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act_n end_n parliament_n session_n 2,454 5 10.4165 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A52594 A discourse of ecclesiastical lawes and supremacy of the kings of England, in dispensing with the penalties thereof by Mr. Philip Nye. Nye, Philip, 1596?-1672. 1687 (1687) Wing N1490A; ESTC R41353 35,351 41

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a_o worse_a condition_n on_o these_o account_n then_o in_o their_o civil_a interest_n and_o that_o upon_o a_o threefold_a account_n 1._o the_o secular_a law_n and_o statute_n make_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o subject_n be_v often_o upon_o further_a deliberation_n and_o experience_n of_o inconvenience_n alter_v and_o repeal_v whereby_o the_o subject_n have_v ease_v it_o be_v ordinary_o see_v in_o our_o civil_a concern_v that_o some_o act_n of_o parliament_n that_o partly_o for_o their_o severity_n or_o upon_o some_o other_o account_n pass_v as_o doubtful_a whether_o fit_a to_o remain_v as_o stand_a law_n be_v therefore_o limit_v to_o a_o certain_a time_n and_o after_o which_o to_o expire_v and_o cease_v the_o severe_a act_n of_o 35_o eliz._n which_o in_o the_o process_n of_o it_o reach_v man_n life_n when_o first_o pass_v be_v to_o remain_v a_o law_n but_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o next_o session_n of_o parliament_n which_o in_o regard_n of_o some_o doubt_n it_o seem_v whether_o in_o 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that_o be_v tender_a and_o nothing_o
be_v discover_v by_o this_o indiscriminate_a severity_n that_o be_v who_o be_v dissenter_n upon_o principle_n of_o conscience_n and_o who_o of_o they_o so_o pretend_v be_v notwithstanding_o of_o a_o seditious_a spirit_n these_o can_v never_o be_v distinguish_v one_o from_o the_o other_o when_o dissenter_n and_o such_o as_o conform_v not_o be_v it_o upon_o what_o ground_n soever_o be_v all_o of_o they_o equal_o brand_v with_o the_o same_o mark_n of_o disloyalty_n and_o so_o represent_v to_o his_o majesty_n and_o all_o the_o nation_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n that_o this_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n be_v remove_v and_o seditious_a person_n discover_v and_o leave_v to_o condign_a punishment_n and_o other_o these_o stumbling-block_n be_v remove_v may_v by_o their_o peaceable_a obedience_n to_o all_o other_o his_o majesty_n law_n justify_v and_o vindicate_v their_o integrity_n which_o can_v no_o way_n be_v do_v while_o the_o righteous_a be_v thus_o condemn_v with_o the_o wicked_a and_o no_o relax_v those_o law_n which_o shut_v up_o all_o both_o guilty_a and_o innocent_a under_o the_o same_o condemnation_n his_o majesty_n who_o have_v have_v a_o clear_a prospect_n all_o along_o of_o these_o thing_n and_o thence_o public_o declare_v his_o avow_a readiness_n in_o that_o proclamation_n of_o 10_o july_n 1669._o and_o otherwise_o to_o indulge_v tender_a conscience_n have_v upon_o these_o aforementioned_a and_o the_o like_a weighty_a consideration_n be_v necessitate_v to_o publish_v this_o his_o gracious_a declaration_n of_o march_n 15._o 1672._o where_o he_o have_v full_o perform_v his_o promise_n make_v at_o breda_n and_o so_o often_o repeat_v thus_o his_o majesty_n as_o a_o wife_n and_o prudent_a prince_n who_o station_n be_v fix_v in_o a_o high_a orb_n like_o the_o sun_n exhaling_a and_o consume_v or_o serve_v to_o refresh_v and_o to_o show_v the_o dark_a fog_n and_o mist_n here_o beneath_o have_v by_o the_o light_n and_o liberty_n shine_v forth_o from_o his_o gracious_a indulgence_n refresh_v multitude_n of_o his_o good_a subject_n and_o deliver_v they_o from_o the_o dark_a misapprehension_n of_o other_o nor_o be_v this_o their_o great_a relief_n in_o any_o thing_n prejudicial_a either_o to_o the_o estate_n or_o liberty_n of_o man_n otherwise_o mind_v nor_o be_v such_o man_n abridge_v in_o any_o of_o their_o concern_v spiritual_a or_o temporal_a hereby_o his_o majesty_n have_v make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o satisfy_a