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scripture_n believe_v church_n interpretation_n 3,657 5 10.5181 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A50959 A treatise of civil power in ecclesiastical causes shewing that it is not lawfull for any power on earth to compell in matters of religion / the author, J.M. Milton, John, 1608-1674. 1659 (1659) Wing M2185; ESTC R13133 23,223 97

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2_o cor._n 10._o of_o which_o anon_o and_o think_v weak_o that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n can_v long_o subsist_v but_o in_o a_o bodily_a fear_n for_o want_v of_o other_o prooff_o will_v needs_o wrest_v that_o place_n of_o s._n paul_n rom._n 13._o to_o set_v up_o civil_a inquisition_n and_o give_v power_n to_o the_o magistrate_n both_o of_o civil_a judgement_n and_o punishment_n in_o cause_n ecclesiastical_a but_o let_v we_o see_v with_o what_o strength_n of_o argument_n let_v every_o soul_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n first_o how_o prove_v they_o that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v other_o power_n then_o such_o as_o they_o to_o who_o he_o write_v be_v then_o under_o who_o medld_v not_o at_o all_o in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n unless_o as_o tyrant_n and_o persecutor_n and_o from_o they_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v not_o derive_v either_o the_o right_a of_o magistrate_n to_o judge_v in_o spiritual_a thing_n or_o the_o duty_n of_o such_o our_o obedience_n how_o prove_v they_o next_o that_o he_o entitle_v they_o here_o to_o spiritual_a cause_n from_o who_o he_o witheld_a as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lay_v the_o judge_n of_o civil_a 1_o cor._n 6.1_o etc._n etc._n if_o he_o himself_o appeal_v to_o cesar_n it_o be_v to_o judge_v his_o innocence_n not_o his_o religion_n for_o ruler_n be_v not_o a_o terror_n to_o good_a work_n but_o to_o the_o evil_a then_o be_v they_o not_o a_o terror_n to_o conscience_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n or_o judge_v of_o good_a work_n ground_v on_o the_o scripture_n but_o heresy_n they_o say_v be_v reckon_v among_o evil_a work_n gal._n 5.20_o as_o if_o all_o evil_a work_n be_v to_o be_v punish_v by_o the_o magistrate_n whereof_o this_o place_n their_o own_o citation_n reck'n_n up_o beside_o heresy_n a_o sufficient_a number_n to_o confute_v they_o uncleanness_n wantonness_n enmity_n strife_n emulation_n animosity_n contention_n envy_n all_o which_o be_v far_o more_o manifest_a to_o be_v judge_v by_o he_o then_o heresy_n as_o they_o define_v it_o 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26_o to_o the_o 31_o verse_n lest_o while_o you_o gather_v up_o the_o tare_n you_o root_v up_o also_o the_o wheat_n with_o they_o let_v both_o grow_v together_o until_o the_o harvest_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o harvest_n i_o will_v say_v to_o the_o reaper_n gather_v you_o together_o first_o the_o tare_n etc._n etc._n whereby_o he_o declare_v that_o this_o work_n neither_o his_o own_o minister_n nor_o any_o else_o can_v discern_o enough_o or_o judge_o perform_v without_o his_o own_o immediate_a direction_n in_o his_o own_o fit_a season_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v till_o then_o not_o to_o attempt_v it_o which_o be_v further_o confirm_v 2_o cor._n 1.24_o not_o that_o we_o have_v dominion_n over_o your_o faith_n but_o be_v helper_n of_o your_o joy_n if_o apostle_n have_v no_o dominion_n or_o constrain_a power_n over_o faith_n or_o conscience_n much_o less_o have_v ordinary_a minister_n 1_o pet._n 5.2_o 3._o feed_v the_o flock_n of_o god_n not_o by_o constraint_n etc._n etc._n 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better_a than_o a_o temporal_a indulgence_n of_o sin_n for_o money_n whether_o by_o the_o church_n exact_v or_o by_o the_o magistrate_n both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o a_o temporal_a satisfaction_n for_o what_o christ_n have_v satisfy_v eternal_o a_o popish_a commute_n of_o penalty_n corporal_a for_o spiritual_a a_o satisfaction_n to_o man_n especial_o to_o the_o magistrate_n for_o what_o and_o to_o who_o we_o owe_v none_o these_o and_o more_o be_v the_o injustice_n of_o force_n and_o fine_v in_o religion_n beside_o what_o i_o most_o insist_v on_o the_o violation_n of_o god_n express_a