Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	duty_n	inferior_n	superior_n	2,927	5	13.3188	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57598	Londons resurrection, or, The rebuilding of London encouraged, directed and improved in fifty discourses : together with a preface, giving some account both of the author and work / by Samuel Rolls.	Rolle, Samuel, fl. 1657-1678.	1668 (1668)	Wing R1879; ESTC R28808	254,198	404

as an instrument of mens ruine though but temporal how abominable was the saying of those Persian Princes Dan. 6.5 We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel except we find it against him concerning the Law of his God Their own consciences would have been better satisfied if they could have found occasion against him concerning the kingdome for that they first sought for but they could find none forasmuch as he was faithful neither was there any errour or fault found in him How devilish was that policy that aimed at throwing such a man as he into the Lions den by commanding him to restrain prayer from the Almighty for so many daies together which kind of policy strikes with a two edged sword for if men yeild against conscience they are in danger of Hell-fire if they yeild not they are almost sure of being temporally undone They that shall make a net of Religion in any other sence than to catch Souls for Heaven will make the Church a mountain of prey and the waters of the Sanctuary to be stiled meribah or waters of strife Dan. 6.24 and may themselves in time be cast into a Den as they have cast others and those Lions have mastery over them and break all their bones which before were Lambs till they made Lyons of them Make the yoke of Religion as light and as easy as you can and let it not be only tollerable or not more than men can make a shift to bear for when the wayes of wisdom are ways of pleasantness then assuredly will her paths be peace He whose master puts him to as much work as ever he can do and what is next to that would exceed his strength will never have his ears bored in the service of such a master thereby resigning himself to be his servant for ever A man had better accept of less work with more good will and chearfulness I pity that old man that said he did so and so but with a trembling hand and an aking heart and that he thought every conscientious man did the same thing in the same manner To them that desire the uniting of all worthy and sober men give me leave to say that such would swallow gnats if they might be exempted from Camels I say for the sake of publick work and publick peace they would swallow such things as to them seem inexpedient which I mean by Gnats though they cannot but strain at Camels that is such things as to them seem unlawful Publick countenance and maintenance would outweigh matters of indifferency with many men to whom such things are more than indifferent even very necessary One good way to make the yoke of Religion easie is to make use of as few spiritual cords as may be to tye men with but rather of such as are of a civil nature for thereby the Church and State are more secured and the minds of men less exasperated It is well known what Churchwardens have sworn to do by the oaths which they took at their entrance into that office but whether it be that they fear to perform what they did fear not to promise or whatever the reason is we find the intended obligation hath little influence upon them and they are generally the same as if they had taken no such oaths which confirms what I was saying viz. that Religious obligations as from some men give the Church and State but little security yet do they vex and disquiet the minds of men more than those of another nature would do and greatly imbitter them against those by whom they are imposed upon them against their wills It would yet further conduce to the Church its peace which is the thing I am earnestly in pursuit of throughout this Chapter though in order to the restauration of the City if it might be taken for a sufficient proof of mens obedience to the Church and the Officers of it when men observe all the Commands of God seconded by their Authority whosoever doth what is manifestly his duty having the Authority both of God and man to induce him thereunto should be presumed to have respect unto both in the doing it Lastly Superiours should study all they can to give satisfaction in matters of Religion and Inferiours what in them is to receive it So Paul became all things to all men that he might win some He saith he studied to please all men for their good to edification Superiours should impose nothing but what upon a true accompt is necessary Act. 15.28 It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater burthen than these necessary things c. and inferiours should oppose nothing but what they judge unlawful That which I aim to prove in all that I have herein said is that such principles and practises as I have here recommended as modestly as I could and with humble submission to better judgements would much incourage and further the building of the City which conclusion I draw from these two premises viz. what would pacifie and satisfie men as to matter of Religion would much promote the restoring of the City But the things suggested would much pacifie and satisfie men as to matter of Religion The minor I have proved at large the major or first Proposition I shall briefly speak to and so put a period to this Chapter which for the length of it beyond any other formerly compared to the Antediluvian Patriarchs we may call Methuselah That quieting the minds of men as to matters of Religion would promote the building of the City I shall briefly prove as followeth Joy is the strength of men as one Text saith The joy of the Lord shall be your strength Joy makes men like Gyants refreshed with Wine mighty to run their race Now certain it is that to give men content in point of Religion would fill them with joy and make the greatest Jubilee that hath yet been kept If it be said that some will never be pleased with liberty granted to themselves unless the same be denied to all others not of the same opinion in all things though of the same Religion in the main Charity would that I should think there are but a few such ill natur'd people and they of all others have and do forfe it their own liberty I have heard of a Senator much condemned for putting a bird to death at a time when it was accounted a Piaculum to destroy the life of any creature but he alledging if my ill memory do not misrepresent the story that the bird he killed was one that would not suffer other birds to live by him was thereupon acquitted and well he might I hope there are but few birds of that feather at this day since men have seen what pecking at and preying one upon another hath brought us to let him be as the speckled bird Jer. 12.9 who would have all others made to fly the light and the Sun to shine upon none but

