Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
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B26348
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The prodigal return'd home, or, The motives of the conversion to the Catholick faith of E.L., Master of Arts in the University of Cambridge
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E. L. (E. Lydeott)
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1684
(1684)
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Wing L3525
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135,459
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418
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rely_v we_o have_v only_o a_o firm_a and_o rational_a belief_n of_o reveal_v verity_n constant_a and_o immovable_a among_o all_o the_o change_n of_o sect_n and_o heretic_n true_a it_o be_v in_o every_o act_n of_o faith_n there_o be_v use_v of_o reason_n whether_o it_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n reveal_v or_o the_o church_n propose_v for_o we_o captivate_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n because_o we_o judge_v nothing_o more_o reasonable_a than_o to_o believe_v god_n and_o we_o secure_o rely_v upon_o his_o church_n who_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o assist_v with_o infallibility_n in_o such_o proposal_n but_o shall_v we_o say_v therefore_o that_o reason_n be_v the_o prime_n intrinsical_a motive_n of_o faith_n and_o into_o which_o it_o final_o be_v resolve_v nothing_o less_o for_o this_o discourse_n and_o approbation_n of_o reason_n be_v but_o necessary_o previous_a and_o antecedent_n to_o our_o deliberate_a and_o rational_a act_n of_o faith_n the_o act_n themselves_o be_v act_n of_o the_o understanding_n not_o discourse_v but_o pure_o assent_v which_o assent_n be_v not_o for_o reason_n sake_n but_o for_o authority_n be_v the_o last_o resolution_n into_o the_o judgement_n of_o private_a reason_n faith_n can_v not_o be_v divine_a or_o supernatural_a reason_n indeed_o produce_v a_o act_n of_o faith_n as_o well_o in_o catholic_n as_o protestant_n but_o with_o a_o vast_a difference_n for_o a_o protestant_n believe_v such_o a_o truth_n to_o be_v from_o god_n rely_v upon_o his_o reason_n only_o that_o it_o be_v reveal_v and_o this_o assent_n be_v not_o rational_a because_o his_o ground_n be_v deceitful_a but_o in_o a_o catholic_n reason_n act_v only_o so_o far_o in_o point_n of_o belief_n as_o to_o bring_v he_o to_o authority_n declare_v such_o truth_n to_o be_v sufficient_o reveal_v by_o almighty_a god_n which_o he_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n suspect_v to_o be_v fallible_a in_o such_o declaration_n i_o believe_v this_o say_v a_o protestant_n because_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o it_o be_v reveal_v and_o will_v allow_v no_o other_o judge_n of_o this_o revelation_n i_o believe_v this_o say_v a_o catholic_n because_o a_o infallible_a authority_n assure_v i_o iâ—_n be_v reveal_v and_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o there_o be_v no_o other_o sufficient_a ground_n or_o evidence_n for_o divine_a faith_n and_o therefore_o give_v up_o my_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o church_n and_o which_o of_o these_o principle_n be_v more_o safe_a and_o rational_a let_v reason_n judge_v three_o i_o demand_v of_o these_o rationalist_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o heresy_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o it_o be_v oportet_fw-la esse_fw-la haereses_fw-la 19_o 1_o cor._n 11._o 19_o etc._n etc._n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n st._n paul_n have_v say_v it_o and_o that_o be_v sufficient_a and_o as_o for_o what_o it_o be_v it_o be_v well_o know_v the_o church_n have_v always_o teach_v that_o heresy_n be_v the_o voluntary_a election_n of_o some_o private_a opinion_n contradict_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v account_v a_o heretic_n who_o neglect_v the_o church_n authority_n with_o a_o stubborn_a mind_n defend_v wicked_a opinion_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v admit_v their_o new_a definition_n that_o heresy_n be_v to_o contradict_v any_o fundamental_a point_n express_o contain_v in_o scripture_n in_o my_o poor_a judgement_n according_a to_o such_o a_o definition_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o heresy_n or_o heretic_n but_o both_o arian_n anabaptist_n fanatic_n etc._n etc._n be_v as_o good_a catholic_n as_o any_o christian_n of_o the_o world_n for_o if_o private_a reason_n be_v the_o only_a judge_n of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n for_o every_o one_o to_o rely_v upon_o these_o and_o all_o other_o condemn_v heretic_n the_o montanist_n except_v rely_v upon_o the_o write_a word_n as_o interpret_v by_o reason_n with_o sober_a enquiry_n and_o real_a endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o truth_n can_v just_o be_v so_o repute_v the_o arian_n