Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	faith_n	religion_n	true_a	4,659	5	4.8297	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52706	A letter from a gentleman in the city to a gentleman in the country, about the odiousness of persecution wherein the rise and end of the penal laws for religion in this kingdom, are consider'd : occasioned by the late rigorous proceedings against sober dissenters, by certain angry justices in the country.	A. N.; Penn, William, 1644-1718.	1687 (1687)	Wing N3; Wing L1388A_CANCELLED; ESTC R9450	23,013	34

to_o admit_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o papist_n hear_v to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n against_o the_o protestant_n in_o so_o great_a a_o matter_n yet_o let_v we_o not_o deceive_v ourselves_o so_o far_o as_o to_o suppose_v that_o in_o popish_a country_n the_o charge_n of_o papist_n against_o protestant_n will_v not_o be_v take_v to_o be_v at_o the_o least_o as_o valid_a as_o the_o charge_n of_o protestant_n will_v be_v take_v to_o be_v against_o papist_n here_o shall_v we_o go_v another_o way_n and_o say_v that_o in_o regard_n every_o party_n take_v itself_o to_o be_v the_o only_a good_a and_o true_a christian_a and_o in_o regard_n we_o see_v every_o party_n when_o in_o power_n practise_v this_o thing_n and_o persecute_v the_o other_o when_o in_o their_o power_n for_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n that_o therefore_o every_o party_n agree_v in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o those_o who_o be_v the_o true_a christian_n to_o make_v and_o execute_v penal_a law_n against_o such_o as_o be_v erroneous_a christian_n and_o to_o inflict_v pain_n and_o penalty_n upon_o they_o for_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n that_o be_v for_o error_n hold_v by_o they_o as_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n but_o neither_o will_v this_o be_v reasonable_a or_o convenient_a for_o this_o will_v also_o give_v title_n to_o those_o who_o have_v the_o actual_a power_n and_o be_v in_o the_o possession_n of_o each_o respective_a government_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n to_o put_v to_o death_n and_o destroy_v all_o within_o their_o respective_a jurisdiction_n who_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v erroneous_a christian_n and_o this_o will_v be_v also_o to_o entitle_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o every_o christian_a country_n to_o the_o absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a right_n of_o judge_v between_o truth_n and_o error_n so_o as_o to_o have_v no_o appeal_n from_o his_o definitive_a judgement_n and_o to_o entail_v against_o common_a sense_n a_o infallibility_n in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n of_o every_o country_n of_o determine_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n i_o say_v against_o common_a sense_n for_o christianity_n teach_v we_o that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o true_a faith_n and_o if_o this_o power_n of_o judge_v shall_v be_v allow_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o faith_n as_o there_o be_v government_n among_o christian_n that_o will_v be_v true_a faith_n in_o one_o country_n and_o the_o denial_n of_o it_o punishable_a with_o death_n which_o in_o another_o country_n will_v be_v a_o error_n and_o a_o false_a faith_n and_o the_o affirm_v of_o it_o punishable_a with_o death_n it_o will_v also_o be_v to_o justify_v not_o only_o what_o the_o papist_n in_o england_n but_o what_o both_o the_o papist_n and_o protestant_n in_o all_o other_o part_v cast_v as_o a_o charge_n upon_o our_o nation_n that_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n in_o england_n be_v the_o parliament_n of_o england_n that_o nothing_o be_v true_a christian_a doctrine_n in_o england_n nor_o any_o translation_n or_o sense_n or_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n a_o true_a translation_n or_o sense_n or_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n in_o england_n but_o what_o be_v judge_v so_o to_o be_v by_o the_o parliament_n of_o england_n whereas_o though_o in_o the_o