Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	believe_v	heart_n	lord_n	2,298	5	3.7334	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A30531	A just and righteous plea presented unto the King of England, and his council, &c. being the true state of the present case of the people, called Quakers, truly demonstrated, and justly pleaded, on their behalf : and this is laid down in six particulars ... / by ... Edw. Burroughs.	Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.	1661 (1661)	Wing B6011; ESTC R14916	30,489	41

the uniting of Peoples hearts to you and one to another in Love and Liberty and not in the Divisions and Distractions of people surely this canot be for your safety When as if you did give Liberty to all that were peaceable in their Lives and Conversations in the exercise of their Religion in Faith and Worship to God-wards this would cause all to love you and none to be discontented with you in good reason If one sort of People had as much Liberty as others in the way of their Religion I mean and none more than others this doubtless would encrease Content among Subjects and be a blessing to you and your Authority and to proceed in that way which may keep the people in Love and Unity one with another and to you-wards this were good Policy for your Establishment to perpetuity and there seems to be no other way than in shewing Iustice Mercy and Liberty to all in all right wayes and in the exercise of their Consciences towards God And this is my Iudgment the way for you to prosper is to leave the prescribing the way of Worship unto God as his Spirit shall teach and perswade the Conscience and to leave the Iudgment in all Cases of Conscience about Spiritual things unto Him and not to meddle about imposing Religion nor persecuting men for that cause for it is not your place to do it but you are to rule well over the outward man and to judge in the Cases of wrong between man and man but not at all in the Cases between God and mens Consciences But you may say Who art thou inferiour man that seemest to advise us that are high and potent and wise enough for our selves Well though it be thus though I am so and not much acquainted with the State-affairs nor do I profess Policy in the Governments of this World yet this I say What soever my Birth or quality be and whether I live or dye yet these things you must find true one day for I speak not as a Politician but as a Servant of God that your Prosperity and Happiness in this World and hereafter standeth in shewing and executing true Iustice and Iudgment and Mercy and equal Liberty towards all without respect of their Title in the Profession and Practice of Religion and in allowing Liberty of Conscience in the exercise of Faith and Worship and Duty to God-wards to all Christian People equally in your Dominions and not to persecute or destroy any in their Persons and Estates for the exercise of their Religion to God-wards This is the way of your Prosperity and the contrary is the way of your Destruction if that ye persecute men for their Conscience sake and exercise Lordship and Authority over mens Conscience in Spiritual things and if ye prescribe a way of Worship and seek to destroy all that cannot conform thereunto if ye do thus this is not good Policy to establish you Well I shall say little further but that these things I write not as your Enemy but as your Friend who would have you saved both soul and body and not as in any kind of harshness in my spirit towards you do I write but in love and compassionateness to you and these Kingdoms And I have here in brief stated and pleaded the Case of the Innocent People called Quakers who are at this time under great Afflictions and Tribulations by your Authority and it hath been in my heart divers times to declare the substance of these things unto you but at the last I have chosen to write my mind to present to you concerning the matters very needful for you to be informed in and it is for your sakes as well as theirs that I have done it that you may not run on to act any thing against them upon Suspitions and Accusations of others without hearing our Defence And therefore it is for the avoiding and stopping of Persecution in the Land for this cause have I taken in hand submissively and not presumptuously to state this Plea before you and I must leave it to your Considerations and cannot impose my Faith upon you to believe as I believe but having laid the Truth before you I shall leave it to the Lord to work Faith and Love and Iustice Mercy and all good things in your hearts that you may bring them forth in the exercise of them in the World I am a lover of Justice and Mercy Truth and Right●●usness ● B. London the10 th day of the second moneth 1661. CHAP. I. The Case Stated and Pleaded concerning Swearing at all and particularly concerning the Oath of Allegiance I. VVE do acknowledge our selves to be Free-born People of this Kingdom of England the Land of our Nativity and we do assert that we have just and lawful Right and Title as such to possess and enjoy our Lives