Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	civil_a	law_n	society_n	2,401	5	9.1625	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A56252	The history of popedom, containing the rise, progress, and decay thereof, &c. written in High Dutch by Samuel Puffendorff ; translated into English by J.C.	Pufendorf, Samuel, Freiherr von, 1632-1694.; Chamberlayne, John, 1666-1723.	1691 (1691)	Wing P4176; ESTC R5058	76,002	238

reconciliation_n sect._n 2._o if_o we_o will_v ascend_v to_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o the_o thing_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n the_o whole_a world_n except_v the_o jewish_a nation_n be_v benight_a in_o the_o dark_a ignorance_n of_o divine_a affair_n for_o what_o they_o do_v hold_v forth_o in_o general_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o their_o god_n etc._n etc._n consist_v most_o in_o improbable_a and_o impudent_a fable_n it_o be_v true_a some_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a among_o the_o heathen_n can_v discourse_n more_o rational_o of_o the_o divinity_n and_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o it_o be_v so_o dubious_a imperfect_a and_o ill-grounded_a a_o description_n they_o make_v thereof_o that_o they_o themselves_o scarce_o know_v what_o they_o mean_v the_o most_o of_o they_o be_v well_o enough_o convince_v that_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o the_o exercise_n and_o practice_n of_o virtue_n but_o they_o know_v no_o far_a effect_n thereof_o than_o that_o advantage_n and_o honour_n which_o they_o enjoy_v thereby_o in_o civil_a conversation_n for_o as_o for_o what_o the_o poet_n hold_v forth_o concern_v the_o reward_n which_o the_o just_a and_o the_o torment_n which_o the_o unjust_a be_v to_o expect_v after_o this_o life_n those_o that_o will_v pass_v for_o the_o wise_a man_n laugh_v at_o it_o esteem_v it_o nothing_o more_o than_o a_o witty_a fable_n and_o bugbear_n invent_v to_o frighten_v the_o unthinking_a mobile_n into_o their_o devoirs_fw-fr the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n live_v without_o propose_v to_o themselves_o any_o other_o end_n and_o in_o that_o which_o the_o heathen_n name_v religion_n there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v any_o rule_n or_o formulary_n include_v the_o principal_a matter_n of_o divinity_n the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o divine_a worship_n consist_v in_o sacrifice_n ceremony_n and_o certain_a holiday_n which_o be_v more_o spend_v in_o play_n and_o debauch_n than_o any_o inquiry_n into_o divine_a thing_n so_o that_o from_o such_o a_o heathenish_a religion_n one_o can_v neither_o receive_v any_o edification_n in_o this_o life_n nor_o any_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a happiness_n in_o the_o next_o sect._n 3_o in_o those_o time_n the_o jew_n be_v the_o only_a people_n to_o who_o god_n vouchsafe_v to_o reveal_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o mean_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n but_o betwixt_o that_o and_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o difference_n be_v very_o considerable_a not_o only_o in_o that_o the_o redeemer_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o salvation_n be_v represent_v to_o the_o jew_n by_o type_n and_o figure_n whereas_o the_o christian_a religion_n comprehend_v the_o reality_n and_o accomplishment_n thereof_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v dress_v up_o with_o abundance_n of_o tedious_a ceremony_n whereof_o the_o great_a part_n have_v respect_n to_o the_o policy_n and_o natural_a inclination_n of_o that_o people_n which_o be_v great_a obstacle_n to_o the_o growth_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o render_v it_o moral_o impossible_a to_o become_v universal_a and_o serve_v for_o all_o the_o world_n it_o be_v true_a the_o other_o nation_n be_v not_o so_o total_o exclude_v that_o through_o faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n they_o can_v not_o likewise_o be_v save_v to_o which_o end_n there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n some_o godly_a and_o zealous_a man_n