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ground_n church_n faith_n part_n 1,462 5 5.0430 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62888 The modern pleas for comprehension, toleration, and the taking away the obligation to the renouncing of the covenant considered and discussed. Tomkins, Thomas, 1637?-1675. 1675 (1675) Wing T1836; ESTC R4003 94,730 270

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obligation_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o year_n immediate_o after_o the_o restoration_n of_o his_o majesty_n both_o from_o press_n and_o pulpit_n party_n be_v make_v in_o the_o city_n and_o endeavour_v to_o be_v make_v in_o parliament_n for_o the_o own_n of_o that_o obligation_n it_o be_v with_o great_a confidence_n urge_v that_o it_o be_v a_o public_a and_o national_a oath_n bind_v all_o person_n of_o this_o nation_n whether_o they_o do_v swear_v it_o personal_o or_o not_o and_o all_o posterity_n after_o we_o in_o their_o particular_a place_n and_o all_o that_o shall_v succeed_v into_o the_o public_a place_n and_o politic_a capacity_n of_o this_o kingdom_n to_o pursue_v the_o thing_n covenant_v for_o and_o this_o obligation_n be_v for_o ever_o to_o remain_v and_o abide_v and_o by_o no_o humane_a act_n or_o power_n to_o be_v absolve_v or_o make_v void_a as_o among_o other_o mr._n crofton_n have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v at_o large_a in_o his_o famous_a write_n on_o that_o subject_a and_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n if_o we_o once_o admit_v the_o ground_n which_o this_o party_n of_o man_n do_v go_v upon_o what_o he_o do_v allege_v have_v great_a reason_n in_o it_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o those_o clause_n which_o he_o do_v produce_v out_o of_o the_o covenant_n do_v suppose_v all_o posterity_n to_o be_v involve_v in_o they_o and_o this_o he_o urge_v not_o as_o his_o own_o single_a opinion_n but_o as_o the_o sense_n of_o his_o whole_a party_n and_o beside_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o allege_v the_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o covenant_n by_o the_o london_n minister_n dec._n 14._o 1647._o several_a of_o which_o be_v at_o this_o present_a preacher_n to_o the_o separate_a congregation_n in_o which_o it_o be_v plain_o declare_v that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o person_n or_o person_n upon_o earth_n to_o dispense_v with_o or_o absolve_v we_o from_o it_o nay_o the_o 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therefore_o to_o the_o ceremony_n and_o there_o indeed_o the_o noise_n be_v very_o great_a a_o excellent_a person_n who_o for_o his_o pious_a labour_n upon_o a_o noble_a argument_n and_o much_o more_o worthy_a of_o his_o pen_n deserve_v much_o honour_n have_v in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o question_n express_v much_o more_o concern_v than_o i_o hope_v himself_o upon_o a_o serious_a review_n will_v admit_v the_o cause_n to_o bear_v in_o a_o book_n entitle_v liberty_n of_o conscience_n upon_o its_o true_a and_o proper_a ground_n assert_v and_o vindicate_v etc._n etc._n have_v thus_o express_v himself_o p._n 49._o how_o may_v we_o lament_v over_o the_o present_a imposition_n of_o the_o ceremony_n now_o enjoin_v among_o we_o in_o england_n which_o be_v no_o part_n of_o divine_a truth_n nor_o any_o of_o christ_n institution_n but_o thing_n perfect_o humane_a in_o their_o creation_n
who_o teach_v the_o people_n to_o be_v offend_v at_o a_o few_o harmless_a ceremony_n who_o raise_v all_o their_o causeless_a scruple_n infuse_v so_o many_o senseless_a jealousy_n and_o not_o be_v content_a to_o have_v at_o first_o infuse_v these_o needless_a fear_n do_v still_o go_v on_o to_o nurse_v up_o and_o cherish_v they_o who_o first_o betray_v great_a number_n into_o folly_n and_o ever_o after_o continue_v to_o humour_v they_o in_o it_o he_o who_o can_v conform_v himself_o and_o yet_o refuse_v to_o do_v so_o for_o fear_v lest_o his_o auditory_a and_o acquaintance_n shall_v abate_v in_o their_o esteem_n or_o contribution_n towards_o he_o if_o he_o mean_v sincere_o &_o to_o show_v himself_o a_o honest_a man_n he_o ought_v to_o deal_v faithful_o with_o his_o admirer_n &_o tell_v they_o real_o what_o himself_n think_v communicate_v the_o satisfaction_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v and_o persuade_v they_o not_o to_o be_v long_o needless_o afraid_a where_o no_o fear_n be_v