A perswasive to an ingenuous tryal of opinions in religion
         Clagett, Nicholas, 1654-1727.
      
       
         
           1685
        
      
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             A perswasive to an ingenuous tryal of opinions in religion
             Clagett, Nicholas, 1654-1727.
          
           [2], 57, [5] p.
           
             Printed for Tho. Basset ...,
             London :
             1685.
          
           
             Attributed to Nicholas Clagett; sometimes erroneously attributed to William Clagett. Cf. NUC pre-1956.
             Advertisement: p. [1]-[5] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Duke University Library and Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           A
           PERSWASIVE
           TO
           AN
           Ingenuous
           Tryal
           OF
           OPINIONS
           IN
           RELIGION
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Tho.
             Basset
          
           ,
           at
           the
           George
           near
           St.
           
           Dunstan's
           Church
           in
           Fleetstreet
           .
           1685.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         A
         PERSWASIVE
         TO
         AN
         Ingenuous
         TRYAL
         OF
         Opinions
         in
         Religion
         .
      
       
         
           §
           1.
           
        
         
           THE
           great
           reason
           why
           they
           are
           few
           in
           comparison
           who
           come
           to
           a
           right
           understanding
           and
           a
           well-grounded
           Perswasion
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           because
           they
           are
           not
           many
           who
           make
           a
           due
           inquiry
           into
           them
           .
           Were
           this
           done
           more
           generally
           ,
           there
           would
           not
           be
           so
           much
           ignorance
           and
           errour
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           nor
           so
           great
           a
           variety
           of
           Opinions
           and
           Sects
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           most
           part
           hath
           been
           in
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           And
           there
           are
           three
           sorts
           of
           men
           who
           fail
           of
           knowing
           the
           truth
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           due
           endeavours
           to
           find
           it
           out
           .
           Some
           there
           are
           who
           want
           ability
           or
           opportunity
           to
           inquire
           ;
           others
           ,
           who
           wanting
           neither
           ,
           do
           utterly
           neglect
           it
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           apply
           their
           minds
           to
           it
           at
           all
           ;
           a
           third
           sort
           make
           but
           a
           very
           imperfect
           search
           after
           truth
           .
           And
           
           so
           all
           ignorance
           or
           mistake
           in
           things
           of
           moment
           ,
           that
           concern
           the
           salvation
           of
           ▪
           men
           ,
           or
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           ▪
           may
           be
           attributed
           either
           to
           want
           of
           power
           and
           means
           to
           inquire
           after
           truth
           ,
           or
           to
           unwillingness
           and
           perfect
           negligence
           ,
           where
           it
           may
           be
           sought
           and
           attained
           to
           ;
           or
           to
           laziness
           ,
           inactivity
           ,
           and
           partiality
           in
           seeking
           it
           .
        
         
           To
           the
           first
           sort
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           onely
           to
           reckon
           Ideots
           ,
           who
           want
           a
           competent
           measure
           of
           Reason
           and
           Understanding
           wherewith
           to
           judge
           ,
           but
           those
           also
           that
           having
           the
           same
           common
           natural
           gifts
           of
           the
           mind
           with
           others
           ,
           are
           yet
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           outward
           circumstances
           ,
           kept
           almost
           invincibly
           ignorant
           ,
           having
           very
           little
           or
           no
           occasion
           given
           them
           to
           inquire
           into
           things
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           know
           them
           better
           .
           And
           thousands
           who
           sit
           in
           Pagan
           ,
           or
           Mahumetan
           ,
           or
           Popish
           darkness
           ,
           are
           thus
           detained
           in
           gross
           errours
           and
           remediless
           ignorance
           ,
           as
           the
           case
           at
           present
           stands
           with
           them
           .
           But
           blessed
           be
           God
           this
           is
           not
           our
           case
           ,
           who
           live
           in
           such
           a
           time
           and
           place
           as
           put
           no
           man
           under
           circumstances
           of
           incurable
           ignorance
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           second
           sort
           of
           men
           ▪
           who
           have
           plentiful
           means
           and
           fair
           opportunities
           of
           being
           better
           informed
           ,
           but
           utterly
           neglect
           to
           use
           them
           ,
           they
           are
           either
           such
           who
           remain
           under
           the
           power
           of
           those
           false
           Principles
           which
           were
           instilled
           into
           them
           in
           their
           Education
           ,
           or
           who
           blindly
           follow
           erring
           Guides
           ,
           whose
           persons
           they
           have
           in
           admiration
           ,
           resolving
           never
           to
           trouble
           themselves
           with
           a
           free
           and
           impartial
           use
           of
           their
           own
           reason
           concerning
           those
           Doctrines
           which
           they
           have
           in
           their
           own
           opinion
           wisely
           and
           safely
           taken
           upon
           trust
           .
           It
           happens
           likewise
           very
           often
           ▪
           that
           men
           are
           led
           away
           by
           lofty
           conceits
           of
           their
           own
           judgment
           ;
           and
           the
           extravagant
           opinion
           they
           have
           of
           themselves
           ,
           will
           not
           suffer
           them
           to
           attempt
           such
           an
           ingenuous
           examination
           of
           things
           ,
           as
           implies
           a
           possibility
           of
           their
           being
           deceived
           .
           But
           I
           believe
           they
           are
           more
           
           who
           take
           up
           Opinions
           and
           engage
           in
           Parties
           for
           worldly
           ends
           and
           carnal
           interests
           ;
           and
           these
           ,
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           are
           farthest
           from
           inquiring
           &
           conviction
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           a
           great
           uneasiness
           to
           a
           mans
           mind
           ,
           to
           find
           himself
           mistaken
           in
           those
           opinions
           which
           are
           for
           his
           profit
           or
           pleasure
           in
           this
           world
           .
           And
           mostly
           the
           power
           of
           custom
           strengthens
           all
           these
           causes
           of
           obstinacy
           in
           neglecting
           to
           inquire
           .
           Men
           are
           not
           willing
           to
           quit
           the
           Perswasions
           they
           have
           for
           a
           long
           time
           entertained
           ,
           but
           had
           rather
           keep
           where
           they
           are
           ,
           without
           troubling
           themselves
           to
           begin
           all
           anew
           ,
           and
           to
           inquire
           whether
           they
           have
           not
           been
           all
           along
           deceived
           .
           And
           where
           most
           of
           these
           obstructions
           meet
           together
           ,
           as
           they
           often
           do
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           person
           ,
           if
           he
           be
           not
           succoured
           mightily
           by
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           mind
           is
           barred
           up
           for
           ever
           against
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           truth
           .
        
         
           A
           third
           sort
           miss
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           not
           that
           they
           make
           no
           inquiry
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           do
           this
           very
           imperfectly
           and
           superficially
           ,
           and
           that
           either
           through
           sloth
           and
           laziness
           ,
           being
           not
           willing
           to
           take
           that
           pains
           and
           care
           which
           is
           requisite
           for
           the
           discovery
           of
           truth
           ;
           or
           through
           partiality
           ▪
           whence
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           that
           they
           examine
           and
           〈◊〉
           onely
           or
           chiesly
           what
           is
           offered
           in
           favour
           of
           their
           own
           side
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           the
           great
           end
           of
           their
           search
           not
           to
           follow
           what
           shall
           appear
           to
           be
           true
           upon
           inquiry
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           confirmed
           in
           their
           present
           Perswasion
           .
           And
           because
           diligence
           and
           honesty
           are
           very
           necessary
           dispositions
           in
           order
           to
           the
           right
           understanding
           of
           a
           great
           many
           things
           in
           Religion
           ,
           no
           wonder
           that
           they
           who
           inquire
           without
           these
           advantages
           ,
           are
           rather
           hardned
           in
           Errour
           than
           convinced
           of
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
           Now
           these
           being
           the
           common
           causes
           of
           ignorance
           and
           errour
           amongst
           us
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           since
           they
           all
           center
           in
           want
           of
           due
           inquiry
           ,
           I
           shall
           set
           my self
           to
           excite
           all
           sorts
           of
           people
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           made
           incapable
           by
           
           natural
           weakness
           of
           understanding
           ,
           to
           prove
           and
           examine
           things
           which
           concern
           their
           own
           Souls
           and
           the
           peace
           of
           Christians
           ,
           with
           that
           diligence
           and
           ingenuity
           which
           becomes
           reasonable
           creatures
           .
           And
           though
           I
           know
           't
           is
           a
           hard
           task
           that
           I
           am
           undertaking
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           prejudices
           and
           corrupt
           interests
           of
           men
           which
           I
           must
           encounter
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           sure
           no
           advice
           can
           be
           more
           rational
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           would
           be
           perswaded
           to
           use
           our
           Reason
           ,
           which
           if
           we
           do
           not
           ,
           we
           lay
           up
           the
           
             common
             Talent
          
           of
           our
           natures
           
             in
             a
             Napkin
          
           .
        
         
           For
           God
           hath
           endued
           us
           with
           Faculties
           whereby
           we
           can
           discern
           between
           Truth
           and
           Errour
           ;
           and
           moreover
           ,
           with
           a
           natural
           desire
           to
           know
           the
           truth
           :
           so
           that
           the
           use
           of
           these
           Faculties
           is
           inexcusably
           neglected
           ,
           and
           this
           desire
           is
           foully
           corrupted
           and
           debased
           ,
           if
           we
           are
           easily
           imposed
           upon
           in
           things
           of
           great
           moment
           .
           God
           in
           our
           creation
           hath
           enabled
           and
           inclined
           us
           to
           seek
           the
           knowledge
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           to
           inquire
           into
           the
           grounds
           of
           our
           Belief
           and
           Practice
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           neglect
           this
           ,
           is
           to
           abuse
           the
           first
           Gifts
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           sin
           against
           Nature
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           should
           be
           every
           mans
           care
           to
           find
           out
           that
           truth
           which
           concerns
           Religion
           and
           another
           life
           ,
           〈◊〉
           this
           is
           every
           mans
           greatest
           interest
           ;
           we
           should
           〈◊〉
           most
           diligence
           there
           ,
           where
           to
           be
           deceived
           is
           of
           most
           dangerous
           consequence
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           there
           are
           some
           plausible
           Pretences
           against
           a
           due
           and
           impartial
           enquiry
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           I
           shall
           prepare
           my
           way
           by
           endeavouring
           to
           remove
           those
           Prejudices
           that
           lie
           against
           it
           ;
           and
           in
           order
           hereunto
           ,
           I
           shall
           consider
           these
           three
           Questions
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           dangerous
           to
           private
           men
           to
           leave
           them
           to
           use
           their
           own
           judgment
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           led
           by
           it
           in
           matters
           of
           Faith
           and
           Religion
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           a
           general
           liberty
           of
           examining
           and
           judging
           
           in
           those
           things
           ,
           doth
           mischief
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           cause
           of
           Schisms
           and
           Heresies
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           Whether
           if
           every
           one
           have
           a
           just
           Right
           to
           examine
           for
           himself
           ,
           this
           be
           not
           a
           good
           reason
           for
           Toleration
           ,
           or
           the
           universal
           liberty
           of
           practising
           according
           to
           a
           mans
           Conscience
           or
           Perswasion
           ,
           after
           examination
           .
        
      
       
         
           §
           2.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           dangerous
           to
           private
           men
           to
           allow
           them
           the
           use
           of
           their
           own
           judgment
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           leave
           men
           wholly
           to
           themselves
           in
           this
           business
           ,
           without
           directing
           them
           to
           use
           the
           best
           helps
           they
           can
           to
           find
           out
           the
           truth
           ,
           is
           very
           dangerous
           indeed
           ;
           and
           no
           wise
           man
           will
           contend
           for
           this
           liberty
           of
           judgment
           in
           behalf
           of
           Christian
           people
           ,
           or
           of
           any
           sort
           of
           men
           whatsoever
           :
           for
           this
           were
           not
           so
           much
           to
           advise
           them
           to
           judge
           for
           themselves
           ,
           as
           to
           conclude
           for
           themselves
           before
           they
           had
           taken
           any
           pains
           to
           judge
           .
           For
           I
           do
           not
           see
           how
           men
           can
           be
           said
           to
           judge
           ,
           who
           refuse
           the
           means
           without
           which
           they
           can
           make
           no
           tryal
           .
           Now
           the
           assistance
           of
           men
           of
           greater
           knowledge
           and
           ability
           than
           themselves
           have
           ,
           is
           one
           very
           necessary
           means
           by
           which
           private
           and
           unlearned
           persons
           are
           to
           examine
           and
           judge
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           .
           And
           God
           hath
           not
           onely
           given
           us
           ability
           to
           find
           out
           some
           truths
           by
           our selves
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           weigh
           and
           consider
           what
           others
           offer
           to
           us
           :
           And
           therefore
           he
           hath
           appointed
           Governours
           and
           Guides
           of
           Souls
           ,
           that
           are
           to
           
             feed
             the
             Flock
          
           ,
           and
           to
           instruct
           Christian
           people
           in
           the
           way
           to
           Heaven
           .
           And
           one
           part
           of
           their
           work
           is
           to
           enable
           them
           
             to
             give
             an
             answer
             to
             every
             one
             that
             asketh
             a
             reason
             of
             the
             hope
             that
             is
             in
             them
             ,
          
           I
           Pet.
           3.
           15.
           which
           I
           conceive
           they
           cannot
           do
           ,
           without
           informing
           and
           helping
           them
           to
           judge
           for
           themselves
           .
           So
           that
           liberty
           of
           examining
           in
           order
           to
           private
           judgment
           ,
           does
           by
           no
           
           means
           exclude
           advising
           with
           and
           hearkening
           to
           men
           of
           greater
           skill
           and
           ability
           than
           our selves
           ,
           especially
           to
           the
           publick
           Guides
           of
           Souls
           ,
           but
           rather
           makes
           it
           necessary
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           this
           being
           one
           means
           of
           Gods
           appointment
           by
           which
           we
           are
           to
           inform
           our selves
           .
           And
           I
           grant
           that
           without
           very
           good
           and
           clear
           reason
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           to
           depart
           from
           their
           Doctrine
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           doubtful
           cases
           to
           presume
           in
           favour
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           it
           should
           be
           dangerous
           to
           private
           persons
           to
           weigh
           and
           consider
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           they
           can
           ,
           what
           their
           Guides
           teach
           them
           to
           believe
           or
           to
           do
           ,
           this
           is
           that
           which
           I
           can
           by
           no
           means
           understand
           ,
           unless
           it
           were
           a
           dangerous
           thing
           to
           follow
           our
           Guides
           like
           men
           that
           have
           Reason
           ,
           and
           not
           like
           beasts
           that
           have
           none
           .
           It
           is
           at
           any
           time
           as
           safe
           to
           follow
           a
           Guide
           with
           our
           eyes
           open
           ,
           as
           to
           suffer
           our selves
           to
           be
           blindfolded
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           follow
           him
           by
           a
           string
           .
           God
           hath
           referred
           us
           to
           Guides
           ,
           Heb.
           13.
           17.
           but
           yet
           he
           hath
           trusted
           us
           to
           our selves
           too
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           to
           
             try
             the
             spirits
             whether
             they
             be
             of
             God
             :
          
           otherwise
           we
           may
           follow
           Guides
           that
           want
           Guides
           themselves
           .
           And
           
             if
             the
             blind
             lead
             the
             blind
             ,
             both
             fall
             into
             the
             ditch
             .
          
        
         
           To
           say
           that
           inquiries
           after
           truth
           with
           the
           best
           endeavours
           and
           means
           that
           we
           have
           in
           our
           power
           ,
           is
           the
           way
           to
           be
           mistaken
           ,
           is
           to
           reproach
           our
           own
           Reason
           ,
           and
           God
           the
           Author
           of
           it
           ;
           since
           as
           it
           seems
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           exercise
           and
           improve
           our
           Reason
           ,
           the
           more
           likely
           we
           are
           to
           be
           in
           the
           wrong
           ,
           and
           to
           deceive
           and
           abuse
           our selves
           .
        
         
           At
           the
           great
           day
           of
           Accounts
           ,
           Seducers
           shall
           answer
           for
           those
           whom
           they
           have
           deceived
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Guides
           of
           the
           Church
           are
           strongly
           obliged
           that
           they
           do
           not
           through
           wilfulness
           or
           negligence
           mislead
           us
           .
           But
           if
           they
           mislead
           us
           in
           things
           that
           touch
           our
           eternal
           state
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           sind
           that
           all
           the
           blame
           will
           lie
           upon
           them
           ,
           but
           rather
           that
           we
           also
           shall
           answer
           for
           it
           our selves
           :
           Otherwise
           why
           should
           our
           Saviour
           say
           ,
           
             Why
             of
             your selves
          
           
           
             do
             ye
             not
             judge
             that
             which
             is
             right
             ?
          
           Luke
           12.
           57.
           and
           St.
           
             John
             ,
             Believe
             not
             every
             Spirit
             ,
             but
             try
             the
             Spirits
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           1
           Joh.
           4.
           1.
           and
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             Prove
             all
             things
             ,
             hold
             fast
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
          
           1
           Thess
           .
           5.
           21.
           and
           ,
           
             Let
             no
             man
             deceive
             you
          
           ,
           2
           Thess
           .
           2.
           3.
           
           Again
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           dangerous
           to
           permit
           men
           to
           judge
           for
           themselves
           in
           that
           sense
           wherein
           I
           contend
           for
           it
           ,
           then
           these
           are
           not
           wholsom
           but
           very
           dangerous
           Exhortations
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           if
           a
           Church
           which
           pretends
           to
           be
           an
           Infallible
           Guide
           in
           Religion
           ,
           could
           make
           it
           out
           clearly
           and
           plainly
           that
           she
           is
           so
           ,
           I
           should
           ,
           without
           much
           examination
           of
           her
           particular
           Doctrines
           ,
           receive
           them
           as
           the
           Oracles
           of
           God.
           But
           then
           I
           must
           have
           stronger
           Arguments
           to
           assure
           me
           that
           she
           is
           infallible
           ,
           than
           those
           which
           at
           present
           make
           me
           certain
           that
           she
           is
           actually
           deceived
           .
           For
           to
           submit
           to
           a
           pretended
           infallible
           Authority
           ,
           without
           knowing
           why
           I
           do
           so
           ,
           is
           to
           put
           it
           into
           the
           power
           of
           others
           ,
           for
           ought
           I
           know
           ,
           to
           lead
           me
           into
           the
           most
           damnable
           errours
           ,
           and
           to
           call
           Virtue
           Vice
           ,
           and
           Vice
           Virtue
           .
           Therefore
           they
           must
           be
           very
           convincing
           Reasons
           upon
           which
           I
           am
           to
           believe
           that
           of
           my
           Guide
           ,
           which
           being
           once
           admitted
           ,
           I
           must
           take
           his
           bare
           word
           afterward
           for
           all
           things
           else
           .
           I
           think
           none
           of
           the
           Roman
           Communion
           will
           deny
           this
           .
           And
           then
           it
           will
           follow
           ,
           that
           for
           my
           own
           safety
           I
           am
           to
           use
           my
           own
           Reason
           and
           Judgment
           as
           severely
           as
           I
           can
           ,
           before
           I
           admit
           this
           fundamental
           Article
           of
           their
           Faith.
           And
           this
           will
           amount
           to
           what
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           dangerous
           for
           men
           to
           use
           their
           own
           Judgment
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           very
           dangerous
           for
           them
           not
           to
           do
           so
           ;
           since
           otherwise
           they
           are
           likely
           to
           follow
           men
           of
           the
           greatest
           confidence
           ,
           as
           they
           for
           the
           most
           part
           are
           who
           have
           the
           least
           reason
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           if
           I
           am
           led
           into
           errour
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           a
           Church
           that
           does
           not
           pretend
           to
           Infallibility
           ,
           I
           may
           hope
           
           to
           recover
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           especially
           if
           it
           be
           a
           matter
           of
           great
           consequence
           ,
           more
           than
           if
           she
           pretended
           and
           I
           believed
           her
           infallible
           .
           For
           such
           a
           Church
           will
           not
           so
           readily
           deny
           me
           the
           means
           of
           examining
           her
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           so
           I
           may
           be
           able
           to
           discover
           the
           errour
           my self
           :
           If
           not
           ,
           I
           have
           this
           comfort
           at
           least
           ,
           that
           my
           Guides
           being
           not
           engaged
           to
           contend
           that
           they
           are
           infallible
           ,
           are
           themselves
           in
           the
           way
           of
           detecting
           their
           own
           mistake
           ,
           and
           will
           more
           easily
           come
           off
           from
           it
           .
           But
           they
           that
           pretend
           to
           Infallibility
           ,
           are
           stak'd
           down
           to
           their
           Opinions
           ;
           and
           though
           their
           Cause
           be
           never
           so
           bad
           ,
           they
           are
           engaged
           to
           serve
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           this
           Pretence
           is
           so
           far
           from
           discharging
           me
           of
           the
           pains
           of
           using
           my
           own
           Judgment
           and
           Reason
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           I
           make
           the
           most
           foolish
           venture
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           if
           I
           do
           not
           use
           my
           Reason
           as
           strictly
           as
           I
           can
           in
           examining
           that
           very
           Pretence
           before
           I
           admit
           it
           .
           And
           though
           a
           Churches
           claim
           to
           Infallibility
           were
           in
           it self
           never
           so
           just
           and
           well-grounded
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           me
           but
           a
           Pretence
           ,
           till
           I
           understand
           the
           grounds
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Nor
           can
           any
           man
           blame
           me
           ,
           if
           before
           I
           am
           convinced
           of
           the
           Infallibility
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           I
           take
           those
           particular
           Doctrines
           into
           consideration
           which
           are
           to
           be
           believed
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           this
           way
           also
           judge
           of
           the
           reasonableness
           of
           that
           Pretence
           :
           for
           't
           is
           not
           for
           nothing
           that
           men
           would
           be
           thought
           infallible
           .
           If
           I
           find
           the
           Doctrine
           they
           would
           put
           off
           with
           such
           authority
           ,
           to
           be
           indeed
           divine
           and
           heavenly
           ,
           rational
           and
           scriptural
           ,
           tending
           to
           the
           reformation
           and
           salvation
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           this
           will
           incline
           me
           to
           yield
           more
           easily
           to
           the
           antecedent
           Arguments
           of
           the
           Infallibility
           of
           that
           Church
           .
           But
           if
           the
           Doctrine
           for
           which
           she
           vouches
           this
           Authority
           does
           ,
           upon
           the
           most
           impartial
           tryal
           that
           I
           can
           make
           ,
           appear
           to
           be
           worldly
           ,
           unscriptural
           ,
           or
           contrary
           to
           common
           sence
           ;
           then
           I
           am
           bound
           to
           examine
           the
           grounds
           of
           her
           
           Pretence
           more
           severely
           than
           in
           the
           former
           case
           .
           And
           there
           is
           no
           question
           but
           such
           Doctrines
           may
           be
           taught
           by
           men
           pretending
           to
           Inspiration
           or
           Infallibility
           ,
           which
           will
           justifie
           a
           man
           in
           rejecting
           that
           Pretence
           out
           of
           hand
           ,
           and
           troubling
           himself
           no
           more
           about
           it
           .
           If
           a
           Physician
           of
           never
           so
           great
           name
           should
           tell
           me
           that
           he
           would
           infallibly
           cure
           my
           Disease
           ,
           and
           then
           prescribe
           a
           dose
           of
           Arsenick
           ,
           I
           think
           Reason
           would
           advise
           rather
           to
           question
           his
           Infallibility
           ,
           because
           he
           goes
           thus
           madly
           to
           work
           ,
           than
           to
           take
           his
           Poyson
           because
           he
           promises
           an
           Infallible
           Cure.
           