commandment_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o have_v be_v show_v thus_o than_o if_o church-governor_n can_v use_v force_n in_o religion_n though_o but_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o they_o can_v infallible_o determine_v to_o the_o conscience_n without_o convincement_n much_o less_o have_v civil_a magistrate_n authority_n to_o use_v force_n where_o they_o can_v much_o less_o judge_n unless_o they_o mean_v only_o to_o be_v the_o civil_a executioner_n of_o they_o who_o have_v no_o civil_a power_n to_o give_v they_o such_o commission_n no_o nor_o yet_o ecclesiastical_a to_o any_o force_n or_o violence_n in_o religion_n to_o sum_n up_o all_o in_o brief_a if_o we_o must_v believe_v as_o the_o magistrate_n appoint_v why_o not_o rather_o as_o the_o church_n if_o not_o as_o either_o without_o convincement_n how_o can_v force_n be_v lawful_a but_o some_o be_v ready_a to_o cry_v out_o what_o shall_v then_o be_v do_v to_o blasphemy_n they_o i_o will_v first_o exhort_v not_o thus_o to_o terrify_v and_o pose_v the_o people_n with_o a_o greek_a word_n but_o to_o teach_v they_o better_v what_o it_o be_v be_v a_o most_o usual_a and_o common_a word_n in_o that_o language_n to_o signify_v any_o slander_n any_o malicious_a or_o evil_a speak_v whether_o against_o god_n or_o man_n or_o any_o thing_n to_o good_a belong_v blasphemy_n or_o evil_n speak_v against_o god_n malicious_o be_v far_o from_o conscience_n in_o religion_n according_a to_o that_o of_o marc_n 9.39_o there_o be_v none_o who_o do_v a_o powerful_a work_n in_o my_o name_n and_o can_v likely_o speak_v evil_a of_o i_o if_o this_o suffice_v not_o i_o refer_v they_o to_o that_o prudent_a and_o well_o deliberate_a act_n august_n 9_o 1650_o where_o the_o parliament_n define_v blasphemy_n against_o god_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v a_o crime_n belong_v to_o civil_a judicature_n pleniùs_fw-la ac_fw-la meliùs_fw-la chrysippo_n and_o crantore_n in_o plane_n english_a more_o wary_o more_o judicious_o more_o orthodoxal_o than_o twice_o their_o number_n of_o divine_n have_v do_v in_o many_o a_o prolix_a volume_n although_o in_o all_o likelihood_n they_o who_o whole_a study_n and_o profession_n these_o thing_n be_v shall_v be_v most_o intelligent_a and_o authentic_a therein_o as_o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n yet_o neither_o they_o nor_o these_o unner_a always_o or_o infallible_a but_o we_o shall_v not_o carry_v it_o thus_o another_o greek_a apparition_n stand_v in_o our_o way_n heresy_n and_o heretic_n in_o like_o manner_n also_o rail_v at_o to_o the_o people_n as_o in_o a_o tongue_n unknown_a they_o shall_v first_o interpret_v to_o they_o that_o heresy_n by_o what_o it_o signify_v in_o that_o language_n be_v no_o word_n of_o evil_a note_n mean_v only_o the_o choice_n or_o follow_v of_o any_o opinion_n good_a or_o bad_a in_o religion_n or_o any_o other_o learning_n and_o thus_o not_o only_o in_o heathen_a author_n but_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n itself_o without_o censure_n or_o blame_v act_n 15.5_o certain_a of_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o pharise_n which_o believe_v and_o 26.5_o after_o the_o exact_a heresy_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o live_v a_o pharisee_n in_o which_o sense_n presbyterian_a or_o independent_a may_v without_o reproach_n be_v call_v a_o heresy_n where_o it_o be_v mention_v with_o blame_n it_o seem_v to_o differ_v little_a from_o schism_n 1_o cor._n 11.18_o 19_o i_o hear_v that_o there_o be_v schism_n among_o you_o etc._n etc._n for_o there_o must_v also_o heresy_n be_v among_o you_o though_o some_o who_o write_v of_o heresy_n after_o their_o own_o head_n will_v make_v it_o far_o worse_o than_o schism_n when_o as_o on_o the_o contrary_a schism_n signify_v division_n and_o in_o the_o worst_a sense_n heresy_n choice_n only_o of_o one_o opinion_n before_o another_o which_o may_v be_v without_o discord_n in_o apostolic_a time_n therefore_o ere_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v heresy_n be_v a_o doctrine_n maintain_v against_o the_o doctrine_n by_o they_o deliver_v which_o in_o these_o time_n can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o define_v then_o a_o doctrine_n maintain_v against_o the_o light_n which_o we_o now_o only_o have_v of_o the_o scripture_n see_v therefore_o that_o no_o man_n no_o synod_n no_o session_n