04 Chap. 31. A Expofirion rep,;n ht Took, of Jo Ttl, Vert 28 -., taught notonly as Gideon did the men of Sureot;), (.1itajp, S 16, ) 4th the bryers anti thornes of the rri1,2ernje; but with bonds and imprifonment,, with fines and confircations,yea iti fome cafes pu- nifhed with death. Such a fpirit bath appeared even in-this age, as was in Paid, when Saul ( Mt. 9. a. ) breaJiing cut threat- nings and flAughters againft all who heheve not as they believe, or who diffent from their opinionand prad ce,fo rna".iing roorne or cuttinga way for what they call religion into the hear ts and heads ofmen, with the Magifi rates fword. Now, as I utterly du- Ike an univerfill or wild toleration, for every one todot and fpeake, ad and vent what they pirate in matters of religion, or in the worfhip of God ; fo I doe as much di flike their univerfall non-toleration, who,fay,the Magiftrate mutt by force and power reftraine whatfoever is contrary, or different from the common rener,or what is generally owned within his dominion or Jurifdi- dion. And therefore I conceave that the matter lyeth between thefe two extreames ; and to give my owne fence upon. the occafion offered in this text,' ¡ball take a lisle Libertie beyond my ordina- ry way ofexpofi:ion, to (hew two things.- Firft In referenceuntoall men, what they ought to doe in cafe ofdifference from their brethren in opinion about the things of God.. Secondly , What the MagifIrate is to doe in that cafe. Firft For Brethren, I fay, indifferercy of fpirit in matters of faith and worfhip, as if it matter'd not, or were not worth the while to Rand upon it, what opinions, and periwafions men are of or what way ofreligion they are in, this, I fay, is hatefull toGod,and ihnuld be the abominationof every good man.Eve- ry man ought to pray and labour for a fpirit of difcel fling about and ofzeale for the truths and holy appoyntrnents ofGod, Secondly , The meanes which the Scripture holds out to all for the reducingof erroneous perfons, is to perfwade and argue with them.That's the contention which the Apoftle udemeanes (y. 5. ) Contendearnefly for thefaith nhich Wiu once delivered to the Saints ; bee would haveevery one contend and contend with all the weapons of this holy warre, which the authority of God allows and furnifheth us with, even with Seri pnre demon- ftrations, and divine reafonings,to confuteand repell errors,and flop the mouth of Gaine. fa) ers. Thirdly,
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