Liberties and Estates both by the Laws of God and Man having never unto this day since we were a People Forfeited our Birth-right as men by any Rebellion Sedition Contempt or otherwise but have always been and are a People exercised in the Law of our God by walking justly towards all Men and doing to others as we would be done unto have been and are a peaceable People under every Government and Authority that hath been over us since the Lord raised us up And I do hereby declare that we now are and shall be Faithful Innocent and Peaceable in our several Stations and Conditions under this present Government of King Charles the Second whom we acknowledge Supream Magistrate and Governour over this Kingdom and for Conscience sake we are obedient and submissive to him as such in all his Commands either by doing and performing of what he justly requireth or by patient suffering under whatsoever is inflicted upon us in the matters for which we cannot be obedient for Conscience sake when any thing is required of us different from the just Law of God And to this subjection to the King and his Government we are bound by the Law of Righteousness and such hath ever been our Principle and Practice and is unto this day even to be quiet and peaceable and patient under every Authority that is set over us and not in unrighteousness to Plot or Contrive or Rebel against any Governours or Government nor to seek our own Deliverance from Injustice and Oppression in such a way And we are perswaded to seek the preservation of the King's Person and Authority by all just and lawful means and not to Rebel against him with Carnal Weapons and so far as his Government is in Iustice Mercy and Righteousness we declare true and faithful subjection and obedience thereunto and wherein it is otherwise we shall be subject by Patient suffering what is unequally imposed upon us and yet not Rebel in any Turbulent way of Conspiracies and Insurrections For our Principles are not for War but for Peace with all men so much as in us lyes neither may we

to answer causeless Objections And thus I have sought out this matter and laid it before the King and I leave it to him to consider and to shew Iustice Equity Mercy and Long-suffering and in so doing he will be blessed but if the contrary be brought forth the effect thereof will be more miserable CHAP. V. The Case stated and pleaded concerning Government it self and particularly of this present Authority and our Obedience to it I. VVE do acknowledge Government and Rule and Magistracy to be an Ordinance of God ordained and instituted of him to be exercised among the Children of Men for to be a Praise and a Defence to all that do well and to be a Terrour and Correction to all that do evil And we believe there ought to be Rule and Government and Authority exercised and executed in every Kingdom Nation City and Country for the end aforesaid to wit That Evil-doers may be made afraid and corrected limited restrained and subdued and that Sin and Transgression may be suppressed and Truth and Righteousness promoted and them that do well praised and strengthened And this is the very end of outward Government of Kings Princes or others amongst Men upon the Earth Even that the Outward man may be kept in good order and subjection in his conversation in the World and may be limited and restrained from all wrong doing or speaking against his Neighbours Person or Estate and if he do he is punishable by such Iust Authority This is the very end of outward Government in the Kingdoms of the World but it extends not over the Inward Man to rule govern or exercise Authority over the Consciences of any in Spiritual matters and cases between God and a mans Conscience This Dominion and Authority only pertains to the Inward Government and Rule of Iesus Christ by his Eternal Spirit but not to any Outward Government of Kings Princes Parliaments or any others They I say ought only to exercise Authority over the Persons and Estates of People in all just and lawful things and matters but not over the Consciences of any in the exercise of Duty towards God or in the Cases and Matters of Worship and Religion II. The Exercise and Execution of this Iust Government over the Outward Man as afore described ought to be committed into the hands of faithful just and upright men such as fear the Lord and hate Covetousness and every evil way in all Kingdoms of the World The Execution of the Government in all Just Laws onght I say to be committed to such men and not to Drunkards Lyars Covetous or Evil-minded persons Ambitious or Vain-glorious persons in any Nation such as these ought not to be entrusted with the Execution of the Government and the good Laws of any Kingdom for such will not be a Blessing unto the Land nor unto any People but a Curse and the cause of provoking God to Vengeance and Wrath against themselves the People and the Governments if such men whom God chooseth not be chosen to make Laws and execute them and to exercise Government in any Kingdoms of this World But men that fear God and delight in Iustice Mercy