Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n according_a church_n word_n 2,678 5 4.0797 3 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A85184 The league illegal. Wherein the late Solemn League and Covenant is seriously examined, scholastically and solidly confuted: for the right informing of weak and tender consciences, and the undeceiving of the erroneous. Written long since in prison, by Daniel Featley D.D. and never until now made known to the world. Published by John Faireclough, vulgò Featley, chaplain to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. Featley, Daniel, 1582-1645.; Featley, John, 1605?-1666.; England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I) 1660 (1660) Wing F591; Thomason E1040_8; ESTC R199 47,903 77

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

charitute_fw-la patria_fw-la complectitur_fw-la but_o this_o covenant_n be_v many_o way_n derogatory_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o england_n for_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v not_o only_o set_v before_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o it_o but_o be_v also_o propound_v as_o a_o pattern_n of_o a_o church_n entire_o reform_v not_o only_o in_o doctrine_n but_o in_o discipline_n also_o and_o worship_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v preserve_v in_o all_o three_o but_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o a_o imperfect_a draught_n of_o a_o church_n defective_a in_o all_o and_o consequent_o to_o be_v reform_v in_o all_o according_a to_o god_n word_n and_o the_o pattern_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n whereas_o in_o truth_n the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o be_v reform_v before_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n so_o it_o be_v more_o exact_o and_o perfect_o reform_v priùs_fw-la tempore_fw-la dic_fw-la et_fw-la honore_fw-la and_o no_o marvel_n sith_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v reform_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o state_n but_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n by_o the_o zeal_n of_o private_a man_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v reform_v not_o only_o in_o d●ctrine_n but_o also_o in_o discipline_n and_o liturgy_n conformable_o to_o the_o ancient_a and_o best_a church_n whereas_o the_o church_n of_o stotland_n though_o it_o embrace_v apostolical_a doctrine_n yet_o it_o have_v not_o the_o exercise_n of_o apostolical_a discipline_n since_o the_o reformation_n till_o king_n james_n of_o bless_a memory_n restore_v episcopal_a government_n there_o where_o they_o before_o write_v after_o the_o copy_n set_v by_o calvin_n they_o have_v set_v up_o the_o presbytery_n or_o government_n by_o lay_a elder_n unknown_a to_o any_o elder_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o howsoever_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o english_a church_n of_o late_a have_v be_v eclipse_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o many_o yet_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n beyond_o the_o sea_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o cue_n elizabeth_n and_o king_n james_n it_o may_v appear_v that_o she_o shine_v among_o all_o the_o golden_a candlestick_n set_v in_o the_o western_a and_o northern_a part_n of_o christendom_n velut_fw-la inter●ignes_fw-la luna_fw-la minores_fw-la she_o support_v all_o other_o reform_a church_n and_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n by_o name_n as_o their_o own_o chronicle_n relate_v and_o howsoever_o some_o thing_n have_v be_v question_v in_o the_o discipline_n and_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o the_o scholar_n of_o aerius_n the_o heretic_n oppose_v all_o ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n and_o liturgy_n yet_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v be_v always_o keep_v sarta_fw-la tecta_fw-la and_o hold_v sound_a and_o orthodox_a by_o all_o that_o carry_v the_o name_n of_o protestant_n and_o the_o article_n of_o religion_n together_o with_o the_o apology_n of_o bishop_n jewel_n wherein_o