it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o dissenter_n do_v entertain_v wild_a suspicion_n about_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o no_o other_o ground_n than_o a_o implicit_a faith_n which_o they_o have_v in_o the_o skill_n and_o honesty_n of_o their_o teacher_n such_o and_o such_o a_o one_o be_v a_o very_a precious_a and_o know_a man_n and_o do_v you_o think_v that_o he_o will_v not_o conform_v if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v conformity_n to_o be_v a_o sin_n the_o pastor_n and_o his_o flock_n in_o this_o case_n do_v mutual_o guide_v and_o be_v guide_v by_o each_o other_o he_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o please_v and_o humour_n they_o and_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o great_a mark_n of_o their_o judgement_n and_o a_o infallible_a token_n of_o their_o election_n to_o admire_v he_o but_o if_o the_o weakness_n of_o these_o our_o brethren_n have_v so_o great_a a_o privilege_n entail_v upon_o it_o as_o that_o we_o must_v do_v nothing_o which_o they_o have_v take_v a_o fancy_n against_o a_o thing_n in_o itself_o lawful_a and_o impose_v by_o lawful_a authority_n must_v immediate_o become_v unlawful_a if_o so_o be_v that_o any_o scrupulous_a man_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o entertain_v a_o foolish_a jealousy_n about_o it_o then_o be_v this_o kind_n of_o weakness_n endue_v with_o a_o very_a strange_a degree_n of_o omnipotence_n because_o that_o upon_o this_o supposition_n the_o very_a mistake_n of_o man_n be_v able_a to_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n a_o thing_n in_o itself_o innocent_a do_v according_a to_o this_o doctrine_n immediate_o become_v unlawful_a as_o soon_o as_o ever_o that_o any_o fanciful_a delude_a man_n do_v erroneous_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v so_o but_o methinks_v that_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v such_o eager_a asserter_n of_o christian_a liberty_n as_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n have_v always_o do_v shall_v of_o all_o other_o person_n the_o least_o endure_v to_o have_v it_o thus_o trifle_v with_o as_o to_o have_v it_o believe_v to_o be_v open_o expose_v to_o lie_v perpetual_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o all_o the_o humour_n melancholy_n artifice_n cheat_n and_o discontent_n in_o the_o whole_a nation_n but_o if_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n where_o we_o be_v command_v to_o avoid_v the_o give_n of_o scandal_n as_o most_o certain_o and_o evident_o it_o be_v not_o that_o the_o action_n of_o all_o private_a man_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o public_a constitution_n must_v be_v as_o often_o overrule_v as_o any_o single_a person_n be_v either_o by_o his_o own_o folly_n or_o by_o the_o art_n of_o other_o man_n impose_v upon_o to_o believe_v evil_a of_o they_o then_o can_v no_o man_n tell_v in_o any_o matter_n of_o action_n sacred_a or_o civil_a except_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o immediate_a and_o plain_a divine_a precept_n what_o one_o thing_n shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o he_o to_o do_v in_o the_o very_a next_o moment_n but_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o the_o mistake_n of_o other_o man_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v well-meaning_a one_o be_v to_o have_v so_o uncontrollable_a a_o influence_n upon_o the_o action_n of_o all_o private_a person_n and_o the_o decree_n of_o all_o public_a one_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o i_o say_v it_o will_v thence_o follow_v very_o apparent_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a necessity_n lie_v upon_o the_o government_n of_o take_v care_n what_o kind_n of_o person_n be_v entrust_v with_o teach_v the_o people_n for_o if_o conscience_n though_o never_o so_o erroneous_a be_v of_o right_n and_o by_o apostolical_a appointment_n to_o have_v so_o great_a a_o regard_n have_v unto_o they_o then_o of_o all_o thing_n great_a circumspection_n shall_v be_v use_v and_o security_n take_v for_o the_o understanding_n and_o honesty_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v entrust_v to_o be_v guide_n of_o conscience_n for_o if_o the_o error_n of_o conscience_n be_v thing_n of_o so_o great_a authority_n as_o to_o be_v a_o immediate_a supersedeas_fw-la to_o our_o whole_a christian_a liberty_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o humane_a law_n than_o it_o be_v