Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	believe_v	catholic_a	church_n	4,198	5	5.5583	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A75805	The Catholiques plea, or An explanation of the Roman Catholick belief. Concerning their [brace] church, manner of worship, justification, civill governement. : Together with a catalogue of all the pœnall statutes against popish recusants. : All which is humbly submitted to serious consideration. / By a Catholick gentleman.	Birchley, William, 1613-1669.	1659 (1659)	Wing A4242B; ESTC R42676	68,166	129

be_v deprive_v of_o that_o specious_a pretext_n of_o relieve_v his_o distress_a flock_n the_o prince_n and_o state_n of_o that_o religion_n will_v for_o honour_n as_o well_o as_o conscience_n upon_o all_o occasion_n express_v their_o satisfaction_n to_o see_v they_o merciful_o use_v who_o for_o their_o profession_n they_o account_v brethren_n and_o for_o their_o suffer_n martyr_n the_o protestant_n in_o other_o country_n will_v be_v more_o assure_v of_o the_o freedom_n they_o enjoy_v and_o more_o hopeful_a of_o obtain_v new_a increase_v of_o their_o liberty_n the_o papist_n of_o england_n will_v be_v bind_v by_o their_o own_o interest_n the_o strong_a obligation_n among_o wise_a man_n to_o live_v peaceable_o and_o thankful_o in_o the_o private_a exercise_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o become_v gainer_n by_o such_o compassion_n can_v not_o so_o reasonable_o be_v distru●ted_v as_o the_o prelatical_a or_o presbyteri●n_n party_n who_o must_v needs_o reckon_v themselves_o no_o small_a loser_n in_o that_o the_o reins_n of_o authority_n be_v take_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n which_o they_o have_v by_o turn_n abuse_v into_o mere_a whip_n for_o their_o brethren_n of_o the_o one_o we_o have_v have_v too_o long_a experience_n in_o their_o high-commission_n especial_o since_o its_o power_n be_v overgrow_v by_o the_o conspiracy_n of_o the_o star-chamber_n a_o court_n where_o fine_n be_v impose_v not_o according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o offence_n but_o of_o the_o judge_n who_o think_v it_o below_o their_o honour_n to_o punish_v under_o thousand_o of_o pound_n for_o every_o peccadillo_n of_o the_o other_o though_o our_o trial_n have_v be_v short_a yet_o it_o be_v very_o smart_a and_o live_v still_o in_o the_o memory_n of_o england_n which_o be_v every_o day_n refresh_v by_o the_o present_a practice_n of_o scotland_n where_o the_o kirk_n have_v condemn_v all_o that_o differ_v in_o the_o least_o title_n of_o her_o humour_n cry_v anathema_n maranath●_z upon_o all_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o saint_n as_o appea●e●_n by_o their_o synodical_a act_n set_v forth_o in_o jan_n 1650._o and_o send_v to_o their_o brethren_n in_o edinburgh_n where_o have_v first_o call_v our_o way_n abomination_n and_o ourselves_o a_o perverse_a generation_n and_o brand_v those_o few_o honest_a scot_n who_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v undeceive_v by_o the_o reason_n and_o civility_n of_o our_o army_n with_o the_o infamous_a name_n of_o a●ostates_n they_o proceed_v to_o the_o most_o bitter_a malicious_a and_o scandalous_a word_n that_o a_o enrage_a scot_n can_v utter_v speak_v thus_o to_o their_o party_n we_o exhort_v you_o and_o by_o all_o the_o power_n over_o you_o we_o have_v in_o the_o lord_n require_v you_o careful_o to_o avoid_v all_o familiar_a converse_n of_o every_o degree_n above_o all_o that_o you_o beware_v to_o join_v with_o they_o those_o that_o adhere_v to_o the_o parliament_n of_o england_n in_o any_o public_a or_o private_a exercise_n of_o religion_n those_o who_o will_v adventure_v to_o touch_v pitch_n may_v be_v defile_v before_o they_o be_v aware_a those_o who_o will_v not_o abstain_v from_o the_o harlot_n shall_v not_o be_v innocent_a take_v heed_n dear_o belove_v of_o they_o that_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o subtlety_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o among_o all_o his_o instrument_n we_o entreat_v you_o to_o avoid_v none_o more_o