Selected quad for the lemma: parliament_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
parliament_n	honourable_a	house_n	petition_n	3,157	5	9.0634	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A75805	The Catholiques plea, or An explanation of the Roman Catholick belief. Concerning their [brace] church, manner of worship, justification, civill governement. : Together with a catalogue of all the pœnall statutes against popish recusants. : All which is humbly submitted to serious consideration. / By a Catholick gentleman.	Birchley, William, 1613-1669.	1659 (1659)	Wing A4242B; ESTC R42676	68,166	129

peaceable_a christian_a be_v deprive_v of_o the_o chief_n content_a and_o comfort_n of_o this_o life_n which_o certain_o consist_v in_o a_o real_a and_o impartial_a yet_o unoffensive_a liberty_n to_o serve_v his_o god_n according_a to_o his_o conscience_n many_o petition_n i_o can_v here_o cite_v in_o affirmance_n of_o this_o truth_n from_o several_a province_n of_o this_o land_n but_o i_o shall_v trouble_v the_o reader_n only_o with_o these_o two_o the_o first_o be_v present_v to_o the_o parliament_n upon_o the_o six_o and_o twenty_o of_o march_n 1649._o from_o the_o county_n of_o leicester_n wherein_o though_o i_o be_v none_o of_o the_o subscriber_n yet_o i_o do_v both_o by_o myself_o and_o friend_n promote_v be_v what_o i_o can_v as_o conceive_v the_o request_n of_o it_o both_o just_a and_o reasonable_a it_o bear_v this_o title_n the_o humble_a petition_n of_o divers_a well-affected_a of_o the_o county_n of_o leicester_n in_o behalf_n of_o themselves_o and_o the_o nation_n and_o the_o seven_o article_n or_o branch_n of_o the_o petition_n be_v this_o 7._o that_o every_o one_o may_v enjoy_v the_o just_a freedom_n to_o worship_n god_n according_a to_o his_o word_n without_o any_o coercive_a or_o restrictive_a course_n to_o the_o contrary_a the_o petition_n be_v read_v the_o gentleman_n that_o present_v it_o be_v call_v in_o and_o master_n speaker_n by_o order_n of_o the_o house_n give_v they_o hearty_a thanks_o etc._n etc._n and_o on_o the_o 2_o of_o april_n follow_v a_o like_a petition_n be_v present_v entitle_v the_o humble_a petition_n and_o representation_n of_o several_a church_n of_o god_n in_o london_n common_o though_o f●lsly_o call_v anabaptist_n which_o be_v also_o gracious_o accept_v by_o the_o house_n according_a to_o the_o merit_n of_o so_o conscientious_a a_o suit_n and_o the_o justice_n of_o so_o glorious_a a_o parliament_n at_o which_o time_n we_o happy_o begin_v to_o shake_v off_o that_o intolerable_a burden_n of_o isachar_n the_o presbyterian_a government_n which_o have_v be_v since_o in_o a_o good_a measure_n effect_v through_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n and_o pious_a care_n of_o his_o instrument_n the_o governor_n of_o this_o commonwealth_n insomuch_o as_o no_o person_n of_o what_o society_n or_o persuasion_n soever_o in_o this_o nation_n be_v at_o present_a persecute_v for_o their_o conscience_n only_o or_o difference_n in_o outward_a worship_n but_o the_o papist_n who_o i_o be_o therefore_o according_a to_o that_o principle_n 〈◊〉_d charity_n which_o absolute_o command_v my_o spirit_n oblige_v to_o make_v the_o chief_a subject_n of_o this_o discourse_n in_o order_n to_o which_o performance_n i_o have_v since_o the_o writing_n of_o my_o former_a sheet_n often_o wait_v upon_o god_n in_o humility_n of_o spirit_n and_o endeavour_v to_o inform_v myself_o as_o much_o as_o i_o can_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o particular_a manner_n of_o their_o suffering_n and_o to_o that_o end_n have_v sometime_o purposely_o attend_v at_o haberdasher_n hall_n to_o hear_v their_o case_n plead_v where_o though_o i_o suffer_v some_o persecution_n from_o the_o crowd_n and_o noise_n of_o that_o place_n yet_o far_o more_o be_v the_o grief_n of_o my_o mind_n to_o behold_v so_o many_o distress_a suitor_n who_o countenance_n be_v make_v sad_a by_o the_o fear_n of_o a_o fatal_a order_n for_o their_o impoverishment_n but_o before_o i_o proceed_v to_o any_o of_o those_o particular_n i_o must_v at_o least_o in_o my_o own_o judgement_n