Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	good_a	king_n	subject_n	3,003	5	6.4581	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35959	Truths victory over error, or, An abridgement of the chief controversies in religion which since the apostles days to this time, have been, and are in agitation, between those of the Orthodox faith, and all adversaries whatsoever, a list of whose names are set down after the epistle to the reader : wherein, by going through all the chapters of The confession of faith, one by one, and propounding out of them, by way of question, all the controverted assertions, and answering by yes, or no, there is a clear confirmation of the truth, and an evident confutation of what tenets and opinions, are maintain'd by the adversaries : a treatise, most useful for all persons, who desire to be instructed in the true Protestant religion, who would shun in these last days, and perillous times, the infection of errors and heresies, and all dangerous tenets and opinions, contrary to the word of God.	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.; Sinclair, George, d. 1696.	1684 (1684)	Wing D1412; ESTC R3405	145,943	378

power force and oblige all his subjects to a Reformation of Religion and to a conformity to the true worship sound doctrine and discipline of the Church Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because it is foretold by the Prophet Isaiah that in the dayes of the Gospel Kings shall be nursing Fathers and Queens nursing Mothers to the Church of God Chap. 49. 23. 2 Because Artaxerxes who was but a Heathen King was very careful to make a decree that whatsoever was commanded by the God of Heaven should be diligently done for the house of the God of Heaven And that whosoever would not obey the Law of GOD and the King judgement was to be executed speedily upon him whether by death banishment confiscation of goods or imprisonment For which singular mercy Ezra blessed the Lord GOD of his Fathers who had put such a thing in the Kings heart chap. 7. 23 25 26 27 28. So did Nebuchadnezzar make a decree that if any People Nation or Language should speak any thing amiss against the GOD of Heaven they should be cut in pieces and their houses made a dunghill Dan. 3. 29. The like we read of Darius who made a Decree that all men should tremble and fear before the GOD of Daniel chap. 6. 26. 3 From the example of Hezekiah who removed the high places and brake the images and cut down the groves and brake in pieces the brazen Serpent to which the Israelites did burn incense 2 Kings 18. 4. 4 From the example of Iosiah who made a through reformation and made all Israel to serve the LORD their GOD. The word in the Original importeth that he in a manner forced and compelled them to the pure worship and service of God as a servant is forced and compelled to his work He by his Royal Power and Authority kept them in order forbidding Idolatry and commanding them to serve God no otherwise than according to his Word 2 Chron. 34. 33. and 2 Chro. 15. 12 13. They entered into a Covenant to seek the Lord of their Fathers with all their heart and with all their soul that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether great or small man or woman 5 Because whosoever blasphemed the name of the Lord was surely put to death Lev. 24. 16. This blaspheming was a peircing through or stabbing the name of the Lord as the original word properly signifies which may be done not only after this manner but by maintaining blasphemous errors and heresies 6 Because the supream Magistrate is Custos utriusque Tabulae a Keeper of both Tables of the Law of God As well of the first Table which relates to Religion and our duty to God as of the second which relates to righteousness and our duty to our neighbour If then he may punish evil doers who offend against the second Table and force and compel them to obedience by the sword of justice which God hath put into his hand much more may he punish Idolaters and blasphemers who offend against the first Table and force and compell them to obedience seeing there are many sins against the first Table which are more hainous and odious than the sins against the second Table And though it be the sinful practise of the Church of Rome to force men and women to be of their Religion which is superstitious and Idolatrous yet it is not so to others who have the true religion among them And though our blessed Saviour and his Apostles did not use such means for propagating the Gospel reserving the Glory of conquering of souls to himself and the power of his Spirit yet he has taught nothing to the contrary but that Kings and Magistrates whom he has made nursing Fathers to his Church may according to the laudable examples of the good Kings of Iuda improve their power for Reformation and maintainance of his own Religion And though Religion hath been much advanced by suffering yet it will not infer that a Christian Prince has not power to reform his own subjects or extirpate blasphemers and Hereticks Quest. III. IS it lawful for a Christian to accept and execute the office of a Magistrate when called thereunto Yes Prov. 8. 