        
         
           Now
           if
           I
           am
           not
           to
           do
           violence
           to
           my
           own
           understanding
           in
           things
           that
           concern
           my
           bodily
           health
           ,
           much
           less
           should
           I
           do
           the
           same
           in
           things
           that
           regard
           my
           everlasting
           state
           .
           And
           they
           are
           a
           strange
           sort
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           will
           allow
           people
           the
           liberty
           of
           using
           their
           Reason
           as
           well
           as
           they
           can
           for
           the
           security
           of
           their
           worldly
           interests
           ,
           but
           will
           have
           them
           be
           led
           in
           the
           great
           affairs
           of
           Religion
           and
           Eternity
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           no
           reason
           at
           all
           .
           For
           to
           judge
           aright
           ,
           and
           to
           know
           the
           truth
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           is
           our
           highest
           concernment
           ,
           was
           the
           principal
           end
           for
           which
           we
           have
           Reason
           ,
           and
           are
           Creatures
           of
           judgment
           and
           choice
           .
           And
           they
           may
           as
           well
           say
           that
           't
           is
           dangerous
           for
           a
           man
           to
           walk
           abroad
           with
           his
           eyes
           open
           ,
           as
           that
           't
           is
           dangerous
           for
           him
           to
           take
           upon
           himself
           to
           judge
           as
           well
           as
           he
           can
           whether
           he
           be
           in
           the
           right
           way
           to
           Heaven
           or
           not
           .
        
      
       
         
           §
           2.
           
        
         
           If
           we
           consider
           what
           has
           been
           already
           said
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           difficult
           to
           answer
           the
           second
           Question
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Whether
           a
           liberty
           of
           examining
           and
           judging
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           doth
           mischief
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           cause
           of
           Heresies
           and
           Schisms
           ?
           
             To
             which
             I
             answer
             ,
             that
          
        
         
           To
           affirm
           this
           ,
           is
           in
           effect
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           it
           had
           been
           
           much
           better
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           prevailing
           of
           Truth
           ,
           that
           men
           had
           been
           nearer
           to
           stocks
           and
           stones
           ,
           than
           endued
           with
           natural
           Abilities
           of
           judging
           ,
           and
           natural
           propensions
           to
           use
           those
           Abilities
           ;
           which
           I
           think
           would
           be
           to
           reflect
           upon
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           our
           Maker
           .
           For
           certainly
           it
           had
           been
           better
           for
           men
           to
           have
           wanted
           the
           faculties
           of
           judging
           and
           proving
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           so
           dangerous
           a
           thing
           to
           the
           Church
           to
           make
           use
           of
           them
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           much
           for
           the
           credit
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           it
           should
           be
           against
           her
           interest
           for
           men
           to
           examine
           her
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           use
           their
           Reason
           about
           it
           as
           well
           as
           they
           can
           .
        
         
           To
           speak
           to
           the
           thing
           :
           It
           is
           not
           the
           liberty
           of
           examination
           and
           judgment
           in
           order
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           that
           causeth
           Heresies
           and
           Schisms
           ,
           but
           the
           not
           making
           a
           right
           use
           of
           this
           liberty
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           mens
           entring
           upon
           this
           work
           with
           Pride
           ,
           and
           the
           prevalency
           of
           Lust
           and
           Passion
           ,
           and
           worldly
           interest
           ,
           their
           want
           of
           care
           and
           diligence
           ,
           and
           of
           proving
           things
           sufficiently
           ;
           their
           taking
           up
           Opinions
           without
           reasonable
           examination
           ,
           and
           then
           seeking
           for
           Pretences
           to
           colour
           their
           obstinacy
           .
           The
           Lusts
           and
           Vices
           of
           men
           are
           against
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           interest
           of
           Truth
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           use
           of
           that
           Reason
           which
           is
           the
           divine
           part
           of
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           which
           God
           hath
           given
           us
           to
           restrain
           and
           govern
           our
           inferiour
           Faculties
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           that
           if
           few
           or
           none
           troubled
           themselves
           at
           all
           to
           judge
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           there
           would
           be
           no
           Heresies
           .
           But
           't
           is
           true
           too
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           had
           no
           reason
           to
           judge
           of
           these
           things
           at
           all
           ,
           there
           would
           have
           been
           no
           Heresies
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           as
           true
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           had
           been
           no
           Religion
           at
           all
           ,
           it
           were
           impossible
           that
           there
           should
           be
           Heresies
           in
           Religion
           .
           But
           will
           any
           men
           say
           ,
           that
           Reason
           or
           Religion
           is
           therefore
           the
           cause
           of
           Heresies
           ?
           And
           yet
           there
           is
           as
           much
           reason
           to
           say
           this
           ,
           as
           to
           conclude
           
           that
           the
           use
           of
           our
           own
           understandings
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           Heresies
           .
           These
           things
           are
           too
           gross
           to
           need
           a
           Confutation
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           this
           Pretence
           against
           the
           liberty
           of
           proving
           what
           is
           propounded
           to
           us
           in
           Religion
           ,
           is
           intended
           chiefly
           against
           private
           and
           ordinary
           persons
           ,
           but
           not
           against
           the
           publick
           Guides
           and
           Officers
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           whereas
           in
           truth
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           thing
           in
           it
           ,
           it
           holds
           more
           strongly
           against
           these
           than
           against
           the
           other
           :
           And
           that
           because
           the
           most
           pernicious
           Heresies
           that
           ever
           came
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           were
           brought
           in
           by
           men
           of
           Learning
           and
           Authority
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           if
           this
           Pretence
           be
           good
           ,
           they
           of
           all
           men
           should
           be
           forbidden
           to
           inquire
           into
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           because
           if
           they
           fall
           into
           any
           dangerous
           mistake
           ,
           their
           Authority
           is
           likely
           to
           give
           reputation
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           it
           go
           down
           more
           easily
           with
           the
           common
           People
           ,
           than
           if
           it
           had
           been
           started
           by
           one
           of
           themselves
           .
           So
           that
           we
           must
           not
           lay
           the
           Heresies
           that
           have
           been
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           the
           liberty
           we
           have
           been
           contending
           for
           ,
           unless
           we
           will
           be
           content
           to
           exclude
           all
           from
           the
           duty
           of
           proving
           what
           they
           have
           been
           taught
           to
           〈◊〉
           .
           And
           no
           man
           can
           think
           this
           reasonable
           ,
           unless
           he
           〈◊〉
           all
           Religions
           to
           be
           equally
           true
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           every
           one
           to
           be
           alike
           false
           .
           And
           he
           that
           believes
           this
           ,
           needs
           not
           care
           what
           Heresie
           he
           is
           of
           .
        
      
       
         
           §
           3.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           
             But
             if
             every
             man
             hath
             a
             just
             liberty
             and
             right
             to
             examine
             for
             himself
             ,
             is
             not
             this
             a
             good
             reason
             for
             Toleration
             ,
             or
             for
             the
             universal
             liberty
             of
             practising
             according
             to
             a
             mans
             Conscience
             or
             Perswasion
             ?
          
           For
           to
           what
           purpose
           is
           liberty
           of
           enquiry
           ,
           if
           after
           all
           ,
           I
           must
           be
           concluded
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           my
           Superiours
           ,
           or
           else
           suffer
           under
           those
           Laws
           by
           which
           they
           provide
           for
           Uniformity
           in
           Religion
           ?
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           every
           mans
           right
           and
           duty
           
           to
           judge
           for
           himself
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           no
           good
           reason
           for
           Toleration
           ,
           unless
           it
           were
           also
           apparent
           that
           every
           man
           used
           that
           Right
           as
           he
           ought
           to
           do
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           with
           industry
           ,
           deliberation
           ,
           and
           impartiality
           .
           If
           all
           men
           were
           sincere
           ,
           and
           would
           examine
           without
           prejudice
           ,
           without
           that
           byass
           to
           one
           side
           which
           is
           made
           by
           lust
           and
           passion
           ,
           and
           worldly
           interest
           ,
           if
           they
           all
           intended
           to
           know
           the
           truth
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           do
           their
           duty
           ,
           then
           doubtless
           it
           were
           very
           fit
           that
           all
           should
           enjoy
           an
           undisturbed
           liberty
           of
           practice
           according
           to
           their
           Judgment
           ;
           for
           then
           no
           man
           would
           err
           in
           things
           plain
           and
           necessary
           to
           his
           own
           salvation
           and
           the
           peace
           of
           Church
           and
           State.
           For
           our
           Lord
           hath
           assured
           us
           ,
           that
           
             if
             any
             man
             will
             do
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             he
             shall
             know
             of
             the
             Doctrine
             whether
             it
             be
             of
             God.
          
           But
           so
           long
           as
           there
           is
           that
           Hypocrisie
           in
           the
           World
           whereof
           men
           are
           conscious
           to
           themselves
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           all
           those
           Vices
           also
           reign
           ,
           which
           insensibly
           corrupt
           the
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           make
           men
           disloyal
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           while
           they
           perceive
           it
           not
           ;
           it
           is
           by
           no
           means
           reasonable
           that
           the
           State
           under
           which
           we
           live
           ,
           should
           leave
           us
           lawless
           ,
           and
           free
           from
           all
           obligation
           of
           temporal
           Penalties
           what
           Religion
           we
           profess
           ,
           and
           what
           Communion
           we
           observe
           .
           For
           the
           most
           dangerous
           Pretence
           for
           the
           ●●●rying
           on
           of
           seditious
           and
           rebellious
           designes
           against
           the
           Government
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           Religion
           :
           And
           a
           few
           men
           that
           mean
           nothing
           but
           their
           own
           greatness
           and
           power
           ,
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           manage
           the
           Zeal
           of
           a
           superstitious
           Multitude
           against
           the
           Government
           for
           their
           own
           private
           ends
           ,
           while
           they
           scorn
           the
           superstition
           of
           their
           Followers
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           all
           pretence
           to
           Religion
           in
           their
           own
           hearts
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           concerns
           the
           Government
           to
           take
           care
           that
           the
           true
           Religion
           be
           protected
           by
           the
           Laws
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           provide
           by
           the
           most
           prudent
           methods
           that
           no
           other
           be
           professed
           in
           the
           Commonwealth
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           the
           end
           of
           all
           liberty
           to
           inquire
           and
           
           judge
           for
           our selves
           is
           destroyed
           ,
           if
           at
           last
           we
           must
           conform
           to
           the
           Laws
           ,
           or
           be
           punished
           for
           our
           refusal
           :
           The
           contrary
           will
           be
           easily
           shewn
           to
           any
           one
           who
           believes
           that
           we
           are
           infinitly
           more
           concerned
           what
           will
           become
           of
           us
           in
           the
           life
           to
           come
           ,
           than
           in
           our
           present
           fortunes
           .
           For
           suppose
           that
           they
           are
           Errours
           which
           Authority
           requires
           us
           to
           profess
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           unlawful
           things
           which
           it
           requires
           us
           to
           do
           in
           Divine
           Service
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           a
           due
           and
           diligent
           examination
           of
           things
           I
           come
           to
           know
           this
           ;
           do
           I
           get
           nothing
           by
           my
           enquiry
           ,
           but
           the
           severity
           of
           those
           humane
           Laws
           that
           are
           against
           me
           ?
           Do
           not
           I
           obtain
           the
           comforts
           of
           a
           good
           Conscience
           ,
           in
           having
           honestly
           endeavoured
           to
           know
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           in
           doing
           what
           I
           thereupon
           knew
           to
           be
           my
           duty
           ?
           If
           I
           do
           hereby
           obtain
           Gods
           Favour
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           shall
           obtain
           Gods
           Rewards
           in
           a
           better
           life
           ,
           is
           not
           this
           worth
           all
           my
           care
           and
           sincerity
           ,
           though
           I
           should
           get
           nothing
           by
           it
           in
           this
           World
           but
           Trouble
           and
           Persecution
           ?
        
         
           So
           that
           it
           is
           worth
           the
           while
           to
           examine
           the
           Doctrine
           imposed
           upon
           me
           by
           Authority
           ,
           though
           I
           know
           before-hand
           that
           be
           it
           right
           or
           wrong
           ,
           I
           must
           be
           punished
           by
           man
           if
           I
           receive
           it
           not
           .
        
         
           True
           Religion
           ,
           and
           our
           observation
           to
           profess
           Gods
           Truth
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           his
           Will
           ,
           stands
           indeed
           upon
           the
           Authority
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Evidence
           of
           divine
           Revelation
           ;
           but
           nevertheless
           ,
           the
           profession
           thereof
           ought
           to
           be
           encouraged
           and
           protected
           by
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           World
           ▪
           and
           by
           consequence
           all
           false
           Religions
           should
           be
           discountenanced
           ,
           and
           the
           profession
           of
           them
           made
           uneasie
           by
           their
           Laws
           :
           Scripture
           and
           Reason
           teach
           us
           ,
           that
           they
           no
           less
           than
           Parents
           ,
           should
           use
           that
           Authority
           
             for
             God
          
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           received
           
             from
             him
          
           .
           But
           if
           they
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           sincere
           tryal
           and
           examination
           ,
           do
           themselves
           establish
           Iniquity
           or
           Heresie
           by
           a
           Law
           ,
           and
           turn
           the
           edge
           of
           their
           Power
           against
           the
           true
           Religion
           ,
           they
           must
           answer
           
           it
           to
           God
           at
           the
           day
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           who
           hath
           
             shewed
             them
          
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ,
           
             what
             is
             good
          
           and
           what
           he
           required
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           mean
           while
           Persecution
           distinguishes
           between
           the
           Sincere
           and
           the
           Hypocrite
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           insincere
           study
           how
           to
           perplex
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           to
           avoid
           the
           convictions
           that
           are
           upon
           their
           minds
           ,
           and
           to
           reconcile
           their
           Apostacy
           to
           their
           Credit
           and
           Consciences
           ;
           so
           the
           honest
           inquire
           into
           the
           grounds
           of
           their
           Faith
           more
           diligently
           ,
           and
           being
           desirous
           to
           strengthen
           themselves
           under
           Sufferings
           by
           a
           full
           assurance
           that
           they
           suffer
           for
           Righteousness
           sake
           ,
           they
           search
           into
           all
           the
           grounds
           of
           their
           Perswasion
           more
           narrowly
           than
           if
           they
           had
           never
           come
           under
           this
           temptation
           :
           and
           by
           this
           means
           the
           true
           Doctrine
           comes
           to
           be
           propounded
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           with
           the
           advantage
           of
           stronger
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           those
           better
           managed
           than
           if
           it
           had
           never
           met
           with
           opposition
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           
             true
             Faith
             and
             Worship
          
           be
           establish'd
           by
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Penalties
           of
           Nonconformity
           be
           strictly
           required
           ;
           this
           is
           so
           far
           from
           hindring
           men
           from
           enquiring
           ,
           that
           it
           lays
           an
           obligation
           upon
           a
           great
           many
           to
           consider
           things
           impartially
           ,
           who
           otherwise
           would
           never
           have
           looked
           but
           upon
           one
           side
           of
           the
           Question
           ;
           I
           mean
           all
           those
           whom
           either
           Wantonness
           and
           Self-conceit
           ,
           or
           Faction
           and
           Worldly
           Interest
           ,
           or
           the
           undue
           admiration
           of
           mens
           persons
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           would
           have
           held
           under
           a
           constant
           prejudice
           against
           Reason
           and
           Truth
           .
           A
           
             carnal
             Argument
          
           for
           a
           good
           Cause
           ,
           is
           very
           often
           a
           wholsom
           means
           to
           remove
           a
           carnal
           prejudice
           against
           it
           :
           And
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           can
           hardly
           be
           better
           used
           
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
          
           ,
           than
           to
           make
           such
           a
           difference
           between
           the
           Observers
           of
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Laws
           ,
           and
           the
           Dissenters
           from
           them
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           be
           very
           hard
           for
           any
           man
           to
           lie
           under
           a
           Worldly
           Temptation
           ,
           to
           dissent
           sufficient
           to
           recompence
           the
           damage
           he
           must
           undergo
           .
           
           This
           will
           make
           a
           great
           many
           impartial
           in
           weighing
           the
           Objections
           against
           Conformity
           ,
           with
           the
           Arguments
           and
           Answers
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           and
           by
           degrees
           bring
           them
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           at
           length
           to
           a
           sincere
           love
           of
           it
           .
           It
           is
           a
           false
           Maxime
           ,
           That
           
             Force
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             makes
             Hypocrites
             ,
             but
             not
             true
             Converts
             .
          
           For
           sometimes
           it
           cures
           Hypocrisie
           ,
           very
           often
           Ignorance
           and
           Partiality
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           a
           good
           degree
           towards
           Conversion
           :
           And
           yet
           this
           will
           not
           justifie
           the
           putting
           of
           men
           to
           death
           for
           mere
           difference
           in
           Religion
           .
           The
           least
           degree
           of
           severity
           which
           will
           do
           the
           business
           ,
           is
           great
           enough
           .
           The
           Supreme
           Powers
           should
           consider
           their
           Subjects
           in
           these
           cases
           ,
           as
           a
           wise
           and
           good
           Father
           would
           consider
           his
           own
           Children
           ;
           who
           if
           he
           had
           power
           of
           life
           and
           death
           over
           them
           ,
           would
           not
           kill
           his
           misbelieving
           Son
           ,
           and
           yet
           would
           try
           to
           reduce
           him
           by
           Worldly
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           drive
           him
           to
           consideration
           by
           the
           sensible
           effects
           of
           his
           Displeasure
           .
           The
           moderation
           of
           the
           English
           Laws
           for
           Uniformity
           ,
           is
           visible
           to
           all
           disinteressed
           persons
           ;
           and
           though
           the
           unevenness
           of
           their
           execution
           hath
           rendred
           them
           less
           effectual
           ,
           yet
           there
           are
           several
           who
           have
           cause
           to
           bless
           God
           for
           being
           compelled
           to
           come
           to
           our
           Churches
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           the
           Terms
           of
           our
           Communion
           with
           some
           impartiality
           ;
           whereas
           if
           there
           had
           been
           an
           absolute
           Toleration
           ,
           their
           Ignorance
           and
           Prejudices
           might
           have
           led
           them
           they
           know
           not
           whither
           .
        
