1561 4 treatife of Confcience, this libertie may be confidered in a double refpec& : a. In regard of it felt, the libertie it felf ; z. In regard of the exeecife or ufe of this libertie. Now there is a very great difference betwccn there two confiderations; as there is a great diffe- rence between a mans having a fword and a mans wearinga a fword. The Magiftrate may refirain a man from wearing a fword at fuch or fuch a time, though he do not rake his fword from him : to there is difference betweene the having our libertie and the ufing our libertie. There is a libertie purchafèd for Gods children, whereby all things are become law full unto them : All things are lawfull unto me, faith Paul r . Cot. 6. r z . Rom.14. and there is nothing evil mnit felf (he fpeakerh of indiffe- i 4 rent things.) Gods children are freed from the obl'ervation of meats, and drinks, and times, and garments. Now whattòever commandment is made by the Magiftrate .contrarie to this li- bertie Both not bind confcience : for nothing can.bind confci- ence when Chrift Both .loofa it : Yet there maybe a reftraint ofthe ufe of this libertie : as for example, the Mágdfrate may command us to forbear fore kinds of meats at tonic certain times; and fo all for garments, a nd the like : namely, when the doCirine about meats and drinks and garments is pure. And therefore in fuch a cafe the command of the Magiftrate bindeth the conlcience; otherwite not. 4. When they command things indifferent to be abihlutely neceffary, to make them Idolatrous or fuperftitious, then in this cafe they are unlawful! and bind oot the confeience ro o- bey them. But when are they idolatrous ? Janfwer ; a .When they are commanded eyther as abfolutely neceffary to . :hriftia- nity, to the very be+ng of religion and the worlhip of God, and with as much neceffity as holineflè it felf, then they are made fuperftitious and id- latrous : And in this cafe the caveat of fit. T. Ioba ¡S. John is flrongly to be kept, Babes, keep loser fely es from Idols. z1' 2. When they are commanded as things meritorious, as plea- ting to God for themfelves, and to merit of him, then they are idolatrous. 3. When they are commanded for the fibft ,ntiall perfection of Religion, as though religion were imperfedt with- out
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