Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	authority_n	king_n	law_n	1,296	5	4.5981	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60706	Sober advice to church-wardens in a letter to a church-warden in London, from his friend out o7the countrey, and may serve indifferently for constables, and others, who are required to make presentments for not going to their parish-churches, or communicating, &c.		1683 (1683)	Wing S4400; ESTC R41687	10,566	15

lawful_a that_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n and_o liable_a to_o be_v damn_v for_o the_o same_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damen_v if_o be_v eat_v because_o he_o eat_v not_o of_o faith_n say_v the_o apostle_n paul_n rom._n 14.23_o i_o will_v grant_v that_o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v so_o mind_v that_o he_o sin_v both_o way_n whether_o he_o do_v that_o which_o be_v require_v or_o forbear_v it_o but_o that_o be_v when_o he_o his_o absolute_o oblige_v by_o god_n to_o do_v it_o and_o he_o through_o a_o ignorant_a or_o ill_o inform_v conscience_n think_v it_o unlawful_a but_o in_o the_o case_n we_o discourse_v of_o our_o bishop_n and_o minister_n acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o thing_n doubt_v of_o by_o those_o that_o do_v not_o frequent_v their_o parish_n church_n there_o be_v no_o obscure_a command_v of_o god_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v do_v they_o become_v a_o duty_n say_v they_o by_o humane_a authority_n which_o may_v be_v with-drawn_a and_o be_v with-drawn_a they_o be_v no_o long_o any_o man_n duty_n now_o how_o it_o come_v to_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o christian_n to_o imposer_n upon_o their_o fullow_n christian_n to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o no_o law_n of_o god_n or_o christ_n oblige_v they_o to_o and_o which_o their_o fellow-christians_a account_n unlawful_a or_o doubt_n of_o and_o to_o punish_v they_o for_o disobedience_n when_o their_o obediance_n will_v be_v a_o sin_n against_o god_n i_o leave_v you_o to_o determine_v but_o if_o neither_o you_o nor_o your_o minister_n nor_o yet_o your_o bishop_n can_v remove_v the_o doubt_n of_o these_o christian_o and_o if_o they_o behave_v themselves_o as_o christian_n in_o obedience_n to_o all_o thing_n that_o christ_n require_v of_o they_o in_o profession_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o christian_a worship_n and_o prayer_n in_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o they_o understand_v christ_n to_o have_v command_v it_o etc._n etc._n if_o you_o will_v not_o admit_v these_o people_n to_o be_v reasonable_o excuse_v of_o their_o absence_n from_o their_o parish_n church_n i_o doubt_v christ_n will_v not_o exchse_fw-mi you_o of_o injustice_n and_o uncharitableness_n at_o the_o great_a day_n i_o confess_v the_o prosecution_n of_o these_o people_n with_o penalty_n be_v not_o so_o great_a a_o sin_n as_o the_o apostle_n paul_n cause_v christians_n to_o commit_v when_o his_o name_n be_v saul_n before_o his_o conversion_n for_o he_o compel_v they_o to_o blaspheme_n and_o sin_v against_o one_o own_o conscience_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n be_v not_o so_o bad_a as_o blaspheme_v of_o christ_n against_o one_o conscience_n but_o the_o same_o apostle_n say_v in_o a_o less_o case_n when_o you_o sin_v so_o against_o the_o brethren_n and_o wound_v their_o weak_a conseience_n you_o sin_n against_o christ_n 1._o cor._n 8_o 12._o now_o that_o which_o you_o brother_n can_v do_v without_o sin_n and_o that_o which_o you_o can_v prosecute_v he_o for_o not_o do_v without_o sin_n shall_v i_o think_v be_v a_o reasonible_a excuse_n both_o for_o he_o and_o you_o obj._n you_o will_v perhaps_o urge_v against_o what_o i_o have_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n but_o this_o of_o present_v they_o for_o not_o come_v to_o church_n to_o convict_v papist_n of_o recusancy_n and_o that_o they_o also_o as_o well_o as_o protestant_n may_v escape_v upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n so_o the_o law_n in_o these_o case_n provide_v be_v make_v of_o no_o effect_n ans_fw-fr to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o case_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n and_o of_o papist_n be_v not_o the_o same_o but_o far_o different_a for_o the_o reason_n why_o papist_n do_v not_o communicate_v with_o protestant_n