Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	action_n	conscience_n	law_n	1,213	5	5.9851	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52357	The true liberty & dominion of conscience vindicated, from the usurpations & abuses of opinion, and persuasion	Nalson, John, 1638?-1686.	1677 (1677)	Wing N117; ESTC R19982	50,790	152

this_o i_o doubt_v not_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o who_o talk_v so_o loud_o about_o conscience_n i_o mean_v the_o vulgar_a who_o have_v little_a to_o say_v for_o themselves_o beside_o that_o do_v scarce_o understand_v the_o word_n and_o be_v absolute_a stranger_n to_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o such_o therefore_o as_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o be_v wilful_a may_v be_v undeceive_v and_o that_o they_o may_v not_o give_v to_o this_o pretend_a conscience_n a_o great_a sovereignty_n than_o ever_o god_n almighty_a do_v design_n the_o true_a one_o by_o set_v it_o up_o as_o a_o omnipotent_a idol_n in_o their_o heart_n i_o offer_v this_o follow_a discourse_n which_o if_o peruse_v with_o that_o sobriety_n and_o impartiality_n of_o consideration_n as_o become_v a_o concern_v of_o so_o great_a moment_n may_v i_o hope_v conduce_v much_o to_o the_o present_a satisfaction_n of_o many_o and_o the_o public_a advantage_n of_o my_o native_a country_n by_o remove_v the_o occasion_n of_o so_o many_o heat_n and_o animosity_n separation_n and_o division_n as_o draw_v their_o original_n principal_o from_o these_o mistake_n about_o matter_n of_o conscience_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o great_a influence_n which_o the_o true_a conscience_n have_v upon_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o therefore_o the_o great_a necessity_n there_o be_v that_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v right_o inform_v concern_v it_o have_v now_o show_v the_o great_a power_n of_o a_o pretend_a conscience_n before_o we_o proceed_v any_o further_a it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o show_v of_o what_o concern_v it_o be_v for_o all_o man_n right_o to_o understand_v themselves_o in_o this_o affair_n of_o conscience_n which_o can_v be_v better_a do_v than_o by_o display_v the_o powerful_a influence_n which_o conscience_n challenge_v in_o the_o management_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n we_o will_v therefore_o brief_o trace_v it_o through_o its_o vast_a dominion_n of_o economic_n ethic_n politic_n and_o divinity_n we_o will_v begin_v then_o with_o private_a family_n and_o there_o we_o shall_v find_v conscience_n to_o be_v the_o only_a bond_n of_o union_n the_o only_a maintainer_n and_o preserver_n of_o those_o respective_a duty_n which_o be_v owe_v from_o one_o to_o another_o in_o those_o little_a primitive_a society_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o we_o see_v where_o this_o bear_v the_o sway_n there_o be_v always_o the_o most_o domestic_a peace_n concord_n and_o tranquillity_n on_o the_o contrary_a where_o this_o principle_n be_v want_v neither_o the_o obligation_n of_o nature_n education_n or_o reason_n be_v powerful_a enough_o to_o keep_v man_n within_o the_o limit_n of_o their_o duty_n but_o cain_n shall_v imbrue_v his_o hand_n in_o the_o innocent_a blood_n of_o his_o only_a brother_n abel_n amnon_n shall_v commit_v a_o rape_n upon_o his_o beautiful_a sister_n tamar_n absalon_n shall_v rebel_v against_o and_o endeavour_v to_o depose_v his_o father_n in_o short_a without_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n will_v be_v unkind_a to_o the_o wife_n of_o his_o bosom_n cruel_a to_o his_o child_n tyrannical_a to_o his_o servant_n the_o wife_n will_v be_v false_a and_o treacherous_a the_o child_n will_v be_v undutiful_a and_o unnatural_a the_o servant_n will_v be_v negligent_a faithless_a and_o disobedient_a and_o all_o extreme_o vicious_a and_o in_o a_o word_n there_o will_v be_v neither_o order_n government_n peace_n nor_o any_o kind_n of_o happiness_n in_o these_o little_a community_n without_o conscience_n if_o we_o step_v out_o of_o private_a door_n into_o the_o wide_a world_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o without_o the_o tie_n of_o conscience_n to_o oblige_v man_n to_o their_o several_a and_o respective_a duty_n there_o will_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o virtue_n to_o be_v find_v in_o all_o humane_a race_n and_o one_o may_v as_o successful_o seek_v and_o it_o may_v be_v more_o probable_o find_v temperance_n chastity_n justice_n fortitude_n prudence_n magnanimity_n fidelity_n and_o gratitude_n among_o the_o savage_a inhabitant_n of_o the_o wood_n and_o desert_n without_o this_o man_n resign_v themselves_o up_o so_o whole_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o their_o