Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A64458
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The Testimony of some persecuted Presbyterian ministers of the Gospel unto the covenanted reformation of the Church of Scotland and to the present expediency of continuing to preach the Gospel in the fields and against the present antichristian toleration in its nature and design &c. / given in to the ministers at Edenburgh by Mr. James Renwick upon the 17 Janwarii, 1688.
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Renwick, James, 1662-1688.
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1688
(1688)
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Wing T818; ESTC R213976
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42,898
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37
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the_o very_a rabble_n may_v arise_v in_o judgement_n against_o they_o in_o that_o they_o testify_v their_o detestation_n of_o the_o first_o erection_n of_o the_o idolatrous_a mass_n &_o some_o of_o the_o soldiery_n and_o such_o as_o have_v no_o profession_n of_o religion_n suffer_v unto_o death_n for_o speak_v against_o popery_n &_o the_o design_n of_o the_o king_n while_o the_o minister_n be_v silent_a and_o some_o of_o the_o curate_n &_o member_n of_o the_o late_a parliament_n make_v some_o stickle_n against_o papist_n while_o presbyterian_o from_o who_o may_v have_v be_v expect_v great_a opposition_n be_v sleep_v in_o a_o profound_a submission_n wherefore_o tho'_o we_o be_v very_o insignificant_a nothing_o &_o therefore_o both_o incapable_a &_o unworthy_a to_o aim_v at_o supply_v this_o vacancy_n of_o a_o testimony_n &_o dare_v not_o aspire_v unto_o the_o presumption_n of_o think_v to_o fulfil_v it_o with_o any_o proportion_n to_o the_o moment_n &_o merit_n or_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o clamant_fw-la case_n of_o confession_n yet_o consider_v the_o weight_n &_o worth_n profit_n &_o price_n of_o those_o truth_n now_o commit_v to_o we_o to_o testify_v &_o suffer_v for_o our_o indisputable_a duty_n as_o minister_n &_o member_n of_o this_o church_n the_o indispensible_a obligation_n of_o our_o holy_a covenant_n the_o eminent_a danger_n imminent_a on_o the_o land_n apparent_o ineluctable_a if_o not_o prevent_v by_o give_v &_o take_v timeous_a warning_n we_o can_v must_v not_o dare_v not_o forbear_v to_o offer_v our_o mite_n of_o a_o testimony_n for_o the_o present_a precious_a word_n of_o our_o lord_n patience_n and_o the_o covenant_v reformation_n of_o scotland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n &_o government_n &_o against_o all_o the_o injury_n insolent_a indignity_n &_o audacious_a encroachment_n do_v unto_o &_o make_v upon_o the_o same_o by_o which_o god_n be_v high_o dishonour_v the_o throne_n of_o his_o glory_n affront_v the_o kingdom_n of_o his_o son_n undermine_v &_o many_o soul_n dreadful_o involve_v in_o the_o guilt_n of_o this_o confederacy_n against_o he_o and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o confidence_n we_o have_v &_o necessity_n we_o find_v to_o prompt_v to_o this_o undertake_n that_o both_o this_o duty_n be_v abandon_v by_o other_o &_o impose_v upon_o we_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o still_o continue_v and_o grow_v persecution_n incessant_o pursue_v we_o without_o relent_v notwithstanding_o other_o be_v flatter_v with_o pretence_n of_o clemency_n &_o tenderness_n to_o conscience_n which_o be_v both_o encourage_n &_o engage_v to_o we_o to_o maintain_v this_o testimony_n for_o which_o we_o suffer_v &_o be_v so_o sequester_v from_o other_o &_o separate_v we_o say_v not_o from_o the_o benefit_n but_o from_o the_o snare_n &_o curse_v of_o this_o toleration_n by_o the_o late_a proclamation_n against_o we_o we_o take_v the_o more_o boldness_n &_o have_v the_o more_o advantage_n to_o speak_v our_o mind_n