the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v comprise_v be_v insert_v into_o the_o harmony_n of_o protestant_a confession_n and_o approve_v by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o all_o orthodox_a church_n to_o swear_v therefore_o to_o endeavour_v the_o reform_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o doctrine_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v either_o to_o swear_v actum_fw-la agere_fw-la to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v do_v already_o and_o so_o to_o swear_v vain_o or_o to_o swear_v to_o pervert_v it_o it_o be_v straight_o already_o which_o be_v to_o swear_v impious_o no_o solemn_a covenant_n especial_o confirm_v by_o million_o of_o oath_n between_o two_o kingdom_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v without_o necessary_a and_o urgent_a occasion_n for_o otherwise_o in_o such_o a_o solemn_a and_o public_a manner_n to_o call_v god_n as_o it_o be_v from_o heaven_n to_o attest_v with_o we_o will_v be_v a_o take_n of_o his_o name_n in_o vain_a {non-roman}_o such_o covenant_a be_v like_o the_o cast_v the_o holy_a anchor_n among_o the_o athenian_n and_o the_o create_v a_o dictator_n among_o the_o roman_n never_o to_o be_v act_v or_o attempt_v but_o in_o some_o great_a exigent_n of_o state_n to_o preserve_v it_o from_o imminent_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n but_o there_o be_v no_o such_o necessity_n at_o this_o time_n of_o engage_v both_o kingdom_n and_o lock_v they_o fast_o in_o such_o a_o league_n for_o the_o popish_a party_n be_v at_o a_o low_a ebb_n now_o in_o england_n then_o it_o have_v be_v heretofore_o and_o his_o majesty_n have_v bind_v himself_o by_o many_o oath_n even_o sign_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o his_o redeemer_n at_o the_o holy_a communion_n to_o maintain_v the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o not_o only_o to_o enliven_v the_o act_n former_o make_v against_o seminary_n priest_n jesuit_n and_o popish_a recusant_n but_o also_o to_o give_v his_o royal_a assent_n to_o any_o such_o further_a act_n as_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o parliament_n and_o state_n shall_v offer_v unto_o he_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o protestant_a and_o suppress_v of_o the_o romish_a religion_n and_o as_o for_o the_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o subject_a there_o need_v no_o enter_v into_o this_o new_a league_n for_o their_o ratification_n and_o confirmation_n for_o they_o be_v sufficient_o establish_v by_o former_a act_n of_o parliament_n unrepealed_a and_o by_o the_o late_a protestation_n general_o make_v by_o all_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o kingdom_n may_n 5._o 1641._o the_o reason_n allege_v in_o the_o preface_n of_o the_o covenant_n have_v scarce_o any_o colour_n of_o truth_n and_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o shadow_n of_o necessity_n reas._n 1_o the_o first_o be_v that_o other_o mean_n of_o supplication_n remonstrance_n protestation_n etc._n etc._n have_v prove_v uneffectual_a and_o therefore_o no_o remedy_n for_o a_o desperate_a cure_n but_o this_o unite_n of_o mind_n and_o sword_n with_o the_o strong_a tie_n of_o a_o national_a covenant_n answ_n whereunto_o i_o answer_v that_o to_o all_o those_o supplication_n remonstrance_n and_o protestation_n his_o majesty_n have_v give_v gracious_a answer_n and_o have_v often_o heretofore_o and_o of_o late_a offer_v honourable_a condition_n of_o peace_n which_o have_v be_v refuse_v reas._n 2_o the_o second_o be_v that_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o themselves_o and_o their_o religion_n from_o utter_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n they_o be_v constrain_v to_o make_v this_o league_n answ_n whereunto_o i_o answer_v that_o religion_n and_o the_o church_n be_v in_o danger_n of_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n as_o well_o by_o the_o anabaptist_n brownist_n and_o other_o sectary_n who_o take_v this_o covenant_n and_o have_v grow_v most_o insolent_a upon_o this_o new_a league_n as_o by_o the_o papist_n and_o that_o the_o great_a fear_n of_o utter_o ruin_v and_o destroy_v