Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A62125
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A defence of the peaceable and friendly address to the non-conformists against the ansvver lately given to it. In which the obligation to conform to the constitutions of the established church is maintained and vindicated. The answerers objections solv'd; and his calumnies refuted.
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Synge, Edward, 1659-1741.
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1698
(1698)
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Wing S6377; ESTC R221946
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57,215
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64
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to_o be_v extend_v than_o as_o i_o have_v set_v the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o it_o but_o what_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o paragraph_n be_v design_v to_o show_v that_o allow_v my_o notion_n of_o christian_a liberty_n to_o be_v just_a and_o good_a yet_o still_o our_o ceremony_n be_v destructive_a of_o it_o because_o they_o be_v make_v essential_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o if_o he_o can_v but_o prove_v as_o clear_o as_o he_o have_v confident_o affirm_v it_o than_o indeed_o and_o not_o otherwise_o he_o may_v have_v reason_n to_o say_v that_o my_o answer_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o the_o objection_n even_o as_o i_o myself_o have_v frame_v it_o now_o here_o i_o must_v desire_v the_o reader_n to_o take_v notice_n what_o a_o poor_a and_o disingenuous_a piece_n of_o sophistry_n our_o author_n endeavour_v to_o put_v upon_o the_o world_n to_o convince_v the_o nonconformist_n that_o our_o ceremony_n be_v no_o infringement_n of_o christian_a liberty_n i_o give_v they_o to_o understand_v in_o my_o address_n that_o our_o church_n do_v not_o impose_v they_o as_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n in_o opposition_n to_o which_o he_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v by_o we_o make_v essential_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o destructive_a of_o christian_a liberty_n but_o when_o he_o come_v to_o produce_v his_o argument_n he_o cunning_o conceal_v the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a part_n of_o the_o conclusion_n which_o he_o be_v to_o prove_v and_o as_o for_o the_o other_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v but_o a_o appendage_n to_o or_o superstructure_n upon_o the_o former_a he_o pervert_v and_o plain_o alter_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o it_o the_o fundamental_a part_n of_o the_o conclusion_n which_o he_o undertake_v to_o prove_v be_v that_o our_o ceremony_n be_v by_o we_o make_v essential_a part_n of_o religion_n but_o in_o order_n to_o make_v this_o good_a he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o offer_v the_o least_o word_n or_o syllable_n the_o other_o part_n be_v that_o we_o make_v they_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o indeed_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v but_o in_o a_o clear_a different_a sense_n from_o that_o in_o which_o i_o deny_v it_o my_o meaning_n be_v plain_o this_o that_o our_o church_n do_v not_o pretend_v that_o her_o ceremony_n be_v immediate_o derive_v from_o the_o essence_n of_o religion_n or_o upon_o that_o account_n necessary_a to_o be_v observe_v which_o i_o grant_v will_v be_v a_o encroachment_n upon_o christian_a liberty_n but_o all_o that_o he_o argument_n can_v pretend_v to_o prove_v be_v that_o our_o ceremony_n be_v impose_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n the_o use_n of_o they_o be_v esteem_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n not_o as_o be_v essential_a part_n of_o religion_n or_o so_o repute_v by_o we_o but_o only_o as_o they_o be_v the_o matter_n wherein_o we_o ought_v to_o show_v our_o conformity_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n in_o answer_n therefore_o to_o all_o his_o argument_n at_o once_o i_o shall_v only_o tell_v he_o that_o obedience_n to_o the_o lawful_a command_n of_o lawful_a authority_n be_v one_o of_o those_o duty_n which_o god_n have_v make_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o as_o far_o as_o any_o ceremony_n be_v the_o matter_n of_o such_o obedience_n so_o far_o it_o be_v by_o consequence_n in_o its_o proper_a degree_n also_o necessary_a although_o it_o be_v no_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n herein_o which_o be_v any_o way_n destructive_a of_o christian_a liberty_n but_o that_o which_o he_o shall_v have_v prove_v be_v that_o we_o esteem_v our_o ceremony_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n even_o antecedent_o to_o the_o command_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o law_n that_o therefore_o our_o author_n argument_n which_o he_o here_o urge_v be_v all_o of_o they_o wide_o