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…

This is the second thing of Christs government, that all Ordinances, all Laws in the Church must hold on him the Head.

This is the second thing of Christs government, that all Ordinances, all Lawes in the Church must hold on him the Head.

The third thing in Christs government in the Church is, that those Laws that he makes for the ordering and government of his Church, do not only hold on him […] such a virtue and efficacy in them coming from the head, that they do bind the consciences of men, because they ⟨p. 113⟩come from him that is the head of the Church, they do lay bonds upon consciences, and that primarily in another way, and more efficaciously then any law of any man in the world can. Yea they lay such a bond upon conscience, that though a thing be commanded that hath no other reason for the command but merely the will of Christ, and that we cannot see to what other good the thing doth tend, but merely because Christ will have it, yet we are bound to obey, yea and that in secret; Yea so far as the rule goeth, we are bound to do what is required by it, though we should suffer never so much prejudice to our selves. Here is the binding power of Christ in binding conscience. But there is no law of man doth in this way bind conscience, perhaps these things, with some others that are to be delivered may at the first naming of them seem to be somewhat tickle points: yet I know there is a necessity, and a kind of absolute necessity to inform the consciences of men in them, especially in these times, and because they fall so full here in my way I could not out of conscience omit them: and yet still if you diligently observe, I hope we shall carry on all so as to speak modestly and yet safely and fully too. I say therefore, the laws of men are different from the Laws of Christ. It is a part of the head-ship of Christ to lay bonds upon the conscience. But what will you say then to that Text of Scripture (I suppose it is in every one of your thoughts, and would be ready in every one of your mouths if you were from the Assembly)