this_o kingdom_n be_v from_o the_o continuance_n of_o this_o civil_a and_o unnatural_a war_n which_o be_v foment_v by_o it_o reas._n 3_o the_o three_o be_v the_o commendable_a practice_n of_o these_o kingdom_n in_o former_a time_n answ_n in_o this_o reason_n they_o plead_v obsignatis_fw-la tabulis_fw-la they_o avouch_v that_o which_o never_o have_v be_v nor_o can_v be_v produce_v and_o the_o contrary_a have_v be_v prove_v before_o reas._n 4_o the_o last_o reason_n be_v the_o example_n of_o god_n people_n in_o other_o nation_n who_o they_o mean_v by_o these_o other_o nation_n be_v express_v in_o the_o exhortation_n to_o the_o take_n of_o this_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n p._n 5._o namely_o the_o netherlands_o and_o rocheller_n but_o as_o he_o in_o plato_n dialogue_n say_v exemplum_fw-la ô_fw-la holpes_fw-la eget_fw-la exemplo_fw-la so_o we_o may_v say_v of_o these_o these_o be_v example_n without_o example_n late_a practice_n in_o our_o age_n and_o memory_n without_o any_o precedent_n in_o former_a age_n and_o the_o best_a time_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o yet_o be_v they_o parallel_v to_o this_o for_o the_o king_n of_o spain_n against_o who_o the_o netherlands_o and_o the_o french_a king_n against_o who_o the_o rocheller_n enter_v into_o a_o league_n defensive_a and_o offensive_a with_o we_o be_v persecutor_n of_o the_o true_a protestant_a religion_n and_o oppressor_n of_o their_o know_a liberty_n whereas_o our_o gracious_a sovereign_n be_v a_o professor_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o a_o defender_n of_o the_o orthodox_a protestant_a faith_n and_o a_o maintainer_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n and_o liberty_n of_o subject_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o royal_a assent_n to_o the_o petition_n of_o right_n every_o one_o that_o swear_v must_v have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o sacred_a oath_n set_v down_o by_o the_o prophet_n jerem._n 4._o 2._o he_o must_v swear_v in_o truth_n judgement_n and_o righteousness_n in_o truth_n not_o false_o in_o judgement_n not_o rash_o in_o righteousness_n not_o wicked_o but_o no_o man_n can_v take_v this_o oath_n in_o righteousness_n for_o not_o
only_o scripture_n but_o even_o nature_n teach_v every_o man_n that_o it_o be_v a_o unrighteous_a thing_n if_o not_o impious_a and_o sacrilegious_a to_o disannul_v abrogate_v and_o overthrow_v the_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n of_o all_o the_o founder_n of_o and_o benefactor_n to_o bishopric_n deanery_n and_o cathedral_n and_o collegiate_a church_n and_o to_o alienate_v their_o revenue_n to_o another_o end_n than_o they_o intend_v especial_o those_o land_n be_v dedicate_v to_o god_n and_o that_o for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o his_o true_a worship_n and_o not_o any_o superstitious_a end_n it_o be_v a_o unjust_a thing_n to_o thrust_v out_o a_o world_n of_o man_n without_o any_o crime_n or_o legal_a forfeiture_n out_o of_o their_o dignity_n preferment_n and_o estate_n whereof_o they_o and_o their_o predecessor_n have_v be_v legal_o possess_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n i_o appeal_v to_o their_o own_o conscience_n whether_o a_o man_n may_v lawful_o swear_v to_o endeavour_v the_o extirpation_n of_o all_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o king_n bench_n and_o common_a plea_n baron_n of_o the_o exchequer_n sergeant_n at_o law_n counselor_n barrestor_n and_o attorney_n or_o of_o all_o major_n sheriff_n alderman_n common-council_n man_n master_n and_o warden_n of_o company_n sword_n bearer_n officer_n and_o beadle_n i_o be_o sure_a such_o a_o oath_n be_v votum_fw-la devovendum_fw-la and_o faedus_fw-la faedum_fw-la not_o only_o a_o illegal_a but_o a_o detestable_a and_o execrable_a oath_n obj._n and_o what_o can_v they_o allege_v to_o difference_n this_o from_o such_o a_o one_o if_o they_o say_v lord_n bishop_n dean_n arch-deacon_n etc._n etc._n be_v nowhere_o mention_v in_o scripture_n no_o more_o be_v there_o of_o lord_n major_n or_o lord_n chief_a baron_n etc._n etc._n answ_n yea_o but_o magistrate_n and_o judge_n be_v name_v