Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
ground_n authority_n church_n truth_n 2,214 5 6.2511 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A55926 A third letter concerning toleration in defense of The argument of the letter concerning toleration, briefly consider'd and answer'd. Proast, Jonas. 1691 (1691) Wing P3539; ESTC R26905 76,552 84

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

which_o reason_n at_o least_o i_o think_v i_o may_v well_o be_v startle_v at_o the_o largeness_n of_o our_o author_n toleration_n for_o whereas_o you_o say_v you_o do_v not_o see_v why_o pagan_n shall_v not_o be_v tolerate_v as_o well_o as_o other_o if_o we_o wish_v their_o conversion_n whatever_o may_v be_v say_v for_o the_o tolerate_n of_o other_o i_o think_v it_o be_v plain_a enough_o as_o to_o they_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o purchase_v the_o opportunity_n of_o convent_v they_o by_o suffer_v they_o to_o commit_v those_o indignity_n and_o abomination_n among_o we_o which_o they_o call_v religion_n till_o they_o be_v convert_v but_o as_o to_o the_o convert_v jew_n mahometan_n and_o pagan_n to_o christianity_n i_o fear_v there_o will_v be_v no_o great_a progress_n make_v in_o it_o till_o christian_n come_v to_o a_o better_a agreement_n and_o union_n among_o themselves_o 21._o i_o be_o sure_a our_o saviour_n pray_v that_o all_o that_o shall_v believe_v in_o he_o may_v be_v one_o in_o the_o father_n and_o in_o he_o i._n e._n i_o suppose_v in_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o he_o teach_v they_o from_o the_o father_n that_o the_o world_n may_v believe_v that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v he_o and_o therefore_o when_o he_o come_v to_o make_v inquisition_n why_o no_o more_o jew_n mahometan_n and_o pagan_n have_v be_v convert_v to_o his_o religion_n i_o very_o much_o fear_n that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o blame_n will_v be_v find_v to_o lie_v upon_o the_o author_n and_o promoter_n of_o sect_n and_o division_n among_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o which_o therefore_o i_o think_v all_o that_o be_v guilty_a and_o all_o that_o will_v not_o be_v guilty_a ought_v well_o to_o consider_v in_o what_o sense_n i_o allow_v that_o force_n be_v improper_a to_o convert_v man_n to_o any_o religion_n 4._o have_v already_o be_v sufficient_o declare_v in_o my_o answer_n and_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o of_o it_o afterward_o 2._o where_o i_o say_v that_o some_o seem_v to_o place_v the_o advancement_n of_o trade_n and_o commerce_n above_o all_o other_o consideration_n 2._o you_o tell_v i_o that_o if_o i_o do_v not_o know_v that_o the_o author_n place_v the_o advancement_n of_o trade_n above_o religion_n my_o insinuation_n be_v very_o uncharitable_a but_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o prevent_v such_o a_o interpretation_n of_o my_o word_n by_o acqui●ting_v the_o author_n but_o just_a before_o of_o any_o ill_a design_n towards_o religion_n that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v just_o suspect_v of_o the_o crime_n i_o mention_v i_o believe_v you_o will_v not_o deny_v and_o i_o assure_v you_o i_o do_v not_o intend_v by_o those_o word_n to_o bring_v any_o man_n under_o the_o suspicion_n of_o it_o who_o have_v not_o give_v just_a cause_n for_o it_o 2._o i_o say_v speak_v of_o the_o toleration_n which_o our_o author_n propose_v i_o see_v no_o reason_n from_o any_o experiment_n which_o have_v be_v make_v to_o expect_v that_o true_a religion_n will_v be_v any_o way_n a_o gainer_n by_o it_o and_o you_o tell_v i_o i_o have_v a_o experiment_n of_o this_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n 3._o in_o its_o first_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n and_o several_a hundred_o of_o year_n after_o but_o how_o do_v that_o appear_v why_o you_o say_v the_o christian_a religion_n be_v then_o better_o preserve_v more_o wide_o propagate_v in_o proportion_n and_o render_v more_o fruitful_a in_o the_o life_n of_o its_o professor_n than_o ever_o since_o though_o then_o jew_n and_o pagan_n be_v tolerate_v and_o more_o than_o tolerate_v by_o the_o government_n of_o those_o place_n where_o it_o grow_v up_o and_o be_v this_o your_o experiment_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v a_o gainer_n by_o toleration_n the_o christian_a religion_n prosper_v more_o you_o say_v in_o those_o time_n than_o ever_o since_o though_o then_o jew_n and_o pagan_n be_v tolerate_v etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o gainer_n by_o the_o toleration_n of_o jew_n and_o pagan_n be_v there_o any_o manner_n of_o consequence_n in_o this_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n prosper_v more_o in_o those_o time_n than_o ever_o since_o