from_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n be_v as_o evident_a as_o may_v be_v but_o because_o in_o some_o of_o they_o he_o have_v a_o sly_a design_n not_o so_o much_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o have_v just_a before_o undertake_v as_o to_o render_v the_o establish_v church_n as_o black_a and_o odious_a as_o may_v be_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o his_o party_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a before_o i_o proceed_v to_o wipe_v off_o that_o dirt_n which_o here_o he_o rake_n together_o to_o throw_v at_o she_o in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o i_o must_v tell_v he_o that_o what_o i_o have_v hitherto_o read_v of_o his_o book_n have_v not_o beget_v in_o i_o such_o a_o opinion_n of_o his_o veracity_n as_o upon_o his_o bare_a word_n to_o make_v i_o give_v credit_n to_o what_o he_o suppose_v viz._n that_o the_o bare_a omission_n of_o ceremony_n though_o out_o of_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n be_v by_o we_o judge_v schism_n sedition_n and_o rebellion_n and_o make_v worthy_a of_o fine_v imprisonment_n and_o excommunication_n nor_o have_v i_o any_o reason_n to_o think_v his_o good_a nature_n towards_o we_o to_o be_v so_o abundant_a as_o that_o he_o will_v have_v omit_v to_o quote_v some_o passage_n of_o our_o law_n or_o canon_n if_o any_o such_o there_o have_v be_v to_o make_v good_a this_o charge_n to_o the_o utmost_a which_o he_o thus_o aggravate_v against_o we_o that_o conscience_n which_o be_v true_o tender_a ought_v ever_o to_o be_v use_v with_o the_o great_a gentleness_n be_v the_o unanimous_a opinion_n of_o all_o sober_a and_o good_a man_n that_o ever_o i_o remember_v to_o have_v meet_v with_o either_o of_o our_o own_o or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o although_o in_o the_o letter_n of_o humane_a law_n a_o exception_n or_o dispensation_n for_o tender_a conscience_n be_v no_o way_n proper_a to_o be_v express_o insert_v because_o every_o man_n be_v able_a to_o make_v this_o pretence_n and_o none_o but_o god_n who_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v able_a to_o confute_v it_o where_o it_o be_v false_o but_o crafty_o make_v this_o will_v be_v the_o way_n whole_o to_o enervate_a the_o sanction_n and_o force_n of_o all_o such_o law_n and_o so_o to_o leave_v it_o at_o every_o man_n pleasure_n whether_o he_o will_v observe_v they_o or_o not_o yet_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o they_o at_o least_o of_o all_o such_o as_o concern_v religion_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n i_o free_o grant_v that_o a_o due_a regard_n ought_v to_o be_v have_v to_o the_o invincible_a mistake_n of_o all_o such_o as_o appear_v to_o be_v well-meaning_a man_n because_o it_o ought_v ever_o to_o be_v presume_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o lawmaker_n be_v not_o or_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v that_o such_o sort_n of_o man_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v severe_o deal_v with_o and_o if_o any_o particular_a man_n have_v ever_o press_v the_o execution_n of_o our_o ecclesiastical_a law_n beyond_o this_o let_v they_o answer_v for_o themselves_o for_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o shall_v never_o appear_v in_o their_o defence_n but_o where_o there_o be_v most_o strong_a presumption_n that_o it_o be_v not_o real_a tenderness_n of_o conscience_n but_o some_o other_o principle_n which_o prompt_v a_o man_n not_o only_a himself_o to_o refuse_v obedience_n to_o lawful_a authority_n but_o also_o to_o persuade_v as_o many_o as_o he_o can_v to_o join_v with_o he_o therein_o where_o a_o man_n can_v without_o remorse_n or_o scuple_n break_v some_o of_o the_o most_o know_a law_n of_o god_n can_v confident_o vent_v such_o slander_n and_o calumny_n as_o be_v not_o only_o contrary_a to_o charity_n but_o also_o to_o truth_n itself_o and_o can_v pervert_v and_o misquote_v not_o only_o the_o write_n of_o a_o man_n but_o even_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o while_n shall_v refuse_v to_o obey_v such_o command_n of_o authority_n as_o he_o can_v show_v to_o be_v either_o express_o or_o by_o good_a consequence_n contrary_a to_o any_o law_n or_o command_n of_o god_n which_o i_o have_v plain_o show_v to_o be_v our_o author_n case_n if_o such_o a_o man_n as_o this_o shall_v yet_o plead_v the_o tenderness_n of_o his_o conscience_n for_o refuse_v conformity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n which_o yet_o it_o seem_v be_v tough_a enough_o to_o dispense_v with_o the_o violation_n of_o the_o above_o mention_v law_n of_o god_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v whether_o such_o a_o plea_n and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v and_o if_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n be_v not_o put_v in_o execution_n against_o a_o man_n who_o plain_o appear_v to_o be_v of_o this_o temper_n i_o think_v he_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o thank_v the_o mildness_n of_o the_o government_n than_o to_o attribute_v it_o to_o any_o justice_n which_o he_o may_v pretend_v to_o be_v on_o his_o side_n or_o