than_o these_o miserable_a apostate_n of_o our_o own_o nation_n for_o we_o conceive_v none_o more_o fit_v to_o work_v mischief_n among_o you_o then_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o in_o their_o motive_n or_o ground_n for_o a_o fast_n in_o june_n 1651._o their_o expression_n against_o we_o be_v no_o less_o bitter_a see_v how_o their_o zeal_n boil_v while_o they_o be_v but_o a_o kindle_v while_o we_o choke_v the_o fuel_n in_o its_o own_o smoke_n how_o will_v their_o fury_n run_v over_o when_o the_o fire_n shall_v by_o any_o success_n be_v raise_v into_o a_o flame_n how_o will_v they_o drown_v the_o whole_a country_n in_o a_o inundation_n of_o more_o than_o antichristian_a slavery_n but_o because_o i_o perceive_v by_o a_o passage_n in_o the_o recusant_n discourse_n that_o nothing_o lie_v more_o heavy_a upon_o they_o than_o the_o new_a oath_n of_o abjuration_n make_v by_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o late_a trouble_n i_o shall_v adventure_v humble_o to_o move_v some_o quaeres_fw-la thereupon_o transcribe_v first_o a_o true_a copy_n of_o the_o oath_n itself_o i_o a._n b._n do_v abjure_v and_o renounce_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o authority_n over_o the_o catholic_a church_n in_o general_a and_o over_o myself_o in_o particular_a and_o i_o do_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o transubstantion_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o in_o the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n after_o consecration_n thereof_o by_o any_o person_n whatsoever_o and_o i_o do_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o purgatory_n and_o that_o the_o consecrate_a host_n crucifix_n or_o image_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v worship_v neither_o that_o any_o worship_n be_v due_a unto_o they_o and_o i_o also_o believe_v that_o salvation_n can_v be_v merit_v by_o work_n and_o all_o doctrine_n in_o affirmation_n of_o the_o say_a point_n i_o do_v abjure_v and_o renounce_v without_o any_o equivocation_n mental_a reservation_n or_o secret_a evasion_n what_o soever_o take_v the_o word_n by_o i_o speak_v according_a to_o the_o common_a and_o usual_a meaning_n of_o they_o so_o help_v i_o god_n 1._o whether_o this_o oath_n do_v not_o flat_o contradict_v the_o know_a law_n of_o the_o land_n by_o enforce_v a_o freeborn_a english_a man_n to_o accuse_v himself_o with_o so_o strong_a and_o dangerous_a a_o temptation_n to_o perjury_n where_o the_o choice_n be_v only_o this_o either_o forswear_v your_o religion_n or_o ruin_v your_o estate_n a_o severity_n that_o far_o exceed_v the_o tyranny_n of_o the_o prelate_n who_o indignation_n stay_v itself_o upon_o the_o exterior_a nonconformity_n whereas_o this_o pass_v on_o to_o constrain_v the_o inward_a belief_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o god_n the_o searcher_n of_o all_o heart_n have_v reserve_v to_o himself_o and_o all_o this_o in_o question_n no_o way_n concerning_o either_o idolatry_n or_o the_o security_n of_o the_o state_n as_o purgatory_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o merit_n for_o that_o conscience_n that_o be_v not_o wide_a enough_o to_o swallow_v all_o the_o oath_n how_o great_a soever_o the_o part_n be_v that_o he_o can_v digest_v it_o will_v do_v he_o no_o good_a 2._o this_o oath_n be_v whole_o negative_a and_o no_o positive_a article_n establish_v by_o the_o pa●liament_n to_o be_v propose_v to_o all_o as_o the_o touchstone_n of_o faith_n whether_o it_o be_v conscientious_a to_o oblige_v the_o papist_n to_o swear_v away_o his_o own_o religion_n before_o we_o have_v provide_v another_o for_o he_o 3._o whether_o it_o be_v conscientious_a or_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o enforce_v this_o oath_n on_o the_o papist_n since_o we_o have_v many_o godly_a person_n of_o our_o own_o party_n who_o will_v not_o take_v it_o and_o other_o who_o will_v not_o swear_v at_o all_o hear_v what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o before-mentiond_v synodical_a confession_n pag._n 238._o there_o be_v a_o