Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	doctrine_n	reform_a	3,582	5	9.8202	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A87930	A letter from a Member of the House of Commons, to a gentleman now at London, touching the new Solemne League and Covenant.	Member of the House of Commons.	1644 (1644)	Wing L1411; Thomason E45_8; ESTC R2550	7,624	16

shall_v not_o deny_v you_o the_o truth_n but_o leave_v you_o the_o strength_n of_o that_o example_n there_o be_v a_o attempt_n of_o the_o papist_n near_o the_o death_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n to_o oppose_v any_o successor_n not_o of_o their_o religion_n i_o remember_v but_o these_o that_o be_v so_o well_o like_o your_o case_n and_o i_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o near_o in_o this_o or_o other_o kingdom_n the_o first_o article_n to_o endeavour_v the_o preservation_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n disipline_n and_o government_n against_o our_o common_a enemy_n carry_v such_o doubtful_a sense_n as_o i_o may_v just_o suspect_v it_o rather_o a_o snare_n to_o entangle_v than_o a_o rule_n to_o guide_v the_o conscience_n it_o be_v not_o only_o rash_a presumption_n but_o irreligious_a profaneness_n to_o swear_v preservation_n of_o unknown_a precept_n and_o the_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v know_v to_o few_o that_o take_v this_o oath_n who_o with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n swear_v to_o preserve_v they_o know_v not_o what_o perhaps_o that_o which_o if_o they_o know_v they_o will_v rather_o desire_v to_o destroy_v i_o think_v yourself_o will_v not_o swear_v to_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n etc._n etc._n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a no_o law_n bind_v i_o to_o preserve_v this_o and_o christian_a duty_n forbid_v i_o to_o swear_v defence_n of_o that_o which_o i_o know_v not_o which_o may_v be_v sinful_a in_o itself_o and_o must_v needs_o be_v sin_n to_o he_o who_o swear_v in_o ignorance_n so_o much_o more_o to_o they_o that_o enforce_v it_o on_o other_o and_o whereof_o god_n will_v one_o day_n require_v a_o account_n and_o they_o who_o former_o find_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o late_a convocation_n so_o full_a of_o exception_n have_v herein_o justify_v they_o and_o give_v all_o the_o offence_n they_o take_v at_o these_o canon_n and_o much_o more_o in_o the_o injustice_n of_o this_o oath_n be_v of_o thing_n unknown_a of_o a_o other_o church_n and_o nation_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n which_o be_v of_o humane_a institution_n and_o perhaps_o opposite_a to_o our_o own_o fundamental_a law_n dishonourable_a to_o our_o church_n and_o nation_n and_o destructive_a to_o both_o a_o matter_n of_o worse_a consequence_n than_o the_o late_a etc._n etc._n and_o yourself_o if_o i_o hear_v true_o be_v much_o depart_v from_o your_o former_a resolution_n that_o think_v subscription_n shall_v be_v forbear_v to_o some_o tender_a conscience_n and_o now_o judge_v there_o be_v no_o pretence_n for_o avoid_v this_o covenant_n that_o have_v not_o only_a doubtfullnes_n but_o apparent_a danger_n of_o perjury_n and_o presumption_n and_o in_o comparison_n whereof_o the_o most_o rigid_a of_o the_o former_a canon_n be_v a_o most_o innocent_a and_o tender_a injunction_n i_o inquire_v not_o why_o scotland_n may_v not_o be_v reform_v why_o england_n and_o ireland_n must_v but_o why_o in_o doctrine_n i_o pray_v demand_n of_o these_o that_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o soundness_n of_o it_o by_o their_o oath_n and_o preachinge_a and_o when_o that_o famous_a and_o conscientious_a doctor_n reynolds_n and_o other_o at_o hampton_n court_v move_v a_o reformation_n of_o some_o thing_n in_o ceremony_n