that_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o convert_v the_o heathen_n especial_o those_o with_o who_o they_o have_v to_o do_v but_o it_o do_v not_o yet_o please_v the_o alwise_a god_n to_o send_v out_o his_o ambassador_n or_o apostle_n honour_v with_o especial_a and_o extraordinary_a gift_n over_o all_o the_o earth_n to_o turn_v all_o nation_n to_o the_o jewish_a faith_n and_o the_o pain_n that_o some_o particular_n take_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o infidel_n can_v not_o produce_v any_o great_a effect_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o jew_n in_o those_o time_n be_v the_o select_a people_n of_o god_n have_v the_o advantage_n above_o all_o other_o and_o that_o the_o only_a temple_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v among_o they_o they_o value_v themselves_o high_o therefore_o and_o despise_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n in_o comparison_n with_o themselves_o beside_o they_o be_v oblige_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o ceremony_n to_o abstain_v from_o a_o too_o free_a and_o familiar_a conversation_n with_o other_o nation_n which_o produce_v a_o implacable_a and_o reciprocal_a hate_n betwixt_o they_o so_o that_o they_o be_v set_v against_o all_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o world_n against_o they_o and_o consequent_o destroy_v all_o hope_n of_o the_o propagation_n of_o their_o religion_n again_o the_o heathen_n can_v not_o easy_o be_v persuade_v that_o when_o they_o will_v solemn_o pay_v their_o adoration_n to_o god_n almighty_a they_o must_v make_v a_o long_a journey_n to_o jerusalem_n as_o if_o they_o themselves_o can_v not_o build_v a_o temple_n in_o their_o own_o country_n which_o shall_v enjoy_v the_o same_o privilege_n as_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n to_o which_o prejudice_n we_o may_v add_v that_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v not_o so_o much_o esteem_v as_o the_o native_n of_o the_o country_n so_o that_o a_o very_a few_o can_v resolve_v for_o religion_n sake_n to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o that_o contempt_n which_o be_v usual_o the_o fate_n of_o stranger_n to_o endure_v sect._n 4._o but_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v not_o only_o a_o much_o pure_a and_o clear_a light_n and_o other_o advantage_n above_o the_o jewish_a which_o we_o leave_v to_o be_v consider_v by_o the_o divine_n but_o it_o be_v also_o free_v from_o those_o streightning_n circumstance_n which_o render_v the_o jewish_a religion_n so_o particular_a and_o it_o have_v all_o the_o quality_n that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o composition_n of_o a_o universal_a religion_n upon_o which_o account_n all_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o embrace_v the_o same_o which_o ought_v especial_o to_o be_v observe_v by_o one_o that_o will_v inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o in_o this_o god_n have_v not_o set_v apart_o any_o particular_a land_n or_o country_n where_o he_o will_v more_o peculiar_o be_v adore_v nor_o endue_v any_o with_o a_o privilege_v holiness_n above_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o the_o inconvenience_n and_o great_a distance_n of_o god_n temple_n can_v now_o no_o long_o be_v a_o pretext_n to_o this_o or_o that_o people_n for_o in_o all_o nation_n the_o offering_n of_o a_o humble_a and_o contrite_a heart_n be_v equal_o agreeable_a to_o the_o common_a saviour_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o one_o temple_n where_o god_n be_v more_o present_a or_o our_o prayer_n soon_o accept_v than_o in_o another_o no_o nation_n profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n have_v such_o advantage_n above_o the_o rest_n whereupon_o to_o value_v its_o self_n and_o undervalue_v its_o neighbour_n there_o be_v no_o distinction_n of_o jew_n or_o greek_a bondman_n or_o free_a but_o we_o be_v all_o in_o jesus_n christ_n there_o be_v no_o particular_a race_n or_o family_n select_v by_o god_n for_o the_o perform_v divine_a service_n as_o among_o the_o jew_n but_o all_o other_o ability_n concur_v one_o have_v as_o much_o right_n thereto_o as_o