though_o then_o jew_n and_o pagan_n be_v tolerate_v i_o ready_o grant_v you_o but_o whoever_o do_v but_o understand_v what_o though_o mean_n must_v needs_o see_v that_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v what_o you_o infer_v from_o it_o that_o it_o strong_o prove_v the_o contrary_a viz._n that_o the_o toleration_n of_o jew_n and_o pagan_n be_v rather_o a_o hindrance_n than_o a_o advantage_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o let_v we_o see_v the_o utmost_a you_o can_v make_v of_o this_o experiment_n of_o you_o 3._o you_o say_v you_o hope_v i_o do_v not_o imagine_v the_o christian_a religion_n have_v lose_v any_o of_o its_o first_o beauty_n force_n or_o reasonableness_n by_o have_v be_v almost_o 2000_o year_n in_o the_o world_n that_o i_o shall_v fear_v it_o shall_v be_v less_o able_a now_o to_o shift_v for_o itself_o without_o the_o help_n of_o force_n and_o you_o doubt_v not_o but_o i_o look_v upon_o it_o still_o to_o be_v the_o power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n for_o our_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o can_v suspect_v it_o less_o capable_a to_o prevail_v now_o by_o its_o own_o truth_n and_o light_n than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n when_o poor_a contemptible_a man_n without_o authority_n or_o the_o countenance_n of_o authority_n have_v alone_o the_o care_n of_o it_o in_o which_o word_n i_o understand_v you_o to_o say_v these_o three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n prevail_v at_o first_o mere_o by_o its_o own_o beauty_n force_n or_o reasonableness_n without_o the_o help_n of_o authority_n or_o force_n 2._o that_o that_o religion_n have_v still_o the_o same_o beauty_n force_n or_o reasonableness_n which_o it_o have_v at_o first_o 3._o last_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v now_o as_o well_o able_a to_o shift_v for_o itself_o and_o to_o prevail_v without_o any_o assistance_n of_o authority_n as_o it_o be_v then_o now_o to_o clear_v this_o matter_n i_o must_v observe_v that_o in_o the_o beauty_n force_n or_o reasonableness_n by_o which_o you_o say_v the_o christian_a religion_n prevail_v at_o first_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o authority_n either_o you_o include_v the_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o poor_a contemptible_a man_n you_o speak_v of_o to_o make_v their_o religion_n prevail_v or_o you_o do_v not_o if_o you_o do_v not_o then_o the_o meaning_n of_o your_o first_o assertion_n be_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n prevail_v at_o first_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o authority_n mere_o by_o the_o beauty_n force_n or_o reasonableness_n which_o it_o have_v separate_v from_o those_o miracle_n which_o i_o believe_v you_o will_v not_o undertake_v to_o defend_v but_o if_o you_o do_v include_v the_o miracle_n then_o your_o second_o assertion_n be_v manifest_o false_a for_o i_o be_o sure_a you_o can_v say_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v still_o accompany_v with_o miracle_n as_o it_o be_v at_o its_o first_o plant_v and_o so_o the_o conclusion_n you_o draw_v from_o thence_o that_o therefore_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v now_o as_o well_o able_a to_o shift_v for_o itself_o and_o to_o prevail_v without_o any_o assistance_n of_o authority_n as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n 3._o you_o add_v this_o as_o i_o take_v it_o have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o christian_n general_o and_o by_o some_o of_o our_o church_n in_o particular_a as_o a_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o it_o grow_v and_o spread_v and_o prevail_v without_o any_o aid_n from_o force_n or_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o power_n in_o be_v wherein_o i_o hope_v you_o be_v mistake_v for_o i_o be_o sure_a this_o be_v a_o very_a bad_a argument_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o contrary_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o as_o well_o to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n as_o to_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n shall_v prevail_v as_o it_o do_v and_o that_o not_o only_o without_o any_o assistance_n from_o authority_n but_o even_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o opposition_n which_o authority_n and_o a_o wicked_a world_n join_v with_o those_o infernal_a power_n can_v make_v against_o it_o this_o i_o acknowledge_v have_v deserve_o be_v insist_v upon_o by_o christian_n as_o a_o very_a good_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o to_o argue_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o its_o mere_a prevail_v in_o the_o world_n without_o any_o aid_n from_o force_n or_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o power_n in_o be_v as_o if_o whatever_o religion_n shall_v so_o prevail_v must_v needs_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n whatever_o may_v be_v intend_v be_v real_o not_o to_o