and_o clergy_n they_o open_o profess_v their_o unquestionable_a assent_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o the_o thirty_o nine_o article_n and_o the_o oath_n of_o supremacy_n which_o how_o observe_v in_o this_o covenant_n undertake_v without_o the_o king_n and_o to_o be_v perform_v without_o respect_n to_o he_o be_v see_v of_o all_o i_o may_v more_o than_o suspect_v these_o new_a reformer_n be_v not_o of_o our_o church_n that_o deny_v her_o doctrine_n and_o that_o these_o man_n who_o have_v no_o conscience_n in_o their_o former_a subscription_n will_v not_o express_v any_o in_o their_o reformation_n the_o rule_n they_o pretend_v be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n with_o a_o addition_n of_o the_o example_n of_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n doubtless_o the_o example_n of_o other_o church_n be_v not_o the_o touchstone_n whereby_o we_o must_v try_v doctrine_n or_o worship_n it_o seem_v the_o word_n of_o god_n will_v not_o do_v the_o work_n these_o man_n intend_v they_o will_v herein_o allow_v the_o superstructure_n of_o tradition_n and_o they_o be_v content_v to_o exclude_v the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n a_o name_n venerable_a to_o all_o christian_n and_o in_o all_o true_a christian_a church_n and_o to_o reform_v their_o mother_n the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o other_o church_n where_o neither_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o primitive_a practice_n covince_n she_o of_o error_n be_v far_o from_o the_o duty_n of_o son_n and_o charity_n of_o christian_n i_o conceive_v the_o word_n best_o reform_a will_v beget_v a_o schism_n rather_o than_o close_v the_o breach_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o while_o we_o express_v our_o esteem_n of_o some_o in_o such_o language_n as_o upbrayd_n other_o with_o defect_n we_o provoke_v their_o just_a complaint_n against_o we_o there_o be_v not_o any_o reform_a church_n that_o i_o have_v hear_v of_o that_o account_n itself_o worse_a than_o other_o in_o their_o confession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o therefore_o some_o will_v be_v undoubted_o scandalize_v by_o this_o expression_n and_o a_o faction_n raise_v among_o ourselves_o while_o every_o man_n take_v best_o reform_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n and_o the_o consideration_n be_v of_o so_o great_a variety_n of_o circumstance_n when_o some_o that_o be_v account_v best_a in_o government_n may_v be_v worst_a in_o doctrine_n and_o the_o contrary_a it_o must_v prove_v unquietness_n to_o the_o conscience_n and_o a_o uneven_a rule_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n we_o may_v depend_v on_o god_n promise_n that_o he_o will_v dwell_v among_o we_o that_o have_v one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n one_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o die_v for_o we_o and_o if_o in_o matter_n of_o form_n and_o circumstance_n of_o government_n we_o differ_v and_o yet_o retain_v the_o unity_n of_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n as_o be_v our_o duty_n we_o may_v be_v assure_v he_o will_v still_o delight_v to_o do_v so_o rather_o than_o in_o the_o causeless_o rend_v for_o indifferent_a thing_n but_o the_o use_n these_o man_n make_v of_o scripture_n be_v for_o phrase_n not_o for_o proof_n 2._o for_o the_o extirpation_n of_o popery_n superstition_n heresy_n schism_n and_o profaneness_n and_o whatsoever_o shall_v be_v find_v contrary_a to_o sound_v doctrine_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n you_o have_v a_o universal_a consent_n that_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v by_o every_o one_o as_o he_o have_v the_o warrant_n of_o a_o lawful_a call_n to_o it_o but_o why_o prelacy_n