statute_n make_v 2_o 3_o edw._n 6._o c._n 1_o entitle_v a_o act_n for_o the_o uniformity_n of_o service_n and_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n throughout_o the_o realm_n it_o be_v affirm_v by_o that_o parliament_n that_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n enjoin_v by_o that_o statute_n to_o be_v use_v be_v make_v by_o the_o aid_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o that_o very_a book_n be_v by_o that_o very_a parliament_n alter_v and_o amend_v as_o appear_v by_o statute_n 5_o edw._n 6._o c._n 1._o and_o it_o have_v receive_v several_a reformation_n and_o amendment_n since_o and_o be_v in_o and_o by_o a_o parliament_n in_o q._n marys_n day_n judge_v to_o be_v heretical_a as_o to_o my_o own_o judgement_n in_o this_o particular_a affair_n it_o lead_v i_o to_o another_o way_n of_o reason_v and_o discourse_v i_o do_v and_o i_o think_v i_o be_o bind_v in_o charity_n to_o believe_v that_o every_o person_n and_o party_n who_o profess_v christianity_n do_v at_o least_o intend_v to_o be_v what_o they_o profess_v and_o that_o they_o do_v all_o in_o their_o heart_n full_o give_v consent_n unto_o all_o those_o common_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n which_o as_o stand_v principle_n of_o that_o pure_a religion_n be_v never_o question_v or_o deny_v by_o any_o sort_n of_o christian_n such_o as_o be_v those_o which_o i_o have_v before_o observe_v of_o do_v unto_o other_o as_o we_o will_v have_v other_o do_v unto_o we_o and_o of_o not_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o and_o those_o other_o of_o love_v our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o yea_o and_o of_o love_v our_o very_a enemy_n and_o do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o who_o hate_v we_o and_o use_v we_o despiteful_o all_o which_o when_o sober_o consider_v without_o passion_n or_o humane_a interest_n be_v express_o against_o all_o persecution_n for_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n and_o do_v not_o only_o tie_v up_o protestant_n from_o destroy_v of_o protestant_n but_o even_o from_o persecute_v of_o any_o sort_n for_o any_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n as_o those_o command_n thou_o shall_v do_v no_o murder_n thou_o shall_v not_o steal_v thou_o shall_v not_o commit_v adultery_n and_o against_o and_o tie_v up_o all_o christian_n from_o shed_v of_o blood_n unlawful_o and_o malicious_o and_o against_o rapine_n and_o uncleanness_n and_o such_o do_v also_o in_o their_o heart_n believe_v that_o whatever_o counsel_n or_o work_n be_v of_o man_n will_v fall_v of_o itself_o and_o that_o what_o be_v of_o god_n will_v stand_v maugre_o all_o the_o persecution_n and_o opposition_n of_o man_n and_o that_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o do_v intend_v to_o fight_v against_o god_n or_o will_v willing_o be_v find_v so_o do_v all_o this_o be_v take_v by_o i_o in_o my_o own_o thought_n to_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a when_o ever_o i_o come_v to_o inquire_v how_o then_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v how_o can_v all_o these_o party_n among_o which_o there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o good_a sober_a judicious_a and_o sincere_a person_n offend_v against_o these_o common_a principle_n of_o the_o common_a faith_n of_o all_o christian_n by_o make_v and_o execute_v penal_a law_n for_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n immediate_o adjoin_v to_o this_o another_o question_n which_o be_v and_o how_o can_v so_o many_o person_n profess_v to_o be_v christian_n take_v revenge_n by_o blood_n usurp_v the_o good_n of_o their_o neighour_n and_o commit_v the_o sin_n of_o uncleanness_n yet_o all_o these_o be_v once_o do_v by_o that_o great_a and_o good_a king_n and_o prophet_n who_o be_v a_o man_n after_o god_n own_o heart_n that_o which_o to_o i_o answer_v this_o latter_a question_n seem_v clear_o to_o solve_v the_o former_a that_o the_o beast_n get_v the_o better_a of_o the_o man_n the_o passion_n commit_v a_o force_n upon_o reason_n and_o humane_a frailty_n be_v too_o weak_a bring_v the_o best_a of_o man_n sometime_o though_o