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	evil_a	good_a	1,020	5	3.4395	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A36078	A Discourse about conscience, relating to the present differences among us in opposition to both extreams of popery and fanaticism.		1684 (1684)	Wing D1568; ESTC R8393	25,645	43

socrates_n and_o content_v myself_o to_o be_v virtuous_a at_o the_o rate_n of_o a_o heathen_a than_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n we_o know_v better_a thing_n and_o have_v be_v teach_v quite_o otherwise_o we_o have_v not_o thus_o learned_a christ_n his_o religion_n be_v pure_a religion_n and_o undefiled_a his_o command_n be_v holy_a just_a and_o good_a he_o countenance_v no_o sort_n of_o immorality_n but_o encourage_v the_o universal_a practice_n of_o all_o virtue_n it_o threaten_v damnation_n to_o such_o as_o resist_v authority_n which_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o affirm_v the_o damnation_n of_o those_o man_n to_o be_v just_a who_o think_v to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o rom._n 3.8_o it_o make_v it_o as_o necessary_a for_o subject_n to_o submit_v i_o do_v not_o say_v always_o to_o obey_v but_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o governor_n as_o for_o child_n to_o be_v obedient_a to_o their_o parent_n and_o for_o servant_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o master_n and_o he_o that_o go_v about_o to_o take_v off_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o one_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o term_n take_v away_o all_o duty_n in_o child_n towards_o parent_n and_o all_o faithfulness_n in_o servant_n towards_o master_n for_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o civil_a government_n be_v as_o natural_a and_o sacred_a as_o that_o which_o be_v exercise_v in_o family_n and_o keep_v up_o in_o a_o man_n be_v own_o house_n i_o have_v insist_v the_o long_a on_o this_o not_o so_o much_o to_o look_v backward_o as_o forward_o to_o undeceive_v people_n by_o open_v their_o eye_n and_o discover_v those_o pious_a fraud_n profane_a cheat_n and_o hypocritical_a abuse_n which_o for_o a_o long_a time_n have_v pass_v cleverly_o with_o some_o man_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o conscience_n and_o religion_n and_o to_o show_v you_o what_o spirit_n such_o man_n be_v of_o thereby_o to_o caution_n you_o for_o the_o future_a against_o all_o such_o lewd_a principle_n and_o pretence_n how_o specious_o soever_o they_o may_v be_v gild_v over_o and_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n that_o you_o suffer_v not_o yourselves_o to_o be_v cheat_v out_o of_o a_o peaceable_a loyal_a and_o well-tempered_a religion_n by_o any_o bold_a incendiary_n or_o cunning_a hypocrite_n of_o they_o all_o be_v they_o of_o what_o party_n or_o faction_n they_o will_v whether_o foreign_a or_o domestic_a at_o home_o or_o abroad_o but_o yet_o in_o the_o second_o place_n notwithstanding_o conscience_n have_v be_v so_o gross_o mistake_v and_o abuse_v yet_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v slight_v much_o less_o cast_v off_o upon_o that_o account_n any_o more_o than_o religion_n which_o have_v often_o meet_v with_o the_o like_a hard_a fate_n or_o civil_a government_n which_o have_v be_v usurp_v by_o those_o that_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o and_o manage_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o primitive_a end_n and_o institution_n thereof_o now_o if_o the_o abuse_n of_o government_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o our_o reject_v of_o they_o no_o more_o be_v it_o for_o the_o lay_v aside_o of_o conscience_n because_o the_o great_a abuse_n can_v never_o be_v make_v a_o argument_n for_o the_o total_a abandon_v thereof_o for_o if_o you_o come_v once_o to_o cast_v off_o conscience_n you_o throw_v off_o with_o it_o all_o obligation_n to_o duty_n you_o take_v away_o all_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a all_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n right_o and_o wrong_n and_o thereby_o reduce_v mankind_n into_o the_o rank_n of_o brute-beast_n without_o regard_n to_o conscience_n you_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o religion_n nor_o of_o the_o ordinary_a duty_n of_o morality_n we_o can_v do_v one_o good_a action_n without_o it_o nor_o rejoice_v in_o the_o witness_n and_o testimony_n thereof_o there_o will_v be_v then_o no_o peace_n in_o private_a family_n nor_o good_a government_n in_o public_a society_n no_o obedience_n to_o magistrate_n nor_o subjection_n to_o authority_n no_o man_n then_o will_v either_o fear_n god_n or_o honour_n the_o king_n or_o do_v their_o duty_n one_o towards_o another_o all_o which_o be_v yet_o enjoin_v and_o bind_v express_o upon_o our_o conscience_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n