§. 6. If you say, why should we not be obeyed in indifferent things? and why should men trouble the peace of the Church? I answer. 1. Subjects must obey in all things lawful. 2. But your first question should be, why you should command, and thus command unprofitable things? will you command all men to wear horns on their head in token of pushing away their spiritual enemies; and will you resolve that God shall have no service, nor men any Sacraments or Church communion, no nor the liberty of the common air, nor salvation neither, unless they will obey you? And then will you condemn them, and justify your selves by saying [why should not the Church be obeyed?] 3. You govern not perfect but imperfect men; and therefore you must rule them as they are, and fit your laws about things indifferent to their state, and not expect perfection of understanding and obedience from them, when God himself expecteth it not: suppose therefore they manifest their imperfection in not discerning the Lawfulness of your commands, professing that they ⟨p. 432⟩are ready to obey them, if they durst; the question that nearlier concerneth your own consciences (that are the imposers) to discuss, is, what reason you have to drive all men from Gods Church and service, that (suppose through their imperfection) dare not conform themselves in worship to your pleasure? Where hath God set you on such a work, or given you any such commission? 4. And where you say, They should not disturb the Church; I answer, Are you so blind that you see not that it is you that disturb the Church? If you will make such laws without necessity, which common wit and reason may tell you, all men are never like to be satisfied in and obey, and then cast out all that will not obey them, as the disturbers of the Church, this is but an aggravated self-condemning. If they be guilty, you are so much more: If they sin and disturb the Church by disobedience, you disturb it much more sinfully, by laying such snares as shall unavoidably procure it, and then taking occasion by it, to make a greater disturbance by your cruel execution. If the Fly offend and deserve death by incautious falling into the Spiders web, what doth the Spider deserve, that out of her own bowels spread th• net in the way, and kills the Fly that's taken in it?
§. 6. If you say, why should we not be obeyed in ind•fferent things? and why should men trouble the peace of the Church? I answer. 1. Subjects must obey in all things lawfull. 2. But your first question should be, why you should command, and thus command unprofitable things? will you command all men to wear horns on their head in token of pushing away their spirituall enemies; and will you resolve that God shall have no service, nor men any Sacraments or Church communion, no nor the liberty of the common air, nor salvation neither, unless they will obey you? And then will you condemn them, and justifie your selves by saying [why should not the Church be obeyed?] 3. You govern not perfect but imperfect men; and therefore you must rule them as they are, and fit your laws about things indifferent to their state, and not expect perfection of understanding and obedience from them, when God himself expecteth it not: suppose therefore they manifest their imperfection in not discerning the Lawfulness of your commands, professing that they ⟨p. 432⟩are ready to obey them, if they durst; the question that neerlyer concerneth your own consciences (that are the imposers) to discuss, is, what reason you have to drive all men from Gods Church and service, that (suppose through their imperfection) dare not conform themselves in worship to your pleasure? Where hath God set you on such a work, or given you any such commission? 4. And where you say, They should not disturb the Church; I answer, Are you so blind that you see not that it is you that disturb the Church? If you will make such laws without necessity, which common wit and reason may tell you, all men are never like to be satisfied in and obey, and then cast out all that will not obey them, as the disturbers of the Church, this is but an aggravated self-condemning. If they be guilty, you are so much more: If they sin and disturb the Church by disobedience, you disturb it much more sinfully, by laying such snares as shall unavoidably procure it, and then taking occasion by it, to make a greater disturbance by your cruel execution. If the Fly offend and deserve death by incautelous falling into the Spiders web, what doth the Spider deserve, that out of her own bowels spred th• net in the way, and kils the Fly that's taken in it?