15 16. Rom. 13. 1 2 4. Well then do not the Anabaptists err who maintain that it is not lawful for Christians to carry the office of a Magistrate Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because there is no power but of God and the powers which are are ordained of GOD Rom. 13. 1. 2 Because Solomon says by me that is by the Lord Kings reign and Princes decree justice Prov. 8. 15. 3 Because the Magistrate exercises and executes Gods judgements Deut. 1. 17. 4 Because the Magistrate receiveth all things from GOD which are necessary for the performance of his office Numb 11. 17. 5 Because the Lord hath promised that Magistrates under the Gospel shall be nursing Fathers to his Church Isaiah 49. 23. And shall make the Whore desolate naked and shal eat her flesh and burn her with fire Rev. 17. 16. Quest. IV. MAY the Civil Magistrate now under the New Testament wage warr upon just and necessary occasion Yes Luke 13. 14. Matth. 8. 9 10. Rev. 17. 14 16. Acts 10. 1 2. Well then do not the Quakers Anabaptists and Socinians err Who maintain that it is altogether unlawful now under the New Testament to wage warr Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because GOD appointed and commanded lawful war Numb 31. 2. For it is said the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon when he was to fight the battles of the Lord against the Midianites and Amalekites Iudges 6. 34. Nay the Lord himself prescribeth the manner and way of making of War Numb 10. 9. Numb 31. 27. Deut 20. 2. And giveth knowledge and skill to his Generals and Heroes to fight his own battles Psalm 18. 34. Psalm 144. 1. All which are in no wise abrogated and taken away under the New Testament 2 Because the Centurion that was converted to the Faith did not lay down his office of a Captain of a hundred which surely he would have done if to war under the New Testament had been unlawful Acts 10. 1 2 47. The same may be said of the believing Centurion Matth. 8. 8 9 10. 3 Because the office of a Souldier is not reprehended and reproved by Iohn the Baptist but rather approven Luke 3. 14. 4 Because opposition and defence against unjust violence which often times cannot be done without war is the very law of nature 5 Because it is foretold that the kings of the Earth shall make war against the Beast Rev. 17. 14 16. Quest. V. MAY the Civil Magistrate assume to himself the Administration of the Word and Sacraments or the power of the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven No. 2 Chron. 26. 18. Matth. 18. 17. Matth. 16. 19. 1 Cor. 12. 28 29. Rom. 10. 5. Hebr. 5. 4. Well then

do not the Erastians err who maintain that the Civil Magistrate hath in himself all Church power and so may administer the Sacraments and preach the Word and may exercise the power of the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ hath given no such power to Magistrates as evidently appears from all those places of Scripture where mention is made of the keyes There is not in them one syllabe of the Civil Magistrate Matth. 18. 17. Matth 16. 19. 2 If the power of the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven agree to the Magistrate as a Magistrate then ought it to agree to every Magistrate though the Magistrate were an Infidel or a Woman which is absurd 3 A Magistrate as a Magistrate is not a Minister of the Church as is evident from all the Catalogues of the Ministers of the Church For in them you will not find any mention of the Magistrate Eph. 4. 11. Rom. 12. 7. 8. 1 Car. 12. 8 9 10. 4 Because before ever there was a Christian Magistrate in the World the Church exercised all Acts of Church Jurisdiction and Government The Church ordained Ministers and Pastors 1 Tim. 4. 14. And inflicted the Censure of Excommunication 1 Cor. 5. 5. And Relaxed the Penitent from this Censure Called a Synod and stigmatized Hereticks Acts 15. 5 Because GOD hath put a difference between the Church Government and the Civil and hath appointed distinct Governours to them 2 Chron. 19. 8 9 10 11. 6 Because God did severely punish Saul and Uzzia for presuming to offer sacrifice which was proper to the Priests only 1 Sam. 13. 9 10 13. 2 Chron. 26. 16 19. Quest. VI. HATH the Civil Magistrate power to call Synods to be present at them and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of GOD Yes 2 Chron. 19. 8 9 10 11. and 2 Chron. 29 30. chapters Matth. 