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christian_n christian_a church_n unite_v 1,404 5 10.2542 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A70888 A discourse of ecclesiastical politie wherein the authority of the civil magistrate over the consciences of subjects in matters of external religion is asserted : the mischiefs and incoveniences of toleration are represented, and all pretenses pleaded in behalf of liberty of conscience are fully answered. Parker, Samuel, 1640-1688. 1671 (1671) Wing P460; ESTC R2071 140,332 376

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proud_a ignorant_a and_o seditious_a preacher_n against_o who_o if_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o law_n be_v particular_o level_v how_o easy_a will_v it_o be_v in_o some_o competent_a time_n to_o reduce_v the_o people_n to_o a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a temper_n and_o to_o make_v all_o our_o present_a schism_n that_o may_v otherwise_o prove_v eternal_a expire_v with_o or_o before_o the_o present_a age_n the_o want_n or_o neglect_v of_o which_o method_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o have_v give_v they_o so_o much_o strength_n &_o so_o long_a a_o continuance_n §_o 8._o four_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o or_o give_v place_n to_o old_a and_o inveterate_a scandal_n but_o rather_o aught_o in_o defence_n of_o his_o christian_a liberty_n to_o oppose_v they_o with_o a_o public_a defiance_n and_o to_o shame_v those_o that_o pretend_v they_o out_o of_o their_o confidence_n for_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o compliance_n and_o condescension_n in_o these_o case_n be_v 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as_o firm_a and_o uninterrupted_a a_o tradition_n as_o baptism_n and_o this_o show_v we_o how_o wayward_a and_o unreasonable_a those_o man_n be_v who_o still_o persevere_v to_o object_v scandal_n against_o the_o church_n constitution_n after_o she_o have_v so_o often_o protest_v against_o this_o exception_n by_o so_o many_o solemn_a declaration_n when_o at_o first_o it_o be_v pretend_v it_o may_v perhaps_o for_o a_o while_n excuse_n or_o alleviate_v their_o disobedience_n but_o after_o authority_n have_v so_o sufficient_o satisfy_v their_o scruple_n and_o remove_v their_o suspicion_n and_o so_o ample_o clear_v the_o innocence_n of_o its_o own_o intention_n if_o man_n will_v still_o continue_v jealous_a and_o quarrelsome_a they_o may_v thank_v themselves_o if_o they_o smart_v for_o their_o own_o presumption_n and_o folly_n and_o prince_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o abridge_v themselves_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o lawful_a power_n only_o because_o some_o of_o their_o subject_n 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a_o absolute_a and_o indispensable_a necessity_n and_o other_o of_o a_o transient_a and_o changeable_a obligation_n thus_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a every_o rational_a creature_n shall_v make_v return_n of_o gratitude_n to_o its_o creator_n from_o which_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v restrain_v it_o but_o then_o for_o the_o outward_a expression_n and_o signification_n of_o this_o duty_n they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n good_a or_o evil_a according_a to_o the_o custom_n and_o constitution_n of_o different_a nation_n unless_o in_o the_o two_o forementioned_a case_n that_o they_o either_o countenance_n vice_n or_o disgrace_v the_o deity_n but_o as_o for_o all_o other_o ritual_n ceremony_n posture_n &_o manner_n of_o perform_v the_o outward_a expression_n of_o devotion_n that_o be_v not_o chargeable_a with_o one_o or_o both_o of_o these_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v their_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v adopt_v into_o the_o ministery_n of_o divine_a service_n or_o exempt_v they_o from_o 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mere_a conscience_n the_o content_n mankind_n have_v a_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n over_o all_o their_o action_n whether_o moral_a or_o strict_o religious_a as_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v their_o judgement_n but_o not_o their_o practice_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o christian_a liberty_n it_o relate_v to_o our_o thought_n and_o not_o to_o our_o action_n it_o may_v be_v preserve_v inviolable_a under_o outward_a restraint_n christian_n