g●eater_a restraint_n lay_v upon_o we_o now_o than_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n mat._n 5._o 34._o james_n 5._o 12._o which_o have_v make_v some_o to_o shun_v oath_n though_o call_v to_o swear_v by_o the_o magistrate_n in_o matter_n lawful_a and_o again_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o those_o who_o impose_v unnecessary_a subtle_a and_o ens●aring_a oath_n zach._n 5._o 3_o 4._o there_o be_v a_o curse_n go_v out_o against_o swearer_n as_o well_o as_o against_o thief_n bebecause-of_o needless_a swear_n as_o well_o as_o false_a swear_n a_o land_n be_v make_v to_o mourn_v jer_n 23._o 10._o 4._o since_o all_o these_o negative_n be_v not_o clear_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n as_o fundamental_a point_n of_o christian_a faith_n but_o deduce_v from_o passage_n to_o which_o the_o answer_n be_v believe_v as_o probable_a by_o they_o as_o the_o argument_n by_o we_o why_o shall_v we_o so_o cruel_o persecute_v one_o another_o for_o doctrine_n that_o be_v either_o obscure_o reveal_v or_o not_o necessary_o enjoin_v 5._o how_o shall_v we_o defend_v the_o oath_n against_o this_o objection_n that_o any_o jew_n turk_n or_o infidel_n may_v take_v it_o lawful_o according_a to_o their_o principle_n nay_o will_v delight_v to_o swear_v against_o so_o many_o point_n of_o that_o church_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o confine_a territory_n main_o oppose_v they_o nor_o have_v we_o any_o law_n at_o all_o to_o my_o knowledge_n for_o which_o jew_n turk_n heathen_a or_o the_o most_o gross_a heathenish_a idolater_n be_v sequestrable_a nor_o any_o penal_a oath_n against_o the_o most_o extravagant_a blasphemy_n that_o a_o loose_a wit_n can_v imagine_v

unanimous_o agree_v upon_o this_o follow_a explanation_n to_o declare_v and_o witness_v to_o the_o world_n the_o perfect_a consistency_n of_o their_o religion_n both_o with_o civil_a government_n and_o civil_a society_n join_v also_o in_o the_o same_o paper_n the_o like_a expression_n of_o their_o belief_n concerning_o some_o few_o other_o point_n which_o they_o be_v inform_v to_o be_v more_o obnoxious_a to_o exception_n than_o the_o rest_n as_o the_o undervalue_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o overvalue_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n invocation_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o worship_n of_o image_n and_o above_o all_o the_o proud_a opinion_n of_o merit_n this_o paper_n they_o draw_v up_o as_o a_o preparatory_a to_o a_o more_o full_a and_o perfect_a clear_n of_o their_o faith_n from_o those_o prejudice_n and_o misunderstanding_n which_o ordinary_o man_n of_o different_a persuasion_n entertain_v especial_o in_o controversy_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o paper_n contain_v certain_a doctrine_n of_o the_o papist_n and_o by_o they_o deliver_v to_o divers_a person_n of_o quality_n for_o their_o particular_a satisfaction_n we_o believe_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a 16._o inspiration_n and_o infallible_a authority_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v therein_o contain_v we_o firm_o assent_v unto_o as_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o author_n of_o all_o truth_n but_o since_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unstable_a wrist_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n we_o therefore_o profess_v for_o the_o end_n of_o controversy_n in_o our_o religion_n and_o settle_v of_o peace_n in_o our_o conscience_n to_o submit_v our_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n represent_v in_o a_o free_a general_n council_n 2._o 17._o we_o humble_o believe_v the_o sacred_a mystery_n of_o the_o the_o bless_a trinity_n one_o eternal_a almighty_a and_o incomprehensible_a god_n who_o only_o we_o adore_v and_o worship_v as_o alone_o have_v sovereign_a dominion_n over_o all_o thing_n to_o who_o only_o we_o acknowledge_v as_o due_a from_o man_n and_o angle_n all_o glory_n service_n and_o obedience_n abhor_v from_o our_o heart_n as_o a_o most_o detestable_a sacrilege_n