Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n call_v good_a great_a 3,277 5 2.6620 3 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A54203 The reasonableness of toleration, and the unreasonableness of penal laws and tests wherein is prov'd by Scripture, reason and antiquity, that liberty of conscience is the undoubted right of every man, and tends to the flourishing of kingdoms and commonwealths, and that persecution for meer religion is unwarrantable, unjust, and destructive to humane society, with examples of both kinds. Penn, William, 1644-1718. 1687 (1687) Wing P1352; ESTC R23116 25,930 41

There are 2 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

vexation_n for_o the_o suppose_a transgression_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n law_n that_o pretend_v to_o dive_v into_o the_o breast_n of_o man_n and_o to_o discover_v evil_a in_o their_o thought_n as_o if_o enact_v to_o torment_v the_o soul_n of_o mankind_n before_o their_o time_n in_o a_o word_n law_n that_o be_v abolish_v by_o reason_n as_o soon_o as_o make_v for_o if_o law_n be_v ground_v upon_o reason_n and_o these_o law_n be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v for_o that_o law_n be_v make_v to_o redress_v not_o to_o increase_v the_o grievance_n of_o the_o people_n then_o be_v they_o null_a as_o soon_o as_o form_v for_o if_o law_n do_v not_o arise_v out_o of_o natural_a reason_n but_o be_v only_o make_v to_o avoid_v some_o great_a mischief_n pretend_v to_o be_v foresee_v we_o be_v not_o rash_o to_o admit_v of_o such_o a_o interpretation_n as_o to_o make_v that_o sinful_a or_o criminal_a which_o be_v otherwise_o lawful_a thus_o to_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o thing_n no_o way_n in_o its_o self_n unlawful_a and_o therefore_o can_v be_v make_v criminal_a by_o a_o law_n there_o be_v no_o natural_a equity_n to_o make_v it_o so_o and_o consequent_o not_o punishable_a by_o the_o law._n nor_o can_v their_o meeting_n in_o conventicle_n be_v a_o crime_n for_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n that_o teach_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a can_v never_o be_v fear_v especial_o when_o they_o be_v exact_a in_o their_o obedience_n to_o the_o magistrate_n nor_o shall_v their_o private_a assembly_n be_v envy_v or_o suspect_v as_o be_v just_a and_o innocent_a man_n till_o they_o be_v convict_v of_o be_v otherwise_o and_o therefore_o they_o that_o persecute_v such_o people_n ought_v rather_o to_o be_v prosecute_v themselves_o for_o that_o by_o they_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v break_v in_o do_v injustice_n to_o they_o that_o never_o offend_v and_o it_o be_v but_o natural_a equity_n to_o punish_v those_o that_o wrong_v their_o neighbour_n without_o a_o cause_n which_o cause_n can_v never_o be_v find_v in_o a_o law_n make_v contrary_a to_o reason_n in_o a_o law_n make_v to_o gratify_v the_o ambition_n and_o interest_n of_o a_o single_a party_n to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o nation_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o common_a good_a and_o consequent_o the_o end_n of_o law._n moreover_o there_o be_v no_o humane_a law_n that_o can_v command_v or_o prohibit_v a_o act_n pure_o direct_o and_o secundum_fw-la se_fw-la internal_a and_o this_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o common_a axiom_n cogitationis_fw-la paena_fw-la nemo_fw-la meretur_fw-la no_o man_n incur_v the_o punishment_n of_o thought_n for_o the_o law_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o internal_a act_n and_o therefore_o because_o it_o can_v natural_o and_o of_o itself_o punish_v those_o act_n therefore_o neither_o can_v it_o either_o command_n or_o prohibit_v they_o for_o the_o legislative_a power_n be_v compulsive_a and_o if_o it_o can_v be_v compulsive_a as_o to_o the_o inward_a act_n neither_o can_v it_o make_v a_o law_n in_o reference_n to_o it_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o assertion_n be_v for_o that_o the_o legislative_a power_n among_o man_n be_v only_o ordain_v for_o preservation_n of_o the_o outward_a peace_n and_o honesty_n of_o humane_a community_n to_o which_o those_o act_n have_v no_o relation_n which_o be_v conceive_v in_o the_o mind_n then_o again_o this_o power_n spring_v immediate_o from_o humane_a community_n itself_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o natural_a reason_n now_o there_o be_v no_o humane_a community_n that_o can_v grant_v a_o power_n immediate_o and_o of_o itself_o over_o action_n mere_o internal_a as_o be_v altogether_o without_o the_o limit_n of_o its_o knowledge_n and_o without_o the_o bound_n of_o its_o jurisdiction_n for_o no_o man_n be_v natural_o subject_a to_o another_o in_o his_o soul_n but_o in_o his_o body_n therefore_o say_v a_o learned_a schoolman_n he_o be_v in_o a_o error_n who_o