Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 15. Object. But in case the Genus is commanded by God, and the Species are equal, may not the Governor limit us to one of the two? Especially in case the people are divided about ⟨p. 438⟩them, or else will do nothing, because they cannot resolve which way to do it. For instance: if sitting, standing and kneeling be equally convenient at the singing of Gods Praises, if the people be in a doubt which to use, or at least if they fall into contention about it, may not the Governors interpose, and limit them to one? If you be the conductor of Travellers or Soldiers, and they come to a place where the way divideth, though both ways are equally good and near, yet you must command them one way, and choose for them, because else they will go no way at all.

§. 15. Object. But in case the Genus is commanded by God, and the Species are equal, may not the Governour limit us to one of the two? Especially in case the people are d•vided about ⟨p. 438⟩them, or else will do nothing, because they cannot resolve which way to do it. For instance: if sitting, standing and kneeling be equally convenient at the singing of Gods Praises, if the people be in a doubt which to use, or at least if they fall into contention about it, may not the Governours interpose, and limit them to one? If you be the conductor of Travailers or Souldiers, and they come to a place where the way divideth, though both wayes are equally good and neer, yet you must command them one way, and choose for th•m, because else they will go no way at all.

§. 16. Answ. 1. In this case you are not to choose one Gesture or one Way rather then another, unless they make it necessary by Accident. But tell them of the Indifferency and Equality, and drive them on to Action. And so you only choose and cause them to choose Action before Cessation, but not this way before that. 2. If this will not serve, but they will do nothing, unless you determine of their Gesture or Way, you must then command one rather then another, because they can use but one, and some one they must use. But in thus doing, your comparing, taking This rather then the other, is not to be done by Election, nor be a humane act, there being no more Reason (that's supposed) for one then for the other. But though you name them one Way or Gesture only (when they necessitate it,) you do it but as choosing their Action before their cessation; this therefore is all that is Moral in your Act: and that you Determine them to Action by Naming This way and not the other, is good (for the Determination for Duty sake was eligible:) but that it was rather to This then the other, was Indifferent, and not Moral: For of that you had no Reason: and where there is no Reason, there is no Morality.