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free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love, and willing mind. All which were common also to believers under the law; but under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.

II. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship?

Ver. 55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Ver. 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. Ver. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

d Rom. v. 1. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

e Rom. viii. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Ver. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 1 John iv. 18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. IIe that feareth is not made perfect in love.

f Gal. iii. 9. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

g Gal. iv. 1. Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Ver. 2. But is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father. Ver. 3. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. Ver. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Ver. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal. v. 1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Acts xv. 10. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Ver. 11. But we believe that, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, even as they.

b Heb. iv. 14. Seeing then that we have a

great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Ver. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. x. 19. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Ver. 20. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; Ver. 21. And having an high priest over the house of God; Ver. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

i John vii. 38. IIe that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Ver. 39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 2 Cor. iii. 13. And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. Ver. 17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Ver. 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

II. k James iv. 12. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Rom. xiv. 4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth; yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Acts iv. 19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Acts v. 29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 1 Cor. vii. 23. Ye are bought with a price: be not ye the servants of men. Mat. xxiii. 8. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Ver. 9. And call no man your father upon the earth for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Ver. 10. Neither be ye called

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So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience m; and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also ".

III. They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our onemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

IV. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God P. And for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of

masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 2 Cor. i. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Mat. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandinents of men.

m Col. ii. 20. Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Ver. 22. (Which all are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Ver. 23. Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Gal. i. 10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Gal. ii. 4. And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: Ver. 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Gal. v. 1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

n Rom. x. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. xiv. 23. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Isa. viii. 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. John iv. 22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Hos. v. 11. Ephraim is op

pressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Rev. xiii. 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth, and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Ver. 16. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Ver. 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Jer. viii. 9. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?

III. o Gal. v. 13. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 Pet. ii. 16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 2 Pet. ii. 19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the ser.. vants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. John viii. 34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Luke i. 74. That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, Ver. 75. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

IV. P Mat. xii. 25. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 1 Pet. ii. 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Ver. 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Ver. 16. As free, and not using your liberty for

nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or to the power of godliness; or such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their own nature. or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the church; they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against by the censures of the church, and by the power of the civil magistrate ".

a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. [Rom. xiii. 1. to the 8th Verse.] Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you.

q Rom. i. 32. Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. With 1 Cor. v. 1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. Ver. 5. To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Ver. 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 such an one no not to eat. Ver. 13. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 2 John, ver. 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. Ver. 11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. And 2 Thess. iii. 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. And 1 Tim. vi. 3. If any man teach other wise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; Ver. 4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Ver. 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. And Tit. i. 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Ver. 11. Whose mouths must be stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. Ver. 13. This witness is true: wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And Tit. iii. 10. A man that is an heretick, after the first and second admonition, reject. With Mat.

xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Ver. 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. Ver. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 1 Tim. i. 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck: Ver. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. 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 hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. Ver. 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Ver. 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Ver. 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Rev. iii. 9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say 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.

r [Deut. xiii. 6. to the 12th.] 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 shalt have praise of the same: Ver. 4. For he is the minister 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 minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. With 2 John, verses 10, 11. [See in letter a.) Ezra vii. 23. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for wh