conscience_n then_o be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a in_o that_o it_o imply_v a_o obligation_n to_o duty_n and_o lay_v upon_o we_o the_o strong_a bond_n of_o obedience_n there_o be_v no_o argument_n or_o persuasive_a like_o it_o it_o be_v strong_a than_o all_o our_o little_a hope_n and_o fear_n in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v compel_v by_o force_n nor_o bribe_v by_o interest_n nor_o fright_v by_o all_o the_o terror_n and_o apprehension_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a insomuch_o as_o conscience_n though_o daily_o abuse_v by_o ill_a man_n to_o ill_a design_n be_v yet_o of_o excellent_a use_n where_o right_o inform_v due_o apply_v and_o careful_o heed_v and_o attend_v unto_o where_o it_o be_v reverence_v and_o regard_v as_o it_o ought_v it_o tend_v mighty_o to_o the_o make_v man_n thorough_o good_a and_o virtuous_a just_a in_o their_o pretence_n honest_a in_o their_o intention_n upright_a and_o sincere_a in_o all_o their_o promise_n and_o profession_n all_o which_o where_o man_n make_v no_o scruple_n of_o any_o thing_n must_v needs_o be_v false_a dissemble_v and_o treacherous_a where_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o exercise_v a_o good_a conscience_n or_o keep_v it_o void_a of_o offence_n they_o will_v not_o put_v trick_n and_o cheat_n upon_o themselves_o or_o other_o they_o will_v not_o go_v about_o to_o mock_v god_n and_o deceive_v their_o own_o soul_n they_o will_v scorn_v to_o do_v a_o ill_a action_n and_o afterward_o colour_v it_o over_o with_o a_o plausible_a excuse_n or_o hypocritical_a evasion_n but_o will_v endeavour_v after_o the_o practice_n of_o unfeignee_n goodness_n a_o hearty_a compliance_n with_o their_o whole_a duty_n have_v their_o conversation_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v in_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n and_o not_o with_o fleshly_a wisdom_n 2_o cor._n 1.12_o in_o a_o word_n he_o will_v strive_v to_o approve_v himself_o to_o god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o to_o man_n as_o well_o as_o god_n that_o he_o may_v become_v as_o good_a as_o possible_o he_o can_v that_o be_v as_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o his_o own_o honest_a endeavour_n will_v enable_v he_o to_o be_v that_o man_n therefore_o that_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o do_v or_o say_v can_v never_o become_v so_o good_a as_o he_o ought_v he_o can_v be_v no_o true_a and_o last_a friend_n either_o to_o church_n or_o state_n to_o his_o king_n or_o country_n and_o consequent_o unsafe_a to_o be_v trust_v by_o either_o but_o he_o that_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o debauch_v and_o prostitute_n his_o conscience_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o very_o worst_a and_o no_o sinner_n to_o the_o conscientious_a sinner_n who_o can_v sin_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o who_o damnation_n as_o it_o be_v most_o just_a so_o their_o reclaim_n be_v most_o difficult_a as_o be_v obstinate_a in_o their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v or_o can_v be_v offer_v for_o their_o conviction_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v the_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n of_o conscience_n where_o it_o be_v regard_v and_o value_v as_o it_o ought_v and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v decry_v for_o the_o ill_a use_n make_v thereof_o for_o to_o cast_v off_o conscience_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o cast_v off_o all_o religion_n with_o it_o to_o banish_v all_o true_a goodness_n common_a honesty_n and_o moral_a virtue_n out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o all_o that_o order_n pence_n union_n and_o civil_a society_n which_o result_v from_o thence_o and_o wherein_o the_o happiness_n of_o this_o life_n do_v chief_o consist_v i_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o four_o place_n to_o show_v in_o or_o about_o what_o thing_n conscience_n ought_v principal_o to_o be_v concern_v or_o exercise_v first_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o which_o i_o must_v remind_v you_o a_o little_a of_o what_o i_o have_v already_o hint_v in_o the_o description_n of_o conscience_n namely_o that_o conscience_n presuppose_v a_o rule_n or_o law_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o particular_o concern_v about_o thing_n indifferent_a as_o such_o which_o come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o no_o rule_n nor_o within_o the_o limit_n of_o any_o command_n or_o prohibition_n for_o conscience_n be_v no_o further_o concern_v about_o any_o thing_n or_o action_n than_o as_o it_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o obedience_n to_o or_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n now_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n no_o nor_o obedience_n neither_o now_o the_o thing_n we_o call_v indifferent_a be_v such_o as_o god_n have_v

