(487) went again' coming to your Steeple howl, or againfi the Lords Day.] And fo he (hall never hear, though he fay he is for hearing.. If awicked man will not be perfonally inflrueted, qr admonifhed, or be accountable to the Church or Paflors for any fcandals of his life, norfubmit toany difcipline, he may fay [I am. for difcipline, Iknow it is my duty to be inffrutied : but I amnot fatir fled that I am bouná to come to you whenyou fend for me, or to appear at fuck a place as you appoint : the word ofGodnamed) no timeer place,andyou (ball not depriveme of my liberty.] If a wicked man would not- hear or read the Scripture, orfing Pfalms, he may fay that he is for the duty, but he is only againft this and that Translation and verfion : And fo while every verfion is excepted againft, the duty is asmuch evaded as if it were denied it felt. By this device it is that the Rebellion of unruly people is defended : They run to the circumfiances of the duty, and ask , [Where are theybound to come to aMinifter ? or to be examined by him inorder to abaptifm or Lords flipper ? or to fpe.ak their content tobe Church members,or to fubicribe to a Profeflion,or to read an Engh.fh Bible, or tohear in a Steeple-houfe, with many fuch 1i0e.1 Thus alto it is that they put off family prayer, and ask, [Where are they boundtopray in theirfamily Morning and Ev<».. ang f.] and fo keep no constancy in family prayer at all, under pretençeofdenying only thecircumfiances. io Reaf.'?,,,;By this difobedience in things lawfull,, the members of the Church will be involved in contentions, and fo engaged in bitter uncharitabl.enefs, and cenfures, and perfecu- tions , and reproaches of one another : which fcandalous courfes will notarial vice, difhonour God, rejoyce' the enemies, grieve the Godly that are peaceable and judicious, and wound tkie confciences ofthe contenders. We fee the beginning of fuch fires are fivall, but whither they tend, and what will be the end;of them. we fee not, g, .I I. Real. 8. By these means alfo Migiftrates will be provoked to take men oftender confciences for faftious,unruly, aridAunreaÇonable men, and to turn their enemies and ufe viPtepce againft.,them, tothe great injury of the Church : when they fee them fo felt conceited, and refuting obedience in law- full circumf1ances. g. a 2.
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