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
A93136	A letter from a clergy-man in the city, to his friend in the country containing his reasons for not reading the Declaration.	Halifax, George Savile, Marquis of, 1633-1695.; Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707, attributed name.	1688 (1688)	Wing S3294C; ESTC R202491	7,794	4

a_o letter_n from_o a_o clergyman_n in_o the_o city_n to_o his_o friend_n in_o the_o country_n contain_v his_o reason_n for_o not_o read_v the_o declaration_n sir_n i_o do_v not_o wonder_v at_o your_o concern_n for_o find_v a_o order_n of_o council_n publish_v in_o the_o gazette_n for_o read_v the_o king_n declaration_n for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n in_o all_o church_n and_o chapel_n in_o this_o kingdom_n you_o desire_v to_o know_v my_o thought_n about_o it_o and_o i_o shall_v free_o tell_v they_o for_o this_o be_v not_o a_o time_n to_o be_v reserve_v our_o enemy_n who_o have_v give_v our_o gracious_a king_n this_o counsel_n against_o we_o have_v take_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n not_o only_o to_o ruin_v we_o but_o to_o make_v we_o appear_v the_o instrument_n of_o our_o own_o ruin_n that_o what_o course_n soever_o we_o take_v we_o shall_v be_v undo_v and_o one_o side_n or_o other_o will_v conclude_v that_o we_o have_v undo_v ourselves_o and_o fall_v like_o fool_n to_o lose_v our_o live_n and_o preferment_n nay_o our_o liberty_n and_o life_n in_o a_o plain_a and_o direct_a opposition_n to_o popery_n as_o suppose_v for_o refuse_v to_o read_v mass_n in_o our_o church_n or_o to_o swear_v to_o the_o trent-creed_n be_v a_o honourable_a way_n of_o fall_v and_o have_v the_o divine_a comfort_n of_o suffer_v for_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v none_o of_o we_o but_o can_v cheerful_o submit_v to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o it_o but_o this_o be_v not_o our_o present_a case_n to_o read_v the_o declaration_n be_v not_o to_o read_v the_o mass_n nor_o to_o profess_v the_o romish_a faith_n and_o therefore_o some_o will_v judge_v that_o there_o be_v no_o hurt_n in_o read_v it_o and_o that_o to_o suffer_v for_o such_o a_o refusal_n be_v not_o to_o fall_v like_o confessor_n but_o to_o suffer_v as_o criminal_n for_o disobey_v the_o lawful_a command_n of_o our_o prince_n but_o yet_o we_o judge_v and_o we_o have_v the_o concur_v opinion_n of_o all_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n with_o we_o who_o have_v already_o suffer_v in_o this_o cause_n that_o to_o take_v away_o the_o test_n and_o penal_a law_n at_o this_o time_n be_v but_o one_o step_n from_o the_o introduce_v of_o popery_n and_o therefore_o to_o read_v such_o a_o declaration_n in_o our_o church_n though_o it_o do_v not_o immediate_o bring_v popery_n in_o yet_o it_o set_v open_v our_o church_n door_n for_o it_o and_o then_o it_o will_v take_v its_o own_o time_n to_o enter_v so_o that_o shall_v we_o comply_v with_o this_o order_n all_o good_a protestant_n will_v despise_v and_o hate_v we_o and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v easy_o crush_v and_o shall_v soon_o fall_v with_o great_a dishonour_n and_o without_o any_o pity_n this_o be_v the_o difficulty_n of_o our_o case_n we_o shall_v be_v censure_v on_o both_o side_n but_o with_o this_o difference_n we_o shall_v fail_v a_o little_a soon_o by_o not_o read_v the_o declaration_n if_o our_o gracious_a prince_n resent_v this_o as_o a_o act_n of_o obstinate_a and_o peevish_a or_o factious_a disobedience_n as_o our_o enemy_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o represent_v it_o to_o he_o we_o shall_v as_o certain_o fall_v and_o not_o long_o after_o if_o we_o do_v read_v it_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v fall_v unpitied_a and_o despise_a and_o it_o may_v be_v with_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o we_o have_v ruin_v by_o our_o compliance_n and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n never_o to_o rise_v more_o and_o may_v i_o suffer_v all_o that_o can_v be_v suffer_v in_o this_o world_n rather_o than_o contribute_v to_o the_o final_a ruin_n of_o the_o best_a church_n in_o the_o world._n let_v we_o then_o examine_v this_o matter_n impartial_o as_o