blind_a passion_n of_o lust_n hatred_n anger_n jealousy_n fear_v and_o despair_n that_o they_o seem_v not_o only_o divest_v of_o all_o morality_n but_o even_o of_o humanity_n itself_o let_v the_o late_o discover_v inhabitant_n of_o the_o western_a world_n attest_v this_o truth_n among_o who_o for_o want_v of_o this_o there_o be_v so_o little_a to_o be_v find_v of_o morality_n that_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o humane_a shape_n and_z among_o some_o of_o they_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n it_o have_v be_v impossible_a to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o the_o so_o near_o relate_v brute_n some_o of_o which_o want_v little_a advantage_n of_o they_o but_o a_o language_n to_o express_v themselves_o in_o so_o as_o to_o be_v understand_v but_o leave_v these_o barbarous_a region_n if_o we_o come_v where_o morality_n have_v civilise_a and_o common_a necessity_n have_v unite_v man_n into_o combination_n and_o society_n where_o there_o be_v the_o best_a establish_a government_n the_o most_o prudent_a and_o excellent_a law_n for_o the_o promote_a the_o common_a good_a and_o secure_v every_o man_n particular_a interest_n and_o property_n yet_o still_o the_o great_a obligation_n to_o these_o law_n and_o this_o government_n must_v be_v conscience_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o reason_n why_o all_o the_o ancient_a lawgiver_n in_o imitation_n of_o moses_n have_v pretend_v a_o familiarity_n and_o frequent_a intercourse_n with_o the_o divinity_n and_o therefore_o propose_v their_o law_n to_o the_o people_n as_o the_o will_n of_o the_o god_n as_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o no_o other_o principle_n be_v capable_a of_o lay_v such_o a_o powerful_a obligation_n to_o duty_n and_o obedience_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o such_o a_o belief_n for_o all_o obedience_n must_v be_v resolve_v into_o one_o of_o these_o principle_n hope_v of_o advantage_n fear_v of_o punishment_n or_o conscience_n of_o duty_n to_o god_n now_o if_o either_o hope_n of_o advantage_n or_o fear_v of_o punishment_n be_v the_o only_a inducement_n to_o order_n and_o obedience_n less_o degree_n of_o this_o fear_n or_o however_o a_o belief_n that_o they_o be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o punishment_n or_o great_a though_o only_a hope_n of_o private_a advantage_n shall_v cancel_v all_o the_o obligation_n to_o humane_a law_n and_o the_o public_a advantage_n and_o like_o a_o impetuous_a torrent_n shall_v violent_o break_v all_o the_o bank_n of_o law_n and_o government_n and_o tear_v up_o the_o foundation_n of_o whatever_o do_v oppose_v its_o furious_a rage_n nor_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o popular_a insurrection_n disorder_n or_o rebellion_n in_o any_o nation_n but_o take_v its_o original_n from_o one_o of_o these_o tempestuous_a principle_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a no_o hope_n of_o impunity_n from_o humane_a law_n no_o private_a interest_n or_o ambition_n can_v persuade_v a_o man_n from_o that_o duty_n which_o he_o owe_v to_o law_n and_o government_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o conscience_n nay_o we_o have_v further_o see_v that_o cruelty_n itself_o with_o all_o its_o terror_n and_o tormentor_n have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o shake_v man_n off_o from_o this_o firm_a and_o solid_a foundation_n of_o fix_a obedience_n thus_o we_o see_v conscience_n the_o best_a preservative_n against_o the_o threaten_a danger_n of_o intestine_a mischief_n nor_o be_v it_o less_o available_a against_o foreign_a force_n for_o unity_n of_o mind_n which_o be_v the_o genuine_a and_o natural_a effect_n of_o conscience_n be_v certain_o the_o great_a policy_n as_o well_o as_o strength_n of_o any_o people_n whereas_o discord_n division_n and_o mutual_a dissension_n give_v all_o the_o hope_n and_o encouragement_n to_o a_o foreign_a power_n to_o invade_v and_o all_o the_o help_n and_o advantage_n to_o subdue_v this_o make_v the_o roman_a eagle_n stretch_v their_o victorious_a pinion_n over_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o civil_a dissension_n of_o their_o neighbour_n among_o themselves_o make_v many_o potent_a and_o otherwise_o invincible_a people_n become_v a_o easy_a quarry_n to_o their_o ambitious_a arm_n and_o whilst_o with_o a_o show_n of_o justice_n they_o pretend_v to_o espouse_v the_o quarrel_n of_o the_o weak_a part_n by_o overpoise_v of_o the_o balance_n both_o side_n at_o last_o become_v their_o prey_n and_o thrust_v their_o own_o neck_n under_o the_o fatal_a yoke_n which_o by_o unity_n they_o may_v easy_o have_v avoid_v it_o be_v to_o this_o the_o ottoman_n owe_v the_o prodigious_a success_n of_o their_o prevail_a crescent_n which_o have_v either_o never_o be_v so_o or_o have_v long_o since_o be_v in_o their_o wain_n again_o if_o the_o division_n among_o the_o christian_a prince_n have_v

