Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	good_a	great_a	think_v	4,338	5	3.9369	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50959	A treatise of civil power in ecclesiastical causes shewing that it is not lawfull for any power on earth to compell in matters of religion / the author, J.M.	Milton, John, 1608-1674.	1659 (1659)	Wing M2185; ESTC R13133	23,223	97

we_o but_o the_o illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n so_o interpret_n that_o scripture_n as_o warrantable_a only_o to_o ourselves_o and_o to_o such_o who_o conscience_n we_o can_v so_o persuade_v can_v have_v no_o other_o ground_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o only_o from_o the_o scripture_n and_o these_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v understand_v without_o this_o divine_a illumination_n which_o no_o man_n can_v know_v at_o all_o time_n to_o be_v in_o himself_o much_o less_o to_o be_v at_o any_o time_n for_o certain_a in_o any_o other_o it_o follow_v clear_o that_o no_o man_n or_o body_n of_o man_n in_o these_o time_n can_v be_v the_o infallible_a judge_n or_o determiner_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o any_o other_o man_n conscience_n but_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o those_o beroean_n be_v commend_v act._n 17.11_o who_o after_o the_o preach_n even_o of_o s._n paul_n search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o nor_o do_v they_o more_o than_o what_o god_n himself_o in_o many_o place_n command_v we_o by_o the_o same_o apostle_n to_o search_v to_o try_v to_o judge_v of_o these_o thing_n ourselves_o and_o give_v we_o reason_n also_o gal._n 6.4_o 5._o let_v every_o man_n prove_v his_o own_o work_n and_o then_o shall_v he_o have_v rejoice_v in_o himself_o alone_o and_o not_o in_o another_o for_o every_o man_n shall_v bear_v his_o own_o burden_n if_o then_o we_o count_v it_o so_o ignorant_a and_o irreligious_a in_o the_o papist_n to_o think_v himself_o discharge_v in_o god_n account_n believe_v only_o as_o the_o church_n believe_v how_o much_o great_a condemnation_n will_v it_o be_v to_o the_o protestant_a his_o condemner_n to_o think_v himself_o justify_v believe_v only_o as_o the_o state_n believe_v with_o good_a cause_n therefore_o it_o be_v the_o general_a consent_n of_o all_o sound_a protestant_a writer_n that_o neither_o tradition_n counsel_n nor_o canon_n of_o any_o visibie_a church_n much_o less_o edict_n of_o any_o magistrate_n or_o civil_a session_n but_o the_o scripture_n only_o can_v be_v the_o final_a judge_n or_o rule_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o only_o in_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o christian_a to_o himself_o which_o protestation_n make_v by_o the_o first_o public_a reformer_n of_o our_o religion_n against_o the_o imperial_a edict_n of_o charles_n the_o five_o impose_v church-tradition_n without_o scripture_n give_v first_o beginning_n to_o the_o name_n of_o protestant_a and_o with_o that_o name_n have_v ever_o be_v receive_v this_o doctrine_n which_o prefer_v the_o scripture_n before_o the_o church_n and_o acknowledge_v none_o but_o the_o scripture_n sole_a interpreter_n of_o itself_o to_o the_o conscience_n for_o if_o the_o church_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o be_v implicit_o believe_v as_o we_o hold_v it_o be_v not_o what_o can_v there_o else_o be_v name_v of_o more_o authority_n than_o the_o church_n but_o the_o conscience_n than_o which_o god_n only_o be_v great_a 1_o ioh._n 3.20_o but_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v pretend_v that_o the_o scripture_n judge_n to_o his_o conscience_n for_o other_o man_n he_o make_v himself_o great_a not_o only_o than_o the_o church_n but_o also_o then_o the_o scripture_n than_o the_o conscience_n of_o other_o man_n a_o presumption_n too_o high_a for_o any_o mortal_a since_o every_o true_a christian_a able_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o his_o faith_n have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n before_o he_o the_o promise_a holy_a spirit_n and_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n within_o he_o 1_o cor._n 2.16_o a_o much_o better_a and_o safe_a guide_n of_o conscience_n which_o as_o far_o as_o concern_v himself_o he_o may_v far_o more_o certain_o know_v then_o any_o outward_a rule_n impose_v upon_o he_o by_o other_o who_o he_o inward_o neither_o know_v nor_o can_v know_v at_o least_o know_v nothing_o of_o they_o more_o sure_a than_o this_o one_o thing_n that_o they_o can_v be_v his_o judge_n in_o religion_n 1_o cor._n 2.15_o the_o spiritual_a man_n judge_v all_o thing_n but_o he_o himself_o be_v judge_v of_o no_o man_n chief_o for_o this_o cause_n do_v all_o true_a protestant_n account_v the_o pope_n antichrist_n for_o that_o he_o assume_v to_o himself_o this_o infallibility_n over_o both_o the_o conscience_n and_o the_o scripture_n sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v opposite_a to_o god_n and_o exalt_v himself_o above_o all_o that_o be_v call_v god_n or_o be_v worship_v 2_o thess._n 2.4_o that_o be_v to_o say_v not_o only_o above_o all_o judge_n and_o magistrate_n who_o though_o they_o be_v call_v god_n be_v far_o beneath_o infallible_a but_o also_o above_o god_n himself_o by_o give_v law_n both_o to_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o conscience_n and_o to_o the_o spirit_n itself_o of_o god_n within_o we_o when_o as_o we_o find_v james_n 4.12_o there_o be_v one_o lawgiver_n who_o be_v able_a to_o save_v and_o to_o destroy_v who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o that_o christ_n be_v the_o only_a lawgiver_n of_o his_o church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v here_o mean_v in_o religious_a matter_n no_o well_o ground_v christian_n will_v deny_v thus_o also_o s._n paul_n rom._n 14.4_o who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v the_o servant_n of_o another_o to_o his_o own_o lord_n he_o stand_v or_o fall_v but_o he_o shall_v stand_v for_o god_n be_v able_a to_o make_v he_o stand_v as_o therefore_o of_o one_o beyond_o expression_n bold_a and_o presumptuous_a both_o these_o apostle_n demand_v who_o be_v thou_o that_o presume_v to_o impose_v other_o law_n or_o judgement_n in_o religion_n than_o the_o only_a lawgiver_n and_o judge_n christ_n who_o only_o can_v save_v and_o can_v destroy_v give_v to_o the_o conscience_n and_o the_o forecited_a place_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n by_o compare_a effect_n resolve_v we_o that_o be_v he_o or_o they_o who_o or_o wherever_o they_o be_v or_o can_v be_v they_o be_v of_o far_o less_o authority_n than_o the_o church_n who_o in_o these_o thing_n as_o protestant_n they_o receive_v not_o and_o yet_o no_o less_o antichrist_n in_o this_o main_a point_n of_o antichristianism_n no_o less_o a_o pope_n or_o popedom_n than_o he_o at_o rome_n if_o not_o much_o more_o by_o set_v up_o supreme_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n either_o those_o doctor_n who_o they_o follow_v or_o which_o be_v far_o worse_a themselves_o as_o a_o civil_a papacy_n assume_v unaccountable_a supremacy_n to_o themselves_o not_o in_o civil_a only_o but_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n see_v then_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v none_o can_v judge_v or_o determine_v here_o on_o earth_n no_o not_o church-governor_n themselves_o against_o the_o conscience_n of_o other_o believer_n my_o inference_n be_v or_o rather_o not_o i_o but_o our_o saviour_n own_o that_o in_o those_o matter_n they_o neither_o can_v command_v nor_o use_v constraint_n lest_o they_o run_v rash_o on_o a_o pernicious_a consequence_n forewarn_v in_o that_o parable_n mat._n 13._o from_o the_o 26_o to_o the_o 31_o verse_n lest_o while_o you_o gather_v up_o the_o tare_n you_o root_v up_o also_o the_o wheat_n with_o they_o let_v both_o grow_v together_o until_o the_o harvest_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o harvest_n i_o will_v say_v to_o the_o reaper_n gather_v you_o together_o first_o the_o tare_n etc._n etc._n whereby_o he_o declare_v that_o this_o work_n neither_o his_o own_o minister_n nor_o any_o else_o can_v discern_o enough_o or_o judge_o perform_v without_o his_o own_o immediate_a direction_n in_o his_o own_o fit_a season_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v till_o then_o not_o to_o attempt_v it_o which_o be_v further_o confirm_v 2_o cor._n 1.24_o not_o that_o we_o have_v dominion_n over_o your_o faith_n but_o be_v helper_n of_o your_o joy_n if_o apostle_n have_v no_o dominion_n or_o constrain_a power_n over_o faith_n or_o conscience_n much_o less_o have_v ordinary_a minister_n 1_o pet._n 5.2_o 3._o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n not_o by_o constraint_n etc._n etc._n neither_o as_o be_v lord_n over_o god_n heritage_n but_o some_o will_v object_v that_o this_o overthrow_v all_o church-discipline_n all_o censure_n of_o error_n if_o no_o man_n can_v determine_v my_o answer_n be_v that_o what_o they_o hear_v be_v plane_n scripture_n which_o forbid_v not_o church-sentence_n or_o determine_n but_o as_o it_o end_v in_o violence_n upon_o the_o conscience_n unconvinced_a let_v who_o so_o will_v interpret_v or_o determine_v so_o it_o be_v according_a to_o true_a church-discipline_n which_o be_v exercise_v on_o they_o only_o who_o have_v willing_o join_v themselves_o in_o that_o covenant_n of_o union_n and_o proceed_v only_o to_o a_o separation_n from_o the_o rest_n proceed_v never_o to_o any_o corporal_a enforcement_n or_o forfeiture_n of_o money_n which_o in_o spiritual_a thing_n be_v the_o two_o arm_n of_o antichrist_n not_o of_o the_o true_a church_n the_o one_o be_v a_o inquisition_n the_o other_o no_o

a_o treatise_n of_o civil_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o power_n on_o earth_n to_o compel_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o author_n j._n m._n london_n print_v by_o tho._n newcomb_n anno_fw-la 1659._o to_o the_o parliament_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o england_n with_o the_o dominion_n thereof_o i_o have_v prepare_v supreme_a council_n against_o the_o much_o expect_a time_n of_o your_o sit_v this_o treatise_n which_o though_o to_o all_o christian_a magistrate_n equal_o belong_v and_o therefore_o to_o have_v be_v write_v in_o the_o common_a language_n of_o christendom_n natural_a duty_n and_o affection_n have_v confine_v and_o dedicate_v first_o to_o my_o own_o nation_n and_o in_o a_o season_n wherein_o the_o timely_a read_n thereof_o to_o the_o easy_a accomplishment_n of_o your_o great_a work_n may_v save_v you_o much_o labour_n and_o interruption_n of_o two_o part_n usual_o propose_v civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a recommend_v civil_a only_o to_o your_o proper_a care_n ecclesiastical_a to_o they_o only_o from_o who_o it_o take_v both_o that_o name_n and_o nature_n yet_o not_o for_o this_o cause_n only_o do_v i_o require_v or_o trust_v to_o find_v acceptance_n but_o in_o a_o twofold_a respect_n beside_o first_o as_o bring_v clear_a evidence_n of_o scripture_n and_o protestant_a maxim_n to_o the_o parliament_n of_o england_n who_o in_o all_o their_o late_a act_n upon_o occasion_n have_v professd_v to_o assert_v only_o the_o true_a protestant_a christian_n religion_n as_o it_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n next_o in_o regard_n that_o your_o power_n be_v but_o for_o a_o time_n and_o have_v in_o yourselves_o a_o