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III. They who, upon pretence of Chriftian liberty, do practife any fin, or cherish any luft, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might ferve the Lord without fear, in holinefs and righteoufnefs before him all the days of our life o.

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IV. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Chrift hath purchased, are not intended by God to deftroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Chriftian liberty, fhall oppofe any lawful power, or the lawful exercife of it, whether it be civil or ecclefiaftical, refift the ordinance of God p. And for their publishing of

we know what we worship: for fal-
vation is of the Jews. Hof. v. 11.
Ephraim is oppreffed, and broken in
judgment; because he willingly walk-
ed after the commandment. Rev.
xiii. 12. And he exercifeth all the
power of the first beast before him,
and caufeth the earth, and them
which dwell therein, to worship the
firft beaft, whofe deadly wound was
healed. v. 16. And he caufeth all,
both fmall and great, rich and poor,
free and bond, to receive a mark
in their right hand, or in their fore
heads: v. 17. And that no man
might buy or fell, fave he that had
the mark, or the name of the beast,
or the number of his name.
viii. 9. The wife men are afhamed,
they are difmayed and taken; lo,
they have rejected the word of the
Lord, and what wifdom is in them?
III. Gal. v. 13. For, brethren,
ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occafion
to the flesh, but by love ferve one
another. 1 Pet. ii. 16. As free, and
not ufing your liberty for a cloke of
malicioufnefs, but as the fervants of
God. 2 Pet. ii. 19. While they pro-
mife them liberty, they themselves
are the fervants of corruption: for

Jer.

fuch

of whom a man is overcome, of the fame is he brought in bondage. John viii. 34. Jefus answered them, Veri> ly, verily, I fay unto you, Whofoever committeth fin, is the fervant of fin. Luke i. 74. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might ferve him without fear. V. 75. In holiness and righteoufnefs before him, all the days of our life.

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IV. p Matth. xii. 25. And Jefus ·P knew their thoughts, and faid unto them, Every kingdom divided against itfelf, is brought to defolation: and every city or houfe divided against itself, fhall not ftand. Pet. ii. 13. Submit yourfelves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's fake: whether it be to the king, as fupreme: v. 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are fent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praife of them that do well. v. 16. As free, and not ufing your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the fervants of God. (Rom. xiii. 1. to the 8th verfe. Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and fubmit yourfelves: for they watch for your fouls, as they that must give account: that P

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they

Chap. XX. fuch opinions, or maintaining of fuch practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Chriftianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or converfation; or to the power of godlinefs; or fuch erroneous opinions or practices, as either, in their own nature, or in the manner of publifhing or maintaining them, are deftructive to the external peace and order which Chrift hath established in the church; they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded againft by the cenfures of the church q, and by the power of the civil magiftrate r.. CHA P.

they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable

for you Rom. i. 32. Who knowing the judgment of God, (that they which comimit fuch things are worthy of death) not only do the fame, but have pleafure in them that do them. With 1 Cor. v 1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication a, mong you, and fuch fornication as is not fo much as named amongst the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. v. 5. To deliver fuch an one unto Satan for the deftruction of the flesh, that the fpirit may be faved in the day of the Lord Jefus. V. 11. But now I have written unto you, not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with fuch an one, no not to eat. V. 13. But them that are without, God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourfelves that wicked perfon. 2 John to. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not in to your house, neither bid him God fpeed. v. 11. For he that biddeth him God fpeed, is partaker of his evil deeds. And 2 Theff. iii. 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epiftle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may

be afhamed. And 1 Tim. vi. 3. If any man teach otherwife, and confent not to wholefome words, even the words of our Lord Jefus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godlinefs: v. 4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about queftions and ftrifes of words, whereof cometh envy, ftrife, railings, evil furmifings, v. 5. Perverse difputings of men of corrupt minds, and deftitute of the truth, fuppofing that gain is godlinefs: from fuch withdraw thyfelf. And Tit. i. 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcifion: v. 11. Whofe mouths must be ftopped,who fubvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought.not,for filthy lucre's fake. v. 13. This witness is true: wherefore rebuke them fharply, that they may be found in the faith. And Tit. iii. 10. A man that is an heretic, after the first and fecond admonition, reject. With Matth. xviii. 15.More over, if thy brother fhall trefpafs against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he fhall hear thee, thou haft gained thy brother. v. 16. .But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. v. 17. And if he fhall neglect to hear them, tell it

unto

V.

upto the church: but if he neglect to
hear the church, let him be unto thee
as an heathen man, and a publican.
Tim. i. 19. Holding faith and a
good confcience; which fome ha-
ving put away, concerning faith have
made fhipwreck. v. 20. Of whom is
Hymeneus and Alexander; whom
I have delivered unto Satan, that
they may learn not to blafpheme.
Rev. ii. 2. I know thy works, and
thy labour, and thy patience, and
how thou canst not bear them which
are evil: and thou haft tried them
which fay they are apostles, and are
not; and hast found them liars.
14. But I have a few things against
thee, becaufe thou haft there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam,
who taught Balac to cast a stum-
bling-block before the children of
Ifrael, to eat things facrificed un-
to idols, and to commit fornication.
v. 15. So haft thou alfo them that
hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,
which thing I hate. v. 20. Notwith-
ftanding, I have a few things againft
thee, because thou fuffereft that wo-
man Jezebel, which calleth herfelf
a prophetefs, to teach and fe-
duce my fervants to commit forni-
cation, and to eat things facrificed
unto idols. Rev. iii. 9. Behold,
I will make them of the fynagogue
of Satan, (which fay they are Jews,
and are not, but do lie,) behold, I
will make them to come and worship
before thy feet, and to know that
I have loved thee

