           not
           only
           desist
           from
           our
           present
           supplication
           ,
           but
           speedily
           renounce
           those
           very
           principles
           which
           necessitate
           us
           thereunto
           .
           For
           we
           assuredly
           know
           ,
           that
           no
           divine
           truth
           ,
           nothing
           really
           relating
           unto
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           can
           cause
           or
           occasion
           any
           civil
           disturbances
           ,
           unless
           they
           arise
           from
           corrupt
           affections
           in
           them
           that
           profess
           it
           ,
           or
           in
           them
           that
           oppose
           it
           .
           And
           as
           we
           shall
           labour
           to
           free
           our selves
           from
           them
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           our
           desire
           and
           prayer
           ,
           that
           others
           may
           do
           so
           also
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           which
           will
           give
           sufficient
           assurance
           to
           tranquility
           .
           But
           we
           are
           moreover
           wholly
           freed
           from
           any
           concernment
           in
           this
           objection
           ,
           in
           that
           ,
           He
           who
           is
           undoubtedly
           the
           best
           and
           most
           competent
           Judge
           of
           what
           will
           contribute
           to
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           inconsistent
           therewith
           ,
           and
           who
           is
           incomparably
           most
           concerned
           in
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           ,
           even
           the
           
             King's
             Majesty
          
           himself
           hath
           frequently
           declared
           his
           
             Royal
             Intentions
          
           for
           the
           granting
           of
           the
           indulgence
           desired
           ,
           who
           would
           never
           have
           been
           induced
           thereunto
           ,
           had
           he
           not
           perfectly
           understood
           its
           consistency
           with
           the
           peace
           and
           welfare
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           And
           as
           our
           confidence
           in
           those
           
             Royal
             Declarations
          
           hath
           not
           hitherto
           been
           weakened
           by
           the
           interveniency
           of
           so
           many
           occasions
           ,
           as
           have
           cast
           us
           under
           another
           condition
           ,
           so
           we
           hope
           that
           our
           peaceable
           deportment
           hath
           in
           some
           measure
           contributed
           in
           the
           thoughts
           of
           prudent
           men
           ,
           unto
           the
           facilitating
           of
           their
           accomplishment
           .
           And
           as
           this
           will
           be
           to
           the
           lasting
           renown
           of
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           so
           it
           will
           appear
           to
           be
           the
           most
           suitable
           unto
           the
           
             present
             state
             of
             things
          
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           both
           with
           respect
           unto
           it self
           ,
           and
           the
           Nations
           that
           are
           round
           about
           us
           .
           And
           we
           think
           it
           our
           duty
           to
           pray
           ,
           that
           his
           Majesty
           may
           
             acquire
             those
             Glories
          
           in
           his
           Reign
           ,
           which
           none
           of
           his
           subjects
           may
           have
           cause
           to
           mourn
           for
           ,
           and
           such
           will
           be
           the
           effect
           of
           clemency
           and
           righteousness
           .
        
         
           We
           find
           it
           indeed
           still
           pretended
           ,
           that
           
             the
             allowance
             of
             meetings
          
           for
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           how
           ever
           ordered
           and
           bounded
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           means
           to
           procure
           and
           further
           sedition
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           and
           to
           advantage
           men
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           designs
           to
           the
           disturbance
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           But
           it
           were
           equal
           that
           it
           should
           be
           proved
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           desire
           this
           
             indulgence
          
           have
           such
           inclinations
           and
           designs
           ,
           before
           such
           pretences
           be
           admitted
           as
           of
           any
           force
           .
           For
           our
           parts
           ,
           we
           expect
           
             no
             liberty
             ,
          
           but
           from
           his
           Majesty's
           favour
           and
           authority
           ,
           with
           the
           concurrence
           of
           the
           Farliament
           ;
           which
           when
           we
           have
           obtained
           ,
           (
           as
           at
           no
           time
           ,
           what
           ever
           our
           condition
           be
           ,
           have
           we
           the
           