liberty_n consist_v proper_o in_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o its_o natural_a privilege_n from_o the_o yoke_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n the_o substantial_a part_n of_o religious_a worship_n be_v internal_a and_o out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n external_n worship_n be_v no_o part_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v and_o must_v be_v leave_v undetermined_a by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n sacrifice_n the_o most_o ancient_a expression_n of_o outward_a worship_n be_v pure_o of_o humane_a institution_n though_o their_o be_v expiatory_a depend_v upon_o a_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n yet_o their_o most_o proper_a and_o original_a use_n viz._n to_o express_v the_o signification_n of_o a_o grateful_a mind_n depend_v on_o the_o will_n of_o men._n of_o their_o first_o original_a among_o the_o heathen_n the_o reason_n why_o god_n prescribe_v the_o particular_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o outward_a worship_n to_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o christian_a dispensation_n he_o have_v leave_v the_o disposal_n of_o outward_a worship_n to_o the_o power_n and_o discretion_n of_o the_o church_n the_o impertinency_n of_o man_n clamour_n against_o significant_a ceremony_n when_o it_o be_v the_o only_a use_n of_o ceremony_n to_o be_v significant_a the_o signification_n of_o all_o ceremony_n equal_o arbitrary_a the_o signification_n of_o ceremony_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o of_o word_n and_o man_n may_v as_o well_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o one_o as_o the_o other_o §_o 1._o first_o then_o let_v all_o 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invisible_a and_o confine_v to_o the_o mind_n and_o judgement_n 〈◊〉_d man_n and_o whilst_o conscience_n act_v within_o its_o proper_a sphere_n that_o civil_a power_n be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v it_o violence_n that_o it_o never_o can_v but_o when_o this_o great_a and_o imperious_a faculty_n pass_v beyond_o its_o own_o peculiar_a bound_n and_o will_v invade_v the_o magistrate_n authority_n by_o exercise_v a_o unaccountable_a dominion_n within_o his_o territory_n or_o by_o vent_v such_o wild_a opinion_n among_o his_o subject_n as_o he_o apprehend_v to_o tend_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n then_o do_v it_o concern_v he_o to_o give_v check_n to_o its_o proceed_n as_o much_o as_o to_o all_o other_o invasion_n for_o the_o care_n of_o the_o public_a good_a be_v his_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o interest_n it_o can_v but_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o restrain_v or_o permit_v action_n as_o they_o be_v conducible_a to_o that_o end_n mankind_n therefore_o have_v the_o same_o natural_a right_n to_o liberty_n of_o
conscience_n in_o matter_n of_o religious_a worship_n as_o in_o affair_n of_o justice_n and_o honesty_n i._n e._n a_o liberty_n of_o judgement_n but_o not_o of_o practice_n they_o have_v a_o inviolable_a freedom_n to_o examine_v the_o goodness_n of_o all_o law_n moral_a and_o ecclesiastical_a and_o to_o judge_v of_o they_o by_o their_o suitableness_n to_o the_o natural_a reason_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o as_o for_o the_o practice_n and_o all_o outward_a action_n either_o of_o virtue_n or_o devotion_n they_o be_v equal_o governable_a by_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o commonwealth_n and_o man_n may_v with_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o reason_n challenge_v a_o exemption_n from_o all_o humane_a law_n in_o matter_n of_o common_a honesty_n upon_o the_o score_n of_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o conscience_n as_o they_o plead_v a_o liberty_n from_o all_o authority_n in_o duty_n of_o religious_a worship_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n because_o they_o have_v a_o freedom_n of_o judgement_n in_o both_o but_o of_o practice_n in_o neither_o §_o 2._o and_o upon_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o principle_n be_v found_v the_o duty_n or_o rather_o privilege_n of_o christian_n liberty_n viz._n to_o assert_v the_o freedom_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o a_o sincere_a and_o impartial_a use_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n be_v the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a duty_n of_o humane_a nature_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v so_o high_o solicitous_a not_o to_o have_v it_o far_o restrain_v than_o needs_o must_v and_o therefore_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o pure_a speculation_n it_o leave_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n entire_o free_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o thing_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v usurp_v upon_o by_o any_o authority_n whatsoever_o and_o whatsoever_o opinion_n any_o man_n entertain_v of_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o injure_v no_o man_n by_o it_o and_o therefore_o no_o man_n can_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o commence_v any_o quarrel_n with_o he_o for_o it_o every_o man_n here_o judge_n for_o himself_o and_o not_o for_o other_o and_o matter_n of_o mere_a opinion_n have_v no_o reference_n to_o the_o public_a there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o public_a judgement_n to_o determine_v they_o but_o as_o for_o those_o action_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o have_v any_o influence_n upon_o the_o public_a good_a or_o ill_a of_o mankind_n though_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o public_a law_n yet_o the_o law_n of_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v determine_v far_a than_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n and_o in_o those_o very_a thing_n in_o which_o it_o have_v grant_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n a_o power_n over_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n it_o permit_v they_o not_o to_o exercise_v any_o authority_n over_o their_o judgement_n but_o leave_v they_o utter_o free_a to_o judge_v of_o they_o as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v object_n of_o mere_a opinion_n and_o relate_v not_o to_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n and_o hence_o though_o the_o command_n of_o our_o lawful_a superior_n may_v change_v indifferent_a thing_n into_o necessary_a duty_n yet_o they_o can_v restrain_v the_o liberty_n of_o our_o mind_n from_o judge_a thing_n thus_o determine_v to_o remain_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a and_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o do_v they_o be_v not_o fetch_v from_o any_o antecedent_n necessity_n in_o themselves_o but_o from_o the_o superven_a command_n of_o authority_n to_o which_o obedience_n in_o all_o thing_n lawful_a be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n so_o that_o christian_a liberty_n or_o the_o inward_a freedom_n of_o our_o judgement_n may_v be_v preserve_v inviolable_a under_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n which_o be_v outward_a and_o concern_v only_o the_o action_n not_o judgement_n of_o man_n because_o the_o outward_a determination_n to_o one_o particular_a rather_o than_o another_o do_v not_o abrogate_v the_o inward_a indifferency_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o act_v according_a to_o the_o law_n arise_v not_o from_o any_o opinion_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o but_o either_o from_o some_o emergent_a and_o changeable_a circumstance_n of_o order_n and_o decency_n or_o from_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o absolute_a indispensableness_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n therefore_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o christian_a liberty_n relate_v only_o to_o our_o inward_a judgement_n of_o thing_n and_o provide_v this_o be_v keep_v inviolate_a it_o matter_n not_o as_o to_o that_o concern_v what_o restraint_n be_v lay_v upon_o our_o cutward_a action_n in_o that_o though_o the_o gospel_n have_v free_v our_o conscience_n from_o the_o power_n of_o thing_n yet_o it_o have_v not_o from_o that_o of_o government_n we_o be_v free_a from_o the_o matter_n but_o not_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o humane_a law_n and_o as_o long_o as_o we_o obey_v the_o determination_n of_o our_o superior_n with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o indifferency_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o we_o retain_v the_o power_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n and_o be_v still_o free_a as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n though_o not_o as_o to_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n §_o 3._o neither_o be_v this_o prerogative_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n so_o much_o any_o new_a favour_n grant_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o its_o natural_a privilege_n by_o exempt_v we_o from_o the_o yoke_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n whereby_o thing_n in_o themselves_o indifferent_a be_v tie_v upon_o the_o conscience_n with_o as_o indispensable_a a_o obligation_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o essential_a goodness_n &_o equity_n during_o the_o whole_a period_n of_o the_o mosaic_a dispensation_n which_o be_v cancel_v by_o the_o gospel_n those_o indifferent_a thing_n that_o have_v be_v make_v necessary_a by_o a_o divine_a positive_a command_n return_v to_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o be_v use_v or_o omit_v only_o as_o occasion_n shall_v direct_v and_o upon_o this_o account_n be_v it_o that_o st._n paul_n though_o he_o be_v so_o earnest_a a_o assertor_n of_o his_o christian_a liberty_n against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o jewish_a ceremony_n never_o scruple_v to_o use_v they_o when_o ever_o he_o think_v it_o serviceable_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o christianity_n as_o be_v apparent_a in_o his_o circumcision_n of_o timothy_n to_o which_o he_o will_v never_o have_v condescend_v out_o of_o observation_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o yet_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o scruple_n to_o do_v it_o for_o other_o purpose_n as_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n shall_v direct_v he_o and_o though_o in_o his_o discourse_n of_o christian_a liberty_n he_o instance_n only_o in_o circumcision_n meat_n and_o drink_n and_o other_o ceremonial_a ordinance_n which_o be_v then_o the_o particular_n most_o in_o dispute_n between_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o jew_n yet_o by_o the_o clear_a analogy_n of_o reason_n the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o the_o judicial_a law_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n command_v by_o moses_n that_o be_v not_o either_o rule_n of_o eternal_a goodness_n or_o express_o establish_v in_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v its_o clear_a and_o most_o important_a design_n to_o reprieve_v mankind_n from_o all_o the_o burdensome_a and_o arbitrary_a imposition_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v scarce_o capable_a of_o any_o other_o goodness_n than_o their_o be_v instance_n of_o obedience_n and_o to_o restore_v we_o to_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o to_o tie_v no_o other_o law_n upon_o we_o than_o such_o who_o natural_a and_o intrinsic_a goodness_n shall_v carry_v with_o they_o their_o own_o eternal_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o our_o superior_n impose_v upon_o we_o whether_o in_o matter_n of_o religious_a worship_n or_o any_o other_o duty_n of_o morality_n it_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o entrenchment_n upon_o our_o christian_a liberty_n provide_v it_o be_v not_o impose_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o antecedent_n necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o §_o 4._o now_o the_o design_n of_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v upon_o this_o article_n of_o christian_a liberty_n be_v not_o bare_o to_o show_v the_o manifest_a impertinency_n of_o all_o those_o little_a objection_n man_n force_v from_o it_o against_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n jurisdiction_n over_o the_o outward_a concern_v of_o religion_n whereas_o this_o relate_v entire_o to_o thing_n of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n and_o be_v only_o concern_v in_o the_o inward_a action_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o withal_o my_o purpose_n be_v main_o by_o exempt_n all_o internal_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o
to_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o he_o that_o be_v turbulent_a and_o passionate_a be_v dangerous_a but_o then_o when_o passion_n be_v fire_v with_o religious_a zeal_n nothing_o can_v temper_v its_o outrageous_a and_o fanatic_a heat_n but_o it_o work_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n into_o rancour_n and_o bitterness_n and_o drive_v they_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o savage_a and_o inhuman_a practice_n prince_n have_v never_o find_v any_o thing_n so_o restive_a and_o ungovernable_a as_o sectarian_n madness_n no_o malice_n so_o spiteful_a and_o implacable_a as_o the_o zeal_n of_o a_o godly_a party_n nor_o any_o