unlawful_a or_o if_o not_o for_o what_o reason_n we_o be_v so_o for_o my_o part_n i_o know_v no_o other_o mysticalness_n in_o any_o or_o our_o ceremonles_a save_v only_o that_o we_o use_v they_o as_o apt_a and_o proper_a mark_n of_o what_o we_o inward_o intend_v we_o uncover_v our_o head_n and_o kneel_v on_o our_o knee_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o to_o denote_v that_o profound_a reverence_n which_o we_o ought_v always_o to_o have_v for_o his_o majesty_n and_o something_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n we_o design_v in_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o ceremony_n and_o if_o he_o will_v call_v this_o a_o mystery_n yet_o i_o think_v he_o ought_v câ—_n early_o to_o prove_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o not_o take_v it_o for_o a_o sufficient_a contutation_n of_o we_o that_o he_o have_v improper_o apply_v a_o hard_a word_n upon_o this_o occasion_n without_o any_o distinct_a explication_n of_o its_o meaning_n but_o time_n place_n person_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v circumstance_n of_o humane_a action_n can_v say_v he_o be_v call_v rite_n or_o ceremony_n i_o pray_v why_o so_o be_v not_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a sabbath_n and_o other_o festival_n the_o place_n jerusalem_n and_o the_o â—eâ—â—â—â—_n where_o they_o keep_v their_o feast_n and_o perform_v much_o of_o their_o worship_n and_o the_o person_n of_o the_o particular_a tribe_n of_o â—evi_fw-la who_o be_v immediate_o appoint_v to_o minister_v to_o god_n in_o their_o public_a service_n be_v not_o the_o observation_n of_o all_o these_o i_o say_v part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o moses_n and_o if_o they_o be_v why_o may_v not_o the_o particular_a 〈◊〉_d plâ—â—e_n and_o peâ—â—â—_n appoint_v â—or_a the_o performance_n of_o a_o action_n be_v call_v ceremony_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o the_o pâ—â—iâ—â—_n iâ—â—dy_n or_o the_o 〈◊〉_d in_o which_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v doâ—â—_n but_o if_o ceremony_n and_o circumstance_n do_v thus_o in_o a_o manner_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n ceremony_n shall_v be_v necessary_a and_o not_o indifferent_a see_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o circumstance_n i_o answer_v that_o though_o to_o do_v a_o action_n without_o all_o circumstance_n be_v impossible_a yet_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a circumstance_n may_v bâ—_n indifferent_a and_o not_o necessary_a because_o it_o may_v be_v change_v for_o another_o â—nd_v if_o we_o will_v be_v nice_a in_o distinguish_v these_o word_n ceremony_n and_o circumstance_n one_o from_o the_o other_o all_o the_o difference_n that_o i_o know_v between_o they_o â—â—â—â—is_n viz._n that_o as_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v a_o concomitant_a of_o a_o action_n be_v ordinary_o call_v a_o circumstance_n of_o it_o so_o those_o circumstance_n which_o by_o any_o law_n or_o custom_n general_o observe_v be_v particular_o determine_v and_o aâ—â—exed_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o action_n be_v usual_o term_v the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o it_o and_o according_o there_o may_v be_v ceremony_n of_o divine_a civil_a ecclesiastical_a or_o bâ—re_o customary_a determination_n and_o appointment_n as_o i_o have_v but_o now_o say_v but_o if_o a_o ceremony_n in_o worship_n which_o i_o alarm_n to_o be_v but_o a_o circumstance_n be_v not_o natural_a and_o necessary_a for_o a_o decent_a performance_n of_o the_o action_n nor_o comprehend_v in_o any_o general_a law_n of_o christ_n it_o must_v be_v a_o addition_n to_o his_o institution_n and_o contrary_a to_o that_o precept_n deut._n 12._o 32._o but_o here_o again_o be_v a_o great_a stress_n lay_v upon_o doubtful_a expression_n without_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n offer_v towards_o â—â—eaâ—ing_v the_o meaning_n and_o remove_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o they_o for_o neither_o have_v he_o tell_v we_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o these_o word_n natural_a and_o necessary_a which_o sometime_o be_v take_v in_o a_o strict_a sense_n to_o denote_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v absolute_o and_o indispensable_o require_v or_o dictate_v by_o the_o mere_a instinct_n â—â—_o 〈◊〉_d and_o sometime_o in_o a_o large_a sense_n to_o signify_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v only_o very_o proper_a and_o convenient_a nor_o have_v he_o inform_v we_o what_o 〈…〉_o by_o bâ—ing_v comprehend_v â—n_o a_o general_n law_n of_o christ_n for_o â—_o thâ—â—g_v may_v be_v thus_o comprehend_v in_o a_o general_a law_n