# bib

id: B06118
author: England and Wales. Sovereign (1685-1688 : James II)
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 1316
sentence: 50
flesch: 57
cache: cache/B06118.xml
txt: txt/B06118.txt
title:
  To the king's most excellent majesty, the humble address of the cittizens and inhabitants that are of the Presbyterian perswasion in the city of Edinburgh and Cannongate.

summary:
  Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. B06118) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 176237)


id: A42009
author: England and Wales. Parliament.
title: To both Houses of Parliament Friends, many warnings have you had, time after time ...
date: 1662.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 1440
sentence: 50
flesch: 64
cache: cache/A42009.xml
txt: txt/A42009.txt
summary:
  Therefore this further know , that if 〈◊〉 go on , and will not let People alone in matters of Worship , the Hand of the 〈◊〉 will certainly turn against you , and in his Fury will he plead with you , ●he line of Confusion will he spread over you ; which if you let the Con 〈…〉 ces of People alone , then will you have a good Esteem in the hearts of all 〈…〉 est People , and by it the Peace of the Nation may be prolonged : for there nothing outwardly so much prized by People , as the Liberty of their Consciences 〈◊〉 ●atters of Religion ; having that , Tribute , Taxes and Customs are not so much 〈…〉 ed at : FRiends , many Warnings have you had , time after time , from those that love the Lord , and the prosperity and good of all men , that you would not go about to limit the Consciences of People , but that in matters of Religion and Worship all might be left free , to worship the Lord as by Truth they are perswaded in their hearts , and not to use Violence to any on the account of Religion and Worship ; Therefore from the Lord I warn 〈◊〉 , not to meddle with the Hearts nor Consciences of People , let him have 〈◊〉 Supremacy there ; and by you let the Sword of Justice be laid upon the ●●●●●doers , and be ye a praise to them that do well , for that is your place :


id: A29980
author: Buckingham, George Villiers, Duke of, 1628-1687.
date: 1685.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 1584
sentence: 59
flesch: 62
cache: cache/A29980.xml
txt: txt/A29980.txt
title:
  The Duke of Buckingham His Grace's letter to the unknown author of a paper, entituled, A short answer to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham's paper concerning religion, toleration and liberty of conscience

summary:
  Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101142)


id: A92777
author: Seaman, Lazarus, d. 1675.
date: 1651.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 1453
sentence: 60
flesch: 66
cache: cache/A92777.xml
txt: txt/A92777.txt
title:
  Reverend and beloved, it hath pleased the Right Honorable the Lord Major of the City of London, once and again to write unto the ministers thereof respectively, in a very pious and pathetical manner. ...

summary:
  This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A92777 of text R211395 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason 669.f.16[28]). [London : 1651] Title from opening words of text.


id: A46515
author: England and Wales. Sovereign (1685-1688 : James II)
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 1845
sentence: 88
flesch: 65
cache: cache/A46515.xml
txt: txt/A46515.txt
title:
  A proclamation ... whereas by our royal proclamation of the date the 12 day of February 1686/7 James R.

summary:
  Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL).


id: A26414
author: Adis, Henry.
date: 1664.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 2724
sentence: 69
flesch: 52
cache: cache/A26414.xml
txt: txt/A26414.txt
title:
  A letter sent from Syrranam, to His Excellency, the Lord Willoughby of Parham, General of the Western Islands, and of the continent of Guianah, &c. then residing at the Barbados together, with the Lord Willoughby's answer thereunto : with a commendable description of that country / by Henry Adis.

summary:
  My Lord , THat Report which I heard in the Land of my Nativity , from all that I conversed withal that had travelled these Parts , of that worthy person , whom your Lordship hath lately honoured with the Title and Power of your Lieutenant General of this Continent of Guinah , was the great Motive , next the Glory of God , and the good of Souls , of my first intended Voyage unto this Place : And as for the freedom of our Liberties in the service of our God , according to what was promised by your Lordship , and also by the Act of the Council of this Colony , manifested , we do freely enjoy : the which , for mine own part ( God assisting ) shall not in the least be abused ; but as in the Land of my Nativity , so hear I shall fervently pray for , and earnestly endeavour the temporal preservation and eternal well-being both of the King , and all that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers , and for the praise of them that do well ; and shall not in the least endeavour either by word or action , directly or indirectly , to alienate the hearts of any of his subjects , either from him , or any that are set up or sent by him , though both he and they should persecute or dispitefully use us ; but shall ( God assisting ) both pray for them , and according to the rule of holy Scripture , preach up all dutiful obedience , both to Government and Governours , in all civil things : and if at any time either he , or you , shall force us to worship in the way , that either he , or you , do , or shall worship in , shall ( by the assistance of the Almighty ) resolve to suffer under you , and not in the least resist you my self , nor endeavour it by others , but shall press to a peaceable life and a holy conversation , the which in all probability may be hoped ( by the blessing of God ) to conduce much to the reforming of many of Country-men here , who call themselves Christians , yet by their debauched Atheistical Actions , evidence themselves more brutish by far , than the very Heathens themselves , to the shame and stink of Christianity amongst them ; the which , by the civil party here residing , is greatly hoped will , by your Lordships wisdom and care , now suddainly be remedied , although the constitution of the Colony , could not hitherto well brook a Reformation .


id: A48373
author: Crook, John, 1617-1699.
date: 1661.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 3023
sentence: 120
flesch: 65
cache: cache/A48373.xml
txt: txt/A48373.txt
title:
  Liberty of conscience asserted and several reasons rendred why no outward force nor imposition ought to be used in matters of faith and religion with several sayings collected from the speeches and writings of King James and King Charles the First / John Crook, Samuel Fisher, Francis Howgill, Richard Hubberthorne.

summary:
  Because , Force is contrary to the End for which it is pretended to be used ( viz. ) the preservation and safety of the Wheat , which End is not answered by Persecution , because the Wheat is in danger to be plucked up thereby , as Christ saith . 9. Because , to force , is inconsistent with the Belief of the Jews Conversion ( and other false worshippers ) which is prayed for by the Publick Teachers , and cannot be attained , if Persecution for Conscience be prosecuted . 10. Because , they that impose upon mens Consciences , exercise Dominion over mens Faith , which the Apostles denyed , saying , they had not Dominion over any mens Faith. 11. Because , Imposition upon mens Consciences necessitates them to sin , in yeelding a Conformity contrary to their own faith : for whatsoever is not of a mans own faith , is sin . 12. Now I say unto you , Refrain from these men , and let them alone : for if this Counsel , or this Work , be of men , it will come to nought :


id: A30550
author: Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
date: 1659.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 3653
sentence: 42
flesch: 9
cache: cache/A30550.xml
txt: txt/A30550.txt
title:
  To the Parliament of the common-wealth of England who are in place of authority to do justice, and in present power to ease the oppressed nation from its bonds : councel and advice unto you / from a friend that seeks after truth and righteousness from you ...

summary:
  Wherefore I am moved in Spirit , and in love to you and to this Nation , to lay it before you , and to desire it of you ( in whose hands the Liberties of this Nation yet remaineth ) that you will so prepare and allow the Foundation of Government in this Nation , that the Lord may be the chooser of our Rulers , to give and to execute righteous Laws for us , and that men that fears God and hates covetousness and every evil way , that Just men and Righteous men , men of Truth and uprightness , men of humility and soberness , men that are Constant to good Principles , and such whom the Lord hath blessed with the Spirit of sound Judgement , and with understanding , who may truly discern of Causes and equally Judge thereof , men that are for the Just freedom of all , and for the General good of all , and men that in all things will seek the glory of the Lord , be they rich or poor , high or low in birth or breeding ; yet let such be Rulers among us , and Judge this Nation , that all that do well may have praise and be justified , and all that do evil may be afraid , and punished ; and hereby shall the whole Nation be refreshed and comforted with the Mercies of the Lord , and his Name shall be the greatest among us , and Truth and Righteousness should run down , when Justice sits in the Throne ; And not men for greatness sake , in Titles or Birth , or otherwise , Chosen in Tradition , and not by Appointment of God , but men for Vertues sake , and not for earthly honour which perisheth , not Covetous nor Ambitious men , not proud and vain-glorious men , not such as seeks the honour from below , that respects vain titles & flatteries of men , not such as will seek themselves , and be perverted by gifts , not such as are Persecutors for a good Conscience sake , that are Zealous , but not according to knowledge , not wilful and heady men , not unconstant and changeable men , not Traitors that have turned for self-advantage , and will change with the times to any way of Government for earthly honour , for such will Judge for man and not for God , not ignorant men that wants the Spirit of sound Judgement , nor such as are prophane and without the fear of God ; nor such as these , be they rich or great , let not such be our Governours nor Judge over us , to make Laws and execute them for us in our Nation ; let all such men be cast out from among you , and disenabled by certain Just restrictions from ever receiving Trust or Authority over us ; for while such men have been in power and sate in the Throne , Justice and true Judgement have been perverted , and our Land hath groaned under oppre●sions , and the Inhabitants mourned for very grief of heart , because of the abounding of injustice and cruelty through their Rulers ; and the Lord hath been vexed with them , while ini●uity hath sate upon the Throne , and wilfulness Judged the people , and mercy been wanting , and just Judgement neglected , and the whole Land hath laid desolate because hereof ; And therefore I call unto you on the Lords behalf , make way and prepare for Righteousness to sit as Judge , & that men alone , that fears God , and are ordained of him thereunto , of what Profession or Birth soever they be , men of truth and justness , that have the Spirit of a good understanding , and are called of God , may have Authority in our Nation , to give Laws and execute them for us , such being brought into a capacity by you to be chosen , for to such men appointed of God , and fitted for that end , and truly called of him , being qualified as aforesaid , do we give the Authority and Power in our Nation , to Judge and to Govern in the things pertaining to this World , and over us as we are Members of this Nation , and over the outward man , and in the things between man and man , even to be a terrour to such as are without the fear of God , and to punish such by Just Laws without ; as breaks the Law of God within , though to the Lord God alone , we give the Authority and Power over us to Rule us and to Judge us in that Relation , as we are Members of his Kingdom , and over our inward man , and in the things pertaining to our Consciences in all things related to his worship , and service , and faith , and practices in Religion . And while thus it hath been in our Nation that our Kings have attained to the Throne of Government hereditarily , and by succession of Birth , and our Parliaments and Rulers have attained to the place of Judgement over us , by such a way of traditional choise , as hath been the custom in our forefathers dayes ( that knew no better , being in the dayes of Apostacy & great ignorance themselves ) and thus it hath continued for many Ages , whereby the Inhabitants have been alwayes suffering under , and lyable to great oppressions & vexations , being subjected under such a Government , falling as aforesaid , from Parents to Children , after the manner of the Heathen Nations , and being subjected to such Laws , made and executed by men , not truly called and ordained of God thereunto , insomuch that nothing hath been perceived nor intended by men of the hand of the Lord , and of his good Spirit in the calling of our Kings , and choosing of our Rulers ; but these things have com'd to pass and been after the Traditions of men , and not after the Order and Councel of the Lord God ; And our Nation hath been under the bonds of slavery in this respect , even because men have governed that ought not : and while the great and rich men hath been set to rule over the poor , and while men for earthly honour , and for riches sake in birth and breeding , have claimed to be Princes over us successively , and to be chosen our Rulers according to custom , without respect to their vertue and goodness , and without true calling from the Lord , or any certain Testimony from him , and thus it hath continued for many ages ; because of which the free born people hath deeply suffered the cruel oppressions of proud and ambitious and self-seeking men , who hath long ruled for themselves , and not for the Lord , and have com'd into the place of Authority over us , otherwise then by appointment and right calling from the Lord , as I have said ; and thus the Government of our Nation hath been out of course , and not as the Lord requireth it , even until this day , while great darkness hath remained upon the hearts of the people , which hath so blinded them , that they have not known their own bondage , nor yet how to be redeemed into perfect liberty , while they have subjected themselves ( through ignorance ) to be ruled by such men as had no right from God to that place of Rule and Government .


id: A60622
author: Smith, William, d. 1673.
date: 1661.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 3970
sentence: 68
flesch: 38
cache: cache/A60622.xml
txt: txt/A60622.txt
title:
  The cause plainly shewed of the persecution which is now upon the innocent people called Quakers and here is also a true declaration of their just and honest intentions, and in this all moderate people may see the ground of their sufferings / by William Smith.