2. 4 5. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that the judgement and care of Religion doth not belong to the civil Magistrate Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the custody and keeping of the divine law is committed by GOD to the Civil Magistrate Deut. 17. 18. 2 Because it was foretold that Kings should be nursing Fathers to the Church Isaiah 49. 23. 3 Because it is the duty of the Magistrate to take care that subjects may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Tim. 2. 2. 4 From the commendable examples of the good kings of Iuda 2 Chron. 29. 30. chapters Quest. VI. DOth infidelity or difference in Religion make void the Magistrates just and legal authority No. Doth it free the people from their due obedience to him No. 1 Peter 2. 13 Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4. Titus 3. 1. Well then do not the Papists Anabaptists and others err who maintain that subjects ought not to suffer a King that 's an infidel or obey that King in his just commands that differs from them in Religion Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because we are commanded to submit our selves to every ordinance of man 1 Peter 2. 13. Namely in all that they command us if it be not contrary to God and his command otherwise according to Acts 4. 19. it is better to obey GOD than man And it is said for the Lords sake that is because it is GODS will to govern us by them 2 Because the Christians which were at Rome were commanded by the Apostle to subject themselves to the higher powers and that without exception of Religion and Piety and even to that heathen the Roman Emperour Rom. 13. 1. 3 Because the same Apostle writing to Titus bids him exhort the Cretians his hearers to obey Magistrates what manner of ones soever they be not only believing ones but also those that are unbelieving as then they were yet most of them Titus 3. 1. 4 Because when the Apostle Paul was persued for his life and charged with matters criminal he appealled unto Cesar Acts 25. 10 11. 5 Because the Prophet Ieremiah did own the power of Zedekia who had turned aside to a false worship and had despised the oath which he had made to the King of Babylon Ezek 17. 16 17. Now hear I pray thee says the Prophet O my Lord the King let my Supplication I pray thee be accepted before thee Ierem. 27. 20. 6 Because Christ himself payed tribute to Cesar though he was free being both the Son of GOD by nature and the Son of David by birth Matth. 17. 26. And he commanded and allowed others to pay Matth. 22. 21. Rom. 13. 7. 7 Because Paul did own and acknowledge the power of King Agrippa Acts 26. 2. Quest. VII IS it the duty of people to pray for Magistrates and honour their persons Yes 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. and 1 Peter 2. 17. Well then do not some err who deny this Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Samuel at the request of Saul whom he knew the Lord had rejected returned again after him and honoured him before the people 1 Sam. 15. 31. 2 Because the Lord having appointed Magistrates to administer justice and judgement in his name is so far pleased to honour them as to call them Gods and the Children of the high Psalm 82. 1 6. 3 Because the Apostle Peter says fear God and honour the King parallel to what Paul says render to all men their dues honour to whom honour is due 1 Peter 2 17. Rom. 13. 7. 4 Because even heathen Magistrates are called the Lords anointed Isaiah 45. 1. And the Lord calls Nebuchadnezzar his servant Ierem. 27. 6. If then such Magistrates ought to be honoured upon that account much more Christian Magistrates 5 Because if we be obliged not to speak evil of dignities 2 Peter 2. 11 nor revile the Gods Exod. 22. 8 we are obliged to honour dignities for where a sin is forbidden the contrary duty is commanded 6 Because God commanded his people the Jews to seek the peace of the City that is the welfare and prosperity of Babylon whither he had caused them to be carried away captives Ierem. 29. 7. 7 Because the Prophet the man of God besought the Lord in behalf of Ieroboam and prayed for him a man that had made Apostacy from the true worship of God and had made Israel to sin 1 Kings 13. 3. 8 Because our blessed Saviour says render to Cesar the things that are Cesars Matth. 22. 21. But prayers and supplications are as due to Cesar as custom and tribute 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. 9 Because the Apostle commands us to pray for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life which is the cause wherefore we must pray for Magistrates For in the Apostles times and long after Magistrates were persecutors of the Church of GOD and hindred the members of Christ to live in peace and godliness 1 Tim.