either_o immediate_o and_o 〈◊〉_d as_o every_o direâ—t_a act_n of_o sin_n be_v comprehend_v under_o some_o geâ—â—â—â—_n pâ—â—hilition_n and_o every_o positive_a and_o direct_a act_n of_o duty_n under_o some_o of_o the_o general_n command_v or_o else_o more_o remote_o and_o reductive_o as_o the_o mean_n of_o perform_v a_o duty_n or_o resist_v a_o temptation_n and_o also_o some_o of_o the_o most_o congruous_a and_o proper_a circumstance_n of_o action_n which_o though_o variable_a in_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o various_a case_n which_o fall_v out_o yet_o according_a â—â—_o the_o rule_n of_o prudence_n and_o congruity_n be_v often_o reducible_a though_o more_o remote_o and_o not_o so_o direct_o to_o some_o of_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o duty_n because_o from_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o the_o goodness_n of_o action_n may_v be_v enhansâ—â—_n 〈…〉_o aggravate_v nor_o last_o have_v he_o fix_v the_o signification_n of_o this_o 〈…〉_o a_o addition_n to_o christ_n institution_n by_o which_o if_o he_o 〈◊〉_d the_o do_v any_o thing_n more_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o a_o duty_n than_o what_o strict_o and_o exâ—â—â—ly_o christ_n have_v command_v either_o he_o must_v prove_v that_o christ_n have_v commâ—nded_v every_o puncâ—â—â—â—â—_n of_o what_o be_v prescribe_v in_o the_o directory_n or_o else_o he_o must_v condemn_v that_o as_o well_o as_o the_o liturgy_n as_o a_o addition_n to_o christ_n institution_n but_o if_o by_o this_o expression_n he_o mean_v the_o enjoin_v and_o enact_v a_o uncommanded_a thing_n as_o if_o god_n himself_o have_v immediate_o command_v it_o and_o so_o counterfeit_v and_o stamp_v the_o divine_a authority_n upon_o that_o which_o be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o humane_a tradition_n or_o institution_n which_o to_o i_o seem_v the_o very_a utmost_a intent_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o precept_n which_o he_o quote_v deut._n 12._o 32._o he_o can_v but_o know_v that_o no_o manner_n of_o guilt_n can_v be_v fasten_v on_o our_o church_n upon_o this_o account_n because_o she_o plain_o and_o full_o distinguish_v between_o the_o unalterable_a command_n of_o god_n and_o her_o own_o ecclesiastical_a institution_n which_o she_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v alterable_a and_o not_o of_o eternal_a obligation_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o that_o paragraph_n oâ—_n my_o address_n which_o we_o be_v still_o upon_o i_o have_v desire_v to_o know_v since_o ceremony_n may_v be_v use_v without_o superstition_n how_o we_o can_v more_o effectual_o dâ—sclâ—_n 〈…〉_o the_o use_v of_o they_o than_o we_o already_o do_v to_o which_o he_o return_v i_o thâ—â—_n 〈…〉_o more_o effectual_a way_n be_v to_o disclaim_v all_o use_n of_o they_o which_o be_v just_a as_o if_o 〈…〉_o say_v that_o the_o best_a way_n to_o use_v ceremony_n without_o superstition_n be_v 〈…〉_o at_o all_o and_o if_o that_o be_v not_o a_o contradiction_n i_o know_v not_o what_o be_v but_o here_o i_o must_v tell_v he_o that_o as_o there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o superstition_n either_o in_o prescribe_v or_o practise_v a_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v leâ—t_v in_o it_o selâ—_n indifferent_a as_o long_o as_o we_o retain_v and_o profess_v the_o true_a opinion_n of_o its_o indifferency_n so_o to_o disclaim_v whole_o the_o use_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v lawful_a as_o if_o it_o be_v forbid_v by_o god_n when_o real_o it_o be_v not_o so_o be_v in_o my_o apprehension_n a_o gross_a piece_n of_o superstition_n and_o therefore_o to_o disclaim_v all_o use_n of_o ceremony_n be_v not_o so_o effectual_a a_o way_n to_o avoid_v superstition_n as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v we_o believe_v but_o rather_o the_o quite_o contrary_a for_o to_o lay_v any_o weight_n upon_o and_o to_o be_v guide_v by_o groundless_a imagination_n of_o our_o own_o in_o matter_n relate_v either_o to_o god_n providence_n or_o religion_n be_v what_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o proper_a and_o true_a notion_n of_o superstition_n and_o as_o this_o practice_n of_o disclaim_v all_o our_o ceremony_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n will_v evident_o be_v superstition_n so_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o our_o author_n press_v it_o be_v as_o plain_o as_o can_v be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o addition_n of_o a_o negative_a precept_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o whatever_o iâ—_n not_o command_v by_o god_n and_o be_v require_v by_o man_n as_o a_o mean_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v forbid_v by_o god_n upon_o which_o he_o will_v have_v we_o lay_v all_o our_o ceremony_n aside_o but_o no_o such_o prohibition_n as_o this_o appear_v in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n either_o