another_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o hinder_v we_o from_o maintain_v a_o good_a union_n and_o correspondence_n with_o all_o man_n or_o to_o render_v one_o another_o those_o mutual_a good_a office_n which_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n require_v from_o we_o the_o christian_a religion_n simple_o consider_v and_o in_o its_o natural_a purity_n despoil_v of_o all_o worldly_a view_n and_o interest_n have_v not_o the_o least_o jar_a or_o discord_n with_o the_o law_n and_o civil_a society_n in_o as_o much_o as_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n but_o rather_o contribute_v much_o to_o the_o cement_n and_o corroborate_n of_o the_o same_o though_o that_o be_v not_o its_o principal_a end_n or_o design_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o do_v clash_n with_o the_o end_n of_o civil_a government_n or_o that_o shall_v hinder_v we_o from_o live_v honourable_o quiet_o and_o secure_o under_o the_o protection_n of_o our_o ruler_n so_o that_o every_o christian_a may_v yield_v a_o exact_a and_o perfect_a obedience_n to_o every_o command_n of_o the_o secular_a power_n as_o long_o as_o such_o command_n do_v not_o recede_v from_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n right_a reason_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o state_n as_o likewise_o he_o may_v fill_v every_o charge_n and_o employ_v that_o be_v necessary_a in_o a_o well_o govern_v commonwealth_n on_o the_o contrary_a the_o christian_a religion_n be_v most_o fit_a thereto_o for_o it_o do_v require_v in_o we_o a_o strict_a observation_n of_o all_o the_o precept_n

of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o especial_o those_o the_o breach_n whereof_o be_v not_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o punishment_n of_o any_o civil_a law_n and_o do_v recommend_v to_o every_o one_o the_o performance_n of_o his_o charge_n as_o far_o as_o it_o concur_v with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o honour_n with_o the_o great_a zeal_n and_o fidelity_n imaginable_a so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o sort_n of_o philosophy_n in_o the_o world_n nor_o any_o other_o religion_n whatsoever_o that_o can_v compare_v with_o the_o christian_a in_o those_o point_n as_o may_v be_v see_v at_o first_o sight_n by_o any_o one_o that_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o make_v a_o parallel_n of_o they_o together_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o obligation_n of_o every_o particular_a man_n in_o as_o much_o as_o he_o be_v one_o day_n to_o give_v a_o account_n to_o god_n for_o his_o soul_n to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n but_o all_o those_o who_o god_n have_v entrust_v with_o the_o supreme_a power_n be_v particular_o bind_v for_o reason_n before_o mention_v to_o introduce_v and_o maintain_v it_o in_o their_o state_n and_o that_o by_o a_o obligation_n which_o do_v necessary_o follow_v the_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n now_o though_o these_o effect_n be_v not_o every_o where_o equal_o visible_a among_o christian_n and_o that_o there_o be_v find_v some_o who_o lead_v as_o irregular_a and_o disorderly_a life_n as_o the_o worst_a of_o turk_n and_o infidel_n the_o blame_n be_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v upon_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o be_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o malice_n and_o perverseness_n of_o mankind_n who_o only_o hide_v their_o impiety_n under_o that_o sacred_a veil_n and_o do_v little_a trouble_v themselves_o to_o put_v in_o practice_n the_o most_o excellent_a lesson_n which_o the_o bestof_a religion_n do_v continual_o suggest_v to_o '_o they_o sect._n 5._o but_o as_o all_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v doubt_v of_o by_o the_o more_o learned_a sort_n of_o man_n so_o there_o occur_v here_o a_o very_a considerable_a question_n namely_o whether_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v indispensible_o require_v that_o the_o external_a direction_n of_o it_o shall_v depend_v of_o any_o other_o than_o those_o who_o have_v the_o supreme_a power_n and_o