rage_n so_o fierce_a and_o merciless_a as_o sanctify_a barbarism_n all_o the_o ancient_a tyranny_n have_v in_o some_o place_n be_v outdo_v by_o a_o thorough-god_o reformation_n zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n have_v often_o turn_v whole_a nation_n into_o shambles_n fill_v the_o world_n with_o continual_a butchery_n and_o massacre_n and_o flesh_v itself_o with_o slaughter_n of_o myriad_o of_o mankind_n and_o when_o man_n think_v their_o passion_n warrant_v by_o their_o religion_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o for_o this_o oblige_v they_o by_o their_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n to_o act_v they_o to_o the_o high_a and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v what_o calm_a and_o peaceable_a thing_n those_o man_n must_v be_v who_o think_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o enforce_v and_o enrage_v their_o passion_n with_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n and_o yet_o alas_o how_o few_o be_v they_o who_o have_v wisdom_n enough_o to_o keep_v their_o zeal_n clean_o from_o these_o sour_a and_o crabbed_a mixture_n the_o generality_n of_o man_n be_v scarce_o sensible_a of_o their_o spiritual_a wickedness_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o in_o all_o age_n and_o all_o religion_n of_o the_o world_n few_o people_n have_v take_v notice_n of_o they_o beside_o their_o wise_a man_n and_o philosopher_n and_o even_o among_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n itself_o notwithstanding_o that_o our_o religion_n have_v make_v such_o special_a provision_n against_o all_o excess_n of_o passion_n and_o establish_a love_n charity_n moderation_n patience_n candor_n and_o ingenuity_n as_o its_o prime_n and_o fundamental_a duty_n yet_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o humility_n soon_o decay_v with_o its_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a professor_n and_o within_o a_o few_o century_n of_o year_n the_o church_n be_v overrun_v with_o some_o sect_n of_o man_n much_o of_o the_o same_o temper_n with_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a saint_n so_o that_o even_o in_o true_a and_o innocent_a persuasion_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o assuage_v the_o distemper_n and_o indiscretion_n of_o a_o forward_a zeal_n the_o giddy_a multitude_n judge_v weak_o fancy_n strong_o and_o act_v passionate_o and_o unless_o restrain_v by_o wary_a and_o sober_a law_n will_v drive_v on_o so_o furious_o in_o a_o good_a cause_n till_o they_o run_v their_o religion_n into_o folly_n and_o faction_n and_o themselves_o into_o tumult_n and_o riotous_a proceed_n what_o socrates_n once_o say_v of_o virtue_n that_o when_o it_o be_v not_o conduct_v by_o prudence_n it_o be_v but_o pedantry_n and_o a_o fantastic_a thing_n be_v much_o more_o true_a of_o religion_n which_o when_o it_o want_v the_o guidance_n and_o ornament_n of_o this_o virtue_n may_v be_v folly_n or_o madness_n or_o any_o thing_n rather_o than_o itself_o in_o brief_a fanaticism_n be_v both_o the_o great_a and_o the_o easy_a vice_n that_o be_v incident_a to_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o weed_n that_o thrive_v in_o all_o soil_n and_o there_o be_v the_o same_o fanatic_a spirit_n that_o mix_v itself_o with_o all_o the_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v as_o natural_a to_o the_o common_a people_n as_o the_o proud_a or_o ignorant_a or_o perverse_a or_o factious_a or_o stubborn_a or_o eager_a or_o passionate_a for_o when_o ever_o any_o of_o these_o vice_n or_o folly_n be_v twist_v with_o man_n apprehension_n of_o religion_n they_o natural_o work_v and_o ferment_n their_o mind_n into_o a_o boisterous_a and_o tumultuary_a zeal_n and_o yet_o how_o infinite_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o cure_v the_o common_a herd_n of_o these_o vice_n the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n be_v too_o great_a a_o demonstration_n so_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o apparent_o necessary_a or_o difficult_a as_o to_o govern_v the_o vulgar_a rout_n in_o their_o conception_n of_o religion_n see_v it_o be_v so_o natural_a for_o they_o both_o to_o mix_v and_o heighten_v yes_o and_o sanctify_v their_o passion_n with_o their_o conscience_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o though_o the_o fanatic_n in_o all_o nation_n may_v disagree_v in_o the_o object_n and_o matter_n of_o their_o superstition_n according_a to_o the_o different_a