clear_v the_o papist_n of_o obstinacy_n and_o non-submission_n to_o the_o present_a government_n wherewith_o they_o be_v by_o some_o accuse_v as_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o all_o their_o punishment_n from_o which_o imputation_n i_o shall_v easy_o deliver_v they_o by_o transcribe_v a_o copy_n of_o their_o petition_n which_o they_o have_v with_o much_o diligence_n and_o humble_a importunity_n address_v to_o very_a many_o member_n of_o parliament_n profess_v to_o wait_v only_o the_o happiness_n of_o a_o opportunity_n to_o present_v it_o to_o the_o house_n and_o be_v a_o paper_n at_o least_o 5_o or_o 6_o month_n old_a and_o deliver_v to_o so_o many_o person_n with_o who_o i_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v acquaint_v it_o fall_v by_o chance_n into_o my_o hand_n have_v i_o confess_v of_o late_o entertai●ed_v a_o particular_a delight_n and_o recreation_n to_o pass_v some_o part_n of_o my_o time_n in_o such_o curiosity_n to_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o this_o nation_n the_o parliament_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o england_n the_o humble_a petition_n of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n show_v that_o your_o petitioner_n have_v long_o wait_v some_o happy_a leisure_n when_o there_o may_v be_v a_o hear_v allow_v they_o of_o their_o many_o sad_a pressure_n the_o weight_n whereof_o have_v sink_v they_o so_o ruinous●●_z low_a that_o they_o be_v utter_o disable_v to_o discharge_v their_o many_o debt_n make_v the_o least_o provision_n for_o their_o child_n or_o relieve_v themselves_o reduce_v to_o extreme_a necessity_n that_o even_o such_o of_o your_o petitioner_n as_o be_v sequester_v for_o delinquency_n have_v still_o comfort_v their_o sorrow_n with_o this_o hope_n that_o at_o last_o they_o shall_v certain_o be_v receive_v to_o mercy_n since_o the_o general_a vote_n for_o composition_n of_o the_o 17._o of_o march_n 1648._o seem_v clear_o to_o imply_v they_o capable_a thereof_o when_o the_o rule_n concerning_o they_o shall_v be_v agree_v upon_o that_o now_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o parliament_n apply_v it_o sel●eto_o establish_v the_o people_n of_o this_o commonwealth_n in_o a_o quiet_a and_o settle_a condition_n your_o petitioner_n take_v up_o a_o humble_a confidence_n that_o they_o alone_o shall_v not_o be_v exclude_v from_o so_o universal_a a_o benefit_n and_o therefore_o humble_o pray_v that_o the_o law_n and_o proceed_n concerning_o they_o may_v be_v take_v into_o consideration_n and_o such_o clemency_n and_o compassion_n use_v towards_o they_o by_o composition_n or_o otherwise_o as_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o 〈◊〉_d honourable_a house_n may_v consist_v with_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o your_o petitioner_n comfortable_a live_n in_o their_o native_a country_n and_o they_o further_o humble_o pray_v that_o it_o will_v please_v the_o parliament_n to_o vo●chsafe_v they_o the_o permission_n of_o clear_n their_o religion_n from_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o government_n which_o will_v assure_o be_v do_v to_o full_a satisfaction_n if_o there_o may_v be_v a_o committee_n appoint_v by_o this_o honourable_a house_n on_o who_o they_o may_v have_v the_o privilege_n 〈◊〉_d attend_v and_o your_o petitioner_n shall_v ever_o pray_v and_o ●●_z this_o to_o my_o sense_n bear_v itself_o with_o so_o much_o respect_n and_o submissiveness_n in_o the_o style_n that_o it_o can_v no_o way_n be_v interpret_v misbecome_a the_o duty_n of_o good_a and_o peaceable_a subject_n and_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o petition_n it_o seem_v to_o my_o eye_n so_o reasonable_a that_o i_o can_v believe_v but_o after_o a_o little_a patience_n till_o other_o more_o general_a 〈◊〉_d a●●ord_n the_o parliament_n leisure_n it_o will_v certain_o receive_v a_o satisfactory_a and_o relieve_v answer_n especial_o since_o not_o only_o such_o papist_n who_o moderate_a delinquency_n leave_v they_o some_o hope_n of_o mercy_n nor_o such_o who_o for_o preservation_n of_o their_o life_n be_v force_v to_o fly_v