those_o who_o have_v no_o mind_n either_o to_o ruin_v themselves_o or_o to_o ruin_v the_o church_n i_o suppose_v no_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n can_v give_v his_o consent_n to_o the_o declaration_n let_v we_o then_o consider_v whether_o read_v the_o declaration_n in_o our_o church_n be_v not_o a_o interpretative_a consent_n and_o will_v not_o with_o great_a reason_n be_v interpret_v to_o be_v so_o for_o first_o by_o our_o law_n all_o ministerial_a officer_n be_v accountable_a for_o their_o action_n the_o authority_n of_o superior_n though_o of_o the_o king_n himself_o can_v justify_v inferior_a officer_n much_o less_o the_o minister_n of_o state_n if_o they_o shall_v execute_v any_o illegal_a command_n which_o show_v that_o our_o law_n do_v not_o look_v upon_o the_o minister_n of_o church_n or_o state_n to_o be_v mere_a machine_n and_n tool_n to_o be_v manage_v whole_o by_o the_o will_n of_o our_o superior_n without_o exercise_v any_o act_n of_o judgement_n or_o reason_n themselves_o for_o then_o inferior_a minister_n be_v no_o more_o punishable_a than_o the_o horse_n be_v which_o draw_v a_o innocent_a man_n to_o tyburn_n and_o if_o inferior_a minister_n be_v punishable_a than_o our_o law_n suppose_v that_o what_o we_o do_v in_o obedience_n to_o superior_n we_o make_v our_o own_o act_n by_o do_v it_o and_o i_o suppose_v that_o signify_v our_o consent_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o law_n to_o what_o we_o do_v it_o be_v a_o maxim_n in_o our_o law_n that_o the_o king_n can_v do_v no_o wrong_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o wrong_n be_v do_v the_o crime_n and_o gild_n be_v the_o minister_n who_o do_v it_o for_o the_o law_n be_v the_o king_n be_v public_a will_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v never_o suppose_v to_o command_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o law_n nor_o be_v any_o minister_n who_o do_v a_o illegal_a action_n allow_v to_o pretend_v the_o king_n command_n and_o authority_n for_o it_o and_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n i_o know_v why_o we_o must_v not_o obey_v a_o prince_n against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n or_o the_o law_n of_o god_n because_o what_o we_o do_v let_v the_o authority_n be_v what_o it_o will_v that_o command_v it_o become_v our_o own_o act_n and_o we_o be_v responsible_a for_o it_o and_o then_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o it_o must_v imply_v our_o own_o consent_n second_o the_o minister_n of_o religion_n have_v a_o great_a tie_n and_o obligation_n than_o this_o because_o they_o have_v the_o care_n and_o conduct_v of_o man_n soul_n and_o therefore_o be_v bind_v to_o take_v care_n that_o what_o they_o publish_v in_o their_o church_n be_v neither_o contrary_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n nor_o to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o look_v upon_o as_o common_a crier_n but_o what_o they_o read_v they_o be_v suppose_v to_o recommend_v too_o though_o they_o do_v no_o more_o than_o read_v it_o and_o therefore_o to_o read_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n which_o i_o do_v not_o consent_v to_o and_o approve_v nay_o which_o i_o think_v prejudical_a to_o religion_n and_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n be_v to_o misguide_v my_o people_n and_o to_o dissemble_v with_o god_n and_o man_n because_o it_o be_v presume_v that_o i_o neither_o do_v nor_o aught_o to_o read_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n which_o i_o do_v not_o in_o some_o degree_n approve_v indeed_o let_v man_n private_a opinion_n be_v what_o they_o will_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o that_o read_v such_o a_o declaration_n to_o his_o people_n teach_v they_o by_o it_o for_o be_v not_o reading_n teach_v suppose_v then_o i_o do_v not_o consent_v to_o what_o i_o read_v yet_o i_o consent_v to_o teach_v my_o people_n what_o i_o read_v and_o herein_o be_v the_o evil_a of_o it_o for_o it_o may_v be_v it_o be_v no_o fault_n to_o consent_v to_o the_o declaration_n but_o if_o i_o consent_v to_o teach_v my_o people_n what_o i_o do_v not_o consent_v to_o myself_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o be_v