Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	church_n	faith_n	true_a	11,956	5	5.9540	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60706	Sober advice to church-wardens in a letter to a church-warden in London, from his friend out o7the countrey, and may serve indifferently for constables, and others, who are required to make presentments for not going to their parish-churches, or communicating, &c.		1683 (1683)	Wing S4400; ESTC R41687	10,566	15

lawful_a that_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n and_o liable_a to_o be_v damn_v for_o the_o same_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damen_v if_o be_v eat_v because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith_n say_v the_o apostle_n paul_n rom._n 14.23_o i_o will_v grant_v that_o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v so_o mind_v that_o he_o sin_v both_o way_n whether_o he_o do_v that_o which_o be_v require_v or_o forbear_v it_o but_o that_o be_v when_o he_o his_o absolute_o oblige_v by_o god_n to_o do_v it_o and_o he_o through_o a_o ignorant_a or_o ill_o inform_v conscience_n think_v it_o unlawful_a but_o in_o the_o case_n we_o discourse_v of_o our_o bishop_n and_o minister_n acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o thing_n doubt_v of_o by_o those_o that_o do_v not_o frequent_v their_o parish_n church_n there_o be_v no_o obscure_a command_v of_o god_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v do_v they_o become_v a_o duty_n say_v they_o by_o humane_a authority_n which_o may_v be_v with-drawn_a and_o be_v with-drawn_a they_o be_v no_o long_o any_o man_n duty_n now_o how_o it_o come_v to_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o christian_n to_o imposer_n upon_o their_o fullow_n christian_n to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o no_o law_n of_o god_n or_o christ_n oblige_v they_o to_o and_o which_o their_o fellow-christians_a account_n unlawful_a or_o doubt_n of_o and_o to_o punish_v they_o for_o disobedience_n when_o their_o obediance_n will_v be_v a_o sin_n against_o god_n i_o leave_v you_o to_o determine_v but_o if_o neither_o you_o nor_o your_o minister_n nor_o yet_o your_o bishop_n can_v remove_v the_o doubt_n of_o these_o christian_o and_o if_o they_o behave_v themselves_o as_o christian_n in_o obedience_n to_o all_o thing_n that_o christ_n require_v of_o they_o in_o profession_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o christian_a worship_n and_o prayer_n in_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o they_o understand_v christ_n to_o have_v command_v it_o etc._n etc._n if_o you_o will_v not_o admit_v these_o people_n to_o be_v reasonable_o excuse_v of_o their_o absence_n from_o their_o parish_n church_n i_o doubt_v christ_n will_v not_o exchse_fw-mi you_o of_o injustice_n and_o uncharitableness_n at_o the_o great_a day_n i_o confess_v the_o prosecution_n of_o these_o people_n with_o penalty_n be_v not_o so_o great_a a_o sin_n as_o the_o apostle_n paul_n cause_v christians_n to_o commit_v when_o his_o name_n be_v saul_n before_o his_o conversion_n for_o he_o compel_v they_o to_o blaspheme_n and_o sin_v against_o one_o own_o conscience_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n be_v not_o so_o bad_a as_o blaspheme_v of_o christ_n against_o one_o conscience_n but_o the_o same_o apostle_n say_v in_o a_o less_o case_n when_o you_o sin_v so_o against_o the_o brethren_n and_o wound_v their_o weak_a conseience_n you_o sin_n against_o christ_n 1._o cor._n 8_o 12._o now_o that_o which_o you_o brother_n can_v do_v without_o sin_n and_o that_o which_o you_o can_v prosecute_v he_o for_o not_o do_v without_o sin_n shall_v i_o think_v be_v a_o reasonible_a excuse_n both_o for_o he_o and_o you_o obj._n you_o will_v perhaps_o urge_v against_o what_o i_o have_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n but_o this_o of_o present_v they_o for_o not_o come_v to_o church_n to_o convict_v papist_n of_o recusancy_n and_o that_o they_o also_o as_o well_o as_o protestant_n may_v escape_v upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n so_o the_o law_n in_o these_o case_n provide_v be_v make_v of_o no_o effect_n ans_fw-fr to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o case_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n and_o of_o papist_n be_v not_o the_o same_o but_o far_o different_a for_o the_o reason_n why_o papist_n do_v not_o communicate_v with_o protestant_n in_o parish_n churches_n