Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	council_n	pope_n	power_n	4,584	5	5.4437	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61294	A discourse concerning the devotions of the Church of Rome, especially, as compared with those of the Church of England in which it is shewn, that whatever the Romanists pretend, there is not so true devotion among them, nor such rational provision for it, nor encouragement to it, as in the church established by law among us.	Stanley, William, 1647-1731.	1685 (1685)	Wing S5244; ESTC R1838	44,628	70

nor_o whether_o the_o stock_n be_v spend_v and_o yet_o they_o spend_v as_o free_o now_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v only_o lay_v up_o till_o this_o time_n and_o that_o the_o treasure_n be_v now_o first_o open_v many_o other_o such_o absurdity_n and_o unanswerable_a difficulty_n there_o be_v in_o their_o doctrine_n of_o merit_n and_o in_o their_o practice_n of_o apply_v these_o merit_n to_o the_o use_n of_o other_o and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o dismal_a thing_n that_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n shall_v teach_v man_n to_o trust_v in_o and_o as_o to_o salvation_n depend_v assure_o on_o these_o of_o which_o they_o themselves_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o assurance_n nor_o ground_n to_o hope_v be_v not_o this_o to_o play_v with_o man_n soul_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o especial_o can_v this_o be_v urge_v as_o a_o encouragement_n of_o devotion_n when_o if_o it_o be_v as_o true_a as_o it_o be_v false_a it_o tend_v direct_o to_o make_v man_n vicious_a and_o to_o neglect_v devotion_n for_o so_o a_o man_n will_v think_v if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o stock_n in_o the_o church_n why_o shall_v not_o he_o have_v a_o share_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o another_o and_o if_o one_o can_v merit_v for_o another_o why_o shall_v not_o he_o depend_v on_o other_o as_o well_o as_o they_o on_o his_o merit_n and_o see_v merit_n may_v be_v buy_v as_o the_o roman_a casuist_n have_v adjudge_v he_o may_v think_v it_o very_o reasonable_a that_o other_o merit_n shall_v be_v give_v he_o in_o exchange_n for_o his_o money_n so_o the_o result_n of_o all_o be_v this_o according_a to_o this_o doctrine_n and_o the_o suppose_a church-stock_n only_o one_o thing_n be_v needful_a and_o that_o be_v money_n and_o this_o will_v full_o make_v up_o all_o lack_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n 10._o and_o the_o belief_n of_o purgatory_n and_o of_o the_o validity_n of_o prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a be_v no_o proper_a encouragement_n of_o true_a devotion_n for_o true_a devotion_n be_v such_o as_o we_o perform_v to_o god_n agreeable_o to_o his_o will_n when_o we_o know_v what_o we_o do_v and_o for_o what_o end_n and_o have_v a_o promise_n or_o hope_n of_o success_n but_o when_o a_o man_n pray_v to_o god_n to_o deliver_v a_o soul_n out_o of_o purgatory_n he_o must_v suppose_v as_o true_a several_a thing_n which_o be_v either_o false_a or_o at_o least_o very_a uncertain_a so_o that_o he_o can_v never_o pray_v in_o faith_n or_o without_o great_a perplexity_n and_o distraction_n of_o mind_n for_o he_o know_v not_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o place_n or_o state_n as_o purgatory_n for_o scripture_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o nor_o the_o father_n of_o the_o three_o or_o four_o first_o century_n he_o know_v not_o whether_o the_o soul_n that_o he_o pray_v for_o be_v in_o purgatory_n if_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o place_n for_o it_o may_v be_v in_o heaven_n or_o in_o hell_n for_o aught_o he_o can_v tell_v and_o if_o the_o soul_n be_v in_o purgatory_n he_o know_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v useful_a or_o lawful_a to_o pray_v for_o it_o for_o god_n have_v give_v we_o neither_o command_n nor_o encouragement_n nor_o liberty_n so_o to_o do_v nay_o there_o be_v several_a particular_n which_o they_o themselves_o can_v agree_v