summary:
  Councils , Judges , Justices , Officers and Souldiers , all know , and also be overcome to believe , and be perswaded in their own consciences that we are an innocent people , and seek the well-being & peace of all men : And if this will not be received , nor cannot be believed , yet know , that we do believe , and also are fully perswaded in our own consciences , that our purposes and intentions are just and honest towards all men , and to live quietly , peaceably and godly in this present evil world ; and that we neither seek to destroy or ruine the lives or estates of any persons or people upon the earth ; neither do we conspire , plot , or contrive any such thing ; for we know that all plots and conspiracies , insurrections and rebellions , do arise from that spirit that lusteth to envy , and not from Christ Jesus the Lamb of God ; and it is an evident testimony , that where such things are practised , they spring from that wicked one , and are nourished from the cruelty that is lodged in his enmity , out of which comes all murders , plots and conspiracies , rebellions and persecution ; and the Scripture-testimony is clear against all such practises , and the holy men of God they never walked in them , they never plotted or contrived , nor ever persecuted any people ; nor Christ Jesus , the Prince of peace , he never was of that mind , as to destroy mens lives , but to save them , and ought not the same minde to be in people as was in Christ Jesus , who laid down his life for his enemies ? he did not seek to destroy them , or persecute them , though they were his enemies ▪ now such are far off from his mind , that seek to destroy and persecute such as are not enemies , but truly friends and lovers of the whole Creation : now this is not his mind , nor doth not arise from him , but is brought forth from a contrary spirit , that was alwayes against him : And for our Allegiance to the King , we have made it manifest above many others ; for unto him have we declared the counsel of the Lord , and also faithfully warned and exhorted him to obey the Lords counsel , that his Rule and Government might stand in the power of God , unto which we are truly allieged and willingly subject ; and we have not at any time appeared against the King or his Government , nor plotted or conspired any evil against his person or power , but have paid our tribute in all lawfull things , as subjects to him : and this is a more evident testimony of our allegiance to the King , then persecution and cruelty , wrath and fury ; and all this swearing and imprisoning for refusing Oaths arises from the wicked one , that hath seated himself in peoples hearts , and hath the dominion over them , and brings forth his cruelty through them ; and so people having lost the power of God , that keeps faithfull in the yea and nay without an oath , they impose oaths upon one another , and swear one unto another , but do not perform their oaths faithfully ; then what is your oath worth , if there be not faithfulness to perform it ? and this is not without a witness in every conscience , this day , how many severall impositions have been invented , to engage and bind to every severall Government , as it hath risen , and how have they falsified their Covenants and Engagements ? and it will be so though people be sworn again and again , untill they come to the power of God , that teacheth to deny swearing , and to perform every promise faithfully without swearing ; and who are not come to the power of God , that keeps faithfull in yea and nay , they are not faithfull to their oath ; so that it is not an oath that makes any faithfull to the thing they are sworn unto , but the power of God that forbids swearing , and keeps faithful to what is promised in the yea , and to what is testified against in the nay .


id: A93589
author: Saltmarsh, John, d. 1647.
date: 1646.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 4622
sentence: 192
flesch: 74
cache: cache/A93589.xml
txt: txt/A93589.txt
title:
  An end of one controversie: being an answer or letter to Master Ley's large last book, called Light for smoke. One of the Assembly at Westminster. Which he writ lately against me. In which the sum of his last book, which relates to the most material passages in it, is gathered up and replied to. / By John Saltmarsh, not revolted (as Master Ley saith) from a pastoral calling; but departed from the Antichristian ministery by bishops, and now a preacher of the Gospel.

summary:
  The appendix to your book writ by a master of Arts , whether your friend , or your self , for I know not whom you make the two letters C. D. to stand for ; who brings in testimonials of your abilities , learning , piety , good carriage , worth , &c. who methinks speaking so much to your praise as he doth , stands a little too neer you ; we should not seek glory one of another , our praise should be of God , not of men . To the 5. Nor would I have men believe as they list , as you say of me : I would onely not have men forced to believe as others list , as you or your Brethren list : I would have Faith wrought by the Spirit of God , not by the spirits of men , who have no dominion over Faith .


id: A54221
author: Penn, William, 1644-1718.
date: 1682.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 2471
sentence: 67
flesch: 50
cache: cache/A54221.xml
txt: txt/A54221.txt
title:
  Some sober and weighty reasons against prosecuting Protestant dissenters for difference of opinion in matters of religion humbly offered to the consideration of all in authority.

summary:
  10. Reason , Because Persecution for matters of Conscience is a Breach of the good Rules of Humanity , and common Civility among all sorts of men , which is carefully observed in smaller matters : as for instance , among the many Creatures of God that are Food for mens Bodies , some things that are very pleasing and comfortable Food for some men , the same things are very Destructive to the health of other men ; now in this Case there is such Civility among all sorts of men that they hate and scorn to force one anothers Stomacks , looking upon it to be an inhumane practise ; and therefore do friendly , say to each other , Pray eat that which will best go down , and agree with your Stomack . Some sober and weighty reasons against prosecuting Protestant dissenters for difference of opinion in matters of religion humbly offered to the consideration of all in authority.


id: A39308
author: Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713.
date: 1683.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 5351
sentence: 204
flesch: 68
cache: cache/A39308.xml
txt: txt/A39308.txt
title:
  A seasonable disswasive from persecution humbly and modestly, yet with Christian freedom and plainness of speech, offered to the consideration of all concern'd therein, on behalf generally of all that suffer for conscience sake, particularly of the people called Quakers / by Thomas Ellwood.

summary:
  But if it be of God , ye cannot overthrow it , Acts 5. 38 , 39. If this People and their Meetings be not of God , you need not thus bestir you , you may spare your pains ; they 'll come to nought ; But if they be of God , ye cannot overthrow them .


id: A44764
author: Halifax, George Savile, Marquis of, 1633-1695.
title: A letter to a dissenter, upon occasion of His Majesties late gracious declaration of indulgence
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 5890
sentence: 153
flesch: 55
cache: cache/A44764.xml
txt: txt/A44764.txt
summary:
  When to men under Sufterings it ossereth Ease , the present Pain will hardly allow time to examine the Remedies ; and the strongest Reason can hardly gain a fair Audience from our Mind , whilst so possessed , till the smart is a little allayed . The desire of enjoying a Liberty from which men have been so long restrained , may be a Temptation that their Reason is not at all times able to resist .


id: A40302
author: Antoninus Pius, Emperor of Rome, 86-161.
date: 1661.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 6325
sentence: 102
flesch: 30
cache: cache/A40302.xml
txt: txt/A40302.txt
title:
  To the Pope and all his magistrates and the Protests here they and all Christendom may see the moderation of the heathen emperours to the Christians in the 650 years before there was a Pope, signified by their letters following in the behalf of the Christians liberty which will rise up in judgment against the Popes and their emperours and his magistrates and most of the Protestants, as here you may see in the reading of their declarations and the straitnesse of the orders of those called Christians now, and the largeness of the heathens then, as concerning liberty in the spirit to worship God : and also here you may see the heathen were more moderate to the Christians then the Christians, so called, are to one another : taken out of the ten persecutions.

summary:
  THe thing it self which in the sure and most firm Law of Nature is contained , doth give unto all men ( even as God hath ordained the same ) sufficient perseverance and understanding , both of such things as man ought to foresee , as also what things presently he ought to meditate , neither is there any thing therein to be doubted , of such which have their minds directed to the scope or work of perfect understanding ; so that the perfect comprehending of sound reason , and the perseverance thereof , be compared with the Knowledge of God , being the True and Perfect Virtue ; whereof let no wise man be troubled , although be sees divers men of divers dispositions ; for Wisdom which springeth of Virtue , cannot abide or acquaint her self with fond Idiots , unlesse that ( on the other side ) the malice of perverse litherness prolong her daies , and cause the same Idiocy to survive ; wherefore assuredly the Crown and Price of Virtue lyeth open unto all men , and the most Mighty God ordereth the judgement of the same : I undoubtedly ( as manifestly as possible is ) will endeavour my self to testifie and confess unto you , all the hope which is in me ; I think verily that the Emperours which before this time have lately been , even for their Tiranny had the Empire taken from them , and my Father onely exercising and used all meekness and lenity in his affairs , calling upon God the Father with great devotion and humility , hath been exalted to the same , and all the rest as men wanting their wits , and in comparison as savige Beasts , rather did give themselves to like cruelty , then unto any lenity and gentleness towards their Subjects , in which Tiranny every one for his time being nosuled , utterly subverted the True and Unfallible Doctrine , and so great malice was there kindled in their Breasts , that when all things were in peaceable tranquality , they made and raised most cruel and bloody intestine or civil Warrs ; it is credibly informed us , that in those dayes Apollo gave Answers , but not by any mans Mouth , but out of a certain Cave and dark place , ( saying ) that he was much disquietted by those that were the just men and livers upon the Earth , so that he could or would not for them declare a truth of such things as others demanded , and hereby it came to passe that such false divinations were given from the golden Tables in Apollo's Temple , and in this thing did his Prophetical Priest complain of , when he took up again the hair of his head that others had contemptuously cast down ? In all these things it shall be your part to employ your diligence in the behalf of the foresaid company of Christians , wherby this our commandment may speedily be accomplished , and also in this case by our clemency the common and publick peace may be preserved ; for undoubtedly by this means , as before we have said , the good will and favour of God towards us ( whereof in many cases we have had good experience ) shall alwayes continue with us ; And to the intent that this our Constitution may be notified to all men , it shall be requisite that the copy of these our Letters be set up in all places , that men may read and know the same , least any should be ignorant thereof .


id: A61911
author: Sturgion, John.
date: 1661.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 6191
sentence: 118
flesch: 37
cache: cache/A61911.xml
txt: txt/A61911.txt
title:
  A plea for tolleration of opinions and perswasions in matters of religion, differing from the Church of England. Grounded upon good authority of Scripture, and the practice of the primitive times. Shewing the unreasonablenesse of prescribing to other mens faith, and the evil of persecuting differing opinions. / Humbly presented to the kings most excellent majesty, by John Sturgion, a member of the Baptized People.

summary:
  And now I say unto you , Refrain from these men , and let them alone ; for if this Counsel ( or this work ) be of men , it will come to naught ; but if it be of God , ye cannot overthrow it , lest haply ye be found , even to fight against God. And this is much to be lamented , that men may with lesse danger , meet at Taverns , Ale-Houses , and other places of Debauchery , to Drink above measure , or Swear , Game , Rant and Tear , as if there were neither Heaven nor Hell , God nor Magistrates ; but if a few poor Men and Women , meet together in the Fear of the Lord , having mutual Faith , and Oneness of Heart , to pray unto Almighty God ; a part of whose Petition is , that God would Blesse & Guide Your Majesty , and all that are in Authority , that we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life , in all Godliness and Honesty , 1 Tim. 2. 2. at such Meetings many are offended .


id: A66451
author: Williams, Roger, 1604?-1683.
date: 1644.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 6495
sentence: 168
flesch: 59
cache: cache/A66451.xml
txt: txt/A66451.txt
title:
  A paraenetick, or, Humble addresse to the Parliament and assembly for (not loose, but) Christian libertie

summary:
  What things more terrible and more void and exclusive of all bearing and forbearing can you meditate yet , then Fines , Prisons , Exi●e , prohibiting the exercise of our W●y and our Ministery , but upon hard conditions ; which things we have too much cause to feare and expect , as not much exceeding the rate and proportion of some present conclu●ions , and more menacing agitations . Is it for that wee have no T●●tullus to plead our Cause , or for that wee are few and peaceable , and you may use us how you list ?


id: A54101
author: Penn, William, 1644-1718.
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 6285
sentence: 159
flesch: 50
cache: cache/A54101.xml
txt: txt/A54101.txt
title:
  Advice to freeholders and other electors of members to serve in Parliament in relation to the penal laws and the tests : in a letter to a friend in the conntry [sic].

summary:
  She will not pretend to deny his Majesty Liberty of Conscience ; If she doth not , can she expect by his Permission and Authority to cudgel her fellow Subjects into a Communion which he doth not approve , and that after he hath so solemnly declared his Royal Judgment to be against all Persecution for Conscience sake ? He intends not to deprive the Church of England of such Laws as are defensive of her Religion and Possessions , but only to abrogate such Statutes , as the Iniquity or short-sightedness of past Ages hath armed her with to annoy and offend her Neighbours ; Laws wicked in themselves , and which she hath too long , very wickedly executed , and therefore very fit to be yielded up . Church and state -- England.


id: A84470
author: England and Wales. Council of State.
date: 1653.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 665
sentence: 42
flesch: 70
cache: cache/A84470.xml
txt: txt/A84470.txt
title:
  At the Council of State at White-Hall. The Parliament having lately intrusted this Council to take care that the good people of England, Scotland, and Ireland, be protected in their peaceable assemblies ...

summary:
  This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A84470 of text R211735 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason 669.f.17[63]). [1653] Title from caption and opening lines of text. Signed and dated at end: Saturday November 12.


