A plea for tolleration of opinions and perswasions in matters of religion, differing from the Church of England. Grounded upon good authority of Scripture, and the practice of the primitive times. Shewing the unreasonablenesse of prescribing to other mens faith, and the evil of persecuting differing opinions. / Humbly presented to the kings most excellent majesty, by John Sturgion, a member of the Baptized People.
         Sturgion, John.
      
       
         
           1661
        
      
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         A61911
         Wing S6093
         ESTC R208120
         99867110
         99867110
         119400
         
           
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             A plea for tolleration of opinions and perswasions in matters of religion, differing from the Church of England. Grounded upon good authority of Scripture, and the practice of the primitive times. Shewing the unreasonablenesse of prescribing to other mens faith, and the evil of persecuting differing opinions. / Humbly presented to the kings most excellent majesty, by John Sturgion, a member of the Baptized People.
             Sturgion, John.
          
           20 p.
           
             Printed by S. Dover, for Francis Smith, at the Elephant and Castle near Temple-Bar,
             London :
             1661.
          
           
             Baptized People = the Anabaptists.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "march 29".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Anabaptists -- England -- Apologetic works -- Early works to 1800.
           Freedom of religion -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Plea
           for
           Tolleration
           OF
           OPINIONS
           and
           PERSWASIONS
           IN
           Matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           Differing
           from
           the
           CHURCH
           of
           
             ENGLAND
             .
          
        
         
           Grounded
           upon
           good
           Authority
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Times
           .
        
         
           Shewing
           the
           unreasonablenesse
           of
           Prescribing
           to
           other
           mens
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           evil
           of
           persecuting
           differing
           Opinions
           .
        
         
           Humbly
           Presented
           to
           the
           Kings
           most
           Excellent
           Majesty
           ,
           by
           
             Iohn
             Sturgion
             ,
          
           a
           Member
           of
           the
           Baptized
           People
           .
        
         
           
             Acts
             5.
             
             38,39
             .
          
           And
           now
           I
           say
           unto
           you
           ,
           Refrain
           from
           these
           men
           ,
           and
           let
           them
           alone
           ;
           for
           if
           this
           Counsel
           (
           or
           this
           work
           )
           be
           of
           men
           ,
           it
           will
           come
           to
           naught
           ;
           but
           if
           it
           be
           of
           God
           ,
           ye
           cannot
           overthrow
           it
           ,
           lest
           haply
           ye
           be
           found
           ,
           even
           to
           fight
           against
           God.
           
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             S.
             Dover
             ,
          
           for
           
             Francis
             Smith
             ,
          
           at
           the
           
             Elephant
          
           and
           
             Castle
          
           near
           
             Temple-Bar
             ,
          
           1661.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           Plea
           for
           Tolleration
           of
           Opinions
           and
           Perswasions
           in
           Matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           differing
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
             May
             it
             please
             your
             Majesty
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           had
           strong
           impulses
           upon
           my
           mind
           for
           some
           dayes
           ,
           to
           present
           this
           Paper
           to
           your
           
             Majesty
             ,
          
           and
           I
           humbly
           hope
           it
           will
           not
           be
           made
           to
           suffer
           much
           under
           an
           
             evil
             Resentment
             ,
          
           upon
           its
           presentation
           to
           your
           hand
           ,
           because
           it
           bears
           a
           Testimony
           about
           it
           ,
           of
           the
           Authors
           good
           affections
           to
           your
           
             Royal
             Self
          
           ;
           for
           my
           witness
           is
           on
           High
           ,
           that
           I
           did
           not
           write
           this
           Paper
           because
           I
           
             love
          
           you
           not
           ,
           because
           I
           
             honour
          
           you
           not
           ,
           because
           I
           
             own
          
           you
           not
           ,
           in
           your
           
             Royal
          
           capacitie
           of
           
             Magistracy
          
           and
           Civil
           Power
           ;
           God
           knoweth
           that
           you
           have
           not
           any
           Subject
           more
           Christianly
           real
           or
           cordial
           unto
           you
           ;
           and
           I
           humbly
           beg
           that
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           would
           be
           pleased
           so
           far
           to
           deny
           your self
           ,
           as
           to
           read
           it
           with
           patience
           ,
           and
           to
           judge
           of
           it
           as
           you
           shall
           see
           cause
           .
        
         
           I
           beseech
           your
           
             Majestie
          
           to
           Consider
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Soveraign
           and
           high
           Concernments
           of
           your
           Soul
           ,
           to
           understand
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Counsels
           and
           mind
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           find
           time
           to
           search
           throughly
           into
           those
           worthy
           Mysteries
           ,
           which
           the
           blessed
           Angels
           (
           those
           great
           Princes
           of
           Heaven
           )
           judge
           it
           no
           wayes
           beneath
           them
           to
           pry
           into
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           ,
           
           who
           are
           Gods
           by
           institution
           shall
           narrowly
           and
           with
           delight
           contemplate
           the
           Real
           Excellency
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           
           who
           is
           a
           God
           by
           nature
           ,
           they
           must
           needs
           be
           transformed
           into
           his
           likeness
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           most
           observable
           Passage
           of
           the
           great
           Apostle
           ;
           
             But
             we
             all
             with
             open
             face
             beholding
             ,
             as
             in
             a
             glass
             ,
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             are
             changed
             into
             the
             same
             Image
             ,
          
           
           and
           when
           the
           gods
           on
           Earth
           ,
           shall
           be
           changed
           into
           the
           same
           Image
           with
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           ;
           not
           doubt
           but
           blessedness
           is
           coming
           on
           a
           pace
           upon
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           be
           pleased
           to
           look
           into
           the
           excellent
           proceedings
           of
           the
           King
           of
           Kings
           ,
           and
           Lord
           of
           Lords
           ,
           towards
           men
           ;
           he
           doth
           not
           take
           away
           his
           favour
           ,
           or
           withdraw
           his
           grace
           from
           all
           men
           ,
           because
           some
           abuse
           it
           ,
           &
           render
           themselves
           so
           fearfully
           wicked
           ,
           as
           not
           onely
           to
           sin
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Commandments
           ,
           but
           against
           that
           glorious
           Gospel
           of
           grace
           sealed
           and
           confirmed
           ,
           by
           the
           blood
           of
           ever
           blessed
           Jesus
           ;
           
           nor
           will
           he
           
             punish
             the
             Innocent
             for
             the
             guilty
             :
             but
             the
             soul
             that
             sins
             shall
             die
             ;
             the
             Father
             shall
             not
             answer
             for
             the
             Son
             ,
             nor
             the
             Son
             for
             the
             Father
             ,
             but
             every
             soul
             shall
             bear
             the
             burthen
             of
             his
             own
             sin
             .
          