but_o for_o a_o time_n and_o careless_a man_n oftentimes_o to_o contradict_v their_o faith_n by_o their_o practice_n until_o by_o affliction_n they_o gain_v understanding_n and_o come_v to_o repentance_n for_o the_o save_v of_o their_o soul_n this_o to_o i_o seem_v so_o evident_a a_o truth_n that_o until_o something_o more_o evident_a shall_v convince_v i_o of_o my_o be_v mistake_v in_o this_o i_o shall_v think_v it_o as_o great_a a_o sin_n against_o charity_n for_o i_o to_o charge_v it_o as_o a_o principle_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o any_o party_n profess_v to_o be_v christian_n that_o persecution_n for_o mere_a religion_n be_v lawful_a because_o i_o see_v it_o practise_v by_o those_o who_o have_v power_n among_o that_o party_n as_o to_o charge_v the_o same_o party_n to_o hold_v it_o as_o a_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n that_o murder_n theft_n and_o adultery_n be_v lawful_a because_o great_a number_n of_o that_o party_n be_v too_o often_o guilty_a of_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o sin_n if_o this_o way_n of_o consider_v thing_n be_v not_o find_v unreasonable_a but_o upon_o due_a reflection_n shall_v appear_v to_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o true_a principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o holy_a rule_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n i_o hope_v those_o who_o be_v public_a person_n will_v forgive_v i_o when_o i_o wish_v they_o will_v lay_v it_o to_o their_o heart_n and_o think_v well_o whether_o it_o will_v not_o be_v of_o use_n to_o preserve_v this_o poor_a nation_n from_o the_o further_a guilt_n of_o those_o additional_a injustice_n and_o cruelty_n which_o the_o contrary_a way_n of_o rash_a judge_n must_v involve_v and_o

a_o letter_n from_o a_o gentleman_z in_o the_o city_n to_o a_o gentleman_z in_o the_o country_z about_o the_o odiousness_n of_o persecution_n wherein_o the_o rise_n and_o end_v of_o the_o penal_a law_n for_o religion_n in_o this_o kingdom_n be_v consider_v occasion_v by_o the_o late_a rigorous_a proceed_n against_o sober_a dissenter_n by_o certain_a angry_a justice_n in_o the_o country_z it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o the_o christian-religion_n to_o suffer_v and_o not_o to_o make_v people_n suffer_v for_o religion_n tertul._n apol._n print_a in_o the_o year_n 1687._o the_o letter_n sir_n the_o news_n of_o a_o persecution_n mere_o for_o a_o matter_n of_o religion_n at_o this_o time_n a_o day_n when_o the_o whole_a nation_n appear_v profess_o to_o dislike_n it_o and_o the_o give_a countenance_n to_o informer_n who_o be_v the_o pest_n of_o every_o nation_n and_o the_o common_a enemy_n of_o property_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o peaceable_a and_o trading_n people_n make_v your_o friend_n who_o have_v have_v notice_n of_o your_o late_a trouble_n suspect_v that_o there_o be_v something_o in_o your_o case_n more_o than_o ordinary_a have_v this_o fall_v out_o in_o some_o remote_a country_n where_o no_o informer_n have_v ever_o yet_o appear_v we_o may_v have_v conceive_v that_o through_o ignorance_n that_o sort_n of_o devil_n may_v have_v be_v mistake_v for_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n and_o that_o upon_o his_o bare_a averrment_n some_o well-meaning_a person_n even_o against_o their_o own_o experience_n may_v have_v be_v induce_v to_o mistake_v their_o peaceable_a neighbour_n for_o dangerous_a incendiary_n and_o unworthy_a to_o enjoy_v their_o own_o proper_a good_n but_o to_o see_v that_o sort_n of_o creature_n concern_v a_o country_n so_o near_o london_n and_o westminster_n as_o not_o to_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v what_o informer_n be_v how_o detestable_a their_o trade_n how_o inconsiderable_a their_o power_n how_o general_o indigent_a and_o dissolute_a how_o mean_v their_o skill_n how_o little_a they_o know_v more_o than_o to_o subborn_a witness_n to_o commit_v perjury_n which_o be_v discover_v to_o their_o confusion_n be_v that_o which_o raise_v wonder_n in_o some_o of_o your_o friend_n to_o so_o great_a a_o height_n that_o they_o general_o request_v