id: A28876
author: Boulbie, Judith.
date: 1665.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 2911
sentence: 95
flesch: 68
cache: cache/A28876.xml
txt: txt/A28876.txt
title:
  A testimony for truth against all hireling priests and deceivers with a cry to the inhabitants of this nation to turn to the Lord before His dreadful judgments overtake them : also a testimony against all observers of times and dayes.

summary:
  Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com).


id: A61897
author: Sanderson, Robert, 1587-1663.
title: Bishop Sanderson's judgment concerning submission to usurpers
date: 1678.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 8059
sentence: 206
flesch: 51
cache: cache/A61897.xml
txt: txt/A61897.txt
summary:
  Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.


id: A55112
author: Halifax, George Savile, Marquis of, 1633-1695. A letter to a dissenter.
title: The Plea of the harmless oppressed, against the cruel oppressor
date: 1688.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 8431
sentence: 184
flesch: 50
cache: cache/A55112.xml
txt: txt/A55112.txt
summary:
  Now that the Church of England do so account them their Sentiments in the Devonshire Orders do manifest , and their Resolves to prosecute them accordingly , and what else can be expected should hinder ●h●m , for they will have their Sa●rifice , tho without Mercy to the poor Widdows and Fatherless ; for if they will not come to Church and stay their all the tim● of their Divine Service , they must have no Relief by thei● Devonshire Law , and so here 's li●●le hope of the Conversion of the Church of E●gland from this P●inciple , and therefore its good that thos● Laws may be taken away that gives th●m p●wer to put them in Practice . THis Kingdom having suffered great Miseries and Calamities for several Ages and Generations past , and of late have been in a shaking unstable State and Condition , by reason of the great Animosities and Divisions amongst the Inhabitants ●hereof , and especially touching matters meerly concerning the Worship of God , which alone belongs to the Great God to appoint and order , whose Prerogative alone it is to rule in the Consciences of Men ; for whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin , and the Scriptures ●a●th , Let every one be fully perswaded in his own mind : And now such is the dark depraved state of Man-kind , that tho his understanding be so darkned , and his mind thus blinded by the Prince of Darkness , who rules in the Hearts of the Children of Men , that he is always aspiring , and meddling with those matters that God hath reserved alone to himself , viz. to prescribe Rules , and make Orders for the Worship of God ; tho the Lord hath threatned , that because their fear to him is taught by Mens Precepts , he will proceed to do a marvellous work , and a wonder , for the wisdom of their wise men shall Perish , &c. Jer. 29.13 , 14.


id: A62565
author: Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 8808
sentence: 273
flesch: 64
cache: cache/A62565.xml
txt: txt/A62565.txt
title:
  The indispensable necessity of the knowledge of the Holy Scripture in order to man's eternal salvation and ignorance therein, the mother of idolatry and superstition asserted in a sermon / preached by John Tillotson ...

summary:
  And if what is done be not particularly understood , he tells us the People are not Edified , nor can say Amen to the Prayers and Thanksgivings that are put up to God : And that any Man that should come in and find People serving of God in this unprofitable and unreasonable manner , would conclude that they were mad . For our parts we have no fear that our People should understand Religion too well : We could wish , with Moses , that all the Lord's People were Prophets : We should be heartily glad the People would read the Holy Scriptures more diligently , being sufficiently assured that it is their own fault if they learn any thing but what is good from thence : We have no Doctrines or Practices contrary to Scripture , and consequently no occasion to keep it close from the sight of the People , or to hide any of the Commandments of God from them : We leave these mean Arts to those who stand in need of them .


id: A44723
author: Halifax, George Savile, Marquis of, 1633-1695.
date: 1688.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 4813
sentence: 93
flesch: 42
summary: Church of England. Church and state -- England.
cache: cache/A44723.xml
txt: txt/A44723.txt
title:
  A letter from a clergy-man in the city, to his friend in the country, containing his reasons for not reading the declaration


id: A60639
author: Smith, William, d. 1673.
date: 1663.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 3263
sentence: 78
flesch: 53
cache: cache/A60639.xml
txt: txt/A60639.txt
title:
  Liberty of conscience pleaded by several weighty reasons on the behalf of the people of God called Quakers and also, on the behalf of others whose consciences are tender towards God : with a tender message of love unto the King / written by William Smith.

summary:
  London , Printed , and are to be sold by William Warwick , 1662 THe holy God , whose wisdom is infinite and unsearchable , did make of one blood all nations , and by his power and wisdom he breathed into man the breath of Life , and endued him with pure Reason , and Understanding , in which he bore the Image of God in Righteousness and true Holiness ; and therein he was made to differ from all sensuall Creatures ; and as the pure Reason and Understanding did fill his inward man , he had true liberty in the same , and his Conscience was free as unto God ; but the fall leading nature out of its course , the Earthly wisdom entred man , and man entred into it , and thereby lost his pure Reason and Understanding in which he was created , and became earthly , sensuall and devellish ; in which nature mans Conscience is bound in Chains of darkness , and in the same nature he would binde the Conscience of others unto his own perswasion ; but in the beginning it was not so : 1. It being generally confessed , that man is degenerated from God , and that there is to be a Restauration by Jesus Christ ▪ then in what way soever Christ doth appear in man to restore him unto God , he is not to be limited , or his appearance quenched by any Law or Decree ; though he may appeare contrary to mans expectation .


id: A46958
author: Johnson, Samuel, 1649-1703.
title: The opinion is this, that resistance may be vsed, in case our religion and rights should be invaded
date: 1689.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 6268
sentence: 202
flesch: 56
cache: cache/A46958.xml
txt: txt/A46958.txt
summary:
  Com. Lib. 8. Prius quàm foedus iniretur , in Concilium adhibiti fuerunt non Iureconsulti modo , sed Theologi quoque● Lutherus semper docuerat Magistratui non esse resistendum , & extabat ejus h●● de re libellus : cùm autem in hâc deliberatione periti juris docerent Legibus esse permissum , resistere nonnunquam , & nunc in eum Casum , de quo Leges inter alia mentionem faciant , rem esse deductam ostenderent , Lutherus ingenuè prositetur , se Nescivisse hoc licere : Et quia Leges Politicas Evangelium non impugnet aut aboleat , uti semper docuerit , deinde , quoniam hoc tempore tam dubio tamque formidoloso multa possint accidere , sic ut non modo jus ipsum sed Conscientiae quoque vis atque necessitas arma nobis porrigat , Defensionis cau●à foedus iniri posse dicit , sive Caesar ipse , sive quis alius fortè bellum ejus nomine faciat . The Saxon and the Lan●grave in their Declaration , 2 September , which was in answer to the Emperours , from his Camp at Ingolstadt , have these words : Sleid.


id: A33745
author: Care, Henry, 1646-1688.
date: 1688.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 9772
sentence: 290
flesch: 60
cache: cache/A33745.xml
txt: txt/A33745.txt
title:
  An answer to a paper importing a petition of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and six other bishops, to His Majesty, touching their not distributing and publishing the late declaration for liberty of conscience

summary:
  And what greater Assay to it can there be , than Disobedience ? inasmuch as he that thinks his Prince ought not to be obey'd , will from one thing to another , come at last to think him not fit to be King. Now when all Clergy-men have subscribed , That the Book of Common-Prayer , containeth nothing in it , contrary to the Word of God ; and that the King has enjoyned , That his Declaration be read in all Churches , during the time of Divine Service ; these Subscriptions of theirs ( besides the Authority of King and Parliament ) conclude themselves , from offering any thing against the Lawfulness of reading it , as it had been enjoyn'd to them , and the Rubrick , requir'd of them .


id: A30325
author: Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.
date: 1688.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 6688
sentence: 125
flesch: 43
cache: cache/A30325.xml
txt: txt/A30325.txt
title:
  An apology for the Church of England, with relation to the spirit of persecution for which she is accused

summary:
  As for the security which is offe●ed us in this repeating of the Kings promise● , we must crave leave to remember , that the King of France , even after he had resolved to break the Edict of Nantes , yet repeated in above an hundred Edicts , that were real and visible violations of that Edict , a clause con●irmatory of the Edict of Nantes , declaring that he would never Violate it : and in that we may see what account is to be had of all promises made to Hereticks , in matter● of Religion , by any Prince of the Roman Commu●ion , but more particularly by a Prince who has put the conduct of his Consciince in the hands of a Iesuite . Another Buffo●n , 〈…〉 to pl●gue the Nation with three or four P●pers a week , whi●h to the Reproach o● t●e Age in which we live , had but too g●eat and too general an effect , for poysoning the spirits of the Clergy .


id: A26410
author: Adis, Henry.
date: 1661.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 8033
sentence: 148
flesch: 43
cache: cache/A26410.xml
txt: txt/A26410.txt
title:
  A fannaticks addresse humbly presented to the King and his peers, and also to his people in their representative, the Commons House of Parliament ... discovering to them, the innocency of his actings in the midst of the late revolutions of governments in this nation ... / by Henry Adis ...

summary:
  Exalteth it Self against the Knowledge of Jesus Christ ; and to bring every Soul to the Obedience of Christ , in all his Lawes , Statutes , Ordinances , and Appointments : In order whereunto , Sixthly , We look upon it to be agreeble to the pure Will and Mind of God , th●t there be a free Toleration for Men and Women to Worship God , without either Constraint or Restraint ; And that no Acts of Violence be used against them therein , to force the Conscience of any , no not of the meanest of the Sons and Daughters of Men , of what perswasion or Judgement soever they be of ; because Jesus Christ out of that exceeding Love of the Father , was sent to lay down his Life for the Sins of the World , John 1. 29. and to be a Redemption for that first Transgression , Heb. 9. 15. under the guilt of which all the whole Bulk of Mankinde that ever were , are , or ever shall be , by Imputation , do lie under ; and from the punishment of which by Jesus Christ they shall all be released , and restored , Rom. 5. 18. Secondly , As we do own Magistracy to be of God ; so we cannot look upon our selves to be concerned in the affairs of this , or any other Nation , so as to have to do with Government , as to our own particulars , although we were indowed with such Qualications and Estates , as might render us Capable thereof ; because we look upon our selves to be a People chosen out of the World , and such as shall be hated of the World , Joh. 15. 19. and for the sake and Name of Christ shall be Haled before Kings , Rulers , Governonrs , Magistrates , and Councils of this World , as he himself hath foretold us , Mat. 10. 17 , 18.


id: A30552
author: Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
date: 1659.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 4575
sentence: 47
flesch: 0
cache: cache/A30552.xml
txt: txt/A30552.txt
title:
  To the rulers and to such as are in authority a true and faithful testimony concerning religion, and the establishment thereof, and how it may be established in persons and in nations / by Edward Burrough.

summary:
  Oh blind and ignorant men ! this is a shame unto you , how manie thousands of thousand pounds have the Priests had out of this Nation for teaching religion , & preaching to people , & yet the nation remains unsetled in religion and they are beging to the powers of the Earth , to constrain & compel a settlement of Religion , and this shames them , and shews that they are they that Paul speakes of , and that the people of this nation are them that are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth , though you have been long learning , you are unsetled , and are not come to the knowledge of the truth : but had these Priests been such that were sent of the Lord , through their ministry would the nations long since have been setled in Religion , for they have been teachers long enough , and put the Nation to charge great enough , that people might have known ere this day the holy annointing to dwell in them , and to teach them , and to settle them in Religion , but it is manifest that they have ran and not been sent , but left peoples and nations unsetled as the waters , notwithstanding , all their preaching , and ministry for so many years , yet it seemes there wants still a settlement in Religion , and seeing their preaching hath had no effect to doe it , but their Ministry hath been all in vain , and people are not learned in Religion , nor yet established therein , whereby their Ministry is proved not to be Christs Ministry ( for the Apostles did setle people , and the Churches in Religion , which theirs hath done no such thing ) & therefore it is that the powers of the Earth are called to , that they may force by violence and by violent Laws , that by that means a worship and Religion may be setled as they say ; and their Ministry hath not drawn people by love , and therefore would they have people forced and compelled to be of such or such Religion but this is not Christs way , nor the way that his Apostles and true Churches were in ; for the spirit of the Father led each one of them , to be Religious , and that same spirit setled and established them in it , and not external Laws nor powers of the Earth , but that was Antichrists way , and the beasts and the false Prophets way , for when they had killed the Saints , and slain true Religion , then the beast and false prophets they established a Religion or worship by outward Lawes ; and it s written , that he caused and compelled all , both small and great , bond and free , to worship the beast and his image ; and here was a setled people in a Religion and worship by an outward compelling power . And thus it was then and is now the same , false Churches and false Religions are setled by an outward Authority ; and it was Nebuchadnezzar and his wicked Princes that setled a Religion or worship by an outward power & by an earthly authority , but that was not the worship of true Religion , but was the worship of Antichrist , and so it hath been for ages ; that worship that is setled , and that Religion which is established by an outward external power and the Lawes of men , is but the worship of Antichrist , and not the true Religion , nor the worship of the living God , which is in spirit and in truth , but it must all be overthrown and brought to nought , both that Religion and worship that is out of the spirit , and that power that upholds it , and now the Lord God is risen to confound the thoughts of mens hearts , and he alone will setle and establish Religion by his own power and by his own Law , and through his own Ministry , and as people comes to that of God in them , to feel the Spirit and power of the Lord God to change them ; hereby will every one particularly be setled in Religion , and by no other way nor means ; and this I know from the Lord .