           least
           thoughts
           or
           inclinations
           unto
           any
           sedition
           or
           publick
           disturbance
           )
           so
           having
           an
           obligation
           upon
           us
           in
           the
           things
           of
           our
           greatest
           interest
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           from
           what
           sort
           or
           party
           of
           men
           ,
           more
           cordial
           adherence
           unto
           ,
           and
           defence
           of
           publick
           peace
           and
           tranquility
           ,
           can
           justly
           be
           expected
           .
           For
           where
           there
           are
           
             more
             causes
          
           and
           reasons
           of
           compliance
           and
           acquiescency
           ,
           than
           there
           are
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           it
           is
           rationally
           to
           be
           supposed
           that
           they
           will
           prevail
           .
           And
           to
           surmise
           the
           acting
           of
           
             multitudes
             ,
          
           contrary
           to
           their
           own
           
             Interests
             ,
          
           and
           acknowledged
           obligation
           of
           favour
           ,
           is
           to
           take
           away
           
             all
             assurance
          
           out
           of
           humane
           affairs
           .
        
         
           Neither
           is
           there
           any
           colour
           of
           sound
           reason
           in
           what
           is
           pretended
           ,
           of
           the
           advantage
           that
           any
           may
           have
           to
           promote
           seditious
           designs
           ,
           by
           the
           meetings
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           pleaded
           for
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God.
           For
           doubtless
           the
           publick
           peace
           will
           never
           be
           hazarded
           by
           such
           designs
           ,
           whilst
           they
           are
           managed
           by
           none
           but
           such
           as
           think
           to
           promote
           and
           carry
           them
           on
           in
           assemblies
           of
           promiscuous
           multitudes
           of
           men
           women
           and
           children
           ,
           unknown
           too
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           unto
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           one
           another
           .
           But
           these
           things
           are
           spoken
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           been
           wonted
           so
           to
           be
           ;
           other
           considerations
           to
           confirm
           them
           are
           none
           .
           Conscience
           ,
           Interest
           ,
           sense
           of
           obligations
           ,
           the
           only
           safe
           rules
           amongst
           men
           to
           judge
           by
           of
           future
           events
           ,
           all
           plead
           an
           expectation
           of
           the
           highest
           tranquility
           in
           the
           minds
           and
           spirits
           of
           men
           ,
           upon
           the
           indulgence
           desired
           .
        
         
           And
           there
           lies
           a
           ready
           security
           against
           the
           pretended
           fears
           of
           the
           contrivance
           of
           sedition
           ,
           in
           assemblies
           of
           men
           women
           and
           children
           ,
           strangers
           to
           one
           another
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           ,
           by
           commanding
           all
           
             Meetings
          
           to
           be
           disposed
           in
           such
           a
           way
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           may
           be
           exposed
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           be
           under
           the
           constant
           inspection
           of
           Authority
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           other
           courses
           of
           
             Severity
             ,
          
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           peace
           and
           prosperity
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           it
           may
           not
           be
           amiss
           a
           little
           to
           consider
           ,
           
             who
             ,
          
           and
           
             what
             are
          
           the
           dissenters
           from
           the
           present
           establishment
           .
           For
           the
           persons
           themselves
           ,
           they
           are
           mostly
           of
           that
           sort
           and
           condition
           of
           men
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           upon
           whose
           industry
           and
           endeavours
           in
           their
           several
           ways
           and
           callings
           ,
           the
           trade
           and
           wealth
           of
           the
           Nation
           doth
           much
           depend
           .
           And
           what
           advantage
           it
           will
           be
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           to
           break
           in
           upon
           them
           unto
           their
           discouragement
           ,
           fear
           or
           ruine
           ,
           we
           suppose
           no
           man
           can
           divine
           .
           Those
           who
           think
           there
           are
           enough
           for
           the
           work
           without
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           exclusion
           will
           make
           room
           for
           others
           ,
           doth
           gratifie
           indeed
           thereby
           some
           particular
           
           persons
           ,
           intent
           upon
           their
           own
           private
           advantages
           ,
           which
           they
           would
           willingly
           advance
           in
           the
           ruine
           of
           their
           neighbours
           ;
           but
           scarce
           seem
           to
           have
           taken
           a
           right
           measure
           of
           the
           state
           of
           the
           whole
           .
           For
           whereas
           it
           may
           be
           