have_v so_o much_o reason_n and_o scripture_n too_o in_o the_o bare_a letter_n on_o their_o side_n that_o take_v away_o the_o church_n infallibility_n and_o universal_a tradition_n interpret_n and_o deliver_v to_o we_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o the_o controversy_n will_v never_o be_v decide_v all_o place_n will_v swarm_v with_o nestorian_n eutychian_o anti-trinitarians_a barengarians_n anabaptist_n etc._n etc._n neither_o can_v we_o condemn_v they_o if_o this_o principle_n be_v good_a for_o do_v their_o duty_n in_o follow_v scripture_n as_o the_o light_n of_o their_o own_o private_a reason_n or_o spirit_n dictate_v to_o they_o let_v they_o not_o say_v that_o these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v just_o condemn_v for_o contradict_v express_a scripture_n against_o their_o knowledge_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n for_o they_o must_v remember_v first_o that_o themselves_o do_v not_o condemn_v the_o anabaptist_n upon_o only_a scripture_n ground_n second_o that_o it_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v that_o all_o fundamental_a point_n be_v not_o so_o express_v in_o scripture_n as_o they_o imagine_v and_o three_o that_o it_o be_v most_o uncharitable_a to_o say_v that_o all_o those_o who_o they_o condemn_v for_o heretic_n do_v against_o their_o own_o knowledge_n and_o conscience_n contradict_v the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n and_o run_v headlong_o to_o hell_n with_o their_o eye_n open_a can_v we_o possible_o imagine_v that_o among_o so_o many_o million_o of_o arian_n there_o be_v not_o one_o single_a person_n have_v any_o conscience_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o many_o heretic_n have_v and_o do_v live_v virtuous_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n for_o who_o know_v not_o that_o satan_n sometime_o transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n and_o while_o they_o profess_v and_o protest_v that_o if_o it_o be_v once_o make_v apparent_a to_o they_o that_o their_o tenet_n be_v against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n they_o will_v not_o one_o minute_n persist_v in_o they_o we_o judge_v it_o uncharitable_a to_o affirm_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o protestation_n of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o real_a though_o misguide_v zeal_n they_o all_o wilful_o sin_n against_o the_o light_n and_o knowledge_n of_o their_o conscience_n we_o catholic_n indeed_o assert_v that_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o credibility_n be_v produce_v by_o we_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o heretical_a opinion_n and_o dangerous_a state_n without_o repentance_n but_o withal_o we_o say_v that_o god_n in_o his_o just_a judgement_n which_o be_v inscrutable_a suffer_v they_o through_o strong_a delusion_n to_o believe_v lie_n in_o that_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n be_v veil_v from_o their_o eye_n by_o passion_n or_o prejudice_n or_o worldly_a interest_n while_o they_o so_o continue_v and_o we_o pray_v for_o they_o in_o hope_n that_o the_o father_n of_o infinite_a mercy_n will_v in_o his_o good_a time_n discover_v truth_n unto_o they_o and_o bring_v they_o home_o unto_o his_o church_n but_o for_o these_o rationalist_n to_o damn_v all_o those_o who_o they_o esteem_v heretic_n as_o contradictor_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n against_o their_o conscience_n and_o knowledge_n be_v a_o censure_n most_o unreasonable_a and_o little_o beseem_v such_o who_o life_n be_v not_o so_o gospellike_a but_o that_o many_o sectary_n who_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o fundamental_o may_v just_o be_v repute_v at_o least_o as_o conscientious_a and_o in_o charity_n can_v be_v think_v otherwise_o all_o which_o due_o consider_v plain_o prove_v that_o they_o must_v either_o change_v their_o judge_n of_o controversy_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n or_o give_v we_o some_o new_a rule_n to_o discover_v heresy_n and_o withal_o that_o if_o they_o will_v stick_v close_o to_o this_o principle_n they_o must_v maintain_v that_o all_o the_o general_a council_n of_o the_o church_n even_o that_o celebrate_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v mere_a tyrannical_a usurpation_n in_o oblige_v all_o christian_n to_o believe_v and_o practice_n according_a to_o their_o decree_n whatever_o their_o private_a reason_n can_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_n four_o in_o vain_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n have_v jesus_n christ_n institute_v authoritative_a overseer_n and_o governor_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o perfect_a etc._n eph._n 4._o 11_o 12_o etc._n etc._n the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n till_o we_o all_o come_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n if_o every_o one_o must_v acknowledge_v no_o visible_a authority_n upon_o earth_n to_o have_v any_o oblige_a power_n over_o he_o in_o doctrine_n appertain_v to_o god_n but_o be_v his_o own_o teacher_n in_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o private_a reason_n five_o if_o every_o one_o be_v send_v to_o scripture_n to_o compose_v a_o creed_n for_o himself_o