though_o not_o with_o such_o honourable_a title_n so_o be_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a magistrate_n as_o civil_a of_o order_n in_o the_o church_n as_o in_o the_o city_n and_o state_n of_o some_o preferment_n and_o encouragement_n for_o clergy_n man_n and_o civilian_n as_o for_o common_a lawyer_n as_o this_o oath_n can_v be_v take_v in_o righteousness_n so_o neither_o in_o judgement_n for_o who_o can_v judicious_o swear_v to_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o worship_n of_o a_o nation_n which_o he_o know_v not_o how_o can_v he_o swear_v in_o truth_n that_o he_o will_v endeavour_v to_o reform_a the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n according_a to_o god_n word_n which_o he_o know_v and_o have_v acknowledge_v in_o his_o former_a protestation_n and_o subscribe_v to_o the_o article_n of_o religion_n to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v conformable_a there-unto_v but_o these_o reason_n have_v be_v touch_v before_o and_o the_o reader_n stomachis_fw-la like_o to_o loath_a cramben_n his_o coctam_fw-la no_o oath_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v or_o covenant_n enter_v into_o which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o just_a and_o wholesome_a law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n now_o in_o force_n for_o to_o take_v such_o a_o oath_n be_v to_o swear_v to_o sin_n and_o consequent_o to_o sin_n in_o swear_v unless_o they_o can_v make_v disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n no_o sin_n but_o this_o covenant_n be_v repugnant_a to_o many_o law_n of_o england_n namely_o all_o those_o statute_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n whereby_o episcopal_a government_n and_o ecclesiastical_a court_n be_v establish_v and_o regulate_v to_o this_o argument_n it_o be_v answer_v by_o those_o who_o have_v a_o answer_n hand_n in_o pull_v down_o that_o sacred_a order_n that_o have_v lay_v holy_a hand_n upon_o they_o that_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n be_v not_o like_o the_o law_n of_o mede_n and_o persian_n that_o can_v be_v alter_v and_o in_o particular_a that_o all_o the_o former_a act_n pass_v in_o favour_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v virtual_o repeal_v by_o that_o ordinance_n of_o both_o house_n wherein_o it_o be_v resolve_v that_o episcopal_a government_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o root_n and_o branch_n reply_n 1_o but_o neither_o be_v this_o answer_n any_o way_n satisfactory_a nor_o better_a than_o their_o former_a for_o first_o the_o resolution_n to_o make_v a_o act_n be_v not_o the_o enact_v a_o law_n many_o thing_n may_v fall_v out_o between_o such_o a_o resolution_n and_o the_o execution_n thereof_o in_o which_o interim_n they_o who_o take_v this_o new_a oath_n may_v absolute_o forswear_v themselves_o in_o break_v the_o oath_n of_o canonical_a obedience_n to_o bishop_n yet_o in_o be_v though_o both_o house_n shall_v concur_v to_o make_v such_o a_o act_n for_o the_o utter_a abolish_n of_o episcopacy_n yet_o till_o the_o royal_a assent_n be_v gain_v thereunto_o such_o a_o ordinance_n can_v never_o be_v improve_v to_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n much_o less_o of_o force_n to_o repeal_v many_o former_a act_n for_o as_o neither_o the_o king_n with_o the_o commons_o without_o the_o peer_n nor_o the_o king_n and_o peer_n without_o the_o commons_o so_o neither_o the_o peer_n and_o commons_o without_o the_o king_n can_v make_v or_o repeal_v any_o act_n make_v by_o the_o three_o estate_n for_o that_o which_o be_v establish_v by_o authority_n must_v be_v abrogate_a by_o equal_a authority_n dictum_fw-la and_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n in_o their_o vote_n be_v that_o golden_a tripos_n out_o of_o which_o we_o be_v to_o hear_v the_o sovereign_a and_o authentical_a oracle_n of_o the_o law_n contrary_a oath_n and_o protestation_n may_v not_o be_v take_v for_o they_o destroy_v one_o the_o other_o and_o he_o that_o take_v they_o be_v like_o the_o satire_n in_o the_o poet_n who_o out_o of_o the_o same_o mouth_n blow_v hot_a and_o cold_a 11._o can_v the_o fountain_n