Paragraph 21.2

God alone is Lord of the Conscience, and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of Men^a which are in any Thing contrary to his Word, or not contained in it. So that to believe such Doctrines, or Obey such Commands out of Conscience,^b is to betray true Liberty of Conscience; and the Requiring of an^c implicit Faith, and absolute and blind Obedience, is to destroy Liberty of Conscience and Reason also.^d

1. a. James 4:12; Romans 14:4

   James 4:12

   ^4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

   ^4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

   Romans 14:4

   ^14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

   ^14:4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Acts 4:19; 5:29; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Matthew 15:9

   Acts 4:19

   ^4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

   ^4:19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than God.

   Acts 5:29

   ^5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

   ^5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than men.

   1 Corinthians 7:23

   ^7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

   ^7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

   Matthew 15:9

   ^15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

   ^15:9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.'"

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. Colossians 2:20, 22–23

   Colossians 2:20; Colossians 2:22–23

   ^2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, ^2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? ^2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

   ^2:20 If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: ^2:22 These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. ^2:23 Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

4. d. 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 1:24

   1 Corinthians 3:5

   ^3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

   ^3:5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

   2 Corinthians 1:24

   ^1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

   ^1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible