Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	church_n	faith_n	interpretation_n	3,833	5	9.6375	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54203	The reasonableness of toleration, and the unreasonableness of penal laws and tests wherein is prov'd by Scripture, reason and antiquity, that liberty of conscience is the undoubted right of every man, and tends to the flourishing of kingdoms and commonwealths, and that persecution for meer religion is unwarrantable, unjust, and destructive to humane society, with examples of both kinds.	Penn, William, 1644-1718.	1687 (1687)	Wing P1352; ESTC R23116	25,930	41

ambassador_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o eucharist_n in_o both_o kind_n have_v so_o much_o kindness_n for_o toleration_n that_o he_o give_v for_o answer_v to_o the_o ambassador_n that_o he_o have_v always_o think_v the_o use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n in_o both_o kind_n and_o liberty_n for_o the_o priesthood_n to_o marry_v be_v thing_n indifferent_a and_o as_o depend_v rather_o upon_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o father_n then_o upon_o divine_a authority_n may_v be_v alter_v according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o time_n and_o alteration_n of_o custom_n and_o in_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n several_a of_o the_o wise_a and_o chief_a of_o the_o prelate_n stiff_o argue_v against_o the_o prohibition_n of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o cup_n affirm_v those_o to_o be_v void_a of_o christian_a charity_n who_o stand_v so_o strict_o and_o so_o nice_o upon_o a_o particular_a ceremony_n the_o grant_n of_o which_o may_v prevent_v the_o effusion_n of_o much_o blood_n and_o recover_v into_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o church_n many_o that_o be_v fall_v from_o her._n and_o thus_o what_o scripture_n and_o humane_a authority_n justify_v common_a reason_n be_v no_o less_o ready_a to_o uphold_v for_o first_o if_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o no_o humane_a authority_n be_v so_o high_o empower_v as_o to_o bind_v up_o our_o assent_n to_o whatever_o interpretation_n shall_v be_v propose_v then_o of_o necessity_n it_o follow_v that_o every_o christian_n indifferent_o have_v a_o equal_a interest_n in_o the_o will_n of_o the_o creator_n so_o that_o no_o particular_a person_n have_v a_o right_a to_o impose_v a_o force_n upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o his_o brother_n thus_o one_o hold_v the_o baptise_v of_o infant_n to_o be_v necessary_a another_o deem_v it_o lawful_a a_o three_o deny_v both_o these_o opinion_n yet_o admit_v that_o it_o may_v but_o that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n it_o shall_v be_v do_v therefore_o they_o confer_v text_n and_o examine_v the_o original_a yet_o after_o all_o diligence_n use_v they_o still_o be_v but_o where_o they_o be_v now_o what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o advise_v persecution_n for_o such_o a_o difference_n as_o this_o beside_o there_o be_v several_a dispute_n upon_o various_a point_n of_o christianity_n that_o can_v be_v clear_v to_o any_o man_n by_o argument_n mere_o natural_a as_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n such_o be_v the_o miracle_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n the_o real_a presence_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o belief_n of_o which_o therefore_o there_o be_v a_o need_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o grace_n and_o not_o of_o nature_n which_o be_v so_o and_o see_v moreov_a that_o it_o be_v not_o within_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o some_o man_n believe_v and_o other_o be_v of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n it_o can_v fall_v under_o the_o imagination_n of_o man_n that_o either_o the_o defect_n or_o surplusage_n of_o belief_n which_o may_v perhaps_o glide_v into_o superstition_n which_o of_o the_o two_o soever_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o difference_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o punishment_n of_o human_a law_n for_o though_o both_o have_v the_o same_o outward_a help_n and_o mean_n to_o inform_v themselves_o yet_o the_o potent_a cause_n be_v in_o the_o will_n of_o god_n who_o will_v have_v mercy_n upon_o who_o he_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o who_o he_o will_v he_o harden_v and_o therefore_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v that_o tertullian_n aver_v that_o the_o new_a law_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o call_v for_o the_o sword_n to_o revenge_v the_o injury_n do_v it_o and_o sisibutus_fw-la king_n of_o spain_n be_v just_o tax_v for_o compel_v the_o jew_n to_o christianity_n by_o the_o coercive_a power_n of_o the_o sword_n when_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v win_v they_o to_o the_o faith_n by_o meek_a and_o gentle_a persuasion_n in_o the_o next_o place_n this_o violent_a and_o rigorous_a proceed_v and_o tyrannize_v over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n in_o the_o order_n of_o the_o creation_n who_o make_v and_o ordain_v all_o mankind_n free_a from_o bondage_n and_o never_o advance_v he_o over_o all_o the_o work_n of_o his_o creation_n to_o be_v a_o contemptible_a slave_n to_o the_o will_n of_o his_o fellow_n creature_n even_o in_o thing_n temporal_a much_o less_o in_o matter_n spiritual_a and_o relate_v to_o eternity_n so_o that_o this_o same_o actual_a violence_n of_o impose_v by_o force_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n worship_n and_o duty_n to_o god_n of_o one_o man_n upon_o another_o or_o of_o some_o person_n over_o all_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o high_a presumption_n imaginable_a that_o go_v about_o to_o subdue_v to_o bondage_n and_o slavery_n those_o that_o be_v create_v by_o god_n to_o equal_a privilege_n and_o immunity_n with_o themselves_o subject_v they_o by_o oppression_n not_o to_o the_o divine_a will_n of_o the_o creator_n but_o to_o the_o will_n ambition_n and_o interest_n of_o mortal_a creature_n no_o less_o frail_a and_o subject_a to_o error_n than_o they_o over_o who_o they_o affect_v illegal_a dominion_n a_o thing_n which_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o perfect_a order_n of_o the_o creation_n which_o be_v altogether_o bless_v from_o which_o whatever_o be_v degenerate_v by_o corruption_n or_o have_v deviate_v by_o temptation_n from_o that_o pure_a and_o regular_a order_n either_o in_o thing_n temporal_a or_o divine_a must_v be_v include_v within_o the_o curse_n of_o sin_n and_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o oppose_a the_o creator_n himself_o and_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v compulsion_n exercise_v in_o spiritual_a matter_n as_o be_v the_o high_a product_n of_o degenerate_a usurpation_n and_o the_o grande_v swerve_v imaginable_a from_o the_o chief_a design_n of_o the_o creation_n for_o without_o all_o question_n the_o creator_n himself_o reserve_v and_o retain_v in_o his_o own_o power_n alone_o the_o privilege_n of_o supremacy_n over_o the_o inward_a man_n in_o all_o matter_n touch_v immortality_n that_o he_o may_v be_v the_o only_a lord_n in_o that_o case_n to_o give_v spiritual_a law_n and_o to_o command_v the_o soul_n and_o heart_n of_o man_n in_o reference_n to_o his_o own_o worship_n and_o that_o obedience_n which_o be_v due_a to_o himself_o so_o that_o of_o necessity_n it_o must_v be_v a_o usurpation_n of_o the_o creator_n rightful_a dominion_n a_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o dignity_n and_o prerogative_n a_o act_n of_o violence_n against_o his_o sovereignty_n and_o a_o bold_a intrude_a into_o his_o proper_a right_n for_o any_o person_n to_o assume_v to_o themselves_o dominion_n and_o