say_v st._n james_n out_o of_o the_o same_o place_n send_v out_o sweet_a and_o bitter_a water_n but_o this_o new_a covenant_n and_o protestation_n be_v contrary_a to_o that_o which_o be_v take_v by_o both_o house_n and_o all_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o kingdom_n may_n 5._o 1641._o for_o in_o that_o we_o swear_v to_o maintain_v the_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o no_o man_n doubt_v but_o bishop_n dean_n etc._n etc._n be_v subject_n and_o their_o liberty_n and_o privilege_n be_v express_o mention_v both_o in_o charta_fw-la magna_fw-la and_o the_o petition_n of_o right_n but_o in_o this_o we_o abjure_v all_o prelacy_n that_o be_v government_n by_o archbishop_n bishop_n dean_n etc._n etc._n no_o man_n ought_v to_o solicit_v much_o less_o enforce_v upon_o penalty_n any_o of_o the_o clergy_n to_o take_v a_o oath_n contrary_a to_o the_o oath_n they_o have_v former_o take_v both_o in_o their_o ordination_n and_o institution_n and_o induction_n into_o their_o benefice_n namely_o the_o oath_n of_o canonical_a obedience_n to_o their_o bishop_n and_o of_o the_o defence_n and_o maintenance_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o their_o see_n but_o such_o be_v the_o oath_n comprise_v in_o this_o new_a covenant_n therefore_o it_o can_v in_o no_o wise_a be_v take_v at_o least_o by_o any_o clergy_n and_o benefice_a man_n as_o for_o these_o clergy_n man_n who_o pretend_v that_o they_o above_o all_o other_o can_v covenant_n to_o extirpate_v that_o government_n answer_n because_o they_o have_v as_o they_o say_v take_v a_o oath_n to_o obey_v the_o bishop_n in_fw-la licitis_fw-la et_fw-la honestis_fw-la 4._o they_o can_v tell_v if_o they_o please_v that_o they_o that_o have_v swear_v obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n be_v not_o thereby_o prohibit_v from_o endeavour_v by_o all_o lawful_a mean_n the_o abolition_n of_o those_o law_n when_o they_o prove_v inconvenient_a and_o mischievous_a and_o if_o yet_o there_o shall_v any_o oath_n be_v find_v into_o which_o any_o minister_n or_o other_o have_v enter_v not_o warrant_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o land_n in_o this_o case_n they_o must_v teach_v themselves_o and_o other_o to_o call_v for_o repentance_n not_o pertinacy_n in_o they_o reply_n 1_o no_o man_n absolute_o swear_v obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n active_o for_o then_o every_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n shall_v be_v perjury_n but_o active_o or_o passive_o that_o be_v either_o to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v command_v by_o the_o law_n or_o patient_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o penalty_n thereof_o which_o oath_n notwithstanding_o any_o member_n of_o parliament_n may_v move_v for_o the_o abrogation_n of_o such_o a_o law_n i_o grant_v that_o notwithstanding_o any_o engagement_n by_o former_a oath_n a_o member_n of_o the_o parliament_n may_v move_v to_o have_v a_o bill_n prefer_v for_o the_o abolition_n of_o a_o law_n in_o case_n it_o have_v prove_v inconvenient_a and_o mischievous_a but_o such_o be_v not_o the_o law_n by_o which_o episcopacy_n be_v estabish_v and_o spiritual_a court_n regulate_v all_o the_o
brethren_n who_o peradventure_o nothing_o will_v content_v but_o a_o illimited_a power_n to_o lord_n it_o in_o their_o parish_n and_o assist_v with_o their_o confederate_n to_o make_v their_o consistory_n as_o well_o the_o bench_n for_o secular_a case_n as_o the_o tribunal_n for_o ecclesiastical_a and_o all_o under_o a_o notion_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o these_o in_o particular_a if_o such_o there_o be_v i_o do_v friendly_a recommend_v this_o follow_a work_n hope_v that_o when_o they_o feel_v the_o force_n of_o argument_n in_o their_o strong_a conviction_n they_o will_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o confess_v their_o mistake_n and_o study_v to_o be_v quiet_a the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o burn_a and_o a_o shine_a light_n until_o malice_n and_o mischief_n shut_v he_o up_o in_o a_o prison_n and_o put_v out_o his_o lamp_n his_o speech_n in_o the_o assembly_n