from_o your_o own_o hand_n the_o true_a state_n of_o your_o case_n in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v know_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n which_o can_v differ_v it_o from_o the_o common_a case_n of_o persecution_n mere_o for_o religion_n from_o which_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o country-gentleman_n of_o england_n and_o particular_o those_o of_o the_o country_n where_o you_o live_v do_v common_o profess_v to_o have_v as_o great_a a_o abhorrency_n as_o they_o have_v from_o depopulate_v of_o country_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n that_o such_o persecution_n must_v of_o necessity_n produce_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n do_v not_o i_o pray_v take_v i_o to_o be_v one_o who_o think_v it_o strange_a to_o hear_v of_o trouble_n what_o have_v be_v former_o may_v happen_v again_o without_o astonishment_n and_o you_o be_v too_o well_o know_v to_o be_v think_v to_o be_v surprise_v or_o afraid_a well_o do_v that_o person_n consider_v the_o creature_n man_n who_o distinguish_v he_o into_o two_o part_n viz._n the_o man_n and_o the_o beast_n but_o it_o be_v happy_a for_o mankind_n if_o the_o beast_n be_v less_o imperious_a and_o cruel_a in_o truth_n it_o be_v rare_a to_o find_v where_o the_o man_n be_v allow_v to_o have_v any_o power_n in_o act_v every_o thing_n seem_v too_o much_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o beast_n and_o by_o the_o tyranny_n of_o its_o inordinate_a passion_n and_o sense_n and_o yet_o where_o shall_v one_o find_v a_o single_a person_n in_o the_o world_n who_o call_v himself_o a_o christian_n or_o that_o party_n of_o man_n who_o desire_v to_o be_v esteem_v christian_n but_o he_o and_o they_o will_v ready_o grant_v that_o principle_n mat._n 7._o 12._o all_o thing_n whatsoever_o you_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v do_v to_o you_o do_v even_o so_o to_o they_o for_o this_o be_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o that_o other_o principle_n rom._n 3._o 8._o let_v we_o not_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v to_o be_v gospel-principle_n and_o oblige_v to_o all_o mankind_n there_o be_v not_o a_o politician_n or_o statesman_n nor_o a_o government_n any_o where_o that_o own_v christianity_n to_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n but_o confess_v that_o in_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v assemble_v in_o order_n to_o the_o persecute_v of_o the_o apostle_n for_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n gamaliel_n advise_v prudent_o and_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o true_a religion_n act_v 5._o let_v they_o alone_o for_o if_o this_o counsel_n or_o this_o work_n be_v of_o man_n it_o will_v come_v to_o nought_o but_o if_o it_o be_v of_o god_n we_o can_v overthrow_v it_o least_o happy_o we_o be_v find_v even_o to_o fight_v against_o god._n they_o will_v all_o confess_v ready_o when_o press_v with_o these_o charitable_a and_o peaceable_a principle_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o persecute_v for_o mere_a religion_n be_v a_o spirit_n of_o injustice_n as_o not_o do_v to_o other_o as_o ourselves_o will_v be_v do_v unto_o and_o a_o spirit_n of_o diffidence_n and_o incredulity_n refuse_v to_o trust_v god_n and_o his_o providence_n with_o the_o defence_n and_o justification_n of_o what_o be_v profess_v to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o find_v that_o single_a person_n and_o much_o more_o to_o name_n tha●_n community_n or_o government_n among_o christian_n now_o in_o be_v who_o practice_n when_o they_o have_v opportunity_n and_o power_n be_v not_o contrary_a to_o their_o principle_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o they_o will_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o justify_v such_o practice_n to_o be_v consistent_a with_o nay_o even_o duty_n unto_o which_o they_o be_v oblige_v by_o that_o pure_a religion_n which_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o profess_v to_o the_o whole_a world._n but_o to_o the_o end_n i_o may_v not_o be_v esteem_v presumptuous_a or_o