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The Fourth Reason, Its no prejudice to a Kingdom or Common∣wealth, if Liberty of Conscience be suffered to such as fear God; as is or will be manifested in such mens lives and conversations, as Scripture Examples testifie.
AEraham abode among the Cananites a long time, yet contrary to them in Religion, Gen. 13.7. and 16.13.
Again; he sojourned in Gerar and King Abimelech gave him leave to abide is his Land, Gen. 20.21, 23, 24.
Isaac also dwelt in the same Land, yet contrary in Religion, Gen. 26.
Jacoh lived Twenty years in one house with his Unckle Laban, yet differed in Religion, Gen. 31.
The People of Israel were about Four hundred and thirty years in that infamous Land of Egypt, and afterwards seventy years in Baby∣lon, all which time they differed in Religion from the State, Exod 12. and 2 Chron. 36.
Come to the time of Christ, when Israel was under the Romans, where lived divers Sects of Religion, as Herodians, Scribes and Phari∣sees, Saduces and Libertines, Thudeans and Samaritans, besides the common Religion of the Jews, Christ, and his Apostles, all which differed from the common Religion of the State, which was like the worship of Diana, which almost the whole World then worshipped Acts 19.20.
All these lived under the Government of Caesur, being no thing hurtful to the Common-wealth,) giving unto Caesar that which was his, and for their Religion and Consciences towards God, he left them to themselves, as having no dominion over their Souls and Con∣sciences; and when the Enemies of Truth raised up any Tumults, the wisdom of the Magistrate most wisely appeased them, Acts 18.14. and 19.35.