             sometimes
             ,
          
           there
           may
           in
           
             some
             places
          
           be
           too
           many
           of
           them
           who
           manage
           the
           affairs
           of
           Trade
           and
           Commerce
           ,
           when
           their
           concerns
           are
           drawn
           unto
           a
           head
           ,
           and
           a
           readiness
           for
           their
           last
           exchange
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           be
           so
           of
           those
           that
           do
           dispose
           and
           prepare
           things
           also
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           unto
           that
           condition
           ,
           is
           impossible
           .
           It
           cannot
           then
           be
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           continuance
           of
           so
           great
           fears
           and
           discouragements
           upon
           men
           ,
           as
           those
           which
           their
           dissent
           from
           the
           established
           way
           of
           worship
           doth
           at
           present
           cast
           upon
           them
           ,
           must
           of
           necessity
           weaken
           the
           Nation
           ,
           in
           that
           part
           of
           it
           wherein
           its
           principle
           strength
           doth
           lie
           .
           Neither
           are
           they
           a
           
             few
          
           only
           who
           will
           be
           found
           to
           be
           concerned
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           to
           be
           despised
           .
           
             Pliny
             ,
          
           a
           wise
           Counsellor
           ,
           writing
           to
           
             Trajan
             ,
          
           a
           wise
           and
           renowned
           Emperour
           ,
           about
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           who
           were
           then
           the
           objects
           of
           the
           publick
           hatred
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           desires
           his
           advice
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           their
           
             Numbers
             ,
          
           not
           that
           they
           were
           to
           be
           
             feared
             ,
          
           but
           unmeet
           to
           be
           
             punished
             ;
          
           unless
           he
           intended
           to
           lay
           the
           
             Empire
          
           waste
           .
           
             Visa
             enim
             est
             mihi
             res
             digna
             consultatione
             ,
             maxime
             propter
             periclitantium
             numerum
             ;
             multi
             enim
             omnis
             aetatis
             ,
             omnis
             ordinis
             utriusque
             sexus
             ,
             etiam
             vocantur
             in
             periculum
             &
             vocabuntur
             ;
             neque
             enim
             Civitates
             tantum
             ,
             sed
             vicos
             etiam
             atque
             agros
             superstitionis
             istius
             contagio
             pervagata
             est
             .
          
        
         
           So
           then
           they
           termed
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           for
           the
           multitude
           would
           still
           keep
           the
           name
           of
           Truth
           and
           Religion
           to
           themselves
           :
           the
           oppressed
           ,
           the
           lesser
           number
           ,
           must
           bear
           the
           name
           or
           title
           ,
           which
           they
           consent
           or
           conspire
           to
           cast
           upon
           them
           .
           But
           the
           thing
           it self
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           persons
           at
           present
           dissenting
           from
           the
           established
           form
           ,
           is
           not
           unduly
           exprest
           .
           And
           as
           it
           will
           be
           an
           act
           of
           
             Royal
             Clemency
             ,
          
           and
           like
           to
           the
           work
           of
           God
           himself
           ,
           to
           free
           at
           once
           so
           great
           multitudes
           of
           all
           ages
           ,
           sexes
           and
           conditions
           ,
           from
           the
           fears
           and
           dangers
           of
           those
           evils
           ,
           which
           they
           are
           fully
           satisfied
           they
           do
           not
           deserve
           ,
           so
           any
           other
           way
           of
           quitting
           the
           Governours
           of
           this
           Nation
           from
           those
           
             uneasie
             thoughts
             ,
          
           which
           an
           apprehension
           of
           such
           an
           effect
           of
           their
           Rule
           upon
           multitudes
           of
           subjects
           must
           needs
           produce
           ,
           will
           be
           very
           difficult
           ,
           if
           not
           impossible
           .
           Shall
           the
           course
           begun
           
