Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	king_n	law_n	person_n	8,134	5	5.4280	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41450	A serious and compassionate inquiry into the causes of the present neglect and contempt of the Protestant religion and Church of England with several seasonable considerations offer'd to all English Protestants, tending to perswade them to a complyance with and conformity to the religion and government of this church as it is established by the laws of the Kingdom.	Goodman, John, 1625 or 6-1690.	1674 (1674)	Wing G1120; ESTC R28650	105,843	292

it_o be_v i_o have_v read_v of_o a_o vulgar_a person_n who_o first_o have_v hear_v himself_o resemble_v to_o the_o prince_n for_o stature_n and_o complexion_n and_o afterward_o heighten_v up_o into_o the_o conceit_n by_o the_o flattery_n of_o some_o and_o art_n of_o other_o that_o have_v end_n to_o serve_v by_o he_o come_v at_o last_o to_o conceit_n himself_o to_o be_v the_o prince_n indeed_o and_o give_v sufficient_a trouble_n to_o the_o king_n in_o possession_n man_n have_v speak_v so_o magnificent_o of_o conscience_n that_o divers_a have_v grow_v into_o a_o belief_n that_o it_o be_v some_o ghost_n or_o spirit_n and_o little_a thought_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o their_o own_o inconsiderable_a self_n it_o be_v call_v a_o tutelar_a genius_n a_o familiar_a a_o domestic_a deity_n a_o god_n within_o man_n and_o at_o least_o god_n vicegerent_n enthrone_v in_o our_o bosom_n now_o under_o these_o disguise_n man_n have_v be_v ready_a to_o fall_v down_o and_o worship_n themselves_o and_o like_o the_o pagan_n have_v give_v divine_a honour_n to_o their_o own_o passion_n but_o the_o least_o that_o can_v follow_v from_o such_o premise_n be_v that_o the_o magistrate_n must_v strike_v sail_n to_o this_o admire_a numen_fw-la hence_o probable_o quakerism_n take_v its_o rise_n the_o man_n of_o which_o way_n be_v general_o a_o stubborn_a and_o incurable_a generation_n bring_v scripture_n or_o reason_n or_o any_o authority_n against_o they_o they_o slight_a all_o and_o only_o appeal_v to_o the_o light_n within_o they_o that_o mighty_a deity_n that_o internal_a christ_n their_o conscience_n hence_o also_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o mischievous_a principle_n arise_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o in_o spite_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o for_o a_o good_a cause_n and_o under_o a_o good_a intention_n that_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o our_o conscience_n especial_o if_o providence_n also_o smile_v upon_o our_o undertake_n and_o encourage_v we_o with_o hope_n of_o success_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o man_n of_o what_o quality_n soever_o to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o reformer_n and_o turn_v the_o world_n upside_o down_o nay_o so_o far_o have_v some_o be_v bewilder_v by_o these_o cloudy_a and_o misty_a description_n that_o whatsoever_o humour_n have_v be_v predominant_a in_o their_o body_n whatever_o passion_n of_o their_o mind_n whatever_o prejudice_n of_o education_n or_o interest_n or_o profit_n all_o this_o have_v past_a for_o conscience_n and_o under_o that_o name_n be_v uncontrollable_a but_o now_o if_o such_o man_n will_v consider_v and_o love_v plain_a english_a and_o to_o understand_v what_o they_o say_v conscience_n be_v neither_o god_n nor_o angel_n nor_o spirit_n nor_o any_o thing_n that_o will_v bear_v all_o that_o weight_n be_v thus_o lay_v upon_o it_o but_o be_v plain_o this_o and_o no_o more_o namely_o it_o be_v a_o man_n own_o mind_n or_o understanding_n under_o the_o distinct_a consideration_n of_o reflect_v upon_o himself_o his_o own_o action_n and_o duty_n when_o we_o take_v notice_n of_o thing_n that_o do_v not_o concern_v we_o moral_o than_o this_o notice_n be_v call_v understanding_n only_o or_o mind_n or_o opinion_n or_o science_n or_o some_o such_o name_n but_o when_o we_o consider_v whether_o a_o thing_n be_v good_a or_o evil_n moral_o lawful_a or_o unlawful_a that_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o such_o a_o rule_n of_o action_n or_o suitable_a to_o the_o end_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n than_o we_o call_v this_o notice_n or_o reflection_n of_o our_o mind_n conscience_n now_o when_o we_o speak_v thus_o plain_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a legendary_a conceit_n vanish_v for_o scarce_o any_o man_n that_o say_v his_o conscience_n be_v incontrollable_a will_v say_v his_o own_o opinion_n or_o reason_n be_v the_o ultimate_a rule_n of_o his_o action_n but_o will_v confess_v he_o may_v as_o a_o man_n err_v and_o be_v mistake_v and_o therefore_o have_v need_n of_o a_o guide_n or_o some_o law_n or_o light_n to_o direct_v he_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o man_n deceive_v themselves_o with_o metaphor_n