uncharitable_a in_o what_o i_o here_o assert_v and_o in_o regard_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o produce_v evident_a proof_n for_o what_o i_o say_v as_o touch_v single_a person_n let_v we_o a_o little_a examine_v the_o matter_n as_o to_o party_n and_o government_n take_v this_o for_o grant_v that_o every_o particular_a party_n call_v itself_o a_o true_a church_n or_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n if_o what_o be_v here_o urge_v of_o differ_v church_n shall_v be_v prove_v true_a the_o presumption_n will_v stand_v very_o strong_a as_o to_o single_a person_n there_o be_v no_o single_a person_n who_o will_v be_v esteem_v a_o christian_a but_o he_o be_v in_o communion_n or_o fellowship_n with_o some_o church_n which_o he_o own_v to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o who_o judgement_n he_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v conclude_v as_o be_v a_o profess_a member_n of_o it_o and_o as_o take_v it_o for_o his_o principle_n that_o every_o member_n of_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n ought_v to_o be_v of_o her_o judgement_n because_o the_o scripture_n say_v she_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o though_o some_o boggle_v at_o this_o yet_o nothing_o be_v true_a than_o that_o every_o christian_a society_n daily_o practise_v it_o now_o the_o better_a to_o prepare_v the_o way_n for_o this_o intend_a trial_n we_o will_v crave_v the_o liberty_n first_o to_o consider_v christianity_n in_o the_o world_n in_o general_n in_o its_o first_o age_n when_o it_o be_v under_o persecution_n for_o mere_a matter_n of_o religion_n and_o before_o it_o gain_v any_o civil_a power_n and_o dominion_n from_o they_o we_o shall_v know_v what_o the_o true_a christianity_n do_v teach_v we_o will_v then_o consider_v christianity_n in_o england_n when_o divide_v only_o into_o two_o distinct_a party_n viz._n the_o protestant_n and_o the_o papist_n and_o in_o the_o last_o place_n we_o will_v consider_v christianity_n in_o england_n when_o the_o protestant_n be_v subdivide_v into_o several_a party_n viz._n the_o episcopal_a or_o church_n of_o england_n protestant_n the_o presbyterian_o the_o independent_n the_o anabaptist_n and_o the_o quaker_n and_o when_o the_o papist_n be_v become_v so_o small_a that_o they_o be_v upon_o the_o matter_n inconsiderable_a and_o i_o suppose_v from_o these_o differ_a time_n we_o may_v hope_v for_o a_o reasonable_a information_n first_o then_o suppose_v the_o question_n put_v to_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o and_o primitive_a time_n in_o those_o first_o and_o great_a persecution_n under_o which_o christianity_n then_o suffer_v be_v it_o lawful_a to_o persecute_v and_o to_o make_v and_o execute_v law_n for_o the_o inflict_v of_o pain_n and_o penalty_n upon_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a people_n

that_o very_a religion_n which_o those_o person_n profess_v by_o who_o those_o law_n be_v make_v yet_o true_a religion_n and_o true_a reason_n of_o state_n always_o keep_v those_o person_n from_o intend_v to_o have_v those_o law_n rigid_o and_o severe_o execute_v i_o will_v confirm_v this_o by_o one_o single_a instance_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n and_o that_o not_o in_o the_o best_a of_o time_n the_o last_o popish_a priest_n that_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o england_n for_o be_v a_o priest_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o time_n of_o cromwell_n i_o suppose_v we_o be_v not_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o passionate_a heat_n which_o inflame_v those_o who_o be_v then_o in_o authority_n against_o the_o papist_n and_o popery_n they_o look_v on_o the_o papist_n as_o mortal_a enemy_n to_o their_o government_n and_o as_o fast_a friend_n and_o devote_a servant_n to_o the_o crown_n and_o royal_a family_n notwithstanding_o which_o when_o the_o say_a priest_n come_v upon_o his_o trial_n at_o the_o sessions-house_n in_o the_o old-bailey_n in_o london_n and_o upon_o his_o arraignment_n plead_v that_o he_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o treason_n but_o