christain_n doctrine_n and_o comprehensive_a of_o the_o most_o material_a article_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o second_o matter_n of_o practice_n which_o be_v less_o controvert_v than_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o be_v agree_v unto_o on_o all_o hand_n and_o to_o which_o all_o the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n ought_v to_o refer_v and_o be_v no_o further_o necessary_a than_o they_o do_v so_o for_o all_o notion_n and_o opinion_n be_v but_o thing_n indifferent_a in_o themselves_o it_o matter_n not_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a if_o they_o pass_v no_o further_o than_o the_o brain_n and_o be_v of_o no_o other_o use_n than_o to_o gratify_v a_o muse_v genius_n and_o speculative_a fancy_n for_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n if_o we_o live_v without_o he_o in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o concern_v in_o relation_n to_o practice_n so_o far_o as_o they_o pass_v from_o the_o head_n to_o the_o heart_n and_o have_v a_o influence_n upon_o our_o life_n truth_n therefore_o be_v valuable_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v high_o prize_v because_o of_o its_o near_a relation_n to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n and_o error_n to_o be_v shun_v and_o avoid_v in_o regard_n of_o its_o vicious_a contagion_n and_o the_o ill_a effect_n it_o have_v upon_o our_o moral_n conscience_n therefore_o be_v concern_v principal_o about_o such_o thing_n in_o religion_n as_o be_v solid_a and_o substantial_a plain_a and_o evident_a necessary_a to_o be_v do_v certain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v and_o such_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v the_o agenda_fw-la or_o matter_n of_o practice_n which_o take_v in_o all_o the_o instance_n of_o our_o duty_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n and_o branch_n themselves_o forth_o into_o the_o great_a command_n of_o lead_v a_o godly_a righteous_a and_o sober_a life_n as_o for_o the_o more_o ignorant_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o such_o as_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n we_o shall_v press_v upon_o they_o the_o great_a and_o necessary_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o morality_n such_o as_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n loyalty_n to_o their_o king_n love_n to_o their_o neighbour_n honesty_n in_o their_o deal_n temperance_n and_o sobriety_n towards_o themselves_o a_o thankful_a use_n and_o acknoledgment_n of_o mercy_n and_o a_o patient-bearing_a and_o improvement_n of_o affliction_n these_o we_o ought_v daily_o to_o press_v upon_o our_o people_n rather_o than_o amuse_v they_o with_o curious_a notion_n or_o receive_v they_o to_o doubtful_a disputation_n which_o oft_o stagger_v more_o than_o they_o confirm_v and_o shake_v their_o faith_n instead_o of_o settle_v it_o and_o though_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o prove_v all_o thing_n and_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a thessaly_n 5.21_o yet_o this_o be_v not_o speak_v to_o all_o indifferent_o it_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o ordinary_a and_o less_o know_v of_o christian_n who_o be_v usual_o uncapable_a of_o such_o a_o inquiry_n but_o to_o such_o who_o have_v leisure_n and_o opportunity_n to_o make_v the_o trial_n judgement_n and_o skill_n to_o go_v through_o with_o it_o or_o to_o do_v it_o to_o better_a purpose_n and_o with_o less_o danger_n to_o themselves_o and_o other_o but_o for_o the_o generality_n of_o people_n where_o they_o be_v satisfy_v that_o no_o sin_n be_v impose_v on_o their_o practice_n nor_o dangerous_a error_n on_o their_o belief_n where_o they_o have_v the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n afford_v they_o constant_a hour_n of_o devotion_n and_o state_v time_n of_o public_a worship_n where_o they_o have_v the_o liberty_n and_o encouragement_n to_o be_v as_o holy_a and_o devout_a as_o they_o will_v as_o virtuous_a and_o strict_a in_o their_o moral_n as_o they_o please_v themselves_o in_o this_o case_n which_o god_n be_v praise_v be_v we_o people_n ought_v to_o rest_v satisfy_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o such_o a_o church_n without_o trouble_v themselves_o with_o needless_a scruple_n uncomfortable_a dolbt_n or_o superstitious_a curiosity_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o take_v up_o too_o much_o of_o their_o time_n and_o thought_n that_o may_v be_v better_o employ_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o well_o know_v and_o necessary_a duty_n and_o improve_n themselves_o in_o the_o happy_a progress_n of_o a_o good_a and_o virtuous_a