           in
           severity
           against
           them
           ,
           be
           pursued
           ?
           what
           generous
           spirits
           imployed
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           it
           ,
           can
           but
           be
           weary
           at
           last
           with
           undoing
           and
           ruining
           families
           ,
           of
           those
           persons
           ,
           whom
           they
           find
           to
           live
           
             peaceably
          
           in
           subjection
           to
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           
             usefully
          
           amongst
           their
           Neighbours
           ,
           meerly
           because
           they
           dare
           not
           sin
           against
           God
           ,
           in
           transgressing
           against
           that
           perswasion
           concerning
           his
           Will
           and
           Worship
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           given
           unto
           them
           ?
           for
           they
           cannot
           but
           at
           last
           consider
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           erreth
           willingly
           ,
           or
           believes
           any
           thing
           against
           his
           light
           ,
           or
           hath
           other
           thoughts
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Worship
           ,
           than
           what
           he
           apprehends
           to
           be
           from
           himself
           ,
           or
           that
           any
           duty
           is
           accepted
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           springs
           from
           compulsion
           .
           How
           much
           more
           Noble
           and
           Honourable
           will
           they
           discern
           the
           work
           of
           relieving
           men
           sober
           and
           peaceable
           in
           distress
           ,
           to
           be
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           the
           complaints
           ,
           and
           tears
           ,
           and
           ruine
           of
           Innocent
           men
           and
           their
           families
           ,
           continually
           reflecting
           themselves
           on
           their
           minds
           .
           Nor
           is
           there
           any
           probability
           of
           success
           in
           this
           procedure
           ;
           for
           as
           Time
           hath
           alwayes
           made
           for
           Rule
           ,
           and
           incouragements
           which
           are
           solely
           in
           the
           power
           of
           Rulers
           ,
           have
           effected
           great
           compliance
           even
           in
           things
           religious
           ,
           so
           force
           and
           violent
           prosecution
           in
           such
           cases
           have
           been
           alwayes
           fruitless
           .
           For
           it
           is
           known
           how
           much
           they
           are
           disadvantaged
           as
           to
           success
           ,
           in
           that
           the
           righteousness
           and
           equity
           of
           their
           pretended
           causes
           are
           alwayes
           
             dubious
          
           to
           unconcerned
           persons
           ,
           which
           makes
           them
           think
           that
           the
           true
           reason
           of
           them
           ,
           is
           other
           than
           what
           is
           pretended
           .
           When
           they
           see
           men
           whom
           they
           apprehend
           as
           innocent
           and
           guiltless
           as
           themselves
           ,
           as
           to
           all
           the
           concernments
           of
           mankind
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           pursued
           with
           penalties
           equal
           unto
           those
           that
           are
           notoriosly
           
             Criminal
             ,
          
           they
           are
           greatly
           inclined
           unto
           commiseration
           towards
           them
           ;
           especially
           if
           at
           the
           interposition
           of
           the
           name
           and
           worship
           of
           God
           in
           the
           cause
           ,
           they
           judge
           for
           ought
           appears
           to
           them
           ,
           they
           fear
           God
           and
           endeavour
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           at
           least
           as
           well
           as
           those
           by
           whom
           they
           are
           molested
           .
        
         
           And
           when
           they
           further
           understand
           ,
           that
           those
           whom
           they
           see
           to
           suffer
           such
           things
           as
           they
           account
           grievous
           ,
           and
           are
           really
           ruinous
           to
           them
           and
           their
           families
           ,
           do
           it
           for
           their
           conscience
           sake
           ,
           it
           strongly
           induceth
           them
           to
           believe
           that
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           something
           good
           and
           honest
           that
           men
           choose
           so
           to
           suffer
           for
           them
           ,
           rather
           than
           to
           forego
           .
           For
           all
           
             suffering
          
           for
           Religion
           ,
           they
           know
           to
           be
           in
           the
           power
           and
           will
           of
           
             them
             that
             suffer
             ;
          
           and
           not
           of
           those
           that
           
             inflict
             penalties
          
           upon
           them
           :
           for
           their
           Religion
           is
           their
           choice
           ,
           which
           they
           
           may
           part
           withal
           ,
           if
           they
           esteem
           it
           not
           worth
           the
           hazard
           wherewith
           it
           is
           attended
           .
        