believe_v that_o servitude_n lay_v hold_v of_o the_o whole_a man_n the_o better_a part_n be_v except_v our_o body_n be_v liable_a to_o our_o superior_n and_o governor_n but_o the_o mind_n be_v its_o own_o lord_n and_o master_n then_o again_o the_o condition_n of_o humane_a law_n be_v that_o the_o law_n must_v be_v honest_a just_a possible_a convenient_a to_o time_n and_o place_n and_o conformable_a to_o religion_n and_o reason_n the_o penal_a law_n be_v not_o honest_a because_o they_o will_v enforce_v man_n to_o abandon_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o in_o their_o conscience_n they_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o as_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ●●●…e_a and_o conformable_a to_o scripture_n and_o to_o submit_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d ceremony_n which_o they_o as_o firm_o believe_v to_o be_v no_o way_n necessary_a for_o their_o salvation_n but_o rather_o contrary_a to_o those_o sentiment_n ●hich_v they_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o sacred_a adoration_n they_o be_v not_o just_a because_o they_o will_v bereave_v man_n of_o that_o christian_a liberty_n which_o all_o man_n have_v a_o privilege_n to_o claim_v and_o which_o the_o most_o zealous_a promoter_n of_o the_o penal_a law_n will_v take_v most_o heavy_o to_o be_v themselves_o deprive_v of_o in_o the_o second_o place_n they_o ought_v to_o command_v those_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v just_o observe_v but_o these_o law_n will_v enforce_v man_n to_o sin_n against_o the_o dictate_v of_o their_o conscience_n the_o consequence_n be_v easy_a to_o any_o three_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o religion_n for_o they_o prohibit_v what_o the_o law_n of_o god_n allow_v which_o be_v liberty_n of_o conscience_n and_o uphold_v what_o the_o law_n of_o god_n prohibit_v which_o be_v spiritual_a tyranny_n and_o dominion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n four_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o civil_a society_n for_o it_o be_v not_o rational_a that_o people_n shall_v be_v imprison_v fine_v and_o banish_v and_o common_a security_n of_o liberty_n and_o property_n be_v infringe_v even_o to_o the_o loss_n of_o man_n life_n and_o the_o depopulation_n of_o a_o kingdom_n for_o pretence_n over_o which_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n pretend_v not_o to_o have_v any_o jurisdiction_n add_v to_o this_o that_o to_o render_v law_n effectual_a there_o be_v require_v all_o the_o three_o part_n or_o sort_n of_o justice_n first_o justitia_fw-la legalis_fw-la who_o office_n be_v to_o aim_v at_o the_o common_a good_a and_o consequent_o to_o preserve_v the_o due_a privilege_n of_o all_o the_o subject_n in_o general_n second_o justitia_fw-la commutativa_fw-la which_o require_v that_o the_o legislator_n command_v no_o more_o than_o lie_v in_o his_o power_n three_o distributive_a justice_n which_o take_v care_n that_o the_o private_a good_a of_o a_o few_o be_v not_o respect_v more_o than_o the_o public_a good_a of_o the_o whole_a body_n in_o all_o which_o part_n of_o justice_n the_o penal_a law_n be_v defective_a it_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v not_o due_o make_v consequent_o invalid_a and_o no_o way_n oblige_v and_o this_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o famous_a casuist_n aquinas_n sctus_fw-la medina_n caster_n tolinus_fw-la panormitanus_fw-la and_o other_o conformable_a to_o that_o of_o st._n austin_n himself_o l._n 19_o de_fw-la civit._fw-la dei._n c_o 21._o the_o perverse_a constitution_n of_o man_n be_v neither_o to_o be_v account_v nor_o to_o be_v say_v to_o be_v law_n when_o that_o be_v only_o to_o be_v account_v right_a and_o just_a which_o flow_v from_o the_o fountain_n of_o justice_n now_o that_o it_o be_v the_o intrinsic_n end_n of_o all_o law_n due_o make_v to_o aim_v at_o the_o common_a good_a be_v plain_a from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n themselves_o which_o be_v such_o that_o tho_o ordain_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o his_o own_o glory_n yet_o he_o seek_v therein_o not_o his_o own_o advantage_n but_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o man_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o all_o humane_a law_n be_v impose_v upon_o a_o community_n of_o people_n so_o ought_v they_o to_o be_v make_v for_o the_o general_a good_a of_o that_o community_n otherwise_o they_o be_v irregular_a for_o it_o be_v against_o all_o justice_n to_o reduce_v the_o common_a good_a to_o private_a interest_n or_o to_o subject_v the_o whole_a to_o the_o part_n for_o the_o part_n sake_n another_o reason_n may_v be_v deduce_v from_o the_o end_n itself_o for_o the_o end_n must_v be_v proportionate_a to_o the_o act_n its_o beginning_n and_o efficacy_n now_o the_o law_n be_v the_o common_a rule_n of_o moral_a operation_n therefore_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o moral_a operation_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o end_n or_o happiness_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o moral_a operation_n for_o in_o
