Cain and Abel malignity that is, enmity to serious godliness, that is, to an…

Obj. But their doing it just now to keep their Charter, and keep from suffering, proveth that they are perfidious Rogues.

Ans. 1. I pray tell men of brains and sense, for what it is that you would have men Excommunicated, and laid in Jail or Fined, if they Conform not? Do you do all this without any purpose or hope to drive them to conformity? And do you do it only to make them perfidious Rogues. If suffering may not alter them, why do you use it on them?

2. But who knows not that some things are lawful to avoid suffering which else would not be lawful. It is lawful to cast your goods into the Sea to save the Ship and mens lives; Which else were a sin: It's lawful to give a Thief your purse to save your life, which else were unlawful: It's lawful to blow up neighbours houses to stop a fire; Christ proved it lawful to break the Sabbath in cases of necessity; he withdrew into the Wilderness and far from Jerusalem, to avoid the pharisees persecution. And Paul was let down by the Wall in a basket; Which without danger of suffering, had not been lawful: Though no sin must be done ⟨p. 126⟩to avoid suffering, yet that may and must be done, which self-preservation makes no sin, but a duty; To kill a man that assaults you in your own defence is not the same crime as unnecessarily to kill him.

2. But who knows not that some things are lawful to avoid suffering which else would not be lawful. It is lawful to cast your goods into the Sea to save the Ship and mens lives; Which else were a sin: It's lawful to give a Thief your purse to save your life, which else were unlawful: It's lawful to blow up neighbours houses to stop a fire; Christ proved it lawful to break the Sabbath in cases of necessity; he withdrew into the Wilderness and far from Ierusalem, to avoid the pharisees persecution. And Paul was let down by the Wall in a basket; Which without danger of suffering, had not been lawful: Though no sin must be done