the_o gospel_n destroy_v the_o coactive_a power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n or_o not_o if_o you_o say_v it_o do_v not_o and_o i_o suppose_v you_o will_v not_o say_v it_o do_v then_o it_o seem_v the_o magistrate_n may_v use_v his_o coactive_a power_n without_o offend_v against_o the_o mildness_n and_o gentleness_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o so_o though_o they_o that_o have_v not_o that_o power_n can_v only_o use_v prayer_n and_o entreaty_n to_o gain_v a_o hear_n yet_o it_o will_v consist_v well_o enough_o with_o the_o mildness_n and_o gentleness_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o magistrate_n to_o use_v his_o coactive_a power_n to_o procure_v they_o a_o hear_n where_o their_o prayer_n and_o entreaty_n will_v not_o do_v it_o but_o you_o say_v force_n in_o my_o indirect_a way_n be_v much_o more_o proper_a and_o likely_a to_o make_v man_n receive_v and_o embrace_v error_n than_o truth_n 2._o because_o the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o world_n be_v few_o of_o they_o in_o the_o right_a way_n not_o one_o of_o ten_o let_v i_o take_v which_o side_n i_o will_v perhaps_o not_o one_o of_o a_o hundred_o be_v of_o the_o true_a religion_n it_o be_v likely_a my_o indirect_a way_n of_o use_v force_n will_v do_v a_o hundred_o or_o at_o least_o ten_o time_n as_o much_o harm_n as_o good_a etc._n etc._n which_o will_v have_v be_v to_o the_o purpose_n if_o i_o have_v assert_v that_o every_o magistrate_n may_v use_v force_n my_o indirect_a way_n or_o any_o way_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o his_o own_o religion_n whatever_o that_o be_v but_o if_o i_o assert_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o no_o man_n i_o think_v but_o a_o atheist_n will_v assert_v it_o then_o this_o be_v quite_o beside_o the_o business_n but_o to_o show_v i_o that_o 15._o under_o another_o pretence_n i_o put_v into_o the_o magistrate_n hand_n as_o much_o power_n to_o force_v man_n to_o his_o religion_n as_o any_o the_o open_a persecutor_n can_v pretend_v to_o you_o ask_v what_o difference_n be_v there_o between_o punish_a man_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o mass_n and_o punish_v they_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o consider_v those_o reason_n and_o argument_n which_o be_v proper_a and_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o go_v to_o mass_n a_o question_n which_o i_o shall_v then_o think_v myself_o oblige●_n to_o answer_v when_o you_o have_v produce_v those_o reason_n and_o argument_n which_o be_v proper_a and_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v man_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o go_v to_o mass._n if_o you_o reply_v say_v you_o to_o this_o pleasant_a question_n you_o mean_v reason_n and_o argument_n proper_a and_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n i_o answer_v if_o you_o mean_v so_o why_o do_v not_o you_o say_v so_o as_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o man_n that_o read_v my_o answer_n to_o think_v i_o mean_v otherwise_o but_o say_v you_o if_o you_o have_v say_v so_o it_o will_v in_o this_o case_n do_v you_o little_a service_n for_o the_o mass_n in_o france_n be_v as_o much_o suppose_v the_o truth_n as_o the_o liturgy_n here_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v in_o your_o opinion_n whatsoever_o be_v suppose_v the_o truth_n be_v the_o truth_n for_o otherwise_o this_o reason_n of_o you_o be_v none_o at_o all_o which_o evident_o make_v all_o religion_n alike_o to_o those_o who_o suppose_v they_o true_a which_o be_v the_o thing_n you_o must_v own_v if_o you_o will_v maintain_v that_o my_o way_n of_o apply_v force_n will_v as_o much_o promote_v popery_n in_o france_n as_o protestantism_n in_o england_n 15._o whether_o this_o usefulness_n of_o force_n amount_v to_o no_o more_o but_o this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v useful_a i_o leave_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v 15._o but_o you_o proceed_v and_o say_v force_v your_o way_n apply_v as_o it_o may_v be_v useful_a so_o also_o it_o may_v be_v useless_a for_o 1._o where_o the_o law_n punish_v dissenter_n without_o tell_v they_o it_o be_v to_o make_v they_o consider_v t●ey_n may_v through_o ignorance_n and_o oversight_n neglect_v to_o do_v it_o and_o so_o your_o force_n prove_v useless_a but_o where_o the_o law_n provide_v sufficient_a ●eans_n of_o instruction_n for_o all_o as_o well_o as_o punishment_n for_o dissenter_n it_o be_v so_o plain_a to_o all_o concern_v that_o