authority_n over_o other_o by_o command_v and_o impose_v in_o spiritual_a matter_n upon_o their_o conscience_n in_o the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o god._n add_v to_o this_o that_o force_n be_v punishment_n and_o consequent_o unjust_a unless_o the_o offence_n be_v voluntary_a but_o he_o that_o believe_v according_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n be_v necessitate_v to_o that_o belief_n and_o to_o compel_v he_o against_o it_o be_v to_o compel_v he_o to_o renounce_v the_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o man_n his_o reason_n and_o that_o same_o injunction_n will_v be_v altogether_o vain_a to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o w●_n find_v to_o be_v best_a if_o after_o the_o most_o serious_a and_o deliberate_a election_n we_o must_v be_v whip_v out_o of_o our_o conscience_n by_o penalty_n it_o be_v but_o odd_o do_v to_o preach_v a_o company_n of_o poor_a soul_n into_o just_a so_o much_o liberty_n of_o scripture_n as_o may_v suffice_v to_o beget_v their_o torture_n and_o not_o permit_v they_o to_o rest_v where_o they_o find_v their_o satisfaction_n either_o utter_o prohibit_v the_o search_n or_o let_v they_o enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o it_o to_o believe_v what_o appear_v untrue_a be_v somewhat_o impossible_a but_o to_o profess_v what_o we_o believe_v untrue_a be_v absolute_o damnable_a nor_o be_v it_o one_o of_o the_o least_o argument_n against_o compulsion_n of_o conscience_n that_o it_o break_v the_o band_n of_o civil_a society_n and_o annihilate_v all_o manner_n of_o love_n unity_n fellowship_n and_o concord_n among_o man_n neighbour_n be_v at_o enmity_n among_o neighbour_n brethren_n with_o brethren_n and_o family_n be_v divide_v among_o themselves_o prince_n and_o their_o subject_n ruler_n and_o their_o people_n be_v at_o discord_n and_o debate_n that_o many_o time_n turn_v to_o absolute_a disobedience_n and_o rebellion_n while_o the_o one_o labour_n to_o impose_v the_o other_o to_o keep_v off_o the_o oppression_n man_n say_v zenophon_n resist_v none_o with_o great_a animosity_n than_o those_o that_o affect_v to_o tyrannize_v over_o their_o body_n more_o especial_o such_o as_o seek_v to_o establish_v a_o illegal_a dominion_n over_o their_o mind_n and_o conscience_n they_o contend_v pro_fw-la aris_n in_o the_o

the_o reasonableness_n of_o toleration_n and_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o penal_a law_n and_o test_n wherein_o be_v prove_v by_o scripture_n reason_n and_o antiquity_n that_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v the_o undoubted_a right_n of_o every_o man_n and_o tend_v to_o the_o flourish_a of_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n and_o that_o persecution_n for_o mere_a religion_n be_v unwarrantable_a unjust_a and_o destructive_a to_o humane_a society_n with_o example_n of_o both_o kind_n offer_a to_o the_o consideration_n of_o a_o person_n of_o honour_n london_n print_v for_o john_n harris_n at_o the_o harrow_n against_o the_o church_n in_o the_o poultry_n 1687._o the_o reasonableness_n of_o toleration_n and_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o penal_a law_n and_o test_n etc._n etc._n it_o have_v be_v for_o many_o hundred_o of_o year_n the_o main_a scope_n and_o aim_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o most_o opinion_n to_o grasp_v into_o their_o clutch_n the_o exercise_n of_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n &_o as_o in_o former_a time_n so_o now_o of_o late_a our_o church_n of_o england_n man_n have_v not_o be_v the_o least_o ambitious_a of_o that_o authority_n it_o be_v true_a the_o clergy_n of_o england_n can_v never_o fix_v such_o jurisdiction_n in_o themselves_o but_o what_o they_o can_v not_o perform_v by_o their_o spiritual_a authority_n they_o bring_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n they_o