to_o give_v our_o creator_n honour_n to_o any_o creature_n whatsoever_o and_o therefore_o we_o solemn_o protest_v that_o by_o the_o prayer_n we_o address_v to_o angel_n and_o saint_n we_o intend_v no_o other_o than_o humble_o to_o sollici●e_n their_o assistance_n before_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n as_o we_o desire_v the_o prayer_n of_o one_o another_o here_o upon_o earth_n not_o that_o we_o hope_v any_o thing_n from_o they_o as_o original_a author_n thereof_o but_o from_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o only_a mediator_n and_o redeemer_n neither_o do_v we_o believe_v any_o divinity_n or_o virtue_n to_o be_v in_o image_n for_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v worship_v as_o the_o gentile_n do_v their_o idol_n but_o we_o retain_v they_o with_o due_a and_o decent_a respect_n in_o our_o church_n as_o instrument_n which_o we_o find_v by_o experience_n do_v often_o assist_v our_o memory_n and_o excite_v our_o affection_n 3._o 24_o we_o firm_o believe_v that_o no_o force_n of_o nature_n nor_o dignity_n of_o our_o best_a work_n can_v merit_v our_o justification_n but_o we_o be_v justify_v free_o by_o grace_n through_o the_o redemption_n that_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o although_o we_o shall_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n persevere_v unto_o the_o end_n in_o a_o godly_a life_n and_o holy_a obedience_n to_o the_o commandment_n yet_o be_v our_o hope_n of_o eternal_a glory_n still_o build_v upon_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n jesus_n all_o other_o merit_n according_a to_o our_o sense_n of_o that_o word_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o action_n do_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n to_o which_o it_o have_v please_v his_o goodness_n to_o promise_v a_o reward_n a_o doctrine_n so_o far_o from_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o it_o be_v their_o principal_a design_n to_o invite_v and_o provoke_v we_o to_o a_o diligent_a observance_n of_o the_o commandment_n by_o promise_a heaven_n as_o the_o reward_n of_o our_o obedience_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 8._o godliness_n be_v profitable_a to_o all_o thing_n have_v the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o rom._n 2._o 6._o god_n will_v render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o deed_n to_o they_o who_o by_o patient_a confidence_n in_o well-doing_n seek_v for_o glory_n and_o honour_n and_o immortality_n eternal_a life_n and_o again_o rom._n 8._o 13._o if_o you_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n you_o shall_v die_v but_o if_o through_o the_o spirit_n you_o mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n you_o shall_v live_v and_o heb._n 6._o 10._o god_n be_v not_o unjust_a to_o forget_v your_o work_n and_o labour_n of_o love_n which_o you_o have_v show_v for_o his_o name_n etc._n etc._n nothing_o be_v so_o frequent_o repeat_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o his_o gracious_a promise_n to_o recompense_v with_o everlasting_a glory_n the_o say_v and_o obedience_n of_o his_o servant_n nor_o be_v the_o bounty_n of_o god_n bare_o according_a to_o our_o work_n but_o high_a and_o plentiful_a 38._o even_o beyond_o our_o capacity_n give_v full_a measure_n heap_v up_o press_v down_o and_o run_v over_o into_o the_o bosom_n of_o all_o that_o love_v he_o thus_o we_o believe_v the_o merit_n or_o rewardableness_n of_o holy_a live_n both_o which_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o we_o arise_v not_o from_o the_o self-valu●_z even_o of_o our_o best_a action_n as_o they_o be_v we_o but_o from_o the_o grace_n and_o bounty_n of_o god_n 10._o and_o for_o ourselves_o we_o sincere_o profess_v when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v command_v we_o we_o be_v unprofi●able_a servant_n have_v do_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o be_v our_o duty_n so_o that_o our_o ●oasting_n be_v not_o in_o ourselves_o but_o all_o our_o glory_v be_v in_o christ_n 4._o 13._o we_o firm_o