           O
           that
           your
           Princely
           Mind
           might
           be
           Eluminated
           or
           enlightned
           by
           this
           heavenly
           instance
           ,
           that
           your
           
             Majesties
          
           Actions
           to
           all
           your
           Subjects
           ,
           (
           from
           the
           Peere
           to
           the
           poorest
           )
           may
           be
           guided
           by
           that
           Rule
           which
           God
           himself
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           lay
           before
           you
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           humbly
           take
           leave
           to
           mind
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           of
           the
           
             Liberty
             of
             tender
             Consciences
             ,
          
           which
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           declared
           to
           indulge
           in
           your
           
             Declaration
          
           from
           
             Breda
             ,
          
           for
           which
           many
           thousands
           did
           in
           all
           humility
           blesse
           the
           most
           High
           God
           ,
           who
           put
           it
           into
           
           your
           
             Majesties
          
           heart
           to
           declare
           your
           Resolution
           to
           provide
           in
           that
           particular
           ,
           That
           such
           as
           did
           uot
           
             disturb
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             might
             Worship
             God
             according
             to
             their
             Light
          
           ;
           and
           that
           
             no
             man
             should
             be
             molested
             or
             disquieted
             for
             differing
             Opinions
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             who
             could
             not
             joyn
             in
             the
             Publick
             service
             of
             worship
          
           ;
           Yet
           in
           regard
           of
           some
           Rebellious
           persons
           in
           the
           City
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           who
           pretended
           to
           the
           like
           Liberty
           of
           worshipping
           God
           apart
           from
           the
           Parochial
           Assembly
           ;
           who
           made
           Insurrections
           and
           committed
           Murder
           ,
           under
           groundless
           pretences
           ,
           of
           fighting
           for
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ;
           whereupon
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           by
           
             Proclamation
          
           hath
           forbid
           all
           
             Meetings
          
           whatsoever
           ,
           in
           private
           houses
           ,
           or
           houses
           built
           ,
           or
           purchased
           for
           the
           use
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           other
           Ordinances
           of
           Gods
           Worship
           ;
           whereby
           the
           
             Innocent
             suffer
             for
             the
             Guilty
             ;
          
           and
           many
           of
           your
           
             Majesties
          
           Loyal
           and
           obedient
           Subjects
           are
           questioned
           ,
           and
           publickly
           suspected
           to
           their
           great
           prejudice
           in
           their
           reputations
           ,
           the
           consequence
           whereof
           is
           very
           mischievous
           to
           them
           and
           their
           Families
           .
        
         
           I
           cannot
           imagine
           how
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           can
           be
           unsatisfied
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Innocency
           of
           the
           
             Baptized
             People
          
           and
           others
           ,
           
           who
           have
           not
           onely
           disclaimed
           the
           wicked
           Rebellion
           of
           the
           said
           persons
           ,
           but
           they
           have
           pressed
           their
           Innocency
           from
           the
           very
           thought
           or
           Imagination
           of
           any
           such
           wickedness
           ;
           If
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           please
           to
           consider
           that
           in
           case
           three
           or
           four
           of
           your
           Domestick
           servants
           should
           have
           committed
           ,
           or
           done
           fome
           unworthy
           Act
           ,
           whereby
           they
           had
           incurred
           your
           just
           displeasure
           ,
           upon
           which
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           should
           have
           discharged
           all
           your
           servants
           from
           any
           further
           attendance
           in
           your
           
             Royal
             Court
             ,
          
           although
           they
           never
           had
           
           any
           thing
           to
           do
           with
           the
           Offenders
           ,
           or
           their
           wayes
           ;
           It
           may
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           the
           Innocent
           would
           have
           thought
           this
           a
           very
           severe
           Act
           ?
           I
           shall
           Humbly
           leave
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           to
           make
           the
           Application
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           the
           Law
           is
           against
           that
           Indulgence
           formerly
           granted
           unto
           us
           ,
           by
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           (
           as
           was
           hinted
           in
           the
           Answer
           to
           the
           Petition
           of
           the
           Congregations
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           given
           at
           your
           
             Majesties
          
           most
           Honourable
           
             Privy
             Council
             ,
          
           to
           the
           said
           Petitioners
           )
           and
           therefore
           no
           longer
           to
           be
           continued
           unto
           us
           ,
           unless
           the
           next
           
             Parliament
          
           (
           to
           whom
           we
           are
           referred
           )
           provide
           for
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           Upon
           which
           
             Answer
             ,
          
           some
           make
           this
           Observation
           ;
           That
           seeing
           the
           discontinuance
           of
           Your
           
             Majesties
          
           Gracious
           Indulgence
           ,
           proceedeth
           from
           the
           Aspect
           of
           some
           
             Old
             Law
             ,
          
           then
           we
           should
           have
           felt
           the
           influence
           thereof
           ,
           although
           
             Venner
          
           and
           his
           disciples
           had
           never
           been
           born
           :
           Moreover
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           such
           Law
           ,
           it
           was
           in
           being
           before
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           sent
           that
           Dove
           ,
           with
           the
           
             Olive-Branch
             of
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             ,
          
           (
           viz.
           )
           Your
           
             Declaration
          
           that
           granted
           us
           
             Toleration
          
           ;
           for
           no
           Law
           was
           made
           against
           our
           Meetings
           by
           that
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           which
           Your
           Majesty
           tearmed
           ,
           the
           
             Healing
             and
             Blessed
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           if
           Your
           Majesty
           saw
           Reason
           to
           suspend
           the
           Execution
           of
           those
           Laws
           ,
           they
           being
           hurtful
           and
           pernitious
           to
           men
           of
           Tender
           Consciences
           ;
           then
           there
           is
           the
           same
           Reason
           for
           Your
           Majesty
           to
           suspend
           them
           still
           ,
           out
           of
           Tendernesse
           to
           all
           such
           as
           have
           in
           no
           wise
           abused
           Your
           Clemency
           and
           Grace
           ,
           to
           them
           vouchsafed
           in
           that
           Particular
           .
        
         
           And
           whoever
           have
           ,
           or
           shall
           move
           Your
           
             Majesty
             ,
          
           to
           
           continue
           Your
           
             Proclamation
          
           against
           Meetings
           ,
           to
           worship
           God
           ,
           or
           to
           take
           occasion
           by
           those
           Laws
           ,
           to
           Grieve
           and
           Afflict
           poor
           Men
           and
           Women
           ,
           who
           have
           Opinions
           different
           from
           those
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           (
           for
           such
           endeavours
           are
           not
           wanting
           ,
           by
           them
           that
           know
           not
           what
           spirit
           they
           are
           of
           )
           and
           this
           is
           matter
           of
           Astonishment
           and
           Wonder
           ,
           if
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           consider
           it
           ,
           how
           far
           such
           men
           are
           from
           improving
           Your
           Excellent
           
             Proclamation
          
           against
           
             Swearing
             ,
             Debauchery
          
           and
           
             Drunkennesse
             ,
          
           or
           being
           in
           
             Taverns
          
           after
           
             nine
             of
             the
             clock
             at
             night
             .
          