of_o man_n though_o call_v the_o church_n can_v judge_v definitive_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n to_o another_o man_n conscience_n which_o be_v well_o know_v to_o be_v a_o general_a maxim_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n it_o follow_v plain_o that_o he_o who_o hold_v in_o religion_n that_o belief_n or_o those_o opinion_n which_o to_o his_o conscience_n and_o utmost_a understanding_n appear_v with_o most_o evidence_n or_o probability_n in_o the_o scripture_n though_o to_o other_o he_o seem_v erroneous_a can_v no_o more_o be_v just_o censure_v for_o a_o heretic_n than_o his_o censurer_n who_o do_v but_o the_o same_o thing_n themselves_o while_o they_o censure_v he_o for_o so_o do_v for_o ask_v they_o or_o any_o protestant_a which_o have_v most_o authority_n the_o church_n or_o the_o scripture_n they_o will_v answer_v doubtless_o that_o the_o scripture_n and_o what_o have_v most_o authority_n that_o no_o doubt_n but_o they_o will_v confess_v be_v to_o be_v follow_v he_o then_o who_o to_o his_o best_a apprehension_n follow_v the_o scripture_n though_o against_o any_o point_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o whole_a church_n receive_v be_v not_o the_o heretic_n but_o he_o who_o follow_v the_o church_n against_o his_o conscience_n and_o persuasion_n ground_v on_o the_o scripture_n to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o undeniable_a i_o shall_v only_o borrow_v a_o plane_n simile_n the_o same_o which_o our_o own_o writer_n when_o they_o will_v demonstrate_v plain_a that_o we_o right_o prefer_v the_o scripture_n before_o the_o church_n use_v frequent_o against_o the_o papist_n in_o this_o manner_n as_o the_o samaritan_n believe_v christ_n first_o for_o the_o woman_n word_n but_o next_o and_o much_o rather_o for_o his_o own_o so_o we_o the_o scripture_n first_o on_o the_o church_n word_n but_o afterwards_o and_o much_o more_o for_o its_o own_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o the_o church_n itself_o we_o believe_v then_o for_o the_o scripture_n the_o inference_n of_o itself_o follow_v if_o by_o the_o protestant_a doctrine_n we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n not_o for_o the_o church_n say_v but_o for_o its_o own_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o ought_v we_o to_o believe_v what_o in_o our_o conscience_n we_o apprehend_v the_o scripture_n to_o say_v though_o the_o visible_a church_n with_o all_o her_o doctor_n gainsay_v and_o be_v teach_v to_o believe_v they_o only_o for_o the_o scripture_n they_o who_o so_o do_v be_v not_o heretic_n but_o the_o best_a protestant_n and_o by_o their_o opinion_n whatever_o they_o be_v can_v hurt_v no_o protestant_a who_o rule_n be_v not_o to_o receive_v they_o but_o from_o the_o scripture_n which_o to_o interpret_v convince_o to_o his_o own_o conscience_n none_o be_v able_a but_o himself_o guide_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o not_o so_o guide_v none_o then_o he_o to_o himself_o can_v be_v a_o worse_a deceiver_n to_o protestant_n therefore_o who_o common_a rule_n and_o touchstone_n be_v the_o scripture_n nothing_o can_v with_o more_o conscience_n more_o equity_n nothing_o more_o protestant_o can_v be_v permit_v then_o a_o free_a and_o lawful_a debate_n at_o all_o time_n by_o writing_n conference_n or_o disputation_n of_o what_o opinion_n soever_o disputable_a by_o scripture_n conclude_v that_o no_o man_n in_o religion_n be_v proper_o a_o heretic_n at_o this_o day_n but_o he_o who_o maintain_v tradition_n or_o opinion_n not_o probable_a by_o scripture_n who_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v be_v the_o papist_n only_o he_o the_o only_a heretic_n who_o count_v all_o heretic_n but_o himself_o such_o as_o these_o indeed_o be_v capital_o punish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o the_o only_a true_a heretic_n idolater_n plane_n and_o open_a deserter_n of_o god_n and_o his_o know_a law_n but_o in_o the_o gospel_n such_o be_v punish_v by_o excommunion_n only_o tit._n 3.10_o a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v but_o they_o who_o think_v not_o this_o heavy_a enough_o and_o understand_v not_o that_o dreadful_a awe_n and_o spiritual_a efficacy_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v express_v so_o high_o to_o be_v in_o church-discipline_n