the_o punishment_n be_v intend_v to_o make_v they_o consider_v that_o i_o see_v no_o danger_n of_o man_n neglect_v to_o do_v it_o through_o ignorance_n or_o oversight_n 2._o you_o say_v some_o dissenter_n may_v have_v consider_v already_o and_o then_o force_v employ_v upon_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v useless_a unless_o you_o can_v think_v it_o useful_a to_o punish_v a_o man_n to_o make_v he_o do_v that_o which_o he_o have_v do_v already_o and_o i_o say_v no_o man_n ●ho_fw-mi reject_v truth_n necessary_a to_o his_o salvation_n have_v consider_v already_o as_o he_o ought_v to_o consider_v which_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o this_o argument_n 3._o you_o say_v god_n have_v not_o direct_v it_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v he_o shall_v make_v it_o successful_a the_o contrary_a of_o which_o shall_v be_v show_v in_o a_o more_o proper_a place_n 16._o you_o add_v further_o that_o force_n may_v be_v hurtful_a nay_o you_o say_v it_o be_v likely_a to_o prove_v more_o hurtful_a than_o useful_a 1._o because_o to_o punish_v man_n for_o that_o which_o it_o be_v visible_a can_v be_v know_v whether_o they_o ha●e_v perform_v or_o no_o be_v so_o palpable_a a_o injustice_n etc._n etc._n which_o have_v already_o be_v speak_v to_o 2._o because_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v not_o able_a to_o discern_v betwixt_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n that_o depend_v upon_o long_a and_o many_o proof_n and_o remote_a consequence_n nor_o have_v ability_n enough_o to_o discover_v the_o false_a ground_n and_o resist_v the_o captious_a and_o fallacious_a argument_n of_o learned_a man_n verse_v in_o controversy_n be_v so_o much_o more_o expose_v by_o the_o force_n which_o be_v use_v to_o make_v they_o hearken_v to_o the_o information_n and_o instruction_n of_o man_n appoint_v to_o it_o by_o the_o magistrate_n or_o those_o of_o his_o religion_n to_o be_v lead_v into_o falsehood_n and_o error_n than_o they_o be_v likely_a this_o way_n to_o be_v bring_v to_o embrace_v the_o truth_n which_o mu●t_v save_v they_o by_o how_o much_o the_o national_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v beyond_o comparison_n more_o of_o they_o false_a or_o erroneous_a than_o such_o as_o have_v god_n for_o their_o author_n and_o truth_n for_o their_o standard_n if_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o be_v true_a then_o a_o infallible_a guide_n and_o implicit_a faith_n be_v more_o necessary_a than_o ever_o i_o think_v they_o for_o if_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v not_o able_a to_o discern_v betwixt_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n concern_v their_o salvation_n as_o you_o must_v mean_v if_o you_o speak_v to_o the_o purpose_n their_o condition_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o hazardous_a if_o they_o have_v not_o some_o guide_n or_o judge_n to_o who_o determination_n and_o direction_n they_o may_v secure_o resign_v themselves_o but_o for_o my_o part_n as_o i_o know_v of_o no_o such_o guide_n of_o god_n appoint_v so_o i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o such_o because_o notwithstanding_o the_o long_a and_o many_o proof_n and_o remote_a consequence_n the_o false_a ground_n and_o the_o captious_a and_o fallacious_a argument_n of_o learned_a man_n verse_v in_o controversy_n with_o which_o you_o as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a communion_n endeavour_v to_o amuse_v we_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n the_o truth_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n lie_v so_o obvious_a and_o expose_v to_o all_o that_o sincere_o and_o diligent_o seek_v it_o that_o no_o such_o person_n shall_v ever_o fail_v of_o attain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v the_o famous_a instance_n you_o give_v we_o of_o the_o two_o rainoldse_n of_o any_o moment_n to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a unless_o you_o can_v undertake_v that_o he_o that_o err_v be_v as_o sincere_a in_o his_o enquiry_n after_o that_o truth_n as_o you_o suppose_v he_o able_a to_o examine_v and_o judge_v but_o whatever_o you_o think_v of_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o force_n you_o here_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o force_v my_o way_n apply_v i.e._n apply_v to_o the_o promote_a the_o true_a religion_n only_o but_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o all_o the_o national_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v easy_o grant_v you_o all_o that_o you_o will_v have_v without_o any_o the_o least_o prejudice_n to_o my_o cause_n for_o how_o much_o soever_o the_o national_a religion_n be_v more_o of_o they_o false_a or_o erroneous_a than_o such_o as_o