           Oh!
           how
           little
           notice
           is
           taken
           of
           these
           
             Proclamations
             ,
          
           or
           of
           the
           Laws
           to
           which
           they
           direct
           ,
           either
           by
           the
           
             Swearing
             Debauched
             Persons
          
           themselves
           ,
           or
           by
           Your
           Majesties
           Subordinate
           Ministers
           ?
           and
           how
           few
           (
           if
           any
           )
           have
           been
           prosecuted
           upon
           those
           two
           
             Proclamations
             ,
          
           and
           what
           Multitudes
           upon
           the
           other
           ?
           And
           this
           is
           much
           to
           be
           lamented
           ,
           that
           men
           may
           with
           lesse
           danger
           ,
           meet
           at
           
             Taverns
             ,
             Ale-Houses
             ,
          
           and
           other
           places
           of
           Debauchery
           ,
           to
           
             Drink
          
           above
           measure
           ,
           or
           
             Swear
             ,
             Game
             ,
             Rant
          
           and
           
             Tear
             ,
          
           as
           if
           there
           were
           neither
           Heaven
           nor
           Hell
           ,
           God
           nor
           Magistrates
           ;
           but
           if
           a
           few
           poor
           Men
           and
           Women
           ,
           meet
           together
           in
           the
           Fear
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           having
           mutual
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Oneness
           of
           Heart
           ,
           to
           pray
           unto
           Almighty
           God
           ;
           a
           part
           of
           whose
           Petition
           is
           ,
           that
           God
           would
           Blesse
           &
           Guide
           Your
           Majesty
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           are
           in
           Authority
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           
             lead
             a
             quiet
             and
             peaceable
             Life
             ,
             in
             all
             Godliness
             and
             Honesty
             ,
          
           1
           
             Tim.
          
           2.
           2.
           at
           such
           Meetings
           many
           are
           offended
           .
        
         
           And
           may
           it
           further
           please
           Your
           
             Majesty
             ,
          
           to
           consider
           Your
           afflicted
           and
           innocent
           Subjects
           ,
           how
           they
           have
           been
           haled
           from
           their
           Peaceable
           Habitations
           ,
           and
           
           thrust
           into
           Prisons
           ,
           almost
           in
           all
           Counties
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           many
           are
           still
           detained
           ,
           to
           the
           utter
           undoing
           of
           themselves
           and
           Families
           ;
           and
           most
           of
           them
           are
           poor
           men
           ,
           whose
           Lively-hood
           (
           under
           God
           )
           depends
           upon
           the
           labour
           of
           their
           own
           hands
           ;
           so
           that
           they
           lie
           under
           more
           then
           an
           ordinary
           Calamity
           ,
           there
           being
           so
           many
           thrust
           into
           little
           rooms
           together
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           an
           anoyance
           each
           to
           other
           ;
           especially
           in
           the
           City
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           where
           the
           
             Lord-Mayor
          
           crouds
           them
           very
           close
           together
           ;
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           observed
           ,
           the
           Keepers
           have
           complained
           ,
           they
           have
           had
           too
           many
           guests
           ;
           and
           whilest
           they
           suffer
           there
           ,
           some
           of
           their
           Wives
           and
           tender
           Babes
           want
           bread
           at
           home
           .
        
         
           And
           how
           long
           this
           will
           be
           the
           portion
           of
           some
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           unless
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           extend
           the
           like
           Grace
           to
           other
           Prisoners
           ,
           as
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           did
           most
           Princely
           to
           them
           at
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           in
           giving
           Order
           to
           Discharge
           them
           ,
           they
           acknowledging
           by
           Subscription
           ,
           Your
           Majesty
           to
           be
           the
           Supream
           Magistrate
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           others
           of
           Your
           Majesties
           Kingdoms
           and
           Dominions
           ,
           without
           pressing
           the
           Oath
           of
           
             Allegiance
             ,
          
           which
           some
           are
           not
           free
           to
           take
           ,
           by
           Reason
           Christ
           saith
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           5.
           34.
           
           
             Swear
             not
             at
             all
             ,
          
           and
           in
           St.
           
             Iames
          
           5.12
           .
           
             Above
             all
             things
             my
             Brethren
             ,
             Swear
             not
             ;
          
           they
           mistaking
           these
           two
           places
           ,
           understand
           that
           Christians
           should
           not
           Swear
           in
           any
           Case
           ;
           and
           therefore
           out
           of
           meer
           fear
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           offend
           against
           a
           Divine
           Law
           ,
           have
           fallen
           under
           the
           Penalty
           of
           that
           Humane
           Law
           ,
           which
           requireth
           us
           to
           Swear
           ,
           our
           
             Allegeance
          
           to
           Your
           
             Majesty
             .
          
           O
           ,
           that
           Your
           
             Majesties
          
           Clemency
           might
           enterpose
           ,
           that
           their
           weaknesse
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           the
           Severity
           of
           the
           Law
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           might
           not
           ruine
           many
           hundred
           Families
           .
        
         
         
           But
           to
           return
           to
           that
           for
           which
           I
           am
           in
           Travel
           
             (
             viz.
             )
          
           that
           we
           may
           worship
           God
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           light
           and
           measure
           of
           understanding
           ,
           unto
           which
           we
           have
           attained
           ,
           without
           being
           restrained
           from
           the
           exercise
           thereof
           ,
           by
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           or
           by
           having
           any
           thing
           imposed
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           
             Articles
          
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
          
           or
           
             Rules
             of
             Worship
          
           ;
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           which
           ,
           I
           humbly
           tender
           these
           six
           
             Reasons
          
           following
           ;
        
         
           
             Reason
          
           1.
           
           First
           ,
           Be
           pleased
           ,
           
             Royal
             Sir
             ,
          
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           such
           imposing
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           ,
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Glories
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           so
           Pious
           ,
           Excellent
           ,
           Powerful
           ,
           and
           Perswasive
           ,
           that
           it
           came
           in
           upon
           its
           own
           Piety
           and
           Wisdom
           ;
           with
           no
           other
           force
           ,
           but
           a
           Torrent
           of
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           Demonstration
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           beating
           down
           all
           
             strong
             holds
             ,
          
           and
           
             every
             high
             Thought
          
           and
           
             Imagination
             ,
          
           
           that
           
             exalted
             it self
             against
             the
             same
          