that_o what_o we_o say_v as_o it_o be_v not_o by_o communication_n with_o other_o so_o it_o can_v endanger_v any_o but_o ourselves_o and_o for_o what_o danger_n we_o may_v be_v expose_v to_o upon_o this_o so_o honourable_a account_n we_o be_v not_o careful_a in_o this_o matter_n our_o god_n be_v able_a to_o deliver_v we_o from_o the_o burn_a fiery_a furnace_n &_o if_o not_o we_o think_v it_o rather_o a_o matter_n so_o be_v ambitious_a of_o than_o of_o shame_n or_o fear_n to_o be_v endanger_v there_o upon_o the_o present_a invader_n of_o the_o regal_a power_n in_o his_o proclamation_n of_o the_o twenty_o of_o feberwarii_n last_o past_o 1687._o have_v by_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n prerogative_n royal_a &_o absolute_a power_n which_o he_o require_v all_o his_o subject_n to_o obey_v without_o reserve_n grant_v a_o toleration_n to_o papist_n to_o quaker_n &_o to_o moderate_a presbyterian_o under_o certain_a condition_n restriction_n &_o limitation_n in_o which_o proclamation_n the_o moderate_a presbyterian_o be_v tolerate_v only_o to_o meet_v in_o their_o private_a house_n &_o only_o to_o hear_v such_o minister_n as_o accept_v of_o this_o indulgence_n &_o none_o other_o whereby_o all_o adhere_n to_o old_a presbyterian_a principle_n &_o protestation_n against_o such_o a_o vast_a toleration_n be_v exclude_v &_o such_o admit_v to_o be_v hear_v who_o have_v recede_v from_o they_o who_o be_v thereby_o oblige_v to_o say_v or_o do_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o his_o reign_n seditious_a or_o treasonable_a under_o the_o high_a pain_n these_o crime_n will_v import_v &_o consequent_o must_v not_o declare_v that_o part_n of_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n which_o cencern_v his_o antichristian_a enemy_n but_o consent_n that_o faithfulness_n to_o christ_n be_v repute_v a_o crime_n nor_o be_v they_o to_o presume_v to_o build_v meeting-house_n or_o to_o use_v outhouse_n or_o barn_n but_o content_n themselves_o with_o the_o confinement_n whereunto_o they_o be_v restrict_v in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n all_o preacher_n assister_n &_o connivers_n at_o field_n meeting_n be_v to_o be_v persecute_v according_a to_o the_o utmost_a severity_n of_o the_o law_n make_v against_o they_o nevertheless_o all_o law_n or_o act_n of_o parliament_n custom_n or_o constitution_n make_v or_o execute_v against_o any_o of_o the_o popish_a way_n be_v suspend_v stop_v &_o disable_v and_o consequent_o all_o the_o legal_a establishments_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v unhinged_a so_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o all_o respect_n as_o free_v as_o any_o protestant_n whatsoever_o not_o only_o to_o exercise_v their_o religion_n but_o to_o enjoy_v all_o office_n benefice_n etc._n etc._n which_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o bestow_v upon_o they_o in_o all_o time_n come_v whereby_o he_o may_v put_v in_o any_o popish_a priest_n in_o any_o paroch_n church_n when_o he_o please_v wherein_o also_o he_o claim_v a_o power_n of_o vacuate_a &_o annul_v heritable_a right_n &_o by_o that_o same_o power_n may_v invade_v man_n heretable_a property_n when_o he_o be_v please_v so_o to_o exert_v his_o absolutness_n &_o of_o cass_v &_o discharge_v all_o former_a oath_n and_o in_o place_n of_o all_o substitute_v a_o new_a one_o wherein_o he_o require_v all_o his_o subject_n or_o such_o of_o they_o as_o he_o or_o his_o council_n shall_v please_v to_o swear_v that_o they_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v rightful_a king_n &_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o three_o realm_n &_o over_o all_o person_n therein_o not_o over_o all_o cause_n for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a supremacy_n be_v restore_v to_o antichrist_n from_o who_o it_o be_v borrow_v &_o for_o which_o there_o be_v no_o use_n at_o present_a