on_o concern_v purgatory_n viz._n what_o sin_n be_v promise_v there_o how_o the_o soul_n without_o its_o body_n can_v be_v torment_v there_o with_o a_o material_a fire_n who_o be_v god_n instrument_n in_o punish_v the_o soul_n there_o for_o the_o devil_n be_v not_o and_o how_o the_o pope_n by_o his_o indulgence_n can_v apply_v the_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o saint_n so_o as_o to_o deliver_v any_o soul_n out_o of_o purgatory_n and_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n the_o pope_n himself_o by_o his_o example_n do_v enough_o to_o dishearten_v all_o man_n from_o endeavour_v to_o deliver_v the_o soul_n of_o their_o friend_n from_o thence_o for_o it_o be_v not_o doubt_v but_o he_o can_v deliver_v all_o out_o of_o purgatory_n he_o have_v the_o command_n of_o the_o treasure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o wonderful_a discouragement_n to_o a_o devout_a mind_n that_o among_o so_o many_o hundred_o pope_n there_o shall_v not_o be_v one_o find_v so_o charitable_a as_o to_o release_v so_o many_o thousand_o of_o poor_a soul_n that_o lie_v under_o intolerable_a pain_n and_o so_o must_v lie_v till_o the_o last_o day_n or_o till_o the_o debt_n of_o their_o temporal_a punishment_n be_v pay_v if_o the_o pope_n can_v do_v so_o much_o with_o so_o little_a charge_n or_o trouble_v to_o himself_o and_o yet_o will_v not_o do_v it_o sure_o i_o have_v less_o reason_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n nor_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o acceptable_a devotion_n for_o one_o man_n to_o pray_v for_o another_o whilst_o live_v here_o on_o earth_n that_o therefore_o it_o be_v as_o please_v to_o god_n for_o we_o to_o pray_v for_o soul_n depart_v for_o our_o prayer_n for_o other_o on_o earth_n be_v either_o for_o temporal_a blessing_n or_o for_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n we_o pretend_v not_o to_o desire_v god_n to_o reverse_v his_o own_o law_n and_o save_v such_o a_o man_n let_v he_o be_v as_o bad_a as_o he_o will_v but_o to_o make_v he_o holy_a first_o and_o then_o to_o make_v he_o happy_a and_o to_o pray_v any_o otherwise_o for_o another_o man_n natural_o tend_v to_o represent_v it_o as_o feasible_a to_o reconcile_v a_o wicked_a life_n with_o the_o hope_n of_o heaven_n but_o when_o a_o man_n be_v dead_a he_o can_v work_v no_o more_o nor_o make_v any_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o this_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o he_o he_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o repentance_n and_o glory_n and_o amendment_n and_o of_o be_v make_v fit_a for_o heaven_n last_o if_o they_o boast_v of_o the_o validity_n of_o the_o order_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o priest_n as_o a_o encouragement_n to_o devotion_n the_o validity_n of_o the_o sacrament_n dependnig_v so_o much_o on_o the_o legality_n of_o the_o ministry_n we_o answer_v that_o we_o have_v a_o clergy_n as_o proper_o and_o true_o of_o christ_n send_v as_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n against_o who_o ordination_n and_o mission_n nothing_o can_v be_v object_v we_o derive_v the_o succession_n of_o our_o bishop_n not_o only_o from_o their_o own_o austin_n but_o from_o the_o british_a bishop_n before_o his_o time_n which_o be_v the_o only_a regular_a way_n of_o mission_n that_o we_o know_v of_o except_o that_o of_o a_o extrarodinary_a commission_n from_o heaven_n as_o st._n paul_n have_v and_o i_o will_v not_o that_o there_o be_v that_o to_o be_v object_v against_o we_o that_o be_v just_o object_v against_o they_o as_o to_o the_o succession_n of_o their_o pope_n even_o since_o the_o reformation_n begin_v for_o the_o election_n of_o sixtus_n v._o be_v most_o notorious_o simoniacal_a and_o yet_o one_o that_o come_v by_o simony_n into_o the_o popedom_n be_v by_o their_o own_o canon_n law_n by_o the_o bull_n or_o constitution_n of_o julius_n ii_o approve_v in_o the_o council_n of_o lateran_n an._n 1513._o to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o magician_n heathen_a publican_n 