matter_n in_o it_o st._n paul_n demand_v here_o how_o shall_v man_n hear_v without_o a_o preacher_n but_o will_v any_o man_n say_v because_o a_o preacher_n or_o preach_v be_v always_o necessary_a therefore_o nothing_o else_o ●an_v ever_o be_v so_o if_o not_o than_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v from_o this_o demand_n that_o the_o apostle_n know_v no_o other_o mean_n to_o make_v man_n hear_v but_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o to_o those_o word_n vers_fw-la 17._o suppose_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o to_o be_v right_o render_v hear_v and_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n signify_v the_o word_n preach_v yet_o even_o so_o every_o one_o see_v they_o will_v serve_v your_o turn_n but_o just_a as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o but_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v there_o render_v report_n and_o i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o it_o may_v not_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o have_v believe_v our_o report_n then_o the_o sense_n will_v be_v faith_n come_v by_o report_n or_o preach_v and_o preach_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n i._n e._n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n instruct_v and_o send_v the_o preacher_n according_a to_o vers_fw-la 15._o which_o set_v that_o text_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n yet_o from_o your_o purpose_n where_o to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o penalty_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o hearken_v to_o instruction_n and_o to_o consider_v and_o examine_v matter_n of_o religion_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v 10._o i_o allege_v that_o such_o as_o be_v out_o of_o the_o right_a way_n be_v usual_o so_o prejudice_v against_o it_o that_o no_o entreaty_n or_o persuasion_n will_v prevail_v with_o they_o so_o much_o as_o to_o give_v a_o ear_n to_o those_o who_o call_v they_o to_o it_o so_o that_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o other_o mean_n leave_v beside_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n but_o penalty_n only_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o hear_v and_o consider_v and_o so_o to_o embrace_v the_o truth_n you_o demand_v what_o if_o god_n for_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o himself_o ●0_n will_v not_o have_v man_n compel_v to_o hear_v i._n e._n as_o far_o as_o moderate_v penalty_n will_v compel_v they_o otherwise_o i_o be_o not_o concern_v in_o this_o demand_n but_o think_v the_o good_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n and_o the_o proposal_n of_o life_n and_o death_n means_n and_o induc●ments_n enough_o to_o make_v they_o hear_v and_o consider_v now_o as_o well_o as_o ●ere●o●●●e_v where_o first_o you_o must_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o demand_v how_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n think_v the_o good_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n etc._n etc._n enough_o heretofore_o when_o he_o endue_v the_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o with_o the_o power_n of_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n etc._n etc._n as_o well_o to_o bring_v man_n to_o hear_v and_o consider_v as_o to_o believe_v second_o i_o say_v that_o if_o god_n for_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o himself_o will_v not_o have_v moderate_a penalty_n use_v now_o that_o miracle_n be_v cease_v ●o_o induce_v man_n to_o ●ea●_n and_o consider_v he_o will_v have_v tell_v we_o so_o and_o you_o ought_v to_o have_v show_v we_o where_o he_o have_v do_v it_o you_o go_v on_o demand_v what_o if_o god_n will_v have_v man_n leave_v to_o their_o freedom_n in_o this_o point_n if_o they_o will_v hear_v or_o if_o they_o will_v forbear_v will_v you_o constrain_v they_o thus_o we_o be_v siere_n he_o do_v with_o his_o own_o people_n etc._n etc._n but_o those_o word_n whether_o they_o will_v hear_v or_o whether_o they_o will_v forbear_v which_o we_o find_v thrice_o use_v in_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o your_o purpose_n fo●_n by_o hear_v there_o no_o man_n understand_v the_o bare_a give_v a_o ear_n to_o what_o be_v to_o be_v preach_v nor_o yet_o the_o consider_v it_o only_o but_o the_o comply_v with_o it_o and_o obey_v it_o according_a to_o the_o paraphrase_n which_o gro●ius_n give_v of_o the_o word_n ezek._n 2.5_o si●se_a co●●●gu●●_n rectè_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la quod_fw-la hactenus_fw-la magis_fw-la de_fw-la illis_fw-la credibile_fw-la est_fw-la ob_fw-la summam_fw-la pertinaciam_fw-la erunt_fw-la mexcusati_fw-la however_o the_o penalty_n i_o defend_v be_v not_o such_o as_o can_v any_o way_n be_v pretend_v