Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	good_a	witness_n	witness_v	2,329	5	9.9757	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61130	A treatise partly theological, and partly political containing some few discourses, to prove that the liberty of philosophizing (that is making use of natural reason) may be allow'd without any prejudice to piety, or to the peace of any common-wealth, and that the loss of public peace and religion it self must necessarily follow, where such a liberty of reasoning is taken away / translated out of Latin.; Tractatus theologico-politicus. English	Spinoza, Benedictus de, 1632-1677.	1689 (1689)	Wing S4985; ESTC R21627	207,956	494

foundation_n and_o proper_a subject_n of_o philosophy_n nor_o ought_v we_o to_o be_v trouble_v or_o concern_v if_o after_o we_o have_v find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o scripture_n in_o some_o place_n seem_v repugnant_a to_o reason_n for_o whatever_o of_o that_o kind_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o bible_n and_o of_o which_o man_n may_v without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n be_v ignorant_a do_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v theology_n or_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o of_o such_o thing_n a_o man_n may_v without_o sin_n think_v what_o he_o please_v and_o therefore_o we_o positive_o conclude_v that_o reason_n be_v not_o to_o be_v accommodate_v to_o scripture_n nor_o scripture_n to_o reason_n but_o see_v the_o fundamental_a point_n in_o divinity_n of_o man_n be_v save_v only_o by_o obedience_n can_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o reason_n to_o be_v true_a or_o false_a it_o may_v by_o way_n of_o objection_n be_v then_o ask_v why_o then_o do_v we_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o do_v it_o blind_o without_o reason_n we_o act_n like_o fool_n without_o judgement_n if_o on_o the_o other_o side_n we_o say_v this_o fundamental_a tenet_n may_v be_v prove_v by_o reason_n than_o divinity_n be_v a_o part_n of_o philosophy_n and_o can_v be_v sever_v from_o it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o do_v clear_o confess_v this_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o theology_n can_v be_v make_v out_o by_o natural_a reason_n at_o least_o no_o man_n that_o i_o know_v have_v ever_o do_v it_o therefore_o revelation_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a in_o the_o case_n but_o yet_o we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o our_o judgement_n and_o reason_n that_o what_o have_v be_v reveal_v may_v with_o a_o moral_a certainty_n be_v believe_v by_o we_o i_o say_v with_o moral_a certainty_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o we_o can_v have_v any_o great_a assurance_n than_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o have_v to_o who_o the_o revelation_n be_v first_o make_v and_o who_o have_v no_o more_o than_o a_o moral_a certainty_n as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o this_o treatise_n they_o therefore_o be_v in_o a_o very_a great_a error_n who_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n by_o mathematical_a demonstration_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o no_o strong_a argument_n than_o the_o prophet_n make_v use_v of_o to_o persuade_v the_o people_n of_o they_o our_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n authority_n can_v be_v ground_v upon_o no_o other_o foundation_n than_o that_o whereon_o the_o prophet_n found_v their_o certainty_n and_o authority_n and_o we_o have_v already_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o prophet_n consist_v in_o three_o particular_n first_o in_o a_o clear_a and_o lively_a imagination_n second_o in_o a_o sign_n three_o and_o principal_o in_o a_o mind_n incline_v and_o devote_v to_o justice_n and_o virtue_n nor_o can_v they_o give_v any_o other_o evidence_n of_o their_o authority_n either_o to_o the_o people_n to_o who_o they_o speak_v in_o their_o own_o person_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n nor_o can_v any_o other_o be_v give_v to_o we_o to_o who_o they_o speak_v by_o their_o write_n the_o lively_a imagination_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o argument_n only_o to_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o all_o our_o assurance_n concern_v revelation_n do_v and_o must_v consist_v only_o in_o the_o other_o two_o particular_n namely_o in_o a_o sign_n and_o in_o the_o doctrine_n the_o eighteen_o chapter_n of_o deuteronomy_n command_v the_o people_n to_o obey_v that_o prophet_n who_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n give_v they_o a_o true_a sign_n but_o if_o he_o prophesy_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a though_o it_o be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n he_o be_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n as_o he_o be_v who_o endeavour_v to_o