         
           The
           Church
           of
           England
           causeth
           the
           Scriptures
           to
           be
           publickly
           read
           ,
           and
           puts
           them
           into
           the
           Peoples
           hands
           ,
           and
           desires
           nothing
           more
           than
           that
           every
           one
           would
           diligently
           and
           impartially
           consider
           the
           cases
           between
           her
           and
           those
           that
           separate
           from
           her
           .
           And
           it
           is
           no
           absurd
           thing
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           this
           liberty
           of
           Judgment
           which
           she
           allows
           ,
           is
           consistent
           with
           the
           English
           Laws
           that
           require
           conformity
           of
           all
           ;
           since
           if
           it
           had
           not
           been
           for
           those
           
           Laws
           ,
           some
           men
           had
           never
           attained
           to
           liberty
           of
           Judgment
           but
           had
           still
           been
           held
           in
           bondage
           to
           their
           Prejudices
           and
           Errours
           .
           〈…〉
           ,
           that
           they
           make
           the
           greatest
           noise
           for
           
             liberty
             of
             practice
          
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           Judgment
           ,
           who
           have
           made
           little
           or
           no
           use
           of
           their
           Judgment
           in
           distinguishing
           between
           good
           and
           
             bad
             ,
             true
          
           and
           false
           .
           They
           demand
           one
           liberty
           ,
           while
           they
           make
           no
           use
           of
           another
           ;
           the
           liberty
           of
           being
           undisturbed
           and
           licentious
           in
           a
           wrong
           way
           ,
           while
           they
           never
           use
           that
           liberty
           of
           
             examining
             the
             grounds
             of
             their
             Perswasion
             ,
          
           to
           which
           the
           Church
           so
           vehemently
           perswades
           them
           by
           her
           Ministers
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           urged
           ,
           that
           when
           a
           man
           sets
           himself
           with
           honesty
           and
           diligence
           to
           examine
           the
           Case
           of
           Communion
           with
           the
           Chnrch
           ,
           and
           doth
           all
           that
           he
           can
           to
           inform
           himself
           aright
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           but
           cannot
           be
           satisfied
           that
           he
           may
           lawfully
           conform
           ,
           and
           this
           through
           mere
           weakness
           of
           understanding
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           reasonable
           that
           he
           should
           suffer
           any
           thing
           for
           that
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           said
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           many
           more
           who
           fail
           of
           understanding
           their
           duty
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           examination
           and
           inquiry
           ,
           and
           through
           the
           prevalency
           of
           Prejudice
           and
           passion
           ,
           than
           there
           are
           of
           those
           who
           continue
           erroneously
           perswaded
           through
           mere
           weakness
           of
           understanding
           .
           But
           as
           for
           those
           who
           in
           perfect
           weakness
           remain
           unconvinced
           ,
           if
           I
           may
           suppose
           any
           such
           ,
           I
           wish
           the
           Laws
           could
           distinguish
           them
           from
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           could
           be
           known
           by
           some
           visible
           characters
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           exempted
           from
           undergoing
           any
           penalties
           .
           But
           since
           this
           cannot
           be
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           endured
           that
           a
           few
           or
           none
           in
           comparison
           ,
           come
           to
           have
           hard
           measure
           ,
           by
           means
           of
           that
           which
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           common
           and
           publick
           good
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           §
           4.
           
        
         
           Having
           premised
           thus
           much
           concerning
           this
           subject
           ,
           I
           shall
           proceed
           in
           this
           method
           following
           .
        
         
           I.
           To
           consider
           in
           what
           cases
           we
           are
           to
           enquire
           most
           of
           all
           into
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
           II.
           To
           shew
           how
           or
           by
           what
           Rules
           or
           Tests
           we
           are
           to
           try
           and
           examine
           Opinions
           in
           Religion
           .
        
         
           III.
           How
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           disposed
           and
           qualified
           that
           our
           Inquiries
           may
           be
           profitable
           and
           successful
           .
        
         
           IV.
           To
           lay
           down
           some
           Motives
           whereby
           to
           perswade
           men
           to
           such
           Inquiry
           and
           examination
           .
        
         
           V.
           To
           consider
           what
           becomes
           us
           and
           is
           our
           duty
           ,
           after
           the
           discovery
           and
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
           I.
           
             I
             shall
             consider
             in
          
           what
           cases
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           most
           careful
           in
           making
           inquiries
           after
           the
           Truth
           ,
           lest
           we
           be
           imposed
           upon
           ▪
           or
           mistaken
           .
        
         
           All
           inquiries
           about
           Religion
           are
           either
           concerning
           the
           truth
           of
           Religion
           in
           the
           general
           ;
           or
           supposing
           the
           existence
           and
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           true
           Religion
           ,
           whether
           the
           Pagan
           ,
           or
           the
           Jewish
           ,
           or
           the
           Mahometan
           ,
           or
           the
           Christian
           ;
           or
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           being
           granted
           ,
           what
           Communion
           of
           men
           professing
           Christianity
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           chosen
           ;
           for
           instance
           ,
           whether
           the
           
             Church
             of
             Rome
          
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           or
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           who
           separate
           from
           this
           Church
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           all
           things
           are
           not
           alike
           needful
           to
           be
           proved
           ,
           or
           are
           equally
           proper
           matters
           of
           inqniry
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Every
           man
           is
           not
           bound
           to
           know
           
             all
             the
             false
             ways
          
           of
           Religion
           that
           are
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           to
           try
           and
           examine
           every
           one
           of
           them
           .
           It
           is
           sufficient
           for
           most
           men
           ,
           that
           they
           well
           consider
           the
           Faith
           and
           Profession
           
           to
           which
           they
           have
           been
           educated
           ,
           that
           if
           it
           be
           the
           Truth
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           well-grounded
           in
           it
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           false
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           upon
           good
           reason
           depart
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Things
           that
           are
           self-evident
           ,
           need
           not
           to
           be
           examined
           :
           for
           no
           Argument
           can
           make
           them
           plainer
           to
           us
           than
           they
           are
           already
           .
           We
           may
           without
           any
           hesitation
           assent
           to
           such
           Principles
           as
           these
           :
           
             That
             God
             cannot
             lie
             ;
             That
             men
             ought
             to
             observe
             fidelity
             and
             justice
             to
             one
             another
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           .
           If
           there
           were
           not
           some
           Principles
           that
           needed
           no
           proving
           ,
           it
           were
           impossible
           to
           prove
           any
           thing
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           plain
           any
           thing
           is
           in
           it self
           ,
           the
           less
           need
           there
           is
           to
           examine
           it
           .
           If
           I
           am
           told
           that
           white
           is
           black
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           go
           about
           to
           disprove
           it
           ,
           because
           the
           thing
           is
           evidently
           false
           of
           it self
           ,
           and
           I
           can
           use
           no
           Argument
           that
           can
           make
           the
           matter
           plainer
           than
           it
           was
           at
           first
           .
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           if
           any
           man
           pretends
           that
           there
           is
           no
           difference
           between
           Vice
           and
           Virtue
           but
           in
           name
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           things
           are
           equally
           lawful
           ;
           this
           shall
           not
           put
           me
           to
           the
           trouble
           of
           examining
           the
           thing
           ,
           because
           't
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           common
           sense
           of
           mankind
           .
           And
           for
           this
           reason
           any
           man
           is
           to
           be
           excused
           that
           dismisses
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           without
           taking
           much
           pains
           about
           it
           ;
           because
           upon
           a
           very
           little
           consideration
           ,
           there
           appears
           so
           many
           gross
           contradictions
           and
           inconsistencies
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           I
           can
           have
           no
           greater
           reason
           to
           believe
           any
           thing
           is
           true
           ,
           than
           I
           have
           to
           believe
           that
           is
           false
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Some
           things
           are
           hardly
           worth
           the
           examining
           ,
           and
           it
           signifies
           little
           or
           nothing
           to
           understand
           the
           right
           side
           of
           the
           Question
           .
           If
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             immaculate
             conception
             of
             the
             Virgin
             Mary
          
           were
           true
           ,
           yet
           it
           were
           not
           worth
           a
           quarter
           of
           the
           pains
           they
           have
           taken
           about
           it
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           .
           It
           is
           by
           no
           means
           true
           ,
           that
           an
           infallible
           living
           Judge
           is
           necessary
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           the
           deciding
           of
           all
           Controversies
           in
           Religion
           ;
           since
           all
           such
           Controversies
           are
           not
           necessary
           to
           be
           decided
           ,
           
           some
           of
           them
           being
           of
           so
           little
           concern
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           no
           great
           matter
           if
           they
           remain
           Controversies
           to
           the
           Worlds
           end
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           ought
           to
           use
           our
           Reason
           as
           well
           as
           we
           can
           to
           find
           out
           the
           truth
           in
           all
           those
           cases
           wherein
           it
           will
           be
           dangerous
           to
           be
           deceived
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           these
           four
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           When
           any
           man
           or
           company
           of
           men
           would
           gain
           us
           over
           to
           their
           way
           by
           lofty
           and
           extraordinary
           Pretences
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           When
           Doctrines
           are
           propounded
           to
           us
           with
           considerable
           Authority
           ,
           which
           seem
           to
           encourage
           licentiousness
           ,
           and
           to
           render
           all
           care
           of
           living
           well
           needless
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           When
           we
           are
           tempted
           to
           separate
           from
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           establish'd
           Church
           where
           we
           live
           ,
           or
           if
           we
           are
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Separation
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           When
           Opinions
           in
           Religion
           are
           propounded
           to
           us
           by
           those
           that
           would
           get
           us
           to
           yield
           up
           our
           Judgments
           wholly
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           do
           what
           they
           can
           to
           keep
           us
           from
           examining
           them
           .
        
         
           A
           prudent
           man
           would
           examine
           in
           all
           these
           cases
           ;
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             When
             men
             make
             extraordinary
             Pretences
          
           .
           The
           reasonableness
           of
           which
           I
           have
           already
           shewn
           ,
           with
           reference
           to
           that
           Pretence
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           to
           Infallibility
           .
           And
           the
           like
           is
           to
           be
           said
           of
           those
           that
           pretend
           to
           work
           Miracles
           ,
           or
           that
           talk
           of
           
             immediate
             Revelations
          
           ,
           of
           knowing
           the
           Truth
           by
           Inspiration
           ,
           and
           of
           
             more
             than
             ordinary
             Illuminations
          
           .
           For
           it
           is
           not
           onely
           a
           childish
           thing
           to
           be
           frighted
           with
           big
           words
           from
           looking
           what
           is
           under
           them
           ,
           but
           a
           very
           dangerous
           sort
           of
           cowardize
           ,
           to
           be
           afraid
           of
           calling
           those
           things
           into
           question
           which
           are
           set
           off
           with
           such
           highflown
           Pretences
           .
           For
           from
           hence
           it
           has
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           Superstition
           and
           Idolatry
           ,
           
           Enthusiasms
           and
           Impostures
           ,
           have
           prevailed
           so
           much
           in
           the
           World.
           It
           is
           somewhat
           strange
           that
           we
           should
           believe
           men
           the
           more
           ,
           for
           that
           very
           reason
           upon
           which
           we
           should
           believe
           them
           less
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           for
           magnifying
           themselves
           .
           And
           yet
           if
           this
           had
           not
           been
           common
           ,
           Mahomet
           had
           not
           imposed
           upon
           so
           great
           a
           part
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           nor
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           upon
           so
           great
           a
           part
           of
           Christendom
           ,
           nor
           our
           Enthusiasts
           upon
           so
           many
           People
           in
           England
           as
           they
           have
           .
           I
           would
           not
           be
           backward
           to
           give
           that
           man
           a
           hearing
           ,
           that
           pretends
           to
           great
           things
           in
           teaching
           Religion
           ;
           but
           then
           I
           should
           be
           something
           forward
           to
           give
           him
           a
           tryal
           too
           :
           for
           otherwise
           I
           might
           encourage
           a
           very
           impudent
           Hypocrite
           to
           be
           more
           impudent
           still
           ,
           and
           to
           play
           upon
           my
           easiness
           till
           I
           had
           swallowed
           all
           the
           foolish
           and
           damnable
           Opinions
           which
           he
           would
           have
           me
           believe
           for
           his
           own
           advantage
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             When
             we
             meet
             with
             Doctrines
             that
             seem
             to
             strike
             at
             the
             foundations
             of
             Morality
             and
             good
             living
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             examine
             them
             too
             ,
             before
             we
             yield
             our
             assent
             ▪
             though
             they
             be
             recommended
             by
             men
             of
             name
             and
             authority
             .
          
           For
           the
           end
           of
           divine
           truth
           is
           a
           good
           and
           holy
           life
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           should
           suspect
           that
           to
           be
           false
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           in
           my
           judgment
           either
           takes
           away
           the
           necessity
           of
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           or
           discourages
           men
           from
           endeavouring
           to
           attain
           them
           .
           For
           instance
           ,
           I
           find
           this
           Doctrine
           maintained
           by
           some
           men
           of
           great
           note
           ,
           That
           God
           hath
           from
           all
           eternity
           absolutely
           chosen
           some
           men
           to
           salvation
           ,
           and
           reprobated
           the
           rest
           ,
           without
           respect
           to
           any
           personal
           qualifications
           .
           Now
           if
           this
           be
           true
           ,
           I
           cannot
           see
           for
           my
           life
           how
           the
           obtaining
           of
           eternal
           happiness
           ,
           and
           the
           avoiding
           of
           damnation
           ,
           depends
           upon
           any
           care
           of
           mine
           ,
           or
           upon
           any
           thing
           that
           I
           can
           do
           ,
           since
           every
           mans
           state
           is
           absolutely
           over-ruled
           by
           predestination
           and
           an
           irreversible
           decree
           ;
           so
           that
           let
           me
           do
           what
           I
           please
           ,
           all
           that
           I
           can
           do
           for
           another
           world
           will
           be
           but
           lost
           labour
           ,
           and
           
           might
           as
           well
           be
           spared
           .
           But
           if
           I
           am
           sensible
           of
           this
           ,
           it
           is
           but
           reasonable
           that
           I
           should
           not
           rely
           upon
           the
           credit
           of
           the
           Author
           or
           of
           the
           Preacher
           for
           so
           perilous
           a
           Doctrine
           ;
           but
           because
           it
           is
           pretended
           to
           be
           grounded
           upon
           the
           ninth
           Chapter
           to
           the
           Romans
           ,
           I
           should
           go
           to
           the
           Apostle
           my self
           ,
           and
           carefully
           inquire
           into
           his
           meaning
           in
           that
           place
           ,
           by
           the
           best
           Rules
           of
           interpretation
           that
           I
           can
           learn.
           And
           whoever
           goes
           thus
           impartially
           to
           work
           ,
           will
           find
           that
           the
           Apostle
           in
           that
           place
           was
           discoursing
           of
           another
           Question
           ,
           and
           indeed
           upon
           a
           subject
           that
           has
           nothing
           to
           do
           with
           this
           Question
           of
           absolute
           Election
           or
           Reprobation
           of
           the
           persons
           of
           men
           ;
           and
           that
           though
           the
           words
           sound
           that
           way
           to
           a
           man
           that
           is
           already
           prepossess'd
           ,
           yet
           the
           meaning
           of
           them
           is
           nothing
           to
           the
           purpose
           .
           Suspicion
           of
           Doctrines
           when
           it
           is
           grounded
           upon
           so
           good
           a
           reason
           as
           we
           are
           now
           speaking
           of
           ,
           should
           cause
           inquiry
           ,
           and
           then
           that
           inquiry
           will
           discover
           on
           which
           side
           the
           truth
           lies
           .
           He
           that
           would
           be
           a
           Libertine
           ,
           and
           live
           as
           he
           lists
           ,
           may
           be
           pleased
           when
           he
           meets
           with
           any
           pretended
           Doctrine
           of
           Religion
           that
           will
           excuse
           a
           wicked
           life
           ,
           or
           discourage
           Virtue
           and
           holiness
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           likely
           that
           he
           will
           rest
           satisfied
           ,
           and
           examine
           no
           farther
           .
           But
           an
           honest
           mind
           will
           not
           let
           a
           man
           deceive
           himself
           in
           this
           manner
           ;
           but
           if
           it
           does
           not
           cause
           him
           to
           reject
           such
           Opinions
           as
           soon
           as
           ever
           he
           has
           well
           satisfied
           himself
           of
           their
           consequences
           ,
           it
           will
           at
           least
           keep
           him
           from
           admitting
           them
           ,
           till
           he
           has
           tried
           them
           every
           way
           that
           he
           can
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             We
             ought
             also
             to
             be
             very
             well
             satisfied
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             much
             consideration
             of
             the
             matter
             ,
             before
             we
             separate
             from
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             Church
             where
             we
             live
             .
          
           For
           whatever
           some
           men
           may
           think
           of
           it
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           business
           of
           so
           weighty
           a
           nature
           and
           consequence
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           resolved
           upon
           or
           continued
           in
           ,
           till
           we
           are
           sure
           we
           are
           in
           the
           right
           ,
           and
           that
           upon
           most
           plain
           and
           evident
           reasons
           .
           
           And
           if
           there
           be
           any
           case
           in
           which
           a
           Christian
           ought
           not
           to
           go
           rashly
           to
           work
           ,
           this
           is
           one
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           greatly
           to
           be
           lamented
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           amongst
           us
           pretending
           to
           the
           power
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           should
           make
           so
           light
           a
           matter
           as
           they
           plainly
           do
           of
           running
           into
           separate
           Congregations
           ;
           it
           being
           very
           notorious
           ,
           when
           one
           discourses
           the
           point
           with
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           never
           enquired
           why
           the
           Church-Assemblies
           were
           to
           be
           forsaken
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           is
           in
           the
           establish'd
           Forms
           of
           Worship
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Terms
           of
           our
           Communion
           ,
           that
           makes
           it
           needful
           for
           an
           honest
           and
           wise
           Christian
           to
           depart
           from
           it
           .
           And
           this
           is
           an
           Argument
           that
           they
           take
           it
           to
           be
           a
           matter
           of
           very
           little
           consequence
           ;
           for
           otherwise
           they
           would
           have
           applied
           themselves
           with
           more
           diligence
           to
           weigh
           it
           in
           all
           the
           particulars
           that
           belong
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           I
           shall
           offer
           some
           Reasons
           in
           behalf
           of
           such
           inconsiderate
           People
           ,
           to
           convince
           them
           how
           bold
           and
           dangerous
           a
           thing
           it
           is
           to
           separate
           from
           this
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           unless
           they
           were
           fully
           satisfied
           upon
           mature
           examination
           that
           there
           are
           just
           and
           necessary
           causes
           for
           separation
           ,
           such
           namely
           as
           will
           make
           them
           sinners
           against
           God
           ,
           if
           they
           do
           not
           separate
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             If
             without
             just
             cause
             I
             separate
             from
             this
             Church
             ,
             I
             do
             wilfully
             reject
             the
             great
             blessings
             and
             advantages
             of
             Communion
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             answerable
             to
             God
             for
             slighting
             that
             merciful
             providence
             of
             his
             through
             which
             I
             happened
             to
             be
             born
             and
             bred
             in
             a
             place
             where
             I
             might
             enjoy
             the
             benefits
             of
             Church-Communion
             ,
             without
             venturing
             at
             any
             disorderly
             and
             sinful
             practice
             for
             them
             .
          