a_o great_a one_o and_o he_o who_o can_v distinguish_v between_o consent_v to_o read_v the_o declaration_n and_o consent_v to_o teach_v the_o people_n by_o the_o declaration_n when_o read_v the_o declaration_n be_v teach_v it_o have_v a_o very_a subtle_a distinguishing-conscience_n now_o if_o consent_v to_o read_v the_o declaration_n be_v a_o consent_n to_o teach_v it_o my_o people_n than_o the_o natural_a interpretation_n of_o read_v the_o declaration_n be_v that_o he_o who_o read_v it_o in_o such_o a_o solemn_a teaching-manner_n approve_v it_o if_o this_o be_v not_o so_o i_o desire_v to_o know_v why_o i_o may_v not_o read_v a_o homily_n for_o transubstantiation_n or_o invocation_n of_o saint_n or_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n if_o the_o king_n send_v i_o such_o good_a catholic_n homily_n and_o command_v i_o to_o read_v they_o and_o thus_o we_o may_v instruct_v our_o people_n in_o all_o the_o point_n of_o popery_n

and_o recommend_v it_o to_o they_o with_o all_o the_o sophistry_n and_o artificial_a insinuation_n in_o obedience_n to_o the_o king_n with_o a_o very_a good_a conscience_n because_o without_o our_o consent_n if_o it_o be_v say_v this_o will_v be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n by_o law_n establish_v so_o i_o take_v the_o declaration_n to_o be_v and_o if_o we_o may_v read_v the_o declaration_n contrary_a to_o law_n because_o it_o do_v not_o imply_v our_o consent_n to_o it_o so_o we_o may_v popish_a homily_n for_o the_o bear_v read_v they_o will_v not_o imply_v our_o consent_n no_o more_o than_o the_o read_n the_o declaration_n do_v but_o whether_o i_o consent_v to_o the_o doctrine_n or_o no_o it_o be_v certain_a i_o consent_v to_o teach_v my_o people_n this_o doctrine_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v whether_o a_o honest_a man_n can_v do_v this_o three_o i_o suppose_v no_o man_n will_v doubt_v but_o the_o king_n intend_v that_o our_o read_v the_o declaration_n shall_v signify_v to_o the_o nation_n our_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o it_o for_o the_o declaration_n do_v not_o want_n publishing_n for_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v already_o but_o our_o read_n it_o in_o our_o church_n must_v serve_v instead_o of_o address_n of_o thanks_o which_o the_o clergy_n general_a refuse_v though_o it_o be_v only_o to_o thank_v the_o king_n for_o his_o gracious_a promise_n renew_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o his_o declaration_n which_o be_v much_o more_o innocent_a than_o to_o publish_v the_o declaration_n itself_o in_o our_o church_n this_o will_v persuade_v one_o that_o the_o king_n think_v our_o read_v the_o declaration_n to_o signify_v our_o consent_n and_o that_o the_o people_n will_v think_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o he_o that_o can_v satisfy_v his_o conscience_n to_o do_v a_o action_n without_o consent_n which_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n the_o design_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o command_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o people_n expound_v to_o be_v a_o consent_n may_v i_o think_v as_o well_o satisfy_v himself_o with_o equivocation_n and_o mental_a reservation_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n to_o be_v answer_v to_o this_o which_o must_v be_v consider_v i._o that_o the_o people_n understand_v our_o mind_n and_o seo_fw-la that_o this_o be_v matter_n of_o force_n upon_o we_o and_o mere_a obedience_n to_o the_o king._n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o possible_o the_o people_n do_v understand_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o declaration_n be_v against_o our_o principle_n but_o be_v this_o any_o excuse_n that_o we_o read_v that_o and_o by_o read_v recommend_v that_o to_o they_o which_o be_v against_o our_o own_o conscience_n and_o judgement_n read_v the_o declaration_n will_v be_v no_o fault_n at_o all_o but_o our_o duty_n when_o the_o king_n command_v it_o do_v we_o approve_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o but_o to_o consent_v to_o teach_v our_o people_n such_o doctrine_n as_o we_o think_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n do_v not_o lessen_v