seduce_v they_o from_o the_o true_a religion_n though_o he_o confirm_v his_o prophecy_n with_o sign_n and_o miracle_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o 13_o the_o chapter_n of_o deuteronomy_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o a_o true_a prophet_n be_v to_o be_v know_v from_o a_o false_a by_o his_o doctrine_n and_o by_o a_o miracle_n both_o together_o for_o such_o a_o one_o only_a moses_n declare_v to_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n and_o command_v the_o people_n to_o believe_v he_o without_o any_o fear_n of_o be_v deceive_v but_o he_o declare_v those_o to_o be_v false_a prophet_n and_o guilty_a of_o death_n who_o foretell_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a though_o it_o be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n or_o he_o that_o preach_v false_a god_n though_o he_o wrought_v true_a miracle_n we_o then_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n that_o be_v the_o prophet_n upon_o account_n only_o of_o their_o doctrine_n confirm_v by_o sign_n because_o we_o see_v the_o prophet_n above_o all_o thing_n commend_v justice_n and_o charity_n and_o intend_v nothing_o else_o because_o with_o a_o sincere_a mind_n without_o any_o guile_n or_o deceit_n they_o declare_v that_o man_n by_o faith_n and_o obedience_n shall_v be_v make_v happy_a and_o confirm_v this_o their_o doctrine_n with_o sign_n we_o therefore_o conclude_v and_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o when_o they_o prophesy_v they_o do_v neither_o dote_v or_o speak_v unadvised_o in_o which_o opinion_n we_o be_v the_o more_o confirm_v when_o we_o consider_v that_o all_o their_o moral_a doctrine_n do_v perfect_o agree_v with_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o the_o prophet_n be_v exact_o consonant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n within_o we_o so_o that_o i_o say_v again_o we_o be_v as_o much_o assure_v of_o these_o thing_n by_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v by_o the_o prophet_n preach_v to_o they_o viva_fw-la voce_fw-mi for_o we_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o chapter_n that_o the_o scripture_n as_o to_o its_o doctrine_n and_o the_o principal_a history_n thereof_o be_v derive_v down_o to_o we_o uncorrupted_a and_o therefore_o this_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o scripture_n and_o theology_n aught_o with_o good_a reason_n to_o be_v embrace_v by_o we_o though_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o mathematical_a demonstration_n it_o be_v very_o great_a folly_n not_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o so_o many_o testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o which_o be_v so_o great_a a_o comfort_n to_o those_o who_o have_v but_o ordinary_a portion_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v so_o beneficial_a to_o the_o public_a and_o which_o may_v without_o any_o danger_n or_o loss_n be_v believe_v we_o can_v give_v no_o reason_n for_o our_o doubt_v or_o unbelief_n but_o our_o not_o have_v mathematical_a demonstration_n to_o prove_v it_o as_o if_o nothing_o can_v contribute_v to_o live_v virtuous_o and_o prudent_o but_o that_o which_o be_v absolute_o and_o apparent_o true_a in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o shadow_n or_o doubt_n and_o as_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o chance_n and_o uncertainty_n in_o our_o action_n i_o confess_v they_o who_o think_v philosophy_n and_o divinity_n contradictory_n one_o to_o another_o and_o therefore_o conclude_v one_o of_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v dethrone_v and_o subject_v to_o the_o other_o do_v very_o well_o to_o build_v divinity_n upon_o a_o sure_a foundation_n and_o endeavour_v by_o infallible_a demonstration_n to_o support_v it_o yet_o i_o can_v but_o condemn_v those_o that_o make_v use_v of_o reason_n to_o destroy_v reason_n and_o by_o certain_a reason_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v there_o be_v no_o certainty_n in_o reason_n while_o they_o be_v demonstrate_v the_o verity_n and_o authority_n of_o theology_n and_o strive_v to_o deprive_v reason_n of_o its_o power_n they_o subject_a theology_n to_o the_o empire_n of_o reason_n and_o allow_v it_o no_o other_o splendour_n than_o what_o it_o borrow_v from_o natural_a light_n if_o they_o boast_v of_o rely_v upon_o the_o internal_a testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o say_v they_o make_v use_v of_o reason_n only_o to_o convert_v infidel_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o believe_v they_o because_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n bear_v witness_n to_o nothing_o but_o good_a work_n which_o paul_n galath_n 5._o 22._o therefore_o call_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o tranquillity_n of_o mind_n and_o peace_n of_o conscience_n which_o arise_v in_o we_o from_o do_v good_a but_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o thing_n mere_o speculative_a no_o other_o spirit_n but_o reason_n bear_v witness_v reason_v only_o can_v challenge_v the_o power_n of_o judge_v what_o be_v true_a they_o that_o pretend_v to_o any_o other_o spirit_n whereby_o to_o make_v themselves_o certain_a what_o be_v true_a maintain_v

