The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

That Ruler or Magistrate that shall suffer either loose opinions, or principles, that are contrary to sound doctrine, to be broached, or loose ways and customs, that are contrary to the power of godliness, to be observed, and shall not use his authority to prevent and suppress them, he contracts to himself the guilt, and draws upon himself the mischief of all those Sins and Enormities: Just as he that licences a Book to the Press, if there be any faults of ignorance, or error, or poisonous opinions, they may be justly charged upon him and laid at his door, though he is not the author, yet because he is the licencer, though he is not the Parent, yet because he is the midwife. So if there be any heresy and blasphemy tolerated in a place, if there be any profaneness and ungodliness suffered among a people, because it has the Magistrates Imprimatur, and he suffers it to pass the Country without whipping, therefore he's highly guilty.

That Ruler or Magistrate that shall suffer either loose opinions, or principles, that are contrary to sound doctrine, to be broach'd, or loose wayes and customes, that are contrary to the power of godlinesse, to be observed, and shall not use his authority to prevent and suppresse them, he contracts to himself the guilt, and drawes upon himself the mischief of all those Sins and Enormities: Just as he that licences a Book to the Pr•ss, if there be any faults of ignorance, or errour, or poysonous opinions, they may be justly charged upon him and laid at his doore, though he is not the author, yet because he is the licencer, though he is not the Parent, yet because he is the midwife. So if there be any heresie and blasphemy tolerated in a place, if there be any profanenesse and ungodliness suffered among a people, because it has the Magistrates Imprimatur, and he suff••s it to passe the Countrey without whipping, therefore he's highly guilty.

Sabbath-breaking abounds, let it pass, says the Major of a Town; ⟨p. 167⟩drunkenness abounds, let it alone says the Justice of peace; profaneness abounds, let it go, says the Minister. Sirs, if it should be thus, this were to bear the Sins of a whole Parish, and a whole County, and a whole Nation upon a mans back at once. See that