id: A50959
author: Milton, John, 1608-1674.
date: 1659.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 12178
sentence: 280
flesch: 48
cache: cache/A50959.xml
txt: txt/A50959.txt
title:
  A treatise of civil power in ecclesiastical causes shewing that it is not lawfull for any power on earth to compell in matters of religion / the author, J.M.

summary:
  And if the governors of this common-wealth since the rooting out of prelats have made least use of force in religion , and most have favord Christian liberty of any in this Iland before them since the first preaching of the gospel , for which we are not to forget our thanks to God , and their due praise , they may , I doubt not , in this treatise finde that which not only will confirm them to defend still the Christian liberty which we enjoy , but will incite them also to enlarge it , if in aught they yet straiten it . It will require no great labor of exposition to unfold what is here meant by matters of religion ; being as soon apprehended as defin'd , such things as belong chiefly to the knowledge and service of God : and are either above the reach and light of nature without revelation from above , and therfore liable to be variously understood by humane reason , or such things as are enjoind or forbidden by divine precept , which els by the light of reason would seem indifferent to be don or not don ; and so likewise must needs appeer to everie man as the precept is understood .


id: A54235
author: Penn, William, 1644-1718.
date: 1668.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 5921
sentence: 151
flesch: 54
cache: cache/A54235.xml
txt: txt/A54235.txt
title:
  Truth exalted, in a short, but sure testimony against all those religions, faiths, and vvorships that have been formed and followed in the darkness of apostacy ... by William Penn the Younger ...

summary:
  Happy had it been for Adam and his Posterity , had he obeyed Gods Commands ; but transgression by disobedience getting entrance , he soon died to his Innocent State , in which God created him , and became alive in the Dominion sin had over him , being now as one without Law , in whose fallen State all Nations have been , and are , ( let their Professions seem never so great , and their Sacrifices never so many ) that live in the disobedient Nature , and so strangers to that Immortality and life Eternal , the first Adam became dead and darkened to by his transgression , and which the second Adam raises to the knowledge and possession of , by the power of his quickning Spirit ; yet where the Devil ( that subtile Serpent ) hath not totally extinguished the notion of a God , and the necessity of his being worshipped , it has been rather his interest than dis-service , to put the selfish part of the Creature upon sacrificing , wickedly insinuating that none can be freed from sin , and that the performing of Rites , Duties , and Ceremonies , is all God requires , and what is necessary to procure acceptance with him . Come now , you that are called Protestants , however denominated or distinguished , who profess the Scriptures for the Rule of Life and Doctrine , stand your Tryal by them ; and first those who are called Episcopalians , who date your Religion from the Martyrs : that those who first protested against the darkness and gross Idolatry of the Popish Antichrist , were directed thereto , and supported therein , by the mighty Power of God , is not denyed ; and that the Seals of blood they set to recommend their Testimonies to posterity , are with us in high esteem , I openly affirm and declare ; But that you of the Church of England have any more to do with them ( who now persecute us ) than had the Jews and Pharisees with Abraham , Moses , and the Prophets , who crucified the Lord of Life , is as positively disowned : for as they were out of the Life and Spirit of those Holy Men , ( though building and garnishing their Sepulchres , and making great profession with their words )


id: A54203
author: Penn, William, 1644-1718.
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 13924
sentence: 298
flesch: 41
cache: cache/A54203.xml
txt: txt/A54203.txt
title:
  The reasonableness of toleration, and the unreasonableness of penal laws and tests wherein is prov'd by Scripture, reason and antiquity, that liberty of conscience is the undoubted right of every man, and tends to the flourishing of kingdoms and commonwealths, and that persecution for meer religion is unwarrantable, unjust, and destructive to humane society, with examples of both kinds.

summary:
  Yet this must be the main design of those that study thus the destruction of all other Mortals but themselves within the Verge of their Jurisdiction ; which as it is a great Argument of a Spiritual Arbitrary Government , so is it at the same time a sign of no less Presumption for a particular number of Men , enclosed within the narrow Circle of Episcopacy , compar'd with those vast multitudes of Dissenters and Roman-Catholicks , that under various names of distinction invented by their Adversaries , spread themselves over the fourth part of the World , to arrogate to themselves to be the only Flock of Christ ; and that they are the only Pastors who have power to drive men to Heaven ; for this is to disclaim the Popes Supremacy , and usurp it to themselves ; to Preach down one Antichrist , and set up six and twenty : The same is to be said of the Persecutions of Men in their Bodies and Goods ; for others observing the extream Patience and Constancy of so many People suffering for their particular Opinions in matters of Religion , become curious to understand what that Religion should be that inspires men with so much resolution to suffer the worst of Miseries , rather then abandon the Profession of it , which is the reason that Persecutors according to the Opinion of Strada , though they are not concerned in tormenting , yet they dread the Triumphs of the Tormented at their Executions , for that it has been frequently known that one Martyr ● made many Proselytes , by his resolute maintaining to the last , the Profession for which he dyed .


id: A81001
author: Cromwell, Oliver, 1599-1658.
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 1265
sentence: 38
flesch: 53
cache: cache/A81001.xml
txt: txt/A81001.txt
title:
  By His Highness a proclamation prohibiting the disturbing of ministers and other Christians in their assemblies and meetings.

summary:
  This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A81001 of text R212249 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason 669.f.19[68]). Lord Protector 1655 868 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 C The rate of 12 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words.


id: A48867
author: Halifax, George Savile, Marquis of, 1633-1695, attributed name.
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 6674
sentence: 134
flesch: 41
cache: cache/A48867.xml
txt: txt/A48867.txt
title:
  A second letter to a dissenter, upon occasion of His Majesties late gracious Declaration of indulgence

summary:
  Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. 3. 'T is Incumbent on you also as men and Christians , to use your utmost Endeavours by all Lawful Ways and Means to Extirpate all those Laws and Tests , that deprieve you of this Freedom , or lay any Restraint on Conscience in matters of Religion , you accounted it your duty ( as Daniel did ) to break these Laws , when their keenest edge was turned against you , judging it better to obey God then Men ; and shall there now be the least hesitation in your minds , as to the vacating of them ? Can you desire again to be in bondage , even whilst your Wounds are bleeding fresh , and your Backs soar with the Lashes you received from them ? Will not all men brand your folly , that when you have an opportunity to be free , and nothing but your own remiss Inadvertancy can continue or renew your bondage , you should be wanting to your selves herein ?


id: A41028
author: H. F. (Henry Fell)
date: 1661.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 8392
sentence: 255
flesch: 65
cache: cache/A41028.xml
txt: txt/A41028.txt
title:
  A plain record, or declaration shewing the origin, root and race of persecutors together with the nature, practice and end of that generation ... so their reward will be according to their work / [by] H.F.

summary:
  The Caldeans were Persecutors of Faithful Abraham , from among whom God brought him ; who denied his Acquaintance , Relations , and Friends , and Nation , and Country , Worship and Fathers House , and went into a strange Land to Dwell ; And afterwards Abraham's Seed were Strangers in the Land of Egypt , who by the Egyptians were four hundred years Afflicted and Persecuted , but the Lord did Overthrow the Egyptians in the Red Sea , and so Destroyed those Persecutors . And this was their reward from the Lord for their wickedness & Persecution , Who divined for money , and taught for hire , and judged for gifts & rewards ; they had no Answer from God ; and this was the fruit of their Persecution and Persecutors , Formality and Blindness , Whom the Prophets had foretold how they had served God with their lips , but their hearts were removed far from him ; And how they would Sacrifice , and Offer , and cry the Temple of the Lord , and yet live in their Abominations : Which Offerings and Sacrifice God had no respect to more than Cain's , whose hands were full of blood : And told them , their Oblations , and Sacrifices were no more to him , than to blesse an Idol , and he that Offered a Sacrifice as he that cut off a Doggs neck , or slew a man ; For they were Persecutors .


id: A30556
author: Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
date: 1658.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 15518
sentence: 184
flesch: 14
cache: cache/A30556.xml
txt: txt/A30556.txt
title:
  The true state of Christianity, truly discribed, and also discovered unto all people what it was in its beginning and purity, and what it now is in its apostacy and degeneration ... / written by ... Edward Burrough.

summary:
  I say look back to your Original , and see how you are Apostatized from them in your entrance into your profession of Christianity ; fo●… though you have the name of Christians , yet you were no●… made so ▪ nor received that name by being first converted and changed , and translated from death to life , and 〈◊〉 being the children of disobedience , to be the children of God , through the work and operation of the spirit of God in you , for hereof are thousands and ten thousands of Christians now wholly ignorant , and altogether without the feeling of the spirit of God , to change them , to convert them , and to translate them , but are accounted Christians b●… tradition , or natural education , and because of being sprinkled with a little water upon the face , being Infant●… , or by a bare confession and profession of the name of Christ in words , and professing of a bare belief in the Scriptures , by this way and means were you made ( and received you the name of ) Christians without any real change from darkness to light , and from Satan to God , as I have said . 〈◊〉 in this all ye Christians generally how you are fallen ; then in the beginning of Christianity , no lack nor want was amongst them ; they that had much , sold it , and gave to them that had none ; but now thousands are oppressed through want , while others have too much ; some are feeding and cloathing excessively with their multitude of dishes , and changes of rayment , while others hath scarce whereon to feed , or to cover their nakedness ; and this manifesteth that you are not members of the body of Christ , neither is he head in you , nor amongst you , but you are members of an harlot , and joyned to a h●…rlot , and one with a harlot , for you profess many faiths ; some say they believe Christ is given to all , others believes not so ; some say they believe he died for all , others they say , they believe contrary to that ; and thus the one faith which the Apostles had , the Christians of this generation have lost , and they have lost the one head Christ , and hath many heads , every Sect hath their head , many heads among the Protestants , many heads among the Papists , but thus it was not in the beginning of Christianity ; therefore you Christians are subverted from the true life of Christ ; the Christians then were of one faith , but now of many ; the Christians then had one head Christ , but now the Christians ( so called ) hath many heads ; the Christians then could lay down their life one for another , and were written in the hearts of one another by the spirit of the living God ; but the Christians now , are in envy one towards another , and in strife one with another ; the great men doth oppress the poor , and they go to Law one with another for earthly things , and one stealing from another , and one hanging another , and murdering one another , and making slaves one of another , and robbing one another , and seeking utterly to destroy one another , and yet such hath the name of Christians , amongst whom all this is acted ; but consider how woful is your fall , and how wicked is your degeneration from the life of God , and from the true Christian life and unity , which was amongst them in their beginning , then they were of one heart , and of one way , but now divided , and in strife and contention about Religion , and the worship of God , and also about earthly things , for which they destroy one 〈◊〉 ▪ and seek so to do ; then they could lay down their life one for another , but now they are taking the life one from another , through wickedness , a woful Apostacy , and great night of darkness is upon you ; then none amongst them had lack of any thing , nor none destroyed through wasting any thing upon their lusts , but now thousands perisheth for want , while others hath too much , and are destroying it upon their lusts ; then had the Christians one head Christ , but now the b●…ast reigns that hath many heads ; then they were of one faith ▪ but now the Christians profess many faiths ; then the Christians handled , saw , heard and felt , of the Word of life in the●… , and they had fellowship with the Father and with the Son , but now thousands of thousands of Christians are without the sence , and feeling , and knowledge of the Word of life in them , and walks in darkness and in ignorance , and hath no fellowship with the Father nor with the Son .


id: A34912
author: R. C. (Richard Crane)
date: 1664.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 2123
sentence: 61
flesch: 57
cache: cache/A34912.xml
txt: txt/A34912.txt
title:
  An appeal for judgement unto the righteous principle of God in every conscience, against the persecutors of the innocent.

summary:
  Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). An appeal for judgement unto the righteous principle of God in every conscience, against the persecutors of the innocent.