their_o conscience_n in_o a_o careful_a continue_v those_o ceremony_n and_o form_n of_o worship_n they_o have_v be_v accustom_v to_o let_v it_o not_o be_v grievous_a or_o offensive_a to_o they_o that_o their_o brethren_n have_v obtain_v from_o his_o majesty_n in_o respect_n to_o their_o conscience_n the_o like_a favour_n quest_n since_o these_o ecclesiastical_a law_n of_o restraint_n be_v enact_v by_o parliament_n the_o king_n give_v his_o royal_a assent_n have_v it_o not_o be_v convenient_a if_o his_o majesty_n have_v so_o please_v that_o the_o dispense_n with_o these_o law_n have_v be_v by_o parliament_n answ_n 1_o the_o king_n and_o prince_n of_o this_o realm_n his_o majesty_n predecessor_n do_v establish_v many_o thing_n and_o order_n by_o parliament_n relate_v to_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n but_o do_v yet_o nevertheless_o often_o exercise_v their_o own_o power_n in_o dispense_n with_o the_o penalty_n at_o least_o of_o such_o law_n a_o constant_a act_n with_o other_o in_o the_o exert_n hereof_o might_n though_o no_o prescription_n against_o the_o king_n yet_o introduce_v at_o least_o into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n a_o kind_n of_o suspicion_n especial_o in_o the_o vulgar_a that_o such_o proceed_n of_o the_o supreme_a majesty_n by_o his_o sole_a power_n to_o be_v a_o assume_v a_o arbitrary_a government_n 2._o the_o parliament_n do_v still_o continue_v in_o this_o their_o former_a opinion_n and_o first_o judgement_n namely_o that_o a_o way_n of_o severity_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n to_o settle_v peace_n and_o unity_n they_o have_v new_o pass_v the_o act_n for_o uniformity_n without_o any_o abatement_n of_o what_o be_v offensive_a by_o reason_n whereof_o arise_v that_o general_a discontent_n which_o before_o we_o have_v mention_v his_o majesty_n be_v sensible_a hereof_o do_v by_o that_o declaration_n of_o decemb._n 26._o move_v a_o second_o time_n that_o a_o act_n may_v be_v prepare_v etc._n etc._n not_o doubt_v their_o cheerful_a co-operation_n with_o he_o be_v a_o matter_n wherein_o he_o conceive_v himself_o so_o much_o engage_v both_o in_o point_n of_o honour_n and_o in_o what_o he_o owe_v to_o the_o peace_n of_o his_o kingdom_n which_o we_o profess_v say_v he_o we_o can_v never_o think_v secure_a whilst_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o colour_n leave_v to_o the_o malicious_a and_o disaffectionate_a to_o inflame_v the_o mind_n of_o so_o many_o multitude_n upon_o the_o score_n of_o conscience_n with_o despair_n of_o ever_o obtain_v any_o effect_n of_o our_o promise_n for_o their_o ease_n the_o house_n return_v this_o answer_n we_o your_o majesty_n loyal_a subject_n who_o be_v now_o return_v to_o serve_v in_o parliament_n from_o those_o several_a part_n and_o place_n of_o your_o kingdom_n for_o which_o we_o be_v choose_v do_v humble_o offer_v to_o your_o majesty_n great_a wisdom_n that_o it_o be_v in_o no_o sort_n adviseable_a that_o there_o be_v any_o indulgence_n to_o such_o person_n who_o presume_v to_o dissent_v from_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n and_o the_o religion_n establish_v for_o these_o reason_n etc._n etc._n whereof_o this_o be_v one_o it_o will_v in_o no_o wise_n become_v the_o grave_a wisdom_n of_o a_o parliament_n to_o pass_v a_o law_n at_o one_o session_n for_o uniformity_n and_o at_o the_o next_o session_n the_o reason_n of_o uniformity_n continue_v still_o the_o same_o to_o pass_v another_o law_n to_o frustrate_v or_o weaken_v the_o execution_n of_o the_o former_a so_o that_o now_o his_o majesty_n have_v no_o other_o remedy_n but_o either_o 1._o to_o retreat_v from_o that_o pious_a and_o seasonable_a resolution_n for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n express_v in_o letter_n to_o the_o parliament_n then_o sit_v from_o breda_n a_o resolution_n so_o acceptable_a to_o they_o as_o the_o whole_a house_n nemine_fw-la contradicente_fw-la by_o letter_n return_v thanks_o to_o he_o and_o bless_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o put_v such_o reconcile_a thought_n into_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o king._n and_o he_o himself_o likewise_o own_a a_o especial_a blessing_n from_o god_n upon_o his_o affair_n after_o he_o have_v express_v that_o intention_n 2._o of_o break_v that_o promise_n he_o solemn_o make_v assure_v this_o liberty_n and_o have_v profess_v to_o the_o world_n upon_o this_o occasion_n in_o his_o speech_n may_v 8._o 1661._o that_o he_o value_v himself_o much_o upon_o keep_v his_o word_n and_o whatsoever_o he_o promise_v to_o his_o subject_n and_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v his_o friend_n and_o wish_v he_o well_o who_o will_v persuade_v he_o to_o consent_v to_o the_o breach_n of_o that_o solemn_a promise_n 3._o or_o leave_v the_o nation_n under_o great_a distraction_n and_o suffering_n about_o religion_n than_o he_o find_v it_o and_o that_o upon_o 12_o year_n experience_n of_o other_o mean_n which_o extend_v rather_o to_o increase_v the_o distemper_n these_o dishonourable_a thing_n i_o say_v his_o majesty_n must_v have_v suffer_v and_o undergo_v or_o make_v use_n of_o that_o power_n god_n and_o the_o nation_n have_v entrust_v he_o withal_o though_o not_o with_o concurrence_n of_o parliament_n so_o much_o and_o so_o often_o desire_v by_o he_o even_o so_o oft_o as_o he_o come_v to_o they_o as_o he_o tell_v they_o in_o his_o speech_n july_n 8._o 1661._o yet_o nothing_o at_o any_o time_n be_v do_v to_o his_o satisfaction_n in_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n by_o the_o house_n be_v oblige_v in_o their_o judgement_n to_o proceed_v in_o the_o other_o way_n chap._n v._o of_o former_a example_n for_o indulgence_n his_o majesty_n gracious_a declaration_n contain_v not_o a_o great_a indulgence_n although_o it_o be_v extend_v to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o person_n than_o what_o be_v grant_v by_o his_o majesty_n predecessor_n which_o before_o we_o have_v mention_v to_o the_o french_a and_o dutch_a congregation_n 1._o there_o be_v a_o uniform_a order_n of_o church_n government_n and_o divine_a service_n to_o which_o not_o only_o his_o majesty_n subject_n but_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o his_o majesty_n dominion_n be_v to_o conform_v and_o no_o man_n to_o absent_v himself_o and_o be_v enjoin_v not_o to_o hear_v or_o be_v present_a at_o any_o other_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o administration_n of_o sacrament_n than_o what_o be_v in_o that_o book_n prescribe_v under_o penalty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n fine_n to_o the_o king_n poor_a of_o the_o parish_n etc._n etc._n 2._o the_o dispensation_n and_o exemption_n be_v by_o the_o sole_a authority_n of_o the_o sovereign_n and_o stand_v thus_o a_o liberty_n to_o
the_o man_n leave_v on_o record_n distinct_o to_o be_v read_v and_o consider_v of_o by_o we_o so_o that_o we_o can_v scarce_o so_o much_o as_o guess_v from_o what_o principle_n within_o a_o omission_n do_v proceed_v and_o the_o uncertainty_n be_v far_o the_o great_a when_o it_o be_v notorious_o know_v such_o omission_n may_v be_v from_o a_o good_a intention_n as_o well_o as_o bad_a to_o be_v able_a so_o far_o to_o dive_v into_o man_n heart_n as_o distinct_o to_o discover_v intention_n be_v a_o work_n more_o suitable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n heb._n 4.12_o then_o the_o law_n of_o man_n we_o will_v not_o therefore_o interpret_v these_o law_n in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o to_o render_v all_o omission_n to_o be_v upon_o principle_n of_o wilfulness_n and_o obstinacy_n it_o will_v be_v more_o charitable_a where_o so_o little_a evidence_n can_v be_v produce_v rather_o to_o judge_v the_o contrary_a of_o our_o brethren_n and_o fellow_n subject_n 6._o this_o act_n of_o uniformity_n not_o we_o hope_v in_o the_o intention_n of_o it_o but_o in_o such_o a_o interpretation_n have_v be_v the_o argument_n of_o all_o our_o suffering_n if_o therefore_o that_o be_v not_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o act_n intimate_v in_o his_o majesty_n gracious_a declaration_n namely_o that_o upon_o what_o principle_n soever_o man_n submit_v not_o unto_o it_o though_o from_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n in_o the_o great_a evidence_n yet_o thereupon_o to_o be_v punish_v with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o spiritual_a promotion_n but_o if_o it_o appear_v from_o obstinacy_n and_o sedition_n that_o such_o only_a shall_v suffer_v so_o deep_o the_o addition_n of_o further_a pain_n and_o penalty_n as_o in_o that_o act_n insert_v be_v just_a and_o equal_a if_o this_o yet_o be_v not_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o act_n as_o it_o seem_v by_o constant_a proceed_n against_o transgressor_n of_n it_o for_o what_o man_n be_v ever_o relieve_v in_o any_o court_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a upon_o such_o a_o plea_n he_o omit_v not_o such_o ceremony_n wilful_o but_o of_o conscience_n i_o say_v therefore_o if_o that_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o act_n yet_o upon_o those_o consideration_n but_o now_o mention_v there_o be_v evidence_n sufficient_a that_o this_o gracious_a dispensation_n of_o his_o majesty_n of_o such_o redundant_fw-la penalty_n and_o of_o such_o a_o nature_n be_v all_o the_o penalty_n we_o be_v exempt_v from_o in_o that_o declaration_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o as_o most_o necessary_a just_a prudent_a and_o charitable_a his_o majesty_n be_v persuade_v that_o many_o multitude_n it_o be_v his_o expression_n in_o declaration_n of_o decem._n 26._o 1662._o suffer_v be_v ensnare_v in_o their_o conscience_n and_o not_o from_o wilfulness_n and_o his_o charitable_a opinion_n seem_v to_o be_v most_o rational_o ground_v upon_o a_o observation_n of_o his_o own_o it_o be_v evident_a say_v his_o majesty_n by_o the_o sad_a experience_n of_o 12_o year_n there_o be_v very_o little_a fruit_n of_o all_o those_o forceable_a course_n the_o will_n be_v a_o more_o unsteady_a principle_n and_o more_o easy_o wrought_v to_o a_o change_n upon_o representation_n of_o good_a or_o evil_a but_o conscience_n be_v more_o fix_v and_o incorrigible_a it_o not_o be_v in_o our_o own_o power_n to_o alter_v the_o dictate_v thereof_o as_o to_o be_v change_v from_o our_o natural_a state_n be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n no_o more_o be_v the_o change_n of_o our_o persuasion_n in_o matter_n of_o duty_n conscience_n be_v engage_v phil._n 3.15_o but_o god_n alone_o do_v it_o his_o majesty_n therefore_o wise_o judge_v it_o will_v be_v less_o injustice_n and_o better_a for_o the_o commonwealth_n that_o all_o such_o penalty_n be_v remove_v and_o suspend_v when_o the_o execution_n of_o they_o have_v be_v so_o constant_o misapply_v and_o so_o much_o to_o the_o prejudice_n and_o disquiet_v of_o his_o good_a subject_n it_o be_v righteousness_n and_o not_o ceremony_n which_o establish_v a_o nation_n quest_n if_o the_o penalty_n of_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v remove_v these_o law_n themselves_o become_v impracticable_a and_o when_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o worship_n in_o what_o form_n they_o please_v will_v not_o that_o ancient_a establishment_n of_o our_o vniform_a worship_n and_o government_n to_o be_v the_o same_o throughout_o this_o kingdom_n be_v utter_o destroy_v answ_n for_o that_o we_o term_v uniformity_n in_o the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n we_o find_v no_o other_o in_o the_o apostle_n church_n but_o what_o arise_v from_o inward_a principle_n free_o and_o natural_o these_o principle_n be_v in_o the_o same_o as_o where_o there_o be_v the_o same_o seed_n there_o will_v be_v the_o same_o blade_n stalk_v leaf_n flower_n and_o there_o be_v a_o uniformity_n from_o external_a impression_n as_o in_o a_o mould_n or_o seal_n these_o be_v constrain_v and_o force_v the_o former_a be_v from_o the_o lord_n a_o work_n of_o his_o power_n and_o there_o be_v beauty_n in_o it_o psal_n 10._o the_o latter_a be_v from_o prince_n and_o state_n wrought_v by_o the_o power_n of_o their_o law_n and_o penalty_n and_o