to_o take_v away_o man_n freedom_n in_o this_o point_n ●1_n you_o add_v this_o also_o be_v the_o method_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o be_v ambassador_n for_o christ_n as_o if_o god_n do_v beseech_v you_o by_o we_o we_o pray_v in_o christ_n stead_n say_v st._n paul_n 2._o cor_fw-la 5.20_o if_o god_n have_v think_v it_o necessary_a to_o have_v man_n punish_v to_o make_v they_o give_v ear_n he_o can_v have_v call_v magistrate_n to_o be_v spreader_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o well_o as_o poor_a fisherman_n or_o paul_n a_o persecutor_n who_o yet_o want_v not_o power_n to_o punish_v where_o punishment_n be_v necessary_a as_o be_v evident_a in_o ananias_n and_o sapphira_n and_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a but_o though_o it_o be_v the_o method_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o it_o to_o pray_v and_o beseech_v man_n yet_o it_o appear_v from_o your_o own_o word_n here_o both_o that_o punishment_n may_v be_v sometime_o necessary_a and_o that_o punish_v and_o that_o even_o by_o those_o who_o be_v to_o pray_v and_o beseech_v be_v consistent_a with_o that_o method_n why_o penalty_n be_v not_o necessary_a at_o first_o to_o make_v man_n give_v ●ar_a to_o the_o gospel_n have_v already_o be_v show_v and_o from_o the_o same_o ground_n it_o seem_v not_o hard_a to_o conjecture_v why_o god_n be_v please_v to_o call_v poor_a fisherman_n rather_o than_o magistrate_n to_o be_v spreader_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o as_o the_o great_a and_o wonderful_a thing_n which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o evidence_a the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o procure_v attention_n to_o it_o without_o any_o help_n from_o the_o magistrate_n 4.13_o so_o they_o be_v much_o more_o admirable_a and_o convince_a as_o do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o such_o mean_a person_n than_o they_o will_v have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v be_v do_v by_o prince_n or_o magistrate_n to_o which_o i_o may_v add_v that_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n to_o christianity_n without_o the_o help_n and_o notwithstanding_o the_o utmost_a resistance_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v to_o be_v the_o great_a evidence_n to_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n accompany_v the_o gospel_n and_o further_a the_o progress_n of_o it_o which_o evidence_n will_v have_v be_v want_v if_o god_n have_v from_o the_o beginning_n use_v the_o service_n of_o the_o magistrate_n in_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n you_o demand_v further_o what_o if_o god_n foresee_v this_o force_n will_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n as_o passionate_a 21._o as_o humoursome_a as_o liable_a to_o prejudice_n and_o error_n as_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o brethren_n do_v not_o think_v it_o a_o proper_a mean_n to_o bring_v man_n into_o the_o right_a way_n but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o argument_n in_o this_o it_o prove_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o civil_a government_n in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o prove_v too_o much_o prove_v nothing_o at_o all_o 1.20_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o wrath_n of_o man_n work_v not_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o god_n have_v put_v the_o sword_n into_o the_o magistrate_n hand_n though_o he_o may_v be_v as_o passionate_a as_o humoursome_a etc._n etc._n as_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o brethren_n so_o that_o unless_o you_o will_v have_v no_o government_n or_o discipline_n in_o the_o world_n you_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o how_o passionate_a or_o humoursome_a soever_o or_o how_o liable_a soever_o to_o prejudice_n and_o error_n god_n foresee_v magistrate_n will_v be_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o colour_n to_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o he_o do_v not_o think_v moderate_a penalty_n use_v to_o bring_v man_n into_o the_o right_a way_n a_o proper_a mean_n to_o bring_v they_o into_o it_o last_o you_o demand_v what_o if_o there_o be_v other_o mean_n and_o then_o you_o add_v then_o you_o cease_v to_o be_v necessary_a upon_o the_o account_n that_o there_o be_v no_o mean_n leave_v for_o you_o yourself_o allow_v that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v another_o mean_n and_o i_o suppose_v you_o will_v not_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v both_o a_o proper_a and_o sufficient_a mean_n and_o which_o be_v more_o the_o only_a mean_n such_o mean_n as_o can_v work_v by_o itself_o and_o without_o which_o all_o the_o force_n in_o the_o world_n can_v do_v nothing_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v though_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v another_o mean_n