           Surely
           it
           is
           no
           small
           blessing
           ,
           if
           my
           lot
           has
           been
           cast
           where
           so
           great
           a
           blessing
           did
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           lie
           in
           wait
           for
           me
           ,
           where
           the
           true
           Christian
           Doctrine
           and
           way
           of
           Worship
           was
           recommended
           to
           me
           by
           publick
           Authority
           ,
           and
           establish'd
           by
           Law
           and
           Custom
           ,
           and
           defended
           to
           my
           hand
           by
           clear
           and
           strong
           Arguments
           .
           If
           this
           be
           our
           Case
           in
           the
           Church
           
           of
           England
           ,
           then
           my
           separation
           from
           her
           (
           I
           say
           it
           again
           )
           makes
           me
           guilty
           of
           a
           stupid
           and
           ungrateful
           contempt
           of
           Gods
           exceeding
           mercies
           in
           disposing
           my
           condition
           in
           this
           World
           so
           to
           my
           advantage
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           
             born
             ,
             baptized
          
           ,
           and
           bred
           in
           a
           place
           where
           the
           Truth
           invited
           me
           ,
           and
           was
           ready
           to
           receive
           me
           ,
           before
           I
           made
           one
           step
           towards
           a
           search
           after
           her
           .
           Indeed
           to
           be
           baptized
           within
           the
           Communion
           of
           a
           particular
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           been
           born
           and
           to
           live
           under
           that
           Authority
           which
           requires
           me
           to
           keep
           close
           to
           it
           ,
           is
           of
           it self
           no
           sufficient
           reason
           why
           we
           should
           continue
           to
           be
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           a
           mighty
           reason
           why
           we
           should
           examine
           things
           carefully
           before
           we
           leave
           it
           ,
           or
           take
           up
           a
           resolution
           never
           to
           return
           to
           it
           ,
           if
           we
           have
           left
           it
           already
           ;
           because
           if
           there
           be
           no
           just
           reason
           for
           separation
           ,
           we
           shall
           have
           the
           more
           to
           answer
           to
           God
           :
           For
           it
           is
           a
           great
           fault
           to
           neglect
           searching
           after
           the
           Truth
           in
           matters
           of
           this
           concern
           ,
           even
           when
           it
           lies
           a
           
             great
             way
             off
          
           from
           a
           man
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           much
           more
           inexcusable
           to
           reject
           it
           when
           it
           lies
           
             at
             our
             doors
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           had
           need
           be
           very
           careful
           and
           impartial
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           since
           if
           the
           reasons
           upon
           which
           I
           separate
           be
           not
           really
           weighty
           and
           substantial
           ,
           I
           am
           at
           once
           guilty
           of
           throwing
           off
           that
           subordination
           and
           subjection
           to
           the
           Pastors
           and
           Guides
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           the
           Christian
           Profession
           requires
           ,
           and
           of
           contemning
           the
           lawful
           commands
           of
           my
           Superiours
           in
           the
           State
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Rule
           of
           the
           Gospel
           which
           obliges
           me
           to
           submit
           to
           their
           Ordinances
           .
           
             I
             should
             not
             easily
             be
             led
             to
             a
             Practice
             where
             there
             is
             danger
             of
             such
             a
             complicated
             sin
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           
             differences
             in
             Religion
             and
             Worship
             ,
             do
             dangerously
             affect
             the
             Peace
             of
             Kingdoms
             and
             all
             other
             Societies
             ,
             especially
             where
             the
             interests
             of
             Church
             and
             State
             are
             so
             mixed
             and
             interwoven
             together
             as
             they
             are
             in
             England
             .
          
           They
           that
           agree
           in
           Religion
           ,
           are
           the
           most
           likely
           to
           be
           at
           peace
           ,
           and
           to
           agree
           together
           in
           other
           
           things
           .
           But
           it
           seldom
           happens
           that
           they
           maintain
           hearty
           correspondence
           in
           any
           thing
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           opposite
           Communions
           in
           the
           service
           of
           God.
           When
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Church
           is
           broken
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           foundation
           laid
           of
           those
           uncharitable
           censures
           and
           animosities
           which
           for
           the
           most
           part
           end
           in
           violence
           and
           bloudshed
           ,
           very
           often
           to
           the
           dissolation
           of
           Kingdoms
           and
           Nations
           .
           It
           were
           easie
           to
           put
           this
           out
           of
           question
           by
           several
           instances
           of
           the
           sad
           experience
           which
           Christendom
           hath
           had
           of
           it
           .
           But
           the
           late
           and
           sad
           Example
           hereof
           at
           home
           ,
           is
           enough
           to
           make
           all
           others
           needless
           for
           our
           conviction
           .
           The
           Rebellion
           here
           was
           supported
           by
           nothing
           more
           than
           by
           difference
           about
           Religion
           .
           This
           was
           the
           principal
           cause
           that
           brought
           together
           so
           many
           People
           against
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           that
           inslamed
           them
           with
           anger
           and
           resolution
           to
           venture
           all
           ,
           till
           they
           had
           secured
           the
           King
           and
           enslaved
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           I
           need
           not
           say
           (
           for
           sure
           every
           body
           must
           be
           sensible
           of
           that
           )
           how
           diversity
           of
           Religions
           weaken
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           render
           a
           People
           unable
           to
           do
           well
           for
           themselves
           ,
           to
           oppose
           foreign
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           to
           use
           the
           most
           likely
           opportunities
           for
           the
           common
           safety
           and
           prosperity
           .
           Therefore
           in
           love
           to
           our
           Country
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Peace
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           of
           success
           in
           all
           just
           Enterprizes
           abroad
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           very
           backward
           to
           violate
           the
           present
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           unsettle
           the
           state
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           never
           separate
           from
           the
           establish'd
           Communion
           ,
           till
           we
           find
           our selves
           forced
           to
           it
           by
           Reasons
           so
           plain
           and
           weighty
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           avoiding
           of
           it
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           keep
           our selves
           honest
           men
           and
           good
           Christians
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           
             The
             setting
             of
             a
             bad
             example
             to
             others
             should
             in
             this
             case
             be
             most
             considered
             .
          
           For
           if
           where
           a
           necessary
           Reformation
           in
           things
           of
           Religion
           is
           made
           by
           just
           Authority
           ,
           or
           a
           lawful
           separation
           made
           by
           private
           persons
           from
           a
           Communion
           polluted
           with
           unlawful
           conditions
           ;
           it
           is
           yet
           
           very
           hard
           to
           keep
           the
           Example
           from
           being
           abused
           by
           others
           in
           reforming
           or
           separating
           without
           any
           such
           cause
           ,
           and
           will
           still
           be
           of
           worse
           consequence
           to
           set
           an
           example
           of
           wanton
           and
           unjustifiable
           separation
           :
           for
           this
           is
           so
           plain
           a
           contempt
           of
           Authority
           ,
           Order
           ,
           and
           Unity
           ,
           that
           others
           will
           be
           afraid
           to
           subdivide
           into
           more
           Parties
           ,
           as
           Self-conceit
           ,
           Ambition
           ,
           or
           Revenge
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           evil
           dispositions
           shall
           prompt
           them
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           
             If
             separation
             should
             not
             be
             made
             but
             with
             very
             great
             caution
             ,
             for
             fear
             of
             incurring
             the
             guilt
             of
             Schism
             by
             a
             causeless
             and
             unlawful
             departure
             from
             the
             Assemblies
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             setting
             up
             other
             Assemblies
             in
             opposition
             to
             them
             .
          
           This
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           the
           ancient
           Christians
           was
           no
           less
           than
           for
           a
           man
           to
           cut
           himself
           off
           from
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           body
           of
           Christ
           be
           but
           one
           ,
           as
           the
           Scripture
           plainly
           tells
           us
           ,
           he
           that
           divides
           himself
           from
           any
           particular
           Church
           that
           is
           a
           Member
           of
           this
           Body
           ,
           divides
           himself
           from
           the
           whole
           Body
           .
           And
           therefore
           Schismaticks
           were
           not
           accounted
           by
           the
           Ancients
           to
           be
           
             within
             the
             Church
          
           ,
           although
           they
           retained
           the
           profession
           of
           the
           
             Common
             Faith.
          
           And
           surely
           a
           man
           would
           well
           advise
           with
           himself
           about
           an
           action
           whereby
           he
           may
           be
           in
           danger
           of
           putting
           himself
           into
           that
           condition
           .
           The
           Vnity
           of
           Christians
           in
           
             one
             Body
          
           and
           Communion
           ,
           was
           instituted
           by
           our
           Lord
           for
           very
           great
           and
           weighty
           reasons
           ,
           and
           particularly
           for
           the
           securing
           of
           
             Brotherly
             kindness
          
           amongst
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           who
           being
           Members
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           should
           therefore
           love
           and
           care
           for
           one
           another
           more
           than
           other
           men
           are
           wont
           to
           do
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           retaining
           of
           Professors
           within
           the
           Rules
           of
           a
           true
           Christian
           life
           ,
           from
           which
           if
           they
           should
           break
           away
           by
           any
           scandalous
           practice
           ,
           they
           were
           to
           be
           punished
           for
           it
           by
           the
           shame
           of
           being
           turned
           out
           of
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           loss
           of
           the
           great
           advantages
           thereof
           .
           But
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           
           are
           guilty
           of
           dividing
           the
           Communion
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           setting
           up
           one
           Communion
           in
           opposition
           to
           another
           ,
           without
           necessary
           cause
           ,
           do
           what
           in
           them
           lies
           to
           render
           this
           provision
           for
           the
           
             maintenance
             of
             Charity
          
           and
           
             purity
             of
             Manners
          
           amongst
           Believers
           ,
           altogether
           ineffectual
           .
           And
           we
           see
           by
           experience
           that
           hatred
           and
           ill
           will
           ,
           and
           looseness
           of
           life
           ,
           gains
           ground
           more
           by
           the
           Schisms
           that
           are
           amongst
           Christians
           ,
           than
           by
           any
           thing
           else
           ;
           and
           no
           wonder
           ,
           since
           men
           that
           are
           of
           different
           and
           opposite
           Communions
           do
           not
           use
           to
           love
           one
           another
           ;
           and
           vicious
           persons
           do
           not
           value
           the
           Communion
           of
           a
           true
           Church
           ,
           nor
           care
           if
           for
           their
           ill
           manners
           they
           be
           turned
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           they
           can
           take
           Sanctuary
           in
           a
           pretended
           Church
           of
           another
           Communion
           ,
           that
           makes
           as
           loud
           a
           claim
           to
           all
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           a
           Chruch-Society
           as
           that
           Church
           can
           do
           from
           which
           they
           have
           divided
           themselves
           .
           Which
           things
           being
           considered
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           to
           wonder
           that
           in
           St.
           Cyprian's
           time
           Schism
           was
           accounted
           no
           less
           ,
           but
           rather
           a
           greater
           fault
           than
           to
           sacrifice
           to
           Idols
           for
           the
           avoiding
           of
           persecution
           .
           For
           though
           Idolatry
           simply
           considered
           be
           in
           it self
           worse
           ,
           yet
           Schism
           in
           its
           consequences
           is
           more
           pernicious
           .
           He
           that
           is
           the
           Head
           of
           a
           Schism
           ,
           does
           more
           mischief
           to
           the
           Church
           than
           if
           he
           turned
           a
           Pagan
           or
           a
           Mahometan
           .
           The
           conclusion
           from
           hence
           is
           this
           :
           That
           it
           concerns
           every
           man
           that
           separates
           himself
           from
           an
           established
           Church
           ,
           it
           concerns
           him
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           his
           Soul
           is
           worth
           ,
           to
           look
           to
           it
           that
           the
           cause
           of
           his
           separation
           be
           just
           and
           necessary
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           will
           throw
           the
           guilt
           of
           Schism
           upon
           that
           Church
           from
           which
           he
           separates
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           ,
           how
           few
           are
           they
           that
           examine
           the
           reasons
           upon
           which
           they
           have
           broken
           away
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ?
           How
           many
           ,
           that
           when
           they
           are
           pressed
           in
           good
           earnest
           ,
           can
           say
           no
           more
           for
           themselves
           than
           that
           they
           have
           better
           preaching
           ,
           and
           more
           spiritual
           praying
           
           elsewhere
           ,
           than
           in
           our
           Parish-Churches
           ?
           How
           will
           they
           abuse
           our
           Prayers
           and
           call
           them
           Porridge
           ,
           and
           such
           other
           vile
           names
           ,
           who
           never
           in
           all
           their
           lives
           so
           much
           as
           read
           them
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           ashamed
           to
           own
           that
           they
           have
           not
           ?
           They
           call
           the
           Bishops
           Antichristian
           ,
           and
           the
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           Idolatrous
           or
           Superstitious
           ,
           who
           yet
           never
           well
           considered
           what
           Antichrist
           means
           ,
           what
           is
           Idolatry
           or
           Superstition
           ;
           who
           have
           little
           or
           nothing
           to
           say
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           asked
           what
           evil
           is
           in
           Bishops
           ,
           in
           Liturgies
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Rites
           of
           our
           Worship
           .
           How
           many
           others
           are
           there
           who
           read
           the
           Books
           written
           to
           defend
           the
           separation
           ,
           but
           will
           not
           vouchsafe
           so
           much
           as
           to
           look
           upon
           any
           one
           that
           is
           published
           in
           behalf
           of
           the
           Communion
           of
           our
           Church
           ?
           God
           of
           his
           mercy
           give
           a
           better
           Spirit
           to
           such
           people
           ,
           and
           Repentance
           to
           those
           that
           have
           misled
           them
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           We
           should
           not
           easily
           believe
           those
           men
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           who
           would
           keep
           us
           from
           examining
           their
           Doctrines
           by
           fair
           ways
           of
           tryal
           ,
           and
           would
           affright
           us
           into
           an
           implicit
           Faith
           ,
           by
           pronouncing
           damnation
           against
           all
           that
           are
           not
           of
           their
           own
           way
           .
           If
           men
           use
           violence
           or
           subtlety
           to
           hinder
           us
           from
           judging
           for
           ourselves
           ,
           there
           is
           great
           reason
           to
           suspect
           that
           they
           are
           conscious
           to
           themselves
           of
           a
           bad
           Cause
           which
           will
           not
           bear
           the
           tryal
           .
           I
           need
           not
           say
           how
           this
           reaches
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           which
           forbids
           the
           Laity
           to
           read
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           unless
           some
           one
           Lay-man
           has
           that
           special
           favour
           granted
           him
           of
           leave
           so
           to
           do
           from
           his
           Ordinary
           ,
           who
           commonly
           is
           wise
           enough
           not
           to
           give
           this
           license
           ,
           but
           where
           he
           is
           sure
           the
           party
           is
           fast
           enough
           to
           the
           Cause
           of
           that
           Church
           .
        
         
           Those
           of
           the
           separate
           Congregations
           best
           know
           what
           Arts
           are
           used
           to
           keep
           the
           people
           that
           go
           that
           way
           ,
           from
           informing
           themselves
           by
           reading
           our
           Books
           ,
           or
           discoursing
           with
           our
           Ministers
           about
           the
           matters
           in
           controversie
           
           between
           them
           and
           us
           .
           But
           we
           are
           not
           ignorant
           of
           all
           of
           them
           ,
           some
           of
           their
           Leaders
           teach
           them
           to
           pity
           our
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           want
           of
           illumination
           ;
           Alas
           ,
           poor
           wretches
           that
           we
           are
           ,
           
             we
             know
             not
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God!
          
           we
           are
           strangers
           to
           the
           life
           and
           
             power
             of
             Godliness
          
           !
        
         
           Thus
           they
           use
           to
           represent
           us
           .
           They
           take
           all
           the
           good
           names
           and
           promises
           of
           the
           Scripture
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           threatnings
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           punishments
           inflicted
           upon
           his
           enemies
           ,
           to
           us
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           but
           a
           cunning
           and
           indirect
           way
           to
           keep
           the
           People
           from
           hearkning
           to
           any
           thing
           we
           can
           say
           to
           'em
           ,
           and
           to
           teach
           them
           how
           to
           conclude
           against
           us
           ,
           without
           thinking
           it
           to
           any
           purpose
           to
           examine
           what
           is
           offered
           on
           both
           sides
           .
           They
           that
           have
           a
           good
           Cause
           ,
           need
           not
           use
           those
           disingenuous
           Arts
           ;
           they
           will
           not
           fright
           men
           from
           considering
           what
           their
           adversaries
           say
           ,
           by
           denouncing
           damnation
           against
           them
           ,
           nor
           forbid
           them
           to
           read
           their
           Books
           ,
           but
           rather
           encourage
           them
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           see
           the
           difference
           between
           Truth
           and
           Errour
           ,
           between
           Reason
           and
           Sophistry
           ,
           with
           their
           own
           eyes
           .
           This
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           a
           well-grounded
           confidence
           in
           the
           Truth
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           this
           signe
           of
           a
           good
           Cause
           apparently
           discernable
           in
           the
           Application
           of
           the
           Clergy
           of
           this
           Church
           both
           to
           their
           friends
           and
           enemies
           .
           They
           desire
           both
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           to
           consider
           impartially
           what
           is
           said
           for
           us
           and
           against
           us
           .
           And
           whatever
           Guides
           of
           a
           Party
           do
           otherwise
           ,
           they
           give
           just
           cause
           to
           those
           that
           follow
           them
           ,
           to
           examine
           their
           Doctrines
           so
           much
           the
           more
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           they
           are
           unwilling
           to
           have
           them
           examined
           .
           It
           is
           a
           bad
           signe
           when
           men
           are
           loath
           to
           have
           their
           Opinions
           seen
           in
           the
           day
           ,
           but
           
             love
             darkness
             rather
             than
             light
          
           .
        
         
           Thus
           I
           have
           shewn
           in
           what
           cases
           we
           are
           most
           concerned
           to
           examine
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           those
           that
           undertake
           to
           inftruct
           and
           guide
           us
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           §
           5.
           
        
         
           II.
           Because
           the
           duty
           of
           
             proving
             all
             things
          
           supposes
           certain
           Rules
           and
           Tests
           ,
           by
           which
           Doctrines
           are
           to
           be
           examined
           and
           tryed
           ,
           I
           proceed
           to
           shew
           what
           they
           are
           .
           Now
           it
           is
           very
           certain
           that
           the
           Rules
           by
           which
           we
           are
           to
           try
           Doctrines
           for
           our
           own
           satisfaction
           about
           them
           ,
           are
           no
           other
           than
           those
           want
           of
           Argument
           by
           which
           a
           wise
           man
           would
           prove
           the
           truth
           of
           his
           Perswasion
           to
           others
           for
           their
           satisfaction
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           plain
           that
           those
           Rules
           must
           be
           common
           to
           me
           and
           to
           other
           men
           whom
           I
           would
           also
           guide
           so
           into
           the
           knowledge
           of
           that
           Truth
           to
           which
           I
           have
           attained
           .
           And
           they
           are
           these
           three
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Reason
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           common
           Rule
           to
           all
           men
           .
           2.
           
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           common
           Rule
           to
           all
           Christians
           .
           3.
           
           Antiquity
           ,
           or
           the
           uniform
           Judgment
           and
           Practice
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           common
           Rule
           to
           those
           who
           are
           verst
           in
           the
           Histories
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Writings
           of
           the
           Fathers
           .
        