moral_n the_o beginning_n be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o operation_n and_o so_o the_o ultimate_a end_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o such_o action_n but_o the_o common_a good_a or_o felicity_n of_o a_o city_n or_o kingdom_n be_v the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o it_o in_o its_o government_n therefore_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o the_o law_n ought_v to_o be_v for_o the_o common_a good._n now_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v make_v only_o for_o the_o particular_a good_a and_o felicity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n man_n all_o other_o be_v by_o they_o exclude_v from_o the_o benefit_n of_o their_o native_a privilege_n that_o can_v not_o in_o conscience_n conform_v to_o the_o ceremony_n of_o their_o worship_n to_o the_o ruin_n and_o vexation_n of_o many_o thousand_o which_o be_v positive_o against_o the_o common_a good_a and_o felicity_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o general_a community_n of_o the_o people_n divide_v only_o in_o some_o point_n of_o religion_n but_o in_o a_o equal_a poise_n of_o obedience_n and_o loyalty_n to_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n and_o therefore_o just_o deserve_v equal_a share_n of_o provision_n by_o the_o law_n for_o their_o security_n and_o protection_n and_o therefore_o unless_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o common_a good_a and_o benefit_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n that_o man_n shall_v be_v persecute_v to_o uphold_v the_o hierarchy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o penal_a law_n be_v undue_o make_v and_o therefore_o as_o of_o no_o force_n to_o be_v repeal_v and_o annul_v therefore_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n may_v have_v teach_v the_o promoter_n of_o these_o penal_a statute_n better_a and_o more_o christian_a learning_n for_o therefore_o be_v prelate_n call_v pastor_n because_o they_o ought_v to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o sheep_n not_o the_o sheep_n to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o good_a of_o they_o they_o be_v call_v dispenser_n and_o not_o lord_n minister_n of_o god_n not_o primary_n cause_n and_o therefore_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o divine_a intention_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o power_n god_n principal_o intend_v the_o common_a good_a of_o man_n and_o therefore_o his_o minister_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v the_o same_o they_o be_v tyrant_n not_o governor_n in_o the_o church_n while_o they_o seek_v their_o own_o support_n and_o not_o the_o common_a benefit_n as_o to_o the_o injustice_n of_o the_o penal_a law_n experte_a materiae_fw-la in_o command_v those_o thing_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v observe_v this_o axiom_n from_o thence_o arise_v that_o no_o unjust_a law_n can_v be_v a_o law_n and_o then_o there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n to_o accept_v it_o or_o to_o observe_v it_o if_o accept_v for_o that_o the_o subject_n be_v not_o only_o not_o bind_v to_o accept_v it_o but_o have_v it_o not_o in_o their_o power_n when_o the_o command_n be_v clear_o and_o manifest_o unjust_a as_o when_o man_n be_v command_v not_o to_o meet_v above_o such_o a_o number_n under_o such_o a_o penalty_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n according_a to_o their_o conscience_n this_o be_v a_o evil_a command_n because_o it_o debar_v man_n from_o the_o free_a worship_n of_o god_n for_o unless_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v the_o only_a true_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o they_o the_o only_a infallible_a minister_n upon_o earth_n it_o be_v unjust_a in_o any_o law_n to_o constrain_v other_o to_o believe_v that_o which_o may_v be_v as_o erroneous_a in_o they_o as_o what_o the_o other_o profess_v for_o though_o i_o may_v believe_v the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v the_o pure_a form_n of_o supplication_n under_o heaven_n yet_o another_o may_v not_o believe_v so_o neither_o be_v it_o a_o crime_n in_o he_o to_o believe_v otherwise_o we_o have_v say_v that_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v defective_a in_o point_n of_o honesty_n which_o be_v another_o reason_n why_o they_o be_v invalid_a and_o therefore_o to_o be_v annul_v for_o the_o immorality_n of_o the_o precept_n be_v contrary_a to_o god_n himself_o because_o it_o include_v