etc._n etc._n that_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o long_a continuance_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o first_o and_o best_a age_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n of_o legal_a establishment_n in_o this_o kingdom_n that_o have_v be_v eminent_a for_o the_o learning_n piety_n zeal_n and_o martyrdom_n of_o many_o in_o these_o order_n and_o from_o who_o we_o must_v in_o a_o great_a part_n by_o god_n great_a blessing_n acknowledge_v the_o happy_a reformation_n in_o this_o church_n may_v just_o be_v demand_v if_o any_o among_o we_o as_o many_o do_v conceive_v this_o government_n as_o necessary_a to_o continue_v as_o you_o do_v to_o be_v destroy_v will_v you_o not_o put_v as_o great_a a_o burden_n upon_o their_o conscience_n in_o press_v it_o in_o this_o covenant_n as_o you_o imagine_v upon_o your_o own_o by_o the_o continuance_n of_o this_o government_n sure_o more_o for_o your_o covenant_n in_o this_o very_a point_n be_v a_o breach_n of_o duty_n be_v a_o plain_a and_o wilful_a resistance_n of_o the_o high_a power_n and_o not_o only_a contempt_n but_o subversion_n of_o law_n sir_n i_o have_v no_o intent_n to_o travel_v into_o controversy_n but_o the_o lord_n be_v and_o will_v be_v one_o and_o his_o name_n one_o in_o the_o three_o kingdom_n if_o this_o government_n continue_v and_o i_o be_o sure_a a_o covenant_n to_o take_v it_o away_o against_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prince_n while_o it_o thus_o stand_v by_o law_n be_v rebellion_n against_o god_n and_o his_o vicegerent_n 3._o it_o may_v move_v any_o man_n to_o just_a indignation_n that_o read_v your_o ostentation_n of_o loyalty_n when_o the_o very_a act_n you_o do_v and_o the_o form_n of_o publish_v these_o word_n denounce_v the_o contrary_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o king_n be_v not_o consult_v with_o no_o reservation_n make_v of_o his_o consent_n in_o this_o very_a thing_n that_o be_v thus_o impose_v on_o all_o his_o subject_n and_o the_o world_n that_o be_v call_v to_o witness_n will_v testify_v loyalty_n be_v speak_v treason_n act_v and_o i_o appeal_v to_o yourself_o

a_o letter_n from_o a_o member_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_z to_o a_o gentleman_n now_o at_o london_n touch_v the_o new_a solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n oxford_z print_v by_o h._n hall_n an._n dom._n 1644._o a_o letter_n from_o a_o member_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o to_o a_o gentleman_n now_o at_o london_n touch_v the_o new_a solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n sir_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n but_o common_a experience_n that_o the_o division_n of_o king_n and_o people_n so_o destructive_a to_o public_a peace_n and_o private_a happiness_n draw_v with_o it_o the_o breach_n of_o all_o relation_n for_o when_o the_o foundation_n of_o public_a order_n be_v subvert_v we_o may_v soon_o expect_v the_o fraction_n of_o family_n and_o friend_n bond_n sacred_a in_o all_o age_n the_o late_a strangeness_n between_o we_o arise_v from_o our_o different_a way_n in_o the_o present_a distraction_n be_v one_o instance_n which_o yet_o may_v not_o withhold_v i_o from_o expostulate_v your_o take_v the_o new_a covenant_n and_o preach_v with_o much_o vehemency_n as_o be_v affirm_v the_o necessity_n of_o take_v it_o by_o other_o i_o shall_v not_o look_v back_o on_o the_o cause_n of_o your_o engagement_n to_o that_o party_n who_o have_v thus_o advance_v themselves_o though_o i_o conceive_v the_o clearness_n of_o your_o judgement_n must_v discern_v the_o unsoundnesse_n of_o these_o ground_n that_o be_v lay_v for_o take_v up_o arm_n against_o the_o king_n and_o that_o you_o can_v not_o secure_v your_o conscience_n in_o partake_v