Selected quad for the lemma: england_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A41883
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The great case of toleration stated and endeavoured to be resolved in order to publick security and peace.
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1688
(1688)
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Wing G1673; ESTC R32459
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8,058
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14
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for that infinite number of Consequences and Questions among us we know not what is Heresie or Error it is not sufficient alone when some have got the established Laws of their Country on their side to call others Herericks and Erronious which is sonner done then proved and here too often happeneth according to the old Proverb The greatest Fool c. For though I do for my part believe the Church of England comes as near to the Primitive Pattern as any now in being and that her Constitutions are good and true except some disputable Points which cannot be otherwise when they come down to such particular Deprivations as some may be seen in the Thirty nine Articles yet if a false and corrupted Church should get the upper Hand it would be an hard case if the bare forwardness and confidence of them should damm all others to Hell but that not being in their Power is only Brutum fulmen but what is worse Oppress them here on Earth who will not likewise be carried away with their Corruption so really involve themselves into that wherein they did only frighten abuse them for those Controversies and Questions were a fooling they are rather the Skirts and Borders then the Substance of Religion and it will be sad and riged to tye and confine Salvation unto any of them What or who shall determine between the right and wrong The Scriptures would do it even now if sincerely considered without Pride and Worldly end however the Son of God is to judge out of them of every Mans Work and were it not better to think the Truth and follow his Directions to go on peaceably now we are in the way to the same place which we all aim at and in some measure to begin that here that is to be our Happiness hereafter though all ignorant Zeal and Animosity cannot be laid aside yet good Men in this Life should have that pretious Disposition wherein their Spirits are to be made perfect and all those things to be done away which render Conversation unpleasant in the World but seeing this is not to be had what ever bickering there may be among fellow Subjects which is also wished it might be hindered as much as possible is but as the Squabbling of Children amongst themselves and the Father of our Country might take his effectual care to keep his Authority over them and yet be safe by letting them alone with their little Wranglings he may be pleased to lash them into Peace and Quietness but if he should side with any this would turn the rest against him That vain Jangling and many of those Questions in Religion now agitated amongst us if compared with the weightier matters of the Law do not deserve a better comparison then this and for what Differences seem more material why may they not still remain in that Liberty God hath left them One Mans Opinion may vary from another as he doth in Complexion and Stature and still they are equally Men one may Worship God after this manner another after that as long as God is Worshipped and Served he may be Glorified every way for he hath prescribed no exact manner or form in his Word only expressing himself against the Sacrifice of false hypocritical outward Devotion when separated from the inward and spiritual His appointed meanes are allowed that all may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth Indeed there is so little of the very Heart and Substance of Religion in those distinguishing Characters of Communion among us that why may it not be also applyed that in every Sect and Party He that serveth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him for to this alone do the Promises belong without any mention of such a National Church or Congregation the Kings Authority is subordinate and dependant on the Divine he doth excellently discharge his Obligation by restoring unto God the imediate Dominion over the Souls of Men as it is the best Policy for every one of what ever Condition in this present Life to be faithful unto God so for him who is his best among Men in that he layeth the best Foundation for the Security and Happiness of his Government In those Countries where Toleration is allowed they have none or very rarely Rebellions or Seditions this manner of Policy some States have taken for they are the most unsafe kind of Goverments but by this way have made it most Secure so that the Deduction is obvious if what is in it self insecured be yet preserved this way much more would that excellent and in it self safe Form of Monarchy be the more firmly Established As to the last Question Whether it stands with our Safety in refererence to the present Conjunction and Posture of Affairs I do not pretend to understand the intregues and Secrets of State but if things are so indeed as they are represented outwardly if his Majesty may be believed as my Chariâ—y doth incline me so to do who hath made so many Protestations and in the most solemn manner as can be well expressed that he hath no further Design then what is mentioned in his Gracious Declaration that all things shall be continually observed as there specified then there can be no such Danger as is surmised and some People are so forward to instil into the Minds of his Subjects fears of Popery and alteration of Government is the general Whispering of those who have called the like in others not many Years since The Vice of Faction and Sedition by the most subtil kind of Perswasion objecting to all those Folly and want of fore-sight who are not of the same Mind they mightily get them over to their Opinion raising more terrible Presages and Apprehensions then is ground for them It hath been observed of an Order of Men that going out of their Professions and meddling with matters of State have done more Mischief and caused more Disturbance to Countries then of all Callings or Trades besides whether it holds true at this Day let any one judge all goes under the Name of Conscience but upon the strict scrutiny it will appear Pride and Interest bares the greatest sway if these were good Men as all would be thought so and it is hoped and believed many are then themselves are not for being Lords over Gods Heritage they will not stand so much for wordly Pride or Grandure which is contrary to their spiritual Vocation and they Condemn others for beyond Sea If they believe in him whose Ministers they say they are and will take their Lot with him whose Kingdom is not of this World then they will not stand up so stifly for Temporal Jurisdiction and Command but as it is most remarkable they should Live well and handsomely as other Men and as the Necessity and Merrit of the Function is beyend any whatsoever in respect of the good it doth unto Men in Gods Name as some little requital thereof let them still enjoy the already Established or greater Maintenance for my part I do sincerely wish it were much better and more equally disposed for the encouragement of good and honest Men and therefore if they have all the further assurance that possibly can be given that they still have their Church Possessions and Rights and so it shall be as to Abby Lands which are vested in the Gentry and other Lay Men if all the Care and Caution which can be thought of as to this matter if this be made as sure to them as Magna Charta and Men have of their other Estates and Liberties if they have all the Satisfaction and Assurance that may be any ways proposed or found out this would be the best Expedient to end those Fears and Jealousies to allay the thoughts of Heat If that which is already the Principal and Established Religion of this Country be still confirmed and ratified so to be If all Churches and happels or Publick or Consecrated Places be for the service of that only and none be suffered besides to enter into them if to prevent Confusion and Disorder it be so provided that one Communion doth not interfere with or molest the other if that they keep within themselves and use not the least outward Violence nothing to be permitted beyond fair Argument and Perswasion that all Truth may stand on equal ground and advantage I know not why they should be against it who have the most on their side and the ablest Champions to defend it I would in no wise be thought to prescribe to my Superiours but with the greatest Humility Submission beg leave to offer thus much that some Expedients they may find out for the firm and happy Establishment of things When reasonable Proposals are laid before any and not accepted it is a sign there is somewhat further in it then one sees or is aware of if there is no design but what is visible on all hands if the end be sincere and good the common means of Safety are neer and obvious In Page 5. Line 32. Read and whither p. 8. l. 9. r. Politions