in_o parish_n churches_n be_v their_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o foreign_a power_n and_o authority_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n namely_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v the_o declare_a enemy_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o people_n be_v protestant_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o their_o not_o come_v to_o church_n be_v a_o effect_n and_o indication_n of_o that_o acknowledgement_n and_o against_o they_o be_v the_o statute_n of_o the_o one_a and_o 23d_o of_o queen_n elizabeth_n make_v the_o last_o whereof_o be_v a_o act_n to_o retain_v the_o queen_n majesty_n subject_n in_o their_o due_a obedience_n and_o the_o presace_n give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o make_v that_o act_n viz._n that_o diverse_a all_o dispose_a person_n have_v practise_v by_o other_o mean_n than_o by_o bull_n to_o withdraw_v diverse_a the_o queen_n majesty_n subject_n from_o their_o natural_a obedience_n to_o her_o majesty_n to_o obey_v the_o usurp_a authority_n of_o rome_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o same_o to_o persuade_v great_a number_n to_o withdraw_v their_o due_a obedience_n to_o her_o majesty_n law_n establish_v for_o the_o due_a service_n of_o almighty_a god_n for_o it_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o lord_n coke_n in_o his_o charge_n at_o norwich_n and_o by_o other_o that_o not_o any_o papist_n during_o the_o first_o ten_o year_n of_o that_o queen_n reign_n do_v refuse_v to_o come_v to_o church_n that_o cornwallis_n beddingfield_n and_o eylyard_n be_v the_o first_o recusant_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o eleven_o year_n of_o her_o majesty_n government_n and_o then_o pope_n pius_fw-la quintus_fw-la be_v inform_v by_o some_o english_a jesuit_n that_o such_o be_v the_o number_n of_o roman_a catholic_n here_o be_v if_o he_o will_v excommunicate_fw-la she_o they_o will_v present_o enter_v into_o a_o open_a hostility_n with_o force_n sufficient_a to_o depose_v and_o utter_o supplant_v her_o highness_n and_o re-establish_a the_o roman_a faith_n whereupon_o the_o pope_n do_v excommunicate_fw-la her_n and_o plot_n with_o the_o king_n of_o spain_n to_o invade_v she_o then_o do_v the_o papist_n withdraw_v themselves_o from_o our_o church_n thus_o you_o see_v it_o be_v not_o conscience_n of_o duty_n to_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o protestant_a dissenter_n who_o own_v no_o authority_n on_o earth_n but_o the_o king_n and_o the_o law_n but_o veneration_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n the_o queen_n enemy_n and_o implaceable_a hatred_n of_o all_o protestant_n that_o lead_v papist_n together_o to_o forsake_v the_o church_n and_o their_o allegiance_n and_o still_o contiwe_v they_o recusant_n so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o true_a intent_n of_o the_o law_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v execute_v against_o papist_n upon_o this_o ground_n it_o be_v that_o as_o i_o be_o well_o inform_v a_o grand_a jury_n of_o middlesex_n have_v presentment_n bring_v against_o several_a great_a papist_n will_v not_o find_v the_o bill_n against_o they_o for_o not_o go_v to_o church_n till_o the_o constable_n or_o witness_n have_v give_v testimony_n that_o they_o be_v common_o repute_v to_o be_v of_o the_o roman_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o clerk_n have_v insert_v in_o the_o bill_n of_o indictment_n pontificiam_fw-la religionem_fw-la profitentes_fw-la wherein_o i_o judge_v they_o do_v pursue_v the_o true_a intent_n of_o the_o law_n in_o that_o case_n provide_v if_o you_o shall_v still_o insist_v and_o say_v that_o papist_n do_v religious_o give_v this_o authority_n to_o the_o pope_n i_o answer_v first_o that_o that_o opinion_n be_v so_o manifest_o contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o christianity_n that_o every_o man_n that_o use_v reason_n or_o own_v christ_n religion_n except_o papist_n themselves_o must_v condemn_v it_o think_v you_o that_o a_o mahometan_a or_o a_o judicious_a heathen_a upon_o a_o fair_a hear_v of_o both_o party_n will_v judge_v the_o pope_n pretension_n to_o his_o infallibility_n and_o supremacy_n reasonable_a or_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o their_o invalidity_n but_o second_o they_o that_o will_v have_v liberty_n of_o religion_n