and Truth that are humble and meek and lowly persons ought to be called to the place of Government and only such are fit to exercise Rule and Authority and to make and execute Laws in these Kingdoms and in all the Kingdoms of the World and such would be a Blessing in the Earth and the Governments under such and in the execution of their hands would be blessed and prosperous and all good men would have cause to rejoyce therein and all evil doers and transgressors would be limited and made afraid if so be the Laws be just holy and righteous and according to Equity and the holy Law of God in all things and the due Execution of such Laws committed to just and righteous and meek men that love Iudgment Mercy and Truth and would execute them in the Earth Then the happy and blessed Government will be exalted and Truth and Righteousness would reign as Judge on the Throne and in this shall all Nations and Kingdoms be prosperous and blessed when in cometh to passe III. And as for this present Authority and Government now in being under the name of King Charles the Second we do believe and acknowledge That according to the Purpose and Will of God and of his bringing to passe this present Government and Authority is set up and into its present being established The Lord I say hath suffered it to be effected for the Cause and End and Time and Purpose known to Himself and not to mortal man And thus this Government and Authority is of God being brought in and set up in opposition to and for the reproof and correction of such as went before who had neglected Mercy Truth Iudgment and Righteousness in the Earth till it was time for the Lord to cast them out and reprove them and make them a Desolation before their Enemies and this Authority was judged of the Lord fit for that use and end and reserved to be brought in as a Rod of God in his hand to correct and smite many people And it is right in the sight of the Lord that this Authority should have this time and season to be exercised in these Kingdoms to try and prove both it self and all under it if so be that Truth Justice and Righteousness Mercy and Peace may be brought forth in these Kingdoms through it that God may establish it for long continuance and it is now a trying and proving to make it self happy and blessed or otherwise to bring it self into contempt and dishonour and accordingly as Truth Iustice Mercy Iudgment and Peace is brought forth by it or the contrary brought forth by it so must the just and equal effects and reward of it be from the Hand of God and it is only Iust Iudgment Mercy and Truth Righteousness Relieving the Oppressed and the doing thereof that can alone make the Person and Government of the King Happy Blessed and Honourable in this World and hereafter and the contrary if it be brought forth must needs bring Confusion Discontents and all miserable Iudgments and to say no more of it this is my present Judgment of the King and his Authority both in respect of their Coming in and the Cause thereof and the Fruits and Effects that must follow which is not otherwise determined of God but according to desert and merit of walking in Truth Justice and Righteousness or in walking otherwise IV. Our Obedience to this Authority must be according as before declared in the Plea of the first Case concerning Allegiance to wit for Conscience sake to God we are bound by his Iust Law in our hearts to yeeld Obedience to it in all matters and cases actively or passively that is to say in all just and good Commands of the King and the good Laws of the Land relating to our outward

which they have sworn and engaged Fidelity and Allegiance so that many are not the more to be trusted though they swear Allegiance for the Proverb saith He that will Swear will Lye and he that is forced to swear against his Conscience will hardly perform his Oath And we are no less to be trusted though we swear not for we never yet engaged our selves by Oath to any Governours or Government and yet we never rebelled or plotted against any but have lived peaceably and in a patient suffering condition under all that have sitten on the Throne since we were a People And therefore out living peaceably under the King's Government cannot justly be doubted of though we cannot engage the same by swearing But yet if we do not live quietly and in good obedience as peaceable People but do rebel plot c. then we refuse not to suffer the Pains Penalties and Forfeitures as such that Swear and do not perform their Oaths I say if we do not live peaceably but plot and rebel against the King and his Government then let us suffer the same in every particular as if we had sworn and not performed our Oath V. All these things rightly considered it doth fully appear 1. That we are not Enemies neither in present Action nor future Intent to the King's Person or Authority 2. Nor that we refuse to acknowledge Iust Authority to King Charles the Second as Supream Magistrate over these Kingdoms 3. Nor doth it appear that we are otherwise than Peaceable and Quiet People under the King's Government 