believe_v and_o high_o reverence_v the_o moral_a law_n be_v so_o solemn_o deliver_v to_o moses_n upon_o the_o mount_n so_o express_o confirm_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o contain_v in_o itself_o so_o perfect_a a_o abridgement_n of_o our_o whole_a duty_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n which_o moral_a law_n we_o believe_v oblige_v all_o man_n to_o proceed_v with_o faithfulness_n and_o sincerity_n in_o their_o mutual_a contract_n one_o towards_o another_o and_o therefore_o our_o constant_a profession_n be_v that_o we_o be_v most_o strict_o and_o absolute_o bind_v to_o the_o exact_a and_o entire_a performance_n of_o our_o promise_n make_v to_o any_o person_n of_o what_o religion_n soever_o much_o more_o to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o civil_a power_n under_o who_o protection_n we_o live_v who_o we_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o obey_v not_o only_o for_o fear_n but_o conscience_n sake_n and_o to_o who_o we_o will_v most_o faithful_o observe_v our_o promise_n of_o duty_n and_o obedience_n notwithstanding_o any_o dispensation_n absolution_n or_o other_o proceed_n of_o any_o foreign_a power_n or_o authority_n whatsoever_o wherefore_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o renounce_v that_o false_a and_o scandalous_a position_n that_o faith_n be_v not_o to_o be_v keep_v with_o heretic_n as_o most_o uncharita_o impute_v to_o our_o practice_n and_o most_o unjust_o pin_v upon_o our_o religion_n these_o we_o sincere_o and_o solemn_o profess_v as_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n the_o searcher_n of_o all_o heart_n take_v the_o word_n plain_o and_o simple_o in_o their_o usual_a and_o familiar_a sense_n without_o any_o equivocation_n or_o mental_a reservation_n whatsoever_o these_o expression_n concerning_o four_o of_o the_o most_o offensive_a point_n wherein_o the_o papist_n differ_v from_o we_o have_v i_o confess_v give_v i_o a_o great_a and_o unexpected_a satisfaction_n and_o though_o i_o remain_v in_o the_o same_o mind_n as_o to_o the_o erroneousness_n of_o many_o of_o their_o tenet_n yet_o i_o see_v we_o may_v easy_o be_v too_o passionate_a in_o the_o degree_n of_o detest_v any_o different_a opinion_n since_o every_o error_n be_v not_o present_o to_o be_v censure_v as_o a_o unsufferable_a abomination_n and_o too_o severe_a in_o the_o degree_n of_o persecute_v the_o dissenter_n from_o our_o own_o judgement_n as_o if_o they_o be_v unworthy_a to_o breathe_v the_o same_o air_n with_o ourselves_o certain_o many_o protestant_n who_o quiet_o enjoy_v a_o just_a and_o unmolested_a freedom_n approach_v very_o near_o to_o the_o first_o assertion_n of_o the_o papist_n whilst_o some_o both_o writer_n and_o discourser_n profess_v to_o submit_v their_o private_a judgement_n unappealable_o to_o a_o truly-free_a general_n

council_n that_o we_o may_v once_o have_v a_o end_n of_o all_o strife_n and_o contention_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n other_o refer_v themselves_o without_o further_a instance_n to_o a_o provincial_n assembly_n of_o divine_n and_o very_o few_o but_o will_v prefer_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o this_o nation_n before_o their_o own_o particular_a sense_n ready_o conform_v to_o that_o declaration_n which_o the_o parliament_n shall_v hold_v forth_o to_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n so_o that_o almost_o every_o one_o agree_v in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o external_a authority_n to_o decide_v such_o controversy_n as_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o different_a interpretation_n of_o god_n word_n which_o be_v the_o main_a exception_n against_o the_o papist_n in_o that_o they_o pin_v their_o faith_n upon_o the_o church_n sleeve_n and_o yield_v a_o blind_a obedience_n that_o be_v without_o appeal_n any_o further_a to_o her_o determination_n and_o for_o the_o second_o branch_n i_o be_o sure_a many_o protestant_n continue_v still_o those_o old_a custom_n of_o bare_n their_o head_n when_o they_o come_v