universal_a they_o who_o interpret_v scripture_n only_o to_o themselves_o which_o by_o his_o own_o position_n none_o but_o they_o to_o themselves_o can_v interpret_v they_o who_o use_v the_o scripture_n no_o otherwise_o by_o his_o own_o doctrine_n to_o their_o edification_n than_o he_o himself_o use_v it_o to_o their_o punish_n and_o so_o who_o his_o doctrine_n acknowledge_v a_o true_a believer_n his_o discipline_n persecute_v as_o a_o heretic_n the_o papist_n exact_v our_o belief_n as_o to_o the_o church_n due_a above_o scripture_n and_o by_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o whole_a people_n of_o god_n understand_v the_o pope_n the_o general_a counsel_n prelatical_a only_o and_o the_o surname_a father_n but_o the_o force_a protestant_a though_o he_o deny_v such_o belief_n to_o any_o church_n whatsoever_o yet_o take_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o his_o teacher_n of_o far_o less_o authority_n then_o to_o be_v call_v the_o church_n and_o above_o scripture_n believe_v which_o render_v his_o practice_n both_o contrary_a to_o his_o belief_n and_o far_o worse_a than_o that_o belief_n which_o he_o condemn_v in_o the_o papist_n by_o all_o which_o well_o consider_v the_o more_o he_o profess_v to_o be_v a_o true_a protestant_a the_o more_o he_o have_v to_o answer_v for_o his_o persecute_v then_o a_o papist_n no_o protestant_a therefore_o of_o what_o sect_n soever_o follow_v scripture_n only_o which_o be_v the_o common_a sect_n wherein_o they_o all_o agree_v and_o the_o grant_a rule_n of_o every_o man_n conscience_n to_o himself_o ought_v by_o the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o protestant_n to_o be_v force_v or_o molest_v for_o religion_n but_o as_o for_o popery_n and_o idolatry_n why_o they_o also_o may_v not_o hence_o plead_v to_o be_v tolerate_v i_o have_v much_o less_o to_o say_v their_o religion_n the_o more_o consider_v the_o less_o can_v be_v acknowledge_v a_o religion_n but_o a_o roman_a principality_n rather_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v up_o her_o old_a universal_a dominion_n under_o a_o new_a name_n and_o mere_a shadow_n of_o a_o catholic_a religion_n be_v indeed_o more_o right_o name_v a_o catholic_a heresy_n against_o the_o scripture_n support_v main_o by_o a_o civil_a and_o except_o in_o rome_n by_o a_o foreign_a power_n just_o therefore_o to_o be_v suspect_v not_o tolerate_v by_o the_o magistrate_n of_o another_o country_n beside_o of_o a_o implicit_a faith_n which_o they_o profess_v the_o conscience_n also_o become_v implicit_a and_o so_o by_o voluntary_a servitude_n to_o man_n law_n forfeit_v her_o christian_a liberty_n who_o then_o can_v plead_v for_o such_o a_o conscience_n as_o be_v implicit_o enthral_v to_o man_n instead_o of_o god_n almost_o become_v no_o conscience_n as_o the_o will_v not_o free_a become_v no_o will_n nevertheless_o if_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v tolerate_v it_o be_v for_o just_a reason_n of_o state_n more_o than_o of_o religion_n which_o they_o who_o force_n though_o profess_v to_o be_v protestant_n deserve_v as_o little_a to_o be_v tolerate_v themselves_o be_v no_o less_o guilty_a of_o popery_n in_o the_o most_o popish_a point_n last_o for_o idolatry_n who_o know_v it_o not_o to_o be_v evident_o against_o all_o scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o a_o true_a heresy_n or_o rather_o a_o impiety_n wherein_o a_o right_a conscience_n can_v have_v nought_o to_o do_v and_o the_o work_n thereof_o so_o manifest_a that_o a_o magistrate_n can_v hardly_o err_v in_o prohibit_v and_o quite_o remove_v at_o least_o the_o public_a and_o scandalous_a use_n thereof_o from_o the_o riddance_n of_o these_o objection_n i_o proceed_v yet_o to_o another_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o use_v force_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v because_o to_o judge_v in_o those_o thing_n though_o we_o shall_v grant_v he_o able_a which_o be_v prove_v he_o be_v not_o yet_o as_o a_o civil_a magistrate_n he_o have_v no_o right_a christ_n have_v a_o government_n of_o his_o own_o sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o all_o his_o end_n and_o purpose_n in_o govern_v his_o church_n but_o much_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o the_o difference_n in_o this_o very_a thing_n principal_o consist_v that_o it_o govern_v not_o by_o outward_a force_n and_o that_o for_o two_o reason_n first_o because_o it_o