           ;
           but
           towards
           the
           persons
           of
           men
           ,
           it
           was
           alwayes
           full
           of
           Meeknesse
           ,
           and
           Charity
           ,
           Compliance
           ,
           and
           Toleration
           ,
           and
           bearing
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           restoring
           persons
           overtaken
           with
           an
           Errour
           ,
           
           with
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Meeknesse
           ;
           the
           Consideration
           is
           as
           Prudent
           ,
           and
           the
           Proposition
           as
           Just
           ,
           as
           the
           Precept
           is
           Charitable
           ,
           and
           the
           President
           most
           Pious
           and
           Holy
           ;
           that
           Precept
           which
           it
           chiefly
           Preaches
           in
           order
           to
           all
           Blessedness
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             Meekness
             ,
             Mercy
          
           and
           
             Charity
             ,
          
           whereby
           it
           should
           preserve
           it self
           ,
           and
           promote
           its
           own
           Interest
           :
           for
           indeed
           nothing
           will
           do
           it
           so
           well
           ,
           nothing
           doth
           so
           excellently
           insinuate
           it self
           into
           the
           understanding
           and
           affections
           of
           men
           ,
           as
           when
           the
           Principles
           ,
           Actions
           ,
           and
           Perswasions
           of
           a
           people
           ,
           are
           in
           every
           part
           suitable
           ;
           and
           it
           would
           be
           a
           mighty
           disparagement
           to
           so
           Glorious
           an
           Institution
           ,
           that
           in
           its
           Principle
           it
           should
           be
           so
           Merciful
           
           and
           Humane
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Promotion
           and
           Propagation
           ,
           of
           it
           ,
           so
           inhumane
           and
           dishonourable
           to
           Christ
           ;
           it
           may
           serve
           the
           
             Turk
          
           to
           support
           his
           
             Alkoron
             ,
          
           but
           it
           will
           much
           dishonor
           Christianity
           ,
           to
           offer
           to
           support
           it
           by
           that
           which
           good
           men
           believe
           to
           be
           a
           distinctive
           cognizance
           of
           the
           
             Mahometon
          
           Religion
           ,
           from
           the
           Excellency
           and
           Piety
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           whose
           sence
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           is
           excellently
           described
           by
           S.
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           2
           
             Tim.
          
           2.24
           .
           
             The
             Servant
             of
             the
             Lord
             must
             not
             strive
             ,
             but
             be
             gentle
             unto
             all
             men
             ,
             in
             meeknesse
             Instructing
             those
             that
             oppose
             themselves
          
           ;
           If
           then
           any
           man
           will
           smite
           those
           that
           are
           his
           Opposites
           in
           Opinion
           ,
           he
           must
           quit
           the
           Title
           of
           being
           
             Gods
             Servant
          
           for
           his
           pains
           ;
           nor
           can
           a
           Distinction
           of
           Persons
           Ecclesiastical
           and
           Secular
           ,
           give
           advantage
           for
           an
           escape
           ;
           for
           even
           the
           Secular
           Power
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           Christian
           ,
           must
           not
           be
           strikers
           of
           others
           for
           the
           Matters
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           for
           God
           alone
           is
           judge
           of
           erring
           Persons
           ,
           as
           that
           Learned
           Doctor
           
             Ieremiah
             Taylor
             ,
          
           now
           
             Bishop
          
           of
           
             Down
             ,
          
           saith
           in
           his
           thirteenth
           page
           of
           his
           
             Epistle
             Dedicatory
             ,
          
           to
           that
           famous
           Book
           ,
           entituled
           ,
           
             The
             Liberty
             of
             Prophesie
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
          
           2.
           
           The
           second
           
             Reason
          
           against
           restraining
           or
           using
           force
           in
           Matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           is
           ,
           Because
           Christ
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Only
           Law-giver
           to
           his
           Church
           ,
           gives
           this
           Precept
           for
           the
           Regulation
           of
           the
           Conversation
           of
           his
           Disciples
           ;
           
           
             Whatsoever
             you
             would
             have
             men
             do
             unto
             you
             ,
             do
             ye
             even
             so
             unto
             them
          
           ;
           than
           which
           there
           is
           no
           Law
           more
           reasonable
           ,
           nor
           more
           just
           :
           It
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           that
           Kings
           sitting
           in
           the
           Throne
           of
           Government
           ,
           or
           place
           of
           Trust
           and
           Rule
           ,
           are
           exempted
           from
           the
           observation
           of
           this
           Commandment
           ;
           which
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           if
           the
           Magistrates
           be
           of
           this
           Perswasion
           ,
           that
           Christ
           dyed
           for
           all
           men
           ,
           and
           the
           people
           believe
           as
           
             Calvin
          
           did
           ,
           that
           he
           dyed
           for
           the
           Elect
           onely
           ;
           What
           can
           the
           Magistrates
           do
           
           in
           this
           case
           ?
           for
           if
           they
           make
           a
           Law
           in
           favour
           of
           the
           Peoples
           Judgement
           ,
           then
           they
           wrong
           themselves
           ,
           which
           I
           suppose
           they
           will
           not
           do
           ,
           if
           a
           Law
           be
           made
           in
           favour
           of
           their
           own
           Opinion
           against
           the
           Peoples
           ,
           then
           besides
           the
           injury
           which
           is
           done
           to
           the
           people
           ,
           they
           break
           that
           Royal
           Law
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           and
           thereby
           become
           guilty
           before
           God.
           
        
         
           
             Reason
          
           3.
           
           The
           third
           Reason
           against
           restraining
           ,
           or
           using
           force
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           taken
           from
           the
           unreasonablenesse
           of
           such
           proceedings
           ;
           for
           what
           is
           more
           unreasonable
           ,
           then
           to
           deny
           men
           the
           use
           of
           their
           Reason
           ,
           in
           choice
           of
           their
           Religion
           ?
           for
           if
           
             Scripture
             Tradition
             ,
             Councils
          
           and
           
             Fathers
             ,
          
           be
           the
           evidence
           in
           a
           question
           ;
           yet
           Reason
           is
           the
           judge
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           we
           being
           the
           Persons
           that
           are
           to
           be
           perswaded
           ,
           we
           must
           see
           that
           we
           be
           perswaded
           reasonably
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           against
           Reason
           to
           assent
           to
           a
           lesser
           evidence
           ,
           when
           a
           greater
           is
           propounded
           ,
           but
           every
           man
           for
           himself
           is
           to
           take
           cognizance
           ,
           if
           he
           be
           able
           to
           judge
           ,
           but
           if
           he
           be
           not
           ,
           then
           he
           is
           not
           bound
           under
           the
           tye
           of
           necessity
           to
           know
           it
           ,
           nor
           will
           God
           punish
           him
           for
           not
           knowing
           it
           ;
           and
           not
           onely
           the
           unreasonablenesse
           ,
           but
           the
           impiety
           of
           using
           force
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           may
           be
           further
           seen
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           under
           God
           hath
           power
           over
           the
           understanding
           of
           a
           man
           ,
           God
           commanding
           us
           to
           believe
           his
           Revelations
           ,
           perswades
           and
           satisfies
           the
           understanding
           ,
           by
           his
           commanding
           and
           revealing
           it
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           greater
           probation
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           a
           Proposition
           is
           true
           ,
           then
           because
           God
           hath
           commanded
           it
           to
           be
           believed
           ;
           but
           then
           it
           must
           certainly
           be
           made
           appear
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           so
           commanded
           it
           ;
           but
           no
           man
           hath
           any
           Efficacy
           or
           Authority
           on
           the
           understanding
           of
           another
           ,
           but
           by
           Proposal
           &
           Perswasion
           ,
           and
           then
           