can_v give_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o her_o child_n to_o separate_v from_o her_o communion_n except_o they_o will_v say_v christ_n have_v not_o leave_v his_o church_n sufficient_a mean_n to_o maintain_v unity_n beside_o the_o father_n tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v just_a cause_n for_o any_o to_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n st._n iraeneus_n be_v very_o plain_a it_o be_v impossible_a to_o receive_v such_o a_o injury_n or_o provocation_n from_o the_o hear_v l._n adver_o hear_v governor_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o make_v a_o separation_n excusable_a and_o st._n austin_n be_v as_o positive_a it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o just_a cause_n to_o make_v a_o separation_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o therefore_o antiquity_n 48._o epist_n 48._o judge_v a_o separation_n from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n how_o specious_a soever_o be_v the_o pretence_n of_o the_o divider_n to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n to_o prove_v such_o formal_a schismatic_n by_o the_o very_a matter_n of_o fact_n without_o any_o other_o argument_n i_o object_n to_o you_o the_o crime_n of_o schism_n say_v the_o same_o holy_a father_n to_o the_o donatist_n which_o petilian_n st_o aust_n count_v petilian_n you_o will_v deny_v and_o i_o will_v present_o prove_v because_o you_o do_v not_o communicate_v with_o all_o nation_n upon_o which_o ground_n if_o the_o ancient_a father_n be_v now_o live_v they_o must_v of_o necessity_n condemn_v protestant_n as_o well_o as_o arrian_n or_o donatist_n in_o their_o day_n and_o thus_o be_v condemn_v both_o by_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n for_o schismatic_n i_o know_v not_o what_o or_o who_o can_v justify_v their_o separation_n or_o the_o continuer_n and_o maintainer_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o the_o vote_n of_o a_o parliament_n who_o christ_n never_o make_v church_n governor_n nor_o judge_n in_o controversy_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v not_o the_o act_n of_o a_o national_a synod_n hold_v by_o a_o few_o schismatical_a bishop_n when_o such_o council_n even_o of_o catholic_n bishop_n may_v and_o have_v err_v it_o be_v not_o the_o consent_n of_o two_o university_n either_o for_o fear_n or_o flattery_n or_o self-interest_n renounce_v the_o papal_a authority_n in_o england_n and_o acknowledge_v the_o king_n supreme_a head_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o dominion_n it_o be_v not_o any_o or_o all_o of_o these_o can_v bear_v they_o out_o and_o make_v they_o innocent_a yea_o these_o consequent_a act_n make_v their_o schism_n far_o more_o inexcusable_a for_o what_o in_o the_o begin_n the_o height_n of_o passion_n may_v somewhat_o extenuate_v by_o this_o solemn_a deliberation_n become_v more_o voluntary_a and_o so_o aggravate_v the_o former_a malignity_n however_o notwithstanding_o this_o undeniable_a prevarication_n they_o have_v patch_v up_o some_o figleaf_n together_o to_o cover_v the_o nakedness_n of_o their_o schism_n and_o that_o they_o be_v no_o better_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v appear_v in_o the_o follow_a section_n sect_n iii_o wherein_o the_o protestant_n plea_n that_o they_o do_v not_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n but_o be_v forcible_o cast_v out_o from_o her_o communion_n and_o therefore_o the_o schism_n which_o be_v a_o voluntary_a recession_n from_o the_o church_n not_o imputable_a to_o they_o be_v answer_v see_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o first_o reformer_n be_v breed_v in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n communicate_v with_o she_o before_o this_o unhappy_a rapture_n to_o wipe_v off_o from_o they_o the_o odious_a crime_n of_o schism_n they_o lay_v the_o fault_n upon_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o cast_v they_o out_o by_o force_n from_o the_o communion_n whereas_o schism_n be_v a_o voluntary_a recession_n from_o the_o church_n and_o they_o be_v not_o they_o not_o separate_v themselves_o but_o be_v separate_v in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o say_v first_o that_o never_o be_v any_o heretic_n or_o schismatic_n even_o who_o they_o acknowledge_v for_o such_o in_o any_o age_n cast_v out_o from_o among_o the_o faithful_a by_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n for_o their_o contumacy_n but_o they_o may_v with_o as_o much_o show_n of_o reason_n use_v the_o same_o plea_n for_o their_o justification_n second_o how_o can_v they_o