deal_v only_o with_o the_o inward_a man_n and_o his_o action_n which_o be_v all_o spiritual_a and_o to_o outward_a force_n not_o liable_a second_o to_o show_v we_o the_o divine_a excellence_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n able_a without_o worldly_a force_n to_o subdue_v all_o the_o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n which_o be_v uphold_v by_o outward_a force_n only_o that_o the_o inward_a man_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o inward_a part_n of_o man_n his_o understanding_n and_o his_o will_n and_o that_o his_o action_n thence_o proceed_v yet_o not_o simple_o thence_o but_o from_o the_o work_n of_o divine_a grace_n upon_o they_o be_v the_o whole_a matter_n of_o religion_n under_o the_o gospel_n will_v appear_v plain_o by_o consider_v what_o that_o religion_n be_v whence_o we_o shall_v perceive_v yet_o more_o plain_o that_o it_o can_v be_v force_v what_o evangelic_a religion_n be_v be_v tell_v in_o two_o word_n faith_n and_o charity_n or_o belief_n and_o practice_n that_o both_o these_o flow_n either_o the_o one_o from_o the_o understanding_n the_o other_o from_o the_o will_n or_o both_o joint_o from_o both_o once_o indeed_o natural_o free_a but_o now_o only_o as_o they_o be_v regenerate_v and_o wrought_v on_o by_o divine_a grace_n be_v in_o part_n evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o principle_n unquestioned_a the_o rest_n by_o scripture_n concerning_o our_o belief_n mat._n 16.17_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v it_o unto_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n concerning_o our_o practice_n as_o it_o be_v religious_a and_o not_o mere_o civil_a gal._n 5.22_o 23_o and_o other_o place_n declare_v it_o to_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n only_o nay_o our_o whole_a practical_a duty_n in_o religion_n be_v contain_v in_o charity_n or_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n no_o way_n to_o be_v force_v yet_o the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o whole_a practice_n in_o religion_n if_o then_o both_o our_o belief_n and_o practice_n which_o comprehend_v our_o whole_a religion_n flow_v from_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o inward_a man_n free_a and_o unconstrainable_a of_o themselves_o by_o nature_n and_o our_o practice_n not_o only_o from_o faculty_n endue_v with_o freedom_n but_o from_o love_n and_o charity_n beside_o incapable_a of_o force_n and_o all_o these_o thing_n by_o transgression_n lose_v but_o renew_v and_o regenerate_v in_o we_o by_o the_o power_n and_o gift_n of_o god_n alone_o how_o can_v such_o religion_n as_o this_o admit_v of_o force_n from_o man_n or_o force_n be_v any_o way_n apply_v to_o such_o religion_n especial_o under_o the_o free_a offer_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o gospel_n but_o it_o must_v forthwith_o frustrate_v and_o make_v of_o no_o effect_n both_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o to_o compel_v outward_a profession_n which_o they_o will_v say_v perhaps_o ought_v to_o be_v compel_v though_o inward_a religion_n can_v be_v to_o compel_v hypocrisy_n not_o to_o advance_v religion_n shall_v yet_o though_o of_o itself_o clear_a enough_o be_v ere_o the_o conclusion_n further_o manifest_v the_o other_o reason_n why_o christ_n reject_v outward_a force_n in_o the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n be_v as_o i_o say_v before_o to_o show_v we_o the_o divine_a excellence_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n able_a without_o worldly_a force_n to_o subdue_v all_o the_o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n which_o be_v uphold_v by_o outward_a force_n only_o by_o which_o to_o uphold_v religion_n otherwise_o then_o to_o defend_v the_o religious_a from_o outward_a violence_n be_v no_o service_n to_o christ_n or_o his_o kingdom_n but_o rather_o a_o disparagement_n and_o degrade_v it_o from_o a_o divine_a and_o spiritual_a kingdom_n to_o a_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v because_o it_o need_v not_o force_v to_o confirm_v it_o ioh._n 18.36_o if_o my_o kingdom_n be_v of_o this_o world_n then_o will_v my_o servant_n fight_v that_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o jew_n this_o prove_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n not_o govern_v by_o outward_a force_n as_o be_v none_o of_o this_o world_n who_o