         
           Thus
           the
           
             Roman
             Historian
          
           tells
           us
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           sufferings
           of
           the
           Christians
           at
           
             Rome
             .
             Quanquam
             adversus
             sontes
             ,
             &
             Novissima
             exempla
             meritos
          
           (
           for
           so
           he
           thought
           )
           
             Miseratio
             Oriebatur
             ,
             tanquam
             non
             utilitate
             publica
             ,
             sed
             in
             sevitiam
             aliquorum
             absumerentur
             .
          
        
         
           Nor
           is
           it
           a
           probable
           way
           of
           dealing
           with
           the
           consciences
           of
           men
           ,
           especially
           of
           
             Multitudes
          
           who
           are
           able
           to
           give
           mutual
           testimony
           ,
           and
           encouragement
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           yea
           in
           such
           a
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           dangers
           of
           times
           delight
           men
           ,
           and
           they
           find
           a
           satisfaction
           ,
           if
           not
           an
           honour
           in
           their
           miseries
           ;
           as
           having
           sufficient
           assurance
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           glorious
           and
           a
           blessed
           thing
           to
           suffer
           things
           hard
           and
           dreadful
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           conscious
           to
           themselves
           of
           no
           guilt
           or
           evil
           .
           And
           therefore
           as
           
             severity
          
           hath
           hitherto
           got
           no
           ground
           on
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           no
           more
           is
           it
           like
           to
           do
           for
           the
           future
           .
           And
           if
           it
           be
           proceeded
           in
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           avoided
           but
           that
           it
           must
           be
           perpetuated
           from
           one
           generation
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           a
           sad
           experiment
           be
           made
           ,
           who
           will
           first
           be
           wearied
           ,
           those
           that
           inflict
           penalties
           ,
           or
           those
           that
           undergo
           them
           .
           And
           what
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           will
           become
           of
           that
           composure
           of
           the
           spirits
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           mutual
           trust
           ,
           confidence
           and
           assurance
           between
           all
           sorts
           of
           persons
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           abiding
           foundation
           of
           publick
           peace
           and
           prosperity
           .
        
         
           Also
           what
           advantages
           have
           been
           made
           by
           some
           neighbour
           Nations
           ,
           what
           at
           present
           they
           further
           hope
           for
           ,
           from
           that
           great
           anxiety
           which
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           are
           cast
           into
           ,
           meerly
           and
           solely
           on
           the
           account
           of
           what
           they
           feel
           or
           fear
           ,
           from
           their
           dissent
           unto
           the
           publick
           worship
           ,
           which
           to
           themselves
           is
           utterly
           unavoidable
           ,
           is
           known
           to
           all
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           have
           done
           !
           and
           what
           are
           we
           that
           we
           should
           complain
           of
           any
           whom
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           stir
           up
           and
           use
           for
           our
           exercise
           and
           tryal
           ?
           We
           desire
           in
           patience
           and
           silence
           ,
           to
           bear
           his
           indignation
           against
           whom
           we
           have
           sinned
           ;
           and
           for
           what
           concerns
           those
           wayes
           and
           truths
           of
           his
           ,
           for
           whose
           profession
           we
           may
           yet
           suffer
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           to
           approve
           our
           consciences
           unto
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           leave
           the
           event
           of
           all
           unto
           him
           ,
           
             who
             will
             one
             day
             judge
             the
             world
             in
             righteousness
             .
          