against_o this_o covenant_n be_v at_o that_o time_n so_o distaste_v that_o his_o impatient_a and_o too_o zealous_a brethren_n suffer_v he_o not_o to_o render_v those_o his_o reason_n in_o defence_n of_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v add_v to_o this_o work_n when_o they_o therefore_o hasten_v to_o swear_v the_o league_n he_o retire_v to_o his_o house_n to_o grieve_v and_o to_o pray_v y_o from_o that_o time_n forward_o he_o be_v neither_o secure_a in_o his_o study_n nor_o safe_a in_o his_o house_n it_o be_v his_o seem_a sin_n that_o he_o so_o free_o deliver_v his_o conscience_n and_o his_o punishment_n be_v plunder_v sequester_v imprisonment_n and_o death_n while_o he_o continue_v a_o prisoner_n he_o compose_v this_o book_n at_o the_o request_n of_o a_o friend_n and_o the_o importunity_n of_o his_o letter_n wherewith_o it_o begin_v i_o suppose_v that_o none_o will_v gainsay_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o father_n nor_o conflictatio_fw-la in_fw-la adversis_fw-la probatio_fw-la est_fw-la veritatis_fw-la he_o be_v not_o ashamed_a of_o his_o chain_n because_o he_o endure_v those_o pressure_n as_o a_o faithful_a son_n of_o that_o true_a church_n whereof_o cassiod_n in_o psal._n 1._o say_v novit_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la beneficia_fw-la domini_fw-la triumphant_a de_fw-la suis_fw-la cladibus_fw-la afflictione_fw-la semper_fw-la augetur_fw-la sanguine_fw-la martyrum_fw-la irrigatur_fw-la tristitiâ_fw-la magis_fw-la erigitur_fw-la angustiâ_fw-la dilatatur_fw-la fletibus_fw-la pascitur_fw-la jejuniis_fw-la reficitur_fw-la and_o indè_fw-la potius_fw-la crescit_fw-la undè_fw-la mundus_fw-la deficit_fw-la let_v the_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a reader_n censure_v it_o as_o he_o please_v i_o shall_v end_v this_o introduction_n with_o the_o word_n of_o horace_n si_fw-la quid_fw-la novisti_fw-la rectius_fw-la istis_fw-la candidus_n imperti_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la his_fw-la vtere_fw-la mecum_fw-la to_o my_o reverend_n and_o much_o esteem_v friend_n d._n f._n sir_n the_o wind_n be_v stormy_a and_o the_o sea_n trouble_v and_o we_o be_v to_o cut_v a_o way_n through_o a_o narrow_a passage_n between_o two_o dangerous_a rock_n wherein_o if_o we_o steer_v not_o wary_o and_o even_o it_o can_v be_v avoid_v but_o we_o shall_v make_v shipwreck_n on_o the_o one_o side_n or_o on_o the_o other_o on_o the_o one_o side_n of_o loyalty_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n on_o the_o other_o of_o liberty_n and_o our_o estate_n in_o this_o case_n to_o who_o shall_v we_o rather_o have_v recourse_n then_o to_o a_o ancient_a and_o skilful_a pilot_n who_o have_v sound_v the_o depth_n of_o theological_a controversy_n and_o heretofore_o hazard_v his_o life_n to_o save_v other_o from_o drown_v in_o the_o sea_n of_o error_n moreover_o none_o in_o my_o judgement_n so_o fit_a to_o resolve_v a_o case_n of_o conscience_n and_o that_o of_o great_a importance_n as_o a_o faithful_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o have_v suffer_v for_o conscience_n i_o pray_v sir_n be_v not_o rich_a of_o your_o best_a advice_n for_o if_o we_o miscarry_v through_o want_n of_o your_o direction_n all_o your_o excuse_n will_v prove_v unexcusable_a before_o god_n what_o though_o you_o have_v resolve_v to_o conceal_v yourself_o and_o you_o lie_v hide_v at_o this_o present_a in_o the_o dark_a yet_o like_o a_o chrysolite_n or_o carbuncle_n glow_v with_o divine_a fire_n you_o shine_v the_o bright_a i_o entreat_v you_o therefore_o of_o all_o love_n to_o cast_v a_o careful_a eye_n upon_o the_o late_a covenant_n and_o in_o the_o sieve_n of_o the_o refine_a judgement_n of_o the_o subtle_a casuist_n to_o sift_v it_o to_o the_o bran_n and_o send_v the_o result_n of_o your_o thought_n upon_o it_o to_o your_o ancient_a and_o true_a affectionate_a friend_n e._n g._n from_o london_n this_o 12._o of_o february_n 1643._o to_o my_o noble_a and_o much_o honour_a friend_n e._n g._n worthy_a sir_n in_o this_o tempestuous_a season_n like_o that_o in_o rome_n when_o as_o livy_n relate_v it_o rain_v blood_n for_o many_o day_n the_o best_a counsel_n i_o can_v