some things which for the matter of them are a breach of humane lawes and yet not to the doing of them in any such manner as may be construed a contempt Those that are led by their judgments to baptize none but those that are at years of discretion and to do it by burying their whole body for a time under water may chuse such private times and places for it that though it be not altogether unknown they do such things yet none can think themselves affronted or intended to be affronted and offended by what they do Magistrates cannot but take it kindly when those that do not keep some of their Laws for fear of offending God yet will not so break them neither as may needlesly offend them so manifesting at once a reverent fear both of God and of the Magistrate and that if it were possible they would please both This way of obliging Rulers I commend to all dissenters and to imitate that good woman who fearing to displease Christ with touching the hem of his garment though she meant well in the doing of it came behind him and would not have been known of it if any thing could have been concealed from him to whom she did it What if men should turn a deaf ear to those flying rumors which tend to the disgrace of persons that are in Authority would not that be one way to oblige them Surely it is but our duty so to do for when the question is put who shall abide in Gods tabernacle Ps 15.1 one answer is He that taketh not up a reproach against his neighbour v. 3. Moreover it is written 1 Tim. 5.19 Against an Elder receive not an accusation but before or under as it is in the margent two or three witnesses Witnesses upon Oath we may presume them to be which are there intended and if under two or three such an accusation should not be received against an Elder why should not as much respect be shewn to a Magistrate We should not be swift to hear matters of that nature but yet more slow to speak deaf we should be in those cases but yet more dumb In stead of incouraging such stories as those the Prophet brings in Jer. 20.10 Report say they and we will report we should put men in mind of the fifth Commandment Honour thy Father and thy Mother intended of political parents as well as natural Now what Son that honoureth his Father would take up a slight report against him and report it again nay would not labour to silence and suppress all disgraceful rumours of and concerning him though he knew them to be true I dare say that Magistrates shall take them for their friends and count themselves beholden to them who shall do as much for them though it be but their duty as I said before If those who in publick congregations are the mouthes of the people to God would pray frequently and fervently and with all demonstration of reverence and affection for all that are in authority and if the people whose mouths they are shall seem to be greatly affected with such petitions as are offered to God on the behalf of Magistrates and to have an earnest passion for the accomplishment thereof thereby they would greatly oblige their governours and they also would resent it as a great obligation as in it self it is This is but what by the command of God we are obliged to do witness that text I exhort that prayer● and supplications and intercessions be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority 1 Tim. 2.1 It is happy for us that we may oblige our Rulers and satisfie our own obligation both under one When Jesus wept for Lazarus then said the Jews behold how he loved him John 11. Will not Rulers infer we love them if as Christ in the dayes of his flesh did ●ffer up prayers with strong crying and tears so we shall offer up such supplications as those on their behalf but especially if with our petitions we shall commixe thanksgivings namely for any mercy we injoy under them for so the Apostle exhorteth 1 Tim. 2.1 A studiousness to please without flattery as was the Apostles practise 1 Cor. 10.33 and a seeking out things that may be acceptable to Governours as we read that the preacher sought out acceptable words and yet without sin is another excellent way to oblige those that are in authority to do all they can for us He that shall watch an opportunity to do what may be pleasing to Rulers and not displeasing to God will find it one time or other Joseph and David gave great content to those Princes whom they served and yet maintained a good conscience as being careful to do both David sometimes could please Saul so as no man better viz. by playing upon his Harp in his presence whereby it is said that Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit departed from him 1 Sam. 16.23 and Saul saith of him v. 22. He hath found favour in my sight Honestly to please is the way to obtain favour both with God and men and that may be done if not at one time yet at another Rebekah having observed her husbands diet knew how to please his pallate and to provide him savory meat such as his Soul loved and such as passed with him for the Venison he longed for though it was no Venison and so she got the blessing for her beloved Jacob. Doubtless David was glad of all opportunities to gratifie Saul by playing on his Harp before him so that Saul could not be more glad to hear his musick let us in like manner rejoyce when we can make melody in the ears and hearts of our Governours by any thing that we can lawfully do He is a wise son that makes a glad Father and what will not a powerful Father do for that Son that makes him glad Let Rulers have all possible assurance given them that the rebuilding of London shall not tend to their prejudice as some have maliciously and weakly objected but to their great benefit and advantage that London if rebuilt will certainly be theirs as submisse and loyal and ready to serve them as their hearts can wish Were they not so before the Fire and why should we not think they will be so again What mutiny and insurrection against the Government hath there been ever since the return of his Majesty that of Venner and his complices excepted whose number was exceeding small and despicable from one end of that City to the other Neither hath London contented it self with being only peaceable and free from tumults since the Kings restauration but upon all occasions approved it self a loyal and loving City particularly by their great loans of money in reference to which that expression in 2 Cor. 8.2 may be reverently alluded to viz. that their deep poverty hath abounded to the riches of their liberality But when all this is said if Londoners know any other