with_o word_n and_o phrase_n some_o man_n perhaps_o will_v say_v that_o allow_v conscience_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o aforesaid_a yet_o even_o so_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o no_o humane_a law_n forasmuch_o as_o no_o man_n can_v force_v i_o to_o think_v otherwise_o than_o i_o do_v nor_o compel_v i_o to_o be_v of_o his_o opinion_n in_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o my_o mind_n my_o mind_n therefore_o or_o conscience_n be_v only_o obnoxious_a to_o god_n but_o the_o answer_n to_o this_o be_v easy_a that_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o neither_o man_n can_v know_v my_o thought_n nor_o put_v any_o constraint_n upon_o the_o free_a act_n of_o my_o mind_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o since_o my_o mind_n be_v not_o infallible_a i_o may_v and_o must_v needs_o have_v something_o to_o guide_v my_o mind_n in_o its_o judgement_n and_o determination_n and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o we_o call_v law_n and_o though_o this_o can_v force_v i_o to_o follow_v its_o direction_n yet_o it_o moral_o oblige_v i_o that_o be_v it_o will_v be_v my_o sin_n if_o i_o do_v not_o in_o short_a the_o most_o that_o mind_n or_o conscience_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v to_o be_v a_o judge_n yet_o be_v it_o but_o such_o a_o judge_n as_o be_v subject_n to_o the_o law_n and_o they_o must_v guide_v it_o as_o that_o guide_v the_o man_n or_o otherwise_o its_o petty_a sovereignty_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o will_v not_o secure_v it_o from_o the_o wrath_n of_o the_o great_a sovereign_n of_o the_o world_n by_o who_o king_n reign_n but_o if_o it_o be_v further_o object_v that_o we_o be_v notwithstanding_o bind_v to_o obey_v the_o dictate_v of_o our_o mind_n or_o conscience_n before_o any_o law_n or_o command_n of_o any_o humane_a authority_n whatsoever_o if_o they_o happen_v to_o interfere_v i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a in_o thing_n notorious_o and_o plain_o evil_a and_o the_o reason_n be_v not_o because_o my_o mind_n or_o conscience_n supersede_v the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n but_o because_o some_o high_a law_n of_o god_n or_o reason_n by_o which_o my_o conscience_n be_v guide_v have_v in_o that_o case_n make_v a_o nullity_n in_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n for_o if_o my_o conscience_n have_v not_o the_o direction_n and_o warranty_n of_o such_o superior_a law_n the_o mere_a opinion_n of_o my_o mind_n or_o conscience_n will_v afford_v i_o no_o security_n for_o where_o those_o be_v silent_a there_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v the_o immediate_a rule_n of_o my_o conscience_n and_o then_o to_o oppose_v or_o contradict_v that_o be_v to_o affront_v the_o public_a tribunal_n with_o a_o private_a consistory_n and_o to_o set_v my_o own_o opinion_n against_o god_n institution_n if_o yet_o it_o be_v further_o urge_v that_o if_o after_o all_o my_o consideration_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o public_a law_n i_o can_v satisfy_v myself_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v i_o must_v then_o govern_v myself_o by_o my_o conscience_n and_o not_o by_o the_o law_n i_o reply_v that_o if_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v be_v not_o as_o plain_a and_o visible_a as_o the_o command_n of_o god_n for_o obey_v authority_n be_v my_o opinion_n or_o conscience_n will_v be_v no_o excuse_n to_o i_o because_o i_o forsake_v a_o certain_a rule_n to_o follow_v a_o uncertain_a but_o if_o after_o all_o endeavour_n of_o satisfy_v myself_o to_o obey_v the_o humane_a law_n yet_o the_o thing_n command_v by_o the_o magistrate_n however_o innocent_a it_o may_v be_v in_o itself_o seem_v to_o i_o as_o plain_o unlawful_a as_o obedience_n be_v plain_o a_o duty_n i_o say_v this_o case_n be_v pittyable_a and_o will_v make_v some_o abatement_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n but_o do_v not_o total_o excuse_v it_o much_o less_o make_v a_o nullity_n of_o the_o law_n it_o can_v make_v the_o law_n null_n for_o that_o depend_v upon_o its_o own_o reasonableness_n and_o the_o authority_n enact_v it_o and_o not_o upon_o the_o conception_n of_o man_n nor_o can_v it_o total_o excuse_v from_o sin_n for_o sin_n be_v the_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n according_a to_o the_o definition_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o therefore_o that_o can_v be_v allow_v in_o the_o case_n be_v that_o by_o reason_n of_o such_o a_o man_n unhappy_a circumstance_n his_o disobedience_n will_v then_o be_v only_o a_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n which_o be_v pittyable_a among_o man_n upon_o consideration_n of_o common_a humanity_n and_o be_v pardonable_a with_o god_n as_o other_o error_n be_v upon_o a_o general_a repentance_n 2._o now_o let_v we_o proceed_v to_o consider_v what_o a_o tender_a conscience_n be_v and_o how_o that_o will_v alter_v