the_o great_a frenzy_n imaginable_a to_o grant_v a_o promiscuous_a liberty_n to_o whoever_o please_v to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o people_n alas_o the_o vulgar_a be_v easy_o impose_v upon_o and_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o we_o may_v find_v in_o our_o day_n what_o st._n paul_n do_v in_o his_o that_o there_o be_v those_o who_o will_v speak_v lie_n in_o hypocrisy_n because_o of_o advantage_n and_o bring_v their_o auditory_n to_o admire_v those_o very_a doctrine_n which_o themselves_o do_v hearty_o despise_v outward_o court_v their_o hearer_n and_o inward_o laugh_v at_o they_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v not_o religion_n and_o government_n like_o to_o be_v at_o a_o very_a fine_a pass_n when_o who_o so_o please_v shall_v have_v the_o privilege_n of_o make_v all_o possible_a advantage_n of_o that_o very_a scruple_n which_o himself_o be_v author_n of_o and_o when_o all_o other_o objection_n fail_v shall_v be_v allow_v to_o plead_v his_o own_o exemption_n from_o all_o obedience_n to_o the_o settle_a constitution_n from_o the_o dissatisfaction_n of_o other_o man_n who_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v for_o he_o have_v never_o entertain_v the_o least_o thought_n of_o be_v dissatisfy_v but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v frequent_o urge_v that_o those_o term_n of_o communion_n be_v not_o look_v upon_o as_o sufficient_a which_o be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o such_o in_o former_a day_n but_o there_o be_v new_a and_o straight_a bond_n add_v to_o they_o a_o new_a declaration_n of_o assent_n and_o consent_v and_o beside_o all_o this_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n be_v provoke_v which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v remain_v silent_a if_o not_o satisfy_v new_a scruple_n be_v raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o before_o lay_v bury_v and_o which_o will_v otherwise_o have_v be_v quite_o forget_v in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o think_v sufficient_a that_o the_o covenant_n shall_v be_v lay_v aside_o but_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v formal_o renounce_v and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o it_o be_v require_v that_o man_n must_v swear_v not_o only_o for_o themselves_o but_o that_o no_o man_n else_o be_v oblige_v by_o it_o now_o after_o all_o this_o wonder_n there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o very_o easy_o account_v for_o for_o sure_o it_o have_v be_v among_o man_n not_o at_o all_o unusual_a nor_o in_o itself_o strange_a that_o where_o former_a security_n have_v be_v find_v too_o slight_a to_o add_v other_o to_o they_o as_o for_o the_o declaration_n of_o assent_n and_o consent_n the_o addition_n which_o it_o do_v make_v to_o the_o former_a subscription_n be_v not_o so_o considerable_a as_o to_o raise_v a_o scruple_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o man_n who_o be_v real_a in_o they_o and_o i_o suppose_v that_o the_o great_a mystery_n which_o be_v pretend_v to_o lie_v in_o the_o terribie_n sound_n of_o assent_n and_o consent_n which_o the_o people_n be_v teach_v to_o be_v affright_v at_o as_o if_o some_o dismal_a meaning_n be_v hide_v under_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o art_n to_o raise_v their_o jealousy_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v the_o better_o prepare_v for_o the_o find_v out_o some_o plot_n or_o other_o in_o the_o follow_a renunciation_n of_o the_o covenant_n a_o thing_n which_o be_v order_v not_o without_o great_a cause_n and_o it_o be_v very_o suspicious_a that_o that_o cause_n do_v not_o only_o continue_v but_o increase_n as_o appear_v but_o too_o plain_o from_o this_o that_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o clamour_n raise_v upon_o it_o and_o this_o cause_n do_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n proceed_v from_o themselves_o and_o that_o great_a stir_n which_o they_o make_v about_o the_o