christian_n liberty_n of_o your_o own_o which_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o may_v be_v oppress_v thereof_o true_o sensible_a it_o will_v concern_v you_o while_o you_o be_v in_o power_n so_o to_o regard_v other_o man_n conscience_n as_o you_o will_v your_o own_o shall_v be_v regard_v in_o the_o power_n of_o other_o and_o to_o consider_v that_o any_o law_n against_o conscience_n be_v alike_o in_o force_n against_o any_o conscience_n and_o so_o may_v one_o way_n or_o other_o just_o redound_v upon_o yourselves_o one_o advantage_n i_o make_v no_o doubt_n of_o that_o i_o shall_v write_v to_o many_o eminent_a person_n of_o your_o number_n already_o perfect_a and_o resolve_v in_o this_o important_a article_n of_o christianity_n some_o of_o who_o i_o remember_v to_o have_v hear_v often_o for_o several_a year_n at_o a_o council_n next_o in_o authority_n to_o your_o own_o so_o well_o join_v religion_n with_o civil_a prudence_n and_o yet_o so_o well_o distinguish_v the_o different_a power_n of_o either_o and_o this_o not_o only_o vote_v but_o frequent_o reason_v why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o that_o if_o any_o there_o present_a have_v be_v before_o of_o a_o opinion_n contrary_a he_o may_v doubtless_o have_v depart_v thence_o a_o convert_n in_o that_o point_n and_o have_v confess_v that_o then_o both_o commonwealth_n and_o religion_n will_v at_o length_n if_o ever_o flourish_v in_o christendom_n when_o either_o they_o who_o govern_v discern_v between_o civil_a and_o religious_a or_o they_o only_o who_o so_o discern_v shall_v be_v admit_v to_o govern_v till_o than_o nothing_o but_o trouble_n persecution_n commotion_n can_v be_v expect_v the_o inward_a decay_n of_o true_a religion_n among_o ourselves_o and_o the_o utter_a overthrow_n at_o last_o by_o a_o common_a enemy_n of_o civil_a liberty_n i_o have_v write_v heretofore_o by_o the_o appointment_n and_o not_o without_o the_o approbation_n of_o civil_a power_n of_o christian_a liberty_n i_o write_v now_o which_o other_o long_o since_o have_v do_v with_o all_o freedom_n under_o heathen_a emperor_n i_o shall_v do_v wrong_a to_o suspect_v that_o i_o now_o shall_v with_o less_o under_o christian_a governor_n and_o such_o especial_o as_o profess_v open_o their_o defence_n of_o christian_a liberty_n although_o i_o write_v this_o not_o otherwise_o appoint_v or_o induce_v then_o by_o a_o inward_a persuasion_n of_o the_o christian_a duty_n which_o i_o may_v useful_o discharge_v herein_o to_o the_o common_a lord_n and_o master_n of_o we_o all_o and_o the_o certain_a hope_n of_o his_o approbation_n first_o and_o chief_a to_o be_v seek_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o who_o providence_n i_o remain_v pray_v all_o success_n and_o good_a event_n on_o your_o public_a counsel_n to_o the_o defence_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o our_o civil_a right_n john_n milton_n a_o treatise_n of_o civil_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n two_o thing_n there_o be_v which_o have_v be_v ever_o find_v work_v much_o mischief_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o the_o advancement_n of_o truth_n force_n on_o the_o one_o side_n restrain_v and_o hire_v on_o the_o other_o side_n corrupt_v the_o teacher_n thereof_o few_o age_n have_v be_v since_o the_o ascension_n of_o our_o saviour_n wherein_o the_o one_o of_o these_o two_o or_o both_o together_o have_v not_o prevail_v it_o can_v be_v at_o no_o time_n therefore_o unseasonable_a to_o speak_v of_o these_o thing_n since_o by_o they_o the_o church_n be_v either_o in_o continual_a detriment_n and_o oppression_n or_o in_o continual_a danger_n the_o former_a shall_v be_v at_o this_o time_n my_o argument_n the_o latter_a as_o i_o shall_v find_v god_n dispose_v i_o and_o opportunity_n invite_v what_o i_o argue_v