into_o the_o 〈◊〉_d king_n garrison_n without_o ever_o act_v any_o thing_n against_o the_o state_n but_o even_o the_o most_o innocent_a who_o all_o this_o while_o have_v sit_v still_o under_o so_o many_o pre●lures_n and_o never_o be_v charge_v with_o other_o accusation_n than_o their_o religion_n yet_o all_o free_o and_o humble_o submit_v in_o this_o petition_n to_o the_o absolute_a pleasure_n of_o the_o parliament_n for_o rule_n of_o composition_n and_o this_o as_o to_o the_o single_a papist_n for_o a_o offence_n which_o in_o no_o other_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o this_o nation_n be_v account_v any_o crime_n at_o all_o be_v mere_o their_o different_a judgement_n in_o religion_n a_o proceed_v wherein_o cer●●inly_o we_o shall_v use_v too_o much_o severity_n and_o partiality_n if_o we_o make_v it_o not_o only_o unpardonable_a but_o unredeemable_a in_o the_o close_a of_o their_o petition_n they_o humble_o beg_v the_o favour_n of_o a_o opportunity_n to_o satisfy_v the_o parliament_n in_o the_o point_n of_o consistency_n with_o civil_a government_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a objection_n that_o without_o passion_n can_v be_v make_v against_o they_o sure_o we_o shall_v not_o take_v offence_n at_o their_o most_o diligent_a application_n and_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o deliver_v themselves_o from_o so_o destructive_a a_o charge_n lay_v upon_o their_o religion_n and_o as_o a_o further_a evidence_n of_o their_o readiness_n and_o earnest_n desire_v to_o perform_v that_o which_o their_o petition_n offer_v i_o be_o inform_v divers_a of_o considerable_a quality_n among_o they_o be_v then_o in_o town_n

needs_o appear_v the_o most_o harsh_a and_o severe_a proceed_n that_o ever_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o world_n wherefore_o i_o shall_v close_v this_o second_o letter_n with_o my_o humble_a prayer_n to_o the_o gracious_a redeemer_n of_o our_o soul_n that_o you_o will_v cease_v to_o impute_v all_o our_o fault_n to_o our_o religion_n and_o we_o begin_v to_o commit_v no_o other_o fault_n but_o our_o religion_n so_o shall_v we_o happy_o overcome_v our_o own_o infirmity_n and_o full_o satisfy_v your_o jealousy_n when_o i_o have_v well_o peruse_v this_o gentleman_n discourse_n and_o attentive_o read_v his_o letter_n i_o must_v free_o confess_v i_o can_v not_o have_v believe_v that_o either_o the_o papist_n have_v suffer_v so_o much_o from_o we_o or_o be_v able_a to_o say_v so_o much_o for_o themselves_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v in_o order_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n but_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o our_o persecution_n since_o real_o to_o my_o understanding_n our_o jealousy_n of_o their_o obedience_n seem_v as_o unecessary_a unto_o we_o as_o prejudicial_a to_o they_o for_o i_o be_o confident_a there_o be_v no_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n but_o by_o good_a law_n against_o breach_n of_o peace_n and_o due_a execution_n of_o they_o may_v be_v make_v consistent_a with_o any_o kingdom_n or_o commonwealth_n whatsoever_o who_o more_o opposite_a in_o belief_n than_o christian_n jew_n and_o turk_n yet_o we_o see_v by_o experience_n that_o jew_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o government_n of_o christian_n nor_o christian_n with_o that_o of_o the_o turk_n no_o not_o such_o christian_n as_o be_v here_o in_o question_n papist_n as_o concerning_o the_o doctrine_n we_o charge_v upon_o they_o of_o the_o pope_n power_n over_o supreme_a magistrate_n i_o have_v the_o fortune_n some_o few_o year_n since_o to_o meet_v with_o a_o paper_n that_o clear_o answer_v all_o my_o difficulty_n wherein_o be_v write_v the_o negative_a subscription_n of_o many_o english_a recusant_n against_o these_o three_o follow_a proposition_n as_o no_o part_n of_o their_o faith_n or_o religion_n the_o subscriber_n be_v both_o in_o number_n and_o quality_n sufficient_a to_o represent_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o in_o this_o nation_n 1._o that_o the_o pope_n or_o church_n have_v power_n to_o