execute wrath upon him that doth evil. With 2 John 10. 11. (See in the letter q.) Ezra vii. 23. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done, for the houfe of the God of heaven: for why fhould there be wrath against the realm of the king and his fons? v. 25. And thou Ezra, after the wifdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, fet magiftrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all fuch as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. v. 26. And whofoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed fpeedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confifcation of goods, or to imprifonment. v. 27. Bleffed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put fuch a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the houfe of the Lord which is in Jerufalem; v. 28. And hath extended mercy unto me, 'before the king, and his counfeilors, and before all the king's mighty princes; and I was ftrengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Ifrael chief men to go up with me. Rev. xvii. 12. And the ten horns which thou faweft, are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. v. 16. And the ten horns which thou faweft upon the beafts, thefe fhall hate the whore, and shall make her defolate, and naked, and fhall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. v. 17, For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God thall be ful filled. Neh. xiii. 15. In thofe days faw I in Judah fome treading winepreffes on the Sabbath, and bringP 2

r (Deut xiii. 6. to the 12.) Rom. xiii. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou fhalt have praife of the fame: v. 4. For he is the minifter of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minifter of God, a revenger to

ing

ing in heaves, and lading affes; as alfo wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerufalem on the Sabbath-day and I teftified against them in the day wherein they fold victuals. v. 17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and faid unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbathday? v. 21. Then I teftified against them, and faid unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do fo again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath. v. 22. And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanfe themselves, and that they fhould come and keep the gates, to fanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this alfo, and fpare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. v. 25. And I contended with them, and curfed them, and fmote certain of them, and pluckt off their hair, and made them fwear by God, faying, Ye fhall not give your daughters unto their fons,. nor take their daughters unto your fons, or for yourselves. v. 30. Thus cleansed I them from all ftrangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his bufinefs. 2 Kings xxiii. 5. And he put down the idolatrous priefts, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incenfe in the high places, in the cities of Judah and in the places round about Jerufalem, them alfo that burnt incenfe unto Baal, to the fun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. v. 6. And he brought out the grove from the houfe of the Lord, without Jerufalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burnt it at the brook Kidron, and Stampt it fmall to powder, and caft the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. v. 9.

Nevertheless, the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerufalem, but they dict eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. v. 20. And he flew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burnt mens bones upon them, and returned to Jerufalem. V. 21. And the king commanded all the people, faying, Keep the paffover unto the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 33. And Jofiah took away alk the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Ifrael,and made all that were prefent in Ifrael to ferve, even to ferve the Lord their God. And all his days. they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chron. xv. 12. And they entered into a covenant to feek the Lord God of their fathers, with all their heart, and with all their foul; v.13. That whofoever would not feek the Lord God of Ifrael, should be pur to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. v. 16. And alfo concerning Maachah the mother of Afa the king, he removed her from being queen, becaufe fhe had made an idol in a grove: and Afa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. Dan. iii. 29. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which fpeak any thing amifs against the God of Shadrach, Mefhach, and Abednego, fhall be cut in pieces, and their houfes fhall be made a dunghill; because there is no other God that can deliver after this fort. 1 Tim. ii. 2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honefty. If.xlix. 23. And kings fhall be thy nurfingfathers, and their queens thy nurfing mothers: they fhall bow down

Chap. XXI. Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath-day.

THE

HE light of nature fhewetli that there is a God, who hath lordship and fovereignty over all; is good, and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and ferved, with all the heart, and with all the foul, and with all the might a. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is inftituted by himself, and fo limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the fuggeftions of Satan, under any vifible reprefentation,

to thee with their face toward the earth, aud lick up the duft of thy feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord for they fhall not be afhamed that wait for me. Zech. xiii. 2. And it fhall come to pafs in that day, faith the Lord of hofts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and alfo I will caufe the prophets, and the unclean fpirit to pafs out of the land. v. 3. And it shall come to pafs, that when any shall yet prophefy, then his father and his mother, that begat him, fhall fay unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou fpeakeft lies in the pame of the Lord: and his father and his mother, that begat him, fhall thrust him through when he prophe

fieth.

I.a Rom. i. 20. For the invifible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly feen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; fo that they are without excufe. Acts xvii. 24. God that made the world,and all things therein, feeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Pfal. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and doft

or

good: teach me thy ftatutes. Jer, x. 7. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forafmuch as among all the wife men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. Pfal. xxxi. 23. love the Lord, all ye his faints: for the Lord preferveth the faithful and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Pfal. xviii. 3. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: To thall I be faved from mine enemies. Rom. x. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the fame Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him. Pfal. Ixii. 8. Trusk in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Jofh. xxiv. 14, Now therefore, fear the Lord, and ferve him in fincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers ferved on the other fide of the flood, and in Egypt: and ferve ye the Lord. Mark xii. 33. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the foul, and with all the ftrength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all wholeburnt-offerings and facrifices.

Deut

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