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lievers under the law f. But, under the New Teftament, the liberty of Chriftians is further inlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was fubjected g; and in greater boldnefs of accefs to the throne of grace b, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of i, II. God alone is the Lord of the confcience k, and hath left it .15 free

f Gal. iii. 9. So then they who be of faith, are blessed with faithful. A braham, v. 14. That the bleffing of Abraham might come on the Gen. tiles through Jefus Chrift: that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

g Gal. iv. 1. Now I fay, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a fervant, though he be lord of all; v. 2. But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. v. 3. Even fo we, when we were children were in bondage under the elements of the world. v. 6. And because ye are fons, God hath fent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. v. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a fervant, but a fon; and if a fon, then an heir of God through Chrift. Gal, v. 1. Stand faft 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 difciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? v. 11, But we believe, that through the grace of the Lord Jefus Chrift, we shall be faved, even as they.

Heb. iv, 14. Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is paffed into the heavens, Jefus the Son of God, let us hold faft our profeffiV. 16. Let us therefore come

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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 ho lieft, by the blood of Jefus, v. 20, By a new and living way which he hath confecrated for us through the vail, that is to fay, his flesh; v. 21. and having an high priest over the houfe of God. v. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full affurance of faith, having our hearts fprinkled from an evil confcience, and our bodies washed with pure

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John vii. 38. He that believeth on me, as the fcripture hath faid, out of his belly fhall flow rivers of living water. v. 39. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that be lieved on him fhould receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, becaufe that Jefus was not yet glorified. 2 Cor. iii. 13. And not as Mofes, who put a vail over his face, that the children of Ifrael could not ftedfaftly look to the end of that which is abolished. v. 17. Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. v. 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glafs, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the fame image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

H, k James iv. 12. There is one law-giver; who is able to fave, and

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free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to his word or befide it, in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe fuch doctrines, or to obey fuch commandments out of confcience, is to betray true liberty of confcience m; and the requiring of an implicite faith, and an abfolute and blind obedience, is to deftroy liberty of confcience, and reason alfo n.

to destroy who art thou that judg. eft another? Rom, xiv. 4. Who art thou that judgeft another man's fervant? to his own mafter he standeth or falleth: Yea, he fhall be holden up for God is able to make him stand.

/ Acts iv. 19. But Peter and John anfwered and faid unto them, Whether it be right in the fight of God to hearken unto you, more than unto God, judge ye. Acts v. 29. Then. Peter and the other apostles anfwered and faid, We ought to obey God rather than men. 1 Cor. vii. 3. Ye are bought with a price, be not ye, the fervants of men. Mat. xxiii. 8. But be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Chrift, and all ye are brethren. v.,9. And call no man your Father upon the earth: for one is your Father, who is in heaven. v. 10. Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Mafter, even Chrift. 2 Cor. i, 24. Not for that we have dominion, over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye ftand. Mat. xv. 9, But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the command ments of men.

Col. ii. 20. Wherefore if ye be dead with Chrift from the rudiments of the world; why as though living in the world, are ye fubject to ordinances. v. 22. Which all are to perich with the ufing, after the commandments and doctrines of men?

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v. 23. Which things have indeed a fhew of wisdom in will worship and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the fatisfying of the flesh. Gal. i. 10. For do I now perfuade men, or God? or do I feck to please men? For if I yet pleafed men, Ifhould not be the fervant of Chrift, Gal, ii. 4. And that because of falfe. brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to fpy out our liberty, which we have in Chrift Jefus, that they might bring us into bondage: v. 5. To whom we gave place by fubjection, 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 Chrift 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 whatfoever is not of faith, is fin, lfa. viii. 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they fpeak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Acts xvii, 11. These were more noble than those in Theffalonica, in that they received, the word with all readinefs of mind, and fearched the fcriptures daily, whether thofe things were fo. John iv. 22. Ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship; for fal

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

IV. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Chrift hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preferve 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 ordinances of God p. And

vation is of the Jews. Hofea v. 11. Ephraim is oppreffed, and broken in judgment; because he willingly walked after the commandment. Rev. xiii. 12. And he exerciseth afl the power of the first beast before him, and caufeth the earth, and them who dwell therein, to worship the first beat, whofe deadly wound was healed. v. 19. And he caufeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. v. 17 And that no man might buy, or fell, fave he that had the mark, or the name of the beat, or the number of his name. Jer. 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.

Ill., Gal. v. 13. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only ufe 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 promife them liberty, they themselves are the fervants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the Lame is he brought in bondage, John

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viii. 34. Jefus answered them, Verily, 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 righteoufuefs before him all the days of our life.

IV. Mat. xii. 25. And Jefusknew their thoughts, and faid unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself, is brought to defolation and every city or house divided against itself, fhall not ftand. Pet. ii. 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's fake: whether it

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be to the king as fupreme; v. 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praife of them that well. v. 16. As free, and not ing your liberty for a cloke of malicioufnefs, but as the fervants of God. (Rom. xiii. 1. to the 8. verfe.) Heb. xii. 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 they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

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Rom.

Chap. XX. for their publishing of 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 publishing or maintaining them, are deftructive to the external peace and order which Chrift hath esta blished in the church; they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against by the cenfures of the church q, and by the

Rom. i. 32. Who knowing the judgment of God, (that they who commit fuch things are worthy of death) not only do the fame, but have pleasure 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 among the Gentiles, that one fhould have his father's wife. v. 5. to deliver fuch an one unto Satan, for the destruction 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 yourselves that wicked perfon. 2 John 10. If there co any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your houfe, neither bid him God fpeed. v. 11. For he that bid deth 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 ashamed. And 1 Tim. vi. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and confent not to wholfome words, even

the words of our Lord Jefus Chrift, 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. Whole mouths must be ftopped, who fubvert whole houses, teaching things they ought not, for filthy lucre's fake. v. 13. This witness is ue: 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 Mat. xviii, 15. Moreover, if thy brother fhall trefpafs against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he fhall hear thee, thou hast 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 witneffes every word may be established. v. 17. And if he fhall 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 publi

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can. 1 Tim. i. 19. Holding faith and a good confcience: which fome having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck. v. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander: whom I bave 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 who are evil; and thou haft tried them, who fay they are apostles, and are not; and haft found them liars. v. 14. But I have a few things against thee, Because thou haft there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balack to caft a ftumblingblock before the children of Ifrael, to eat things facrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. v. 15. So halt thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. v. 20. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou fuffereft that woman Jezebel, which calleth her felf a prophetefs, to teach, and feduce my fervants to commit fornication, and to eat things facrificed unto idols. Rev. iii, 9. Behold, I will make them of the fynagogue of Satan, (who fay they are Jews, and are not, but do lie) Behold, I will make them come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

(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 pow. er? do that which is good, and thou halt have praise 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

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the fword in vain: for he is the minilter of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. With 2 John 10. 11. (See in the letter 9.) 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 wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, fet magiftrates and judges, who may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all fuch 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, who 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 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 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 beaft, thefe fhall hate the whore, and fhall make her defolate, and naked, and fhall eat her fefh, and burn her with fire

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