id: A49223
author: France.
date: 1686.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 15893
sentence: 327
flesch: 43
cache: cache/A49223.xml
txt: txt/A49223.txt
title:
  An edict of the French king prohibiting all publick exercise of the pretended reformed religion in his kingdom wherein he recalls and totally annuls the perpetual and irrevocable edict of King Henry the IV, his grandfather, given at Nantes, full of most gracious concessions to Protestants : to which is added, the French king's letter to the Elector of Brandenburg, containing several passages relating to the foregoing edict : as also, a brief and true account of the persecution carried on against those of the foresaid religion ... : together with the form of abjuration the revolting Protestants are to subscribe and swear to, and a declaration of His Electoral Highness of Brandenburg ... / translated out of French.

summary:
  the Kingdom having been only for some short Intervals , altogether free from Troubles , it was not possible to do any other thing for the Advantage of Religion , save only to diminish the number of Places permitted for the Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion , as well by the Interdiction of those which were found Erected , in prejudice to the Disposal made in the said Edict , as by suppressing the Mixt Chambers of Judicature , which were composed of an equal number of Papists and Protestants ; the Erecting of which was only done by Provision , and to serve the present Exigency . Morever , those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , in the mean time , till it shall Please God to enlighten them , as well as others , may abide in the several respective Cities and Places of our Kingdoms , Countries , and Territories under our Obedience , and there continue their Commerce , and enjoy their Goods and Estates , without being any way molested upon account of the said Pretended Reformed Religion ; upon condition nevertheless , as forementioned , that they do not use any publick Religious Exercise , nor assemble themselves upon the account of Prayer or Worship of the said Religion , of what kind soever the same may be , upon forfeiture above specified of Body and Goods .


id: A33964
author: Collinges, John, 1623-1690.
date: 1681.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 16272
sentence: 553
flesch: 62
cache: cache/A33964.xml
txt: txt/A33964.txt
title:
  The history of conformity, or, A proof of the mischief of impositions from the experience of more than 100 years

summary:
  Besides that the people in times of Popery were much strangers to any thing of Religion but Ceremonies , and hearing Mass ; hence ( as may be seen in the first Edition of the Common Prayer ) many things were put in , which were left out by the Bishops in the 2d Edn. of it in K. Edw. time . EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).


id: A91790
author: Richardson, Samuel, fl. 1643-1658.
date: 1646.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 3780
sentence: 141
flesch: 70
cache: cache/A91790.xml
txt: txt/A91790.txt
title:
  Certain questions propounded to the assembly, to answer by the Scriptures whether corporall punishments may be inflicted upon such as hold errours in religion. / By S.R.

summary:
  27 If the Magistrate must punish errors in religion , whether it doth not impose a necessity that the Magistrate is to have a certainty of knowledge in all intricate cases ? and whether God calls such to that place , whom he hath not furnished with abilities for that place ? And if a Magistrate bee in darknesse , and spiritually blind , and dead ; bee fit to judge of light , of truth and error ? and whether such be fit for the place of the Magistracy ? then whether it be not a scruple to a tender conscience to submit to such in civill causes , because not appointed to that place by God ? See Rev. 14. 8 , 9 , 10. 2 , Ye are bought with a price ; be not the servants of men , 1 Cor. 7. 23.


id: A89781
author: Nutt, Thomas, 17th cent.
date: 1643.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 1295
sentence: 47
flesch: 66
cache: cache/A89781.xml
txt: txt/A89781.txt
title:
  The humble request of certain Christians reproachfully called Anabaptists who onely desire to owne, imbrace, professe and maintain the pure truths of God in the hatred of all errours, as namely universall redemption, ...

summary:
  The humble request of certain Christians reproachfully called Anabaptists who onely desire to owne, imbrace, professe and maintain the pure truths of God in the hatred of all errours, as namely universall redemption, ... Nutt, Thomas, 17th cent. The humble request of certain Christians reproachfully called Anabaptists who onely desire to owne, imbrace, professe and maintain the pure truths of God in the hatred of all errours, as namely universall redemption, ... Nutt, Thomas, 17th cent.


id: A48123
author: Jurieu, Pierre, 1637-1713.
date: 1688.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 5892
sentence: 183
flesch: 60
cache: cache/A48123.xml
txt: txt/A48123.txt
title:
  A letter of several French ministers fled into Germany upon the account of the persecution in France to such of their brethren in England as approved the Kings declaration touching liberty of conscience : translated from the original in French.

summary:
  And Popery has been banished out of England by Laws made by King and Parliament , and which cannot be repealed but by the Authority of King and Parliament together ; so that therefore there is just cause to complain , that the King should go about to overthrow them himself alone by his Declaration . And the King of England , as well as his Subjects , ought to observe the Laws which have been established by King and Parliament together .


id: A41823
author: Gratton, John, 1641-1712.
date: 1683.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 11177
sentence: 217
flesch: 51
cache: cache/A41823.xml
txt: txt/A41823.txt
title:
  The prisoners vindication with a sober expostulation and reprehension of persecutors / by John Gratton.

summary:
  Though may be , for all that he is so called by you , who call Light Darkness , and Darkness Light , is a true Christian , and Servant of Jesus Christ , but by his Persecutors adjudged to be otherwise , and said , and thought to be that he is not , which indeed is my case at present ; Yet I say again , doth not Christ prohibit all manner of Violence , Cruelty , Imposition , and the like , when he bids his Followers , to love their Enemies , not Persecute their Friends ; and whatsoever they would that men should do unto them , to do so unto men , saying , This is the Law and the Prophets ; and said , With what measure you mete , it shall be measured to you again ? Is this obeying Christ's command , in laying men in Prison ? For you would not be so done unto for your faithless Faith , and worthless Worship ; and though you profess to love God , yet while you in Works deny him , I shall not much heed your Profession ; for he is a true lover of him that keeps his Commandments , it will be so found one day , when those that pretended to Preach & Prophesie in his Name , and in his Name cast out Devils , shall be bidden , depart from him , workers of Iniquity : And if those that preach in his Name , and prophesie in his Name , and in his Name cast out Devils , be sent away from him , because they , for all that , were workers of Iniquity , what do you think will be the Portion of those that come in the Name of Man , and Preach and Prophesie in Man's Name , and by Man's Authority only are held up ; and instead of casting Devils out , tell People , They must live in Sin all the dayes of their Lives , & make People content to let the Devil keep the House , hurry them on into Iniquity , Transgression and Sin all the dayes of their Lives ; and for all this , tell those very People , that they are Christians , and though they do those things they ought not , and leave undone those things they ought , and are miserable Offenders , in whom there is no Health ; yet while they put into the Priest's Mouth , are owned as a dear Brother and Sister , and so called when they are buried by him , though may be they have killed themselves by a drunken-bout :


id: A70175
author: Gillespie, George, 1613-1648.
date: 1645.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 18390
sentence: 802
flesch: 69
cache: cache/A70175.xml
txt: txt/A70175.txt
title:
  Wholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty, or, The true resolution of a present controversie concerning liberty of conscience here you have the question stated, the middle way betwixt popish tyrannie and schismatizing liberty approved and also confirmed from Scripture and the testimonies of divines, yea of whole churches : the chiefe arguments and exceptions used in the bloudy tenent, The compassionate samaritane, M.S. to A.S. &c., examined : eight distinctions added for qualifying and clearing the whole matter : and in conclusion a parænetick to the five apologists for choosing accommodation rather than toleration.

summary:
  Si qui●tale sacrum s●l●nne & necessarium duceret , nec sine religione & piacul●se id omittere pisse apud Prae●orem urbanum profi●er●tur : Praetor Senatum consuleret si ci permissum esset , cum ●n Senatu centum non minus esse●t , ita id sacrum faceret , dum ne plus quinque sacrificio inttressent . A●● veroqui nec re●apsi sunt , nec in pertinac●a perseverunt , nec ali●s perverterunt , licet in r●gore mortem nihilominus promereantur , ordinariè tamen mortis poena assici non s●len● , sed carceris perpetui .


id: A86009
author: Gillespie, George, 1613-1648.
date: 1645.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 18488
sentence: 825
flesch: 70
cache: cache/A86009.xml
txt: txt/A86009.txt
title:
  VVholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty. Or, the true resolution of a present controversie concerning liberty of conscience. Here you have the question stated, the middle way betwixt popish tyrannie and schismatizing liberty approved, and also confirmed from Scripture, and the testimonies of divines, yea of whole churches: the chiefe arguments and exceptions used in The bloudy tenent, The compassionate samaritane, M.S. to A.S. &c. examined. Eight distinctions added for qualifying and clearing the whole matter. And in conclusion a parænetick to the five apologists for choosing accommodation rather then toleration. Imprimatur. Ia. Cranford. Decemb 16. 1644.

summary:
  Datum deinde consulibus negotium est , ut omnia Bacchanalia Romae primum , deinde per to●am Italium dera●re●e●t : extra qua n●si qua ibi vetusta ara , aut signum consecratu● esset ; in reliquum deinde S. C. c●u●um est , ne qua Ba●chanalia Romae , neve in Ital a esse●t . Abt ●●roqui nec re●apsi sunt , nec in pertinac●a pe●sever●nt , nec ali●s perverterunt , licet in r●gore mortem nihilominus promereantur , ordinariè tamen mortis poena affici non s●len● , sed carceris p●rpetui .


id: A28594
author: Bold, S. (Samuel), 1649-1737.
date: 1682.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 16689
sentence: 587
flesch: 64
cache: cache/A28594.xml
txt: txt/A28594.txt
title:
  A sermon against persecution preached March 26, 1682, being the 4th Sunday in Lent (on Gal. 4:29, part of the Epistle for that day) and the time when the brief for the persecuted Protestants in France was read in the parish church of Shapwicke ... / by Sa. Bolde ...

summary:
  Can any thing reflect more upon a Church , than to have those Men countenanced in Prosecuting others , who do themselves discover no real Love to God or Religion , and of whom no good can be said by others , nay who have nothing to say in their own Vindication , but that when they are in the height of their Debauches , when they are Drunk and Prophane enough to be the Reproach and Abhorrence of all Society , they do then pretend to admire and applaud the Church , and to decry , and rail at , and swear against Dissenters ? 2. This is an old Hypocritical pretence with which the Enemies of God and Religion have usually cover'd their wicked Persecutions and barbarous Cruelties .


id: A17345
author: Busher, Leonard.
date: 1614.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 19789
sentence: 697
flesch: 72
cache: cache/A17345.xml
txt: txt/A17345.txt
title:
  Religions peace or A reconciliation, between princes & peoples, & nations (by Leonard Busher: of the county of Gloucester, of the towne of Wotton, and a citticen, of the famous and most honorable citty London, and of the second right worshipfull Company) supplicated (vnto the hygh and mighty King of great Brittayne: etc: and to the princely and right Honorable Parliament) with all loyalty, humility and carefull fidelity

summary:
  And Christ saith : Teach al nations & 〈◊〉 force al nations : and this teaching is to be vnderstood by the word ād ●●iting of the Prophets and Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Christ which is the Word of God. For if the holi lawes of Gods word be practised and executed after Christs wil , thē , shal neither king , prince nor people be destroyed for differēce in religion : then Treason & Rebelliō , as wel as burn : ban : han : and impri : for difference in religion wil cease and be laid downe , then shal not mē , womē and youth be hāged for theft : then shal not the poore lame , sik and weake ones , be stocked and whipped , neither shal the poore , stranger , fatherlesse ād widowes , be driven to beg frō place to place , neither shal the lame , sik ād weake persons suffer such misery ād be forsaken of their kinred , as now they be , thē shal not murder , whoredō and adultry be bought out for mony : then shal not the greate defraude and wrong the smale , neither the ritch oppresse the poore by usury and litle wages : then shal not men bring vp and i●herit others childrē in steed of their owne , neither shal an honest man be forced to liue with a whore in steed of an honest wife , nor yet an honest women with a whorekeeper in steed of an honest husband 〈◊〉 shal not servāt● be forced from mariage by bonds , nor yet be 〈◊〉 servitude , longer then six yeares , neither shal they be brought vp contrary to covenant , nor posted from one quarter or one yeare to another for their fredom ād in th end be forced to buy it of their Masters , or els to go without it two Then shal neither Prince nor people be disinherited , for not being of the church : neither shal they be held lawlesse persons , though excomunicated neither shal any man dare kil them as now they may , and be quit by law neither shall any man feare to have his mouth stopt for preaching the truth , then shal no man need to flee out of his natiue contry and Fatherland , for persequtions sake : then shal al mē live in peace vnder his owne vyne , lauding and praysing God honoring and obeying the King.