of_o devil_n as_o saint_n paul_n do_v upon_o occasion_n declare_v some_o doctrine_n to_o be_v and_o that_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o give_v i_o liberty_n to_o preach_v any_o such_o in_o his_o kingdom_n what_o now_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n here_o be_v conscience_n on_o both_o side_n the_o king_n be_v as_o firm_o persuade_v as_o i_o be_o and_o think_v himself_o as_o well_o inform_v as_o i_o either_o be_o or_o can_v be_v if_o the_o king_n restrain_v i_o from_o preach_v after_o my_o own_o way_n than_o i_o cry_v out_o that_o he_o be_v a_o persecutor_n he_o reply_v that_o i_o be_o a_o seducer_n nay_o a_o blasphemer_n and_o he_o neither_o will_v nor_o aught_o to_o suffer_v any_o such_o in_o his_o country_n either_o his_o conscience_n or_o i_o must_v over-rule_v both_o can_v be_v satisfy_v one_o or_o other_o must_v necessary_o either_o yield_v or_o alter_v or_o else_o i_o must_v preach_v and_o he_o must_v punish_v and_o the_o almighty_a must_v at_o his_o own_o time_n be_v judge_n between_o we_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n as_o to_o all_o the_o purpose_n of_o this_o world_n the_o king_n conscience_n have_v reason_n to_o expect_v to_o be_v more_o authoritative_a than_o i_o and_o withal_o he_o be_v concern_v to_o take_v care_n both_o of_o himself_o and_o all_o other_o man_n to_o judge_n both_o as_o to_o his_o own_o particular_a and_o likewise_o as_o to_o the_o concern_v of_o his_o whole_a nation_n if_o it_o be_v reply_v in_o this_o case_n that_o the_o king_n conscience_n ought_v to_o yield_v because_o it_o be_v a_o error_n in_o he_o to_o think_v that_o he_o be_v at_o all_o concern_v in_o point_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o religion_n be_v no_o part_n of_o his_o care_n his_o business_n be_v only_o to_o look_v after_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o the_o public_a peace_n a_o pretence_n frequent_o insist_v on_o the_o answer_n to_o this_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o may_v easy_o be_v enlarge_v upon_o as_o to_o many_o particular_n i_o shall_v only_o mention_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o religion_n have_v a_o very_a great_a influence_n upon_o civil_a government_n and_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o therefore_o if_o so_o be_v that_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o the_o public_a peace_n be_v within_o his_o care_n then_o religion_n ought_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v exclude_v from_o it_o as_o have_v so_o great_a a_o influence_n upon_o it_o in_o the_o next_o place_n as_o to_o the_o pretence_n that_o the_o magistrate_n be_v in_o a_o error_n if_o he_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o concern_v in_o this_o particular_a it_o be_v more_o than_o possible_a that_o that_o very_a pretence_n will_v upon_o examination_n appear_v to_o be_v the_o great_a error_n and_o in_o general_a the_o subject_n be_v no_o more_o free_a from_o error_n than_o the_o sovereign_n and_o this_o need_v not_o seem_v news_n to_o we_o of_o this_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o to_o speak_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o find_v out_o any_o age_n or_o nation_n where_o it_o have_v not_o be_v sad_o evidence_v that_o seducer_n will_v quick_o be_v find_v in_o great_a abundance_n where_o liberty_n have_v be_v give_v for_o the_o people_n to_o be_v seduce_v by_o they_o and_o after_o all_o this_o it_o will_v be_v no_o impossible_a task_n to_o make_v out_o that_o magistrate_n be_v oblige_v not_o only_o in_o interest_n but_o likewise_o in_o point_n of_o conscience_n to_o have_v a_o great_a care_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o use_v that_o authority_n which_o they_o receive_v from_o god_n so_o far_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o he_o who_o give_v it_o as_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o suffer_v his_o truth_n to_o lie_v all_o open_o expose_v to_o all_o the_o lust_n design_n and_o mistake_v of_o man_n to_o all_o the_o knavery_n and_o all_o the_o folly_n of_o every_o one_o who_o be_v either_o willing_a to_o deceive_v or_o liable_a to_o be_v deceive_v and_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n both_o from_o reason_n and_o scripture_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o authority_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n but_o here_o a_o great_a many_o rub_n be_v throw_v in_o our_o way_n by_o the_o forementioned_a author_n of_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n upon_o its_o true_a and_o proper_a ground_n assert_v and_o vindicate_v prove_v that_o no_o prince_n nor_o state_n ought_v by_o force_n to_o compel_v man_n to_o any_o part_n of_o the_o doctrine_n worship_n or_o discipline_n of_o the_o gospel_n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1668._o which_o methinks_v be_v not_o very_o different_a