absolute_a power_n may_v do_v the_o turn_n as_o well_o as_o this_o that_o they_o hold_v it_o unlawful_a for_o subject_n on_o any_o pretence_n or_o for_o any_o cause_n whatsoever_o even_o tho'_o he_o shall_v command_v his_o popish_a janissary_n to_o massacre_v all_o protestant_n which_o be_v the_o tender_a mercy_n &_o burn_a fervent_a charity_n of_o papist_n to_o rise_v in_o arm_n against_o he_o &_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o practice_v or_o assist_v the_o practiser_n of_o the_o same_o &_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o resist_v his_o power_n nor_o oppose_v his_o authority_n to_o his_o person_n which_o be_v the_o compend_n of_o all_o the_o former_a oath_n &_o further_a comprehend_v a_o engagement_n to_o justify_v all_o his_o personal_a administration_n tho'_o never_o so_o outrageous_a as_o act_n of_o lawful_a authority_n but_o upon_o the_o other_o hand_n shall_v to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n defend_v &_o maintain_v he_o his_o heir_n &_o successor_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o absolute_a power_n &_o authority_n against_o all_o deadly_a where_o they_o be_v to_o engage_v not_o only_o to_o oune_v his_o power_n paramowt_n &_o transcendent_a to_o all_o law_n divine_a &_o humane_a &_o to_o mancipate_v their_o religion_n &_o reason_n with_o all_o their_o religious_a &_o civil_a liberty_n to_o the_o lustful_a rage_n &_o unbridled_a will_n of_o a_o tyrant_n but_o if_o he_o shall_v erect_v the_o formal_a &_o direct_a worship_n of_o devil_n &_o bring_v all_o their_o neck_n under_o the_o bowstring_n they_o must_v neither_o resist_v it_o nor_o contradict_v it_o but_o upon_o the_o other_o hand_n active_o concur_v with_o he_o in_o do_v all_o his_o will_n to_o the_o great_a excess_n of_o riot_n and_o must_v become_v executioner_n of_o their_o father_n mother_n wife_n &_o child_n if_o it_o shall_v please_v he_o to_o put_v forth_o his_o absolute_a power_n in_o that_o exercise_n for_o herein_o he_o claim_v &_o hereby_o be_v give_v a_o power_n to_o command_v what_o he_o will_v &_o oblige_v subject_n to_o obey_v whatsoever_o he_o will_v command_v to_o obey_v absolute_o without_o reserve_n without_o reserve_n of_o conscience_n religion_n honour_n honesty_n or_o reason_n which_o proclaim_v he_o in_o who_o name_n the_o proclamation_n be_v
that_o respect_v their_o imaginary_a favour_n more_o valuable_a to_o then_o as_o they_o say_v than_o all_o earthly_a comfort_n 2._o because_o of_o the_o sinful_a &_o shameful_a deficiency_n of_o the_o address_n they_o speak_v not_o a_o word_n against_o the_o open_o design_v introduction_n of_o poprie_fw-la no_o resentment_n of_o the_o eversion_n of_o religious_a &_o civil_a liberty_n no_o representation_n of_o the_o wrong_n sustain_v under_o the_o grassation_n of_o the_o two_o brother_n no_o protestation_n against_o the_o invasion_n make_v upon_o the_o power_n that_o christ_n have_v seat_v in_o the_o court_n of_o his_o church_n &_o consequent_o upon_o his_o own_o incommunicable_a headship_n not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o covenant_n but_o they_o be_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n as_o if_o they_o be_v ashamed_a of_o they_o they_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o reformation_n whereunto_o we_o once_o attain_v &_o be_v solemn_o engage_v 3._o because_o of_o their_o lawless_a &_o illimited_a loyalty_n this_o be_v profess_v by_o the_o foresay_a minister_n to_o his_o excellent_a to_o his_o gracious_a &_o to_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n loyalty_n not_o to_o be_v question_v a_o entire_a loyalty_n in_o doctrine_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n disloyalty_n to_o christ_n in_o not_o observe_v their_o instruction_n receive_v from_o he_o but_o keep_v silent_a at_o the_o wrong_v do_v to_o he_o &_o not_o declare_v against_o the_o invasion_n of_o his_o open_a