but_o aggravate_v the_o fault_n and_o people_n must_v be_v very_o good_a nature_a to_o think_v this_o a_o excuse_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o all_o the_o people_n will_v be_v of_o a_o mind_n in_o this_o matter_n some_o may_v excuse_v it_o other_o and_o those_o it_o may_v be_v the_o most_o the_o best_a and_o the_o wise_a man_n well_o condemn_v we_o for_o it_o and_o then_o how_o shall_v we_o justify_v ourselves_o against_o their_o censure_n when_o the_o world_n will_v be_v divide_v in_o their_o opinion_n the_o plain_a way_n be_v certain_o the_o best_a to_o do_v what_o we_o can_v to_o justify_v ourselves_o and_o then_o let_v man_n judge_v as_o they_o please_v no_o man_n in_o england_n will_v be_v please_v with_o our_o read_n the_o declaration_n but_o those_o who_o hope_v to_o make_v great_a advantage_n of_o it_o against_o we_o and_o against_o our_o church_n and_o religion_n other_o will_v severe_o condemn_v we_o for_o it_o and_o censure_v we_o as_o false_a to_o our_o religion_n and_o as_o betrayer_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o beside_o that_o it_o do_v not_o become_v a_o minister_n of_o religion_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n which_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o most_o charitable_a man_n can_v only_o be_v excuse_v for_o what_o need_v a_o excuse_n be_v either_o a_o fault_n or_o look_n very_o like_a one_o beside_o this_o i_o say_v i_o will_v not_o trust_v man_n charity_n those_o who_o have_v suffer_v themselves_o in_o this_o cause_n will_v not_o excuse_v we_o for_o fear_n of_o suffer_v those_o who_o be_v incline_v to_o excuse_v we_o now_o will_v not_o do_v so_o when_o they_o consider_v the_o thing_n better_o and_o come_v to_o feel_v the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o when_o our_o enemy_n open_v their_o eye_n and_o tell_v they_o what_o our_o read_v the_o declaration_n signify_v which_o they_o will_v then_o tell_v we_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v see_v before_o though_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o see_v it_o for_o we_o be_v to_o guide_v and_o instruct_v they_o not_o they_o we_o ii_o other_o therefore_o think_v that_o when_o we_o read_v the_o declaration_n we_o shall_v public_o profess_v that_o it_o be_v not_o our_o own_o judgement_n but_o that_o we_o only_o read_v it_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o king_n and_o then_o our_o read_n it_o can_v imply_v our_o consent_n to_o it_o now_o this_o be_v only_o protestatio_fw-la contra_fw-la factum_fw-la which_o all_o people_n will_v laugh_v at_o and_o scorn_v we_o for_o for_o such_o a_o solemn_a read_n it_o in_o the_o time_n of_o divine_a service_n when_o all_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v most_o grave_a and_o serious_a and_o 〈◊〉_d from_o dissemble_v with_o god_n or_o man_n do_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n imply_v our_o approbation_n and_o shall_v we_o declare_v the_o contrary_a when_o we_o read_v it_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v to_o those_o who_o ask_v we_o why_o then_o do_v you_o read_v it_o but_o let_v those_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o try_v this_o way_n which_o for_o my_o part_n i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o great_a and_o more_o unjustifiable_a provocation_n of_o the_o king_n than_o not_o to_o read_v it_o and_z i_o suppose_v those_o who_o do_v not_o read_v it_o will_v be_v think_v plain_a and_o honest_a man_n and_o will_v escape_v as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o read_v it_o and_o protest_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o express_a protestation_n against_o it_o will_v salve_v this_o matter_n for_o only_o to_o say_v they_o read_v it_o mere_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o king_n do_v not_o express_v their_o dissent_n it_o signify_v indeed_o that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v read_v it_o if_o the_o king_n have_v not_o command_v it_o but_o these_o word_n do_v not_o signify_v that_o they_o disapprove_v of_o the_o declaration_n when_o their_o read_n it_o though_o only_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o king_n signify_v their_o