impute_v their_o separation_n to_o the_o church_n when_o after_o her_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o maintain_v unity_n they_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o communicate_v with_o she_o in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n herein_o prefer_v their_o own_o private_a opinion_n before_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n but_o three_o how_o frivolous_a this_o plea_n be_v will_v most_o manifest_o appear_v if_o they_o will_v but_o consider_v what_o be_v act_v by_o themselves_o whole_o antecedent_n to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o church_n have_v just_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o excommunicate_v such_o of_o her_o subject_n who_o deserve_v it_o be_v confess_v on_o all_o side_n yea_o that_o she_o be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v off_o corrupt_v and_o incorrigible_a member_n from_o the_o body_n of_o christianity_n lest_o other_o be_v infect_v with_o their_o error_n be_v plain_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n to_o enjoin_v the_o faithful_a to_o abstain_v from_o communion_n with_o those_o who_o pertinacious_o maintain_v a_o different_a faith_n from_o she_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v who_o know_v any_o thing_n in_o church-history_n now_o when_o they_o have_v voluntary_o recede_v from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o government_n of_o their_o catholic_n mother_n or_o if_o any_o compulsion_n appear_v in_o the_o business_n it_o be_v not_o on_o the_o church_n part_n but_o from_o their_o new_a spiritual_a head_n the_o king_n when_o they_o have_v demolish_v monastery_n seize_v on_o their_o revenue_n persecute_v the_o most_o conscientious_a of_o the_o clergy_n confiscate_v the_o estate_n of_o contradictor_n and_o put_v to_o death_n some_o most_o eminent_a for_o learning_n and_o piety_n because_o they_o will_v not_o prostitute_v their_o faith_n and_o conscience_n to_o the_o king_n assume_v authority_n in_o church_n affair_n when_o they_o have_v abolish_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o the_o church_n as_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a and_o cast_v out_o most_o of_o the_o sacrament_n as_o profane_v and_o unholy_a thing_n when_o they_o have_v mould_v a_o religion_n according_a to_o the_o policy_n of_o state_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o great_a one_o who_o have_v add_v to_o themselves_o by_o take_v from_o the_o church_n when_o they_o have_v forsake_v the_o only_a certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o make_v way_n for_o innumerable_a sect_n and_o subdivision_n which_o they_o have_v find_v too_o true_a by_o sad_a experience_n god_n lash_v they_o with_o their_o own_o rod_n that_o they_o may_v see_v their_o sin_n in_o the_o glass_n of_o their_o punishment_n and_o last_o when_o to_o fill_v up_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o sin_n they_o remain_v unrelenting_a and_o obstinate_a in_o their_o manifold_a disorder_n and_o miss-called_n reformation_n in_o the_o church_n faith_n and_o discipline_n when_o they_o have_v do_v and_o act_v this_o in_o a_o most_o violent_a and_o headstrong_a manner_n to_o the_o wonder_n and_o pity_n of_o the_o understand_a world_n and_o all_o possible_a mean_n be_v use_v to_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o catholic_n unity_n from_o which_o they_o be_v fall_v but_o all_o in_o vain_a the_o church_n then_o and_o not_o reg._n anno_fw-la 10._o eliz._n reg._n till_o then_o by_o authority_n christ_n proceed_v according_o to_o her_o duty_n and_o constant_a practice_n in_o like_a case_n to_o the_o just_a sentence_n of_o excommunication_n they_o cry_v out_o not_o guilty_a they_o be_v innocent_a and_o have_v do_v nothing_o amiss_o the_o schism_n be_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n who_o make_v no_o voluntary_a recession_n from_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o church_n who_o against_o their_o will_n do_v cast_v they_o out_o just_o as_o if_o a_o malefactor_n who_o have_v make_v himself_o incapable_a of_o mercy_n by_o his_o unpardonable_a offence_n shall_v accuse_v the_o judge_n as_o guilty_a of_o his_o death_n because_o he_o pronounce_v on_o he_o the_o sentence_n of_o condemnation_n be_v not_o this_o a_o pretty_a plea_n to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o schism_n so_o bad_a a_o cause_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o better_a argument_n to_o maintain_v itself_o sect_n iv_o wherein_o be_v show_v the_o emptiness_n of_o their_o plea_n that_o they_o do_v not_o separate_v from_o the_o universal_a but_o only_o from_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o rome_n but_o see_v there_o be_v a_o palpable_a schism_n in_o the_o church_n by_o their_o new_a erect_a ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o they_o can_v make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n