acknowledge_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o priest_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n it_o clear_o appear_v that_o those_o who_o be_v his_o judge_n do_v their_o utmost_a to_o preserve_v his_o life_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o execution_n against_o he_o of_o those_o law_n upon_o which_o he_o stand_v indict_v for_o they_o do_v for_o many_o hour_n suspend_v the_o record_v of_o his_o confession_n make_v it_o their_o endeavour_n to_o prevail_v with_o he_o to_o plead_v not_o gluilty_a to_o the_o indictment_n they_o press_v he_o to_o this_o in_o the_o public_a court_n assure_v he_o that_o if_o he_o will_v so_o plead_v his_o life_n shall_v be_v safe_a and_o that_o they_o have_v no_o evidence_n which_o can_v prove_v he_o to_o be_v a_o priest_n and_o when_o the_o old_a man_n age_v about_o seventy_o two_o year_n will_v not_o be_v draw_v to_o deny_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o priest_n take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o deny_v of_o his_o religion_n and_o that_o the_o court_n be_v compel_v to_o give_v judgement_n against_o he_o the_o magistrate_n who_o give_v the_o sentence_n be_v so_o drown_v in_o tear_n upon_o that_o sad_a occasion_n that_o it_o be_v long_o before_o he_o can_v pronounce_v the_o sentence_n which_o the_o law_n compel_v as_o he_o profess_v to_o give_v now_o i_o ask_v can_v it_o be_v presume_v that_o in_o those_o severe_a time_n against_o popery_n those_o who_o then_o sit_v upon_o the_o seat_n of_o justice_n will_v or_o dare_v have_v proceed_v thus_o in_o a_o public_a out_o and_o make_v it_o their_o business_n so_o open_o so_o avowed_o to_o have_v save_v the_o life_n of_o a_o priest_n of_o that_o party_n if_o they_o have_v not_o well_o consider_v that_o the_o maker_n of_o those_o law_n and_o even_o cromwell_n who_o have_v then_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o government_n of_o these_o nation_n do_v not_o in_o truth_n intend_v a_o rigid_a and_o severe_a execution_n of_o those_o law_n which_o be_v for_o inflict_v pain_n and_o penalty_n for_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n but_o i_o think_v i_o need_v give_v no_o further_a instance_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o my_o opinion_n whosoever_o shall_v reflect_v upon_o the_o present_a genius_n of_o our_o whole_a nation_n and_o consider_v in_o what_o detestation_n all_o man_n have_v the_o execution_n of_o persecute_v law_n of_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n how_o public_o informer_n be_v abhor_v and_o discountenance_v when_o they_o labour_v to_o persecute_v any_o upon_o any_o such_o law_n will_v easy_o see_v that_o the_o whole_a nation_n in_o general_n be_v convince_v that_o those_o law_n be_v never_o any_o of_o they_o make_v with_o intention_n to_o have_v they_o rigid_o execute_v i_o have_v be_v tell_v and_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v ground_v upon_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o our_o law_n that_o even_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o be_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o against_o reason_n be_v void_a in_o itself_o if_o this_o be_v true_a as_o methinks_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v i_o think_v we_o be_v very_o near_o the_o time_n wherein_o all_o our_o present_a law_n of_o this_o nature_n by_o which_o any_o be_v subject_a to_o be_v in_o any_o measure_n persecute_v for_o matter_n of_o mere_a religion_n will_v be_v repeal_v by_o the_o general_a voice_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n and_o that_o when_o the_o particular_a person_n of_o which_o the_o great_a body_n of_o this_o nation_n be_v compose_v shall_v have_v consider_v something_o more_o deliberate_o than_o their_o passion_n have_v yet_o permit_v all_o to_o do_v that_o every_o law_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v against_o the_o liberty_n and_o property_n of_o the_o subject_n of_o england_n unjust_a and_o cruel_a in_o punish_v man_n for_o not_o proceed_v against_o their_o conscience_n express_o against_o the_o very_a principle_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o