administration_n of_o affair_n in_o every_o state_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n whether_o the_o external_a government_n thereof_o shall_v reside_v conjoint_o in_o the_o priest_n and_o clergy_n or_o in_o any_o one_o of_o they_o without_o any_o dependence_n on_o the_o supreme_a secular_a power_n or_o else_o whether_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o sovereign_a director_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n who_o all_o other_o christian_a state_n shall_v blind_o obey_v all_o which_o query_n as_o some_o think_v do_v final_o terminate_v in_o this_o whether_o each_o state_n ought_v to_o regulate_v its_o self_n according_a to_o its_o own_o interest_n and_o advantage_n or_o whether_o all_o other_o state_n ought_v to_o make_v themselves_o slave_n to_o one_o and_o seek_v to_o render_v it_o great_a and_o flourish_a by_o their_o own_o loss_n and_o destruction_n by_o the_o external_a government_n or_o direction_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n we_o understand_v such_o a_o power_n which_o exert_v itself_o in_o the_o choice_n it_o make_v of_o certain_a person_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o divine_a service_n reserve_v to_o its_o self_n the_o jurisdiction_n and_o free_a liberty_n of_o inquire_v into_o the_o carriage_n and_o demeanour_n of_o those_o person_n the_o administration_n and_o disposal_n of_o all_o such_o good_n as_o shall_v be_v consecrate_a to_o religion_n and_o pious_a uses_n by_o enact_v such_o law_n as_o shall_v be_v think_v necessary_a for_o the_o support_n and_o maintain_v of_o religion_n in_o decide_v all_o difference_n and_o dispute_n that_o upon_o any_o occasion_n may_v arise_v among_o the_o clergy_n and_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n and_o we_o distinguish_v this_o external_a direction_n from_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n which_o consist_v in_o teach_v preach_v and_o administer_a the_o holy_a sacrament_n which_o beyond_o all_o dispute_n do_v alone_o belong_v to_o the_o clergy_n but_o this_o question_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v de_fw-fr ecclesia_fw-la jam_fw-la plantata_fw-la &_o constituta_fw-la non_fw-la de_fw-la adhuc_fw-la constituenda_fw-la &_o plantanda_fw-la of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v already_o establish_v and_o not_o of_o that_o which_o be_v yet_o to_o be_v found_v for_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n original_o proceed_v from_o the_o divine_a revelation_n and_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n no_o human_a power_n can_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o direction_n thereof_o before_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_v and_o lay_v open_a by_o those_o that_o be_v immediate_o authorize_v by_o god_n for_o that_o purpose_n so_o likewise_o when_o our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n send_v out_o his_o disciple_n as_o his_o apostle_n and_o ambassador_n over_o all_o the_o world_n to_o promulge_v and_o introduce_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n they_o do_v not_o receive_v this_o commission_n and_o plenipotential_a right_n of_o preach_v here_o and_o there_o from_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n but_o from_o god_n alone_o to_o which_o therefore_o the_o king_n be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o submit_v as_o the_o mean_a of_o his_o subject_n they_o be_v the_o immediate_a messenger_n of_o god_n and_o to_o receive_v their_o doctrine_n with_o all_o humility_n and_o obedience_n beside_o it_o will_v be_v very_o unreasonable_a and_o ridiculous_a to_o aspire_v to_o the_o direction_n of_o affair_n whereof_o they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o cognizance_n from_o whence_o it_o do_v also_o necessary_o follow_v that_o this_o question_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o those_o supreme_a power_n which_o themselves_o do_v profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o not_o of_o infidel_n or_o heretic_n for_o to_o commit_v the_o care_n and_o direction_n of_o our_o religion_n to_o such_o be_v to_o set_v the_o wolf_n to_o keep_v