and_o conscience_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o such_o that_o be_v incosistent_a with_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o independent_a state_n and_o kingdom_n in_o thing_n necessary_a to_o civil_a society_n much_o less_o to_o such_o a_o liberty_n as_o shall_v permit_v religious_a enemy_n to_o cut_v their_o throat_n whenever_o they_o can_v by_o watchfulness_n find_v a_o opportunity_n such_o be_v that_o conscience_n which_o this_o objection_n plead_v for_o as_o may_v appear_v by_o what_o i_o have_v say_v above_o and_o the_o very_a thing_n i_o be_o plead_v against_o be_v the_o deprive_v man_n of_o their_o property_n and_o liberty_n upon_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o save_v for_o a_o crime_n that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o common_a liberty_n and_o property_n but_o the_o conscience_n of_o dissenter_n require_v nothing_o but_o a_o liberty_n to_o that_o which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o forbid_v will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v hurtful_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n that_o it_o will_v rather_o be_v a_o virtue_n nothing_o detract_n from_o but_o conduce_v to_o the_o common_a good_n and_o i_o hope_v every_o honest_a man_n will_v make_v a_o difference_n between_o those_o law_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o common_a can_v and_o those_o that_o be_v make_v mere_o for_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o which_o other_o as_o wise_a and_o christian_n as_o they_o will_v either_o null_a or_o make_v contrary_a sure_o the_o conscience_n exercise_v about_o the_o obedience_n of_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o law_n be_v far_o different_a one_o from_o another_o and_o that_o our_o penal_a law_n so_o far_o as_o they_o respect_v dissenter_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o that_o they_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v press_v upon_o protestant_n who_o have_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o in_o the_o last_o parliament_n at_o westminster_n gentleman_n of_o as_o good_a credit_n for_o wisdom_n and_o love_n to_o protestantism_n and_o for_o estate_n and_o interest_n in_o their_o country_n as_o perhaps_o ever_o be_v see_v in_o england_n wherein_o it_o be_v resolve_v nemine_fw-la contradicente_fw-la that_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o protestant_a dissenter_n upon_o the_o penal_a law_n be_v at_o this_o time_n grievous_a to_o the_o subject_a a_o weaken_n to_o the_o protestant_a interest_n a_o encouragement_n to_o popery_n and_o dangerous_a to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n jan._n 10._o and_o now_o methinks_v sir_n you_o shall_v have_v as_o great_a respect_n to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o commons_o in_o parliament_n as_o you_o have_v to_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o single_a grace_n my_o lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n from_o who_o this_o order_n for_o prosecution_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n by_o presentment_n excommunication_n etc._n etc._n issue_n in_o flat_a contradiction_n to_o the_o opinion_n now_o mention_v especial_o consider_v withal_o the_o doubtfulness_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o law_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o i_o have_v say_v and_o argue_v in_o this_o case_n which_o i_o presume_v may_v have_v some_o influence_n upon_o you_o and_o any_o rational_a honest_a man._n i_o pray_v you_o consider_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n in_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o love_n of_o your_o christian_a neighbour_n and_o do_v what_o such_o consideration_n shall_v direct_v you_o to_o take_v the_o safe_a course_n which_o be_v always_o the_o more_o moderate_a in_o penal_a matter_n be_v sure_a you_o act_n not_o against_o conscience_n neither_o compel_v other_o so_o to_o do_v your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n april_n 14._o 1683._o finis_fw-la