be_v their_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o foreign_a power_n and_o authority_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n namely_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v the_o declare_a enemy_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o people_n be_v protestant_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o their_o not_o come_v to_o church_n be_v a_o effect_n and_o indication_n of_o that_o acknowledgement_n and_o against_o they_o be_v the_o statute_n of_o the_o one_a and_o 23d_o of_o queen_n elizabeth_n make_v the_o last_o whereof_o be_v a_o act_n to_o retain_v the_o queen_n majesty_n subject_n in_o their_o due_a obedience_n and_o the_o presace_n give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o make_v that_o act_n viz._n that_o diverse_a all_o dispose_a person_n have_v practise_v by_o other_o mean_n than_o by_o bull_n to_o withdraw_v diverse_a the_o queen_n majesty_n subject_n from_o their_o natural_a obedience_n to_o her_o majesty_n to_o obey_v the_o usurp_a authority_n of_o rome_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o same_o to_o persuade_v great_a number_n to_o withdraw_v their_o due_a obedience_n to_o her_o majesty_n law_n establish_v for_o the_o due_a service_n of_o almighty_a god_n for_o it_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o lord_n coke_n in_o his_o charge_n at_o norwich_n and_o by_o other_o that_o not_o any_o papist_n during_o the_o first_o ten_o year_n of_o that_o queen_n reign_n do_v refuse_v to_o come_v to_o church_n that_o cornwallis_n beddingfield_n and_o eylyard_n be_v the_o first_o recusant_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o eleven_o year_n of_o her_o majesty_n government_n and_o then_o pope_n pius_fw-la quintus_fw-la be_v inform_v by_o some_o english_a jesuit_n that_o such_o be_v the_o number_n of_o roman_a catholic_n here_o be_v if_o he_o will_v excommunicate_fw-la she_o they_o will_v present_o enter_v into_o a_o open_a hostility_n with_o force_n sufficient_a to_o depose_v and_o utter_o supplant_v her_o highness_n and_o re-establish_a the_o roman_a faith_n whereupon_o the_o pope_n do_v excommunicate_fw-la her_n and_o plot_n with_o the_o king_n of_o spain_n to_o invade_v she_o then_o do_v the_o papist_n withdraw_v themselves_o from_o our_o church_n thus_o you_o see_v it_o be_v not_o conscience_n of_o duty_n to_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o protestant_a dissenter_n who_o own_v no_o authority_n on_o earth_n but_o the_o king_n and_o the_o law_n but_o veneration_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n the_o queen_n enemy_n and_o implaceable_a hatred_n of_o all_o protestant_n that_o lead_v papist_n together_o to_o forsake_v the_o church_n and_o their_o allegiance_n and_o still_o contiwe_v they_o recusant_n so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o true_a intent_n of_o the_o law_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v execute_v against_o papist_n upon_o this_o ground_n it_o be_v that_o as_o i_o be_o well_o inform_v a_o grand_a jury_n of_o middlesex_n have_v presentment_n bring_v against_o several_a great_a papist_n will_v not_o find_v the_o bill_n against_o they_o for_o not_o go_v to_o church_n till_o the_o constable_n or_o witness_n have_v give_v testimony_n that_o they_o be_v common_o repute_v to_o be_v of_o the_o roman_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o clerk_n have_v insert_v in_o the_o bill_n of_o indictment_n pontificiam_fw-la religionem_fw-la profitentes_fw-la wherein_o i_o judge_v they_o do_v pursue_v the_o true_a intent_n of_o the_o law_n in_o that_o case_n provide_v if_o you_o shall_v still_o insist_v and_o say_v that_o papist_n do_v religious_o give_v this_o authority_n to_o the_o pope_n i_o answer_v first_o that_o that_o opinion_n be_v so_o manifest_o contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o christianity_n that_o every_o man_n that_o use_v reason_n or_o own_v christ_n religion_n except_o papist_n themselves_o must_v condemn_v it_o think_v you_o that_o a_o mahometan_a or_o a_o judicious_a heathen_a upon_o a_o fair_a hear_v of_o both_o party_n will_v judge_v the_o pope_n pretension_n to_o his_o infallibility_n and_o supremacy_n reasonable_a or_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o their_o invalidity_n but_o second_o they_o that_o will_v have_v liberty_n of_o religion_n and_o conscience_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o such_o