absolve_v any_o person_n or_o person_n from_o their_o obedience_n to_o the_o civil_a and_o political_a government_n establish_v or_o to_o be_v establish_v in_o this_o nation_n in_o civil_a and_o political_a affair_n 2._o that_o by_o the_o command_n or_o dispensation_n of_o pope_n or_o church_n it_o be_v lawful_a to_o kill_v destroy_v or_o ●o_z any_o injury_n to_o person_n or_o person_n live_v within_o the_o king_n dominion_n because_o that_o such_o a_o person_n or_o person_n be_v accuse_v condemn_v censure_v or_o excommunicate_v for_o error_n schism_n or_o heresy_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a in_o itself_o or_o by_o dispensation_n from_o the_o pope_n to_o break_v promise_n or_o oath_n make_v to_o any_o of_o the_o foresay_a person_n under_o pretence_n that_o they_o be_v heretic_n these_o they_o utter_o disclaim_v and_o renounce_v as_o no_o part_n of_o their_o belief_n profess_v under_o their_o hand_n their_o readiness_n to_o abjure_v if_o the_o state_n shall_v so_o require_v the_o prac●ise_n and_o execution_n of_o they_o all_o which_o give_v i_o so_o much_o the_o more_o satisfaction_n by_o how_o much_o it_o be_v beside_o my_o expectation_n nor_o have_v i_o now_o any_o thing_n to_o say_v against_o they_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o consider_v these_o difference_n between_o we_o impartial_o our_o suspicion_n be_v not_o only_o confute_v ●ut_o shame_v by_o own_o daily_a experience_n for_o we_o trust_v pa●ists_n in_o all_o negotiation_n as_o indifferent_o as_o protestant_n ●ay_v even_o our_o traveller_n and_o merchant_n beyond_o sea_n where_o the_o papist_n be_v master_n converse_v and_o traffic_v ●ecurely_o with_o they_o and_o yet_o i_o never_o hear_v the_o least_o complaint_n of_o any_o one_o single_a protestant_n be_v cheat_v ●y_o they_o upon_o pretence_n of_o exemption_n or_o dispensation_n and_o therefore_o since_o they_o practise_v not_o that_o part_n which_o may_v sometime_o be_v profitable_a i_o can_v think_v they_o hold_v to_o no_o purpose_n that_o which_o be_v always_o prejudicial_a for_o my_o small_a experience_n in_o the_o world_n all_o the_o objection_n that_o ever_o i_o hear_v of_o against_o the_o credit_n of_o our_o papist_n be_v their_o be_v disable_v by_o sequestration_n to_o pay_v their_o debt_n not_o teach_v by_o their_o religion_n to_o deceive_v their_o creditor_n if_o their_o doctrine_n be_v so_o destructive_a to_o civil_a society_n as_o our_o accusation_n pretend_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o our_o fundamental_a law_n be_v enact_v by_o they_o who_o invest_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o this_o nation_n with_o so_o honourable_a privilege_n and_o yet_o provide_v so_o prudent_o for_o the_o just_a security_n of_o the_o people_n against_o the_o unjust_a encroachment_n of_o prerogative_n from_o who_o have_v all_o those_o excellent_a custom_n and_o statute_n of_o this_o nation_n descend_v upon_o we_o be_v it_o possible_a we_o shall_v derive_v all_o the_o ancient_a privilege_n of_o parliament_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o subject_a contain_v in_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la etc._n etc._n from_o the_o time_n their_o religion_n govern_v the_o land_n and_o yet_o say_v now_o their_o religion_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o land_n as_o it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o sometime_o the_o pope_n power_n here_o be_v abuse_v to_o support_v a_o temporal_a interest_n so_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o those_o that_o know_v history_n that_o his_o mediation_n have_v be_v avaliable_a both_o for_o the_o prevent_v and_o reconcile_n of_o our_o difference_n as_o well_o with_o ou●_n neighbour_a kingdom_n as_o among_o ourselves_o nor_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o model_n of_o government_n shall_v be_v absolute_o proof_n against_o all_o exception_n but_o 〈◊〉_d the_o experience_n of_o five_o or_o six_o hundred_o year_n some_o abuse●_n will_v certain_o happen_v whence_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o a_o severe_a observer_n to_o gather_v