several_a other_o passage_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n that_o aphorism_n so_o frequent_o make_v use_n of_o by_o our_o saviour_n upon_o several_a occasion_n will_v be_v very_o considerable_a i_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o not_o sacrifice_v particular_o matth._n 12._o when_o the_o pharisee_n who_o be_v mighty_a curious_a of_o little_a thing_n censure_v the_o disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n for_o violate_v the_o sabbath_n in_o their_o rub_v the_o ear_n of_o corn_n as_o they_o go_v through_o the_o field_n and_o be_v hungry_a on_o that_o day_n our_o saviour_n answer_v that_o david_n do_v also_o break_v one_o of_o the_o ceremonial_a precept_n in_o eat_v the_o shewbread_n and_o v_o 7._o tell_v they_o if_o they_o have_v know_v what_o that_o mean_v i_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o not_o sacrifice_n they_o will_v not_o have_v condemn_v the_o innocent_a where_o though_o it_o be_v sure_a enough_o that_o god_n do_v not_o repeal_v his_o law_n of_o sacrifice_v by_o enjoin_v mercy_n yet_o it_o be_v sufficient_o intimate_v that_o god_n do_v not_o only_o preser_fw-ge moral_a act_n before_o ceremonial_a but_o also_o do_v make_v great_a allowance_n limitation_n and_o exception_n in_o the_o one_o case_n and_o not_o in_o the_o other_o for_o it_o be_v as_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v say_v have_v you_o censorious_a pharisee_n understand_v either_o god_n or_o religion_n as_o you_o may_v and_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v you_o will_v have_v know_v that_o so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v not_o contumacy_n and_o contempt_n in_o the_o neglect_n of_o those_o ritual_n but_o the_o excuse_n of_o a_o just_a necessity_n or_o the_o rational_a consideration_n of_o a_o great_a good_a to_o preponderate_v the_o omission_n god_n do_v not_o impute_v it_o for_o a_o sin_n and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n and_o condition_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o god_n seem_v so_o punctual_a in_o his_o prescription_n so_o rigorous_a in_o his_o animadversion_n and_o where_o the_o danger_n of_o err_v capital_o from_o the_o design_n of_o those_o institution_n by_o the_o least_o deviation_n from_o the_o line_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v so_o great_a as_o i_o have_v show_v before_o then_o certain_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n have_v express_v far_o less_o concern_v for_o such_o little_a point_n may_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v secure_a from_o such_o superstitious_a fear_n but_o i_o will_v give_v one_o instance_n out_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n also_o when_o circumcision_n be_v abolish_v the_o distinction_n betwixt_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v take_v away_o and_o all_o believer_n become_v the_o child_n of_o abraham_n and_o when_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n have_v vehement_o declaim_v against_o the_o necessity_n and_o proclaim_v the_o danger_n of_o circumcision_n as_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o one_o that_o read_v his_o epistle_n yet_o this_o same_o apostle_n act_v 16._o 1._o circumcise_n timothy_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o thereby_o he_o may_v render_v himself_o and_o his_o ministry_n more_o acceptable_a to_o the_o jew_n in_o which_o carriage_n of_o his_o he_o have_v beyond_o all_o exception_n demonstrate_v to_o we_o that_o all_o ceremonial_a appendage_n be_v perfect_o subordinate_a and_o aught_o to_o yield_v to_o the_o design_n of_o peace_n charity_n and_o edification_n as_o the_o great_a good_a i_o will_v conclude_v this_o point_n with_o what_o the_o apostle_n conclude_v his_o discourse_n about_o eat_v or_o not_o eat_v of_o meat_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n rom._n 14._o which_o create_v as_o much_o dispute_n and_o scruple_n among_o weak_a christian_n then_o as_o ceremony_n do_v now_o v._o 17._o he_o say_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o gospel_n be_v not_o meat_n and_o drink_n that_o be_v consist_v not_o or_o lay_v little_a stress_n upon_o those_o nice_a and_o perplex_v matter_n but_o in_o righteousness_n peace_n and_o joy_n all_o the_o weight_n be_v lay_v upon_o the_o more_o substantial_a observance_n of_o a_o righteous_a and_o holy_a life_n and_o a_o peaceable_a spirit_n and_o conversation_n and_o add_v a_o proof_n v_o 18._o for_o he_o that_o in_o these_o thing_n serve_v christ_n be_v approve_v of_o god_n and_o accept_v of_o man_n chap._n vi_o that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v authority_n to_o determine_v such_o external_o of_o religion_n as_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o