Former Edition.
If we are not, secondly, nostri juris, but restrained; and determined by authority, we must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 disobey that to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Brother; transgresse duty, to expresse charity: So to please men, we should displease God. So we should doe evill, that good might come thereof. When the Obligation of two precepts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lyeth upon us at the same time, and impossible for both to be at once obeyed, in such a case, because there is no clashing between Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉, neither doth God by them impose upon his creatures any necessity of sinning, therefore one of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pre∣cepts must give place unto the other; to wit, that which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a lesse duty, unto that which prescribes a more weighty and pressing one. Now the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Justice (as a learned Inconformitant, even A∣mesius himselfe, med: 〈◊〉〈◊〉. lib. 2. cap. 16. §. 62, 63, will tell us) are of stricter obligation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those of charity. We are more bound to pay our debts then to distribute Almes. He that hath trespassed against a∣nother, is more strictly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to sue for reconciliation, then the party who hath received the injury. Now to hinder the scandall of the weake, is a duty of Charity; to obey the lawfull commands of authority, a duty of justice; and therefore of the greater obligation and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, unto it then the other must give place. I would have travelled farther in this argument, but that I am anticipated by the learned, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Professors of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in their Duplies to the second answers of the Co∣venanting ministers, who from pag. 65. unto 75. have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dis∣cussed this very question, whether the precept of obedience to Superiors, or the precept of eschewing scandall be more obligatory, and have there proved by many unanswerable arguments, that the former precept, that of obedience to Superiours is of the twaine more Obligatory. Those then that desire larger satisfaction concerning this matter, I shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto the perusall of them. How ever in the meane while 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it not be