the_o sheep_n sect._n 6._o this_o question_n may_v be_v consider_v three_o several_a way_n 1._o whether_o such_o a_o necessity_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o each_o religion_n in_o general_n or_o 2._o whether_o it_o be_v a_o peculiar_a effect_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o last_o whether_o it_o be_v ground_v on_o any_o positive_a command_n and_o order_n of_o god_n that_o such_o shall_v proceed_v from_o the_o common_a and_o universal_a nature_n of_o every_o religion_n we_o can_v in_o no_o wise_n perceive_v nor_o can_v a_o sensible_a man_n be_v easy_o bring_v to_o believe_v that_o to_o serve_v god_n right_o he_o must_v of_o necessity_n make_v a_o schism_n in_o the_o state_n and_o introduce_v two_o jar_a power_n independent_a of_o each_o other_o such_o a_o division_n or_o composition_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n in_o the_o same_o republic_n be_v the_o ready_a mean_n of_o foment_v a_o unquenchable_a fire_n of_o distrust_n fear_n and_o internal_a jealousy_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v no_o absurdity_n or_o contradiction_n in_o serve_v god_n and_o commit_v the_o external_a direction_n of_o divine_a service_n to_o the_o sovereign_a power_n with_o this_o restriction_n that_o the_o sovereign_n will_v not_o undertake_v to_o impose_v any_o false_a or_o heretical_a opinion_n on_o we_o in_o like_a manner_n as_o every_o one_o be_v natural_o oblige_v to_o serve_v god_n so_o he_o likewise_o have_v the_o power_n of_o institute_v such_o external_a sign_n of_o his_o adoration_n as_o he_o be_v persuade_v to_o be_v most_o please_a and_o agreeable_a to_o god_n but_o so_o soon_o as_o mankind_n set_v themselves_o to_o the_o form_n and_o compose_v of_o civil_a society_n they_o abandon_v all_o their_o right_n and_o power_n to_o those_o to_o who_o belong_v the_o direction_n and_o management_n of_o the_o whole_a society_n the_o ancient_a patresfamilias_a or_o father_n of_o the_o family_n before_o the_o construction_n of_o any_o republic_n have_v this_o right_n sole_o seat_v in_o themselves_o and_o which_o from_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o descend_v to_o the_o first_o bear_v of_o the_o family_n as_o haereditas_fw-la eximia_fw-la the_o more_o excellent_a and_o eminent_a part_n of_o their_o inheritance_n but_o so_o soon_o as_o man_n with_o one_o common_a accord_n unite_a themselves_o into_o civil_a society_n and_o common-weal_n this_o power_n be_v transfer_v from_o the_o head_n of_o each_o family_n to_o the_o head_n of_o the_o republic_n and_o this_o be_v do_v upon_o very_o weighty_a reason_n for_o if_o it_o have_v be_v leave_v to_o every_o man_n fancy_n and_o pleasure_n what_o sort_n of_o ceremony_n he_o will_v observe_v in_o the_o external_a adoration_n of_o god_n the_o strange_a and_o contrary_a variety_n of_o serve_v god_n will_v have_v produce_v nothing_o but_o hate_n contempt_n and_o irreconcilable_a dissension_n among_o the_o

subject_n of_o the_o same_o state_n and_o although_o among_o god_n people_n the_o jew_n the_o public_a administration_n of_o divine_a service_n be_v become_v hereditary_a and_o tie_v to_o one_o certain_a family_n yet_o the_o sovereign_a inspection_n and_o care_n of_o the_o priest_n do_v only_o belong_v to_o they_o who_o have_v the_o sovereign_a authority_n in_o the_o civil_a government_n the_o same_o thing_n have_v likewise_o be_v observe_v by_o almost_o all_o the_o other_o nation_n sect._n 7._o nor_o can_v we_o perceive_v that_o such_o a_o direction_n must_v necessary_o belong_v to_o any_o other_o than_o the_o sovereign_n of_o each_o state_n or_o the_o necessity_n thereof_o be_v prove_v from_o any_o identity_n or_o particular_a quality_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o far_o as_o it_o do_v comprehend_v in_o its_o self_n something_o more_o than_o be_v suggest_v to_o we_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n concern_v the_o divine_a worship_n while_o we_o always_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o sovereign_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o external_a direction_n neither_o can_v nor_o will_v introduce_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o