a_o crime_n and_o a_o transgression_n against_o god_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v observe_v as_o no_o way_n obligatory_a see_v that_o it_o behoove_v we_o to_o obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n these_o law_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v observe_v as_o contradict_v our_o obedience_n to_o god_n and_o subject_v we_o to_o the_o compulsion_n of_o men._n in_o the_o last_o place_n no_o law_n can_v be_v valid_a beyond_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o legislator_n now_o it_o be_v not_o rational_a to_o think_v that_o those_o person_n who_o make_v the_o penal_a law_n upon_o a_o presumption_n of_o danger_n from_o factious_a and_o turbulent_a spirit_n ever_o intend_v those_o law_n sor_n the_o punishment_n of_o those_o that_o live_v peaceable_o and_o obedient_o towards_o the_o government_n in_o all_o the_o passive_a duty_n of_o good_a loyal_a subject_n for_o that_o have_v be_v to_o make_v law_n for_o the_o punishment_n of_o good_a man_n which_o be_v never_o the_o design_n of_o any_o just_a and_o virtuous_a legislator_n in_o this_o world._n now_o then_o the_o presumption_n of_o the_o danger_n be_v remove_v by_o his_o majesty_n most_o gracious_a indulgence_n the_o foundation_n of_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v remove_v and_o consequent_o the_o obligation_n to_o they_o for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o framer_n of_o these_o law_n ever_o meditate_a too_o establish_v the_o dominion_n of_o a_o spiritual_a oligarchy_n upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o so_o many_o family_n of_o pious_a and_o religious_a people_n and_o therefore_o the_o suspicion_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o these_o law_n be_v vanish_v the_o law_n themselves_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o as_o altogether_o vain_a and_o frivolous_a and_o such_o as_o have_v only_o serve_v to_o gratify_v the_o revenge_n and_o animosity_n of_o their_o promoter_n for_o we_o never_o hear_v of_o traitor_n or_o factious_a person_n that_o be_v ever_o try_v upon_o those_o law_n there_o be_v other_o of_o great_a force_n to_o take_v hold_n of_o such_o criminal_n as_o for_o the_o test_n it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o oath_n continue_v to_o prevent_v the_o sit_v of_o any_o commoner_n or_o peer_n in_o either_o of_o the_o house_n of_o parliament_n from_o come_v into_o his_o majesty_n presence_n or_o court_n and_o from_o bear_v any_o office_n or_o employment_n military_a or_o civil_a in_o any_o of_o his_o majesty_n realm_n of_o england_n or_o ireland_n etc._n etc._n and_o they_o that_o be_v to_o take_v this_o oath_n be_v thereby_o to_o abjure_v the_o belief_n of_o transubstantiation_n invocation_n or_o adoration_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n etc._n etc._n the_o learned_a be_v of_o opinion_n that_o to_o make_v a_o oath_n bind_v it_o be_v requisite_a that_o it_o refer_v to_o thing_n lawful_a for_o that_o if_o the_o thing_n promise_v upon_o oath_n be_v forbid_v either_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o the_o divine_a law_n or_o interdict_a by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n it_o have_v no_o power_n to_o oblige_v the_o swearer_n now_o the_o q●●●●●●n_n will_v be_v whether_o this_o oath_n do_v not_o positive_o 〈…〉_z law_n of_o the_o land_n by_o enforce_v a_o peer_n of_o the_o realm_n or_o any_o other_o freeborn_a englishman_n of_o low_a degree_n to_o accuse_v himself_o with_o so_o strong_a and_o dangerous_a a_o temptation_n to_o perjury_n where_o the_o choice_n be_v only_o this_o either_o to_o forswear_v their_o religion_n or_o lose_v their_o native_a privilege_n and_o preferment_n and_o all_o possibility_n of_o advance_v their_o fortune_n a_o piece_n of_o severity_n that_o constrain_v the_o inward_a belief_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o god_n the_o searcher_n of_o all_o heart_n have_v resorve_v to_o himself_o that_o this_o be_v a_o act_n contrary_a to_o the_o know_a law_n of_o the_o land_n be_v undoubted_o true_a as_o be_v apparent_a from_o the_o great_a charter_n and_o several_a statute_n of_o the_o realm_n therefore_o the_o test_n have_v no_o power_n to_o oblige_v the_o swearer_n and_o consequent_o to_o be_v repeal_v as_o useless_a that_o it_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v apparent_a from_o hence_o for_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o strong_o prohibit_v in_o scripture_n then_o to_o ground_v a_o penal_a prosecution_n upon_o the_o enforce_v oath_n of_o the_o party_n without_o witness_n or_o accuser_n in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o seem_v a_o hard_a case_n to_o oblige_v the_o papist_n to_o swear_v away_o his_o religion_n before_o he_o have_v another_o provide_v for_o he_o by_o those_o that_o