3._o septimi_fw-la decretal_a lib._n 1._o tit._n 3._o and_o arch-heretick_n and_o his_o election_n can_v never_o be_v make_v valid_a by_o any_o after_o act_n and_o yet_o several_a of_o the_o pope_n since_o be_v either_o make_v cardinal_n by_o this_o sixtus_n v._o or_o receive_v that_o dignity_n from_o those_o that_o receive_v it_o from_o he_o which_o be_v the_o very_a case_n of_o this_o present_a pope_n innocent_n eleven_o as_o for_o their_o unity_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o have_v more_o division_n among_o themselves_o than_o they_o can_v charge_v we_o with_o for_o they_o have_v not_o only_o such_o as_o open_o dissent_v and_o separate_v from_o they_o but_o great_a and_o violent_a dissension_n among_o their_o own_o member_n and_o such_o as_o live_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o their_o church_n one_o against_o another_o and_o each_o party_n plead_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o decision_n of_o its_o council_n and_o yet_o the_o pope_n himself_o notwithstanding_o his_o infallibility_n and_o authority_n either_o can_v for_o dare_v not_o determine_v which_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o which_o opinion_n be_v true_a so_o that_o whatever_o power_n and_o authority_n their_o church_n have_v it_o have_v no_o good_a effect_n to_o such_o end_n and_o purpose_n to_o which_o church-power_n be_v design_v to_o serve_v the_o encouragement_n of_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n and_o the_o discountenance_v of_o vice_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n in_o purity_n and_o of_o the_o member_n at_o peace_n one_o with_o another_o it_o be_v

and_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n and_o the_o obedience_n that_o be_v pay_v to_o the_o rule_n and_o order_n of_o it_o as_o mighty_a help_n and_o assistance_n and_o encouragement_n to_o devotion_n when_o they_o be_v so_o sure_a of_o the_o sacrament_n be_v due_o administer_v and_o all_o other_o act_n of_o authority_n right_o perform_v when_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o punishment_n of_o offender_n be_v due_o execute_v and_o when_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o oblige_v all_o to_o a_o uniform_a and_o regular_a practice_n all_o these_o thing_n say_v they_o do_v either_o encourage_v and_o excite_v man_n to_o devotion_n or_o assist_v or_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o give_v more_o room_n or_o afford_v better_a occasion_n for_o it_o or_o else_o show_v more_o full_o the_o necessity_n of_o such_o and_o such_o part_n of_o it_o then_o what_o be_v receive_v and_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o want_v these_o want_v also_o much_o of_o the_o occasion_n matter_n opportunity_n and_o argument_n for_o devotion_n so_o that_o lay_v aside_o all_o dispute_v concern_v article_n of_o faith_n they_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o will_v be_v ready_o grant_v that_o at_o least_o they_o be_v a_o more_o devout_a people_n whatever_o their_o belief_n be_v their_o practice_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o that_o self-denial_n and_o mortification_n command_v in_o scripture_n that_o god_n be_v more_o constant_o and_o reverent_o serve_v among_o they_o than_o he_o be_v among_o we_o that_o they_o take_v more_o pain_n be_v at_o more_o cost_n and_o trouble_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o they_o think_v be_v a_o instance_n of_o a_o good_a religious_a mind_n and_o will_v be_v most_o secure_a of_o god_n acceptance_n these_o be_v i_o think_v indeed_o the_o most_o that_o they_o do_v urge_v for_o themselves_o in_o this_o point_n and_o there_o be_v something_o of_o appearance_n of_o truth_n in_o all_o this_o most_o of_o these_o instance_n be_v such_o as_o may_v perhaps_o be_v very_o take_v at_o first_o sight_n with_o some_o people_n they_o have_v a_o show_n of_o regularity_n strictness_n and_o severity_n or_o else_o of_o be_v proper_a help_n and_o assistance_n of_o devotion_n for_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o