from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bloody_a tenent_n dedicate_v to_o both_o house_n of_o parliament_n in_o the_o year_n 1644._o it_o be_v the_o will_n and_o command_v of_o god_n that_o since_o the_o come_n of_o his_o son_n jesus_n a_o permission_n of_o the_o most_o paganish_a jewish_a turkish_a or_o antichristian_a conscience_n and_o worship_n be_v grant_v to_o all_o man_n in_o all_o nation_n and_o country_n but_o whatever_o the_o assertion_n of_o our_o author_n be_v either_o in_o itself_o or_o in_o its_o consequence_n i_o shall_v brief_o inquire_v into_o the_o argument_n he_o bring_v for_o it_o pag._n 25._o that_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n be_v thing_n perfect_o in_o themselves_o distinct_a and_o aught_o in_o their_o excercise_n to_o be_v keep_v so_o etc._n etc._n and_o the_o magistrate_n have_v way_n such_o as_o christ_n think_v sufficient_a to_o promote_v the_o good_a of_o religion_n and_o propagate_a the_o growth_n of_o the_o gospel_n without_o draw_v the_o civil_a sword_n which_o will_v make_v no_o more_o impression_n in_o spiritual_a concern_v than_o it_o will_v do_v upon_o a_o ghost_n which_o have_v no_o real_a body_n etc._n etc._n and_o p._n 28._o to_o use_v force_n in_o religion_n be_v whole_o unlawful_a in_o any_o hand_n whatever_o because_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n appoint_v by_o christ_n to_o bring_v about_o any_o gospel-end_a for_o the_o magistrate_n to_o enforce_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o temporal_a power_n or_o to_o compel_v man_n into_o the_o gospel_n by_o such_o a_o power_n be_v to_o act_v without_o the_o least_o precept_n or_o precedent_n to_o induce_v a_o engine_n to_o execute_v the_o gospel_n contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n which_o be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o gospel-institution_n do_v not_o paul_n positive_o deliver_v this_o that_o the_o weapon_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o spiritual_a and_o mighty_a through_o god_n the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o weapon_n by_o which_o christ_n do_v all_o yea_o by_o which_o he_o will_v destroy_v antichrist_n the_o great_a gospel-enemy_n the_o world_n have_v produce_v the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v brief_o this_o 1._o that_o force_n be_v a_o very_a incompetent_a method_n to_o be_v use_v in_o matter_n of_o belief_n and_o persuasion_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a 1._o because_o christ_n have_v no_o where_o command_v it_o we_o have_v neither_o precept_n nor_o precedent_n for_o it_o 2._o because_o st._n paul_n have_v plain_o forbid_v it_o where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o weapon_n of_o our_o warfare_n be_v not_o carnal_a now_o as_o to_o these_o suggestion_n which_o do_v frequent_o recur_v in_o this_o question_n i_o shall_v at_o present_v only_o brief_o touch_v upon_o they_o premise_v this_o that_o our_o author_n like_v to_o all_o the_o rest_n who_o have_v deal_v in_o this_o cause_n be_v as_o much_o concern_v to_o answer_v these_o and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o argument_n against_o use_v the_o secular_a interposition_n in_o matter_n of_o belief_n as_o any_o of_o those_o he_o write_v against_o because_o he_o himself_o do_v very_o much_o approve_v and_o commend_v such_o interposition_n where_o he_o like_v the_o cause_n in_o behalf_n of_o which_o it_o be_v make_v use_n of_o now_o though_o this_o may_v seem_v strange_a because_o it_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o his_o whole_a book_n yet_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o i_o shall_v not_o expect_v to_o be_v believe_v upon_o my_o bare_a word_n but_o desire_v the_o author_n himself_o or_o any_o one_o beside_o who_o make_v a_o doubt_n of_o it_o to_o consider_v these_o word_n which_o we_o have_v pag._n 24._o constantine_n and_o the_o christian_a emperor_n after_o he_o till_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v cheat_v they_o into_o subjection_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o care_n and_o oversight_n of_o all_o religious_a thing_n among_o ourselves_o we_o reap_v the_o advantage_n of_o our_o king_n and_o prince_n care_n and_o concern_v in_o that_o enjoyment_n we_o have_v of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n now_o this_o assertion_n of_o that_o learned_a gentleman_n be_v evident_o true_a but_o than_o it_o happen_v here_o as_o