id: A48884
author: Locke, John, 1632-1704.
title: A letter concerning toleration humbly submitted, etc.
date: 1689.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 22378
sentence: 776
flesch: 61
cache: cache/A48884.xml
txt: txt/A48884.txt
summary:
  If any one maintain that Men ought to be compelled by Fire and Sword to profess certain Doctrines , and conform to this or that exteriour Worship , without any regard had unto their Morals ; if any one endeavour to convert those that are Erroneous unto the Faith , by forcing them to profess things that they do not believe , and allowing them to practise things that the Gospel does not permit ; it cannot be doubted indeed but such a one is desirous to have a numerous Assembly joyned in the same Profession with himself ; but that he principally intends by those means to compose a truly Christian Church , is altogether incredible . Confiscation of Estate , Imprisonment , Torments , nothing of that nature can have any such Efficacy as to make Men change the inward Judgment that they have framed of things .


id: A86649
author: Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
date: 1654.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 12513
sentence: 152
flesch: 20
cache: cache/A86649.xml
txt: txt/A86649.txt
title:
  The fiery darts of the divel quenched; or, Something in answer to a book called, a second beacon fired, presented to the Lord Protector, and the Parliament, and subscribed by Luke Fawne, John Rothwel, Samuel Gellibrand, Thomas Underhill, Joshua Kirton, Nathaniel Web. Wherin, their lies and slanders are made manifest against the innocent, and those books which have been published by them they call Quakers, owned and vindicated, and all the rest which is in that book disowned, and their deceite laid open; how they have perverted the truth and our words in those books which they cry out of as blasphemy, that the truth may not suffer under the reproach of the heathen. / By one who is a witnesse for the truth against Gog and Magog, called after the flesh, Francis Howgil. Also something in answer to a booke called a voice from the Word of the Lord, by one John Griffith, against us, whom the world calls Quakers, wherein his false accusations is denied, and he proved to be a slanderer, and the truth cleared from his scandals. By one who is a witnesse against the deceits of the world, called Edward Burrough.

summary:
  Faith was before the Scripture was , and therfore the Scripture is not the ground of it , but a declaration of it , and no other faith we owne but the faith which Abel had , and which Moses had , which was when no Scripture was written , and that we own to be the rule of our conversation , which they walked by , the immediate spirit of God which was before the Scripture was written ; and all you who professe the Scripture to be your rule , your own rule shal testifie against you when the eternal God judges you , and they vvho vvitness that to bee their rule which gave forth the Scripture , walkes up in the life of the Scripture more then you all ; and you are proved to be but the Jew outward , who bosts of the Ordinances from the letter , but persecutes them by slanders and false reproaches , who witnesse the substance ; and your praise is only of men , and not of God ; and the same woe which thou pronounces upon us wil fall upon thy owne head for this thy grievous slander , that we neglect the law , and teach men so to do ; and whereas thou brings many Scriptures , and saith thus saith the Lord , I answer , the Scriptures we owne , and by that spirit which speaks them forth , wee witnesse them to be true , and they are ours ; and though you say they are the savour of death to us that perish , yet thou art found a lier , for wee are saved out of the perishing state , and death is destroyed through death , and thou hast diminished ( through faith ) from that Scripture 2 Tim. 3. 15. false prophet like againe , and so art both an adder and a diminisher , and thou maist read thy portion in Rev. 22. 18 , 19. and whereas thou saiest , know this thou perverter of the right way of God , thou shalt bee judged by the word of Christ spoke . O thou lier and false accuser , the Lord who takes our part against thee will plead with thee , and render upon thy head according to thy deedes ; prove what thou speaks that we are fleshly minded and spiritually proud , or else let thy mouth be stopped and shame cover thee for ever ; sorceries and witchcraft and drawing from the simplicity of the Gospel wee doe deny ; but the plaine single truth wee doe declare , by which the eye of the blind is opened in many to see your deceits who call your selves Churches and Preachers of the Gospel ; which is not the Gospel that the Apostles preached but an adding your own Imaginations upon their words , who witnessed the Gospel , and it shal stand for thy own condition , thou art in the sorcery and witchraft ; who draws people to observe an outward visible thing , from the light of Christ within them ; which leades to the simplicity of the Gospel , which is inward and not outward ; and thou art in thy fleshly and corrupt thoughts , crying up the Ordinances and Oracles , of God , which are but carnal and beggerly rudiments of the world , which passeth away ; and here thou art seen and made manifest in the light of Christ , to be a hypocrite , who false accuses others of that which thou art guilty of thy selfe ; the same Gospel as ever was , doe we declare ; and not another , which wee received not from man , neither was taught it by man : and as the Oracles of God it shall stand for ever for a witnesse against thee , and all the world who doth not believe , for even the Father beares witnesse of us , and therefore our witnesse is true ; and the righteous God will plead with thee thou lyar and false accuser , and here be a witnesse against thy selfe that the Lord moved thee not , but the Divil , acting in thy owne imaginations , and in the vanity of thy one minde , and in thy one fleshly and corrupt thoughts ; and whereas thou sayest to us thou directs thy speech from the Lord , thus saith the Lord to thee O Quaker , thou art fleshly minded .


id: A34668
author: Cotton, John, 1584-1652. Censure ... upon the way of Mr. Henden.
date: 1656.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 23239
sentence: 734
flesch: 64
cache: cache/A34668.xml
txt: txt/A34668.txt
title:
  A censure of that reverend and learned man of God, Mr. John Cotton, lately of New-England, upon the way of Mr. Henden of Bennenden in Kent, expressed in some animadversions of his upon a letter of Mr. Henden's sometimes sent to Mr. Elmeston (2) a brief and solid exercitation concerning the coercive power of the magistrate in matters of religion, by a reverend and learned minister, Mr. Geo[r]ge Petter ... (3) Mr. Henden's animadversions on Mr. Elmestons's epistle revised and chastized.

summary:
  4. The matters that he commands in Religion ought to be the manifest precepts of God , or evidently consonant to his Word ; and then though as being the command of the Magistrate , they doe not absolutely binde the conscience ; yet as God● L●wes , they have power so to doe . ●●rs , and yours in 〈◊〉 ●●rly love , John Cotton .


id: A75884
author: Adis, Henry.
date: 1660.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 11576
sentence: 223
flesch: 49
cache: cache/A75884.xml
txt: txt/A75884.txt
title:
  A fannaticks letter sent out of the dungeon of the gate-house prison of VVestminster: to all his brethren in the three nations at liberty; and also in the several goales and dungeons therein, that are under all the principles of the doctrines of Christ, Heb. 6. I, 2. By Henry Adis, a baptized believer, undergoing the name of a free-willer; and also most ignomineously by the tongue of infamy, called a fannatick, or a mad man.

summary:
  And whosoever will deny me before men , him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven , they were his own Words , Mat. 10. 33. in whose Mouth there was sound no guile ; who also telleth us , That the time will come , that if they kill us , they will think they shall do God good service , John 16. And if we will have one like the Son of God , Comforting and Supporting , Walking with and Refreshing us in that hot Furnace of Affliction that is Heating for us ; let us with Shadrach , Meshach , and Abednego , keep close to our God , and let us not be careful to Answer the desires of men , Dan.


id: A02913
author: Helwys, Thomas, 1550?-1616?, attributed name. aut
date: 1615.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 25068
sentence: 1018
flesch: 74
cache: cache/A02913.xml
txt: txt/A02913.txt
title:
  Obiections: answered by way of dialogue wherein is proved by the Law of God: by the law of our land: and by his Maties many testimonies that no man ought to be persecuted for his religion, so he testifie his allegeance by the Oath, appointed by law.

summary:
  If I should come to Church , and not of consciēce , but for other respects , as many Papists and other Hipocrits do , to God it were most abhominable and what faithfulnes can be hoped for in such , towards his Majesties person and state , can any Godly wiseman thinke that he that playeth the dissembling hipocrite with God , that he will do lesse with men , and wil not worke any villany if it were i●●●● power , ād therefore herein , you compelling 〈◊〉 by tyrannie to bring my bodie , wherevnto my spirit cannot be brought , you cōpel me to hipocrisie with God and man , for if my hart were not faithfull in sincerity to his Majesties Crowne and dignitie , as I take God to witnes ( before whome I must be condemned or justified ) it is , these courses would rather harde my hart to worke villany then otherwise . I. I see evidently , that al are but cavels , and that no mortall Man can make any Man offer Sacrifices vnder the new Testament , vntill he bee a beleever , and converted , for he must bee in Christ , before he may offer sacrifices , for in Chri : onely the Father accepteth vs : but what say you , have they not power to compell Men to come to the place where the word is publiquely taught that they may be converted ? C. Wel : then you see that the example of the kings of Israel ( who had power to compel thē to sacrifice , or to cut them of ) applyed to earthly Princes , is gone as a meere doctrine of man , ād not of God.


id: A54244
author: Penn, William, 1644-1718.
date: 1670.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 24768
sentence: 901
flesch: 68
cache: cache/A54244.xml
txt: txt/A54244.txt
title:
  Truth rescued from imposture, or, A brief reply to a meer rapsodie of lies, folly, and slander but a pretended answer to the tryal of W. Penn and W. Meade &c. writ and subscribed S.S. / by a profest enemy to oppression, W.P.

summary:
  These are but meer Phrases of Abuse , ready at every mans hand , for his interest , Indictments I Esteem not Juggles : nor do I believe the Author intended so , but that way of crouding most unnecessary and untrue Allegations , under the pretence of Form of Law , contrary to all Reason , is no less : This is explained by him , and his own sence fully vindicated . The Man resolving I must be the Author , sets me up as such , and then fights me , or rather pelts Dirt at me : He says that , Penn does not blush to Vilifie the Kings Court , and falsly Reproach the Kings Justices , and revile all Methods of Law , calling Indictments detestable Juggles ; and his , a Romance Indictment ; and W. Mead , his , a Bundle of Stuff : Penn designing , in a popular way , to subject the Laws , making the Jury Judges both of Law and Fact.


id: A49222
author: France.
date: 1686.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 15450
sentence: 293
flesch: 39
cache: cache/A49222.xml
txt: txt/A49222.txt
title:
  An edict of the French King prohibiting all publick exercise of the pretended reformed religion in his kingdom wherein he recalls and totally annuls the perpetual and irrevocable edict of King Henry the IV, his grandfather, given at Nantes, full of most gracious concessions to protestants : together with a brief and true account of the persecution carried on against those of the foresaid religion for to make them abjure and apostatize : to which is added to form of abjuration the revolting protestants are to subscribe and swear to : with a declaration of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg, in favour of those of the reformed religion, who shall think fit to settle themselves in any of his dominions / translated out of French.

summary:
  Moreover , those of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , in the mean time , till it shall please God to enlighten them as well as others , may abide in the several respective Cities and Places of our Kingdoms , Countries , and Territories under our Obedience , and there continue their Commerce , and enjoy their Goods and Estates , without being any way molested upon account of the said Pretended Reformed Religion , upon condition nevertheless , as forementioned , that they do not use any publick Religious Exercise , nor assemble themselves upon the account of Prayer or Worship of the said Religion , of what kind soever the same may be , upon forfeiture above specified of Body and Goods . And for these causes , having with the advice of the Princes of our Blood , other Princes and Officers of our Crown , and other great and eminent Persons of our Council of State , well and diligently weighed and considered all this Affair ; We have by this Edict or Statute , perpetual and irrevocable Said , Declared , and Ordained , &c. — FINIS .


id: A70113
author: Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.
date: 1689.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 15146
sentence: 337
flesch: 49
cache: cache/A70113.xml
txt: txt/A70113.txt
title:
  Their highness the Prince & Princess of Orange's opinion about a general liberty of conscience, &c. being a collection of four select papers.

summary:
  My first Reason is the certainest of all Reasons , That it will be His Highnesses interest to settle matters at Home , which only can be done by a Legal Toleration or Comprehension in Matters of Religion ; and by restoring the Civil Liberties of the Nation , so much invaded of late . I. Mijn Heer Fagel's first letter to Mr. Stewart -- II.


id: A58927
author: Learned pen.
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 21682
sentence: 540
flesch: 51
cache: cache/A58927.xml
txt: txt/A58927.txt
title:
  A Seasonable discourse shewing the unreasonableness and mischeifs [sic] of impositions in matters of religion recommended to serious consideration / by a learned pen.