         
           The
           two
           former
           Rules
           are
           the
           principal
           and
           most
           necessary
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           safe
           if
           our
           Perswasions
           in
           Religion
           will
           bear
           the
           Test
           of
           Reason
           and
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           withal
           those
           Rules
           are
           near
           at
           hand
           for
           every
           mans
           use
           amongst
           us
           .
           But
           the
           last
           Rule
           is
           also
           of
           good
           use
           to
           those
           that
           can
           use
           it
           ,
           for
           their
           own
           confirmation
           in
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           stopping
           the
           mouths
           of
           gain-sayers
           .
           But
           more
           particularly
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           By
           Reason
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           understand
           that
           Faculty
           by
           which
           we
           are
           men
           ,
           and
           can
           compare
           one
           thing
           with
           another
           ,
           and
           argue
           and
           conclude
           ,
           &c.
           for
           this
           is
           that
           Natural
           Power
           by
           which
           we
           use
           any
           kind
           of
           Rule
           whereby
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           truth
           or
           falshood
           of
           Opinions
           in
           Religion
           ;
           but
           I
           understand
           by
           it
           ,
           those
           
             common
             Truths
          
           
           which
           are
           natural
           to
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           we
           give
           a
           ready
           assent
           ,
           without
           any
           need
           of
           having
           them
           proved
           by
           any
           thing
           else
           .
           For
           by
           these
           fundamental
           Truths
           we
           are
           to
           prove
           all
           things
           else
           ;
           and
           if
           there
           were
           none
           such
           ,
           we
           could
           prove
           nothing
           .
           And
           they
           are
           such
           as
           these
           ,
           
             That
             nothing
             can
             make
             it self
             ;
             That
             the
             same
             thing
             cannot
             be
             and
             not
             be
             at
             the
             same
             time
             ;
             That
             common
             sence
             is
             to
             be
             trusted
             ;
             That
             God
             is
             a
             being
             absolutely
             perfect
             ;
             That
             the
             Good
             is
             to
             be
             chosen
             ,
             and
             the
             Evil
             to
             be
             refused
          
           ;
           and
           that
           
             Contradictions
             cannot
             be
             true
          
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           .
           Now
           whatever
           is
           by
           true
           consequence
           deduced
           from
           such
           Principles
           ,
           is
           thereby
           proved
           to
           be
           true
           ;
           and
           whatsoever
           is
           repugnant
           to
           them
           ,
           or
           can
           be
           disproved
           by
           them
           ,
           is
           false
           .
           They
           are
           the
           forementioned
           Propositions
           ,
           with
           others
           as
           self-evident
           as
           they
           ;
           which
           make
           up
           that
           which
           we
           call
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           or
           of
           Reason
           .
           And
           I
           mention
           this
           Rule
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           because
           it
           must
           be
           presupposed
           to
           all
           other
           ways
           and
           means
           of
           enquiring
           after
           Truth
           ,
           and
           without
           which
           nothing
           could
           be
           done
           in
           it
           ;
           insomuch
           that
           the
           belief
           of
           that
           Truth
           which
           is
           not
           to
           be
           deduced
           from
           mere
           natural
           Reason
           ,
           but
           depends
           upon
           a
           divine
           Testimony
           ,
           is
           at
           last
           resolved
           into
           a
           rational
           Act
           ,
           and
           relies
           upon
           this
           natural
           Principle
           ,
           that
           
             God
             cannot
             lye
          
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           they
           that
           cry
           down
           Reason
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           at
           no
           hand
           to
           be
           trusted
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           call
           it
           
             carnal
             ,
             blind
          
           ,
           and
           foolish
           Reason
           ,
           and
           such-like
           vile
           names
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           in
           good
           earnest
           ,
           they
           are
           incapable
           of
           searching
           after
           Truth
           themselves
           ,
           and
           of
           receiving
           any
           satisfaction
           from
           others
           .
           While
           they
           are
           in
           this
           humour
           ,
           I
           may
           as
           well
           take
           a
           Beast
           to
           dispute
           with
           ,
           as
           go
           about
           to
           convince
           them
           .
           And
           if
           all
           men
           were
           thus
           senseless
           ,
           it
           were
           impossible
           that
           men
           should
           be
           serviceable
           to
           instruct
           one
           another
           in
           the
           
             things
             of
             God.
          
           But
           to
           abandon
           the
           use
           of
           Reason
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           scorn
           a
           
           man
           when
           he
           speaks
           consistently
           ,
           and
           argues
           clearly
           from
           common
           Principles
           of
           Truth
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           wretched
           sort
           of
           unmanliness
           ,
           that
           I
           cannot
           but
           think
           it
           is
           for
           the
           most
           part
           taken
           up
           in
           designe
           ,
           by
           those
           men
           that
           have
           brought
           Nonsence
           ,
           and
           Contradictions
           ,
           and
           absurd
           Opinions
           into
           Religion
           ;
           which
           no
           man
           can
           admit
           ,
           without
           doing
           violence
           to
           his
           own
           understanding
           .
           For
           when
           Hypocrites
           have
           for
           their
           worldly
           interest
           debauched
           Religion
           in
           this
           manner
           ,
           they
           know
           that
           the
           meanest
           people
           will
           never
           swallow
           their
           gross
           absurdities
           ,
           unless
           they
           can
           first
           prevail
           with
           them
           to
           believe
           that
           't
           is
           a
           dangerous
           thing
           to
           trust
           their
           own
           eyes
           ,
           or
           to
           hearken
           to
           any
           discourse
           from
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           never
           so
           clear
           and
           strong
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           a
           kind
           of
           merit
           to
           believe
           things
           incredible
           ,
           and
           to
           stick
           to
           a
           conclusion
           the
           faster
           ,
           the
           more
           impossible
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           true
           .
           But
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           if
           Reason
           be
           one
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           first
           means
           by
           which
           we
           are
           to
           judge
           for
           our selves
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           make
           bold
           to
           say
           it
           is
           ,
           I
           should
           vehemently
           suspect
           ,
           without
           farther
           examination
           ,
           that
           they
           know
           their
           Opinions
           to
           be
           very
           foolish
           ,
           who
           at
           first
           dash
           renounce
           the
           most
           general
           and
           necessary
           Rule
           by
           which
           they
           are
           to
           be
           tried
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           onely
           adde
           ,
           that
           because
           the
           fundamental
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           are
           the
           same
           all
           the
           World
           over
           ;
           Reason
           is
           therefore
           the
           most
           publick
           Rule
           and
           Test
           ,
           whereby
           to
           judge
           between
           Truth
           and
           Errour
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           a
           Council
           defines
           things
           in
           that
           manner
           ,
           that
           I
           must
           forsake
           right
           Reason
           to
           follow
           its
           Definitions
           ;
           when
           I
           make
           this
           plain
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           opposing
           a
           
             private
             Spirit
          
           to
           a
           publick
           Judgment
           ,
           but
           appealing
           from
           a
           less
           publick
           Judgment
           ,
           to
           the
           most
           publick
           Sence
           and
           Judgment
           of
           mankind
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           §
           6.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           Reason
           is
           a
           Rule
           to
           all
           men
           ,
           so
           is
           Scripture
           a
           Rule
           to
           all
           Christians
           ,
           at
           least
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           so
           ;
           and
           all
           pretend
           to
           make
           it
           a
           Rule
           for
           their
           Judgment
           ,
           by
           appealing
           to
           it
           .
           The
           Church
           of
           Rome
           indeed
           allows
           it
           to
           be
           but
           part
           of
           the
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           ;
           we
           say
           it
           is
           an
           intire
           and
           perfect
           Rule
           thereof
           .
           However
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           she
           acknowledges
           the
           Scriptures
           to
           be
           a
           Rule
           ,
           though
           she
           pretends
           there
           is
           another
           Rule
           besides
           that
           ,
           she
           is
           to
           be
           concluded
           by
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           and
           so
           we
           are
           to
           be
           acquitted
           by
           her
           ,
           in
           not
           believing
           her
           
             against
             the
             Scriptures
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           every
           body
           must
           grant
           that
           we
           do
           not
           judge
           rightly
           by
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           where
           we
           mistake
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           Text.
           And
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           sure
           that
           the
           sence
           wherein
           we
           take
           any
           place
           ,
           is
           the
           true
           sence
           ,
           before
           we
           make
           our
           interpretation
           of
           it
           a
           Rule
           whereby
           to
           examine
           other
           things
           .
        
         
           Where
           the
           sence
           is
           very
           plain
           ,
           it
           requires
           nothing
           more
           than
           common
           sence
           and
           common
           honesty
           to
           understand
           it
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           very
           reasonable
           to
           suppose
           that
           God
           hath
           revealed
           all
           points
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           so
           clearly
           and
           plainly
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           difficult
           for
           an
           honest
           man
           to
           understand
           what
           they
           are
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           there
           are
           many
           obscure
           places
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           very
           careful
           not
           to
           ground
           any
           Doctrine
           upon
           them
           ,
           till
           we
           have
           well
           weighed
           and
           examined
           the
           meaning
           of
           those
           places
           ;
           and
           the
           way
           to
           be
           secure
           from
           any
           dangerous
           mistake
           in
           concluding
           from
           places
           of
           Scripture
           that
           are
           more
           or
           less
           hard
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           is
           to
           observe
           such
           cautions
           as
           these
           are
           ,
           which
           I
           think
           all
           Christians
           must
           allow
           to
           be
           reasonable
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           we
           take
           no
           Text
           in
           a
           sence
           which
           is
           repugnant
           
           to
           common
           Sense
           and
           natural
           Reason
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           we
           put
           no
           sence
           upon
           a
           place
           of
           Scripture
           that
           is
           repugnant
           to
           the
           general
           scope
           and
           designe
           of
           the
           whole
           Word
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           we
           understand
           no
           ▪
           difficult
           places
           in
           a
           sence
           that
           is
           contrary
           to
           to
           those
           places
           whose
           meaning
           is
           plain
           and
           manifest
           to
           all
           men
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           we
           mistake
           not
           those
           places
           for
           plain
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           so
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           That
           we
           put
           no
           other
           sence
           upon
           a
           Text
           than
           what
           agrees
           with
           the
           scope
           and
           designe
           of
           that
           particular
           Discourse
           wherein
           we
           find
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Before
             we
             conclude
             upon
             the
             sence
             of
             a
             Text
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             prove
             any
             thing
             by
             it
             ,
             we
             must
             be
             sure
             that
             sence
             is
             not
             repugnant
             to
             natural
             Reason
             .
          
           For
           if
           it
           be
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           the
           true
           meaning
           of
           the
           Scripture
           .
           For
           God
           is
           the
           Original
           of
           natural
           Truth
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           that
           which
           comes
           by
           particular
           Revelation
           ;
           and
           ,
           as
           Hierocles
           saith
           ,
           to
           
             believe
             and
             obey
             right
             Reason
             ,
             and
             to
             follow
             God
             ,
             are
             the
             same
             thing
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           no
           Proposition
           that
           is
           repugnant
           to
           the
           fundamental
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           ,
           can
           be
           the
           sence
           of
           any
           part
           of
           Gods
           Book
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           is
           false
           and
           contrary
           to
           Reason
           ,
           can
           no
           more
           be
           true
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           revelations
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           than
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           one
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           ,
           can
           contradict
           himself
           .
           From
           hence
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           these
           words
           ,
           
             This
             is
             my
             body
          
           ,
           are
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           that
           sence
           which
           makes
           for
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           impossible
           that
           contradictions
           should
           be
           true
           ;
           and
           we
           cannot
           be
           more
           certain
           that
           any
           thing
           is
           true
           ,
           than
           we
           are
           that
           that
           Doctrine
           is
           false
           .
           There
           are
           some
           other
           Doctrines
           maintained
           by
           men
           of
           Name
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           no
           better
           grounds
           for
           ,
           than
           obscure
           Texts
           interpreted
           contrary
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           natural
           Reason
           
           and
           Religion
           .
           This
           caution
           therefore
           is
           to
           be
           minded
           in
           the
           first
           place
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             We
             must
             put
             no
             sence
             upon
             a
             difficult
             place
             ,
             which
             contradicts
             the
             great
             end
             and
             drift
             of
             the
             whole
             Bible
             .
          
           Now
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           work
           Faith
           in
           men
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           repentance
           ,
           and
           to
           a
           holy
           life
           .
           And
           therefore
           whatsoever
           Doctrine
           does
           naturally
           tend
           to
           take
           men
           off
           from
           the
           care
           of
           holy
           living
           ,
           by
           nourishing
           them
           in
           foolish
           presumption
           ,
           or
           driving
           them
           to
           miserable
           despair
           ,
           cannot
           be
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           and
           therefore
           such
           a
           Doctrine
           cannot
           be
           proved
           from
           any
           obscure
           Text
           of
           the
           Bible
           ,
           and
           by
           consequence
           that
           sence
           of
           an
           obsure
           Text
           from
           which
           it
           may
           be
           proved
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           true
           sence
           ,
           unless
           we
           can
           believe
           that
           some
           part
           of
           the
           holy
           Books
           teaches
           something
           that
           undermines
           the
           great
           end
           of
           the
           whole
           .
           There
           are
           too
           many
           Opinions
           amongst
           some
           Christians
           that
           have
           no
           other
           colour
           for
           them
           ,
           than
           Scripture
           interpreted
           without
           this
           necessary
           caution
           ,
           which
           must
           therefore
           be
           added
           to
           the
           former
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             We
             must
             not
             understand
             a
             difficult
             place
             in
             a
             sence
             that
             is
             contrary
             to
             those
             places
             whose
             meaning
             is
             plain
             and
             manifest
             to
             all
             men
             .
          
           For
           the
           Scripture
           cannot
           teach
           one
           thing
           plainly
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           and
           the
           quite
           contrary
           obscurely
           in
           another
           .
           It
           is
           but
           reasonable
           therefore
           in
           trying
           to
           understand
           a
           difficult
           place
           ,
           or
           in
           going
           about
           to
           prove
           any
           thing
           from
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           compare
           Scripture
           with
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           obscure
           places
           with
           those
           that
           are
           plain
           ;
           not
           to
           interpret
           the
           plain
           by
           the
           obscure
           ,
           which
           is
           contrary
           to
           all
           Rules
           of
           Discourse
           ,
           but
           the
           obscure
           by
           the
           plain
           ;
           especially
           because
           the
           plain
           places
           contain
           things
           that
           are
           most
           necessary
           to
           be
           understood
           and
           believed
           by
           us
           :
           and
           therefore
           we
           cannot
           without
           great
           danger
           forsake
           the
           Doctrine
           which
           they
           teach
           ;
           as
           every
           man
           in
           effect
           does
           ,
           who
           takes
           a
           difficult
           
           place
           in
           a
           sence
           contrary
           to
           that
           Doctrine
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           is
           our
           Rule
           principally
           where
           it
           is
           easiest
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           and
           the
           meaning
           is
           most
           plain
           and
           evident
           .
           But
           this
           caution
           will
           be
           of
           greater
           use
           ,
           if
           we
           take
           the
           next
           along
           with
           us
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           this
           :
        
         
           4.
           
           In
           trying
           Opinions
           by
           Scripture
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           something
           careful
           lest
           we
           mistake
           those
           places
           for
           plain
           ,
           which
           indeed
           are
           not
           so
           ,
           but
           more
           or
           less
           obscure
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           I
           think
           it
           needful
           to
           shew
           what
           I
           mean
           by
           the
           plainness
           or
           by
           the
           difficulty
           of
           a
           Text.
           A
           Text
           is
           then
           plain
           ,
           when
           that
           is
           the
           true
           and
           intended
           meaning
           of
           it
           which
           the
           first
           reading
           or
           hearing
           of
           the
           words
           doth
           suggest
           to
           a
           mans
           mind
           .
           And
           the
           Scripture
           is
           thus
           plain
           in
           necessary
           points
           ,
           especially
           in
           the
           Precepts
           and
           Exhortations
           thereof
           ,
           which
           though
           in
           some
           places
           they
           are
           couched
           under
           more
           obscure
           terms
           ,
           yet
           in
           others
           they
           are
           delivered
           with
           this
           plainness
           .
        
         
           A
           Text
           may
           be
           said
           to
           be
           difficult
           ,
           when
           we
           do
           not
           hit
           of
           the
           true
           and
           intended
           sence
           upon
           the
           first
           reading
           ,
           or
           gather
           it
           from
           the
           bare
           surface
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           but
           must
           search
           and
           enquire
           farther
           to
           know
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           there
           are
           two
           sorts
           of
           difficult
           Texts
           in
           Scripture
           .
           Some
           places
           are
           so
           hard
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           that
           upon
           the
           first
           reading
           of
           the
           words
           or
           phrases
           ,
           no
           tolerable
           or
           intelligible
           sence
           can
           be
           put
           on
           them
           at
           all
           ,
           without
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           farther
           study
           and
           enquiry
           ;
           the
           difficult
           places
           of
           which
           sort
           are
           more
           seldom
           perverted
           to
           maintain
           any
           ill
           Opinion
           :
           for
           no
           body
           goes
           about
           to
           make
           a
           Text
           a
           Scriptural
           proof
           of
           any
           thing
           ,
           without
           he
           first
           determines
           with
           himself
           in
           what
           sence
           to
           take
           it
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           the
           hard
           places
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           it
           being
           not
           obvious
           at
           the
           first
           reading
           what
           sence
           they
           can
           bear
           ,
           a
           man
           cannot
           well
           offer
           to
           prove
           any
           thing
           by
           them
           .
           The
           other
           sort
           of
           difficult
           Texts
           are
           those
           which
           being
           taken
           by
           themselves
           ,
           do
           upon
           the
           first
           sight
           or
           
           sound
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           seem
           to
           have
           a
           plain
           sence
           and
           meaning
           ,
           which
           yet
           are
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           in
           that
           sence
           the
           words
           will
           be
           upon
           the
           first
           reading
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           these
           are
           the
           hard
           places
           in
           Gods
           Word
           which
           are
           most
           perverted
           ,
           and
           taken
           in
           such
           sence
           as
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           never
           intended
           :
           for
           then
           is
           an
           hard
           place
           like
           to
           be
           wrested
           ,
           when
           it
           seems
           plain
           to
           him
           who
           doth
           not
           understand
           it
           ;
           and
           a
           difficult
           Text
           may
           seem
           plain
           to
           him
           who
           for
           want
           of
           studying
           and
           considering
           ,
           thinks
           he
           understands
           it
           ,
           but
           doth
           not
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           instance
           in
           some
           difficult
           Texts
           of
           the
           latter
           sort
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           mistaken
           for
           plain
           (
           that
           is
           )
           erroneously
           taken
           to
           have
           such
           a
           meaning
           as
           they
           appear
           to
           have
           upon
           the
           first
           reading
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           ninth
           Chapter
           of
           the
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Romans
           we
           have
           these
           words
           ,
           
             That
             it
             might
             not
             be
             of
             works
             ,
             but
             of
             him
             that
             calleth
             :
          
           some
           take
           this
           for
           a
           plain
           place
           ,
           and
           therefore
           think
           it
           a
           clear
           scriptural
           truth
           ,
           that
           our
           salvation
           is
           not
           at
           
             all
             of
             our
             works
             ,
             but
             onely
             proceeds
             from
             an
             absolute
             decree
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
        
         
           So
           again
           we
           have
           it
           affirmed
           by
           the
           Apostle
           in
           the
           same
           Chapter
           ,
           
             It
             is
             not
             of
             him
             that
             willeth
             ,
             nor
             of
             him
             that
             runneth
             ,
             but
             of
             God
             that
             sheweth
             mercy
             .
          
           Hence
           some
           think
           it
           is
           plain
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           what
           we
           do
           signifies
           little
           ,
           all
           is
           from
           an
           arbitrary
           favour
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Again
           ,
           in
           the
           1
           Cor.
           4.
           7.
           we
           find
           these
           words
           ,
           
             Who
             maketh
             thee
             to
             differ
             from
             another
             ?
          
           From
           the
           sound
           of
           which
           words
           some
           gather
           that
           we
           are
           not
           free
           Agents
           in
           our
           own
           conversion
           ;
           but
           that
           if
           we
           be
           better
           than
           our
           Neighbours
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           Almighty
           Power
           hath
           made
           us
           so
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           free
           choice
           or
           care
           of
           our
           own
           .
        
         
           Now
           certain
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           mistake
           the
           meaning
           of
           a
           Text
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           if
           we
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           plain
           when
           it
           is
           not
           so
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           in
           this
           case
           we
           cannot
           be
           able
           to
           judge
           what
           is
           orthodox
           or
           erroneous
           ,
           by
           having
           recourse
           to
           any
           Scriptures
           so
           misapprehended
           .
        
         
         
           But
           how
           can
           I
           know
           when
           a
           place
           is
           but
           seemingly
           plain
           ,
           and
           not
           really
           so
           ,
           
             (
             i.
             e.
          
           )
           when
           I
           am
           not
           to
           take
           that
           to
           be
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           which
           I
           may
           apprehend
           upon
           the
           first
           running
           of
           the
           words
           and
           sound
           of
           the
           phrases
           ?
        
         
           This
           is
           to
           be
           known
           by
           comparing
           places
           together
           ,
           and
           going
           by
           this
           Rule
           .
           A
           place
           seems
           onely
           to
           be
           plain
           ,
           but
           is
           not
           ,
           when
           it
           's
           uppermost
           sence
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           offers
           to
           us
           ,
           does
           not
           agree
           with
           the
           sence
           of
           a
           place
           undoubtedly
           plain
           .
           For
           instance
           ,
           the
           Texts
           now
           mentioned
           may
           seem
           plain
           to
           those
           who
           would
           prove
           their
           erroneous
           Perswasions
           to
           be
           scriptural
           Truths
           by
           them
           ;
           yet
           if
           we
           suppose
           them
           plain
           ,
           
             (
             i.
             e.
          
           )
           if
           we
           think
           they
           are
           to
           be
           taken
           in
           that
           sence
           which
           they
           will
           bear
           at
           the
           first
           reading
           ,
           then
           they
           are
           Texts
           undeniably
           repugnant
           to
           such
           places
           of
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           as
           all
           must
           believe
           and
           acknowledge
           to
           be
           plain
           .
        