a_o sigurative_a and_o material_a fire_n seem_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o design_n and_o therefore_o that_o be_v his_o persuasion_n so_o that_o the_o difference_n between_o opinion_n and_o persuasion_n seem_v to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o while_o i_o embrace_v with_o a_o equal_a indifference_n either_o part_n of_o a_o doubtful_a thing_n it_o be_v but_o opinion_n when_o from_o the_o great_a probability_n i_o pass_v to_o a_o determination_n of_o my_o mind_n than_o it_o be_v my_o particular_a persuasion_n the_o difference_n between_o matter_n of_o conscience_n and_o matter_n of_o opinion_n or_o persuasion_n be_v that_o what_o be_v matter_n of_o conscience_n be_v always_o certain_o know_v and_o therefore_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v or_o abstain_v from_o what_o be_v matter_n of_o opinion_n or_o persuasion_n be_v not_o clear_o and_o certain_o know_v but_o admit_v of_o doubt_v and_o therefore_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a but_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v chap._n vii_o how_o far_o man_n be_v oblige_v by_o opinion_n or_o private_a persuasion_n and_o what_o influence_n these_o have_v upon_o humane_a affair_n have_v now_o show_v what_o conscience_n opinion_n and_o persuasion_n be_v and_o how_o they_o differ_v one_o from_o another_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o we_o show_v how_o far_o these_o two_o last_o do_v oblige_v any_o person_n in_o the_o management_n of_o humane_a action_n relate_v to_o divinity_n first_o therefore_o every_o man_n be_v oblige_v by_o his_o private_a opinion_n or_o persuasion_n only_o in_o thing_n indifferent_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o undetermined_a which_o be_v the_o proper_a sphere_n of_o their_o activity_n to_o act_v or_o not_o to_o act_v to_o believe_v or_o not_o to_o believe_v so_o far_o as_o in_o act_v or_o believe_v he_o do_v not_o contradict_v a_o know_a rule_n of_o conscience_n which_o be_v a_o absolute_o necessary_a duty_n now_o the_o great_a and_o general_a rule_n of_o all_o our_o faith_n and_o action_n be_v god_n glory_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o by_o our_o obedience_n to_o his_o command_n to_o that_o purpose_n to_o promote_v the_o happiness_n of_o the_o universe_n both_o here_o and_o hereafter_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a for_o any_o person_n in_o any_o part_n of_o his_o belief_n or_o in_o any_o of_o his_o action_n to_o see_v whether_o they_o have_v a_o respect_n to_o these_o end_n for_o if_o they_o have_v not_o they_o certain_o cross_v the_o great_a design_n and_o intention_n of_o our_o almighty_a creator_n to_o who_o will_n we_o owe_v all_o ready_a obedience_n and_o then_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n they_o become_v absolute_o unlawful_a thus_o suppose_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n for_o very_o good_a and_o religious_a consideration_n that_o i_o ought_v to_o keep_v one_o day_n in_o the_o week_n a_o voluntary_a day_n of_o fast_v or_o abstinence_n and_o i_o choose_v monday_n as_o a_o indifferent_a day_n i_o be_o oblige_v by_o my_o own_o private_a persuasion_n to_o keep_v that_o day_n so_o but_o neither_o my_o persuasion_n nor_o example_n can_v have_v any_o influence_n to_o oblige_v other_o to_o do_v so_o who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n with_o i_o but_o if_o either_o a_o command_n from_o my_o lawful_a superior_n forbid_v i_o abstinence_n on_o that_o day_n or_o enjoin_v it_o to_o be_v observe_v as_o a_o festival_n or_o if_o i_o find_v that_o by_o fast_v i_o impair_v my_o health_n or_o strength_n i_o be_o then_o oblige_v to_o observe_v it_o no_o long_o as_o a_o day_n of_o fast_v because_o than_o my_o private_a persuasion_n will_v cross_v a_o certain_a know_a rule_n of_o conscience_n by_o disobedience_n to_o lawful_a authority_n and_o i_o shall_v also_o be_v injurious_a both_o to_o myself_o and_o it_o may_v be_v to_o many_o other_o who_o may_v have_v a_o dependence_n upon_o my_o life_n and_o well-being_n whereby_o i_o shall_v act_v contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n who_o will_v have_v i_o by_o all_o lawful_a and_o prudent_a way_n and_o mean_n to_o promote_v my_o own_o happiness_n even_o in_o this_o life_n and_o all_o they_o with_o who_o i_o have_v a_o concern_v so_o far_o as_o i_o be_o able_a by_o just_a and_o honest_a endeavour_n second_o every_o man_n private_a opinion_n and_o persuasion_n oblige_v he_o so_o far_o as_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o his_o belief_n and_o action_n it_o follow_v