[1351 would, or as are `allowed by the Magiftrate. XIII. &t is not in the power of our felves to efcape fuch excommunications : For we are not a e tochange our own underfandings, fo far as o hold every thing beforenamed, tobe lawful : Some ofus are able to fay that we have with a Wvillingnefs to fee the truth, ftudied the cafe of the old Conformity above forty years, and the cafe of the New -conformity now above (even- t en years, and read almoft all that hath been ritten for them, which we thought might add to our information,and prayed earnefly that God Would not fufer us to erre ; and the longer we ftudv it the more we are confirmed : In this cafe we full-et publick and private obloquy and re- proach, and not only thefè fèvenreen years the lofs ofall Ministerial Maintetiance, but the dan- ger of 401. a Sermon, and :4114 rifonment in com- mon Gaols, and the ruine of our eftates and health : And in reafon its as eafie to think that they that hold their opinion on fuch terms, are like to be as impartial in their ftudies, as they wbofe way leadeth ro preferment, wealth and honour ; ofwhich we werecapable of a part: We fay therefore again, that to Conform, or prevent the Canons Excommunication ipfo facto, is not in our power. And they that fay, God will not con- demn men for that which they were not able to avoid or help, fhould not do othervcife them- felves. XIV. When the i Soo or 2000 Miniíters were filenced, the far greateft part of them forbore all publick Preaching, and only taught Tome few in private, at filch hours as hindered not the pub - pick Affemblies, and many of them lived as pri- XVTo vate men.
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