into_o a_o church_n nay_o of_o bow_n at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n practice_n that_o lie_v open_a to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o objection_n whichour_n more_o godly_a and_o conscientious_a pen_n make_v against_o the_o papist_n in_o the_o question_n of_o picture_n yet_o i_o hope_v there_o will_v never_o be_v the_o least_o think_v entertain_v of_o impose_v penalty_n upon_o the_o private_a and_o unscandalous_a use_n of_o any_o such_o ceremony_n rather_o let_v we_o apply_v our_o endeavour_n to_o open_v their_o eye_n with_o a_o mild_a and_o gentle_a hand_n than_o beat_v they_o out_o with_o the_o club-fist_n of_o the_o law_n but_o when_o i_o reflect_v upon_o the_o three_o conclusion_n in_o the_o recusant_n paper_n i_o be_o astonish_v to_o consider_v how_o education_n with_o a_o little_a mixture_n of_o passion_n or_o interest_n make_v every_o slight_a distemper_n among_o christian_n so_o desperate_a that_o it_o often_o become_v irrecoverable_a and_o endanger_v both_o the_o health_n and_o life_n of_o christianity_n sure_o in_o many_o thing_n we_o strange_o mistake_v one_o another_o i_o profess_v sincere_o i_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o seize_v on_o the_o estate_n of_o a_o papist_n for_o refuse_v that_o part_n of_o the_o oath_n of_o abjuration_n wherein_o he_o be_v compel_v to_o renounce_v the_o doctrine_n of_o merit_n that_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o suffer_v a_o thousand_o death_n rather_o than_o abjure_v so_o great_a and_o manifest_a a_o truth_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n wherein_o they_o explain_v themselves_o or_o affirm_v so_o great_a and_o manifest_a a_o error_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n wherein_o we_o explain_v ourselves_o for_o when_o we_o censure_v the_o doctrine_n of_o merit_n we_o understand_v by_o that_o word_n our_o desert_n as_o they_o exclude_v the_o merit_n of_o christ_n and_o abstract_v from_o the_o covenant_n god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v with_o we_o in_o his_o son_n and_o in_o that_o sense_n we_o just_o condemn_v all_o opinion_n of_o merit_n even_o of_o the_o best_a work_n as_o presumptuous_a and_o luciferian_a but_o i_o now_o see_v when_o the_o papist_n affirm_v that_o good_a work_n be_v meritorious_a they_o include_v both_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n jesus_n and_o in_o effect_n when_o all_o be_v sum_v up_o it_o amount_v only_o to_o this_o that_o god_n have_v gracious_o promise_v and_o will_v faithful_o keep_v his_o word_n to_o reward_v all_o those_o with_o eternal_a life_n that_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o obey_v his_o commandment_n in_o this_o sense_n the_o papist_n hold_v mercifulness_n to_o be_v meritorious_a or_o available_a to_o salvation_n because_o the_o scripture_n say_v bless_a be_v the_o merciful_a for_o they_o shall_v obtain_v mercy_n mat._n 5._o 7._o in_o this_o sense_n the_o papist_n hold_v patience_n in_o affliction_n to_o be_v meritorious_a or_o available_a to_o salvation_n because_o the_o scripture_n say_v bless_a be_v they_o who_o be_v persecute_v for_o righteousness_n sake_n for_o they_o be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n mat._n 5._o 10._o and_o this_o as_o i_o be_o inform_v by_o very_a understanding_n man_n among_o they_o be_v the_o real_a truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n concerning_o good_a work_n which_o in_o my_o judgement_n differ_v nothing_o from_o we_o but_o only_o in_o the_o unsavoury_a and_o proud_a sound_a word_n merit_n the_o last_o clause_n of_o the_o papist_n note_v which_o i_o have_v transcribe_v be_v so_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a that_o if_o they_o will_v be_v as_o good_a as_o their_o word_n i_o shall_v neither_o fear_v to_o have_v such_o neighbour_n or_o need_v any_o magistrate_n fear_v to_o have_v such_o subject_n and_o to_o prove_v their_o trustiness_n and_o fidelity_n in_o the_o observance_n of_o their_o oath_n i_o can_v imagine_v a_o more_o evident_a demonstration_n than_o that_o