opinion_n limit_n and_o rule_n for_o what_o they_o shall_v say_v for_o if_o wiseman_n can_v keep_v silence_n much_o less_o can_v the_o ignorant_a multitude_n hold_v their_o peace_n it_o be_v all_o man_n infirmity_n though_o never_o so_o much_o secrecy_n be_v require_v to_o make_v other_o privy_a to_o their_o counsel_n and_o therefore_o that_o government_n be_v violent_a where_o every_o man_n be_v deny_v the_o liberty_n of_o say_v and_o declare_v what_o he_o think_v and_o that_o government_n be_v moderate_a and_o well_o order_v where_o such_o a_o liberty_n be_v allow_v it_o be_v true_a and_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v but_o that_o supreme_a magistrate_n may_v be_v injure_v and_o offend_v by_o word_n as_o well_o as_o deed_n and_o though_o it_o be_v impossible_a whole_o to_o take_v away_o this_o liberty_n from_o subject_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o will_v be_v pernicious_a to_o put_v no_o restraint_n upon_o it_o so_o that_o now_o my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v how_o far_o this_o liberty_n without_o any_o danger_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n or_o prejudice_n to_o the_o right_n of_o supreme_a power_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v allow_v which_o be_v as_o i_o have_v hint_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o 16_o the_o chapter_n my_o chief_a intention_n and_o design_n from_o the_o fundamental_o of_o government_n which_o i_o have_v already_o explain_v it_o clear_o follow_v that_o the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o government_n be_v not_o to_o domineer_v and_o keep_v man_n in_o fear_n and_o subjection_n but_o to_o free_a man_n from_o terror_n that_o every_o man_n may_v as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a live_v secure_o that_o be_v may_v still_o retain_v his_o natural_a right_n of_o subsist_v and_o act_v without_o hurt_v himself_o or_o any_o other_o person_n i_o say_v the_o end_n of_o government_n be_v not_o to_o turn_v rational_a man_n into_o beast_n or_o walk_a engine_n but_o to_o suffer_v both_o their_o soul_n and_o body_n to_o do_v each_o their_o proper_a duty_n allow_v they_o the_o free_a use_n of_o reason_n that_o they_o may_v not_o by_o hatred_n envy_n anger_n or_o deceit_n become_v enemy_n to_o one_o another_o so_o that_o the_o end_n of_o public_a government_n be_v indeed_o liberty_n and_o to_o the_o form_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o the_o power_n of_o make_v law_n and_o decree_n shall_v be_v either_o in_o all_o in_o some_o or_o in_o one_o single_a person_n for_o see_v in_o every_o man_n opinion_n though_o it_o be_v free_a there_o be_v difference_n and_o variety_n and_o every_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o believe_v that_o he_o know_v all_o thing_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o make_v they_o all_o of_o one_o mind_n or_o to_o agree_v in_o their_o discourse_n so_o that_o they_o can_v never_o live_v peaceable_o unless_o every_o one_o part_n with_o his_o power_n of_o do_v what_o his_o own_o mind_n prompt_v he_o to_o but_o though_o every_o one_o part_n with_o the_o power_n of_o do_v what_o he_o please_v yet_o he_o do_v not_o part_n with_o his_o power_n of_o reason_v and_o judge_v so_o that_o though_o he_o can_v without_o offence_n act_n or_o do_v any_o thing_n against_o the_o decree_n or_o determination_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n yet_o he_o may_v free_o think_v judge_n and_o consequent_o speak_v provide_v in_o what_o he_o simple_o speak_v or_o teach_v there_o be_v reason_n and_o no_o crafty_a malicious_a design_n through_o hatred_n or_o revenge_n to_o make_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o own_o authority_n innovation_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n for_o example_n if_o a_o man_n think_v a_o particular_a law_n contrary_a to_o right_a reason_n and_o therefore_o fit_a to_o be_v repeal_v yet_o if_o he_o submit_v his_o opinion_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n who_o right_a it_o be_v to_o make_v and_o repeal_v law_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n do_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o that_o law_n he_o deserve_v well_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n as_o do_v every_o good_a subject_n but_o if_o on_o the_o contrary_a he_o speak_v against_o that_o law_n purposely_o to_o accuse_v the_o magistrate_n of_o injustice_n and_o to_o render_v he_o odious_a to_o the_o people_n or_o if_o he_o seditious_o endeavour_v to_o abrogate_v that_o law_n in_o spite_n of_o