approbation_n of_o it_o as_o much_o as_o action_n can_v signify_v a_o consent_n let_v we_o call_v to_o mind_n how_o it_o fare_v with_o those_o in_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o be_v reign_v who_o read_v the_o book_n of_o sport_n as_o it_o be_v call_v and_o then_o preach_v against_o it_o to_o return_v then_o to_o our_o argument_n if_o read_v the_o declaration_n in_o our_o church_n be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o action_n in_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o command_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n a_o interpretative_a consent_n to_o it_o i_o think_v myself_o bind_v in_o conscience_n not_o to_o read_v it_o because_o i_o be_o bind_v in_o conscience_n not_o to_o approve_v it_o it_o be_v against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n and_o to_o which_o i_o have_v subscribe_v and_o therefore_o be_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o teach_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o it_o while_o this_o obligation_n last_v it_o be_v to_o teach_v a_o unlimited_a and_o universal_a toleration_n which_o the_o parliament_n in_o 72_o declare_v illegal_a and_o which_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n it_o be_v to_o teach_v my_o people_n that_o they_o need_v never_o come_v to_o church_n more_o but_o have_v my_o free_a leave_n as_o they_o have_v the_o king_n be_v to_o go_v to_o a_o conventicle_n or_o to_o mass_n it_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o dispense_n power_n which_o alter_v what_o have_v be_v former_o think_v the_o whole_a constitution_n of_o this_o church_n and_o kingdom_n which_o we_o dare_v not_o do_v till_o we_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o parliament_n for_o it_o it_o be_v to_o recommend_v to_o our_o people_n the_o choice_n of_o such_o person_n to_o sit_v in_o parliament_n as_o shall_v take_v away_o the_o

test_n and_o penal_a law_n which_o most_o of_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n of_o the_o nation_n have_v declare_v their_o judgement_n against_o it_o be_v to_o condemn_v all_o those_o great_a and_o worthy_a patriot_n of_o their_o country_n who_o forfeit_v the_o dear_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o they_o next_o a_o good_a conscience_n viz._n the_o favour_n of_o their_o prince_n and_o a_o great_a many_o honourable_a and_o profitable_a employment_n with_o it_o rather_o than_o consent_v to_o 〈…〉_o of_o take_v away_o the_o test_n and_o penal_a 〈◊〉_d which_o they_o apprehend_v destructive_a to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o he_o who_o can_v in_o conscience_n do_v all_o this_o i_o think_v need_n scruple_n nothing_o for_o let_v we_o consider_v further_o what_o the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o our_o read_v the_o declaration_n be_v likely_a to_o be_v and_o i_o think_v they_o be_v matter_n of_o conscience_n too_o when_o they_o be_v evident_a and_o apparent_a this_o will_v certain_o render_v our_o person_n and_o ministry_n infinite_o contemptible_a which_o be_v against_o that_o apostolic_a canon_n let_v no_o man_n despise_v thou_o titus_n 2.15_o that_o be_v so_o to_o behave_v himself_o in_o his_o ministerial_a office_n as_o not_o to_o fall_v under_o contempt_n and_o therefore_o this_o oblige_v the_o conscience_n not_o to_o make_v ourselves_o 〈…〉_o to_o render_v our_o ministry_n our_o counsel_n exhortation_n preach_v write_v of_o no_o effect_n which_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n worse_o than_o be_v silence_v our_o suffering_n will_v preach_v more_o effectual_o to_o the_o people_n when_o we_o can_v speak_v to_o they_o but_o he_o who_o for_o fear_n or_o cowardice_n or_o the_o love_n of_o this_o world_n betray_v his_o church_n and_o religion_n by_o undue_a compliance_n and_o will_v certain_o be_v think_v to_o do_v so_o may_v continue_v to_o preach_v but_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o when_o we_o have_v render_v ourselves_o ridiculous_a and_o contemptible_a we_o shall_v then_o quick_o fall_v and_o fall_v unpitied_a there_o be_v nothing_o will_v so_o effectual_o tend_v to_o the_o final_a ruin_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o our_o read_v the_o declaration_n