admire_v any_o thing_n that_o look_v odd_a or_o big_a especial_o if_o other_o have_v but_o the_o confidence_n high_o to_o praise_n and_o extol_v it_o but_o if_o we_o examine_v they_o we_o shall_v find_v they_o to_o fall_v infinite_o short_a of_o such_o specious_a pretence_n some_o of_o they_o to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o those_o that_o be_v good_a in_o themselves_o to_o be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o spoil_v in_o the_o use_n of_o they_o always_o they_o err_v in_o some_o material_a part_n or_o circumstance_n and_o take_v all_o together_o they_o have_v nothing_o in_o they_o which_o evidence_n any_o true_a devout_a temper_n either_o design_v to_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o church_n or_o actual_o work_v in_o the_o people_n much_o less_o do_v they_o bespeak_v great_a devotion_n than_o be_v require_v and_o practise_v in_o our_o church_n for_o it_o have_v be_v well_o observe_v by_o the_o judicious_a sir_n edwin_n sandys_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v so_o contrive_v its_o rule_n and_o order_n as_o rather_o to_o comply_v with_o and_o fit_v every_o temper_n and_o inclination_n good_a or_o bad_a than_o to_o work_v any_o real_a good_a effect_n on_o any_o and_o therefore_o as_o it_o have_v several_a thing_n which_o open_o agree_v with_o and_o please_v the_o profane_a and_o debauch_a so_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o it_o have_v somewhat_o also_o to_o suit_n with_o and_o gratify_v the_o melancholy_a temper_n where_o the_o devout_o dispose_v may_v find_v somewhat_o a_o agreeable_a retreat_n and_o therefore_o one_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o suspect_v that_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o severe_a of_o their_o order_n be_v keep_v up_o rather_o out_o of_o a_o politic_a end_n to_o please_v and_o quiet_v the_o people_n than_o real_o to_o advance_v true_a piety_n to_o god_n and_o devotion_n but_o however_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o take_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o that_o church_n together_o it_o do_v not_o design_n to_o promote_v serious_a and_o true_a devotion_n but_o only_o to_o make_v a_o noise_n and_o to_o appear_v so_o to_o do_v for_o when_o i_o see_v the_o same_o church_n though_o sometime_o seem_v to_o countenance_v the_o utmost_a severity_n as_o necessary_a yet_o at_o other_o time_n to_o give_v all_o liberty_n and_o let_v the_o reins_o lose_v to_o all_o kind_n of_o debauchery_n i_o have_v just_a reason_n to_o fear_n they_o be_v not_o in_o earnest_n for_o religion_n for_o all_o such_o irregular_a heat_n be_v a_o fign_n of_o bad_a principle_n or_o a_o distemper_a constitution_n just_o as_o if_o i_o shall_v see_v the_o same_o person_n sometime_o desperate_o dissolute_a and_o debauch_a and_o at_o other_o time_n intolerable_o strict_a and_o severe_a and_o this_o interchangeable_o and_o often_o i_o shall_v much_o question_v his_o strictness_n whether_o it_o be_v sincere_a if_o his_o sense_n of_o piety_n be_v real_a it_o will_v be_v more_o last_a and_o uniform_a and_o therefore_o without_o breach_n of_o charity_n i_o think_v i_o may_v look_v on_o he_o in_o his_o great_a severity_n rather_o to_o act_v a_o part_n on_o a_o stage_n and_o to_o serve_v a_o present_a turn_n and_o occasion_n than_o to_o be_v real_o in_o his_o mind_n what_o such_o strictness_n will_v represent_v he_o and_o therefore_o whatever_o true_a devotion_n be_v in_o any_o of_o that_o communion_n aught_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o somewhat_o else_o than_o to_o the_o constitution_n of_o that_o church_n for_o even_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v use_v to_o boast_v most_o of_o which_o i_o have_v mention_v already_o we_o shall_v easy_o find_v to_o have_v little_a that_o be_v true_o commendable_a much_o that_o be_v great_o faulty_a in_o they_o and_o if_o their_o best_a thing_n be_v no_o better_o what_o be_v their_o worst_a if_o the_o subject_a of_o their_o glory_n be_v shameful_a what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o