         
           For
           whereas
           he
           says
           —
           That
           
             it
             might
             not
             be
             of
             works
             ,
          
           &c.
           in
           another
           place
           he
           gives
           us
           this
           plain
           Precept
           ,
           
             Work
             out
             your
             salvation
          
           .
           Is
           not
           salvation
           of
           works
           ,
           and
           
           yet
           must
           we
           work
           it
           out
           ?
           Either
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           true
           in
           the
           sence
           some
           take
           the
           words
           ,
           that
           salvation
           is
           not
           of
           works
           ,
           or
           it
           is
           not
           proper
           to
           bid
           us
           work
           it
           out
           ;
           wherefore
           by
           this
           plain
           place
           
             [
             Work
             out
             your
             salvation
          
           ]
           we
           must
           conclude
           that
           the
           other
           place
           
             [
             That
             it
             might
             not
             be
             of
             works
             ]
          
           whatsoever
           the
           sence
           of
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           it
           cannot
           have
           this
           meaning
           ,
           that
           our
           salvation
           doth
           not
           depend
           upon
           our
           works
           or
           doings
           .
        
         
           In
           like
           manner
           ,
           whereas
           the
           Apostle
           says
           
             [
             It
             is
             not
             of
             him
             that
             willeth
             ,
             nor
             of
             him
             that
             runneth
             ,
          
           &c.
           ]
           doth
           he
           not
           in
           a
           plain
           practical
           discourse
           ,
           wherein
           he
           compares
           the
           Christian
           life
           to
           a
           Race
           ,
           exhort
           us
           
             so
             to
             run
             that
             we
          
           
           
             may
             obtain
          
           ?
        
         
           Now
           is
           it
           not
           of
           running
           that
           we
           obtain
           ?
           and
           yet
           doth
           he
           bid
           us
           so
           run
           that
           we
           may
           obtain
           ?
           Wherefore
           the
           
           plain
           Precept
           
             to
             run
          
           ,
           &c.
           evidently
           shews
           that
           it
           cannot
           be
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           other
           place
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           by
           running
           or
           by
           diligence
           in
           a
           Christian
           life
           ▪
           that
           we
           obtain
           salvation
           .
        
         
           
           Again
           ,
           whereas
           he
           asketh
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           
             Who
             maketh
             thee
             to
             differ
             from
             another
             ?
          
           he
           also
           exhorteth
           in
           another
           ,
           
           
             Be
             not
             conformed
             to
             the
             world
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           former
           clause
           cannot
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           righteous
           man
           who
           is
           
             more
             excellent
             than
             his
             neighbour
          
           ,
           doth
           nothing
           towards
           the
           making
           of
           that
           difference
           :
           for
           then
           it
           would
           be
           very
           improper
           to
           exhort
           a
           man
           to
           make
           that
           difference
           ,
           by
           not
           
             conforming
             to
             the
             world
          
           .
        
         
           Finally
           ,
           it
           is
           evident
           that
           these
           places
           of
           St.
           Paul
           which
           I
           have
           now
           compared
           ,
           cannot
           be
           all
           of
           them
           plain
           ,
           for
           then
           they
           are
           irreconcilably
           repugnant
           to
           one
           another
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           are
           not
           all
           plain
           ,
           then
           some
           of
           them
           must
           not
           be
           thought
           to
           have
           such
           a
           meaning
           ,
           as
           the
           first
           reading
           of
           the
           words
           might
           make
           us
           think
           they
           have
           .
           And
           therefore
           in
           judging
           things
           by
           Scripture
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           careful
           that
           we
           do
           not
           prove
           or
           disprove
           them
           by
           Scriptures
           mistaken
           for
           plain
           when
           they
           are
           not
           so
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           
             We
             must
             also
             see
             that
             the
             sence
             wherein
             we
             take
             a
             passage
             of
             Scripture
             that
             belongeth
             to
             a
             Discourse
             ,
             be
             agreeable
             to
             the
             designe
             and
             scope
             of
             that
             Discourse
             to
             which
             it
             belongeth
             .
          
           This
           Rule
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           necessary
           for
           all
           to
           observe
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           especially
           to
           be
           urged
           upon
           men
           that
           are
           apt
           to
           interpret
           places
           that
           are
           not
           of
           themselves
           plain
           ,
           by
           those
           Opinions
           that
           they
           are
           already
           possessed
           with
           a
           belief
           of
           ,
           but
           for
           which
           they
           have
           little
           ground
           ,
           besides
           the
           mere
           sound
           of
           some
           Texts
           ,
           which
           at
           first
           hearing
           seem
           to
           be
           of
           their
           side
           ,
           but
           which
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           compared
           with
           the
           designe
           of
           the
           holy
           Writer
           in
           that
           Chapter
           or
           Book
           ,
           would
           be
           found
           to
           mean
           quite
           another
           thing
           .
           All
           that
           I
           shall
           say
           besides
           of
           this
           Rule
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           difficulty
           of
           many
           places
           that
           are
           not
           of
           themselves
           plain
           ,
           will
           be
           removed
           by
           observing
           it
           .
           For
           instance
           ,
           
           by
           this
           way
           we
           shall
           easily
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           that
           forementioned
           place
           of
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             Who
             maketh
             thee
             to
             differ
             from
             another
             ?
          
           was
           chiefly
           meant
           of
           those
           extraordinary
           gifts
           which
           were
           distributed
           amongst
           believers
           in
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           therefore
           (
           though
           in
           a
           qualified
           sence
           this
           is
           true
           of
           all
           saving
           Graces
           )
           it
           is
           very
           consistent
           with
           all
           those
           Scriptures
           that
           suppose
           the
           difference
           between
           the
           righteous
           and
           the
           wicked
           ,
           to
           depend
           upon
           something
           which
           is
           in
           the
           power
           of
           the
           righteous
           .
           If
           we
           mangle
           coherent
           Discourses
           ,
           and
           take
           a
           shred
           or
           a
           phrase
           of
           Scripture
           by
           it self
           ,
           without
           regard
           to
           the
           main
           scope
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           this
           to
           prove
           what
           what
           we
           would
           have
           ;
           we
           do
           not
           try
           our
           Opinions
           by
           Scripture
           ,
           but
           we
           interpret
           Scripture
           by
           our
           own
           Opinions
           .
        
         
           Thus
           I
           have
           shewn
           what
           Cautions
           are
           to
           be
           observed
           in
           judging
           by
           Scripture
           .
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           all
           will
           acknowledge
           them
           to
           be
           very
           reasonable
           and
           equal
           ;
           and
           if
           all
           men
           had
           observed
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           a
           just
           veneration
           for
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           had
           been
           better
           understood
           and
           less
           wrested
           ;
           unsound
           Divinity
           had
           not
           easily
           passed
           for
           Scriptural
           Truth
           ,
           and
           all
           occasion
           of
           those
           unjust
           Reproaches
           had
           been
           taken
           away
           which
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           throws
           upon
           us
           for
           allowing
           to
           all
           Christians
           the
           free
           use
           of
           Gods
           Holy
           Book
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           much
           for
           the
           Rules
           of
           Reason
           and
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           third
           I
           mentioned
           was
           Antiquity
           and
           
             Catholick
             Tradition
          
           .
           Now
           if
           this
           Rule
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           at
           first
           ,
           be
           of
           excellent
           use
           ,
           then
           they
           are
           in
           the
           best
           way
           to
           find
           out
           what
           is
           the
           true
           Christian
           Religion
           by
           it
           ,
           who
           stick
           to
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           though
           they
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           using
           it
           otherwise
           .
           For
           if
           that
           be
           true
           which
           was
           most
           anciently
           taught
           and
           believed
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           which
           was
           received
           all
           along
           in
           the
           best
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           
           then
           he
           that
           can
           prove
           his
           Faith
           by
           Scripture
           ,
           has
           the
           Argument
           of
           Antiquity
           and
           
             Catholick
             Tradition
          
           unquestionably
           on
           his
           side
           ,
           because
           the
           Scriptures
           are
           the
           most
           ancient
           Records
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           been
           delivered
           down
           to
           us
           as
           such
           from
           the
           beginning
           through
           all
           Ages
           to
           our
           present
           times
           .
           But
           we
           acknowledge
           also
           the
           testimony
           of
           Antiquity
           of
           something
           of
           a
           later
           date
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           of
           the
           antient
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           be
           of
           very
           good
           use
           for
           the
           clearing
           of
           some
           places
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           for
           shewing
           what
           Order
           and
           Discipline
           was
           left
           in
           the
           Church
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ;
           for
           confirming
           us
           in
           points
           of
           Faith
           grounded
           upon
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           but
           which
           have
           been
           disputed
           and
           opposed
           by
           Hereticks
           ;
           and
           likewise
           for
           confuting
           those
           gross
           errours
           in
           Belief
           or
           Practice
           ,
           which
           of
           later
           days
           have
           been
           brought
           in
           amongst
           Christians
           ,
           especially
           those
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           .
           But
           how
           things
           are
           to
           be
           examined
           by
           this
           Rule
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           
           here
           direct
           ,
           because
           this
           is
           the
           subject
           of
           an
           excellent
           Discourse
           already
           published
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           much
           concerning
           Rules
           whereby
           to
           try
           Opinions
           in
           Religion
           .
        
      
       
         
           §
           7.
           
        
         
           III.
           The
           Dispositions
           wherewith
           we
           are
           to
           search
           for
           the
           Truth
           by
           these
           means
           ,
           are
           also
           of
           necessary
           consideration
           :
           for
           whatever
           other
           advantages
           we
           have
           ,
           if
           we
           be
           greatly
           defective
           in
           these
           ,
           we
           shall
           very
           often
           lose
           our
           labour
           ,
           and
           fall
           into
           mistakes
           of
           dangerous
           consequence
           .
        
         
           To
           qualifie
           a
           man
           for
           receiving
           Truth
           when
           propounded
           with
           sufficient
           evidence
           ,
           or
           to
           find
           it
           out
           by
           his
           own
           search
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           these
           three
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           A
           prepared
           mind
           .
           2.
           
           Competent
           Diligence
           .
           3.
           
           Prayer
           to
           God
           for
           his
           blessing
           upon
           that
           Diligence
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           
             A
             prepared
             mind
          
           ,
           which
           our
           Saviour
           calls
           a
           
             good
             and
             honest
             heart
          
           .
           Now
           this
           consists
           in
           
             Humility
             ,
             Ingenuity
          
           ,
           and
           Sincerity
           .
        
         
           Humility
           is
           necessary
           ,
           because
           overweening
           and
           self-concit
           makes
           a
           man
           apt
           to
           despise
           what
           those
           of
           a
           different
           Perswasion
           can
           say
           for
           themselves
           ,
           before
           their
           Arguments
           are
           considered
           ;
           and
           in
           general
           ,
           to
           neglect
           that
           help
           which
           may
           be
           had
           by
           the
           advice
           and
           reasoning
           of
           others
           .
           So
           likewise
           vain-glory
           fixeth
           a
           man
           in
           an
           errour
           he
           hath
           once
           defended
           ;
           and
           while
           he
           is
           unwilling
           to
           acknowledge
           a
           mistake
           ,
           he
           strains
           all
           his
           Wit
           to
           delude
           himself
           into
           a
           stronger
           belief
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           ability
           to
           defend
           it
           .
           In
           Controversies
           he
           is
           desirous
           of
           victory
           ,
           and
           would
           fain
           be
           thought
           some-body
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           studies
           more
           to
           expose
           an
           adversary
           ,
           than
           to
           inform
           himself
           .
           And
           if
           he
           be
           yet
           to
           chuse
           his
           side
           of
           a
           Question
           ,
           he
           takes
           the
           wrong
           one
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           more
           fashionable
           than
           the
           right
           .
           Therefore
           says
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Whosoever
             doth
             not
             receive
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             as
             a
             little
             child
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           with
           a
           meek
           and
           pliable
           spirit
           ,
           
             shall
             not
             enter
             therein
          
           .
           Again
           ,
           says
           he
           ,
           
             My
             sheep
             hear
             my
             voice
          
           ;
           intimating
           that
           they
           would
           be
           easily
           convinced
           who
           were
           of
           tractable
           and
           humble
           minds
           .
           And
           therefore
           he
           adds
           concerning
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           that
           they
           rejected
           him
           ,
           because
           they
           
             were
             not
             of
             his
             Sheep
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           because
           of
           their
           haughty
           and
           inflexible
           dispositions
           .
        
         
           Prejudice
           is
           apt
           to
           bar
           the
           mind
           against
           conviction
           as
           well
           as
           Pride
           ,
           and
           therefore
           to
           Humility
           we
           must
           adde
           Ingenuity
           and
           Sincerity
           ,
           by
           which
           a
           man
           is
           qualified
           to
           distinguish
           between
           the
           suggestions
           of
           Prejudice
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           and
           the
           force
           of
           good
           Reasons
           on
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           Ingenuity
           is
           opposed
           to
           those
           Prejudices
           that
           are
           either
           unavoidably
           contracted
           ,
           or
           taken
           up
           through
           weakness
           of
           understanding
           .
        
         
         
           Of
           the
           former
           sort
           are
           the
           Prejudices
           of
           Education
           ,
           or
           conversing
           altogether
           with
           our
           own
           Party
           .
           Men
           are
           generally
           prepossess'd
           with
           great
           favour
           to
           those
           Opinions
           in
           which
           they
           have
           been
           all
           along
           trained
           up
           ,
           and
           which
           have
           been
           instilled
           into
           them
           by
           all
           that
           they
           have
           conversed
           with
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           cannot
           be
           meet
           Inquirers
           after
           Truth
           ,
           if
           we
           want
           the
           ingenuity
           of
           suspecting
           our selves
           on
           this
           side
           ,
           and
           trying
           those
           Perswasions
           in
           which
           we
           have
           been
           bred
           up
           ,
           with
           the
           greater
           impartiality
           and
           severity
           .
        
         
           Some
           men
           are
           prejudiced
           by
           an
           unaccountable
           inclination
           toward
           an
           Opinion
           ,
           or
           an
           antipathy
           against
           it
           ;
           and
           these
           ought
           the
           more
           carefully
           to
           distinguish
           between
           the
           warmth
           of
           their
           imaginations
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           and
           the
           force
           of
           Arguments
           on
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           not
           to
           take
           a
           passionate
           fondness
           for
           a
           conclusion
           ,
           or
           an
           aversion
           from
           it
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           Reason
           one
           way
           or
           other
           .
           It
           is
           very
           incident
           to
           weak
           minds
           ,
           to
           prejudg
           in
           favour
           of
           their
           Opinions
           whose
           persons
           they
           admire
           ,
           and
           mostly
           to
           that
           degree
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           hear
           with
           any
           patience
           an
           Argument
           against
           them
           .
           Such
           a
           
             Precious
             man
          
           said
           this
           or
           that
           ,
           and
           therefore
           no
           body
           must
           say
           otherwise
           .
           But
           it
           is
           at
           once
           disingenuous
           and
           silly
           ,
           to
           entertain
           such
           an
           opinion
           of
           any
           man
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           all
           that
           he
           says
           for
           Gospel
           ;
           for
           the
           best
           men
           are
           fallible
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           easie
           for
           an
           Hypocrite
           to
           make
           himself
           pass
           for
           a
           Saint
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           ordinary
           people
           :
           and
           therefore
           men
           may
           be
           led
           into
           great
           errours
           ,
           whose
           judgments
           are
           captivated
           in
           this
           manner
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           we
           may
           adde
           that
           Prejudice
           which
           arises
           from
           conceiving
           hard
           things
           of
           mens
           persons
           ;
           which
           an
           ingenuous
           man
           will
           by
           no
           means
           yield
           to
           ,
           but
           will
           consider
           what
           another
           says
           ,
           though
           he
           does
           not
           fancy
           the
           man.
           It
           is
           reason
           enough
           with
           some
           people
           to
           reject
           all
           that
           their
           Minister
           says
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           their
           mistakes
           ,
           
           if
           he
           be
           called
           a
           
             High
             Church-man
          
           ,
           or
           goes
           for
           an
           Arminian
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           while
           they
           stand
           in
           their
           own
           light
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           instructed
           in
           many
           profitable
           Truths
           which
           they
           might
           learn.
           Thus
           the
           Jews
           ,
           though
           they
           were
           astonished
           at
           our
           Saviour's
           Doctrine
           and
           Works
           ,
           yet
           believed
           not
           ;
           and
           this
           because
           they
           were
           offended
           at
           him
           for
           the
           meanness
           of
           his
           Parentage
           .
        
         
           Some
           are
           so
           weak
           as
           to
           be
           prejudiced
           against
           Opinions
           and
           Practices
           ,
           meerly
           because
           they
           have
           heard
           them
           often
           abused
           ,
           nicknamed
           ,
           and
           inveighed
           against
           in
           a
           rude
           and
           reproachful
           manner
           .
           And
           this
           goes
           a
           great
           way
           with
           some
           Dissenters
           to
           make
           them
           deaf
           to
           all
           our
           Reasons
           ,
           that
           when
           they
           are
           got
           together
           ,
           they
           hear
           the
           Rites
           and
           Prayers
           of
           our
           Church
           scoffed
           at
           and
           called
           by
           vile
           names
           .
           But
           it
           stands
           not
           with
           the
           least
           ingenuity
           ,
           to
           run
           away
           with
           prejudice
           against
           things
           that
           are
           abused
           and
           laugh'd
           at
           ,
           without
           examining
           whether
           there
           be
           reason
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           Sincerity
           is
           opposed
           to
           those
           Prejudices
           that
           arise
           from
           
             vicious
             affections
          
           and
           
             worldly
             interests
          
           ;
           and
           it
           consists
           in
           a
           firm
           resolution
           to
           do
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           vehement
           desire
           to
           know
           it
           for
           that
           end
           .
           And
           this
           is
           a
           most
           necessary
           preparation
           to
           know
           the
           Truth
           ,
           because
           nothing
           is
           more
           common
           than
           the
           perverting
           of
           mens
           judgments
           by
           the
           inordinacy
           of
           their
           lusts
           ,
           and
           the
           serving
           of
           a
           corrupt
           interest
           .
        
         
           The
           love
           of
           any
           Vice
           makes
           a
           man
           partial
           and
           insincere
           in
           examining
           the
           truth
           of
           that
           Doctrine
           by
           which
           he
           stands
           condemned
           .
           The
           belief
           of
           it
           is
           uneasie
           to
           him
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           for
           his
           interest
           that
           it
           should
           be
           true
           ▪
           This
           is
           the
           reason
           why
           the
           
             fool
             saith
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             God.
             
          
        
         
           The
           worldly
           interests
           of
           men
           do
           strangely
           byass
           and
           fashion
           their
           Judgments
           .
           It
           were
           a
           thing
           never
           enough
           
           to
           be
           admired
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           men
           of
           Parts
           and
           Learning
           should
           not
           be
           ashamed
           of
           those
           pitiful
           grounds
           upon
           which
           they
           maintain
           the
           
             Supremacy
             of
             the
             Pope
          
           ,
           the
           
             Doctrine
             of
             Purgatory
          
           ,
           the
           
             Half
             Communion
          
           ,
           the
           
             Sacrifice
             of
             the
             Mass
          
           ,
           the
           
             Invocation
             of
             Saints
          
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           but
           that
           those
           things
           do
           notoriously
           serve
           the
           Wealth
           and
           Grandeur
           of
           the
           Roman
           Church
           .
           If
           it
           be
           needful
           to
           go
           to
           a
           Conventicle
           for
           the
           getting
           of
           a
           rich
           Fortune
           ,
           or
           the
           bettering
           of
           a
           mans
           Trade
           ,
           a
           little
           enquiry
           will
           for
           the
           most
           part
           serve
           his
           turn
           ,
           and
           satisfie
           him
           that
           the
           Separation
           is
           lawful
           ,
           and
           the
           Causes
           of
           it
           are
           just
           .
           A
           man
           ought
           to
           set
           aside
           all
           consideration
           of
           his
           worldly
           interest
           ,
           and
           to
           propound
           eternal
           life
           to
           himself
           as
           the
           end
           of
           his
           inquiry
           ,
           when
           he
           labours
           to
           know
           the
           Truth
           .
        
         
           The
           affectation
           of
           Popularity
           ,
           and
           the
           love
           of
           Praise
           and
           Flattery
           ,
           cannot
           consist
           with
           a
           sincere
           love
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           does
           very
           often
           hinder
           the
           attainment
           of
           it
           .
           It
           is
           hard
           to
           convince
           men
           of
           those
           things
           that
           check
           their
           vainglorious
           ends
           and
           purposes
           .
           And
           therefore
           says
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             How
             can
             ye
             believe
             in
             me
             ,
             that
             receive
             honour
             one
             of
             another
             ,
             and
             seek
             not
             that
             honour
             which
             cometh
             of
             God
             onely
             ?
          
