13o Of Chriflian Liberty. S E R M. mit to the rites and ceremonies decreed by V. our governors ; that we have no liberty in ` ' the ufe or forbearance of indifferent things, whenever our fuperiors think fit to interpofe by their authority ; that private confcience bath nothing to do, or private prudence and charity, with matters of expediency or in- expediency, but they muft be left to the publick determination ; if a man's private judgment fhould tell him fuch an indifferent rite or ceremony is ever fo inexpedient or offenfive to his chriflian brethren, as hurtful to the intereft of religion as any thing of that kind can be, yet he muft ufe it in com- pliance with publick authority ; if this be not fo far changing the conftitution of the New Teftament, I know not what can be fo called. To fet this mater in a yet clearer light, let us inquire into the principal pretences whereby the claim of power in indifferent things relating to religion is fupported; and they are the fcripture declarations, together with the neceffity and apparent ufefulnefs of the thing itfelf for preferving decency, or- der, and peace, in the chriftian churches. The fcripture direetion moll infifted on to this purpofe, is in z Cor. xiv. 4o. let all things be . done decently and in order. But what
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