4. Nor is it manifest but that we are ready to acknowledge so to continue in all good Conscience and Righteousness And therefore we do appeal to the God of Heaven and to King Charles and to all People whatsoever That our present Sufferings by Imprisonment and whatsoever else we may suffer in this Case for Refusing to take the Oath of Alleagiance it is not for Plotting against the King nor for refusing to acknowledge Iust Authority to the King nor for denying Iust Obedience to him and the Good Laws of the Land nor for denying to live peaceably in the Kingdom under the King's Authority Because to all this we acknowledge solemnly in Yea and Nay Neither are our Sufferings in this case for any Evil-doing towards God nor Men but our Sufferings are for keeping the Commands of Christ which to us is matter of Conscience to perform more than to save our own Lives or Estates and our Sufferings are because we cannot Swear at all and not because we are Rebellious or that we deny Iust Allegiance to the King and such our Sufferings are not as Evil-doers nor justly and righteously as Offenders because we are not guilty of Evil in this case towards God nor Man and our Sufferings are Cruel Persecution for our Tender Conscience sake and for the Name of Christ Iesus And we call God and Just Men to witnesse between Us and our Prosecutors that as Saints and Servants of God we suffer in this Case and for our Faithfulnesse and Obedience to the King of Heaven and not for Evil-doing or Disobedience to King Charles and his Authority And if any be persecuted in this case for Refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Ruine of Persons Wives and Families in this World then we shall have cause to say Occasion is wrongfully taken against us to destroy us and we are proceeded against contrary to the End of Iust Government which is to preserve the Peaceable and not to destroy them and contrary to the King 's former Promises who hath said VVe should not suffer for matters of our Religion and Conscience living peaceably in the Land And if we suffer because we cannot swear at all such our Suffering is for our Conscience sake and we are therein persecuted unrighteously as Innocent People and without just cause And we must commit this our Cause to God who regardeth the Oppressions of his People and will avenge their Cause in his season And for the present this is all I have to say and present concerning this Case of Swearing and concerning the Oath of Allegiance CHAP. II. The Case stated and pleaded concerning our Meeting together to Worship God I. VVE do meet together in the Name of Iesus Christ and in his Power and Spirit and we do Come together in the Fear of God to wait upon Him and to receive the Teachings of his Holy Spirit and his Counsel to direct us in all our wayes how to walk righteously towards God and Men and in our Meetings we practise our hearts and minds in Godliness and speak of the things of the Kingdom of God in Preaching the Word of God and in Prayer to Him according as His holy Spirit guideth us which is given us of God to lead us into all Truth according to his Promise Ioh. 16. 13. and that we may edifie one another in the wayes of Holiness and Truth for the benefit of our Souls and this is according to the Scriptures For they that feared the Lord met often together and spake one to another and edified one another And this is our Principle That it is our Duty to Godwards to meet together and that he requires it of us and for the exercise of our Consciences to Him it hath been alwayes and is our practice to meet together in the exercise of the Worship of God as aforesaid and not for any other end as in Contempt of Authority or to plot or contrive or to meditate Evil towards the King or his Government or any of his Subjects We have no such e●●l I say in meeting together but our alone only and absolute End in our Meeting is to worship the Lord our God and to serve Him and to wait upon Him in Obedience to his Will and for good Conscience sake as our Duty towards Him II. And this our practice of Meeting together for the End and Cause mentioned if it be in Publick Houses or more private in Upper Chambers or in the Open Fields on what day soever is lawful and just in the sight of God and is according to the Example of the Primitive Saints and provable by the Scriptures As in Acts 1. 13 14. And when the Disciples and Saints returned from Jerusalem they went up into an Upper Chamber both Men and VVomen and waited upon the Lord and continued with one accord in Prayer and in Supplication And in Acts 20. 7 8. The first day of the week the Saints met together and Paul preached unto them and continued his Sermon till midnight holding forth the matters of the Kingdom of God and they were met an an Vpper Chamber from whence Eutychus fell down And Acts 28. 30 31. And Paul remained two fall years preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in his own hired house in Rome and he exhorted the Saints not to neglect meeting together as the manner of some was whom he reproved Heb. 10. 25. By which