will_v discourage_v or_o provoke_v or_o misguide_v all_o the_o friend_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v can_v we_o blame_v any_o man_n for_o not_o preserve_v the_o law_n and_o the_o religion_n of_o our_o church_n and_o nation_n when_o we_o ourselves_o will_v venture_v nothing_o for_o it_o can_v we_o blame_v any_o man_n consent_v to_o repeal_n the_o test_n and_o penal_a law_n when_o we_o recommend_v it_o to_o they_o by_o read_v the_o declaration_n have_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n who_o have_v already_o suffer_v in_o this_o cause_n when_o they_o hear_v themselves_o condemn_v for_o it_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v think_v it_o time_n to_o mend_v such_o a_o fault_n and_o reco●●●●e_v themselves_o to_o their_o prince_n and_o if_o our_o church_n fall_v this_o way_n be_v there_o any_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o it_o shall_v ever_o rise_v again_o these_o consequence_n be_v almost_o as_o evident_a as_o demonstration_n and_o let_v it_o be_v what_o it_o will_v in_o itself_o which_o i_o foresee_v will_v destroy_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o interest_n i_o think_v i_o ought_v to_o make_v as_o much_o conscience_n of_o do_v it_o as_o do_v the_o most_o immoral_a action_n in_o nature_n to_o say_v that_o these_o mischievous_a consequence_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a and_o therefore_o do_v not_o affect_v the_o conscience_n because_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a they_o will_v follow_v be_v a_o very_a mean_a objection_n moral_a action_n indeed_o have_v not_o such_o necessary_a consequence_n as_o natural_a cause_n have_v necessary_a effect_n because_o no_o moral_a cause_n act_v necessary_o read_v the_o declaration_n will_v not_o as_o necessary_o destroy_v the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o fire_n burn_v wood_n but_o if_o the_o consequence_n be_v plain_a and_o evident_a the_o most_o likely_a thing_n that_o can_v happen_v if_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o expect_v any_o other_o if_o it_o be_v what_o be_v plain_o intend_v and_o design_v either_o i_o must_v never_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o moral_a consequence_n of_o my_o action_n or_o if_o ever_o they_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v they_o be_v in_o this_o case_n why_o be_v the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n so_o extreme_o averse_a to_o the_o repeal_n of_o the_o test_n and_o penal_a law_n why_o do_v they_o forfeit_v the_o king_n favour_n and_o their_o honourable_a station_n rather_o than_o comply_v with_o it_o if_o you_o say_v that_o this_o tend_v to_o destroy_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o protestant_a religion_n i_o ask_v whether_o this_o be_v the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o it_o whether_o the_o king_n can_v keep_v his_o promise_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o the_o test_n and_o penal_a law_n be_v repeal_v we_o can_v say_v but_o this_o may_v be_v and_o 〈…〉_o nation_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o try_v it_o and_o we_o commend_v those_o great_a man_n who_o deny_v it_o and_o if_o the_o same_o question_n be_v put_v to_o we_o we_o think_v we_o ought_v in_o conscience_n to_o deny_v they_o ourselves_o and_o be_v there_o not_o as_o high_a probability_n that_o our_o read_v the_o declaration_n will_v promote_v the_o repeal_n of_o the_o test_n and_o penal_a law_n as_o that_o such_o a_o repeal_n will_v ruin_v our_o constitution_n and_o bring_v in_o popery_n upon_o we_o be_v it_o not_o as_o probable_a that_o such_o a_o compliance_n in_o we_o will_v disoblige_v all_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n who_o have_v hitherto_o be_v firm_a to_o we_o as_o that_o when_o the_o power_n of_o the_o nation_n be_v put_v into_o popish_a 〈…〉_o of_o such_o test_n and_o law_n 〈◊〉_d priest_n and_o jesuit_n may_v find_v some_o salve_n for_o the_o king_n conscience_n and_o persuade_v he_o to_o forget_v his_o promise_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o if_o the_o probable_a ●ll_a consequence_n of_o repeal_n the_o test_n and_o penal_a law_n be_v a_o good_a reason_n