summary:
  But alas , Bishops were already grown another Name and Thing , than at the Apostles Institution ; and had so altered the property , that Paul would have had much difficulty by all the marks in the 1 Tim. 3. to have known them . For ( not to go deeper ) if we consider but that which is reckoned the Tenth Persecution under Dioclesian , so incorrigible were they after nine preceding , what other could be expected when , as Eusebius l. 3. c. 1. sadly laments , having related how before that the Christians lived in great trust and reputation in Court , the Bishops of each Church were beloved esteemed and reverenced by all mankind , and by the Presidents of the Provinees , the Meetings in all the Cities were so many and numerous , that it was necessary and allowed them to erect in every one spacious and godly Churches ; all things went on prosperousty with them , and to such an height , that no envious Man could disturb them , no Devil could hurt them , as long as walking yet worthy of those Mercies they were under the Almighty's care and Protection : after that our Affairs by that too much Liberty , degenerated into Luxury and Laziness , and some prosecuted others with Hatred and Contumely , and almost all of us wounded our selves with the Weapons of the Tongue in ill Language , when Bishops set upon Bishops , and the People that belonged to one of them , stirred Sedition against the People of another ; then horrible Hypocrisie and Dissimulation sprung up to the utmost extremity of Malice , and the Iudgment of God , while yet there was liberty to meet in Congregations , did sensibly and by stops being to visit us , the Persecution at first discharging it self upon our Brethren that were in the Army .


id: A54146
author: Penn, William, 1644-1718.
date: 1670.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 16921
sentence: 537
flesch: 59
cache: cache/A54146.xml
txt: txt/A54146.txt
title:
  The great case of liberty of conscience once more briefly debated & defended ... which may serve the place of a general reply to such late discourses as have oppos'd a tolleration / the authour W.P.

summary:
  Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The great case of liberty of conscience once more briefly debated & defended ... which may serve the place of a general reply to such late discourses as have oppos'd a tolleration / the authour W.P. Penn, William, 1644-1718. 1670 Approx.


id: A49221
author: France.
date: 1689.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 17659
sentence: 384
flesch: 46
cache: cache/A49221.xml
txt: txt/A49221.txt
title:
  The French king's decree against Protestants, prohibiting them the exercise of their religion, &c. to which is added a brief and true account of the cruel persecution and inhumane oppressions of those of the reformed religion to make them abjure and apostatize : together with the form of abjuration the revolting Protestants are to subscribe and swear to, and a declaration of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburgh ... : also a letter from Father La Chese ... to Father Petre ... / newly translated from the French.

summary:
  regulated the Conduct which was to be observed , with Respect to those of the said Religion , the Places where they might publickly exercise the same , appointed extraordinary Judges to administer Justice to them : And lastly , also by several distinct Articles , provided for every thing , which he judged needful for the maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in his Kingdom , and to diminish the Aversion which was between those of the One and Other Religion : and this , to the end that he might be in a better condition for the taking some effectual Course ( which he was resolved to do ) to re-unite those again to the Church , who upon so slight Occasions had withdrawn themselves from it . And forasmuch as this intention of the King , Our said Grand-Father , could not be effected , by reason of his sudden and precipitated Death ; and that the Execution of the foresaid Edict was interrupted during the Minority of the late King , Our most Honored Lord and Father , of glorious Memory , by reason of some new Enterprizes of those of the Pretended Reformed Religion , whereby they gave occasion for their being deprived of several Advantages , which had been granted to them , by the aforesaid Edict : notwithstanding , the King , Our said late Lord and Father , according to his wonted Clemency , granted them another Edict at Nismes , in the Month of July , 1629 by means of which the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom being now again Re established , the said late King , being animated with the same Spirit and Zeal for Religion , as the King Our said Grand-Father was , resolved to make good Use of this Tranquility , by endeavouring to put this Pious Design in Execution : but Wars abroad , coming on a few years after , so that from the Year 1635.


id: A31366
author: Caton, William, 1636-1665.
date: 1662.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 21588
sentence: 619
flesch: 58
cache: cache/A31366.xml
txt: txt/A31366.txt
title:
  The testimony of a cloud of witnesses who in their generation have testified against that horrible evil of forcing of conscience, and persecution about matters of religion ... / composed together, and translated into English, by ... William Caton.

summary:
  It hath ever been my Iudgment , That want of Liberty and free exercise of Conscience in Spiritual matters , and the Contrary Imposed by worldly Power , and it remains still with me , That this is one main Cause of the woful Distractions in Kingdomes , of the unsetledness in States , and of many evil Consequences abounding in the Governments of the World ; and also the Cause wherefore the God of Heaven is angry and provoked against them , and for which Cause he will smite and wound , confound and overturn Kingdomes , Powers , and Authorities , even till he Reign whose Right it is ; who onely and alone , will Rule in the free exercise of Soul , Spirit , and Conscience , through the teachings of his own Spirit : And though much Opposition and great Contention have been made against this in the World , in which men have striven against their own good and welfare , yet there is a day , and it hastens to come in Power , when Imposition upon Conscience by outward worldly force in Cases Divine , will be banished the whole Fabrick of the Creation , and exiled into the pit of never-rising obscurity and darkness , and then shall the Sons of men be delivered from the Violence of it , and from all its miserable and mischievous Consequence ; Then shall the heritage of the Lord rejoyce in Ioy unspeakable , being delivered from the oppression under which she hath long mourned , travelled , and groaned in deep distresse ; Then shall Nations delight in amity one with another ; then shall Neighbours rejoyce in Society one among another ; and then shall Kings and Rulers love their Subjects and People freely , and People shall Obey and serve their Rulers with a willing and chearful heart and mind ; Hereby the God of Heaven should be Glorified , and all People become Blessed , Amity , Love , Unity , and Concord , and the first Creation order and Decree , would be restored between God and his Creatures , and also between man and man , in holy Covenant . The Prince of Orange said , We are not so unexperienced in the Doctrine of the Christian Religion , as that we do not know , that all those tyes of Conscience wreathed or turned of men , are to no purpose to bind man before God : People should not think it strange , nor therefore take up Arms ( said he ) because that many of the Inhabitants of this Country are become of another opinion , and simply declare themselves , yea against the Will of the Magistrates , which thing the Histories do testifie not to be new , but that such differences have been in the World in many Monarchies heretofore .


id: A30455
author: Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.
title: Six papers by Gilbert Burnet.
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 33257
sentence: 531
flesch: 33
cache: cache/A30455.xml
txt: txt/A30455.txt
summary:
  And suklik upon the first , second , and third dayes of the moneths of May , Iune , Iuly , August , September , October , November and December , one thousand six hundred eighty five , and upon the first , second , and third days o● the moneths of Ianuary , February , and remnant moneths of the year one thousand six hundred eighty ●ex , and first , second , and third days of the moneths of Ianuary , February , March , one thousand six hundred eighty seven , or ane or other of the days of ane or other of the said moneths or years ; The said Doctor Gilbert Burnet did most treasonabile Recept , Supplied , Aid●●d , Assisted , Conversed and Intercomoned with , and did favour● to the said Iames Steward , Mr. Robert-Ferguson , Thomas Stewart , William Den●olin , and Mr. Robert Martyn , forfaulted Traitors and Rebels in the Cities of R●terdam , Amsterdam , Leyden , Breda , Geneva ; or some other part or place within the Netherlands , or elsewhere ; publickly and avowedly uttered several speeches and positions , to the disdain of our Person , Authority and Government ; continues and persists in such undutiful and treasonable practises against Us and Our Government ( we being his Soveraign Lord and Prince ) expreis contrair to his Allegeance and Duty . We see before our Eyes what they have done , and are still , doing in France ; and what seeble things Edicts , Coronation Oaths , Laws and Promises , repeated over and over again , proved to be , where that Religion prevails ; and Louis le Grand makes notso contemptible a Figure in that Church , or in our Court , as to make us think , that his example may not he proposed as a Pattern , as well as Aid may be offered for an encouragement , to act the same things in England , that he is now d●ing with so much Applause in France : and it may be perhaps tho rather desired from hence to put him a little in countenance , when so great a King as ours is willing to forget himself so far as to copy after him , and to depend upon him : so that as the Doctriue and Principles of that Church must be still the same in all Ages and Places , since its chief pretension is , that it is Infallible , it is no unreasonable thing for us to be afraid of those , who will be easily induced to burn us a little here , when they are told , that such servent Zeal will save them a more lasting burning hereafter , and will perhaps quit all scores so enttirely , that they may hope scarce to endure a Singeing in Purgatory for all their other Sins .


id: A48891
author: Locke, John, 1632-1704.
title: A second letter concerning toleration
date: 1690.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 30968
sentence: 1001
flesch: 64
cache: cache/A48891.xml
txt: txt/A48891.txt
summary:
  You say , If Force be us●…d , not instead of Reason and Arguments , that is , not to convince by its own proper Efficacy , which it cannot do , &c. I think those who make Laws , and use Force , to bring Men to Church-Conformity in Religion , seek only the Compliance , but concern themselves not for the Conviction of those they punish ; and so never use Force to convince . However you tell us , in the same Page , that if Force so applied , as is above mentioned , may in such sort as has been said , i. e. Indirectly , and at a distance , be serviceable to bring Men to receive and imbrace Truth , you think it sufficient to sh●…w the usefulness of it in Religion .


id: A42142
author: Brown, S. J.
title: Pax vobis, or, Gospel and liberty against ancient and modern papists / by a preacher of the word.
date: 1687.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 35144
sentence: 1111
flesch: 61
cache: cache/A42142.xml
txt: txt/A42142.txt
summary:
  But if Luther and the others cited , judge in their Conscience these Tenets to be the Doctrine of Scriptures , and if Peter , John or James , like their Interpretation , I say they may according to the Principles of our Reformation believe them , and be as truly Reformed Children as you ; for our Rule of Faith is Scripture , as each Person of sound Judgment understands it ; and in believing those Tenets , because they judge them to be the Doctrine of Scripture they stick fast to , and follow our Rule of Faith : Why is Figurative Presence and the Kings Supremacy , the Doctrine of the Reformation , tho' denied by Papists , Lutherans , and Presbyterians ; but because the Protestants judg it's the Doctrine of Scripture : If therefore those great Authors I quoted , and any other with them , judge those Tenets to be the Doctrine of Scripture , they can be justly called the Doctrine of the Reformation : Must Protestants be forced against their Judgments to deny real Presence , and Supremacy , because Lutherans say it's wicked Doctrine . This therefore is the scope and end of my following Treatise ; that , whereas our Rule of Faith , as I will prove by the unanimous Consent of our whole reformed Church , is Scripture or Gods Written Word , as interpreted by each Person of sound Judgment ; that whereas by the Principles of our Reformation , no Man is to be constrained to believe any Doctrine against his Judgment and Conscience : ( otherwise why were not we left in Popery ) it is impious , tyrannical , and quite against the Spirit of the Reformation , to force us by Acts of Parliament , Decrees of Synods , Invectives , and Persecutions of indiscreet Brethren , to embrace this or that Religion ; that every one ought to be permitted to believe what he pleases ; if you think Bigamy to be the Doctrine of Scripture : If you think by Scripture there is one Nature , and four Persons in God ; if you think Transubstantiation to be true ; if you judge by God's Words there 's neither Purgatory nor Hell ; finally whatever you think to be the true Sense of Scripture , you are bound as a true Reformed Child , to believe it ; that it is quite against the Spirit of Reformation to Censure , oppose or blame the Doctrine or Tenets of any Congregation , or of any Doctor of the Reformed Church ; because that any Doctrine professed by any Christian-Congregation , whatever ( the Popish excepted ) or that ever was delivered by any Man of good Judgment of the Reformation , since the beginning of it , until this Day , is as truly and really the Doctrine of the Reformation , as the Figurative Presence or Kings Supremacy is .


id: A65392
author: Weld, Thomas, 1590?-1662.
date: 1692.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 44023
sentence: 1326
flesch: 64
cache: cache/A65392.xml
txt: txt/A65392.txt
title:
  A short story of the rise, reign, and ruin of the Antinomians, Familists, and libertines that infected the churches of New-England and how they were confuted by the assembly of ministers there as also of the magistrates proceedings in court against them : together with God's strange remarkable judgements from heaven upon some of the chief fomenters of these opinions : and the lamentable death of Mrs. Hutchison : very fit for these times, here being the same errors amongst us, and acted by the same spirit : published at the instant request of sundry, by one that was an eye and ear-witness of the carriage of matters there.