he_o say_v what_o he_o do_v not_o that_o they_o may_v have_v something_o which_o they_o can_v confute_v 61._o your_o next_o paragraph_n run_v high_a and_o charge_v i_o with_o nothing_o less_o than_o prevarication_n for_o whereas_o as_o you_o tell_v i_o i_o speak_v of_o it_o here_o as_o the_o most_o deplorable_a condition_n imaginable_a that_o man_n shall_v be_v leave_v to_o themselves_o and_o not_o be_v force_v to_o consider_v and_o examine_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o search_v impartial_o and_o diligent_o after_o the_o truth_n etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v all_o the_o remedy_n i_o offer_v be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o dissenter_n must_v be_v punish_v upon_o which_o thus_o you_o insult_v can_v any_o body_n that_o hear_v you_o say_v so_o believe_v you_o in_o earnest_n and_o that_o want_v of_o examination_n be_v the_o thing_n you_o will_v have_v amend_v when_o want_n of_o examination_n be_v not_o the_o thing_n you_o will_v have_v punish_v but_o if_o in_o all_o your_o treatise_n you_o can_v show_v i_o one_o place_n where_o you_o say_v that_o the_o ignorant_a the_o careless_a the_o inconsiderate_a the_o negligent_a in_o examine_v etc._n etc._n be_v to_o be_v punish_v i_o will_v allow_v your_o remedy_n for_o a_o good_a one_o but_o you_o have_v not_o say_v any_o thing_n like_o this_o and_o which_o be_v more_o i_o tell_v you_o before_o hand_n you_o dare_v not_o say_v it_o and_o whilst_o you_o do_v not_o the_o world_n have_v reason_n to_o judge_v that_o however_o want_v of_o examination_n be_v a_o general_a fault_n which_o you_o with_o great_a vehemency_n have_v exaggerated_a yet_o you_o use_v it_o only_o for_o a_o pretence_n to_o punish_v dissenter_n and_o either_o distrust_n your_o remedy_n or_o else_o care_v not_o to_o have_v it_o general_o cure_v now_o here_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o though_o want_v or_o neglect_v of_o examination_n be_v a_o general_a fault_n yet_o the_o method_n i_o propose_v for_o cure_v it_o do_v not_o reach_v to_o all_o that_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o but_o be_v limit_v to_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o true_a religion_n propose_v to_o they_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n but_o then_o to_o let_v you_o see_v how_o little_a ground_n you_o have_v to_o say_v that_o i_o prevaricate_v in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v only_o desire_v you_o to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v that_o the_o author_n and_o myself_o be_v inquire_v after_o for_o it_o be_v not_o what_o course_n be_v to_o be_v take_v to_o confirm_v and_o establish_v those_o in_o the_o truth_n who_o have_v already_o embrace_v it_o nor_o how_o they_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o propagate_v it_o to_o other_o for_o both_o which_o purpose_n i_o have_v already_o acknowledge_v it_o very_o useful_a and_o a_o thing_n much_o to_o be_v desire_v that_o all_o such_o person_n shall_v as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v able_a search_v into_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o their_o religion_n stand_v and_o challenge_v their_o belief_n but_o the_o subject_a of_o our_o enquiry_n be_v only_o what_o method_n be_v to_o be_v use_v to_o bring_v man_n to_o the_o true_a religion_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n we_o be_v inquire_v after_o as_o you_o can_v deny_v it_o to_o be_v then_o every_o one_o see_v that_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o point_n i_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o any_o who_o have_v already_o embrace_v the_o true_a religion_n because_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o that_o religion_n but_o only_o to_o be_v confirm_v and_o edify_v in_o it_o but_o be_v only_o to_o consider_v how_o those_o who_o reject_v it_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o embrace_v it_o so_o that_o how_o much_o soever_o any_o of_o those_o who_o own_o the_o true_a religion_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o neglect_n of_o examination_n it_o be_v evident_a i_o be_v only_o concern_v to_o show_v how_o it_o may_v be_v cure_v in_o those_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o it_o reject_v the_o true_a religion_n due_o propose_v or_o tender_v to_o they_o and_o certain_o to_o confine_v myself_o to_o this_o be_v not_o to_o prevaricate_v unless_o to_o keep_v within_o the_o bound_n which_o the_o question_n under_o debate_n prescribe_v i_o be_v to_o prevaricate_v in_o tell_v i_o therefore_o that_o i_o dare_v not_o say_v