god_n holy_a word_n nor_o hinder_v the_o minister_n from_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o office_n according_a to_o the_o divine_a precept_n beside_o there_o can_v no_o reason_n be_v give_v why_o the_o supreme_a power_n shall_v be_v incapable_a of_o ever_o attain_v those_o qualification_n which_o be_v require_v to_o this_o external_a care_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o church_n or_o at_o least_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o commit_v this_o direction_n to_o some_o of_o their_o subject_n that_o be_v beyond_o exception_n qualify_v for_o such_o a_o employ_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o other_o part_n of_o the_o sovereignty_n be_v often_o administer_v by_o the_o subject_n so_o no_o body_n presume_v to_o deprive_v the_o sovereign_n of_o his_o legislative_a faculty_n or_o pretend_v a_o better_a right_n though_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o doctor_n and_o professor_n of_o law_n aught_o to_o be_v infinite_o better_a verse_v therein_o than_o any_o king_n can_v be_v who_o as_o in_o all_o other_o important_a affair_n ought_v also_o herein_o to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o counsel_n and_o profit_n himself_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o long_a study_n and_o experience_n for_o a_o brave_a and_o wise_a king_n far_o from_o make_v it_o his_o interest_n that_o his_o subject_n shall_v acquit_v themselves_o ill_a of_o those_o office_n he_o have_v entrust_v they_o with_o may_v rather_o conformable_o to_o his_o duty_n extract_v incredible_a advantage_n from_o the_o good_a and_o faithful_a management_n of_o what_o he_o have_v commit_v to_o they_o for_o the_o more_o diligent_a and_o zealous_a he_o be_v in_o the_o maintenance_n and_o support_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o more_o capable_a his_o subject_n be_v of_o serve_v he_o and_o the_o more_o assure_v be_v he_o of_o god_n help_n and_o assistance_n beside_o caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la it_o be_v impossible_a to_o give_v any_o reason_n why_o god_n almighty_a shall_v not_o grant_v his_o grace_n and_o assistance_n to_o a_o orthodox_n christian_n king_n as_o well_o as_o to_o any_o other_o in_o the_o good_a and_o laudable_a administration_n of_o such_o a_o direction_n last_o while_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o no_o other_o point_n do_v encroach_v upon_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o ordinance_n so_o far_o as_o they_o fall_v in_o with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o believe_v that_o it_o break_v its_o bound_n in_o this_o unless_o we_o have_v a_o formal_a and_o positive_a assurance_n thereof_o from_o god_n himself_o those_o therefore_o that_o will_v persist_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o such_o a_o absurdity_n be_v oblige_v to_o demonstrate_v where_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o express_a term_n deprive_v the_o supreme_a civil_a magistrate_n of_o this_o direction_n to_o bestow_v it_o on_o another_o independent_a and_o not_o acknowledge_v any_o earthly_a superior_a in_o the_o mean_a while_n we_o will_v proceed_v to_o examine_v how_o and_o by_o what_o step_n such_o a_o spiritual_a sovereignty_n have_v attain_v to_o so_o monstrous_a a_o degree_n in_o the_o western_a church_n sect._n 8._o when_o the_o apostle_n after_o our_o saviour_n ascension_n have_v begin_v to_o preach_v the_o holy_a gospel_n to_o all_o people_n be_v appoint_v thereto_o by_o their_o master_n be_v immediate_a command_n they_o do_v in_o a_o short_a time_n gain_v a_o incredible_a number_n of_o proselyte_n as_o well_o among_o the_o jew_n as_o gentile_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o common_a people_n then_o oppress_v with_o a_o miserable_a ignorance_n and_o lead_v a_o wretched_a and_o beastly_a life_n they_o therefore_o embrace_v this_o doctrine_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o joy_n wherein_o they_o find_v unspeakable_a comfort_n against_o the_o inconvenience_n and_o desperate_a sorrow_n of_o this_o temporary_a life_n beside_o the_o apostle_n be_v themselves_o