enemy_n a_o resolve_a loyalty_n in_o practice_n whereof_o also_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o edinburgh_n &_o cannongate_n will_v have_v he_o assure_v this_o be_v no_o less_o than_o betray_a religion_n &_o liberty_n in_o lie_v by_o from_o any_o active_a testimony_n and_o opposition_n to_o the_o open_a destroyer_n of_o both_o a_o fervent_a loyalty_n in_o prayer_n which_o we_o shall_v not_o now_o insist_v upon_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o they_o afterward_o this_o loyalty_n of_o they_o be_v not_o a_o christian_a loyalty_n or_o profession_n of_o subjection_n for_o conscience_n sake_n to_o a_o minister_n of_o god_n for_o good_a who_o be_v a_o terror_n to_o evil_a doer_n nor_o a_o presbyterian_a loyalty_n to_o a_o king_n as_o it_o be_v qualify_v in_o the_o national_a and_o solemn_a league_n &_o covenant_n but_o a_o stupid_a subjection_n and_o absolute_a allegiance_n to_o a_o minister_n of_o antichrist_n who_o give_v liberty_n to_o all_o evil_a man_n &_o seducer_n a_o loyalty_n to_o a_o tyrant_n in_o his_o overturning_a religion_n law_n and_o liberty_n and_o protect_v &_o encourage_v all_o iniquity_n 4._o because_o of_o their_o soulsome_a flattery_n we_o need_v not_o instance_n how_o the_o minister_n in_o their_o address_n say_v from_o the_o deep_a sense_n they_o have_v of_o his_o majesty_n gracious_a and_o surprise_v favour_n find_v themselves_o bind_v in_o duty_n to_o offer_v their_o most_o humble_a &_o hearty_a thanks_o to_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n the_o favour_n be_v to_o they_o valuable_a above_o all_o earthly_a comfort_n and_o how_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o city_n of_o edinburgh_n and_o cannongate_n express_v themselves_o we_o can_v find_v suitable_a expression_n to_o evidence_n our_o most_o humble_a and_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o your_o majesty_n late_o gracious_a declaration_n the_o matter_n be_v less_o if_o they_o do_v not_o speak_v a_o lie_n for_o they_o say_v they_o be_v allow_v the_o free_a &_o peaceable_a public_a exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n peaceable_n &_o public_a it_o be_v they_o know_v not_o how_o long_o free_v it_o be_v not_o for_o their_o minister_n be_v bound_v with_o sinful_a restriction_n as_o be_v show_v above_o and_o again_o they_o add_v can_v we_o open_v our_o heart_n your_o majesty_n will_v undoubted_o see_v whet_v deep_a sense_n and_o true_a zeal_n for_o your_o service_n so_o surprise_v and_o signal_n a_o favour_n have_v imprint_v on_o our_o spirit_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v worse_a than_o flattery_n we_o say_v we_o need_v not_o adduce_v particular_a instance_n of_o their_o adulation_n for_o their_o whole_a strain_n be_v a_o rapsodie_n of_o flattery_n more_o become_a sycophant_n and_o court_n parasite_n than_o minister_n &_o professor_n that_o give_v out_o themselves_o to_o be_v of_o the_o presbyterian_a persuasion_n 5._o if_o the_o address_n be_v only_o stuff_v with_o flattery_n it_o be_v less_o but_o we_o can_v dissemble_v or_o conceal_v our_o horror_n &_o astonishment_n at_o some_o expression_n which_o if_o they_o come_v not_o near_o the_o border_n of_o blasphemy_n be_v equivocation_n inconsistenwith_o ingenuity_n the_o minister_n bless_v the_o great_a god_n who_o have_v put_v this_o in_o his_o royal_a heart_n which_o must_v either_o be_v understand_v in_o that_o sense_n where_o it_o be_v say_v revel_n 17.17_o god_n have_v put_v in_o their_o heart_n to_o give_v their_o kingdom_n unto_o the_o beast_n which_o they_o dare_v not_o express_v to_o he_o who_o they_o address_v neither_o dare_v they_o bless_v the_o lord_n for_o it_o with_o application_n to_o he_o and_o to_o say_v this_o with_o such_o a_o reserve_a meaning_n be_v odious_a to_o protestant_n &_o all_o honest_a man_n or_o if_o they_o be_v ingenuous_a than_o they_o bless_v god_n for_o put_v it_o in_o