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

T IIE light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the

should there be wrath against the realm
of the king and his sons? Ver. 25. And
thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God
that is in thine hand, set magistrates and
judges, which may judge all the people
that are beyond the river, all such as know
the laws of thy God; and teach ye them
that know them not. Ver. 26. And who-
soever will not do the law of thy God, and
the law of the king, let judgment be exe-
cuted speedily upon him, whether it be
unto death, or to banishment, or to con-
fiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Ver. 27. Blessed be the Lord God of our
fathers, which hath put such a thing as
this in the king's heart, to beautify the
house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem;
Ver. 28. And hath extended mercy unto
me before the king and his counsellors,
and before all the king's mighty princes:
and I was strengthened as the hand of
the Lord my God was upon me; and I
gathered together out of Israel chief men
to go up with me. Rev. xvii. 12. And the
ten horns which thou sawest are ten
kings, which have received no kingdom as
yet; but receive power as kings one hour
with the beast. Ver. 16. And the ten horns
which thou sawest upon the beast, these
shall hate the whore, and shall make her
desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh,
and burn her with fire. Ver. 17. For God
hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will,
and to agree, and give their kingdom untó
the beast, until the words of God shall be
fulfilled. Neh. xiii. 15. In those days saw
I in Judah some treading wine-presses on
the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and
lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and
figs, and all manner of burdens, which
they brought into Jerusalem on the sab-
bath-day: and I testified against them in
the day wherein they sold Victuals. Ver.
17. Then I contended with the nobles of
Judah, and said unto them, What evil
thing is this that ye do, and profane the
sabbath-day? Ver. 21. Then I testified
against them, and said unto them, Why
lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again,
I will lay hands on you. From that time
forth came they no more on the sabbath.
Ver. 22. And I commanded the Levites,
that they should cleanse themselves, and
that they should come and keep the gates,
to sanctify the sabbath-day. Remember
me, O my God, concerning this also, and
spare me according to the greatness of
thy mercy. Ver. 25. And I contended with
them, and cursed them, and smote certain
of them, and plucked off their hair, and
made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall

not give your daughters unto their sons,
nor take their daughters unto your sons,
or for yourselves. Ver. 30. Thus cleansed
I them from all strangers, and appointed
the wards of the priests and the Levites,
every one in his business. 2 Kings xxiii.
5. And he put down the idolatrous priests,
whom the kings of Judah had ordained
to burn incense in the high places in the
cities of Judah, and in the places round
about Jerusalem: them also that burnt
incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the
moon, and to the planets, and to all the
host of heaven. Ver. 6. And he brought
out the grove from the house of the Lord,
without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kid-
ron, and burnt it at the brook Kidron,
and stamped it small to powder, and cast
the powder thereof upon the graves of the
children of the people. Ver. 9. Nevertheless
the priests of the high places came not up
to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, but
they did eat of the unleavened bread
Ver. 20. And he
among their brethren.
slew all the priests of the high places that
were there upon the altars, and burnt
men's bones upon them, and returned to
Jerusalem. Ver. 21. And the king com-
manded all the people, saying, Keep the
passover unto the Lord your God, as it is
written in the book of this covenant. 2
Chron. xxxiv. 33. And Josiah took away
all the abominations out of all the coun-
tries that pertained to the children of Is-
rael, and made all that were present in
Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord
their God. And all his days they depart-
ed not from following the Lord, the God
of their fathers. 2 Chron. xv. 12. And they
entered into a covenant to seek the Lord
God of their fathers with all their heart,
and with all their soul; Ver. 13. That who-
soever would not seek the Lord God of Is-
rael should be put to death, whether small
or great, whether man or woman.
16. And also concerning Maachah, the
mother of Asa the king, he removed her
from being queen, because she had made
an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her
idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the
Dan. iii. 29. Therefore I
brook Kidron."
make a decree, That every people, nation,
and language, which speak any thing
amiss against the God of Shadrach, Me-
shach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in
pieces, and their houses shall be made a
dunghill; because there is no other God
that can deliver after this sort. 1 Tim. ii.
2. For kings, and for ali that are in
authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Ver.

might a But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy scripture.

II. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone: not to angels, saints, or any other creatured: and, since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone o.

Isa. xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their queens thy nursingmothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. Zech. xiii. 2. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. Ver. 3. And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesietli

I. a Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Acts xvii. 24. God, that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Psal. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes. Jer. x. 7. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. Psal. xxxi. 23. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Psal xviii. 3. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Rom. x. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Psal. lxii. 8. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Josh. xxiv. 14. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. Mark xii. 33. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.

b Deut. xii. 32. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Mat. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Acts xvii. 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. Mat. iv. 9. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Ver. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [Deut. xv. to the 20th Verse.] Exod. xx. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Ver. 5. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; Ver. 6. And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Col. ii. 23. Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

II. Mat. iv. 10. [See before in letter b.] With John v. 23. That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. And 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

d Col. ii. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility, and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. Rev. xix. 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rom. i. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

e John xiv. 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one Ge

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