summary:
  When Mr. Wheelwright appeared , it was declared to him , that whereas he was long since convicted of sedition and contempt of Authority , and time had been given him from Court to Court , to come to the knowledge of his offence , the Court thought it now time to know how his mind stood , whether he would acknowledge his Offence , or abide the Sentence of the Court ? His Answer was to this effect , That he had committed no Sedition nor Contempt , he had delivered nothing but the truth of Christ , and for the application of his Doctrine , it was by others , and not by him , &c. Now , you might have heard one of them Preaching a most dangerous Sermon in a great Assembly ; when he divided the whole Country into two ranks , some ( that were of his opinion ) under a Covenant of Grace , and those were friends to Christ ; others under a Covenant of Works , whom they might know by this , if they evidence their good estate by their Sanctification : those were ( said he ) enemies to Christ , Herods , Pilates , Scribes and Pharisees , yea , Antichrists ; and advised all under a Covenant of Grace , to look upon them as such , and did , with great zeal , stimulate them to deal with them as they would with such : And withal alledging the Story of Moses that killed the Egyptian , barely left it so : I mention not this or any thing , in the least degree , to reflect upon this Man , or any other ; for God hath long since opened his eyes ( I hope )


id: A43300
author: Helveys, Thomas, 1550?-1616?
date: 1662.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 35982
sentence: 1273
flesch: 70
cache: cache/A43300.xml
txt: txt/A43300.txt
title:
  Persecution for religion judg'd and condemned in a discourse between an antichristian and a Christian : proving by the law of God and of the land, and by King James his many testimonies, that no man ought to be persecuted for his religion, so he testifie his allegiance by the oath appointed by law.

summary:
  Can any godly wise man think that he that playeth the dissembling Hypocrite with God , that he will do less with men , and will not work any villany , if it were in his power ? and therefore herein you compelling me by tyranny , to bring my body whereunto my spirit cannot be brought , you compel me to hypocrisie with God and man : for if my heart were not faithfull in sincerity to his Majesties Crown and Dignity , as I take God to witness ( before whom I must be condemned or justified ) it is , these courses would rather harden my heart to work villany than otherwise . There is no end in making many books , and much reading is a weariness to the flesh : yet considering how heinous it is in the sight of the Lord to force men and women by cruel Persecutions , to bring their bodies to a Worship whereunto they cannot bring their spirits ; we thought it our duty for Gods Glory , and the reformation thereof in this our own Nation , to publish this little Writing following , wherein is manifestly proved by the Law of God , the Law of our Land , and his Majesties own divers Testimonies , That no man ought to be persecuted for his Religion , be it true of false , so he testifie his faithful Allegiance to the King.


id: A47927
author: L'Estrange, Roger, Sir, 1616-1704.
title: Toleration discuss'd by Roger L'Estrange.
date: 1663.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 36936
sentence: 1930
flesch: 77
cache: cache/A47927.xml
txt: txt/A47927.txt
summary:
  Bethink your selves ; Ye meant no hurt ( ye say ) to the last King , and yet ye Ruin'd him : Ye may perchance Intend as little harm to This King , and yet do him as much . Visit but your own Acts , and be your own Iudges , ( but take the Crime along with ye ; Obedience to God , to the King , and to the Law )


id: A51057
author: McWard, Robert, 1633?-1687.
date: 1672.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 41131
sentence: 396
flesch: -12
cache: cache/A51057.xml
txt: txt/A51057.txt
title:
  The English ballance weighing the reasons of Englands present conjunction with France against the Dutch vvith some observes upon His Majesties declaration of liberty to tender consciences.

summary:
  yet , it hath not to this day , been further recognosced , even in the Channel , ( it 's principal seat and subject , and where it hath alwayes affected it's maine Parad : for as to the other brittish seas , which are onely , the neerest circumambient parts of the wide Ocean , the Law of nations doth onely attribut to England its common priviledge ) then by the bare ceremony of the first salute ; neither in the last Treaty , wherein the King of England was greatly concerned , and no lesse solicitous to cleare this title , was there any thing else agreed unto , as I have already marked ; and without all peradventure , if his Majesty in the conceit of his dominion , should once offer to exert it , though but in very ordinary effects , such as the assuming of jurisdiction , or imposing of tribute , whereof the Sound and Adriatick do exhibit cleare precedents ; he would soone be made to understand his error , not onely by the reclaming dissent , but also , by the vigourous opposition of all his neighbours : I might insist to disprove this pretense of an indefinit dominion , from the far more rational judgement , of the ancient Romans , who not only reckoned the sea with the air , Inter ea quae sunt nullius ; but , though by reason of the encircling of their vast Empire , they might have acclaimed , even the whole Mediterranean Sea , jure diverticuli , & in many parts thereof , had indeed several powers , and priviledges ; yet , were they so far from captating this vaine and groundlesse title , that one of the greatest Emperours , begins a rescript , with relation to this same subject , in these words , Ego quidem munai dominus , lex vero maris : thereby manifestly holding forth , that , as he judged it incapable of dominion , so it 's unstable nature , and common destination , could only be regulat , as to humane concernes , in so far , as Law , and consequently , condition or consent , did determine : from all which , I conclude , that as the Dutch , doe fully satisfie , all that in justice , the King of England can demand , by their offering to strike , conforme to the last Treatie , and have good reason to repugne , either to his indefinit soveraignity , or any further preheminence , for which nothing anterior to the said last Treaty , can in reason be obtruded ; so , his pressing them further , in this affair , is , both captious , and unjust , and he might upon as good grounds , refuse them the liberty , of a free passage in the channel , as exspect of them a consent , to adominion , which if not cautioned , by a particular explication , might assuredly be thereto extended . And here lyes the great discovery , the right of the Flage is all , that is drectly pretended ; but , dominion of the narrow seas , under the colour of a sophistical equipollency , is the thing mainely intended : I shall not repeat what I have above adduced , for distinguishing , this prerogative , from the dominion aimed at , and explicating this whole matter ; but as his Majesties covert insinuation , doth aboundantly verify , even his own diffidence , of his absurd and insupportable claime ; so , if we go about , thus to renverse nature , and subvert humane liberty , the Dutch are the first ; but neither the greatest , nor the last enemy , which we are to apprehend : As to the license to fish , here instanced ; since I cannot set down what is truth , in matter of fact , considering the confidence , wherewith it is asserted , without a reflexion , which I by choice forbeare , I leave that to the Stats their vindication : But , suppose it had been sought , and graunted , within that space of distance , from our coast , which the positive law of nations , and consent of mankinde , hath in a manner every where appropriat , to the countreyes respectively adjacent , it signifieth nothing to his Majestie 's purpose : What is then the Dutch their ingratitude , and insolence , that provoks his Majesty , to an exclamation ? let all men judge : It 's said , they owe their being and wealth to our protection and valour :


id: A42139
author: Griffith, Evan, A.M., Minister of Alderly.
date: 1679.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 35592
sentence: 1002
flesch: 58
cache: cache/A42139.xml
txt: txt/A42139.txt
title:
  Pax vobis, or Ghospell and libertie against ancient and modern papists. By E.G. preacher of the word. Dedicated to the right honble the Lord Halyfax

summary:
  You can never settle any but rhis , That every man may without le● or hinderance believe what he please : and why should not this be a good Religion ? if Scripture as each one vnderstands it be not our Rule of faith ; if we must be constrained to believe Scripture not as wee vnderstand it ; but as it is vnderstood by this or that Congregation ; wh● difference betwixt vs and Papists ▪ They must believe Scripture as interpreted by the Pope , and Council● have ever so much light from God be ever so wise and witty , This Evangelical libertie of believin● any thing , which we judge to be the sen● of scripture , tho all the rest of the worl● should judge it to be a blasphemie , the most distinctive sign of the Refo●mation from Popery ; for Papists are th● Children of Agar the slave ; they liv● in bondage and constraint to believe at Doctrin , which the Pope and Church pr●poses to them ; and if a learned man ● vniversity should judge it to be contra● to Scripture ; he must submit his judgment to that of the Pope , or be co●demn'd as an Heretic : in our Reform●tion , wee are the Children of Sara t● Free ; our Rule of faith is Scripture ● each Person of sound judgment in th● Church vnderstands it ; if wee do n● like the Doctrin of the Pope , Church ● Council , wee may gainsay them all , an● hold our own sense of Scripture : ● enjoy the Prerogative of Rational cre●tures , we are lead by our own reason , which God has given vs for our conduct , and are not like Beasts , constrained to follow that of others .


id: A39306
author: Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713.
date: 1691.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 44692
sentence: 1331
flesch: 64
cache: cache/A39306.xml
txt: txt/A39306.txt
title:
  A reply to an answer lately published to a book long since written by W.P. entituled A brief examination and state of liberty spiritual &c. by Thomas Ellwood.

summary:
  This is true in a sense , that is , if thou art such a one that canst do nothing against the Truth , but for the Truth , then mayst thou safely be left to thy freedom in the things of God , and the Reason is plain ; Because thy freedom stands in the perfect Law of Liberty , in the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus , and in the Truth , which is Christ Jesus , which makes thee free indeed , that is , perfectly free from all that is Bad , and perfectly free to all that is Holy , Just , Lovely , Honest , Comely and of good Report ; But if thou pleadest thy Freedom against such things , yea , obstructest and slightest such good , wholsome and requisit things , Thy Freedom is naught , dark , perverse , out of the Truth , and against the perfect Law of Love and Liberty . 2. say , That this Question above is weighty , is clear , for the whole Controversie seems included in it ; For where the Gift of God is Received to profit withal , they have liberty and freedom to chuse or refuse things , according as they are perswaded , or they have not ; and all this ( say they ) is included in the Question .


id: A29544
author: Bairdy, John.
date: 1681.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 53215
sentence: 1550
flesch: 58
cache: cache/A29544.xml
txt: txt/A29544.txt
title:
  Balm from Gilead, or, The differences about the indulgence stated and impleaded in a sober and serious letter to ministers and Christians in Scotland / by an healing hand.

summary:
  Ye think them wrong , so do they , no doubt , you : But how would ye take it , if they served you as ye do them , with outrageous out-crys , virulent Epistles , and Philippick Declamations ? Dear Brethren ! Can there be no difference among you without division ? no diversity of apprehensions of things without running into Parties and contests about them ? Is difference of judgment in every lesser thing , inconsistent with unity and peace , concord and communion in things wherein ye are aggrieved ? And may ye not be of one heart , till ye be of one way in things wherein ye differ ? Must ye cast out and contend , when ye cannot all be of the same mind , in such inferiour things , albeit ye agree in the Main ? Are ye not united in Doctrine , Worship , Principles of Discipline and Government ? and will ye rent at such a rate about the Application of one principle to a particular case ? Will ye fall out among your selves , while ye are jointly ingaged in one common cause against a common adversary , who watcheth for your halting , and saith of your jarrings , Aha!


id: A40082
author: Fowler, Edward, 1632-1714.
date: 1680.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 73604
sentence: 2314
flesch: 63
cache: cache/A40082.xml
txt: txt/A40082.txt
title:
  Libertas evangelica, or, A discourse of Christian liberty being a farther pursuance of the argument of the design of Christianity / by Edward Fowler ...

summary:
  That the most Proper and Genuine Christian Obedience is that which hath most of Liberty in it ; namely , that which proceeds from the Principle of Love to God and Goodness . Having therefore , Brethren , boldness ( or Liberty , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) to enter into the holiest by the bloud of Iesus , by a new and living way , which he hath consecrated for us , ( in opposition to the dead shadows under the Law ) through the veil , that is to say , his Flesh : ( Breaking through the veil of his Flesh , being fain to die before he ascended into Heaven ) And having an High Priest over the House of God : Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith ; Having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience , and our Bodies washed with pure Water .


id: A47928
author: L'Estrange, Roger, Sir, 1616-1704.
date: 1670.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 68295
sentence: 3204
flesch: 70
cache: cache/A47928.xml
txt: txt/A47928.txt
title:
  Toleration discuss'd, in two dialogues I. betwixt a conformist, and a non-conformist ... II. betwixt a Presbyterian, and an Independent ...

summary:
  C. If this be Conscience , Then Liberty of Conscience is A Liberty of a Man's Iudging of Himself , and his Actions , with reference to the future Iudgment of God. C.


id: A53733
author: Owen, John, 1616-1683.
date: 1669.0
extension: .xml
mime: application/xml
words: 87492
sentence: 2027
flesch: 47
cache: cache/A53733.xml
txt: txt/A53733.txt
title:
  Truth and innocence vindicated in a survey of a discourse concerning ecclesiastical polity, and the authority of the civil magistrate over the consciences of subjects in matters of religion.

summary:
  Now concerning these one Rule may be observed ; namely , that they cannot be of one kind , and signifie things of another , by vertue of any command , and consent of men , unless they have an absolute Authority both over the sign , and thing signified , and can change their Natures , or Create a new Relation between them . 2. The Question being only about Religious Duties , or things pertaining to , or required in or about the Worship of God ; no exception against the general thesis ca●● take place , but such as consists in thing● directly of that nature .


# ent

id: A46958
sid: 176
eid: 15
type: ORG
entity:
  viribus suis & armata manu munitam edictis & legibus & privilegiis ab importuna tyrannorum oppressione vindicare