they_o make_v a_o conscience_n of_o what_o oath_n they_o take_v he_o that_o swear_v any_o thing_n without_o distinction_n may_v just_o be_v suspect_v to_o be_v as_o false_a to_o man_n as_o he_o be_v fearless_a of_o god_n whereas_o no_o clear_a argument_n can_v be_v allege_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o any_o that_o they_o intend_v to_o keep_v all_o the_o oath_n they_o take_v than_o this_o that_o they_o will_v not_o take_v all_o the_o oath_n you_o offer_v sure_o if_o either_o the_o pope_n or_o their_o own_o conscience_n can_v give_v they_o this_o extravagant_a privilege_n to_o be_v bind_v by_o no_o oath_n they_o may_v without_o difficulty_n take_v any_o and_o if_o they_o be_v allow_v by_o their_o religion_n to_o swear_v any_o thing_n certain_o they_o be_v all_o worse_a than_o mad_a if_o they_o do_v not_o immediate_o post_v away_o to_o haberd●shers-hall_n call_v for_o the_o oath_n of_o abjuration_n swallow_v it_o down_o quick_o without_o any_o chew_a and_o so_o save_v at_o least_o 50000_o l._n a_o year_n in_o a_o morning_n in_o the_o late_a king_n day_n many_o papist_n be_v smart_o punish_v for_o not_o take_v the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n none_o for_o observe_v it_o nay_o i_o have_v hear_v some_o papist_n d●linquents_n argue_v for_o themselves_o that_o the_o utter_a ruin_n which_o now_o endanger_v their_o whole_a estate_n proceed_v sole_o from_o their_o perform_n to_o the_o late_a king_n that_o service_n which_o he_o call_v allegiance_n and_o this_o be_v yet_o a_o high_a proof_n of_o their_o fidelity_n in_o their_o promise_n since_o they_o adventure_v with_o so_o much_o hazard_n to_o keep_v that_o oath_n in_o substance_n which_o they_o refuse_v with_o almost_o as_o much_o hazard_n to_o take_v because_o against_o their_o conscience_n in_o some_o circumstance_n and_o now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n indifferent_o whether_o they_o that_o firm_o believe_v all_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n worship_n and_o adore_v only_o one_o god_n rely_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n for_o their_o sole_a mediator_n and_o profess_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o observe_v the_o commandment_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n may_v not_o reasonable_o be_v suffer_v to_o live_v in_o their_o native_a country_n with_o the_o peaceable_a enjoyment_n of_o their_o conscience_n in_o their_o private_a house_n especial_o those_o who_o will_v quiet_o submit_v to_o such_o caution_n and_o restriction_n as_o the_o commonwealth_n shall_v require_v for_o prevention_n of_o scandal_n or_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n beside_o i_o be_o persuade_v a_o far_o less_o liberty_n will_v oblige_v the_o papist_n than_o content_a any_o other_o because_o hitherto_o all_o liberty_n have_v be_v whole_o deny_v to_o they_o and_o whole_o allow_v to_o every_o one_o else_o so_o that_o they_o will_v glad_o receive_v as_o a_o mercy_n and_o favour_n what_o other_o challenge_v as_o a_o right_a and_o their_o affection_n be_v once_o purchase_v at_o so_o cheap_a a_o price_n as_o a_o little_a private_a exercise_n of_o their_o conscience_n free_a from_o the_o fright_n and_o smart_n of_o penalty_n i_o be_o confident_a they_o will_v neither_o be_v such_o fool_n as_o to_o forfeit_v their_o liberty_n nor_o so_o ungrateful_a as_o to_o forget_v they_o that_o give_v it_o since_o out_o of_o all_o our_o history_n not_o one_o example_n can_v be_v assign_v that_o they_o ever_o offer_v to_o move_v the_o least_o sedition_n in_o a_o time_n when_o they_o enjoy_v but_o half_o the_o liberty_n of_o freeborn_a englishman_n therefore_o i_o shall_v close_v my_o thought_n upon_o this_o paper_n with_o a_o short_a and_o free_a conclusion_n which_o i_o conceive_v abridge_v in_o few_o word_n the_o whole_a difficulty_n betwixt_o subject_n and_o superior_a the_o magistrate_n that_o protect_v any_o sort_n of_o people_n in_o his_o dominion_n may_v just_o require_v their_o service_n and_o safe_o rely_v upon_o their_o obedience_n but_o if_o he_o