        
         
           The
           wise
           man
           exhorts
           us
           to
           
             buy
             the
             truth
          
           ,
           intimating
           thereby
           that
           we
           must
           quit
           all
           our
           sinful
           lusts
           and
           affections
           ,
           and
           our
           carnal
           interests
           in
           prosecuting
           of
           it
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           in
           mind
           prepared
           to
           believe
           all
           truth
           ,
           by
           being
           resolved
           to
           do
           whatsoever
           appears
           to
           be
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           let
           what
           will
           come
           of
           it
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           having
           our
           hearts
           evermore
           fixed
           upon
           the
           great
           concernment
           of
           eternal
           life
           .
           And
           this
           is
           more
           necessary
           for
           the
           best
           knowledge
           ,
           than
           vastness
           of
           Parts
           and
           Learning
           .
        
         
           Where
           the
           mind
           is
           thus
           prepared
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           little
           need
           to
           press
           the
           two
           remaining
           Dispositions
           ;
           whereof
           the
           former
           is
           ,
        
         
         
           2.
           
           
             Competent
             diligence
          
           .
           Errour
           is
           sometimes
           made
           to
           look
           so
           like
           the
           Truth
           ,
           that
           a
           superficial
           examination
           will
           not
           serve
           to
           distinguish
           one
           from
           the
           other
           .
           Sometimes
           the
           Truth
           must
           be
           had
           by
           laying
           a
           great
           many
           things
           together
           ,
           and
           the
           proof
           does
           not
           lie
           in
           one
           ,
           but
           in
           many
           Arguments
           pointing
           the
           same
           way
           .
           Sometimes
           also
           a
           conclusion
           is
           offered
           with
           the
           shew
           of
           many
           
             Motives
             of
             credibility
          
           ,
           which
           neither
           singly
           nor
           joyntly
           prove
           what
           is
           intended
           .
           And
           here
           patience
           and
           industry
           commonly
           helpeth
           more
           than
           quickness
           of
           judgement
           .
        
         
           Our
           Saviour
           bad
           the
           Jews
           
             search
             the
             Scriptures
          
           ;
           those
           very
           men
           who
           in
           all
           probability
           had
           read
           them
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           seemeth
           ,
           not
           with
           diligence
           enough
           .
           It
           were
           very
           well
           ,
           if
           those
           that
           begin
           to
           study
           Divinity
           would
           not
           presume
           upon
           the
           diligence
           and
           honesty
           of
           others
           ,
           whose
           Books
           they
           see
           full
           of
           Citations
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           but
           take
           some
           pains
           to
           judge
           whether
           that
           be
           the
           true
           sence
           in
           which
           they
           are
           quoted
           .
           For
           want
           of
           this
           ,
           several
           have
           miscarried
           in
           their
           first
           entrance
           upon
           this
           work
           ;
           and
           the
           errours
           of
           men
           of
           name
           and
           authority
           ,
           have
           been
           propagated
           .
           It
           would
           also
           be
           very
           happy
           for
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           for
           themselves
           too
           ,
           if
           the
           dissenting
           people
           would
           not
           presently
           conclude
           that
           what
           they
           read
           in
           the
           Books
           of
           their
           own
           way
           is
           all
           agreeable
           to
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           because
           they
           see
           abundance
           of
           Scripture
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           would
           use
           some
           diligence
           to
           judge
           whether
           that
           be
           the
           true
           meaning
           in
           which
           the
           Scripture
           is
           there
           understood
           .
           It
           was
           doubtless
           with
           designe
           to
           catch
           such
           slothful
           people
           ,
           that
           the
           Catechism
           of
           
             H.
             T.
          
           was
           published
           in
           our
           Language
           ,
           wherein
           
           he
           pretends
           to
           prove
           all
           the
           lewd
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           Romish
           Religion
           ,
           by
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           .
           But
           if
           any
           man
           will
           take
           the
           pains
           to
           examine
           his
           pr̄oofs
           ,
           he
           shall
           find
           such
           miserable
           
           wresting
           and
           perverting
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           never
           trust
           a
           Book
           more
           merely
           for
           store
           of
           Scripture-Phrases
           and
           Citations
           ;
           but
           go
           to
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Truth
           it self
           ,
           the
           pure
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           see
           whether
           the
           interpretations
           of
           men
           are
           indeed
           the
           unpolluted
           streams
           of
           that
           Spring
           ,
           from
           whence
           they
           are
           said
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           We
           must
           be
           willing
           to
           sift
           things
           to
           the
           bottom
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           not
           be
           imposed
           upon
           .
           A
           very
           little
           pains
           will
           serve
           to
           make
           a
           man
           confident
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           not
           a
           little
           that
           will
           make
           him
           confident
           upon
           safe
           grounds
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           To
           Diligence
           we
           must
           adde
           Prayer
           for
           the
           divine
           Illumination
           .
           In
           searching
           for
           Truth
           we
           must
           implore
           his
           help
           who
           is
           the
           God
           of
           Truth
           ,
           whose
           Word
           is
           the
           Word
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           whose
           Spirit
           is
           the
           Guide
           into
           Truth
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           free
           our
           minds
           from
           all
           prejudices
           and
           corrupt
           affections
           ,
           and
           from
           every
           thing
           which
           obstructs
           a
           right
           understanding
           .
           If
           we
           
             lack
             wisdom
          
           ,
           we
           
             must
             ask
             it
             of
             God
          
           ,
           who
           
             giveth
             his
             holy
             Spirit
             to
             them
             that
             ask
             him
             .
          
        
         
           And
           now
           I
           dare
           appeal
           to
           all
           that
           read
           these
           Papers
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           not
           been
           to
           the
           unspeakable
           advantage
           of
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Souls
           of
           men
           ,
           if
           all
           that
           profess
           Christianity
           had
           inquired
           into
           the
           Controversies
           of
           Religion
           (
           so
           far
           as
           they
           are
           concerned
           in
           them
           )
           
             with
             these
             Dispositions
          
           that
           I
           have
           recommended
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           do
           the
           more
           earnestly
           desire
           them
           to
           lay
           their
           hands
           upon
           their
           breasts
           ,
           and
           in
           good
           earnest
           to
           ask
           themselves
           if
           they
           have
           in
           this
           manner
           sought
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Truth
           ;
           with
           a
           mind
           thus
           prepared
           ,
           with
           impartiality
           and
           diligence
           ,
           and
           constant
           Prayer
           for
           Gods
           blessing
           and
           direction
           .
        
      
       
         
           §
           8.
           
        
         
           IV.
           My
           next
           business
           is
           to
           offer
           some
           Considerations
           to
           perswade
           our
           people
           to
           an
           honest
           and
           impartial
           tryal
           of
           Opinions
           in
           Religion
           .
        
         
         
           This
           indeed
           cannot
           be
           done
           by
           all
           with
           equal
           advantage
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           difference
           of
           mens
           abilities
           ;
           but
           something
           is
           to
           be
           done
           by
           all
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           is
           to
           do
           what
           he
           can
           ,
           and
           God
           expects
           no
           more
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           chuse
           a
           way
           of
           Religion
           at
           random
           ,
           or
           without
           honest
           care
           to
           know
           the
           Truth
           ,
           we
           are
           in
           great
           danger
           of
           falling
           into
           delusion
           ,
           because
           there
           are
           false
           Religions
           and
           damnable
           Errours
           in
           the
           World.
           Saith
           St.
           
             John
             ,
             Try
             the
             Spirits
             whether
             they
             be
             of
             God
             ,
          
           because
           
             many
             false
             Prophets
             are
             gone
             out
             into
             the
             world
             .
          
           There
           was
           danger
           of
           running
           into
           grievous
           errour
           in
           the
           best
           and
           purest
           Age
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           if
           Christians
           were
           not
           careful
           to
           examine
           things
           .
           And
           surely
           the
           danger
           is
           greater
           in
           this
           corrupt
           Age
           ,
           and
           this
           extremely-divided
           State
           of
           Christendom
           .
        
         
           It
           often
           happens
           also
           ,
           I
           doubt
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           that
           Seducers
           are
           more
           diligent
           and
           wise
           to
           propagate
           Errour
           ,
           than
           good
           men
           are
           to
           gain
           Proselytes
           to
           the
           Truth
           .
           The
           former
           are
           evermore
           too
           hard
           for
           the
           latter
           in
           confidence
           ,
           peremptoriness
           ,
           threatning
           of
           damnation
           ,
           magnificent
           and
           lofty
           pretences
           ,
           and
           where
           the
           case
           calls
           for
           it
           ,
           in
           artificial
           addresses
           and
           insinuations
           .
           And
           this
           makes
           our
           danger
           the
           greater
           ,
           if
           we
           are
           not
           resolved
           to
           try
           before
           we
           trust
           .
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           if
           we
           were
           secure
           from
           Impostors
           ,
           yet
           because
           no
           man
           is
           infallible
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           surrender
           up
           our
           Belief
           wholly
           to
           the
           Authority
           of
           any
           man
           ,
           but
           judge
           of
           his
           Doctrine
           as
           well
           as
           we
           can
           .
        
         
           Because
           there
           cannot
           be
           a
           stronger
           ground
           for
           our
           assent
           to
           any
           thing
           ,
           than
           that
           
             God
             has
             said
             it
          
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           be
           very
           careful
           how
           we
           receive
           an
           Opinion
           ,
           for
           which
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           are
           multiplied
           one
           upon
           another
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           we
           must
           see
           whether
           they
           do
           indeed
           prove
           the
           thing
           in
           question
           :
           for
           otherwise
           we
           may
           by
           the
           pretence
           of
           so
           great
           
           Authority
           ,
           be
           the
           more
           fastned
           in
           some
           dangerous
           errour
           .
           We
           are
           exposed
           to
           manifest
           hazard
           ,
           if
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           admire
           a
           man
           for
           bringing
           much
           Scripture
           to
           serve
           his
           purpose
           ,
           but
           not
           to
           think
           it
           needful
           to
           see
           whether
           those
           passages
           of
           Holy
           Writ
           be
           pertinently
           applied
           or
           not
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           must
           adde
           ,
           that
           the
           errours
           we
           may
           fall
           into
           for
           want
           of
           enquiry
           and
           examination
           ,
           may
           for
           ought
           we
           know
           ,
           be
           of
           dangerous
           consequence
           to
           our
           own
           Souls
           .
           Some
           there
           are
           that
           
             wrest
             the
             Scriptures
             to
             their
             own
             destruction
          
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           are
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           they
           may
           wrest
           them
           to
           ours
           too
           .
           We
           may
           inconsiderately
           take
           up
           Principles
           that
           will
           by
           degrees
           debauch
           our
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           reconcile
           us
           to
           wicked
           practices
           ,
           and
           in
           many
           instances
           eat
           out
           the
           sense
           of
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           sin
           and
           duty
           .
        
         
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           by
           considering
           things
           as
           impartially
           and
           judiciously
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           we
           shall
           not
           onely
           be
           secure
           from
           running
           into
           great
           errours
           ,
           but
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           true
           Religion
           
             will
             become
             more
             plain
             to
             us
             ,
          
           and
           we
           shall
           have
           a
           
             more
             clear
             and
             distinct
             apprehension
             of
             them
          
           ;
           which
           will
           reward
           our
           endeavours
           with
           
             great
             pleasure
             and
             satisfaction
          
           .
           For
           next
           to
           the
           delight
           of
           a
           good
           Conscience
           gained
           by
           doing
           what
           we
           know
           to
           be
           our
           duty
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           pleasure
           more
           pure
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           best
           part
           of
           our
           nature
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           arises
           from
           an
           improved
           knowledge
           in
           the
           things
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           And
           having
           well
           weighed
           and
           considered
           the
           grounds
           of
           our
           Perswasion
           ,
           we
           
             shall
             adhere
             more
             stedfastly
             to
             that
             truth
             which
             we
             have
             learn'd
             ,
          
           and
           not
           be
           easily
           unsetled
           by
           the
           Sophistry
           or
           the
           Confidence
           of
           ill
           men
           ,
           being
           prepared
           to
           shew
           that
           there
           is
           no
           sound
           Reason
           in
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           no
           just
           Cause
           for
           the
           latter
           .
           And
           when
           Seducers
           perceive
           that
           we
           have
           inquired
           too
           far
           into
           things
           ,
           to
           be
           
           born
           down
           with
           peremptoriness
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           deluded
           with
           colours
           ;
           they
           will
           be
           discouraged
           from
           attempting
           to
           draw
           us
           into
           their
           Net.
           
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           
             it
             will
             be
             no
             little
             satisfaction
             to
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             going
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ,
          
           that
           we
           have
           all
           along
           taken
           due
           pains
           to
           inform
           our selves
           in
           things
           of
           the
           greatest
           concernment
           to
           us
           ,
           viz.
           those
           which
           regard
           our
           everlasting
           salvation
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           errours
           into
           which
           we
           may
           have
           fallen
           ,
           were
           not
           to
           be
           imputed
           to
           want
           of
           honest
           diligence
           in
           inquiring
           after
           the
           Truth
           ,
           but
           onely
           to
           humane
           infirmity
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           
             we
             cannot
             have
             the
             conscience
             of
             sincerity
             upon
             good
             grounds
             ,
          
           if
           we
           do
           not
           with
           diligence
           apply
           our selves
           to
           know
           all
           our
           duty
           ,
           and
           consequently
           all
           that
           divine
           Truth
           which
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           which
           leads
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           it
           .
           One
           character
           of
           that
           
             good
             and
             honest
             heart
          
           which
           our
           Saviour
           compares
           to
           the
           good
           Ground
           ,
           is
           to
           
             understand
             the
             Word
          
           .
           And
           the
           reason
           why
           the
           Pharisees
           did
           not
           understand
           ,
           was
           because
           they
           
             were
             not
             of
             God
          
           ,
           but
           
             of
             their
             Father
             the
             Devil
             whose
             lusts
             they
             did
             .
          
           One
           reason
           why
           God
           in
           his
           wisdom
           permits
           Impostures
           and
           Errours
           to
           go
           up
           and
           down
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           is
           because
           this
           serves
           to
           make
           a
           more
           evident
           difference
           between
           those
           that
           are
           sincere
           and
           honest
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           not
           so
           .
           For
           in
           these
           circumstances
           good
           men
           will
           take
           the
           more
           pains
           to
           distinguish
           between
           Truth
           and
           Errour
           ,
           while
           the
           insincere
           either
           take
           up
           that
           Profession
           which
           serves
           best
           for
           their
           worldly
           ends
           ,
           or
           take
           occasion
           by
           the
           differences
           that
           are
           in
           the
           World
           about
           Religion
           ,
           to
           throw
           off
           all
           pretence
           to
           Religion
           it self
           .
           
             There
             must
             be
             herefies
             among
             you
             ,
          
           saith
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           that
           they
           which
           are
           approved
           may
           be
           made
           manifest
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           we
           may
           adde
           ,
           that
           by
           honest
           endeavours
           
           to
           be
           rightly
           informed
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           
             we
             do
             in
             some
             measure
             qualifie
             our selves
             for
             the
             happiness
             of
             another
             life
             ,
          
           and
           shew
           that
           we
           are
           disposed
           heavenwards
           ,
           and
           desirous
           of
           that
           infinitely-better
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           where
           Darkness
           and
           Errour
           shall
           be
           done
           away
           .
           For
           one
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Reward
           promised
           in
           a
           better
           life
           ,
           is
           that
           we
           shall
           know
           divine
           things
           more
           perfectly
           there
           ,
           than
           we
           can
           do
           in
           this
           World.
           But
           this
           can
           be
           no
           happiness
           to
           any
           but
           to
           those
           that
           are
           lovers
           of
           Truth
           and
           Goodness
           here
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           conclude
           this
           point
           with
           one
           consideration
           more
           ,
           That
           at
           this
           time
           we
           have
           very
           confiderable
           advantages
           and
           opportunities
           towards
           the
           discovery
           of
           Truth
           in
           the
           present
           Controversies
           among
           us
           .
           We
           of
           this
           Church
           are
           perswaded
           that
           Papists
           and
           other
           Sectaries
           do
           causelesly
           divide
           from
           our
           Communion
           ,
           and
           grievously
           sin
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           endanger
           their
           own
           Souls
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           disturb
           the
           quiet
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           by
           their
           separation
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           their
           combinations
           against
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           some
           pains
           has
           been
           taken
           ,
           more
           than
           ordinary
           ,
           to
           shew
           them
           the
           errour
           of
           their
           way
           ,
           by
           going
           through
           the
           several
           points
           upon
           which
           they
           pretend
           to
           justifie
           their
           doings
           .
           And
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           shewn
           already
           ,
           that
           in
           things
           of
           this
           nature
           they
           are
           mightily
           concerned
           to
           know
           the
           Truth
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           they
           neglect
           so
           fair
           an
           opportunity
           of
           examining
           things
           as
           is
           now
           offered
           them
           ,
           they
           will
           have
           the
           more
           to
           answer
           for
           another
           day
           .
           The
           several
           Controversies
           between
           
             this
             ▪
             Church
          
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           and
           the
           Dissenters
           and
           the
           Recusants
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           are
           stated
           and
           argued
           in
           a
           plain
           and
           familiar
           way
           ,
           and
           brought
           down
           for
           the
           most
           part
           to
           the
           capacity
           of
           ordinary
           Readers
           .
           And
           therefore
           let
           both
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           look
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           do
           not
           either
           in
           obstinacy
           or
           in
           laziness
           ,
           or
           for
           worldly
           interest
           ,
           put
           away
           the
           
           Truth
           from
           themselves
           .
           We
           should
           be
           very
           sorry
           if
           our
           endeavours
           should
           have
           no
           other
           effect
           than
           to
           make
           them
           more
           inexcusable
           at
           last
           .
           It
           will
           be
           our
           grief
           ,
           but
           it
           will
           be
           their
           condemnation
           .
        
      
       
         
           §
           9.
           
        
         
           V.
           When
           after
           due
           examination
           ,
           we
           have
           setled
           our selves
           upon
           true
           grounds
           ,
           whether
           in
           keeping
           our
           first
           Perswasions
           ,
           or
           in
           changing
           them
           (
           if
           we
           found
           they
           were
           wrong
           )
           for
           better
           :
           we
           must
           remember
           that
           there
           are
           duties
           incumbent
           upon
           us
           growing
           from
           the
           knowledge
           we
           have
           gained
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           We
           are
           to
           be
           
             thankful
             to
             God
          
           for
           the
           Truth
           we
           have
           learn'd
           .
           When
           we
           see
           how
           miserably
           some
           men
           are
           mistaken
           and
           deluded
           in
           things
           that
           are
           both
           plain
           enough
           ,
           and
           of
           great
           moment
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           insult
           over
           them
           and
           grow
           into
           self-conceit
           ,
           but
           into
           humility
           and
           gratitude
           to
           God
           ,
           acknowledging
           it
           to
           be
           of
           his
           grace
           and
           goodness
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           led
           away
           into
           the
           same
           delusions
           .
           We
           are
           indeed
           to
           thank
           him
           for
           all
           things
           that
           contributed
           towards
           our
           escape
           or
           recovery
           .
           If
           we
           have
           a
           better
           natural
           apprehension
           and
           judgment
           than
           some
           others
           ,
           who
           was
           it
           that
           made
           the
           difference
           ?
           If
           we
           had
           a
           good
           Education
           ,
           and
           were
           put
           into
           a
           right
           way
           at
           first
           ,
           it
           was
           God
           that
           chose
           those
           happy
           circumstances
           for
           us
           .
           If
           we
           have
           recovered
           from
           any
           way
           of
           dangerous
           errour
           in
           which
           we
           were
           bred
           up
           ,
           the
           conversation
           ,
           the
           friends
           ,
           the
           books
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           means
           by
           which
           we
           came
           to
           be
           better
           informed
           ,
           were
           ministred
           unto
           us
           by
           the
           good
           providence
           of
           God.
           And
           that
           degree
           of
           a
           good
           mind
           which
           either
           prompted
           us
           to
           inquire
           ,
           or
           prepared
           us
           to
           do
           it
           with
           success
           ,
           was
           likewise
           from
           his
           Grace
           .
           Finally
           ,
           it
           was
           his
           Blessing
           that
           crowned
           all
           .
           For
           
             every
             good
             and
             perfect
             gift
             cometh
             from
             above
             ,
          
           
           from
           
             the
             Father
             of
             lights
          
           .
           So
           that
           in
           effect
           God
           is
           to
           have
           all
           the
           praise
           .
           And
           if
           we
           make
           it
           our
           business
           humbly
           and
           thankfully
           to
           acknowledge
           all
           his
           goodness
           in
           that
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Truth
           to
           which
           we
           have
           attained
           ,
           we
           shall
           reap
           this
           great
           advantage
           and
           comfort
           thereby
           ,
           that
           by
           his
           grace
           and
           providence
           he
           will
           communicate
           to
           us
           more
           and
           more
           knowledge
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           needful
           for
           us
           ;
           or
           at
           least
           that
           he
           will
           not
           suffer
           us
           to
           fall
           into
           any
           dangerous
           errour
           .
           For
           we
           are
           not
           safe
           from
           damnable
           errours
           merely
           because
           we
           believe
           the
           Truth
           at
           present
           ;
           our
           perseverance
           in
           it
           depends
           upon
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           forfeited
           by
           nothing
           sooner
           than
           by
           Pride
           and
           Ingratitude
           .
           For
           
             God
             resisteth
             the
             proud
             ,
             but
             giveth
             grace
             to
             the
             humble
             .
          