find_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o give_v they_o the_o least_o title_n to_o lord_n it_o over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n nor_o have_v leave_v they_o any_o weapon_n to_o combat_v dissenter_n in_o opinion_n nay_o even_o error_n itself_o only_a christian_a admonition_n and_o at_o last_o when_o that_o will_v not_o prevail_v public_a separation_n from_o communion_n with_o such_o as_o obstinate_o persist_v in_o defiance_n of_o the_o truth_n for_o this_o reason_n they_o never_o cease_v to_o amuse_v and_o alarm_n the_o civil_a magistrate_n with_o continual_a suspicion_n and_o fear_n to_o render_v he_o jealous_a of_o all_o other_o man_n that_o be_v not_o conformable_a to_o their_o humour_n and_o ceremony_n a_o passionate_a conceit_n of_o their_o own_o perfection_n above_o other_o which_o no_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n can_v be_v reconcile_v to_o and_o a_o convince_a argument_n that_o those_o person_n must_v have_v but_o little_a or_o no_o conscience_n themselves_o who_o with_o so_o much_o vigour_n and_o obstinacy_n labour_v to_o uphold_v a_o civil_a persecution_n so_o direct_o opposite_a to_o all_o the_o dictate_v of_o scripture_n reason_n and_o conscience_n as_o for_o scripture_n the_o authority_n of_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a to_o the_o contrary_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o where_o it_o instruct_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n to_o be_v gentle_a to_o all_o man_n sorbid_v christian_n to_o judge_v one_o another_o and_o tell_v we_o that_o every_o man_n be_v to_o stand_v or_o fall_v to_o his_o own_o master_n that_o one_o man_n esteem_v one_o day_n above_o another_o and_o another_o esteem_v all_o day_n alike_o yet_o happy_a be_v he_o who_o condemn_v not_o himself_o in_o that_o which_o he_o allow_v that_o be_v to_o say_v who_o conscience_n do_v not_o inward_o accuse_v his_o outward_a profession_n the_o same_o great_a and_o zealous_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o unbelieving_a wise_a and_o husband_n give_v such_o a_o mild_a and_o condescend_v answer_n as_o if_o he_o have_v take_v his_o pen_n from_o a_o dove_n wing_n let_v neither_o she_o nor_o he_o that_o unbelieve_v depart_v if_o please_v to_o stay_v for_o that_o god_n have_v call_v we_o to_o peace_n add_v withal_o that_o as_o god_n have_v call_v every_o one_o so_o let_v he_o walk_v and_o so_o he_o ordain_v to_o all_o the_o church_n certain_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o divine_o utter_v to_o oblige_v the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n in_o charity_n and_o meekness_n to_o forbear_v one_o another_o than_o such_o a_o express_a injunction_n of_o so_o authentic_a a_o apostle_n to_o live_v peaceable_o with_o a_o infidel_n nay_o write_v to_o the_o christian_n he_o absolute_o deny_v that_o even_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v any_o sovereignty_n over_o the_o conscience_n but_o only_a commission_n to_o aid_n and_o assist_v their_o conscience_n not_o say_v he_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 altogether_o conformable_a to_o that_o doctrine_n of_o meekness_n wherein_o christ_n instruct_v his_o disciple_n not_o to_o aspire_v to_o the_o title_n of_o rabbi_n or_o master_n in_o spiritual_a affair_n beside_o that_o we_o be_v admonish_v to_o let_v the_o tare_n grow_v among_o the_o wheat_n till_o the_o time_n of_o harvest_n nor_o be_v it_o for_o any_o man_n to_o suggest_v that_o this_o mild_a and_o moderate_a temper_n be_v only_o intend_v for_o those_o primitive_a time_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v liable_a to_o persecution_n without_o any_o temporal_a power_n to_o defend_v themselves_o for_o let_v the_o choice_a champion_n but_o grant_n that_o those_o be_v the_o best_a and_o pure_a time_n and_o then_o it_o will_v behoove_v they_o to_o show_v a_o dormant_n warrant_n