his_o heart_n to_o project_v all_o this_o wickedness_n discover_v in_o the_o design_n tendency_n and_o nature_n of_o this_o popish_a toleration_n which_o be_v not_o far_o from_o blasphemy_n to_o make_v the_o holy_a one_o the_o author_n of_o that_o which_o he_o have_v declare_v his_o detestation_n of_o in_o his_o word_n they_o further_o express_v their_o resolution_n by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n so_o to_o demean_v themselves_o as_o his_o majesty_n may_v find_v cause_n rather_o to_o enlarge_v than_o to_o diminish_v his_o favour_n towards_o they_o which_o upon_o the_o matter_n be_v either_o a_o double_a equivocation_n or_o else_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v they_o resolve_v to_o demean_v themselves_o so_o as_o that_o a_o zealous_a papist_n shall_v find_v cause_n to_o enlarge_v his_o favour_n to_o they_o and_o shall_v not_o find_v any_o cause_n of_o displeasure_n at_o they_o they_o know_v what_o he_o make_v criminal_a against_o other_o to_o wit_n their_o teach_v the_o obligation_n of_o our_o covenant_n the_o lawfulness_n of_o defensive_a arm_n their_o testify_v against_o the_o encroachment_n make_v upon_o the_o kingly_a power_n of_o christ_n &_o against_o the_o take_n off_o the_o penal_a statute_n that_o concern_v papist_n &_o the_o like_a piece_n of_o faithfulness_n and_o consequent_o they_o resolve_v they_o shall_v be_v as_o unfaithful_a and_o silent_a minister_n as_o ever_o please_v a_o papist_n for_o if_o they_o be_v faithful_a they_o may_v be_v assure_v he_o will_v find_v cause_n to_o diminish_v his_o favour_n towards_o they_o now_o to_o purpose_v this_o by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n come_v very_o near_o the_o border_n of_o blasphemy_n the_o citizen_n of_o edinburgh_n and_o canongate_n do_v engage_v to_o continue_v still_o in_o their_o prayer_n for_o blessing_n his_o person_n &_o government_n and_o show_v by_o what_o argument_n they_o plead_v for_o it_o to_o wit_n that_o by_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n king_n reign_n and_o prince_n decree_v justice_n which_o with_o application_n to_o the_o person_n who_o they_o address_v be_v absurd_o impertinent_a otherwise_o to_o bring_v it_o forth_o as_o a_o adulatory_a equivocation_n with_o a_o reserve_n that_o they_o intend_v only_o to_o offer_v that_o general_a proposition_n in_o thesi_fw-la without_o application_n to_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n make_v he_o believe_v they_o assert_v the_o divine_a approbation_n of_o his_o government_n or_o else_o it_o have_v the_o appearance_n of_o blasphemy_n to_o extend_v that_o proposition_n to_o he_o which_o they_o can_v do_v except_o they_o turn_v it_o thus_o by_o the_o lord_n tyrant_n reign_n &_o usurper_n decree_v justice_n which_o to_o say_v according_a to_o the_o lord_n preceptive_a &_o approbative_a will_n as_o that_o scripture_n must_v be_v understand_v be_v a_o blasphemous_a indignity_n to_o the_o holy_a one_o with_o who_o such_o a_o throne_n of_o iniquity_n can_v have_v no_o fellowship_n whereof_o the_o possessor_n be_v set_v up_o but_o not_o by_o he_o &_o he_o diswon_v they_o hos_n 8.4.6_o because_o the_o minister_n in_o their_o address_n disowne_v these_o who_o avouch_v a_o adherence_n to_o the_o covenant_v reformation_n &_o avow_v a_o opposition_n to_o antichristian_a usurper_n which_o they_o call_v promote_a disloyal_a principle_n and_o practice_n humble_o beseech_v the_o tolerator_n not_o to_o look_v upon_o such_o as_o any_o of_o their_o confederacy_n they_o need_v not_o have_v be_v so_o solicitous_a upon_o this_o head_n for_o all_o that_o abide_v in_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n which_o they_o have_v desert_v will_v count_v it_o a_o sin_n &_o scandal_n lay_v they_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o displeasure_n of_o the_o holy_a &_o jealous_a god_n and_o a_o shameful_a reproach_n expose_v they_o to_o