           a
           man
           is
           bound
           to
           assent
           according
           to
           the
           operation
           of
           the
           Argument
           ,
           and
           strength
           of
           the
           Perswasion
           ;
           neither
           indeed
           can
           he
           assent
           sooner
           ,
           or
           other
           wayes
           though
           he
           would
           never
           so
           fain
           ;
           he
           therefore
           that
           in
           this
           case
           useth
           force
           or
           punishment
           ,
           punisheth
           a
           man
           for
           keeping
           a
           good
           Conscience
           ,
           or
           forceth
           him
           into
           a
           bad
           ;
           he
           both
           punisheth
           sincerity
           ,
           and
           perswades
           hypocrisie
           ,
           he
           presecutes
           a
           truth
           ,
           and
           drives
           into
           an
           errour
           ;
           he
           teacheth
           a
           man
           to
           dissemble
           ,
           to
           be
           safe
           ,
           but
           never
           to
           be
           honest
           nor
           acceptable
           to
           God.
           Learned
           Doctor
           
             Taylors
          
           Argument
           for
           
             Tolleration
          
           is
           very
           Excellent
           ,
           in
           his
           Epistle
           to
           his
           
             Liberty
          
           of
           
             Prophecie
             ,
          
           in
           page
           14.
           
           
             This
             very
             thing
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             being
             one
             of
             the
             Arguments
             I
             use
             to
             perswade
             permissions
             ,
             left
             compulsion
             introduce
             hypocrisie
             ,
             and
             make
             sinceritie
             troublesome
             and
             unsafe
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
          
           4.
           
           The
           fourth
           Reason
           which
           I
           humbly
           offer
           to
           consideration
           ,
           That
           persecution
           for
           Conscience
           ,
           or
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           using
           force
           in
           the
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           is
           ,
           because
           it
           came
           in
           through
           corruptions
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           so
           that
           it
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           of
           Divine
           Sanction
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           
             earthly
          
           and
           
             sensual
          
           ;
           for
           the
           proof
           of
           this
           I
           shall
           onely
           transcribe
           a
           passage
           out
           of
           that
           worthy
           Author
           ,
           Doctor
           
             Taylor
             ,
          
           in
           his
           aforesaid
           
             Epistle
          
           to
           his
           
             Liberty
             of
             Prophecie
             ,
          
           Page
           the
           18
           ,
           19.
           
           Which
           is
           as
           followeth
           ;
           
             That
             against
             this
             I
             have
             laid
             prejudice
             enough
             from
             the
             Dictates
             of
             holy
             Scripture
             ,
             it
             is
             observable
             that
             this
             with
             its
             Appendent
             degrees
             ,
             I
             mean
             restraint
             of
             Prophesying
             ,
             imposing
             upon
             other
             mens
             understandings
             ,
             being
             masters
             of
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             Lording
             it
             over
             their
             Faith
             ,
             came
             in
             with
             the
             retinue
             and
             train
             of
             Antichrist
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             they
             came
             as
             other
             abuses
             and
             corruption
             of
             the
             Church
             did
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             Iniquity
             of
             times
             ,
             and
             the
             cooling
             of
             the
             first
             heats
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             and
             the
             increase
             
             of
             Interest
             ,
             and
             the
             abatement
             of
             Christian
             simplicity
             ,
             when
             the
             Churches
             fortune
             grew
             better
             ,
             and
             her
             sons
             grew
             worse
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             her
             Fathers
             worst
             of
             all
             ;
             For
             in
             the
             first
             three
             hundred
             years
             there
             was
             no
             sign
             of
             persecuting
             any
             man
             for
             his
             opinion
             ,
             though
             at
             that
             time
             there
             were
             very
             horrid
             opinions
             commenced
             ,
             and
             such
             which
             were
             Exemplary
             and
             parallel
             enough
             to
             determine
             this
             question
             ;
             for
             they
             then
             were
             assaulted
             by
             new
             Sects
             which
             destroyed
             the
             common
             Principles
             of
             Nature
             ,
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             of
             Innocency
             and
             publick
             Society
             ,
             and
             they
             who
             used
             all
             the
             means
             Christian
             and
             spiritual
             ,
             for
             their
             disimprovement
             and
             conviction
             ,
             thought
             not
             of
             using
             corporal
             force
             ,
             other
             wayes
             than
             by
             blaming
             such
             proceedings
             ;
             and
             therefore
             I
             do
             not
             urge
             their
             not
             doing
             it
             ,
             as
             an
             Argument
             of
             the
             unlawfulness
             of
             such
             proceedings
             ,
             but
             their
             defying
             it
             ,
             and
             speaking
             against
             such
             Practices
             ,
             as
             unreasonable
             and
             distructive
             to
             Christianty
             ;
          
           for
           which
           the
           Learned
           Doctor
           cites
           all
           these
           Fathers
           ,
           
             Tertullian
             ,
          
           St.
           
             Cyprian
             ,
             Lactantius
             ,
          
           St.
           
             Hilary
             ,
             Minuitius
             ,
             Felix
             Sulpitius
             ,
             Severus
             ,
          
           Saint
           
             Chrysostome
             ,
          
           St.
           
             Hierom
             ,
          
           St.
           
             Austin
             ,
             Damascon
             ,
             Theophylact
             ,
             Socrates
             ,
             Scholasticus
             ,
          
           and
           St.
           
             Bernard
          
           ;
           and
           he
           further
           saith
           ,
           
             that
             all
             wise
             Princes
             till
             they
             were
             overborn
             with
             Faction
             or
             solicited
             by
             Peevish
             Persons
             ,
             gave
             Tolleration
             to
             differing
             Sects
             ,
             whose
             Opinions
             did
             not
             disturb
             the
             publick
             Interest
          
           ;
           and
           in
           page
           20.
           
             till
          
           400.
           
             years
             after
             Christ
             ,
             no
             Catholick
             Person
             ,
             or
             very
             few
             did
             provoke
             the
             secular
             arm
             ,
             or
             implore
             its
             aide
             .
          
           So
           far
           he
           .
           From
           which
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           the
           Magistrates
           imposing
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           an
           
             Evil
             ,
          
           from
           which
           I
           pray
           God
           deliver
           your
           
             Majesty
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
          
           5.
           
