Repl. O that you would but do all that God alloweth you, yea that he hath commanded you, for these ends! how happy would you make your selves, and these poor afflicted Churches. But as to the instance of your Rule we answer. 1. When the indecency and disorder is so small as that it will not cross the ends, so much as our disobedience would, we are here so far more conformable, and peaceable than you, as that we would even in Gods worship, do some things indecent, and disorderly, rather than disobey; And so should you do rather than destroy your Brethren, or hinder that peace, and healing of the Church. For Order is for the thing ordered, and not contrarily. For example, there is much disorder lies in the Common-Prayer- ⟨p. 97⟩Book, yet we would obey in it, as far as the ends of our calling do require. It would be undecent to come without a Band, or other handsome raiment into the Assembly: yet rather than nor worship God at all, we would obey if that were commanded us; we are as confident that Surplices, and Copes are undecent, and kneeling at the Lords Table is disorderly, as you are of the contrary: And yet if the Magistrate would be advised by us (supposing himself addicted against you) we would advise him to be more charitable to you,, than you here advise him to be to us: We would have him, if your Conscience require it, to forbear you in this undecent and disorderly way; But to speak more distinctly. 1. There are some things decent and orderly, when the opposite species is not undecent or disorderly. 2. There are some things undecent, and disorderly, in a small and tolerable degree: And some things in a degree intolerable. 1. When things decent are commanded, whose opposites would not be at all undecent, there Charity and Peace, and Edification, may command a Relaxation; or rather should at first restrain from too severe Impositions: As it is decent to wear either a Cloak or a Gown, a Cassock buttoned, or unbuttoned, with a Girdle or without, to sit, stand, or kneel in singing of a Psalm, to sit or stand in hearing the word read, or preached &c. 2. When a Circumstance is undecent or disorderly, but in a tolerable degree, to an Inconvenience, Obedience, or Charity, or Edification, may command us to do it, and make it not only lawful, but a duty pro hic, & nunc, while the preponderating Accident prevaileth.
Repl. O that you would but do all that God alloweth you, yea that he hath commanded you, for these ends! how happy would you make your selves, and these poor afflicted Churches. But as to the instance of your Rule we answer. 1. When the indecency and disorder is so small as that it will not crosse the ends, so much as our disobedience would, we are here so far more conformable, and peaceable than you, as that we would even in Gods worship, do some things indecent, and disorderly, rather than disobey; And so should you do rather than destroy your Brethren, or hinder that peace, and healing of the Church. For Order is for the thing ordered, and not contrarily. For example, there is much disorder lies in the Common-Prayer- ⟨p. 97⟩Book, yet we would obey in it, as far as the ends of our calling do require. It would be undecent to come without a Band, or other handsome raiment into the Assembly: yet rather than nor worship God at all, we would obey if that were commanded us; we are as confident that Surplices, and Copes are undecent, and kneeling at the Lords Table is disorderly, as you are of the contrary: And yet if the Magistrate would be advised by us (supposing himself addicted against you) we would advise him to be more charitable to you,, than you here advise him to be to us: We would have him, if your Conscience require it, to forbear you in this undecent and disorderly way; But to speak more distinctly. 1. There are some things decent and orderly, when the opposite species is not undecent or disorderly. 2. There are some things undecent, and disorderly, in a small and tolerable degree: And some things in a degree intolerable. 1. When things decent are commanded, whose opposites would not be at all undecent, there Charity and Peace, and Edification, may command a Relaxation; or rather should at first restrain from too severe Impositions: As it is decent to wear either a Cloak or a Gown, a Cassock buttoned, or unbutton'd, with a Girdle or without, to sit, stand, or kneel in singing of a Psalm, to sit or stand in hearing the word read, or preached &c. 2. When a Circumstance is undecent or disorderly, but in a tollerable degree, to an Inconvenience, Obedience, or Charity, or Edification, may command us to do it, and make it not only lawful, but a duty pro hic, & nunc, while the preponderating Accident prevaileth.