           And
           if
           by
           the
           impiety
           of
           neglecting
           to
           acknowledge
           God
           in
           those
           Blessings
           we
           have
           received
           from
           him
           ,
           we
           should
           provoke
           him
           to
           leave
           us
           to
           our selves
           ;
           our
           Judgments
           though
           they
           be
           set
           right
           at
           present
           ,
           will
           easily
           be
           depraved
           and
           corrupted
           by
           vicious
           affections
           ,
           and
           by
           degrees
           we
           may
           fall
           from
           one
           delusion
           to
           another
           ,
           till
           we
           come
           to
           believe
           the
           same
           things
           with
           those
           men
           whom
           we
           were
           once
           apt
           to
           scorn
           or
           to
           pity
           for
           their
           stupidity
           and
           blindness
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           ways
           are
           very
           plain
           by
           which
           we
           are
           to
           express
           our
           thankfulness
           to
           God
           for
           the
           knowledge
           we
           have
           gain'd
           .
        
         
           We
           must
           do
           this
           in
           our
           dayly
           Prayers
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           shew
           our selves
           grateful
           in
           any
           proportion
           to
           the
           greatness
           of
           the
           benefit
           we
           have
           received
           .
           We
           are
           to
           thank
           God
           for
           the
           
             least
             of
             his
             mercies
          
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           
             less
             than
             the
             least
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           for
           all
           the
           Blessings
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           outward
           man
           ;
           that
           we
           are
           not
           blind
           or
           lame
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           not
           distorted
           limbs
           ,
           or
           a
           deformed
           shape
           .
           But
           is
           it
           not
           a
           more
           valuable
           Blessing
           still
           to
           have
           a
           
           mind
           clear
           from
           all
           foul
           and
           monstrous
           errour
           ,
           endued
           with
           soundness
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           replenisht
           with
           the
           knowledge
           of
           Divine
           Truth
           ?
           Does
           not
           this
           therefore
           call
           for
           particular
           acknowledgments
           and
           thanks
           ?
        
         
           We
           must
           be
           sure
           to
           express
           our
           thankfulness
           by
           better
           obedience
           ,
           and
           by
           improving
           in
           all
           Virtue
           and
           Piety
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           improved
           in
           Knowledge
           .
           Otherwise
           we
           
             receive
             this
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             vain
             .
          
           Knowledge
           conduceth
           to
           a
           mans
           true
           happiness
           by
           leading
           him
           to
           do
           well
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           holds
           the
           Truth
           in
           unrighteousness
           ,
           by
           
             increasing
             knowledge
          
           he
           does
           but
           
             increase
             sorrow
          
           ,
           and
           that
           because
           he
           increaseth
           his
           guilt
           .
           But
           that
           which
           I
           chiefly
           intend
           here
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           That
           God
           by
           inlightning
           our
           minds
           with
           a
           more
           full
           discovery
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           has
           laid
           upon
           us
           a
           great
           obligation
           in
           general
           to
           love
           him
           more
           perfectly
           ,
           and
           to
           perform
           his
           Will
           in
           all
           things
           more
           readily
           and
           cheerfully
           than
           we
           have
           done
           .
           And
           this
           is
           true
           thankfulness
           ,
           if
           because
           God
           hath
           led
           us
           to
           the
           understanding
           of
           some
           things
           which
           we
           were
           ignorant
           of
           heretofore
           ,
           we
           do
           more
           heartily
           perform
           those
           plain
           Duties
           ,
           and
           obey
           those
           divine
           Rules
           of
           which
           we
           were
           not
           ignorant
           before
           .
        
         
           Finally
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           principal
           expression
           of
           our
           gratitude
           to
           God
           ,
           for
           being
           enlightned
           and
           undeceived
           our selves
           ,
           to
           be
           charitably
           helpful
           for
           the
           undeceiving
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           leading
           them
           into
           the
           knowledge
           of
           that
           Truth
           into
           which
           God
           by
           his
           providence
           and
           grace
           hath
           led
           us
           .
           For
           God
           is
           never
           more
           pleased
           with
           us
           than
           when
           we
           do
           good
           one
           unto
           another
           :
           And
           therefore
           our
           charity
           to
           our
           mistaken
           Brethren
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           acceptable
           Sacrifice
           of
           Praise
           that
           we
           can
           offer
           to
           him
           .
           But
           this
           is
           so
           considerable
           a
           thing
           ,
           that
           it
           ought
           to
           go
           by
           it self
           for
           one
           remarkable
           use
           we
           are
           to
           make
           of
           having
           gained
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Truth
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Let
           us
           consider
           how
           we
           are
           after
           this
           to
           behave
           our selves
           to
           others
           .
           I
           have
           already
           told
           you
           ,
           that
           in
           gratitude
           to
           God
           we
           are
           to
           do
           what
           we
           can
           to
           recover
           those
           to
           whom
           we
           have
           opportunities
           to
           do
           this
           good
           office
           ;
           and
           that
           because
           
             God
             would
             have
             all
             men
             to
             be
             ▪
             saved
             ,
             and
             to
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             truth
             .
          
           This
           was
           that
           which
           our
           Lord
           said
           to
           
             Peter
             ,
             When
             thou
             art
             converted
             ,
             strengthen
             thy
             Brethren
          
           ;
           and
           if
           those
           who
           are
           not
           thoroughly
           confirmed
           in
           the
           Truth
           are
           to
           be
           farther
           instructed
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           same
           reason
           for
           endeavouring
           to
           recover
           those
           that
           are
           quite
           out
           of
           the
           way
           .
           Therefore
           if
           any
           of
           our
           Friends
           and
           Acquaintance
           ,
           or
           others
           ,
           whom
           at
           any
           time
           we
           have
           a
           good
           opportunity
           of
           instructing
           ,
           remain
           under
           those
           errours
           that
           we
           have
           forsaken
           ,
           and
           have
           discerned
           good
           cause
           to
           forsake
           ;
           we
           must
           remember
           that
           though
           it
           was
           chiefly
           by
           the
           grace
           and
           disposal
           of
           God
           that
           we
           came
           to
           a
           right
           understanding
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           also
           by
           humane
           means
           ,
           by
           conversing
           with
           others
           ,
           or
           by
           reading
           their
           Books
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           should
           take
           our selves
           to
           be
           fit
           Instruments
           under
           God
           for
           the
           reducing
           of
           them
           ,
           by
           desiring
           them
           earnestly
           either
           to
           hear
           what
           we
           have
           learned
           from
           others
           ,
           or
           to
           read
           those
           Books
           by
           which
           we
           have
           been
           convinced
           .
           And
           we
           should
           be
           the
           more
           earnestly
           engaged
           in
           this
           charity
           ,
           because
           those
           whom
           we
           may
           prevail
           withal
           ,
           will
           thereby
           be
           engaged
           to
           help
           others
           also
           ;
           and
           by
           this
           means
           our
           diligence
           and
           charity
           will
           be
           blessed
           with
           the
           good
           success
           of
           propagating
           the
           knowledge
           of
           Truth
           so
           far
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           not
           be
           able
           to
           see
           to
           the
           end
           of
           it
           .
           If
           therefore
           thou
           art
           convinced
           that
           thy
           former
           Perswasions
           were
           erroneous
           ,
           and
           thy
           Practices
           grounded
           upon
           them
           unjustifiable
           ,
           be
           not
           ashamed
           to
           confess
           thy
           mistake
           ,
           but
           shew
           thy self
           glad
           that
           thou
           art
           now
           better
           informed
           ;
           and
           go
           to
           thy
           Friend
           and
           tell
           him
           
           that
           thou
           art
           fully
           perswaded
           thy
           was
           has
           been
           wrong
           all
           this
           while
           ,
           and
           shew
           him
           these
           Arguments
           that
           have
           set
           thee
           right
           ,
           that
           he
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           thy self
           ,
           may
           rejoyce
           in
           the
           discovery
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           same
           reason
           to
           bless
           God
           that
           thou
           hast
           .
        
         
           Now
           when
           we
           are
           thus
           resolved
           ,
           let
           us
           by
           no
           means
           forget
           in
           what
           manner
           we
           are
           to
           apply
           our selves
           to
           our
           mistaken
           Brother
           for
           his
           information
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           in
           
             meekness
             of
             wisdom
          
           ,
           in
           
             the
             spirit
             of
             meekness
          
           ,
           without
           railing
           and
           bitterness
           ,
           though
           we
           should
           meet
           with
           unhandsome
           opposition
           ,
           remembring
           that
           we
           our selves
           not
           long
           since
           were
           under
           the
           same
           mistakes
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           like
           fondness
           for
           those
           erroneous
           Opinions
           which
           we
           would
           now
           rescue
           our
           Brother
           from
           .
           If
           he
           does
           not
           take
           information
           and
           receive
           instruction
           as
           fast
           as
           we
           did
           ,
           we
           must
           not
           presently
           grow
           into
           passion
           ;
           for
           some
           mens
           prejudices
           are
           greater
           and
           stronger
           than
           others
           ,
           and
           all
           men
           have
           not
           the
           same
           capacity
           of
           understanding
           ,
           and
           quickness
           of
           apprehension
           ;
           and
           therefore
           more
           time
           is
           to
           be
           allowed
           ,
           and
           more
           patience
           is
           to
           be
           used
           for
           the
           recovery
           of
           one
           man
           ,
           than
           may
           be
           needful
           in
           the
           case
           of
           another
           .
           And
           because
           nothing
           puts
           a
           slow
           or
           a
           prejudiced
           man
           more
           backward
           than
           rough
           and
           bitter
           discourse
           ,
           therefore
           more
           meekness
           ,
           and
           gentleness
           ,
           and
           patience
           is
           requisite
           in
           dealing
           with
           him
           ,
           than
           if
           we
           had
           to
           do
           with
           one
           of
           better
           wit
           or
           less
           prejudice
           .
           When
           we
           would
           bring
           a
           man
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           we
           must
           avoid
           all
           things
           that
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           drive
           him
           at
           a
           farther
           distance
           from
           it
           ,
           as
           clamour
           ,
           fierceness
           ,
           and
           railing
           will
           certainly
           do
           .
           For
           this
           carriage
           does
           but
           harden
           the
           obstinate
           ,
           and
           confound
           the
           simple
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           When
           we
           are
           convinced
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           as
           we
           must
           not
           be
           ashamed
           ,
           so
           neither
           must
           we
           be
           afraid
           to
           own
           it
           ,
           but
           constantly
           adhere
           to
           it
           by
           professing
           it
           ,
           and
           practising
           
           according
           to
           it
           ,
           whatever
           we
           lose
           or
           suffer
           for
           so
           doing
           .
           For
           otherwise
           we
           are
           convinced
           to
           no
           other
           purpose
           than
           the
           increasing
           of
           our
           guilt
           ,
           for
           
             he
             that
             knows
             his
             Masters
             will
             and
             doth
             it
             not
             ,
             shall
             be
             beaten
             with
             many
             stripes
             .
          
           If
           therefore
           thou
           hast
           hitherto
           been
           a
           Papist
           ,
           but
           art
           now
           convinced
           of
           the
           impious
           Doctrines
           and
           Practices
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ;
           or
           a
           Dissenter
           ,
           but
           art
           now
           satisfied
           that
           there
           is
           no
           just
           ground
           for
           separation
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           be
           not
           afraid
           of
           the
           Reproaches
           and
           Accusations
           of
           those
           whose
           errours
           thou
           hast
           left
           ,
           no
           ,
           not
           though
           your
           dependance
           be
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           upon
           them
           ,
           or
           your
           expectations
           of
           worldly
           advantage
           from
           them
           be
           never
           so
           great
           .
           Consider
           that
           thy
           salvation
           lies
           at
           stake
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           question
           is
           ,
           whether
           Gods
           love
           is
           not
           to
           be
           preferred
           before
           their
           favour
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           are
           now
           to
           shew
           that
           you
           do
           not
           
             love
             the
             praise
             of
             men
             more
             than
             the
             praise
             of
             God.
          
           Tell
           them
           that
           you
           will
           be
           still
           glad
           of
           their
           friendship
           ,
           but
           that
           you
           cannot
           purchase
           it
           at
           so
           dear
           a
           rate
           ,
           as
           to
           sin
           against
           God
           for
           it
           ,
           either
           by
           renouncing
           that
           which
           you
           are
           throughly
           convinced
           is
           Gods
           Truth
           ,
           or
           by
           going
           contrary
           to
           a
           Conscience
           well
           informed
           of
           your
           duty
           .
           Let
           them
           know
           that
           you
           have
           been
           at
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           pains
           to
           discover
           the
           truth
           in
           these
           matters
           ,
           and
           more
           than
           they
           have
           been
           at
           ;
           that
           you
           value
           that
           knowledge
           of
           your
           duty
           to
           which
           the
           Grace
           and
           Providence
           of
           God
           hath
           led
           you
           ,
           at
           a
           more
           just
           rate
           than
           to
           sacrifice
           it
           to
           every
           worldly
           interest
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           industry
           you
           have
           used
           to
           inform
           your self
           aright
           ,
           would
           turn
           to
           a
           very
           evil
           account
           ,
           if
           after
           all
           ,
           you
           should
           play
           the
           Hypocrite
           .
        
         
           When
           we
           have
           the
           Truth
           ,
           
             our
             loins
             must
             be
             girt
             about
             with
             it
          
           ;
           we
           must
           love
           it
           heartily
           ,
           profess
           it
           sincerely
           ,
           and
           contend
           for
           it
           earnestly
           ,
           and
           practise
           it
           honestly
           .
           
           When
           we
           have
           
             bought
             the
             Truth
          
           by
           diligent
           and
           impartial
           enquiry
           ,
           we
           
             we
             must
             not
             sell
             it
          
           for
           the
           gain
           of
           worldly
           Wealth
           or
           Honour
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           secular
           advantage
           ,
           no
           not
           for
           the
           safety
           of
           our
           lives
           .
           The
           sum
           of
           all
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           
             Prove
             all
             things
             ,
             hold
             fast
             that
             which
             is
             good
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           Catalogue
           of
           several
           Tracts
           written
           by
           some
           Divines
           in
           and
           about
           the
           City
           of
           London
           ,
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           the
           
             Protestant
             Dissenters
          
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             A
             Perswasive
             to
             Communion
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             A
             Resolution
             of
             some
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             which
             respect
             Church-Communion
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             Letter
             to
             Anonymus
             ,
             in
             answer
             to
             his
             three
             Letters
             to
             Dr.
             Sherlock
             about
             Church-Communion
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             Case
             of
             Lay-Communion
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             Case
             of
             mixt
             Communion
             :
             Whether
             it
             be
             Lawful
             to
             Separate
             from
             a
             Church
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             promiscuous
             Congregations
             and
             mixt
             Communions
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             The
             Case
             of
             Indifferent
             things
             used
             in
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             proposed
             and
             Stated
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             A
             Vindication
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             A
             Discourse
             of
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             A
             Discourse
             about
             a
             Scrupulous
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             Some
             Considerations
             about
             the
             Case
             of
             Scandal
             ,
             or
             giving
             Offence
             to
             Weak
             Brethren
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             Certain
             Cases
             of
             Conscience
             resolved
             ,
             concerning
             the
             Lawfulness
             of
             joyning
             with
             Forms
             of
             Prayer
             in
             Publick
             Worship
             .
             In
             two
             Parts
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             An
             Answer
             to
             the
             Dissenters
             Objections
             against
             the
             Common
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             some
             other
             parts
             of
             Divine
             Service
             prescribed
             in
             the
             Liturgy
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             
               The
               Resolution
               of
               this
               Case
               of
               Conscience
               ,
            
             Whether
             
             the
             Church
             of
             Englands
             Symbolizing
             so
             far
             as
             it
             doth
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             makes
             it
             unlawful
             to
             hold
             Communion
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ?
          
           
             14.
             
             A
             Defence
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             The
             Case
             of
             Infant-Baptism
             ,
             in
             Five
             Questions
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             The
             Case
             of
             the
             Cross
             in
             Baptism
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             A
             Perswasive
             to
             frequent
             Communion
             in
             the
             Holy
             Sacrament
             of
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             The
             Case
             of
             Kneeling
             at
             the
             Holy
             Sacrament
             stated
             and
             resolved
             ,
             In
             two
             Parts
             .
          
           
             29.
             
             A
             Discourse
             about
             Edification
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             A
             Discourse
             of
             Profiting
             by
             Sermons
             ,
             and
             of
             going
             to
             hear
             where
             men
             think
             they
             can
             profit
             most
             .
          
           
             21.
             
             An
             Argument
             to
             Union
             ;
             taken
             from
             the
             true
             Interest
             of
             those
             Dissenters
             in
             England
             who
             profess
             and
             call
             themselves
             Protestants
             .
          
           
             22.
             
             A
             serious
             Exhortation
             ,
             with
             some
             important
             Advices
             ,
             relating
             to
             the
             late
             Cases
             about
             Conformity
             ,
             recommended
             to
             the
             present
             Dissenters
             from
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
             Against
             Popery
             ,
             these
             :
          
           
             1.
             
             A
             Discourse
             about
             the
             charge
             of
             Novelty
             upon
             the
             Reformed
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             made
             by
             the
             Papists
             asking
             of
             us
             the
             Question
             ,
             Where
             was
             our
             Religion
             before
             Luther
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             Discourse
             about
             Tradition
             ,
             shewing
             what
             is
             meant
             by
             it
             ,
             and
             what
             Tradition
             is
             to
             be
             received
             ,
             and
             what
             Tradition
             is
             to
             be
             rejected
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             difference
             of
             the
             Case
             between
             the
             Separation
             of
             Protestants
             from
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             and
             the
             Separation
             of
             Dissenters
             from
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             Protestant
             Resolution
             of
             Faith.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             A
             Discourse
             concerning
             a
             Guide
             in
             matters
             of
             Faith.
             
          
           
             
             6.
             
             A
             Discourse
             concerning
             Invocation
             of
             Saints
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             A
             Discourse
             concerning
             the
             Unity
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             maintained
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             A
             Discourse
             of
             Auricular
             Confession
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             A
             Discourse
             against
             Transubstantiation
             .
          
        
         
           
             A
             Catalogue
             of
             some
             Books
             printed
             for
             
               T.
               BASSET
            
             .
          
           
             
             SPeed's
             Maps
             and
             Geography
             of
             
               Great
               Britain
            
             and
          
           
             Ireland
             ,
             and
             of
             foreign
             parts
             .
          
           
             
             Hooker's
             Ecclesiastical
             Politie
             .
          
           
             
             Guillim's
             Heraldry
             .
          
           
             Bishop
             
             Sanderson's
             Sermons
             .
          
           
             
             Mezaray's
             History
             of
             France
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Howell's
             History
             of
             the
             World.
             In
             2
             Vol.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Littleton's
             Dictionary
             .
          
           
             Compleat
             Clerk.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Sherlock's
             Sermon
             on
             the
             Discovery
             of
             the
             Plot.
             
          
           
             Medicina
             Curiosa
             .
          
           
             
             Miege's
             French
             Dictionary
             .
          
           
             
             Willis's
             London
             Tract
             of
             Physick
             .
          
           
             Bishop
             
             Wilkin's
             Sermons
             .
          
           
             —
             Principle
             and
             duty
             of
             Natural
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Bishop
             
             Land's
             Devotions
             .
          
        
         
         
           ☞
           All
           the
           Works
           ,
           newly
           printed
           ,
           of
           Doctor
           
             JOHN
             LIGHTFOOT
          
           ,
           in
           two
           Volumes
           in
           folio
           .
           Illustrated
           with
           Maps
           and
           several
           Tables
           to
           the
           Whole
           ,
           with
           some
           things
           never
           before
           printed
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A69762-e2810
           
             Phil.
             2.
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             24.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor
             4.
             7.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             12.
             2.
             
          
           
             Discourse
             about
             Tradition
             ,
             shewing
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A69762-e3760
           
             Abridgment
             of
             Christian
             Doctrine
             printed
             at
             Doway
             .