           The
           fifth
           Reason
           is
           taken
           from
           the
           
             Principles
          
           and
           
             Practices
          
           of
           some
           
             great
             Princes
             ,
          
           who
           did
           both
           give
           and
           perswade
           
             Tolleration
             ;
          
           King
           
             Iames
          
           
           your
           
             Majesties
          
           Royal
           Grand-Father
           ,
           in
           his
           Letter
           to
           the
           States
           of
           the
           
             united
             Provinces
          
           dated
           the
           sixth
           of
           
             March
             ,
          
           1613.
           amongst
           other
           things
           thus
           wrote
           ,
           
             Etdistrictè
             imperetis
             ut
             Pacem
             Colant
             seinvicem
             tolerando
             in
             ista
             opinionum
             ac
             sententiaram
             ,
             discere
             pacitià
             Eoque
             Iustius
             videmur
             vobìs
             hoc
             ipsum
             suadere
             ,
             debere
             quod
             Neutrum
             Comperimus
             adeo
             deviam
             ,
             ut
             non
             possint
             cum
             Fidei
             Christiana
             veritate
             ,
             &
             cum
             Animarum
             Salute
             consistore
          
           :
           (
           Englished
           for
           common
           Benefit
           )
           
             That
             you
             charge
             them
             to
             maintain
             peace
             by
             bearing
             one
             with
             another
             in
             such
             difference
             of
             Opinions
             and
             Iudgements
          
           ;
           
           Therefore
           it
           seemeth
           more
           Right
           ,
           that
           you
           should
           be
           thus
           perswaded
           ,
           seeing
           neither
           of
           the
           Judgements
           is
           found
           so
           dangerous
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           may
           stand
           with
           the
           true
           Faith
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           and
           the
           Salvation
           of
           Souls
           .
        
         
           The
           like
           Counsel
           in
           the
           divisions
           of
           
             Germany
          
           at
           the
           first
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           was
           thought
           reasonable
           by
           the
           Emperour
           
             Fardinand
             ,
          
           and
           his
           Excellent
           son
           
             Maximilion
             ,
             they
             had
          
           observed
           that
           violence
           did
           
             Exasperate
             ,
          
           was
           
             unblessed
             ,
             unsuccessful
             ,
          
           and
           
             unreasonable
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           made
           Decrees
           of
           
             Tolleration
             ,
          
           and
           appointed
           Tempors
           and
           Expediences
           to
           be
           drawn
           up
           by
           discreet
           Persons
           ;
           and
           
             George
             Cassander
          
           was
           designed
           to
           this
           great
           work
           ,
           and
           did
           some
           thing
           towards
           it
           ;
           and
           
             Immanuel
             Phillibert
          
           Duke
           of
           
             Savoy
             ,
          
           repenting
           of
           his
           War
           undertaken
           for
           
             Religion
          
           against
           the
           
             Pedimontans
             ,
          
           promised
           then
           
             Tolleration
             ,
          
           and
           was
           as
           good
           as
           his
           word
           ;
           as
           much
           is
           done
           by
           the
           Nobilitie
           of
           
             Polonia
          
           ;
           and
           
             Theodoricus
          
           the
           Sage
           ,
           King
           of
           the
           
             Gothes
             ,
          
           asswaging
           the
           vemency
           of
           the
           
             Arians
          
           against
           the
           Orthodox
           ,
           
             No
             belief
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             is
             carryed
             on
             by
             blowes
             ;
          
           nor
           is
           that
           Excellent
           saying
           of
           King
           
             Edward
          
           the
           sixth
           to
           be
           forgotten
           ,
           he
           being
           solicited
           to
           put
           a
           
             Heretick
          
           to
           death
           ,
           made
           this
           wise
           answer
           ,
           
           
             Will
             you
             have
             me
             to
             send
             her
             to
             Hell
             in
             her
             sins
          
           ?
           But
           to
           conclud●
           this
           ,
           the
           
             French
             King
          
           (
           although
           he
           be
           the
           second
           son
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Roome
          
           )
           gives
           
             Tolleration
          
           to
           different
           perswasions
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Religion
             ;
          
           for
           the
           
             Hugonets
          
           have
           their
           Churches
           and
           Places
           of
           meeting
           for
           to
           worship
           God
           in
           according
           as
           they
           are
           perswaded
           by
           order
           from
           their
           
             King
             ;
          
           and
           the
           world
           is
           witness
           how
           prosperous
           they
           have
           been
           ,
           since
           they
           have
           left
           fighting
           for
           
             Religion
          
           among
           themselves
           .
        
         
           
             Reas.
          
           6.
           
           The
           sixt
           and
           last
           Reason
           ,
           I
           have
           taken
           from
           the
           ill
           success
           ,
           that
           alwayes
           attends
           such
           proceedings
           ;
           for
           whoever
           used
           force
           upon
           the
           body
           to
           change
           the
           mind
           ,
           or
           to
           make
           men
           believe
           something
           they
           are
           not
           perswaded
           of
           ,
           or
           to
           disbelieve
           something
           they
           have
           received
           for
           truth
           ,
           or
           to
           leave
           off
           worshipping
           God
           ,
           in
           that
           way
           which
           they
           think
           is
           most
           agreeable
           to
           his
           will
           ;
           they
           will
           have
           no
           better
           success
           than
           that
           man
           had
           ,
           that
           clapt
           his
           shoulder
           to
           the
           ground
           to
           stop
           the
           
             earth-quake
             :
          
           and
           the
           experiences
           which
           
             Christendom
          
           hath
           had
           in
           this
           last
           Age
           ,
           are
           sufficient
           instances
           ;
           when
           
             France
          
           fought
           amongst
           themselves
           ,
           the
           
             Catholicks
          
           against
           the
           
             Hugonets
             ,
          
           the
           spilling
           of
           their
           own
           blood
           was
           Argument
           enough
           ,
           of
           the
           imprudence
           of
           that
           way
           of
           promoting
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           that
           all
           the
           blood
           shed
           in
           open
           Arms
           ,
           and
           private
           Massacres
           could
           not
           prevent
           their
           further
           growth
           ,
           nor
           extinguish
           that
           light
           that
           sprung
           up
           amongst
           that
           People
           ;
           and
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
             Hugonets
          
           is
           not
           onely
           still
           in
           
             France
             ,
          
           but
           they
           and
           their
           Religion
           
             Tollerated
             .
          
        
         
           But
           the
           great
           instance
           is
           in
           the
           differing
           temper
           ,
           Government
           ,
           and
           success
           ,
           which
           
             Margaret
          
           of
           
             Parma
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Duke
           of
           
             Alva
          
           had
           ;
           the
           clemency
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           had
           almost
           extinguished
           the
           Flame
           ,
           but
           when
           she
           was
           removed
           
           and
           Duke
           
             Alva
          
           succeeded
           ,
           and
           Mannaged
           the
           matter
           of
           
             Religion
          
           with
           fire
           and
           sword
           〈◊〉
           made
           the
           flame
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           his
           
             Religion
          
           and
           his
           
             Prince
          
           too
           ,
           have
           been
           quite
           turned
           out
           of
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Country
           .
        