not_o to_o comply_v with_o it_o i_o can_v see_v but_o that_o the_o as_o probable_a ill_a consequence_n of_o read_v the_o declaration_n be_v as_o good_a a_o reason_n not_o to_o read_v it_o the_o most_o material_a objection_n be_v that_o the_o dissenter_n who_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o provoke_v will_v expound_v our_o not_o read_v it_o to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o persecute_v spirit_n now_o i_o wonder_v man_n shall_v lay_v any_o weight_n on_o this_o who_o will_v not_o allow_v the_o most_o probable_a consequence_n of_o our_o action_n to_o have_v any_o influence_n upon_o conscience_n for_o if_o we_o must_v compare_v consequence_n to_o disoblige_v all_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n by_o read_v it_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v much_o more_o fatal_a than_o to_o anger_v the_o dissenter_n and_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a and_o there_o be_v much_o more_o reason_n for_o it_o that_o one_o shall_v be_v offend_v than_o the_o other_o for_o the_o dissenter_n who_o be_v wise_a and_o consider_v be_v sensible_a of_o the_o snare_n themselves_o and_o though_o they_o desire_v ease_n and_o liberty_n they_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o have_v it_o with_o such_o apparent_a hazard_n of_o church_n and_o state_n i_o be_o sure_a that_o though_o we_o be_v never_o so_o desirous_a that_o they_o may_v have_v their_o liberty_n and_o when_o there_o be_v opportunity_n of_o show_v our_o inclination_n without_o danger_n they_o may_v find_v that_o we_o be_v not_o such_o persecutor_n as_o we_o be_v represent_v yet_o we_o can_v consent_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v it_o this_o way_n which_o they_o will_v find_v the_o dear_a liberty_n that_o ever_o be_v grant_v this_o sir_n be_v our_o case_n in_o short_a the_o difficulty_n be_v great_a on_o both_o side_n and_o therefore_o now_o if_o ever_o we_o ought_v to_o besiege_v heaven_n with_o our_o prayer_n for_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n and_o courage_n that_o god_n will_v protect_v his_o church_n and_o reform_a christianity_n against_o all_o the_o device_n of_o their_o enemy_n which_o be_v the_o daily_a and_o hearty_a paryer_n of_o sir_n your_o friend_n and_o brother_n may_v 22._o 1688._o postscript_n i_o have_v just_a now_o see_v h._n care_n be_v paper_n call_v the_o public_a occurrence_n which_o come_v out_o to_o day_n and_o can_v but_o set_v you_o right_o as_o to_o his_o news_n about_o the_o read_n of_o the_o declaration_n on_o sunday_n he_o tell_v you_o that_o several_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o and_o abou●_n this_o city_n eminent_a for_o their_o piety_n and_o moderation_n do_v yesterday_o read_v his_o majesty_n late_a declaration_n in_o their_o church_n according_a to_o the_o order_n in_o that_o behalf_n but_o some_o to_o the_o great_a surprise_n of_o their_o parishioner_n be_v please_v to_o a●●●ine_v it_o you_o in_o the_o country_n be_v from_o this_o account_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v read_v here_o by_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o by_o the_o eminent_a man_n among_o they_o but_o i_o can_v and_o do_v assure_v you_o that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o impudent_a lie_n that_o ever_o be_v print_v for_o as_o to_o this_o city_n which_o have_v above_o a_o hundred_o parish_n in_o it_o it_o be_v read_v only_o in_o four_o or_o five_o church_n all_o the_o rest_n and_o best_a of_o the_o clergy_n refuse_v it_o everywhere_o i_o will_v spare_v their_o name_n who_o read_v it_o but_o shall_v i_o mention_v they_o it_o will_v make_v you_o who_o know_v this_o city_n a_o little_a hearty_o to_o deride_v h._n c_n account_n of_o they_o and_o for_o the_o surprise_n he_o talk_v of_o the_o contrary_a of_o it_o be_v so_o true_a that_o in_o wood-street_n where_o it_o be_v read_v by_o one_o dr._n m._n the_o people_n general_o go_v out_o of_o the_o church_n this_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o you_o may_v be_v provide_v for_o the_o future_a against_o such_o a_o impudent_a liar_n who_o for_o dread_a can_v vouch_v and_o put_v about_o the_o nation_n the_o false_a of_o thing_n i_o be_o you_o