the_o better_a more_o sure_a and_o warrantable_a part_n now_o the_o better_a and_o more_o warrantable_a part_n of_o our_o judgement_n and_o determination_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o action_n be_v first_o that_o which_o have_v the_o consent_n judgement_n approbation_n example_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a man_n in_o all_o age_n as_o near_o to_o the_o necessary_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o action_n but_o because_o this_o can_v so_o easy_o be_v know_v or_o find_v out_o especial_o by_o the_o unlearned_a and_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o people_n who_o have_v neither_o opportunity_n nor_o ability_n to_o discover_v what_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a man_n in_o forepast_a age_n have_v be_v by_o search_v the_o history_n and_o ancient_a record_n of_o former_a time_n therefore_o second_o that_o be_v the_o better_a more_o sure_a and_o warrantable_a part_n of_o our_o judgement_n in_o indifferent_a matter_n of_o opinion_n or_o persuasion_n which_o follow_v the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n peace_n unity_n and_o by_o so_o do_v contribute_v most_o to_o god_n glory_n by_o promote_a the_o happiness_n of_o all_o man_n both_o here_o and_o hereafter_o for_o these_o be_v universal_a rule_n and_o know_v command_n and_o therefore_o necessary_a to_o be_v observe_v be_v give_v we_o for_o the_o guidance_n and_o management_n of_o our_o action_n in_o general_n now_o there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o have_v the_o free_a use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o will_v make_v use_n of_o it_o but_o may_v easy_o discover_v whether_o any_o of_o his_o action_n be_v agreeable_a or_o contrary_a to_o these_o rule_n and_o this_o great_a end_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v plain_o how_o different_a the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n be_v from_o that_o of_o opinion_n or_o private_a persuasion_n conscience_n oblige_v all_o man_n always_o at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n universal_o and_o absolute_o they_o be_v know_v evident_a and_o certain_a duty_n which_o be_v thereby_o command_v opinion_n and_o persuasion_n oblige_v only_o some_o private_a person_n in_o some_o case_n and_o at_o some_o time_n and_o never_o further_o than_o they_o have_v a_o just_a respect_n to_o some_o general_a rule_n of_o conscience_n in_o regard_n they_o be_v not_o so_o certain_o know_v but_o that_o they_o may_v admit_v of_o doubt_n and_o have_v a_o possibility_n of_o be_v other_o than_o they_o appear_v or_o be_v think_v to_o be_v chap._n viii_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o all_o dissenter_n bring_v into_o examination_n by_o the_o forementioned_a rule_n of_o conscience_n opinion_n and_o persuasion_n it_o be_v a_o divine_a as_o well_o as_o mathematical_a truth_n rectum_fw-la est_fw-la mensura_fw-la svi_fw-la &_o obliqui_fw-la a_o right_a line_n show_v both_o its_o own_o straightness_n and_o the_o crookedness_n of_o that_o which_o be_v oblique_a have_v therefore_o show_v this_o rule_n of_o truth_n and_o which_o i_o have_v not_o in_o the_o least_o endeavour_v to_o warp_v or_o bend_v so_o as_o to_o sit_v any_o private_a or_o sinister_a design_n of_o my_o own_o or_o of_o any_o party_n let_v we_o now_o lay_v it_o to_o the_o work_n and_o it_o will_v quick_o discover_v who_o be_v the_o workman_n that_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a 15._o 2_o tim._n 2.15_o 1_o cor._n 3.12_o 13_o 15._o who_o have_v right_o divide_v the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o have_v build_v upon_o that_o good_a foundation_n gold_n silver_n precious_a stone_n in_o beauty_n far_o superior_a to_o the_o polish_a corner_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o who_o be_v they_o that_o have_v build_v straw_n hay_o and_o stubble_n such_o combustible_a stuff_n as_o have_v set_v the_o glorious_a fabric_n of_o the_o church_n into_o flame_n of_o contention_n and_o which_o to_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o builder_n must_v be_v burn_v up_o though_o they_o themselves_o may_v be_v save_v so_o as_o by_o fire_n provide_v they_o do_v it_o ignorant_o and_o not_o of_o malicious_a wickedness_n yet_o their_o work_n must_v perish_v we_o will_v therefore_o consider_v the_o most_o material_a and_o chief_a thing_n which_o be_v in_o difference_n among_o we_o and_o by_o a_o impartial_a apply_v of_o this_o golden_a rule_n of_o conscience_n see_v who_o come_v near_a the_o truth_n and_o right_n i_o do_v purposely_o avoid_v the_o knotty_a question_n of_o divinity_n and_o the_o different_a opinion_n about_o they_o in_o regard_n that_o these_o may_v be_v diverse_o believe_v and_o maintain_v without_o