of_o low_a birth_n and_o as_o to_o outward_a appearance_n make_v a_o very_a inconsiderable_a figure_n find_v a_o easy_a access_n and_o can_v better_o insinuate_v their_o opinion_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o their_o equal_n whereas_o the_o great_a man_n and_o the_o most_o learned_a slight_v this_o upstart_n religion_n in_o the_o beginning_n nor_o think_v it_o worth_a their_o while_n to_o make_v any_o exact_a inquiry_n into_o the_o mystery_n thereof_o if_o man_n may_v presume_v to_o examine_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o why_o it_o be_v please_v to_o make_v use_n of_o such_o mean_n in_o the_o first_o introduction_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o most_o probable_a seem_v to_o be_v that_o god_n forbear_v to_o make_v use_n of_o power_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n lest_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v mistake_v for_o a_o politic_a device_n or_o a_o philosophical_a speculation_n whereas_o if_o a_o man_n compare_v the_o inconsiderable_a beginning_n with_o the_o wonderful_a progress_n he_o will_v easy_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o humane_a in_o it_o especial_o consider_v that_o the_o most_o learned_a among_o the_o heathen_n with_o all_o their_o subtlety_n with_o all_o their_o help_n of_o art_n and_o nature_n can_v but_o slight_o and_o superficial_o penetrate_v into_o the_o reason_n and_o cause_n of_o divine_a thing_n and_o that_o the_o great_a socrates_n among_o the_o rest_n though_o he_o clear_o discover_v the_o blind_a superstition_n and_o ignorance_n of_o his_o age_n yet_o have_v not_o power_n enough_o to_o introduce_v a_o better_a but_o as_o a_o reward_n for_o his_o good_a design_n suffer_v death_n as_o a_o heretic_n and_o innovator_n of_o the_o establish_v religion_n whereby_o we_o be_v give_v to_o understand_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o world_n be_v but_o folly_n with_o god_n who_o can_v perfect_v a_o work_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o poor_a ignorant_a fisherman_n which_o all_o the_o unite_a wit_n of_o the_o great_a philosopher_n be_v not_o able_a to_o set_v on_o foot_n beside_o the_o apostle_n manner_n of_o act_v seem_v very_o odd_a to_o the_o more_o rational_a sort_n of_o people_n they_o think_v it_o strange_a to_o hear_v a_o crucify_a jesus_n the_o great_a subject_n of_o their_o sermon_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v name_v he_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v bear_v among_o a_o people_n deride_v and_o despise_v as_o the_o scum_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o abject_a of_o all_o nation_n nor_o be_v this_o jesus_n in_o any_o great_a repute_n in_o the_o world_n nor_o have_v he_o signalise_v himself_o by_o any_o famous_a heroical_a action_n or_o by_o a_o great_a many_o year_n preach_v and_o teach_v spread_v his_o name_n abroad_o among_o the_o people_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a be_v cut_v off_o in_o the_o flower_n of_o his_o age_n by_o a_o most_o scandalous_a and_o shameful_a death_n wherefore_o the_o jesuit_n in_o their_o endeavour_n of_o plant_v the_o gospel_n among_o the_o cunning_a chineses_n do_v not_o begin_v it_o from_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n but_o do_v first_o reason_n and_o discourse_n upon_o natural_a religion_n and_o then_o after_o a_o long_a round_o about_o fall_v upon_o the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o whether_o they_o can_v by_o these_o device_n and_o politic_a method_n better_o insinuate_v into_o those_o unbeliever_n than_o the_o apostle_n i_o shall_v not_o now_o examine_v one_o may_v also_o add_v that_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o god_n to_o deliver_v first_o the_o most_o simple_a and_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o people_n out_o of_o that_o heathenish_a blindness_n since_o they_o be_v maintain_v and_o keep_v under_o in_o a_o continual_a superstition_n by_o the_o great_a one_o who_o though_o they_o easy_o perceive_v the_o cheat_n and_o vanity_n of_o paganism_n yet_o withhold_v by_o their_o interest_n and_o worldly_a consideration_n do_v