Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

wherein he not only plainly Hobbizeth, but also palpably playeth the plagi•y, borrowing (not to say stealing) much of what he says to this purpose through his Book, from Mr Hobbs, tho in some few things he opposeth him, and delivers his sentiments in a finer dress of language; it may be, that none may think that he is beholden to the other, for that which he would surprise the world with as his own new, and profoundly witty invention, vainly as it were crying [Greek or Hebrew]; let them for me, share betwixt them this glorying in their own shame, that shall not be rolled away: He says that in matters of Religion, and divine worship, subjects are to be ruled by authority and the public conscience; and that in these matters, private men have not power over their own actions, nor are to be directed by their own judgements, but by the commands ànd determinations of the public conscience, only with these sorry restrictions; If the things commanded do not either countenance vice or disgrace the Deity; or if the things be not absolutely and essentially evil, whose ⟨image 8⟩nature no case can alter, no circumstance can extenuate, and no end can sanctify: Mr. Hobbs hath only this limitation, if the things be not against the law of nature; in effect both come near to the same, if not to the very same amount, and by both an obligation is pleaded to lie on the Consciences of all private Christian subjects, to give up themselves to the conduct and regulation of the public conscience, or of the Laws of the Common-wealth, as to many at least, of the positive commands of God; doing contrary to which, will not fall within the compass of these very narrow limitations: which either supposeth without any warrant or proof, that the public conscience is always infallible as to these (and it is worthy noticing what the learned Monsieur Claude hath to this purpose in his defence of the Reformation, where he saith, In effect an absolute obedience and entire resigning of ones self to the conduct of another in these matters that regard the faith and the conscience, is a duty that we can lawfully tender to none but to God, who is the first truth, the first principle of all justice, to which none can pretend without usurping the just right of God: As is also, what saith Amesius, page 6.

wherein he not only plainly Hobbizeth, but also palpably playeth the plagi•y, borrowing (not to say stealing) much of what he sayes to this purpose through his Book, from Mr Hobbs, tho in some few things he oppoeth him, and delivers his sentiments in a finer dresse of language; it may be, that none may think that he is beholden to the other, for that which he would surprize the world with as his own new, and profoundly witty invention, vainly as it were crying ; let them for me, share betwixt them this glorying in their own shame, that shall not be rolled away: He sayes that in matters of Religion, and divine worship, subjects are to be ruled by authority and the publick conscience; and that in these matters, privat men have not power over their own actions, nor are to be directed by their own judgements, but by the commands ànd determinations of the publick conscience, only with these sory restrictions; If the things commanded do not either countenance vice or disrace the Deitie; or if the things be not absolutely and essentially evil, whose