!,^{¡y}1pr;S¡'}, f nVfiraiRl aRSS'T C H A P.3. Epiftle to the Tóiefslorsians. V B R4* i 241 and ffrangled zs enioynea, after abrogation of Leuiticall Law. Who can Phew me ground of equitie out of which, fuch abflinence is directly deducible ? Marry, inafmuch as the vfe grew accidentally fcandalous, neceffary was the íniun5'cion ofabflinence: for its lex charitatis,to negle&vfe of my Chrillian libertie , where is peril to offend my weake brother : like muff bee thought of all prefcripts of Ì Maieflrates, for publique good , for order or decorum, whole acting is not repugnant to the Law of God, though f perhaps we fee not that publique good, nor order, nor decorum : yet lies the bond span conícience there- in to fubmic our felues, as Peters phrafe is, k for the kIPet.z.r;, Lords fakq,becaufe hee hath commanded obedience to the Maiefirace. Is it not pitie to fee honeflie grow libertine ?? Yet bell Vfc. men haue their taint that way. Men that as Zacharie and Elizabeth ' walke in all the immediat commandements, and i Luke r.6. ordinances of cod without reproof e, yet to iniunetions of Gods Minifters, are too too refraetary. As to ciuell ordi- nances for common good,fo to Ecclefiaflique ceremonies, in themfelues lawfull, fpecially oppofite : for where hath God commanded them? Refp. t And I aske, where hath God forbidden them? z Hach hee not commanded in things lawfull to obey the Maieflrate ? 3 They are Gods commandements,not one - ly which in fo many words are prefcribed, but what are from generali grounds deduced. 4 Yea occafion and ac- cident makes indifferent things, ocherwile arbitrary, yet in that cafe m necefary, efpecially where authoritie inter- m Afk rq.ze, pofeth to inioyne. g And what ifwe fee not orator, deco- rum, edification, publique good in the obferuance ? Are they wanting therefore? Why are wee curious ? Are the things lawfull in themfelues ? There mutt our inquire flay. So thought " Rechabites; whom for obedience fo n Iam,z4,18,r9. feemingly blind, the Lord commended and blefhed. We are both to be, or t6 be deemed men unqualified to partake Gods promifes. Its obedience that qualifies, o- bedience to not onely what God immediatly prefcribes, R but
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