that_o be_v incosistent_a with_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o independent_a state_n and_o kingdom_n in_o thing_n necessary_a to_o civil_a society_n much_o less_o to_o such_o a_o liberty_n as_o shall_v permit_v religious_a enemy_n to_o cut_v their_o throat_n whenever_o they_o can_v by_o watchfulness_n find_v a_o opportunity_n such_o be_v that_o conscience_n which_o this_o objection_n plead_v for_o as_o may_v appear_v by_o what_o i_o have_v say_v above_o and_o the_o very_a thing_n i_o be_o plead_v against_o be_v the_o deprive_v man_n of_o their_o property_n and_o liberty_n upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o save_v for_o a_o crime_n that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o common_a liberty_n and_o property_n but_o the_o conscience_n of_o dissenter_n require_v nothing_o but_o a_o liberty_n to_o that_o which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o forbid_v will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v hurtful_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n that_o it_o will_v rather_o be_v a_o virtue_n nothing_o detract_n from_o but_o conduce_v to_o the_o common_a good_n and_o i_o hope_v every_o honest_a man_n will_v make_v a_o difference_n between_o those_o law_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o common_a can_v and_o those_o that_o be_v make_v mere_o for_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o which_o other_o as_o wise_a and_o christian_n as_o they_o will_v either_o null_a or_o make_v contrary_a sure_o the_o conscience_n exercise_v about_o the_o obedience_n of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o law_n be_v far_o different_a one_o from_o another_o and_o that_o our_o penal_a law_n so_o far_o as_o they_o respect_v dissenter_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o that_o they_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v press_v upon_o protestant_n who_o have_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o in_o the_o last_o parliament_n at_o westminster_n gentleman_n of_o as_o good_a credit_n for_o wisdom_n and_o love_n to_o protestantism_n and_o for_o estate_n and_o interest_n in_o their_o country_n as_o perhaps_o ever_o be_v see_v in_o england_n wherein_o it_o be_v resolve_v nemine_fw-la contradicente_fw-la that_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o protestant_a dissenter_n upon_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v at_o this_o time_n grievous_a to_o the_o subject_a a_o weaken_n to_o the_o protestant_a interest_n a_o encouragement_n to_o popery_n and_o dangerous_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n jan._n 10._o and_o now_o methinks_v sir_n you_o shall_v have_v as_o great_a respect_n to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o commons_o in_o parliament_n as_o you_o have_v to_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o single_a grace_n my_o lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n from_o who_o this_o order_n for_o prosecution_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n by_o presentment_n excommunication_n etc._n etc._n issue_n in_o flat_a contradiction_n to_o the_o opinion_n now_o mention_v especial_o consider_v withal_o the_o doubtfulness_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o law_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o i_o have_v say_v and_o argue_v in_o this_o case_n which_o i_o presume_v may_v have_v some_o influence_n upon_o you_o and_o any_o rational_a honest_a man._n i_o pray_v you_o consider_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n in_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o love_n of_o your_o christian_a neighbour_n and_o do_v what_o such_o consideration_n shall_v direct_v you_o to_o take_v the_o safe_a course_n which_o be_v always_o the_o more_o moderate_a in_o penal_a matter_n be_v sure_a you_o act_n not_o against_o conscience_n neither_o compel_v other_o so_o to_o do_v your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n april_n 14._o 1683._o finis_fw-la

