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

That if the Apostles of our Lord should have been forbidden by the lawful Sovereigns of the Kingdoms, and Common-wealths of the World to preach the Gospel, and Baptize, they should in obedience to them have forborne; which Mr. Hobbs plainly without a blush insinuates, when he says, page 311. Our Saviour gave his Apostles power to preach and ⟨image 11⟩baptize in all parts of the world, supposing that they were not forbidden by their own lawful Sovereigns: Had they not their Commission from their Master in most ample form, without any the least either direct or indirect intimation of such an exceptation or imitation? Math. 28. 19. 20. Go ye therefore (says he to them) and teach all nations▪ baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you; That is, of whatsoever nature they be, whether they be clear by the Law of Nature, or be divine positives, whoever forbid or command you •o the contrary; and Mark 16▪ v. 15. Go ye (saith he to them) into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every Creature, which accordingly they did, v. 20. And they went forth and preached every where, not only where they were not forbidden; did they not preach the Gospel at Jerusalem, notwithstanding they were severally, not without threatenings, forbidden by their own Sovereigns the Council? and tell them plainly, that they ought to obey God, rather then men, wherein they could not obey both; alleging that they could not, but speak the things that they had heard and seen, without any such regard (as might imped them in their work) to the strait threatenings and prohibition, to speak at all, or to preach in the name of Jesus: and least any should say, or think, that this was more then they had warrant for; we are told, after the inhibition to preach, and after their imprisonment for contravening, from which they were miraculously set free; that the Angel of the Lord, who had opened their Prison Doors, charged them thus, Go and stand and speak in the Temple to the people (whatsoever, the Rulers think o• it, and notwithstanding they have in•bited and imprisoned you) all the words of this life; of all which the divine Historian gives us an account in the 4. and 5. Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles: