Selected quad for the lemma: act_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A48026
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A letter from a person of quality, to a principal peer of the realm, now sitting in Parliament occasioned by the present debate upon the penal lawes.
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Person of quality.
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1661
(1661)
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Wing L1426; ESTC R9893
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11,272
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16
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repeal_v by_o he_o or_o any_o new_a decree_n under_o his_o grace_n and_o the_o gospel_n be_v there_o ever_o any_o nation_n that_o have_v a_o worship_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n without_o their_o priest_n by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o former_a age_n we_o find_v that_o religion_n and_o priesthood_n be_v ever_o take_v to_o be_v like_o hypocrates_n twin_n bear_v and_o breed_v laugh_v and_o weep_v beginning_n and_o end_v together_o etc._n etc._n and_o must_v this_o sacred_a function_n now_o that_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o reverence_v over_o all_o the_o world_n by_o our_o law_n that_o be_v unknown_a to_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o be_v make_v a_o piece_n of_o treason_n here_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n indeed_o if_o such_o new_a make_v treason_n as_o have_v be_v afore_o cite_v out_o of_o tacitus_n do_v presage_v a_o fall_n or_o diminution_n of_o that_o power_n which_o make_v they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v that_o the_o auspicious_a repeal_n of_o such_o will_v forespeak_v aswell_o the_o grow_v up_o of_o a_o most_o flourish_a empire_n over_o and_o above_o all_o this_o it_o hâ—s_v be_v ever_o hold_v against_o the_o wisdom_n and_o policy_n of_o this_o nation_n to_o fetter_v themselves_o with_o too_o many_o shackle_n of_o treason_n and_o therefore_o as_o 25._o edw._n 3._o at_o the_o petition_n of_o the_o subject_n the_o king_n do_v declare_v and_o determine_v what_o shall_v be_v take_v and_o judge_v for_o treason_n by_o the_o common_a law_n of_o the_o realm_n so_o 1._o hen._n 4._o c._n 10._o it_o be_v confirm_v and_o establish_v that_o nothing_o hereafter_o shall_v be_v judge_v treason_n otherwise_o than_o be_v express_v by_o that_o of_o edw._n 3._o and_o though_o divers_a action_n be_v strain_v up_o to_o treason_n for_o a_o time_n which_o indeed_o be_v not_o so_o nor_o within_o the_o list_n of_o the_o 15._o of_o edw._n 3._o as_o that_o of_o hen._n 6._o the_o take_v and_o surprise_v of_o person_n and_o good_n in_o wales_n so_o to_o stand_v for_o the_o spae_fw-la of_o seven_o yera_n only_o and_o 8._o of_o h._n 6._o burn_v of_o house_n and_o 22._o of_o hen._n 8._o poison_v etc._n etc._n which_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o simple_o be_v not_o treason_n and_o therefore_o have_v a_o limitation_n of_o time_n annex_v to_o they_o yet_o prudent_o all_o such_o former_a act_n be_v repeal_v and_o make_v void_a 1._o edw._n 6._o for_o a_o more_o merciful_a and_o indifferent_a proceed_n with_o subject_n that_o the_o remedy_n may_v not_o prove_v more_o dangerous_a than_o the_o disease_n and_o now_o must_v a_o eternal_a treason_n be_v brand_v upon_o the_o sacred_a of_o function_n and_o no_o less_o than_o the_o most_o infamous_a and_o dismal_a word_n invent_v like_o a_o medusa_n face_n to_o terrify_v poor_a christian_n from_o their_o conscience_n faith_n and_o profession_n sed_fw-la satius_fw-la est_fw-la pertransire_fw-la calamitatem_fw-la publicam_fw-la and_o yet_o the_o great_a and_o christian_a magnmimity_n that_o all_o the_o noble_a person_n of_o this_o persuasion_n have_v always_o express_v especial_o in_o these_o late_a most_o calamitous_a time_n of_o fiery_a trial_n indeed_o be_v not_o a_o little_a remarkable_a when_o no_o day_n present_v they_o less_o than_o most_o dismal_a horror_n destruction_n of_o themselves_o wife_n child_n and_o family_n and_o on_o every_o side_n most_o terrible_a image_n of_o death_n yet_o they_o always_o stand_v steadfast_a to_o and_o unmovable_a from_o their_o principle_n of_o religion_n a_o very_a inconsiderable_a number_n of_o they_o start_v aside_o like_o a_o break_a bow_n in_o lieu_n of_o every_o one_o of_o who_o too_o they_o get_v into_o their_o church_n then_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o their_o misery_n more_o than_o a_o thousand_o so_o mighty_o do_v the_o barbarous_a and_o inhuman_a persecution_n of_o any_o one_o party_n increase_v its_o number_n nor_o be_v their_o integrity_n to_o god_n and_o loyalty_n to_o religion_n more_o observable_a than_o their_o fidelity_n to_o his_o majesty_n amid_o all_o the_o artifices_fw-la as_o well_o as_o menace_n of_o the_o most_o subtle_a and_o mischievous_a tyrant_n that_o ever_o the_o earth_n bear_v and_o why_o then_o shall_v not_o these_o most_o honourable_a person_n receive_v some_o act_n of_o grace_n and_o favour_n now_o and_o with_o as_o much_o reason_n as_o those_o penalty_n be_v exercise_v upon_o they_o then_o in_o those_o time_n or_o impose_v upon_o they_o at_o first_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o fear_n and_o jealousy_n that_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o their_o first_o infliction_n queen_n elizabeth_n have_v be_v declare_v by_o three_o pope_n successive_o and_o our_o own_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o be_v illegitimate_a and_o that_o great_a and_o most_o incomparable_a person_n his_o majesty_n great_a grandmother_n marry_o queen_n of_o scot_n and_o dowager_n of_o france_n stand_v at_o that_o time_n in_o competition_n with_o she_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o just_a heir_n of_o the_o crown_n who_o by_o the_o way_n be_v entire_o a_o roman_n catholic_n and_o so_o all_o that_o party_n then_o in_o england_n fall_v into_o suspicion_n of_o a_o adherence_n too_o much_o to_o her_o interest_n which_o to_o avoid_v be_v the_o grand_a reason_n why_o this_o persecution_n of_o roman_a catholic_n here_o in_o england_n be_v first_o invent_v and_o the_o suppression_n of_o the_o whole_a party_n endeavour_v by_o the_o cecilian_a policy_n of_o those_o time_n and_o yet_o we_o never_o find_v that_o the_o roman_a catholic_n do_v then_o or_o since_o knit_v themselves_o upon_o any_o account_n of_o disturbance_n here_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_n we_o know_v that_o they_o have_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o assert_v his_o majesty_n interest_n not_o only_o against_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n at_o home_n though_o to_o the_o support_n of_o those_o law_n as_o aforesaid_a which_o have_v hitherto_o prove_v their_o particular_a ruin_n but_o all_o enemy_n whatsoever_o abroad_o even_o against_o the_o pope_n himself_o or_o king_n of_o spain_n when_o his_o majesty_n shall_v so_o please_v to_o command_v they_o and_o so_o much_o loyalty_n they_o have_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o swear_v to_o likewise_o and_o still_o be_v and_o that_o the_o pope_n himself_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o their_o allegiance_n to_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n now_o see_v that_o by_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o parliament_n great_a care_n and_o prudence_n there_o be_v a_o debate_n admit_v for_o the_o regulation_n of_o those_o scandalous_a law_n and_o since_o it_o be_v manifest_o necessary_a that_o as_o sail_n so_o law_n be_v to_o be_v turn_v and_o as_o occasion_n time_n circumstance_n and_o reason_n of_o state_n shall_v direct_v either_o to_o be_v alter_v or_o revoke_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o upon_o worldly_a respect_n those_o act_n have_v pass_v in_o former_a parliament_n to_o try_v what_o operation_n and_o cure_n they_o will_v work_v in_o the_o state_n and_o if_o they_o prove_v fruitless_a medicine_n or_o as_o most_o emperical_a purgation_n too_o violent_a and_o fit_a to_o kill_v then_o to_o cure_v then_o to_o be_v repeal_v for_o as_o they_o be_v make_v for_o the_o fear_n and_o jealousy_n of_o those_o time_n so_o by_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o these_o time_n when_o they_o be_v both_o prove_v to_o have_v be_v causeless_a they_o may_v with_o honour_n be_v cancel_v if_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o parliament_n shall_v so_o please_v to_o who_o gracious_a consideration_n i_o most_o humble_o beseech_v your_o lordship_n to_o offer_v these_o few_o line_n and_o as_o petition_n rather_o than_o reason_n nor_o so_o much_o to_o arrogate_v justice_n as_o to_o implore_v mercy_n and_o see_v also_o that_o the_o case_n of_o q._n eliz._n and_o his_o majesty_n that_o now_o be_v be_v far_o different_a your_o lordship_n will_v be_v please_v to_o petition_v his_o majesty_n for_o these_o poor_a trouble_n soul_n and_o procure_v a_o grace_n for_o they_o that_o be_v never_o deny_v by_o any_o christian_a king_n or_o state_n to_o their_o subject_n for_o occasion_n of_o state_n and_o to_o stop_v that_o unnatural_a issue_n of_o blood_n flow_v from_o those_o cruel_a law_n and_o stay_v a_o little_a those_o passionate_a humour_n and_o malicious_a opposition_n of_o such_o as_o be_v adversary_n to_o that_o grace_n and_o the_o lord_n almighty_n who_o have_v raise_v you_o to_o enable_v you_o for_o so_o great_a a_o work_n your_o lordship_n and_o the_o parliament_n can_v but_o out_o of_o your_o great_a wisdom_n have_v observe_v that_o too_o severe_a a_o persecution_n make_v man_n desperate_a non_fw-la coercet_fw-la sed_fw-la provocat_n violentia_fw-la and_o too_o heavy_a a_o hand_n upon_o those_o who_o the_o law_n cast_v down_o show_v a_o will_v rather_o to_o oppress_v the_o offender_n then_o to_o cure_v the_o offence_n it_o be_v
against_o those_o that_o be_v so_o precise_o scrupulous_a nec_fw-la hic_fw-la metuo_fw-la eorum_fw-la reprehensionem_fw-la qui_fw-la putant_fw-la non_fw-la nisi_fw-la unam_fw-la religionem_fw-la tolerandam_fw-la nor_o fear_v i_o at_o all_o their_o displeasure_n who_o will_v think_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v but_o one_o religion_n tolerate_v for_o conscience_n can_v be_v compel_v it_o may_v be_v persuade_v but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v tedious_a i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o my_o instance_n with_o the_o fair_a and_o flourish_a kingdom_n of_o france_n how_o often_o and_o how_o merciful_o do_v the_o french_a king_n grant_v their_o edict_n of_o pacification_n and_o to_o what_o condition_n be_v they_o content_v to_o descend_v only_o to_o preserve_v life_n and_o avoid_v bloodshed_n of_o their_o people_n witness_v the_o old_a article_n of_o peace_n grant_v for_o the_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n 18._o la_fw-fr val._n l._n 3._o fol._n 141._o pig_n l._n 6._o c._n 7._o poploneir_n l._n 18._o set_v down_o by_o la_fw-fr vall_n and_o divers_a other_o wherein_o they_o have_v a_o general_a freedom_n to_o preach_v in_o all_o part_n of_o france_n etc._n etc._n and_o yet_o these_o be_v huguenot_n man_n of_o the_o consistorian_n religion_n factious_a boutefeus_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o very_a shame_n of_o protestant_a religion_n yet_o will_v the_o poor_a roman_a catholic_n of_o england_n be_v right_o glad_a to_o participate_v a_o share_n of_o such_o grace_n as_o they_o enjoy_v there_o though_o there_o be_v no_o wise_a man_n sure_a but_o must_v think_v that_o they_o deserve_v they_o much_o better_a they_o poor_a soul_n with_o prayer_n and_o tear_n do_v supplicate_v daily_o to_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o parliament_n for_o such_o a_o liberty_n those_o in_o france_n be_v always_o strive_v to_o wrest_v it_o by_o force_n and_o the_o bloody_a violence_n of_o a_o presbyterian_a spirit_n they_o again_o have_v a_o rochel_n a_o montanban_a or_o a_o montpelier_n for_o their_o refuge_n these_o in_o england_n have_v no_o other_o retreat_n but_o the_o gatehouse_n the_o fleet_n or_o newgate_n for_o these_o in_o england_n all_o prince_n and_o state_n have_v long_o intercede_v and_o do_v still_o they_o in_o france_n have_v never_o any_o other_o intercessor_n but_o their_o own_o arm_n for_o they_o now_o to_o conclude_v all_o see_v the_o great_a turk_n permit_v christian_n to_o live_v free_o in_o his_o dominion_n see_v the_o precedent_n and_o example_n of_o the_o great_a prince_n and_o state_n in_o europe_n do_v set_v it_o forward_o the_o poor_a roman_a catholic_n in_o england_n hope_v they_o shall_v not_o far_o the_o worse_a for_o their_o patience_n and_o obedience_n which_o deserve_v more_o their_o only_a ambition_n be_v to_o be_v account_v good_a servant_n to_o god_n and_o loyal_a subject_n to_o his_o majesty_n and_o their_o only_a humble_a suit_n to_o his_o majesty_n now_o be_v hanc_fw-la animam_fw-la concede_fw-la mihi_fw-la tua_fw-la cetera_fw-la sunto_fw-la give_v they_o their_o soul_n great_a sir_n take_v you_o the_o rest_n thus_o far_o under_o your_o lordship_n favour_n i_o have_v be_v bold_a to_o proceed_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o tender_a conscience_n of_o those_o who_o have_v suffer_v most_o in_o that_o kind_n of_o any_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n but_o now_o two_o objection_n seem_v to_o obstruct_v all_o that_o have_v be_v hitherto_o speak_v in_o the_o argument_n and_o methinks_v at_o this_o instant_a i_o hear_v a_o wellmouthed_a presbyterian_a to_o open_v against_o the_o romish_a and_o spanish_a inquisition_n where_o only_o this_o liberty_n be_v deny_v and_o why_o shall_v they_o have_v liberty_n themselves_o who_o will_v give_v none_o to_o other_o to_o this_o i_o shall_v be_v bold_a to_o obviate_v that_o there_o be_v but_o two_o sort_n of_o good_a policy_n in_o order_n to_o religion_n the_o one_o be_v to_o keep_v firm_a and_o fast_o to_o one_o religion_n where_o there_o be_v but_o one_o nor_o ever_o have_v be_v more_o and_o with_o all_o care_n to_o keep_v out_o all_o other_o be_v they_o good_a or_o bad_a this_o i_o say_v in_o order_n to_o the_o civil_a state_n be_v a_o most_o necessary_a piece_n of_o policy_n for_o nothing_o embroyle_v a_o kingdom_n or_o state_n soon_o than_o the_o diversity_n of_o religion_n especial_o if_o some_o particular_a one_o be_v forbid_v for_o the_o prohibition_n of_o some_o create_v faction_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o suppress_v unless_o hinder_v by_o very_o extraordinary_a grace_n and_o faction_n ever_o pretend_v zeal_n of_o spirit_n which_o if_o it_o become_v conqueror_n show_v no_o mercy_n if_o subdue_v no_o patience_n however_o mutinous_a and_o a_o boutefeu_n which_o join_v with_o the_o other_o two_o call_v curiosity_n and_o singularity_n be_v the_o three_o fury_n that_o torment_v the_o world_n at_o this_o instant_n that_o triceps_fw-la cerberus_n that_o set_v open_a hell_n gate_n to_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o impostor_n seducer_n and_o calumniation_n now_o to_o faction_n and_o her_o adherent_n sedition_n be_v a_o unseparable_a companion_n which_o streightways_o marry_v itself_o to_o schism_n and_o thereupon_o it_o be_v that_o all_o magistrate_n and_o law_n be_v resist_v and_o that_o with_o violence_n for_o there_o be_v no_o war_n so_o passionate_a as_o the_o war_n of_o conscience_n the_o inquisition_n therefore_o be_v politic_o to_o be_v commend_v for_o keep_v strict_a watch_n and_o ward_n yea_o with_o fire_n and_o sword_n to_o keep_v out_o all_o other_o religion_n from_o thence_o where_o there_o never_o be_v any_o other_o than_o what_o they_o still_o profess_v the_o second_o good_a policy_n in_o relation_n to_o religion_n be_v where_o by_o the_o negligence_n of_o governor_n or_o some_o other_o unhappiness_n several_a religion_n have_v get_v foot_v to_o give_v a_o equal_a liberty_n to_o all_o as_o at_o present_a in_o the_o low_a country_n france_n germany_n etc._n etc._n now_o this_o equality_n of_o liberty_n take_v away_o all_o heart-burn_n which_o otherwise_o will_v burst_v forth_o into_o faction_n and_o that_o into_o sedition_n to_o the_o public_a disturbance_n so_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v the_o prohibition_n and_o persecution_n of_o some_o one_o or_o two_o religion_n not_o the_o persecution_n of_o all_o but_o one_o or_o a_o universal_a toleration_n of_o all_o indifferent_o that_o can_v offend_v a_o kingdom_n and_o such_o a_o policy_n of_o a_o general_a liberty_n be_v to_o be_v wish_v here_o among_o we_o since_o we_o can_v have_v the_o other_o for_o in_o very_a deed_n it_o be_v altogether_o as_o impossible_a to_o root_v out_o any_o one_o religion_n by_o a_o persecution_n as_o to_o put_v out_o a_o fire_n by_o blow_v of_o it_o the_o next_o and_o great_a objection_n that_o i_o must_v be_v bold_a under_o your_o lordship_n conduct_n to_o encounter_v look_v very_o big_a upon_o i_o indeed_o that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o their_o religion_n that_o priest_n and_o their_o entertainer_n die_v but_o plain_a matter_n of_o treason_n i_o must_v here_o beseech_v the_o objector_n to_o let_v we_o know_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v treason_n to_o be_v a_o priest_n or_o capital_a for_o a_o gentleman_n to_o entertain_v such_o a_o one_o in_o his_o house_n to_o serve_v the_o necessity_n of_o his_o conscience_n or_o who_o make_v it_o ever_o to_o be_v so_o either_o in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o country_n in_o the_o world_n before_o the_o time_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n whereby_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o it_o be_v not_o malum_fw-la in_o se_fw-la but_o quia_fw-la prohibitum_fw-la it_o must_v be_v so_o and_o then_o to_o the_o amazement_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o vocation_n must_v be_v make_v treason_n which_o be_v only_o wont_v here_o in_o england_n to_o sit_v in_o the_o chair_n of_o government_n and_o by_o who_o oracle_n and_o decree_n the_o people_n of_o this_o land_n be_v only_o wont_v to_o be_v direct_v both_o in_o chancery_n roll_n and_o all_o ecclesiastical_a court_n it_o will_v be_v think_v i_o be_o confident_a a_o very_a strange_a thing_n that_o any_o parliament_n shall_v make_v it_o to_o be_v treason_n for_o any_o man_n to_o wear_v a_o barre-gown_n or_o to_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o graduate_n in_o that_o profession_n will_v it_o not_o be_v a_o more_o incredible_a thing_n to_o posterity_n that_o so_o wise_a a_o nation_n as_o this_o shall_v run_v counter_a to_o themselves_o all_o law_n and_o reason_n upon_o such_o a_o sudden_a as_o to_o make_v that_o treason_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o so_o general_o so_o perpetual_o and_o so_o ancient_o have_v be_v honour_v and_o approve_v by_o all_o law_n be_v not_o priesthood_n use_v and_o exercise_v by_o the_o patriarch_n under_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n establish_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o law_n of_o god_n continue_a yet_o in_o christ_n who_o be_v himself_o a_o priest_n for_o ever_o after_o the_o order_n of_o melchizedek_n and_o never_o apparent_o