objection_n enough_o to_o puzzle_v the_o mos●_n able_a and_o politic_a statist_n in_o the_o world_n to_o answer_v especial_o if_o they_o be_v manage_v with_o dexterity_n and_o eloquence_n a●mongst_a a_o half_a witted_a and_o stubborn_a people_n who_o neithe●_z can_v guide_v themselves_o nor_o will_v be_v lead_v by_o other_o nor_o blind_a enough_o to_o be_v ignorant_a where_o they_o be_v and_o yet_o too_o short_a sighted_a to_o see_v whether_o they_o go_v unhappy_a chief_o in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v tender_a in_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o present_a evil_n and_o whole_o incapable_a of_o foresee_v the_o destruction_n that_o follow_v their_o impatience_n hear_v what_o be_v say_v charitable_o of_o the_o papist_n in_o the_o foresay_a examination_n of_o the_o late_a synod_n confession_n of_o faith_n p._n 266._o the_o papist_n believe_v in_o the_o same_o god_n with_o the_o protestant_n even_o in_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n though_o they_o differ_v in_o some_o article_n or_o branch_n of_o article_n of_o their_o belief_n and_o in_o their_o way_n of_o worship_n yea_o some_o of_o the_o papist_n be_v regenerate_v conscientious_a and_o virtuous_a person_n wherefore_o i_o humble_o conceive_v our_o magistrate_n and_o minister_n ought_v sincere_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o make_v a_o conscience_n of_o judge_v or_o preach_v otherwise_o then_o secundum_fw-la probato_fw-la and_o not_o upon_o bare_a jealousy_n or_o the_o blind_a opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a condemn_v any_o freeborn_a member_n of_o this_o nation_n far_o than_o he_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v guilty_a nor_o do_v i_o helieve_v it_o reasonable_a to_o charge_v every_o unjustifiable_a action_n of_o particular_a papist_n or_o extravagant_a opinion_n of_o any_o private_a writer_n among_o they_o upon_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o their_o religion_n the_o decree_n of_o their_o counsel_n they_o profess_v to_o be_v the_o only_o absolute_a declarer_n of_o their_o faith_n among_o who_o determination_n there_o be_v fault_n enough_o which_o they_o strive_v to_o defend_v no_o need_n of_o impose_v upon_o they_o error_n which_o they_o flat_o deny_v let_v we_o lay_v our_o hand_n upon_o our_o own_o heat_n we_o ourselves_o want_v not_o our_o caprice_n and_o exorbitant_a conceit_n which_o ought_v ●ot_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o whole_a reform_a religion_n but_o to_o the_o imperfection_n of_o human_a nature_n easy_o deceive_v with_o the_o colour_n of_o truth_n and_o passionate_o in_o love_n with_o its_o own_o invention_n beside_o instead_o of_o jealousy_n and_o danger_n i_o can_v see_v but_o great_a security_n and_o advantage_n will_v accrue_v to_o this_o nation_n by_o treat_v in_o mercy_n all_o peaceable_a papist_n the_o pope_n will_v

propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o be_v call_v into_o the_o country_n by_o a_o urgent_a and_o importunate_a occasion_n i_o be_o disable_v to_o give_v any_o far_a account_n concerning_o their_o proposal_n not_o know_v either_o how_o they_o be_v accept_v or_o indeed_o whether_o they_o be_v actual_o offer_v and_o therefore_o can_v only_o furnish_v you_o with_o a_o faithful_a copy_n of_o the_o paper_n itself_o to_o the_o honourable_a the_o committee_n for_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o humble_a proposal_n of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n 1._o since_o all_o compulsion_n upon_o the_o conscience_n be_v clear_o against_o the_o principle_n both_o of_o parliament_n and_o army_n as_o appear●●_z by_o the_o parliament●declaration_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o scotch_a commissioner_n 17._o feb._n 1648._o in_o these_o word_n as_o for_o the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n intrinsical_a between_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o gospel_n such_o as_o no_o natural_a light_n can_v reach_v we_o conceive_v there_o be_v no_o human_a power_n of_o coercion_n thereunto_o nor_o to_o restrain_v man_n