life_n and_o if_o such_o a_o church_n will_v not_o satisfy_v they_o i_o know_v not_o all_o thing_n consider_v where_o they_o can_v find_v a_o better_a for_o no_o church_n under_o the_o sun_n be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o free_a from_o corruption_n and_o defect_n nor_o can_v ever_o hope_v to_o be_v so_o as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o man_n that_o be_v of_o person_n frail_a and_o fallible_a and_o of_o like_a passion_n and_o infirmity_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n though_o i_o do_v believe_v this_o church_n of_o we_o have_v as_o few_o of_o they_o as_o any_o other_o under_o the_o cope_n of_o heaven_n nay_o i_o shall_v not_o mistake_v if_o i_o say_v much_o few_o conscience_n then_o be_v more_o to_o be_v heed_v in_o reference_n to_o our_o act_n than_o opinion_n and_o it_o be_v more_o safe_a and_o easy_a to_o govern_v our_o ation_n in_o respect_n of_o practice_n than_o to_o chufe_v for_o ourselves_o in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n if_o a_o man_n hold_v no_o doctrine_n that_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o holiaess_a and_o a_o good_a life_n he_o need_v not_o be_v much_o trouble_v about_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v too_o high_a for_o he_o and_o above_o his_o reach_n i_o dare_v adventure_n to_o say_v it_o be_v safe_a for_o he_o to_o err_v with_o modesty_n and_o humility_n out_o of_o love_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o in_o submission_n to_o its_o authority_n than_o to_o be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n in_o his_o judgement_n and_o withal_o of_o a_o stubbom_n refractory_a and_o contentious_a spirit_n and_o a_o humble_a modest_a peaceable-minded_n man_n be_v more_o acceptable_a with_o his_o error_n and_o fail_n in_o judgement_n than_o a_o proud_a and_o obstinate_a person_n though_o he_o chance_v to_o have_v truth_n on_o his_o side_n therefore_o according_a to_o the_o common_a use_n and_o acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n he_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o most_o conscientious_a who_o live_v best_a and_o not_o who_o know_v most_o who_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a in_o his_o moral_n not_o who_o be_v sound_a and_o right_o in_o his_o apprehension_n he_o that_o live_v well_o though_o he_o know_v not_o very_o much_o have_v more_o of_o conscience_n than_o he_o that_o know_v more_o and_o yet_o live_v a_o great_a deal_n worse_o for_o conscience_n be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o speculative_a as_o practical_a thing_n and_o many_o time_n there_o be_v more_o of_o it_o find_v among_o the_o simple_a honest_a and_o well-meaning_a fort_n of_o christian_n than_o among_o the_o more_o deep_o learn_v and_o profound_a speculati_fw-la this_o show_v the_o too_o great_a folly_n and_o perverseness_n of_o many_o of_o our_o people_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v eat_v up_o with_o zeal_n and_o plead_v conscience_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v and_o it_o may_v be_v never_o will_v whereas_o a_o meek_a humble_a and_o teachable_a spirit_n will_v better_o become_v they_o and_o tend_v much_o more_o to_o their_o own_o praise_n and_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n for_o they_o may_v soon_o hope_v to_o be_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o that_o be_v they_o may_v become_v humble_a and_o meek_n when_o they_o can_v be_v skilled_a in_o all_o the_o point_n of_o religion_n or_o matter_n controvert_v and_o under_o dispute_n conscience_n then_o be_v most_o proper_o exercise_v about_o the_o more_o plain_a and_o necessary_a duty_n of_o religion_n namely_o matter_n of_o practice_n and_o such_o doctrine_n as_o tend_v more_o immediate_o towards_o the_o lead_n of_o a_o godly_a righteous_a and_o sober_a life_n and_o thus_o have_v i_o do_v with_o the_o four_o general_n head_n and_o which_o i_o chief_o intend_v in_o the_o draw_v up_o of_o this_o discourse_n it_o remain_v now_o that_o in_o the_o 5_o and_o last_o place_n to_o offer_v a_o few_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o advice_n concern_v the_o well-governing_a ourselves_o with_o relation_n to_o our_o conscience_n and_o the_o first_o be_v this_o that_o you_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o get_v conscience_n right_o inform_v and_o well_o instruct_v that_o you_o may_v arrive_v at_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o your_o duty_n in_o all_o capacity_n and_o under_o all_o relation_n whatever_a and_o do_v this_o with_o all_o the_o faithfulness_n and_o impartiality_n in_o the_o world_n be_v sway_v by_o passion_n bias_v by_o interest_n and_o carry_v away_o with_o prejudice_n as_o little_a as_o may_v be_v labour_v to_o know_v and_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o