sober_a advice_n to_o churchwarden_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o churchwarden_n in_o london_n from_o his_o friend_n out_o of_o the_o country_n and_o may_v serve_v indifferent_o for_o constable_n and_o other_o who_o be_v require_v to_o make_v presentment_n for_o not_o go_v to_o their_o parish-church_n &_o communicate_v etc._n etc._n id_fw-la tantum_n possumus_fw-la quod_fw-la jure_fw-la possumus_fw-la london_n print_v for_o f._n smith_n senior_n at_o the_o elephant_n and_o castle_n in_o cornhill_n 1683._o kind_a friend_n i_o receive_v you_o and_o be_o hearty_o sorry_a to_o hear_v of_o the_o severity_n use_v and_o intend_v against_o protestant_a dissenter_n for_o their_o nonconformity_n because_o i_o be_o thorough_o persuade_v many_o of_o they_o be_v sincere_a and_o harmless_a in_o their_o dissent_n and_o give_v as_o good_a testimony_n of_o their_o be_v so_o as_o we_o general_o do_v of_o our_o sincerity_n in_o our_o dissent_n from_o popery_n however_o can_v be_v condemn_v to_o penalty_n without_o infringement_n of_o our_o protestant_a principle_n but_o since_o some_o of_o our_o ecclesiastical_a ruler_n and_o judge_n be_v not_o of_o this_o mind_n but_o require_v by_o public_a charge_n that_o all_o person_n age_v above_o sixteen_o year_n shall_v take_v the_o sacrament_n now_o at_o easter_n or_o to_o be_v present_v by_o the_o churchwarden_n or_o minister_n of_o the_o place_n to_o be_v proceed_v against_o by_o excommunication_n with_o all_o its_o grievous_a concomitant_n and_o consequent_n whereof_o perpetual_a imprisonment_n be_v now_o in_o the_o least_o you_o desire_v my_o advice_n what_o you_o be_v swear_v churchwarden_n shall_v do_v in_o this_o case_n you_o be_v very_o loath_a to_o have_v so_o great_a a_o hand_n in_o the_o ruin_n of_o your_o honest_a neighbour_n for_o their_o conscience_n towards_o god_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n you_o must_v be_v true_a to_o that_o duty_n which_o you_o have_v oblige_v yourself_o before_o god_n to_o perform_v you_o know_v my_o friend_n i_o be_o not_o one_o of_o the_o learned_a in_o the_o common_a nor_o civil_a law_n and_o therefore_o can_v only_o tell_v you_o what_o course_n myself_o a_o private_a person_n willing_a to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o man_n will_v do_v in_o such_o a_o case_n and_o you_o be_v please_v to_o tell_v i_o you_o therefore_o desire_v my_o advice_n because_o that_o i_o be_v of_o like_a condition_n and_o in_o like_a circumstance_n with_o yourself_o be_o more_o likely_a to_o give_v advice_n fit_a for_o you_o than_o they_o who_o education_n have_v enure_v their_o mind_n to_o subtlety_n and_o quirk_n of_o law_n i_o can_v easy_o grant_v the_o reason_n you_o give_v of_o your_o choice_n to_o be_v good_a but_o i_o can_v allow_v your_o application_n of_o it_o to_o i_o for_o though_o i_o be_o resolve_v in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o be_v honest_a yet_o there_o be_v another_o quality_n want_v to_o make_v i_o a_o fit_a adviser_n in_o so_o nice_a a_o case_n to_o wit_n a_o understanding_n well_o exercise_v in_o discern_v between_o good_a and_o evil_n and_o thing_n indifferent_a but_o i_o may_v remember_v you_o only_o desire_v to_o know_v my_o opinion_n you_o do_v not_o oblige_v yourself_o to_o follow_v it_o neither_o will_v i_o have_v you_o to_o do_v so_o without_o better_a judgement_n than_o i_o can_v pretend_v to_o except_o you_o find_v my_o reason_n to_o be_v convince_a in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o be_o sorry_a you_o have_v take_v the_o churchwarden_n oath_n which_o oblige_v you_o to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o churchwarden_n in_o your_o parish_n for_o the_o ensue_a year_n according_a to_o his_o majesty_n law_n ecclesiastical_a for_o its_o a_o difficulty_n scarce_o to_o be_v overcome_v by_o the_o most_o skilful_a to_o resolve_v what_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v in_o force_n what_o not_o therefore_o beyond_o your_o capacity_n to_o execute_v according_a to_o what_o you_o know_v not_o and_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o mind_v you_o by_o the_o way_n that_o reason_n equity_n and_o religion_n require_v that_o we_o shall_v never_o proceed_v to_o imputation_n of_o crime_n or_o execution_n of_o penalty_n in_o doubtful_a case_n in_o matter_n of_o favour_n and_o benefit_n we_o may_v be_v liberal_a but_o in_o matter_n of_o hurt_n and_o damage_n to_o our_o neighbour_n we_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n in_o a_o controvert_v point_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o go_v to_o the_o utmost_a the_o law_n allow_v though_o in_o a_o most_o clear_a case_n now_o if_o the_o statute_n of_o 1_o edw._n 6._o