resort_v to_o their_o parish_n church_n or_o some_o other_o place_n have_v no_o lawful_a or_o reasonable_a excuse_n to_o be_v absent_a upon_o every_o sunday_n and_o holiday_n now_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o in_o ordinary_a there_o be_v but_o few_o people_n or_o church_n warden_n themselves_o that_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o the_o breach_n of_o this_o statute_n most_o holyday_n in_o the_o year_n and_o the_o churchwarden_n know_v it_o perfect_o how_o be_v it_o then_o that_o they_o do_v not_o present_v they_o except_o that_o they_o either_o know_v or_o presume_v they_o have_v some_o lawful_a or_o reasonable_a excuse_n to_o be_v absent_a and_o if_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o judge_v of_o reasonable_a excuse_n in_o this_o case_n so_o as_o to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o the_o breach_n of_o their_o oath_n why_o not_o in_o other_o case_n also_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o case_n of_o communion_n at_o easter_n wherein_o they_o certain_o know_v there_o may_v be_v the_o like_a excuse_n and_o the_o same_o argument_n will_v hold_v in_o the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o come_v not_o to_o church_n etc._n etc._n in_o a_o month_n contrary_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o this_o statute_n who_o be_v punishable_a by_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o 20_o l._n a_o month_n by_o the_o statute_n of_o 23_o of_o eliz._n ch_z 1._o make_v against_o papist_n four_o this_o statute_n of_o 1_o eliz._n make_v it_o not_o absolute_o criminal_a not_o to_o resort_v to_o their_o parish_n or_o some_o other_o church_n but_o not_o to_o endeavour_v themselves_o to_o resort_n etc._n etc._n now_o a_o man_n may_v endeavour_v to_o resort_v etc._n etc._n though_o he_o do_v not_o perform_v be_v hinder_v by_o some_o lawful_a or_o reasonable_a let_n it_o let_n nay_o i_o be_o well_o assure_v that_o many_o who_o resort_v not_o to_o their_o parish_n church_n etc._n etc._n do_v endeavour_v themselves_o to_o resort_v more_o by_o far_o than_o those_o that_o do_v they_o read_v confer_v study_n and_o pray_v more_o for_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o so_o that_o a_o churchwarden_n that_o present_v a_o man_n for_o not_o come_v to_o his_o parish_n church_n for_o a_o holiday_n or_o a_o month_n without_o consult_v with_o he_o whether_o he_o have_v any_o reasonable_a excuse_n of_o be_v absent_a or_o whether_o he_o be_v not_o at_o some_o other_o church_n or_o chapel_n and_o without_o judge_v of_o reasonable_a letts_n be_v injurious_a to_o his_o neighbour_n beyond_o the_o statute_n and_o if_o he_o may_v not_o judge_v of_o lawful_a and_o reasonable_a excuse_n but_o must_v present_v a_o man_n notwithstanding_o he_o make_v a_o false_a presentment_n because_o he_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o that_o a_o man_n do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o resort_v to_o church_n it_o may_v be_v false_a and_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v more_o than_o he_o know_v though_o upon_o oath_n he_o pretend_v to_o know_v it_o so_o commit_v perjury_n he_o swear_v neither_o in_o truth_n nor_o judgement_n nor_o righteousness_n jer._n 4_o 2._o and_o why_o may_v not_o a_o lawful_a or_o reasonable_a let_n come_v in_o a_o man_n way_n at_o easter_n as_o well_o as_o at_o another_o time_n which_o if_o it_o be_v so_o the_o churchwarden_n ought_v not_o to_o conclude_v he_o guilty_a of_o a_o wilful_a omission_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o present_v he_o five_o in_o crime_n there_o be_v the_o matter_n or_o fact_n and_o the_o manner_n or_o circumstance_n of_o that_o fact_n the_o matter_n or_o fact_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a but_o according_a to_o circumstance_n which_o make_v it_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o so_o under_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n god_n command_v to_o rest_v on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n but_o if_o a_o man_n have_v fall_v into_o a_o ditch_n on_o the_o sabbath_n it_o be_v evil_a to_o rest_v and_o not_o labour_n to_o lift_v he_o out_o for_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o do_v so_o for_o a_o ox_n or_o a_o sheep_n so_o in_o our_o law_n one_o may_v kill_v a_o man_n and_o be_v innocent_a when_o he_o do_v it_o in_o his_o own_o necessary_a defence_n but_o if_o in_o malice_n he_o be_v guilty_a of_o murder_n so_o to_o take_v a_o man_n sword_n from_o he_o on_o the_o highway_n be_v robbery_n if_o it_o be_v do_v with_o a_o felonious_a intent_n but_o to_o keep_v a_o man_n from_o do_v himself_o and_o other_o a_o mischief_n it_o be_v good_a and_o lawful_a in_o like_a manner_n he_o that_o will_v present_v a_o man_n to_o a_o court_n to_o be_v punish_v as_o a_o profane_a offender_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n