         
           And
           we
           are
           not
           without
           example
           nearer
           home
           ,
           in
           Queen
           
             Maries
          
           dayes
           ,
           what
           Force
           and
           Violence
           was
           there
           used
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           People
           believe
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Queen
          
           and
           her
           
             Bishops
          
           believed
           ,
           some
           was
           burnt
           to
           death
           ,
           some
           destroyed
           in
           Persons
           ,
           and
           many
           that
           scaped
           with
           life
           ,
           were
           undone
           in
           their
           estates
           and
           lively-hood
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           was
           so
           unsuccesful
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           suppressing
           their
           further
           growth
           ,
           that
           it
           did
           the
           quite
           contrary
           ,
           for
           the
           more
           they
           were
           
             opprest
             ,
          
           the
           more
           they
           
             grew
             .
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           onely
           add
           a
           passage
           out
           of
           Learned
           
             Bishop
             Taylor
             ,
          
           in
           his
           Epistle
           to
           his
           
             Liberty
             of
             Prophesie
             ,
          
           page
           25.
           
           
             But
             it
             is
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             observed
             by
          
           Socrates
           ,
           
             that
             when
             the
             first
             Persecution
             was
             made
             against
             them
          
           (
           that
           is
           )
           
             such
             as
             differed
             in
             Opinion
             from
             the
             Bishop
             at
          
           Rome
           ,
           
             by
          
           Pope
           Innocent
           
             the
             first
             ;
             at
             the
             same
             instant
             ,
             the
          
           Gothes
           
             invaded
             Italy
             ,
             and
             become
             Lords
             of
             all
          
           ;
           it
           being
           just
           in
           God
           ,
           to
           bring
           a
           persecution
           upon
           them
           ,
           for
           true
           belief
           ,
           who
           with
           an
           incompetent
           Authority
           ,
           and
           insufficient
           Grounds
           ,
           do
           persecute
           an
           errour
           lesse
           material
           ,
           in
           persons
           agreeing
           with
           them
           ,
           in
           the
           profession
           of
           the
           same
           common
           Faith.
           
        
         
           The
           next
           thing
           I
           humbly
           offer
           to
           Your
           Princely
           consideration
           ,
           is
           the
           Divine
           Bond
           upon
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           to
           worship
           God
           according
           to
           our
           Light
           ;
           and
           the
           crying
           sin
           ,
           we
           must
           commit
           ,
           if
           we
           shall
           resist
           our
           own
           understanding
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           obey
           the
           Command
           of
           God
           upon
           our
           Conscience
           ,
           to
           assemble
           our selves
           together
           for
           his
           Worship
           ,
           
           and
           that
           we
           ought
           to
           esteem
           our
           
           duty
           to
           God
           ,
           much
           dearer
           than
           our
           
             Estates
             ,
             Liberty
          
           or
           
             Lives
             .
          
        
         
           And
           our
           Souls
           are
           fully
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           our
           duty
           to
           meet
           together
           ,
           and
           
             speak
             often
             one
             to
             another
             ,
          
           to
           
             exhort
          
           each
           other
           daily
           ,
           to
           
             take
             heed
             of
             sin
             ,
          
           and
           to
           follow
           
             after
             vertue
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             presse
             after
             the
             Mark
             of
             our
             High
             Calling
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             Christ
             Iesus
             our
             Lord
             ;
          
           and
           to
           
             provoke
             to
             love
             and
             good
             works
             ,
          
           and
           
             if
             any
             be
             overtaken
             in
             a
             fault
             ,
             to
             restore
             them
             in
             the
             Spirit
             of
             meekness
             ;
             and
             to
             relieve
             the
             poor
             ,
             and
             to
             support
             the
             weak
             ,
          
           that
           by
           
             bearing
          
           one
           anothers
           burthens
           we
           may
           fulfill
           the
           Law
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           to
           walk
           so
           inoffensively
           in
           our
           conversation
           ,
           as
           to
           give
           
             no
             Iust
             occasion
          
           neither
           to
           your
           
             Majesty
          
           as
           Supream
           Magistrate
           ,
           nor
           to
           any
           of
           your
           
             Ministers
          
           under
           you
           ;
           nor
           to
           any
           of
           the
           People
           or
           Neighbours
           about
           us
           ;
           but
           to
           observe
           that
           excellent
           Law
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
           
             Whatsoever
             ye
             would
             that
             men
             should
             do
             to
             you
             ,
             do
             ye
             even
             so
             to
             them
          
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           shall
           persecute
           us
           for
           our
           Profession-sake
           ,
           to
           bear
           it
           with
           patience
           and
           not
           to
           return
           
             evil
          
           for
           
             evil
             ,
          
           nor
           
             reviling
          
           for
           
             reviling
          
           ;
           but
           contrary-wise
           to
           do
           them
           
             good
          
           for
           
             evil
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             pray
             for
             them
             ,
          
           
           that
           their
           eyes
           may
           be
           opened
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           may
           not
           lay
           their
           sin
           (
           in
           this
           case
           )
           to
           their
           charge
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           will
           but
           consider
           what
           it
           is
           which
           the
           Baptized
           People
           and
           divers
           others
           ,
           have
           made
           such
           earnest
           suite
           to
           your
           Majesty
           for
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           for
           Titles
           of
           Honours
           ,
           nor
           for
           places
           of
           great
           profit
           ,
           either
           in
           a
           Civil
           or
           Ecclesiastical
           Capacity
           ,
           but
           onely
           this
           is
           their
           request
           ,
           and
           humble
           desire
           ,
           that
           
             we
             may
             serve
             the
             Lord
             without
             molestation
             in
             that
             Faith
             and
             order
             which
             we
             have
             Learned
             in
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             ;
          
           giving
           
             Honour
          
           to
           our
           
             King
          
           to
           whom
           
             Honour
             belongs
             ,
             fear
          
           to
           whom
           
             fear
             ,
             Tribute
          
           to
           whom
           
             Tribute
          
           belong
           ,
           
           in
           
           every
           thing
           as
           far
           as
           we
           have
           abilities
           ,
           to
           
             render
             to
             God
             the
             things
             that
             are
             Gods
             ,
          
           and
           to
           the
           
             Magistrate
          
           the
           things
           that
           are
           
             His.
          
           Rom.
           13.7
           .
        
         
           We
           likewise
           judge
           it
           our
           duty
           ,
           to
           be
           alwayes
           willing
           and
           ready
           to
           give
           an
           Answer
           ,
           to
           every
           man
           that
           shall
           ask
           us
           a
           
             Reason
          
           of
           our
           
             Hope
          
           that
           is
           in
           us
           ,
           with
           
             meekness
          
           and
           
             fear
             ,
          
           Now
           if
           any
           who
           judge
           themselves
           to
           be
           spiritual
           Guides
           ,
           will
           but
           take
           the
           pains
           to
           endeavour
           our
           conviction
           (
           if
           they
           think
           we
           erre
           )
           or
           at
           least
           to
           hear
           what
           we
           have
           to
           say
           ,
           why
           we
           dissent
           from
           the
           Publick
           worship
           ,
           we
           doubt
           not
           but
           through
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           give
           such
           an
           account
           of
           our
           
             Faith
          
           and
           
             Practice
             ,
          
           that
           we
           do
           not
           deserve
           those
           
             Epithets
          
           some
           are
           please
           do
           give
           us
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           onely
           transcribe
           one
           passage
           out
           of
           that
           Ingenious
           Doctor
           ,
           Dr.
           