from_o believe_v what_o god_n suffer_v their_o judgement_n to_o be_v persuade_v of_o among_o the_o proposal_n of_o the_o army_n 1._o aug._n 1647._o this_o be_v one_o that_o all_o coercive_a power_n and_o all_o civil_a penalty_n for_o non-formity_n be_v whole_o repeal_v and_o some_o other_o provision_n make_v against_o such_o papist_n as_o shall_v disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o since_o by_o the_o experience_n of_o germany_n poland_n switzerland_n holland_n france_n etc._n etc._n the_o consistency_n of_o diverse_a religion_n under_o one_o government_n be_v evident_o prove_v aswell_o where_o the_o protestant_a command_n the_o roman_n catholic_n as_o where_o the_o roman_a catholic_n command_v the_o protestant_a it_o be_v humble_o offer_v that_o no_o penalty_n be_v impose_v upon_o any_o profess_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n mere_o for_o d●fference_n of_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n 2._o the_o public_a use_n of_o all_o church_n and_o the_o entire_a benefit_n of_o church-endowment_n be_v whole_o submit_v to_o the_o disposure_n of_o the_o state_n it_o be_v humble_o offer_v that_o no_o person_n believe_v in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o live_v peaceable_o and_o unoffensive_o be_v by_o any_o penalty_n restrain_v from_o the_o quiet_a exercise_n of_o his_o conscience_n in_o his_o private_a house_n observe_v therein_o such_o rule_n as_o the_o state_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o appoint_v for_o preservation_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n a_o practice_n which_o by_o long_a experience_n in_o holland_n be_v find_v both_o satisfactory_a to_o the_o people_n and_o secure_a to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o common_a wealth_n 3._o since_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v so_o far_o from_o allow_v any_o penal_a sentence_n to_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o enforce_a oath_n of_o the_o party_n that_o it_o express_o forbid_v any_o offence_n whatsoever_o to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o single_a testimony_n of_o one_o witness_n deut._n 19_o 15._o mat._n 18._o 16._o it_o be_v humble_o propose_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v exact_v of_o any_o person_n compel_v he_o under_o forfeiture_n of_o life_n liberty_n or_o estate_n to_o swear_v against_o his_o conscience_n or_o to_o accuse_v and_o condemn_v himself_o especial_o in_o matter_n that_o concrn_v his_o inward_a belief_n 4._o since_o in_o all_o religion_n there_o be_v still_o find_v some_o scandalous_a liver_n and_o that_o our_o saviour_n pronounce_v the_o woe_n against_o he_o only_o by_o who_o the_o scandal_n come_v mat._n 18._o 7._o luke_n 17._o 1._o it_o be_v humble_o propose_v that_o whoever_o shall_v offend_v against_o the_o order_n of_o so_o mild_a and_o christian_a a_o settlement_n may_v be_v severe_o censure_v but_o that_o other_o though_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n in_o religion_n be_v no_o far_o make_v subject_a to_o the_o punishment_n than_o prove_v guilty_a of_o the_o crime_n in_o stead_n of_o my_o opinion_n concerning_o these_o four_o proposal_n of_o the_o papist_n because_o to_o my_o sense_n they_o carry_v in_o themselves_o both_o their_o own_o evidence_n and_o justification_n i_o shall_v beg_v the_o reader_n permission_n to_o set_v down_o a_o particular_a conceit_n which_o i_o have_v often_o observe_v to_o be_v very_o well_o relish_v by_o all_o that_o have_v examine_v it_o that_o doubtless_o there_o be_v no_o way_n more_o suitable_a to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o reform_a church_n no_o way_n so_o probable_a to_o satisfy_v all_o conscience_n as_o not_o to_o impose_v any_o other_o obligation_n for_o proof_n of_o conformity_n than_o this_o profession_n to_o believe_v the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o precept_n plain_o contain_v therein_o this_o acknowledgement_n to_o be_v express_v in_o general_a term_n without_o descend_v minutely_o to_o particular_a question_n which_o have_v certain_o be_v the_o chief_a cause_n