speak_v in_o his_o order_n for_o not_o come_v to_o church_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n at_o easter_n ought_v first_o to_o be_v assure_v that_o he_o do_v it_o with_o a_o profane_a mind_n and_o have_v no_o lawful_a or_o reasonable_a let_n to_o excuse_v he_o have_v now_o my_o friend_n show_v you_o that_o your_o presentment_n have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o verdict_n and_o the_o refore_o you_o ought_v to_o hear_v what_o your_o neighbour_n have_v to_o say_v for_o himself_o before_o you_o bring_v in_o the_o verdict_n of_o your_o presentment_n to_o the_o spiritual_a judge_n for_o he_o to_o pass_v sentence_n upon_o he_o have_v also_o clear_o prove_v as_o i_o suppose_v that_o you_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o lawful_a and_o reasonable_a excuse_n and_o that_o you_o do_v it_o most_o frequent_o in_o other_o case_n it_o remain_v now_o that_o i_o say_v something_o of_o lawful_a and_o reasonable_a excuse_n the_o first_o rule_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o to_o discern_v they_o by_o shall_v be_v general_a even_o that_o general_a rule_n of_o our_o saviour_n whatsoever_o you_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v do_v unto_o you_o do_v you_o even_o so_o unto_o they_o if_o your_o neighbour_n give_v as_o good_a testimony_n of_o his_o sincerity_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o you_o yourself_o or_o at_o lest_o no_o cause_n to_o the_o contrary_a that_o which_o you_o will_v have_v to_o be_v judge_v a_o reasonable_a excuse_n in_o your_o own_o case_n that_o ought_v you_o to_o think_v in_o his_o case_n i_o describe_v your_o neighbour_n here_o to_o be_v in_o appearance_n a_o honest_a and_o true_a man_n because_o you_o be_v to_o believe_v what_o he_o say_v in_o his_o own_o defence_n which_o if_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o ill_a fame_n you_o can_v not_o reasonable_o do_v but_o if_o a_o man_n be_v of_o as_o good_a credit_n as_o yourself_o or_o you_o hear_v nothing_o against_o he_o i_o see_v not_o how_o you_o can_v avoid_v give_v the_o same_o credit_n to_o he_o you_o will_v have_v another_o give_v to_o yourself_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o such_o cause_n as_o admit_v not_o of_o outward_a evidence_n beside_o a_o man_n be_v own_o testimony_n how_o otherwise_o do_v you_o love_v your_o neighbour_n as_o yourself_o which_o the_o ap._n james_n say_v be_v the_o royal_a law_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o christian_a charity_n be_v that_o which_o believe_v all_o thing_n hope_v all_o thing_n to_o wit_n which_o he_o have_v no_o good_a ground_n to_o disbelieve_v and_o doubt_v i_o prosume_v then_o that_o you_o and_o every_o churchwarden_n will_v judge_v that_o sickness_n of_o the_o party_n or_o any_o relation_n who_o he_o or_o she_o can_v in_o duty_n wave_v without_o great_a danger_n or_o also_o journey_v in_o forreinpart_n about_o a_o man_n necessary_a occasion_n or_o in_o our_o own_o country_n about_o sudden_a business_n that_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o delay_n be_v reasonable_a excuse_n for_o not_o present_v one_o self_n and_o communicate_v at_o his_o parish-church_n at_o easter_n and_o there_o may_v be_v many_o other_o excuse_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n which_o i_o will_v not_o trouble_v you_o to_o enumerate_v but_o from_o hence_o i_o assume_v if_o the_o manifest_a danger_n of_o one_o health_n or_o the_o very_a probable_a damage_n of_o a_o man_n worldly_a estate_n credit_n or_o liberty_n be_v reasonable_a excuse_n to_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o churchwarden_n how_o much_o more_o reasonable_a and_o to_o be_v allow_v be_v that_o excuse_n of_o sin_v against_o god_n by_o do_v that_o which_o he_o can_v do_v in_o faith_n or_o with_o a_o persuasion_n of_o its_o lawfulness_n when_o divine_a authority_n say_v whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n for_o it_o be_v better_o for_o a_o man_n to_o lose_v all_o his_o estate_n his_o credit_n his_o liberty_n yea_o and_o his_o life_n too_o then_o sin_n against_o god_n but_o he_o that_o judge_v any_o thing_n require_v of_o he_o to_o be_v sinful_a and_o do_v it_o he_o certain_o sin_n for_o he_o that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n eat_v of_o those_o meat_n which_o be_v lawful_a to_o be_v eat_v judge_v they_o to_o be_v forbid_v or_o even_o doubt_v whether_o they_o be_v