rest_n 2._o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v now_o show_v what_o we_o have_v just_o to_o except_v against_o their_o forementioned_a pretence_n to_o devotion_n 1._o as_o for_o monkery_n in_o general_n which_o they_o boast_v so_o much_o of_o calling_z it_z status_fw-la perfectionis_fw-la &_o religiosus_fw-la as_o if_o beside_o the_o state_n of_o man_n in_o holy_a order_n that_o be_v a_o state_n of_o perfection_n and_o nothing_o else_o worthy_a the_o name_n of_o religious_a we_o confess_v that_o scarce_o as_o to_o any_o thing_n concern_v the_o external_o of_o religion_n do_v the_o church_n of_o england_n distinguish_v itself_o from_o the_o romish_a church_n so_o much_o as_o that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o provision_n make_v or_o so_o much_o as_o a_o supposition_n of_o such_o monastery_n or_o religious_a house_n or_o public_a place_n of_o retirement_n for_o devout_a people_n as_o they_o be_v call_v be_v again_o ever_o settle_v among_o we_o for_o though_o we_o be_v not_o so_o rash_a as_o utter_o to_o abhor_v and_o throw_v away_o every_o thing_n that_o at_o any_o time_n have_v be_v abuse_v to_o superstition_n yet_o we_o be_v very_o well_o content_v that_o monastery_n shall_v never_o be_v rebuilt_a among_o we_o for_o we_o do_v not_o look_v on_o the_o life_n of_o monk_n as_o any_o great_a help_n to_o devotion_n or_o a_o instance_n of_o true_a religion_n prevail_v where_o they_o be_v find_v much_o less_o that_o they_o be_v necessary_a in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o they_o almost_o three_o century_n pass_v without_o any_o mention_n of_o they_o in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n antony_n and_o paul_n in_o the_o dioclesian_n persecution_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o as_o the_o first_o of_o that_o way_n we_o read_v indeed_o of_o some_o that_o do_v lead_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a severe_a course_n and_o deny_v themselves_o much_o of_o the_o perhaps_o lawful_a pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n in_o respect_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o other_o life_n but_o these_o be_v not_o monk_n or_o the_o modern_a ascetick_n though_o it_o have_v be_v the_o way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o more_o instance_n than_o this_o to_o impose_v some_o new_a thing_n on_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o reputation_n of_o some_o good_a and_o reverend_a old_a name_n for_o the_o life_n of_o the_o ancient_a ascetick_n or_o mortify_v man_n differ_v much_o from_o the_o present_a monk_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n we_o find_v not_o that_o they_o engage_v themselves_o in_o a_o solemn_a vow_n distinct_a from_o or_o above_o that_o of_o their_o baptism_n for_o whatever_o their_o general_a

from_o be_v very_a intent_n on_o what_o they_o do_v when_o they_o be_v sensible_a they_o labour_v only_o for_o another_o it_o countenance_v also_o a_o false_a and_o dangerous_a doctrine_n concern_v the_o merit_n of_o good_a work_n and_o incourage_v all_o vicious_a practice_n in_o other_o man_n who_o will_v hope_v to_o be_v save_v though_o not_o by_o their_o own_o prayer_n yet_o by_o the_o prayer_n of_o these_o holy_a monk_n say_v for_o they_o so_o that_o on_o many_o account_n there_o be_v little_a of_o true_a devotion_n to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o constant_a course_n of_o prayer_n say_v so_o regular_o by_o the_o monk_n and_o hermit_n not_o to_o mention_v several_a other_o particular_n concern_v the_o frame_n and_o language_n of_o their_o prayer_n the_o object_n or_o person_n worship_v or_o pray_v to_o the_o person_n pray_v for_o and_o the_o like_a which_o i_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o mention_v afterward_o which_o be_v put_v together_o do_v abundant_o show_v the_o impropriety_n and_o the_o worthlessness_n of_o such_o devotion_n three_o and_o as_o to_o the_o austerity_n of_o the_o life_n of_o their_o monk_n and_o nun_n the_o punishment_n which_o they_o inflict_v