of_o so_o many_o controversy_n and_o division_n in_o the_o world_n and_o now_o i_o humble_o appeal_v to_o the_o honourable_a and_o religious_a committee_n for_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n whether_o the_o sweet_a spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n who_o give_v his_o apostle_n no_o further_o power_n 24._o than_o to_o relinquish_v such_o as_o refuse_v to_o hear_v they_o be_v reconcilable_a to_o the_o former_a practice_n of_o the_o high_a commissioner_n or_o the_o present_a practice_n of_o our_o sequestrator_n whether_o when_o the_o great_a apostle_n paul_n prescribe_v the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o forbear_v and_o in_o meekness_n instruct_v those_o that_o be_v contrary_a mind_v he_o shall_v be_v thus_o cros-interprete_v that_o the_o estate_n of_o those_o who_o be_v contrary_a mind_v be_v first_o secure_v or_o forbear_v and_o then_o after_o a_o time_n quite_o take_v away_o to_o instruct_v they_o in_o meekness_n or_o how_o to_o bear_v patient_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o vain_a and_o transitory_a riches_n of_o this_o world_n and_o now_o i_o humble_o appeal_v to_o the_o honourable_a and_o learned_a committee_n for_o regulation_n of_o the_o law_n whether_o since_o all_o those_o penalty_n which_o the_o rigorous_a humour_n of_o former_a age_n have_v under_o pretence_n of_o zeal_n impose_v upon_o the_o conscience_n be_v either_o by_o disuse_n forget_v or_o by_o express_a act_n of_o parliament_n revoke_v the_o papist_n alone_o shall_v still_o be_v continue_v under_o the_o same_o severity_n nay_o their_o burden_n increase_v by_o the_o strange_a method_n of_o the_o new_a proceed_n towards_o they_o their_o conscience_n be_v now_o not_o only_o punishable_a in_o the_o common_a way_n of_o indictment_n but_o compellable_a even_o to_o accuse_v themselves_o by_o the_o new_a presbyterian_a oath_n of_o abjuration_n against_o the_o know_a principle_n of_o the_o ancient_a and_o reverend_a law_n of_o this_o land_n and_o now_o with_o a_o humble_a confidence_n i_o appeal_v to_o the_o renown_a parliament_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o england_n whether_o in_o this_o general_a goal-delivery_n of_o the_o conscience_n from_o the_o tyranny_n and_o oppression_n of_o the_o prelate_n the_o conscience_n of_o papist_n alone_o ought_v still_o to_o be_v keep_v in_o prison_n whether_o when_o all_o the_o fetters_o which_o the_o rigid_a kirkesman_n have_v buy_v up_o in_o scotland_n be_v break_v in_o piece_n just_a as_o they_o be_v lock_v they_o fast_o about_o our_o conscience_n in_o england_n the_o conscience_n of_o papist_n alone_o ought_v still_o to_o be_v continue_v in_o chain_n whether_o when_o all_o the_o society_n profess_v christ_n jesus_n and_o live_v obedient_o to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o peaceable_o one_o with_o another_o be_v protect_v in_o the_o quiet_a and_o unoffensive_a exercise_n of_o their_o conscience_n the_o papist_n alone_o shall_v be_v force_v under_o the_o penalty_n of_o so_o great_a a_o ruin_n not_o only_o to_o profess_v but_o swear_v against_o their_o conscience_n a_o course_n that_o in_o a_o short_a time_n will_v unavoidable_o bring_v they_o either_o to_o absolute_a beggary_n or_o which_o be_v worse_o to_o hypocrisy_n or_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o to_o perjury_n all_o the_o people_n of_o this_o nation_n look_v upon_o you_o as_o their_o common_a father_n all_o promise_n themselves_o liberty_n and_o protection_n under_o your_o government_n though_o some_o may_v just_o be_v exclude_v from_o share_v in_o the_o government_n be_v there_o in_o my_o family_n one_o child_n that_o profess_v to_o find_v satisfaction_n in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o papist_n and_o live_v dutiful_o to_o i_o and_o love_o with_o his_o brethren_n i_o shall_v account_v it_o a_o great_a unnaturalness_n to_o deprive_v he_o altogether_o of_o his_o portion_n much_o more_o of_o that_o which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o bounty_n of_o any_o collateral_a kinsman_n or_o acquire_v by_o his_o own_o particular_a