that_o the_o ignorant_a the_o careless_a the_o inconsiderate_a the_o negligent_a in_o examine_v etc._n etc._n i._n e._n all_o that_o be_v such_o be_v to_o be_v punish_v you_o only_o tell_v i_o that_o i_o dare_v not_o be_v impertinent_a and_o therefore_o i_o hope_v you_o will_v excuse_v i_o if_o i_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o three_o reason_n you_o offer_v in_o your_o next_o page_n for_o your_o say_n so_o and_o yet_o if_o i_o have_v have_v a_o mind_n to_o talk_v impertinent_o i_o know_v not_o why_o i_o may_v not_o have_v dare_v to_o do_v so_o as_o well_o as_o other_o man_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o in_o this_o paragraph_n which_o though_o nothing_o more_o pertinent_a than_o the_o rest_n i_o shall_v not_o whole_o pass_v over_o it_o lie_v in_o these_o word_n he_o that_o read_v your_o treatise_n with_o attention_n will_v be_v more_o confirm_v in_o this_o opinion_n viz._n that_o i_o use_v want_n of_o examination_n only_o for_o a_o pretence_n to_o punish_v dissenter_n etc._n etc._n when_o he_o shall_v find_v that_o you_o who_o be_v so_o earnest_a to_o have_v man_n punish_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o consider_v and_o examine_v that_o so_o they_o may_v discover_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n have_v not_o say_v one_o word_n of_o consider_v search_a and_o harken_v to_o the_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v as_o good_a a_o rule_n for_o a_o christian_n to_o have_v send_v they_o to_o as_o to_z reason_n and_o argument_n proper_a to_o convince_v they_o of_o you_o know_v not_o what_o etc._n etc._n how_o this_o confirm_v that_o opinion_n i_o do_v not_o see_v nor_o have_v you_o think_v fit_a to_o instruct_v i_o but_o as_o to_o the_o thing_n itself_o viz._n my_o not_o say_v one_o word_n of_o consider_v search_a and_o harken_v to_o the_o scripture_n whatever_o advantage_n a_o captious_a adversary_n may_v imagine_v he_o have_v in_o it_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v not_o seem_v strange_a to_o any_o indifferent_a and_o judicious_a person_n who_o shall_v but_o consider_v that_o throughout_o my_o treatise_n i_o speak_v of_o the_o true_a religion_n only_o in_o general_n i._n e._n not_o as_o limit_v to_o any_o particular_a dispensation_n or_o to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o as_o reach_v from_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o comprehend_v the_o time_n which_o precede_v the_o scripture_n wherein_o yet_o god_n leave_v not_o himself_o without_o witness_n but_o furnish_v mankind_n with_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o know_v he_o and_o his_o will_n in_o order_n to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n for_o i_o appeal_v to_o all_o man_n of_o art_n whether_o speak_v of_o the_o true_a religion_n under_o this_o generality_n i_o can_v be_v allow_v to_o descend_v to_o any_o such_o rule_n of_o it_o as_o belong_v only_o to_o some_o particular_a time_n or_o dispensation_n such_o as_o you_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v 64._o you_o say_v that_o page_z 26._o of_o my_o answer_n out_o of_o abundant_a kindness_n when_o the_o dissenter_n have_v their_o head_n without_o any_o cause_n break_v i_o provide_v they_o a_o plaster_n but_o whoever_o shall_v consider_v the_o penalty_n i_o there_o speak_v of_o will_n i_o persuade_v myself_o find_v no_o head_n break_v and_o so_o but_o little_a need_n of_o a_o plaster_n but_o have_v say_v there_o that_o the_o power_n i_o asscribe_v to_o the_o magistrate_n be_v give_v he_o to_o bring_v man_n not_o to_o his_o own_o but_o to_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o that_o though_o as_o our_o author_n put_v we_o in_o mind_n the_o religion_n of_o every_o prince_n be_v orthodox_n to_o himself_o yet_o if_o this_o power_n keep_v within_o its_o bound_n i.e._n if_o the_o penalty_n the_o magistrate_n make_v use_v of_o to_o promote_v a_o false_a religion_n do_v not_o exceed_v the_o measure_n of_o those_o which_o he_o may_v warrantable_o use_v for_o the_o promote_a the_o true_a it_o can_v serve_v the_o interest_n of_o no_o other_o religion_n but_o the_o true_a among_o such_o as_o have_v any_o concern_v for_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o they_o that_o have_v none_o deserve_v not_o to_o be_v consider_v ●●_o because_o the_o penalty_n it_o enable_v he_o that_o have_v it_o to_o inflict_v be_v not_o such_o as_o may_v tempt_v such_o person_n either_o to_o renounce_v a_o religion_n which_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a or_o to_o profess_v one_o which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v to_o be_v so_o but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v apt_a to_o put_v they_o upon_o a_o serious_a and_o impartial_a examination_n