           We
           know
           that
           we
           are
           poor
           sinful
           worms
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           in
           our selves
           meet
           for
           nothing
           but
           to
           be
           trodden
           down
           under
           the
           feet
           of
           men
           ;
           but
           his
           wayes
           and
           the
           purity
           of
           his
           Worship
           are
           
             dear
          
           unto
           him
           ,
           which
           he
           will
           preserve
           and
           vindicate
           from
           all
           opposition
           .
           In
           the
           
           mean
           time
           as
           it
           is
           our
           duty
           to
           live
           peaceably
           with
           all
           men
           in
           a
           conscientious
           subjection
           unto
           that
           Authority
           which
           he
           hath
           set
           over
           us
           ,
           we
           shall
           endeavour
           so
           to
           behave
           our selves
           ,
           in
           the
           pursuit
           and
           observance
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           that
           
             whereas
             we
             may
             be
             evil
             spoken
             of
             ,
             as
             evil
             doers
             ,
             Men
             may
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             beholding
             our
             good
             Conversation
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             give
             Glory
             to
             God
             in
             the
             day
             of
             Visitation
             .
          
        
         
           Whatever
           is
           ours
           ,
           whatever
           is
           in
           our
           Power
           ,
           whatever
           God
           hath
           intrusted
           us
           with
           the
           disposal
           of
           ,
           we
           willingly
           resign
           and
           give
           up
           to
           the
           Will
           and
           Commands
           of
           our
           
             Superiours
             ;
          
           but
           as
           to
           our
           Minds
           and
           Consciences
           in
           the
           things
           of
           his
           Worship
           and
           Service
           ,
           he
           hath
           reserved
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           them
           unto
           himself
           ,
           to
           him
           must
           we
           give
           an
           account
           of
           them
           at
           the
           great
           Day
           ;
           nor
           can
           we
           forego
           the
           care
           of
           preserving
           them
           intire
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           loyal
           unto
           him
           ,
           without
           a
           renunciation
           of
           all
           hopes
           of
           acceptance
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           so
           render
           our selves
           of
           all
           men
           the
           most
           miserable
           .
           May
           we
           be
           suffered
           herein
           to
           be
           faithfull
           unto
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           everlasting
           Concernments
           of
           our
           own
           Souls
           ,
           we
           shall
           alwayes
           labour
           to
           manifest
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           way
           or
           means
           of
           Peace
           and
           Reconciliation
           among
           those
           who
           profesting
           Faith
           in
           God
           through
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           yet
           differ
           in
           their
           Apprehensions
           about
           sundry
           things
           some
           way
           or
           other
           belonging
           thereunto
           ,
           that
           is
           appointed
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           may
           expect
           a
           Blessing
           from
           him
           ,
           but
           we
           will
           readily
           embrace
           ,
           and
           according
           as
           we
           are
           called
           ,
           improve
           to
           the
           utmost
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           herein
           also
           our
           Endeavours
           meet
           with
           nothing
           but
           
             Contempt
          
           and
           
             Reproach
             ,
          
           yet
           none
           can
           hinder
           us
           but
           that
           we
           may
           pour
           out
           our
           Souls
           unto
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           his
           blessed
           and
           glorious
           Promises
           concerning
           that
           Truth
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           which
           he
           will
           give
           unto
           his
           Church
           in
           his
           appointed
           time
           .
           For
           we
           know
           ,
           
             That
             when
             He
             shall
             rise
             up
             to
             the
             Prey
             ,
             and
             devour
             the
             whole
             earth
             with
             the
             fire
             of
             his
             Jealousie
             ,
             He
             will
             turn
             to
             the
             people
             a
             pure
             language
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             all
             call
             upon
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             to
             serve
             him
             with
             one
             consent
             ,
             that
             the
             Earth
             being
             filled
             with
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             the
             Waters
             cover
             the
             Sea
             ,
             his
             glory
             shall
             be
             revealed
             ,
             so
             that
             all
             flesh
             shall
             see
             it
             together
             ,
             and
             then
             shall
             all
             his
             people
             receive
             from
             him
             one
             heart
             ,
             and
             one
             way
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             fear
             him
             for
             ever
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             them
             and
             their
             children
             after
             them
             ,
             by
             vertue
             of
             the
             everlasting
             Covenant
             .
          
           And
           for
           our
           own
           parts
           ,
           whatever
           our
           Outward
           Condition
           be
           ,
           we
           know
           he
           will
           perfect
           that
           which
           concerns
           us
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           not
           forsake
           the
           work
           of
           his
           own
           hands
           ,
           
             because
             his
             mercy
             endureth
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .