An exposition of the prophecy of Hosea begun in divers lectures upon the first…An exposition of the prophesie of Hosea begun in divers lectures vpon the first…

Now in the Primitive times they submitted themselves to suffer when they could not do the things that were commanded (as to deny Christ) because by the constitutions of that Country they had such a kind of power given to them, a legal power to proceed against them; so that they had a power in their way given them, and they had authority, but they abused it in that they did. And therefore the Christians were so willing rather to suffer any thing than to resist, and were ours the same case we should do so too, if once it come to pass that mischief be established by a Law, though it be mischief, yet if we cannot obey it actively we are bound to suffer or else to quit the Country, one of the two, if it be urged upon us: We may seek what we can to get it alleviated, but we must either do or suffer if once it be framed into a Law, otherwise we are not bound in conscience, bound we may be in regard of prudence, and in regard of preventing other disturbances, but conscience doth not bind to wills of men, but binds to Laws.

Now in the Primitive times they submitted themselves to suffer when they could not do the things that were commanded (as to deny Christ) because by the constitutions of that Countrey they had such a kinde of power given to them, a legal power to proceed against them; so that they had a power in their way given them, and they had authority, but they abused it in that they did. And therefore the Christians were so willing rather to suffer any thing than to resist, and were ours the same case wee should do so too, if once it come to passe that mischiefe be established by a Law, though it be mischiefe, yet if we cannot obey it actively we are bound to suffer or else to quit the Countrey, one of the two, if it be urged upon us: We may seek what we can to get it alleviated, but we must either do or suffer if once it be framed into a Law, otherwise we are not bound in conscience, bound wee may be in regard of prudence, and in regard of preventing other disturbances, but conscience doth not bind to wils of men, but binds to Laws.

Thus much still, for the satisfaction of Conscience in this case.