in_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o christ_n ever_o give_v commission_n to_o his_o disciple_n to_o cut_v the_o throat_n of_o all_o dissenter_n or_o to_o despoil_v they_o of_o their_o estate_n and_o send_v they_o to_o perpetual_a banishment_n and_o they_o have_v do_v their_o work_n but_o if_o they_o can_v bring_v no_o such_o authority_n they_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o lording_n over_o the_o conscience_n be_v a_o unwarrantable_a piece_n of_o tyranny_n over_o the_o right_n and_o liberty_n of_o a_o christian_n true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o successor_n of_o constantine_n be_v teach_v by_o their_o eclesiastic_o that_o there_o be_v two_o duty_n require_v from_o they_o one_o as_o christian_n the_o other_o as_o sovereign_n that_o as_o christian_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v divine_a precept_n as_o every_o private_a man_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v but_o as_o prince_n to_o make_v good_a law_n and_o keep_v their_o subject_n steady_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o piety_n honesty_n and_o justice_n chastize_v the_o transgressor_n of_o his_o sacred_a law_n espeaclal_o the_o deacalogue_n and_o because_o they_o who_o transgress_v against_o the_o first_o table_n which_o relate_v to_o divine_a worship_n be_v worse_o than_o they_o who_o transgress_v against_o the_o second_o which_o relate_v only_o to_o justice_n between_o man_n and_o man_n therefore_o prince_n be_v oblige_v to_o punish_v blasphemy_n perjury_n and_o heresy_n more_o severe_o than_o murder_n or_o theft_n as_o for_o blasphemy_n and_o perjury_n there_o be_v reason_n sufficient_a why_o they_o shall_v be_v punish_v by_o civil_a penalty_n for_o blasphemer_n and_o perjure_a person_n can_v be_v think_v to_o be_v man_n of_o conscience_n nor_o be_v they_o that_o take_v that_o liberty_n to_o be_v endure_v for_o that_o blasphemy_n and_o perjury_n be_v criminal_a in_o all_o religion_n and_o differ_v opinion_n whatever_o as_o be_v contrary_a to_o good_a manner_n and_o contamination_n of_o civil_a society_n but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o every_o man_n must_v be_v punish_v as_o a_o heretic_n who_o differ_v in_o his_o judgement_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n certain_o it_o must_v be_v first_o agree_v upon_o what_o a_o heretic_n be_v and_o who_o be_v that_o heretic_n and_o which_o be_v that_o law_n that_o reach_v his_o offence_n before_o they_o can_v punish_v he_o by_o any_o law._n now_o those_o thing_n that_o make_v a_o heretic_n be_v error_n in_o fundamental_o or_o about_o fundamental_o conviction_n and_o contumacy_n and_o they_o be_v heretic_n who_o obstinate_o and_o against_o the_o most_o evident_a light_n of_o truth_n defend_v some_o doctrine_n direct_o or_o of_o necessary_a consequence_n tear_v up_o the_o foundation_n of_o christian_a faith._n the_o church_n of_o england_n therefore_o shall_v have_v make_v it_o out_o that_o the_o dissenter_n and_o roman_a catholic_n be_v heretic_n of_o this_o sort_n convict_a and_o contumacious_a and_o then_o all_o they_o can_v do_v be_v to_o put_v they_o under_o excommunication_n not_o to_o torment_v their_o person_n and_o estate_n with_o mulct_n imprisonment_n fine_n and_o sequestration_n which_o how_o dissonant_n it_o be_v from_o the_o golden_a rule_n of_o god_n himself_o still_o prefer_v mercy_n above_o sacrifice_n be_v evident_o apparent_a the_o character_n of_o menelaus_n in_o the_o second_o of_o maccabee_n be_v that_o he_o be_v unworthy_a of_o the_o priesthood_n as_o one_o that_o have_v the_o fury_n of_o a_o cruel_a tyrant_n and_o the_o rage_n of_o a_o savage_a beast_n conformable_a to_o which_o be_v that_o of_o cicero_n quote_v by_o lactantius_n it_o be_v the_o most_o miserable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n say_v he_o to_o carry_v a_o savage_a and_o cruel_a disposition_n under_o the_o shape_n of_o