on_o themselves_o as_o they_o profess_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o religion_n by_o coarse_a and_o uneasy_a garment_n scanty_a food_n and_o fare_v long_o and_o tedious_a watch_n frequent_a and_o cruel_a whip_n and_o lashing_n and_o other_o such_o course_n and_o harsh_a treatment_n which_o they_o use_v towards_o their_o own_o body_n i_o confess_v i_o pity_v they_o but_o can_v discern_v little_a or_o no_o true_a christian_a devotion_n in_o they_o for_o all_o severity_n to_o our_o body_n be_v not_o devotion_n or_o any_o part_n of_o that_o self-denial_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v nor_o be_v this_o of_o they_o though_o they_o pretend_v it_o to_o be_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o religion_n but_o their_o insist_v so_o strict_o on_o it_o and_o value_v themselves_o so_o much_o on_o it_o be_v of_o very_o bad_a consequence_n to_o religion_n all_o punishment_n which_o man_n inflict_v on_o themselves_o be_v not_o religion_n nor_o commendable_a nor_o be_v the_o patient_a bear_n of_o it_o always_o a_o sign_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a temper_n christ_n have_v no_o where_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o that_o can_v fast_o long_a or_o endure_v most_o lash_n be_v the_o best_a man_n but_o he_o that_o govern_v himself_o and_o his_o life_n best_a we_o have_v strange_a instance_n of_o this_o insensibleness_n of_o pain_n in_o many_o of_o the_o worst_a principle_n and_o most_o profligate_v conscience_n the_o devil_n have_v his_o martyr_n as_o well_o as_o god_n and_o if_o the_o voluntary_o inflict_v punishment_n on_o themselves_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o devotion_n the_o priest_n of_o baal_n 1_o king_n 18_o must_v have_v be_v a_o very_a devout_a generation_n of_o men._n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o any_o religious_a commendation_n of_o a_o man_n that_o he_o can_v stout_o whip_v or_o lash_v himself_o or_o bear_v it_o from_o another_o without_o flinch_v such_o a_o man_n may_v have_v make_v a_o good_a gladiator_n but_o seem_v not_o so_o well_o qualify_v for_o a_o christian_n nor_o be_v all_o punishment_n which_o man_n inflict_v on_o themselves_o and_o say_v they_o do_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n always_o a_o sign_n of_o true_a devotion_n for_o in_o other_o case_n it_o be_v not_o man_n say_v that_o they_o design_v well_o which_o will_v make_v their_o action_n acceptable_a with_o god_n but_o it_o be_v their_o do_v what_o he_o have_v command_v and_o for_o the_o end_n which_o he_o design_v and_o intend_v with_o which_o he_o be_v well_o please_v and_o it_o too_o often_o happen_v that_o man_n do_v action_n have_v a_o show_n of_o sanctity_n and_o of_o great_a self-denial_n which_o yet_o be_v receive_v by_o god_n only_o with_o a_o who_o have_v require_v this_o at_o your_o hand_n self-denial_n indeed_o be_v command_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v necessary_a also_o to_o many_o and_o excellent_a purpose_n to_o subdue_v a_o man_n passion_n and_o affection_n and_o to_o bring_v he_o to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o himself_o to_o put_v a_o man_n in_o mind_n of_o leave_v the_o pleasant_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n sensible_o to_o affect_v he_o with_o the_o condition_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o misery_n and_o always_o want_v they_o and_o to_o inure_v he_o to_o bear_v patient_o the_o adverse_a thing_n or_o whatever_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o lay_v upon_o he_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v have_v a_o mind_n always_o ready_a and_o prepare_v to_o lose_v all_o for_o christ_n and_o therefore_o he_o ought_v often_o to_o deny_v himself_o somewhat_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n that_o he_o may_v give_v full_a proof_n to_o himself_o that_o his_o mind_n be_v affect_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o by_o voluntary_a act_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o preserve_v a_o