shall_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o scripture_n only_o and_o therein_o from_o true_a fundamental_a principle_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o all_o know_a christian_n undeniable_a and_o if_o the_o governor_n of_o this_o commonwealth_n since_o the_o root_n out_o of_o prelate_n have_v make_v least_o use_n of_o force_n in_o religion_n and_o most_o have_v favour_v christian_a liberty_n of_o any_o in_o this_o island_n before_o they_o since_o the_o first_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o which_o we_o be_v not_o to_o forget_v our_o thanks_o to_o god_n and_o their_o due_a praise_n they_o may_v i_o doubt_v not_o in_o this_o treatise_n find_v that_o which_o not_o only_o will_v confirm_v they_o to_o defend_v still_o the_o christian_a liberty_n which_o we_o enjoy_v but_o will_v incite_v they_o also_o to_o enlarge_v it_o if_o in_o aught_o they_o yet_o straighten_v it_o to_o they_o who_o perhaps_o hereafter_o less_o experience_v in_o religion_n may_v come_v to_o govern_v or_o give_v we_o law_n this_o or_o other_o such_o if_o they_o please_v may_v be_v a_o timely_a instruction_n however_o to_o the_o truth_n it_o will_v be_v at_o all_o time_n no_o unneedfull_a testimony_n at_o least_o some_o discharge_n of_o that_o general_a duty_n which_o no_o christian_n but_o according_a to_o what_o he_o have_v receive_v know_v be_v require_v of_o he_o if_o he_o have_v aught_o more_o conduce_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o religion_n then_o what_o be_v usual_o endeavourd_a free_o to_o impart_v it_o it_o will_v require_v no_o great_a labour_n of_o exposition_n to_o unfold_v what_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v as_o soon_o apprehend_v as_o define_v such_o thing_n as_o belong_v chief_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o service_n of_o god_n and_o be_v either_o above_o the_o reach_n and_o light_n of_o nature_n without_o revelation_n from_o above_o and_o therefore_o liable_a to_o be_v various_o understand_v by_o human_a reason_n or_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v enjoind_v or_o forbid_v by_o divine_a precept_n which_o else_o by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n will_v seem_v indifferent_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v and_o so_o likewise_o must_v needs_o appear_v to_o every_o man_n as_o the_o precept_n be_v understand_v whence_o i_o here_o mean_a by_o conscience_n or_o religion_n that_o full_a persuasion_n whereby_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o our_o belief_n and_o practice_n as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v able_a to_o apprehend_v and_o probable_o make_v appear_v be_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a spirit_n within_o we_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v much_o rather_o than_o any_o law_n of_o man_n as_o not_o only_o his_o word_n everywhere_o bid_v we_o but_o the_o very_a dictate_n of_o reason_n tell_v we_o act._n 4.19_o whether_o it_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o harken_v to_o you_o more_o than_o to_o god_n judge_v you_o that_o for_o belief_n or_o practice_n in_o religion_n according_a to_o this_o conscientious_a persuasion_n no_o man_n ought_v be_v punish_v or_o molest_v by_o any_o outward_a force_n on_o earth_n whatsoever_o i_o distrust_v not_o through_o god_n implore_a assistance_n to_o make_v plane_n by_o these_o follow_a argument_n first_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v be_v the_o main_a foundation_n of_o our_o protestant_a religion_n that_o we_o of_o these_o age_n have_v no_o other_o divine_a rule_n or_o authority_n from_o without_o we_o warrantable_a to_o one_o another_o as_o a_o common_a ground_n but_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o no_o other_o within_o