principle_n of_o that_o true_a religion_n which_o every_o one_o of_o we_o pretend_v to_o own_o destructive_a to_o the_o trade_n and_o wellbeing_a of_o our_o nation_n by_o oppress_v and_o drive_v away_o the_o most_o industrious_a work_v hand_n of_o our_o nation_n and_o depopulate_v and_o thereby_o impoverish_v our_o country_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o employ_v three_o time_n the_o number_n of_o people_n which_o we_o now_o have_v contradictory_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n ground_v upon_o common_a reason_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n which_o require_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v do_v unto_o another_o what_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v unto_o himself_o and_o consequent_o void_a in_o itself_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o law_n of_o our_o country_n there_o will_v not_o be_v find_v a_o magistrate_n nay_o a_o common_a subject_n in_o england_n who_o will_v not_o as_o positive_o renounce_v the_o put_n in_o execution_n or_o be_v accessary_a to_o the_o execute_n of_o any_o law_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o he_o will_v renounce_v the_o become_a guilty_a of_o those_o detestable_a sin_n of_o murder_n or_o theft_n but_o until_o man_n be_v a_o little_a further_o convince_v of_o these_o truth_n you_o sir_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v angry_a with_o but_o rather_o pity_v those_o magistrate_n from_o who_o hand_n you_o have_v late_o suffer_v for_o a_o matter_n mere_o of_o religion_n peradventure_o they_o do_v not_o full_o consider_v that_o the_o matter_n with_o which_o you_o be_v charge_v be_v a_o thing_n of_o mere_a religion_n but_o take_v your_o meeting_n in_o a_o assembly_n mere_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n to_o be_v a_o unlawful_a assembly_n because_o prohibit_v by_o a_o present_a law_n as_o the_o poor_a magistrate_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n take_v their_o meeting_n in_o their_o assembly_n mere_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n to_o be_v unlawful_a assembly_n and_o breach_n of_o the_o peace_n because_o they_o be_v prohibit_v by_o their_o law_n or_o perhaps_o their_o fear_n that_o they_o shall_v themselves_o be_v subject_a to_o a_o forfeiture_n in_o case_n they_o shall_v have_v deny_v their_o warrant_n to_o the_o informer_n make_v they_o fall_v under_o that_o humane_a frailty_n for_o secure_v of_o themselves_o however_o it_o be_v i_o suppose_v you_o have_v no_o just_a ground_n to_o believe_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v any_o effect_n of_o malice_n against_o you_o or_o your_o friend_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o than_o the_o same_o magistrate_n now_o their_o fear_n be_v over_o may_v yet_o be_v instrumental_a to_o do_v you_o and_o themselves_o right_o it_o be_v odds_o but_o upon_o a_o strict_a reflection_n upon_o what_o the_o informer_n have_v swear_v the_o devil_n may_v have_v prevail_v with_o he_o to_o swear_v something_o which_o may_v be_v prove_v untrue_a for_o informer_n be_v not_o squeamish_a in_o swear_v for_o their_o own_o profit_n as_o it_o have_v appear_v in_o london_n and_o middlesex_n and_o one_o point_n of_o perjury_n prove_v will_v invalidate_v all_o his_o testimony_n and_o reverse_v all_o that_o be_v do_v at_o which_o i_o be_o very_o confident_a no_o man_n beside_o the_o informer_n will_v be_v displease_v and_o this_o be_v in_o plain_a truth_n the_o great_a reason_n why_o your_o friend_n here_o desire_v to_o know_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o your_o case_n the_o certify_n of_o which_o may_v be_v a_o advantage_n to_o yourself_o and_o your_o friend_n there_o and_o will_v be_v particular_o very_o welcome_a unto_o sir_n your_o old_a true_a friend_n and_o humble_a servant_n a._n n._n postscript_n i_o have_v here-omitted_n many_o of_o those_o great_a argument_n both_o which_o other_o have_v use_v and_o which_o may_v yet_o be_v advance_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o subject_a partly_o because_o there_o be_v so_o many_o discourse_n extant_a and_o