chap._n 2._o be_v revive_v by_o repeal_n of_o that_o statute_n which_o repeal_v it_o the_o ecelesiastical_a person_n ought_v to_o use_v the_o king_n name_n and_o seal_v to_o their_o process_n and_o their_o hold_a court_n in_o their_o own_o name_n be_v contrary_n to_o law_n however_o it_o be_v at_o least_o doubtful_a whether_o they_o have_v any_o legal_a power_n and_o likewise_o whether_o any_o of_o their_o cannon_n have_v any_o force_n of_o law_n if_o then_o you_o make_v presentment_n to_o those_o court_n whereby_o your_o neighbour_n be_v vex_v and_o endamage_v you_o know_v not_o but_o you_o may_v therein_o be_v injurous_a to_o your_o neighbour_n without_o legal_a authority_n which_o no_o wife_n and_o conscientious_a man_n will_v venture_v but_o second_o i_o conceive_v that_o a_o man_n choose_a churchwarden_n may_v lawful_o refuse_v that_o oath_n as_o be_v contrary_a to_o law_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o a_o statute_n make_v in_o the_o thirteen_o of_o this_o king_n chap._n 2._o and_o incite_v in_o the_o prohibition_n for_o waterfield_n where_o it_o be_v enact_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o archbishop_n bishop_n vicar_n general_n chancellor_n commissary_n or_o any_o other_o spiritual_a or_o ecclesiastical_a judge_n officer_n or_o minister_n or_o any_o other_o person_n have_v or_o exercise_v spiritual_a or_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n to_o tender_a offer_v or_o administer_v to_o any_o person_n whatsoever_o the_o oath_n usual_o call_v the_o oath_n ex_fw-la officio_fw-la or_o any_o other_o oath_n whereby_o such_o person_n to_o who_o the_o same_o be_v tender_v or_o administer_v may_v be_v charge_v or_o compel_v to_o confess_v or_o accuse_v or_o purge_v he_o or_o herself_o of_o any_o criminal_a matter_n or_o thing_n whereby_o he_o or_o she_o may_v be_v liable_a to_o consure_n or_o punishment_n but_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o no_o man_n that_o make_v conscience_n of_o a_o oath_n but_o will_v find_v himself_o oblige_v by_o the_o law_n ecclesiastical_a suppose_v all_o those_o to_o be_v in_o force_n which_o the_o official_a say_v be_v in_o force_n burden_a and_o compel_v to_o confess_v or_o accuse_v himself_o of_o some_o criminal_a matter_n or_o thing_n and_o therefore_o such_o oath_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v administer_v to_o he_o however_o have_v take_v that_o oath_n you_o must_v endeavour_v to_o perform_v it_o as_o well_o as_o you_o can_v without_o breach_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o law_n of_o the_o land_n which_o latter_a must_v always_o give_v place_n to_o the_o former_a and_o by_o they_o be_v make_v new_a or_o interpret_v in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o present_v those_o of_o above_o sixteen_o year_n of_o age_n that_o come_v not_o to_o the_o sacrament_n at_o easter_n first_o i_o say_v it_o be_v contrary_a to_o christianity_n and_o all_o civility_n of_o neighbourhood_n to_o present_v a_o man_n as_o a_o criminal_a so_o to_o expose_v he_o to_o so_o dreadful_a a_o sentence_n as_o excommunication_n and_o all_o calamity_n that_o attend_v it_o without_o first_o discourse_v their_o neighbour_n to_o know_v what_o he_o can_v say_v for_o himself_o in_o vindication_n for_o in_o this_o case_n the_o presentment_n of_o one_o or_o two_o churchwarden_n be_v of_o as_o much_o force_n and_o more_o dangerous_a consequence_n than_o the_o presentment_n of_o twelve_o or_o more_o of_o the_o most_o substantial_a man_n of_o the_o county_n in_o civil_a case_n and_o therefore_o the_o least_o that_o the_o churchwarden_n can_v do_v be_v to_o hear_v what_o his_o neighbour_n can_v say_v for_o himself_o before_o he_o put_v he_o into_o so_o much_o trouble_v and_o danger_n as_o such_o a_o accusation_n amount_v to_o for_o there_o may_v be_v divers_a lawful_a and_o reasonable_a excuse_n of_o a_o man_n be_v not_o come_v to_o church_n such_o a_o month_n or_o not_o come_v to_o the_o communion_n at_o easter_n as_o for_o instance_n suppose_v a_o man_n be_v sick_a and_o not_o able_a to_o come_v or_o have_v have_v business_n abroad_o for_o one_o two_o or_o three_o month_n together_o at_o the_o time_n of_o easter_n be_v not_o these_o and_o such_o like_a lawful_a excuse_n i_o remember_v the_o statute_n of_o eliz._n 23._o chap._n 1._o to_o retain_v the_o queen_n majesty_n subject_n in_o their_o due_a obedience_n make_v against_o papist_n