power_n over_o himself_o and_o be_v much_o the_o more_o fit_v for_o all_o the_o accident_n of_o life_n and_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o devotion_n but_o let_v a_o man_n have_v a_o care_n that_o he_o keep_v within_o due_a bound_n he_o may_v exceed_v and_o transgress_v both_o in_o the_o measure_n and_o in_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o such_o mortification_n he_o exceed_v in_o the_o measure_n of_o it_o when_o he_o inflict_v such_o severity_n on_o himself_o as_o shall_v render_v he_o unfit_a for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o useless_a in_o his_o place_n god_n delight_v not_o in_o the_o punishment_n of_o his_o creature_n but_o desire_v their_o good_a here_o as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o their_o great_a good_a hereafter_o and_o though_o he_o require_v self-denial_n of_o we_o it_o be_v only_o in_o such_o a_o measure_n as_o be_v for_o our_o good_a in_o order_n to_o the_o better_n of_o our_o temper_n and_o to_o cut_v off_o the_o occasion_n of_o sin_n in_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a fault_n in_o any_o man_n on_o this_o pretence_n to_o render_v his_o life_n so_o uneasy_a to_o himself_o as_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o serve_v god_n content_o cheerful_o and_o without_o distraction_n as_o a_o man_n may_v be_v to_o blame_v also_o for_o his_o charity_n when_o without_o a_o just_a occasion_n he_o throw_v or_o give_v away_o all_o for_o if_o this_o course_n be_v allow_v or_o follow_v the_o worst_a people_n and_o they_o that_o know_v least_o how_o to_o use_v a_o estate_n well_o will_v be_v the_o rich_a and_o owner_n of_o all_o and_o the_o only_a person_n in_o authority_n and_o power_n and_o he_o transgress_v also_o in_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o such_o severity_n when_o he_o pretend_v to_o merit_v by_o it_o and_o hope_n to_o buy_v heaven_n which_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n with_o a_o few_o lash_n or_o a_o little_a money_n and_o i_o have_v too_o much_o reason_n to_o undervalue_v and_o dislike_v the_o severity_n of_o the_o monk_n on_o both_o these_o account_n they_o often_o tie_v themselves_o up_o to_o such_o degree_n of_o strictness_n as_o be_v above_o the_o measure_n of_o a_o man_n and_o consequent_o not_o to_o the_o purpose_n of_o religion_n and_o devotion_n and_o they_o always_o design_v to_o purchase_v heaven_n for_o themselves_o or_o other_o by_o the_o merit_n of_o such_o suffering_n at_o the_o same_o time_n undervalue_v the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n and_o overvalue_a their_o own_o and_o yet_o make_v they_o of_o less_o worth_n in_o god_n esteem_n than_o else_o they_o will_v be_v by_o their_o own_o set_n so_o high_a a_o price_n upon_o they_o and_o beside_o all_o this_o their_o insist_v so_o strict_o on_o these_o piece_n of_o austerity_n and_o place_v such_o religion_n and_o persection_n in_o they_o be_v of_o very_o ill_a consequence_n to_o other_o purpose_n it_o make_v man_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o mean_n as_o the_o end_n to_o content_v themselves_o with_o have_v perform_v their_o fast_n their_o number_n of_o prayer_n and_o lash_n without_o ever_o aim_v at_o any_o reformation_n and_o change_n of_o temper_n and_o practice_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a in_o itself_o or_o more_o contrary_a to_o the_o design_n of_o christianity_n it_o make_v man_n also_o to_o esteem_v this_o or_o that_o kind_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_v condition_n or_o course_n of_o life_n to_o be_v unlawful_a or_o sinful_a which_o real_o be_v not_o which_o do_v much_o harm_n even_o to_o religion_n for_o it_o disparage_v god_n creation_n and_o bring_v a_o evil_a report_n upon_o the_o land_n it_o necessary_o make_v man_n querulous_a and_o censorious_a and_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n take_v such_o pain_n to_o correct_v and_o do_v so_o often_o rebuke_v the_o pharisee_n of_o his_o time_n for_o and_o this_o extraordinary_a pretence_n to_o severity_n