custom_n of_o their_o country_n and_o variety_n of_o their_o education_n yet_o as_o for_o their_o tendency_n to_o disturbance_n and_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n it_o be_v in_o all_o place_n the_o same_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n and_o those_o unquiet_a sect_n that_o have_v often_o disturb_v and_o sometime_o subvert_v whole_a kingdom_n in_o africa_n if_o they_o have_v happen_v to_o have_v be_v bear_v in_o europe_n will_v have_v do_v the_o same_o here_o where_o though_o their_o religion_n may_v have_v be_v different_a yet_o will_v their_o genius_n have_v be_v the_o same_o as_o rising_z from_o the_o same_o conjunction_n of_o conscience_n and_o passion_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v but_o be_v a_o wonder_n to_o any_o man_n that_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o experience_n of_o former_a age_n to_o see_v governor_n after_o so_o many_o warning_n so_o insensible_a of_o this_o mischief_n and_o however_o they_o may_v think_v themselves_o unconcern_v to_o restrain_v the_o opinion_n of_o any_o dissent_v sect_n as_o be_v perhaps_o but_o foolish_a and_o inconsiderable_a in_o themselves_o yet_o nothing_o can_v more_o high_o concern_v they_o than_o to_o provide_v against_o their_o inclination_n as_o be_v general_o of_o a_o sad_a and_o dangerous_a consequence_n to_o the_o state_n and_o this_o at_o present_a may_v suffice_v to_o evince_v how_o much_o it_o concern_v authority_n to_o look_v to_o the_o particular_a principle_n and_o inclination_n of_o every_o sect_n and_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o mere_a belief_n of_o invisible_a power_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v religion_n enough_o to_o awe_v man_n to_o obedience_n that_o unless_o it_o be_v temper_v with_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o manage_v with_o special_a prudence_n and_o discretion_n it_o rather_o tend_v to_o make_v the_o rude_a multitude_n more_o headstrong_a and_o ungovernable_a sect._n 5._o three_o to_o permit_v different_a sect_n of_o religion_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n be_v only_o to_o keep_v up_o so_o many_o pretence_n and_o occasion_n for_o public_a disturbance_n the_o faction_n of_o religion_n be_v ever_o the_o most_o seditious_a and_o the_o less_o material_a their_o difference_n the_o more_o implacable_a their_o hatred_n as_o the_o turk_n think_v it_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n to_o kill_v one_o persian_a than_o seventy_o christian_n no_o hinge_n so_o vehement_o alienates_v man_n affection_n as_o variety_n of_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n here_o they_o can_v disagree_v but_o they_o must_v quarrel_v too_o and_o when_o religion_n divide_v man_n mind_n no_o other_o common_a interest_n can_v unite_v they_o and_o where_o zeal_n dissolve_v friendship_n the_o tie_n of_o nature_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o reconcile_v it_o every_o faction_n be_v at_o open_a defiance_n with_o every_o faction_n they_o be_v always_o in_o a_o state_n and_o posture_n of_o war_n and_o engage_v in_o a_o mortal_a and_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n against_o each_o other_o when_o ever_o man_n part_v communion_n every_o party_n must_v of_o necessity_n esteem_v the_o other_o impious_a and_o heretical_a in_o that_o they_o never_o divide_v but_o with_o pretence_n that_o they_o can_v not_o agree_v without_o be_v guilty_a of_o some_o sin_n or_o other_o as_o blasphemy_n or_o idolatry_n or_o superstition_n or_o heresy_n or_o the_o like_a for_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o principle_n that_o peace_n ought_v always_o to_o be_v preserve_v where_o it_o can_v without_o offend_a god_n and_o offer_v violence_n to_o conscience_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o one_o another_o as_o lie_v under_o the_o divine_a wrath_n and_o displeasure_n and_o consequent_o in_o a_o damnable_a condition_n and_o then_o be_v both_o party_n engage_v as_o they_o love_v god_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o labour_v one_o another_o ruin_n and_o when_o the_o party_n be_v form_v and_o man_n be_v list_v into_o it_o by_o chance_n and_o education_n the_o distinguish_a opinion_n of_o the_o party_n be_v to_o they_o the_o most_o material_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o their_o belief_n and_o so_o they_o must_v account_v of_o all_o that_o either_o disowne_n or_o deny_v it_o as_o of_o heathen_n infidel_n and_o