give_v be_v that_o you_o and_o all_o who_o be_v like_o you_o from_o who_o prayer_n offer_v up_o with_o strong_a cry_n heaven_n suffer_v violence_n will_v cry_v aloud_o with_o the_o disciple_n when_o the_o ship_n be_v cover_v with_o wave_n save_v we_o 25._o master_n we_o perish_v that_o so_o he_o be_v awake_v by_o our_o watchful_a devotion_n may_v rebuke_v the_o wind_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o restore_v unto_o we_o our_o former_a calm_n and_o haltionian_a day_n for_o particular_a direction_n how_o to_o steer_v your_o course_n between_o the_o rock_n you_o mention_v upon_o which_o you_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o split_v either_o your_o conscience_n if_o you_o enter_v into_o this_o new_a covenant_n or_o your_o estate_n if_o you_o enter_v not_o into_o it_o you_o can_v expect_v they_o from_o i_o for_o though_o i_o have_v for_o many_o year_n study_v the_o compass_n of_o god_n word_n yet_o i_o be_o no_o pilot._n i_o have_v ever_o live_v under_o the_o hatch_n and_o never_o sit_v at_o helm_n in_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n and_o if_o i_o shall_v take_v upon_o i_o the_o office_n of_o a_o steerman_n and_o you_o follow_v my_o advice_n shall_v miscarry_v and_o be_v dash_v in_o piece_n or_o sink_v in_o your_o fortune_n in_o stead_n of_o thanks_o from_o you_o i_o be_v like_a to_o receive_v curse_n from_o your_o family_n and_o posterity_n yea_o but_o i_o be_o say_v you_o a_o dispenser_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o salvation_n and_o it_o be_v require_v of_o a_o steward_n that_o he_o be_v find_v faithful_a and_o i_o have_v suffer_v already_o for_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o for_o any_o fear_n or_o terror_n conceal_v my_o judgement_n or_o stifle_v the_o truth_n i_o can_v deny_v my_o function_n neither_o will_v i_o betray_v my_o innocency_n neither_o be_o i_o afraid_a of_o any_o thing_n so_o much_o herein_o as_o this_o that_o if_o you_o make_v i_o your_o casuist_n your_o case_n will_v be_v soon_o like_o i_o and_o by_o gain_v the_o truth_n you_o will_v be_v a_o loser_n but_o i_o check_v myself_o in_o these_o thought_n with_o the_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n 26._o what_o will_v it_o advantage_v a_o man_n to_o win_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n what_o will_v it_o avail_v the_o master_n of_o a_o ship_n to_o save_v his_o whole_a freight_n if_o he_o lose_v that_o precious_a pearl_n which_o the_o rich_a merchant_n sell_v all_o that_o he_o have_v to_o buy_v 46._o this_o peerless_a pearl_n no_o plunderer_n can_v rob_v we_o of_o this_o afford_v i_o a_o comfortable_a light_n in_o the_o thick_a darkness_n of_o melancholy_a thought_n save_v for_o this_o i_o account_v myself_o nothing_o worth_a at_o all_o no_o carbuncle_n as_o your_o love_n overprise_v i_o but_o a_o dead_a coal_n now_o resolve_v into_o ash_n and_o as_o i_o lie_v hide_v in_o the_o dark_a so_o i_o desire_v from_o this_o obscure_a state_n to_o steal_v into_o heaven_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n ita_fw-la vivere_fw-la ut_fw-la nemo_fw-la me_fw-la vixisse_fw-la sentiat_fw-la so_o to_o pass_v through_o these_o angry_a and_o work_a sea_n that_o none_o may_v discern_v the_o print_n of_o my_o keel_n notwithstanding_o because_o you_o charge_v i_o so_o deep_o by_o all_o the_o tie_n of_o christian_a charity_n which_o be_v the_o bond_n of_o perfection_n i_o will_v free_o open_v myself_o concerning_o the_o engagement_n of_o our_o conscience_n in_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o return_v you_o not_o so_o much_o a_o punctual_a as_o a_o poignant_a resolution_n you_o to_o serve_v you_o in_o the_o lord_n d._n f._n the_o covenant_n which_o cause_v these_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n here_o follow_v a_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n for_o reformation_n and_o defence_n of_o religion_n the_o honour_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o three_o kingdom_n england_n scotland_n and_o ireland_n we_o nobleman_n baron_n knight_n gentleman_n citizen_n burgess_n minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o commons_o of_o all_o