with_o such_o black_a design_n by_o principle_n which_o constitute_v the_o king_n only_o passive_a in_o government_n and_o that_o he_o must_v sic_fw-la as_o a_o idle_a spectator_n of_o the_o disorder_n and_o misery_n of_o his_o subject_n and_o think_v his_o account_n well_o discharge_v towards_o god_n and_o man_n if_o he_o leave_v all_o to_o the_o counsel_n of_o other_o without_o his_o own_o deliberation_n or_o trial_n of_o they_o by_o scripture_n or_o reason_n sure_o the_o charge_n of_o a_o prince_n be_v not_o so_o weighty_a if_o this_o be_v the_o great_a burden_n nor_o his_o final_a account_n in_o this_o respect_n so_o terrible_a neither_o be_v the_o prayer_n for_o he_o so_o necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o his_o people_n depend_v on_o he_o as_o the_o scripture_n assure_v we_o if_o their_o good_a or_o evil_n be_v so_o little_o concern_v in_o he_o your_o former_a resolution_n not_o to_o conform_v to_o humane_a law_n in_o any_o thing_n wherein_o your_o conscience_n be_v unsatisfied_a of_o divine_a authority_n extend_v not_o to_o enforce_v other_o to_o repeal_v law_n by_o the_o sword_n which_o they_o be_v persuade_v be_v a_o sinful_a disobedience_n to_o god_n and_o his_o vicegerent_n and_o unless_o your_o passion_n have_v darken_v your_o judgement_n and_o make_v you_o impatient_a of_o contradiction_n though_o from_o your_o own_o or_o the_o most_o undeniable_a principle_n of_o divine_a truth_n i_o may_v hope_v you_o will_v satisfy_v or_o ease_v a_o doubt_a conscience_n in_o this_o your_o covenant_n and_o first_o upon_o view_n of_o the_o title_n be_v a_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n among_o subject_n without_o as_o much_o as_o a_o royal_a assent_n or_o authority_n of_o law_n without_o which_o all_o agreement_n to_o alter_v religion_n or_o government_n be_v a_o know_v high_a treason_n i_o find_v most_o man_n though_o far_o engage_v on_o your_o party_n stand_v amaze_v how_o they_o can_v defend_v religion_n by_o treason_n how_o they_o can_v break_v the_o supreme_a law_n of_o government_n without_o breach_n of_o duty_n to_o god_n fidelity_n to_o his_o vicegerent_n or_o peace_n of_o conscience_n i_o have_v not_o yet_o find_v any_o answer_n to_o this_o unless_o it_o be_v expect_v that_o our_o precedent_n of_o violence_n may_v aswell_o justify_v as_o cause_v another_o but_o it_o seem_v the_o end_n of_o this_o covenant_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o its_o legality_n and_o be_v for_o reformation_n and_o defence_n of_o religion_n etc._n etc._n the_o law_n of_o civil_a government_n must_v give_v place_n to_o it_o a_o position_n which_o i_o still_o account_v till_o of_o late_a the_o peculiar_a of_o the_o jesuit_n and_o if_o that_o be_v the_o support_n of_o your_o covenant_n the_o affinity_n it_o have_v with_o that_o sect_n shall_v at_o least_o render_v it_o suspect_v if_o not_o hate_v by_o yourself_o but_o the_o opposition_n it_o have_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n the_o scandal_n it_o give_v to_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n by_o shake_v all_o government_n where_o it_o be_v entertain_v make_v it_o odious_a to_o christian_n that_o desire_v the_o union_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n the_o name_n of_o reformation_n and_o defence_n of_o religion_n have_v seldom_o be_v want_v to_o any_o rebellion_n the_o foulness_n of_o which_o crime_n seek_v to_o lurk_v under_o the_o most_o plausible_a pretence_n and_o as_o i_o plain_o see_v by_o this_o covenant_n not_o reformation_n or_o defence_n but_o alteration_n and_o introduction_n be_v avow_v and_o there_o be_v no_o invasion_n or_o violence_n but_o may_v usurp_v the_o title_n of_o defence_n if_o alteration_n of_o law_n &_o government_n by_o force_n