dispute_n and_o what_o deportment_n be_v due_a from_o christian_n towards_o he_o have_v show_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n that_o god_n have_v neither_o make_v any_o exact_a definition_n of_o religious_a circumstance_n nor_o be_v very_o curious_a about_o they_o further_o than_o to_o secure_v the_o great_a thing_n of_o christianity_n it_o follow_v that_o then_o either_o those_o lesser_a must_v be_v determine_v by_o man_n or_o not_o at_o all_o it_o will_v therefore_o now_o be_v seasonable_a to_o inquire_v what_o authority_n and_o interest_n the_o magistrate_n have_v in_o this_o affair_n and_o although_o there_o want_v not_o those_o that_o chameleon_n like_o live_v upon_o the_o air_n of_o vulgar_a applause_n and_o get_v themselves_o a_o reputation_n of_o extraordinary_a zeal_n by_o dare_v to_o censure_v the_o action_n and_o asperse_v the_o person_n of_o magistrate_n and_o with_o such_o person_n he_o that_o shall_v vindicate_v the_o just_a right_n and_o authority_n of_o his_o superior_n shall_v hardly_o escape_v the_o reproach_n of_o flattery_n and_o time-serving_a yet_o be_v conscious_a both_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o importance_n of_o what_o i_o be_o to_o say_v and_o of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o my_o intention_n in_o so_o do_v i_o will_v deliver_v myself_o free_o in_o these_o two_o point_n 1._o that_o the_o magistrate_n exceed_v not_o his_o commission_n when_o he_o interpose_v for_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o circumstantial_o of_o religion_n 2._o that_o common_a prudence_n christian_a charity_n and_o humility_n do_v all_o require_v of_o we_o to_o presume_v of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o such_o his_o determination_n the_o result_n of_o which_o two_o thing_n will_v be_v that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o our_o duty_n peaceable_o to_o comply_v with_o and_o obey_v they_o 1._o the_o former_a of_o these_o have_v be_v so_o full_o and_o substantial_o prove_v by_o the_o incomparable_a hugo_n grotius_n in_o a_o just_a discourse_n and_o by_o a_o late_a eminent_a divine_a of_o this_o church_n that_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o they_o yet_o because_o some_o person_n may_v perhaps_o read_v these_o paper_n that_o will_v not_o take_v the_o pain_n or_o have_v not_o opportunity_n to_o read_v those_o large_a discourse_n that_o yet_o will_v better_v compensate_a his_o labour_n i_o will_v therefore_o say_v these_o three_o thing_n 1._o it_o be_v certain_a the_o magistrate_n have_v once_o a_o power_n in_o the_o circumstantial_o of_o religion_n and_o that_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n david_n as_o i_o have_v show_v before_o alter_v some_o thing_n and_o institute_v other_o even_o in_o the_o temple-service_n itself_o hezekiah_n without_o a_o scripture_n for_o it_o break_v the_o brazen_a serpent_n to_o piece_n though_o it_o be_v a_o symbolical_a ceremony_n of_o god_n own_o institution_n but_o beside_o this_o he_o cause_v the_o passeover_n to_o be_v keep_v by_o all_o judah_n and_o israel_n on_o the_o second_o month_n though_o it_o be_v not_o according_a to_o divine_a institution_n but_o do_v by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o council_n upon_o pious_a and_o prudential_a consideration_n 2_o chron._n 30._o 5._o he_o appoint_v also_o the_o levite_n to_o kill_v the_o passeover_n v_o 17._o which_o by_o god_n appointment_n be_v to_o have_v be_v perform_v by_o the_o people_n themselves_o and_o chap._n 29._o v._n 34._o he_o prefer_v the_o levite_n to_o assist_v the_o priest_n in_o kill_v the_o other_o sacrifice_n which_o never_o before_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o many_o other_o instance_n may_v be_v bring_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o this_o purpose_n but_o these_o sufficient_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o best_a prince_n do_v not_o think_v they_o exceed_v their_o own_o bound_n or_o entrench_v upon_o god_n when_o they_o prudent_o order_v such_o particular_n and_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o blot_n lay_v upon_o their_o memory_n for_o these_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v record_v to_o their_o immortal_a honour_n now_o since_o magistrate_n have_v once_o such_o a_o power_n how_o come_v they_o to_o lose_v it_o or_o be_v divest_v of_o it_o be_v it_o that_o god_n be_v more_o curious_a and_o jealous_a of_o every_o punctilio_fw-la in_o his_o worship_n now_o than_o he_o be_v heretofore_o that_o will_v be_v the_o most_o absurd_a supposition_n in_o the_o world_n as_o we_o have_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v and_o he_o that_o without_o evident_a proof_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o deny_v they_o what_o christianity_n find_v they_o in_o possession_n of_o shall_v do_v very_o bad_a