             Ieremiah
             Taylor
          
           which
           I
           find
           in
           
             Sect.
          
           18.
           
             number
          
           34.
           of
           his
           
             Liberty
             of
             Prophesie
             ,
          
           he
           speaking
           of
           the
           
             Anabaptists
             ,
          
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             since
             there
             is
             no
             direct
             impietie
             in
             the
             Opinion
             ,
             nor
             any
             that
             is
             apparently
             consequent
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             they
             with
             so
             much
             probability
             do
             or
             may
             pretend
             to
             true
             perswasion
             ,
             they
             are
             with
             all
             means
             Christian
             fair
             and
             humane
             to
             be
             Redargued
             or
             instructed
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             cannot
             be
             perswaded
             ,
             they
             must
             be
             left
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             knoweth
             every
             degree
             of
             every
             mans
             understanding
             ,
             all
             his
             weaknesses
             and
             strengths
             ,
             what
             impresse
             each
             Argument
             maketh
             upon
             his
             spirit
             ,
             and
             how
             unresistable
             every
             Reason
             is
             ;
             and
             he
             alone
             judges
             his
             Innocency
             and
             sinceritie
             :
             And
             for
             the
             question
             ,
             I
             think
             there
             is
             so
             much
             to
             be
             pretented
             ,
             against
             that
             which
             I
             believe
             to
             be
             the
             truth
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             much
             more
             truth
             than
             evidence
             on
             our
             side
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             may
             be
             confident
             ,
             as
             for
             our
             own
             particulars
             ,
             but
             not
             too
             forward
             peremptorily
             to
             prescribe
             to
             others
             ,
             much
             lesse
             ,
             to
             damn
             ,
             or
             to
             kill
             ,
             or
             to
             persecute
             them
             ,
             that
             onely
             in
             this
             Particular
             disagree
             .
          
           So
           far
           he
           .
        
         
         
           I
           shall
           conclude
           with
           this
           Humble
           
             Petition
             ,
          
           that
           seeing
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           hath
           been
           most
           earnestly
           supplicated
           (
           by
           many
           Petitions
           ,
           Addresses
           ,
           and
           Papers
           )
           to
           continue
           Your
           former
           Indulgence
           :
           Oh
           ,
           that
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           would
           be
           Gratiously
           Pleased
           to
           do
           something
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           may
           recommend
           Your
           Name
           to
           be
           embalmed
           by
           them
           for
           perpetuity
           ,
           through
           the
           remembrance
           of
           Your
           Just
           ,
           Righteous
           ,
           and
           Merciful
           Actions
           ,
           in
           breaking
           every
           Yoak
           of
           Oppression
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           easing
           of
           the
           Conscience
           of
           every
           man
           ,
           professing
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           from
           all
           Unrighteous
           Impositions
           ;
           And
           as
           this
           will
           administer
           Peace
           ,
           Joy
           ,
           and
           Comfort
           to
           many
           of
           Your
           Suffering
           Subjects
           ;
           so
           it
           will
           bring
           most
           excellent
           Consolation
           unto
           Your
           
             Majesties
          
           Soul
           ,
           when
           the
           
             Heavens
             shall
             be
             no
             more
          
           :
           And
           as
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           desires
           to
           be
           found
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           of
           the
           great
           Judge
           ,
           in
           that
           his
           day
           ;
           so
           in
           this
           Your
           day
           ,
           to
           remember
           and
           consider
           ,
           that
           Magistracy
           and
           Power
           of
           Government
           ,
           are
           no
           Institutions
           of
           God
           ,
           either
           to
           fill
           the
           Purses
           ,
           or
           to
           furnish
           the
           Tables
           ,
           or
           to
           lift
           up
           the
           Minds
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           kind
           ,
           to
           gratifie
           the
           flesh
           of
           those
           in
           whom
           they
           are
           invested
           ;
           but
           rather
           ,
           to
           serve
           to
           accomodate
           and
           bless
           the
           
             Societies
          
           and
           
             Communities
          
           of
           men
           on
           earth
           (
           unto
           which
           they
           relate
           respectively
           )
           according
           to
           that
           worthy
           
             Item
             ,
          
           which
           the
           
             Queen
          
           of
           
             Sheba
          
           gave
           unto
           
             Solomon
             ,
             Because
             the
             Lord
             loved
             Israel
             for
             ever
             ;
             therefore
             made
             he
             thee
             King
             to
             do
             Iudgement
             &
             Iustice.
          
           1
           Kin.
           10.9
           .
        
         
           The
           same
           Lord
           and
           Mighty
           God
           ,
           so
           over-shadow
           Your
           
             Majesty
          
           with
           his
           Power
           and
           Good
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           the
           conceptions
           of
           Your
           Heart
           ,
           may
           be
           Holinesse
           to
           him
           ,
           Wealth
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           gladness
           of
           Heart
           to
           the
           People
           of
           these
           Great
           and
           Famous
           Kingdoms
           (
           the
           Government
           
           whereof
           God
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           intrust
           with
           You
           )
           to
           Your
           Royal
           Self
           ,
           
             Honour
          
           and
           
             Safety
             ,
          
           and
           length
           of
           Dayes
           ,
           with
           the
           Peace
           and
           Joy
           of
           a
           good
           Conscience
           on
           earth
           ,
           and
           a
           far
           more
           exceeding
           Eternal
           weight
           of
           Glory
           in
           the
           Heavens
           ;
        
         
           
             So
             Prayeth
             ,
             Your
             Humble
             and
             Dutiful
             Subject
             ,
          
           
             JOHN
             STURGION
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A61911-e180
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             3.
             18.
             
          
           
             Eze.
             18.
             20.
             
          
           
             
               The
               Apologie
               of
               the
               Baptized
               People
               of
               
                 London
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               
                 Linconshire
              
               two
               
                 addresses
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               
                 Kentish
                 Petition
              
               ;
               and
               many
               more
               to
               that
               Purpose
               .
            
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             10.
             v.
             5.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             6.
             
             ●
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             7.12
             
          
           
             There
             were
             very
             sharp
             contentions
             about
             Religion
             amongst
             the
             
               Holland
            
             Ministers
             ;
             at
             that
             time
             King
             
               Iames
            
             adviseth
             the
             Magistrate
             to
             moderate
             them
             ,
             not
             to
             kill
             or
             punish
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             may
             both
             be
             saved
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             10.
             25.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             7.
             12.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             44.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2●
             17.