against_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prince_n be_v such_o therefore_o the_o penner_n of_o this_o covenant_n wary_o omit_v law_n out_o of_o the_o particular_n to_o be_v defend_v by_o this_o covenant_n in_o the_o title_n which_o must_v cast_v shame_n on_o the_o front_n so_o contradictory_n to_o they_o the_o next_o end_n the_o honour_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o king_n whether_o sincere_o intend_v i_o appeal_v to_o yourself_o or_o any_o that_o take_v this_o covenant_n whether_o the_o main_a scope_n be_v not_o to_o take_v away_o his_o just_a authority_n divest_v he_o of_o power_n and_o place_n all_o or_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o majesty_n in_o other_o without_o who_o he_o shall_v be_v disable_v to_o resist_v any_o rebel_n or_o enemy_n if_o this_o be_v a_o truth_n as_o i_o think_v it_o be_v know_v to_o the_o most_o common_a understanding_n you_o will_v stand_v guilty_a to_o god_n aswell_o of_o gross_a hypocrisy_n as_o disobedience_n and_o i_o shall_v glad_o know_v what_o honour_n be_v mean_v the_o king_n that_o shall_v be_v reduce_v to_o such_o a_o condition_n i_o believe_v few_o foreign_a prince_n will_v understand_v such_o a_o estate_n of_o much_o honour_n and_o they_o will_v quick_o find_v it_o of_o less_o power_n and_o that_o the_o peace_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o three_o kingdom_n will_v be_v keep_v by_o this_o covenant_n when_o the_o sovereign_a power_n the_o band_n of_o union_n be_v dissolve_v i_o may_v rather_o dream_v then_o believe_v to_o the_o preamble_n that_o make_v the_o danger_n of_o religion_n the_o motive_n of_o this_o covenant_n whosoever_o look_v on_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o present_a distraction_n and_o by_o what_o degree_n they_o rise_v that_o see_v the_o credit_n and_o employment_n that_o sectary_n and_o schismatic_n of_o all_o sort_n have_v among_o those_o covenanter_n that_o such_o as_o in_o the_o clear_a and_o most_o unsuspected_a time_n be_v brand_v for_o disturbance_n of_o church_n and_o state_n now_o undertake_v to_o declare_v they_o enemy_n to_o religion_n that_o have_v be_v the_o champion_n of_o god_n cause_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n if_o papist_n be_v so_o intend_v by_o this_o covenant_n that_o see_v by_o who_o army_n have_v be_v raise_v town_n take_v the_o king_n pursue_v will_v find_v plot_n against_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o professor_n thereof_o under_o the_o mask_n of_o defend_v it_o and_o all_o the_o misery_n raise_v in_o the_o three_o kingdom_n to_o take_v their_o original_n from_o these_o covenanter_n who_o while_o they_o violent_o act_v their_o design_n in_o england_n and_o scotland_n defraud_v ireland_n of_o necessary_a relief_n and_o cast_v it_o into_o that_o infelicity_n it_o so_o long_o groan_v under_o the_o commendable_a practice_n of_o those_o kingdom_n in_o former_a time_n and_o the_o example_n of_o god_n people_n in_o other_o nation_n be_v of_o weight_n if_o the_o allegation_n be_v of_o credit_n and_o the_o time_n have_v be_v point_v out_o that_o we_o may_v have_v be_v inform_v of_o their_o certainty_n and_o authority_n i_o have_v hear_v of_o the_o unholy_a league_n in_o france_n to_o resist_v henry_n the_o 4_o of_o that_o kingdom_n if_o he_o submit_v not_o to_o the_o roman_a religion_n if_o that_o be_v one_o of_o your_o example_n as_o it_o have_v great_a likeness_n to_o your_o present_a covenant_n and_o difference_n of_o true_a and_o false_a religion_n make_v not_o a_o difference_n in_o the_o legality_n of_o arm_n against_o the_o prince_n which_o be_v rebellious_o bear_v if_o against_o he_o or_o his_o law_n and_o you_o well_o know_v there_o be_v no_o law_n to_o alter_v religion_n against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o king_n i_o