which the kingdom of Satan is erected and by which it is upheld are Ignorance and Errour And the two great Pillars which support the Kingdom of Christ are Knowledge and Truth Therefore our blessed Saviour resolving to subvert the kingdom of Satan among the Gentiles tells the Apostle in his first Commission that he was about to send him to open their eyes namely their understanding by the Preaching and Knowledge of the Gospel and to turn them from darkness to light from natural blindness and worldly ignorance unto the right and true knowledge of GOD. This is the first step of our Manumission from that spiritual thraldom The Understanding is the Guide and Pilot of the whole man It is that faculty which sits at the helme of the Soul But as the most skilful Pilot may mistake his course in the dark so may the Understanding when it wants the light of Knowledge This is an accomplishment so desirable that the Devil knew not a more alluring bate to tempt our first Parents in Paradise Ye shall be as Gods sayes he knowing good and evil When the Lord had refer'd it to Solomons option what to choose he choose Wisdom and Knowledge When once the Devil understood that by the Preaching of the Gospel his kingdom was ruined he invents two new stratagems to overthrow Religion even in the infancy and beginning of it to wit Persecution and Heresie Open persecution began in Nero a very imp and graff of the Devil When this Hirricano and many others of that kind were past and when the Churches of Christ were once at rest he sends in a Deluge of Arianism which in a short time so prodigiously spread and over-ran the Christian World that it seemed to carry all before it an assault that did not strike at the uppermost boughs of Religion but at the Root and Beeing of Christianity But this second proved more sad than the first for where Persecution kills one thousand Heresie kills ten thousand The one is the Wild-Boar of the Forrest the other is the little Fox that eateth up the Grapes of the Lords Vineyard The one kills the bodies of Men and Women the other poisoneth the Souls of Christians In times of greater Light as these and former times have been reputed to be Satan comes not abroad usually to deceive with his gross forgeries and cloven foot for every one almost would discern his haltings but with more mystical yet strongdelusions and invincible chains of darkness wherewith he binds his captives the faster to the judgement of the great day And therefore the Watch word given in the bright and shining times of the Apostles was to try the Spirits and believe not every Spirit and take heed of Spirits who indeed were only fleshly and corrupt men yet called Spirits because they pretended to have much of the Spirit and their doctrine seemed only to advance the Spirit the fitest and fairest cobwebs to deceive and inveigle the world in these discerning times that possibly could be spun out of the poysonful bowels of corrupt and fleshly men for Heresie is a work of the flesh The times are now come wherein by the refined mystical divinity of the old Moncks all the ordinances of Christ in the New Testament are allegorized and spiritualized out of the world They reject the outward word because of an inward teaching They reject the outward Baptism because of the inward Baptism They reject the Lords Supper because of the spiritual bread from heaven the Lord Jesus They abolish the outward Sabbath because of a spiritual and inward Sabbath of rest in the bosome of Christ. This is very consistent with the observing the outward Sabbath But they wickedly sever and separat what GOD hath joyned together But as to what relates to the present Treatise I am not ignorant that many eminent and learned Divines far beyond whatever I could profess have beatten this path and travelled round the world of Polemick Divinity But their writings being so Voluminous and large that he who desires to have a full sight at one look of the chief controversies can no more have it than a man from the Peak of Teneriff can get a clear sight of the whole Globe of the Earth Which things though they be principally worth the knowing nevertheless for so much as their number and variety are an impediment to themselves and the multiplicity of matter makes the mind abruptly flit from one thing to another Therefore I have imitated Geographers who after they have surveyed the whole Globe of the Earth draw Universal descriptions thereof and comprehend the the whole image of that great Terra-queous Body within a narrow circumference of a Card or Mapp In so doing I may perhaps contribute some what towards the satisfaction of some who neither can nor are able to trace the wearisome foot steps of those eminent Divines who have written fully This Treatise being Historical none can expect but I must have consulted others and gleaned off their writtings what things were needful I cannot here as in writing Philosophy or any such like Science set up new Theorems or Axioms which have not been heard of before This were to make a new Religion a new System and Body of Divinity such as some giddy-headed Hereticks are thinking upon I must confine my self to the good old way and follow the heatten path-road wherein men of sound principles have walked before me This Book is not designed for men of knowledge and learning who are more conversant in such matters than I am but for the unlearned and new-beginners who need to be instructed with the sound principles of the true Protestant Religion I hope none will think I have done amiss in mentioning so many Religions which had been better unnamed some may think than named This might have some weight if there were no more Religions in the world at this time but one only to wit the true Protestant Religion But seeing I cannot name so many here as there are this day owned and professed in the Christian Church I cannot be to blame This Book will be useful for understanding the Confession and knowing the design of it For how many read it and commend it that never knew the nature of it Though there be a multiplicity of questions and many in number yet all of them to my best remembrance are taken word by word out of the Confession The answers are by Yes or No. To which are subjoyned immediately the proofs of the Confession These words which are often repeated Well then do not the Papists err are nothing els but sure Conclusions drawn from two manifest propositions The design of this Treatise is good The method is plain and easy The order of the Questions follow the order of the purposes in the Confession The probations are such as are made use of in the Confession and by the Orthodox Divines against the Adversaries They are either the very words of the Scripture in Terminis or