the_o magistrate_n he_o be_v a_o rebellious_a disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n we_o see_v then_o upon_o what_o ground_n every_o man_n without_o prejudice_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o gommonwealth_n or_o to_o the_o right_n of_o supreme_a power_n may_v speak_v and_o teach_v what_o he_o think_v if_o he_o leave_v they_o the_o power_n of_o regulate_v man_n action_n and_o do_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o their_o decree_n though_o he_o sometime_o do_v contrary_a to_o that_o which_o in_o his_o own_o opinion_n and_o judgement_n he_o think_v to_o be_v good_a which_o notwithstanding_o he_o may_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n yea_o ought_v to_o do_v if_o he_o will_v be_v account_v a_o good_a subject_n for_o as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v justice_n depend_v upon_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v just_o unless_o he_o live_v according_a to_o the_o know_a law_n piety_n as_o i_o have_v declare_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n chief_o consist_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o thing_n which_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v preserve_v if_o every_o man_n shall_v live_v as_o he_o please_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impiety_n in_o any_o subject_a to_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n because_o be_v it_o lawful_a for_o every_o man_n so_o to_o do_v the_o total_a ruin_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n must_v necessary_o follow_v no_o man_n can_v be_v say_v to_o act_v against_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o own_o reason_n who_o submit_v to_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o supreme_a power_n because_o every_o man_n by_o the_o persuasion_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n resolve_v to_o part_n with_o his_o right_n of_o live_v according_a to_o his_o own_o will_n and_o this_o be_v prove_v by_o practice_n for_o in_o council_n compose_v of_o the_o supreme_a or_o subordinate_a power_n it_o seldom_o happen_v that_o any_o thing_n be_v decree_v or_o determine_v by_o the_o universal_a consent_n and_o general_a vote_n of_o all_o the_o member_n yet_o the_o result_v of_o those_o counsel_n whatever_o they_o be_v be_v always_o account_v as_o much_o the_o decree_n of_o those_o who_o vote_v against_o as_o of_o those_o that_o vote_v for_o they_o so_o that_o by_o the_o very_a principle_n of_o government_n we_o see_v that_o without_o any_o wrong_n do_v to_o the_o right_n of_o supreme_a power_n a_o man_n may_v use_v the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o judgement_n and_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a from_o the_o fundamental_o of_o government_n to_o determine_v what_o opinion_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n be_v to_o be_v account_v seditious_a namely_o those_o which_o direct_o nullify_v and_o destroy_v the_o covenant_n whereby_o every_o man_n oblige_v himself_o to_o part_n with_o his_o right_n of_o live_v according_a to_o his_o own_o will._n for_o example_n if_o any_o man_n think_v the_o supreme_a power_n be_v subject_a to_o some_o other_o power_n that_o a_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o perform_v his_o promise_n or_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o every_o man_n to_o live_v as_o he_o please_v these_o and_o the_o like_a opinion_n render_v a_o man_n seditious_a because_o they_o be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o the_o foresay_a covenant_n not_o bare_o because_o they_o be_v his_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n but_o because_o such_o opinion_n have_v in_o they_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o crime_n and_o gild_n for_o even_o by_o so_o think_v a_o man_n tacit_o break_v all_o the_o bond_n of_o that_o fidelity_n which_o he_o promise_v to_o the_o supreme_a power_n therefore_o other_o opinion_n which_o contain_v no_o actual_a breach_n of_o the_o covenant_n no_o revenge_n no_o anger_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v seditious_a unless_o it_o be_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n where_o reason_n be_v deprave_v and_o where_o ambitious_a and_o superstitious_a man_n be_v grow_v to_o such_o a_o height_n that_o they_o can_v endure_v those_o that_o be_v honest_a or_o ingenuous_a but_o will_v have_v the_o people_n think_v their_o authority_n great_a than_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o opinion_n which_o though_o they_o seem_v to_o intend_v nothing_o but_o simple_o to_o argue_v and_o judge_v what_o be_v true_a and_o what_o false_a yet_o they_o may_v be_v very_o malicious_o propound_v and_o divulge_v of_o these_o we_o speak_v in_o the_o 15_o the_o chapter_n but_o so_o that_o reason_n nevertheless_o shall_v remain_v free_a last_o if_o we_o serious_o consider_v that_o every_o