may_v have_v much_o hypocrisy_n but_o little_a amiableness_n the_o base_a metal_n as_o well_o as_o pure_a gold_n will_v conform_v to_o the_o mould_n into_o which_o it_o be_v cast_v such_o a_o conformity_n be_v no_o safe_a character_n to_o distinguish_v who_o be_v fit_a and_o who_o be_v not_o for_o ministry_n or_o membership_n but_o the_o other_o be_v of_o great_a use_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n as_o the_o wicked_a who_o be_v a_o seed_n of_o evil_a doer_n be_v uniform_a in_o their_o practice_n be_v act_v from_o the_o same_o inward_a principle_n eph._n 4.17_o so_o the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v baptize_v into_o one_o spirit_n 1_o cor._n 12._o they_o live_v in_o this_o spirit_n and_o walk_v in_o this_o spirit_n gal._n 5.25_o and_o as_o in_o other_o duty_n of_o piety_n and_o justice_n so_o in_o church_n administration_n where_o people_n be_v in_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o principle_n they_o will_v all_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n although_o not_o the_o same_o word_n in_o preach_v and_o pray_v and_o officiate_a in_o the_o service_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n though_o there_o be_v no_o external_a prescript_n or_o force_n of_o humane_a law_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o a_o exact_a conscientious_a uniformity_n in_o the_o external_o of_o worship_n and_o ceremony_n where_o there_o be_v various_a apprehension_n this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v effect_v by_o external_a force_n molest_v man_n in_o their_o liberty_n and_o estate_n judge_v or_o censure_v or_o indeed_o by_o any_o humane_a power_n god_n himself_o that_o can_v do_v it_o and_z establish_z man_n in_o such_o a_o uniformity_n yet_o for_o end_n suitable_a to_o his_o wisdom_n leave_v they_o various_a in_o their_o act_n in_o this_o kind_n one_o man_n observe_v a_o day_n or_o the_o like_a ceremony_n another_o observe_v it_o not_o but_o most_o stand_a upon_o sincerity_n in_o those_o that_o do_v or_o leave_v it_o undo_v to_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v out_o of_o conscience_n and_o this_o be_v the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n in_o rom._n 14.5_o that_o which_o we_o term_v uniformity_n a_o exact_a identity_n in_o word_n gesture_n and_o vestment_n nature_n seem_v to_o teach_v we_o a_o example_n of_o a_o sinless_a neglect_n of_o though_o there_o be_v a_o conformity_n in_o every_o vine_n and_o every_o figtree_n and_o the_o like_a work_n of_o nature_n one_o to_o another_o in_o their_o kind_n yet_o for_o the_o mode_n and_o outward_a form_n and_o shape_n you_o have_v not_o two_o of_o these_o that_o be_v conformable_a and_o growable_a 2._o nor_o can_v we_o say_v but_o though_o all_o the_o penalty_n proper_o such_o annex_v to_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v remove_v yet_o there_o will_v remain_v provision_n sufficient_a leave_v to_o keep_v and_o preserve_v man_n in_o conformity_n and_o to_o reduce_v such_o who_o conscience_n will_v permit_v as_o be_v not_o so_o for_o as_o his_o majesty_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n have_v be_v please_v to_o assure_v the_o orthodox_n conformable_a clergy_n that_o they_o shall_v receive_v and_o enjoy_v the_o revenue_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o rich_a most_o plentiful_a and_o ample_a of_o any_o protestant_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o no_o person_n however_o dispense_v with_o in_o other_o thing_n shall_v be_v exempt_a from_o pay_v his_o tithe_n and_o other_o duty_n whatsoever_o so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o no_o person_n shall_v be_v capable_a of_o hold_v any_o benefice_n live_v or_o ecclesiastical_a dignity_n or_o preferment_n of_o any_o kind_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n who_o be_v not_o exact_o conformable_a such_o encouragement_n be_v also_o privative_a penalty_n and_o have_v bring_v and_o keep_v more_o to_o conformity_n than_o all_o the_o penalty_n remove_v by_o his_o majesty_n gracious_a