such as by good and necessary consequence are drawn from the Scripture They pass reckoning for number Let no man blame me for speaking somewhat for the Truth because another man hath spoken better If I have said little in defence if it I am sure I have said nothing against it as the Apostle says We can do nothing against the truth but for it If I cannot please all men I shall endeavour at least to please some And if I can please none I shall not displease my self I hope my friends will censure favourably if my enemies censure maliciously I expect as many Adversaries of one sort and of another upon my top as a travelling man hath midges and wasps about his head in a warm summer evening There are escapes in Authors whose knowledge is far beyond any thing I can profess No marvel then if a malicious Critick like a viper from the fire of contention fasten upon a mans hand For the Author being intent upon all cannot lay out his whole industry upon every line which a snarling Cur will bark at I shal take it as a favour to have Learned and Iudicious men to censure me Reprove one says Solomon that hath understanding and he will understand knowledge Some perhaps may look awry upon me because I have medled with some ticklish Questions and been too positive in my Iudgement If any such Questions are they have occur'd to me in the Road which I could not pass by without a Salutation But as all of them have been weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary so these likewise which some may call ticklish I durst not for a world have been positive if I had not judged them consonant to Truth Therefore let all men whatever perswasions they be of judge charitably for I have said nothing upon the account of fead or favour nor any thing which may cause division or offence For they that are such serve not our Lord Iesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16. 18. But I wish all who profess themselves to own the true Protestant Religion were owning the sound principles of the Confession and were sutable and consequential to them in their opinions and practises and had not given too just cause and occasion to others to reproach all honest hearted men as being of seditions and disloyal principles It is probable I may be less noticed by the common Adversaries than by some who are so vain that they glory in injuring the Merit of a Book For as a Gentleman of great Parts and Learning says well in his reflections upon one of his late pieces the meanest Rogue may burn a City or kill an Hero whereas he could never have built the one or equaled the other As the method is plain and easy so is the stile I use only the common and plain Arguments Some perhaps might have expected a dilution or answering of the Adversaries Reasons It is hard to propose them to their Palate They complain their arguments are enervate and clipped Neither is it expedient to bring forth from the Devils Armory and Magazin his fiery darts In confuting the Adversaries I use no worse language than Do not they err Sometimes I treat the Quakers with such language as they use against others Though they look like Lambs yet gall them but a little and you will find them express the Matulent and Teen of their heart And as Cacus spouted fire against Hercules who persued him as a Theif so will they against all who persue them as Hereticks Anno 1662. I published a little Book intituled Tyrocinia Mathematica for the use of my Schollars and young Students which was dedicated to that great Hero John Duke of Lauderdail Anno 1669 I had a large Book printed in Holland dedicated to the Earle of Winton In the year 1672 a third was published intituled the Hydrostaticks Though some endeavoured to ruin the reputation of my Writings at home yet they were not able to do it abroad But least this peece may meet with the like welcome into the world I shall beg liberty to cite one passage of a letter from a most intelligent Gentleman in vindication of that Book intituled Ars Nova Magna against which so many flate contradictions were uttered which the other two likewise met with Ostend October 10. 1670. I must not forget to tell you a passage anent your late peece When we were at Breda we had occasion to see Collonel Lauther who fell in regrating that Scots Spirits were not encouraged And told he had seen a Book lately published by one Sinclar whereof he had a great esteem and that many others as well as he esteemed it highly For example he told of a Dutchman who is one of the French Virtuosi that said he had seen nothing on that subject comparable to it and it was esteemed so in France If you have any other thing to publish I pray you hasten it for it will not want acceptance This testimony was homologate afterwards by that famous Virtuoso and Mathematician Christopher Sturmius a German in his Book intituled Collegium Curiosum which some here have seen He hath gone thorow the Book diligently and gleaned the finest purposes in it and sent them abroad not as his own Inventions but as mine which he would never have done if the Experiments had been all of them either Untruths and Lies or not New and unheard off This testimony from a Stranger vindicates sufficiently The rest of my writings are likewise commended by Mr. Boile Sir Frances Hales Doct. Glanvil and others men of eminent skill and knowledge in such matters as I treat of In going thorow this Book you will find the Papists confuted upon threescore and fourteen several heads The Quakers upon thirty and two The Socinians upon fourty and seven The Lutherians upon thirteen The Antinomians upon as many The Anabaptists upon thirty and two The Arminians upon twenty and seven The rest are confuted some upon fewer some upon more heads and that only according to their chief and grand Errors For a man to confute all and every one of their false and absurd Tenets would be a task like the cleanseing of Augeas King of Elis his Ox-stall which none but Hercules was able to do Neither would it be worth the while seeing by the confutation of those mentioned you may the more easily confute the rest If any be too curious to inquire why the Author hath touched so many controversies in Religion and yet hath medled nothing with the great controversie of the time I answer I had been both officious and impertinent to have touched matters which lay not in my way For in all the Confession which is the onlie Road I walk in there is not one Mum or Syllable of the one Government or of the other The Book for Paper and Character may compare with many from abroad The Printer a Person of special