Selected quad for the lemma: act_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
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B26348
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The prodigal return'd home, or, The motives of the conversion to the Catholick faith of E.L., Master of Arts in the University of Cambridge
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E. L. (E. Lydeott)
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1684
(1684)
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Wing L3525
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135,459
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418
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be_v this_o difficulty_n in_o matter_n of_o no_o moment_n but_o in_o point_n necessary_a where_o soul_n do_v perish_v through_o misbelief_n we_o find_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o philip_n the_o deacon_n draw_v near_o to_o the_o chariot_n of_o the_o devout_a eunuch_n and_o hear_v he_o read_v etc._n act_n 8._o 30_o 31_o etc._n etc._n the_o prophet_n isaias_n say_v understand_v thou_o what_o thou_o read_v and_o he_o say_v how_o can_v i_o except_v some_o man_n guide_v i_o he_o have_v not_o learn_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o rationalist_n to_o bid_v the_o holy_a man_n spare_v his_o pain_n of_o exposition_n or_o if_o he_o will_v be_v do_v that_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v one_o word_n he_o speak_v for_o truth_n till_o his_o own_o reason_n make_v it_o authentic_a for_o this_o wild_a doctrine_n free_v every_o man_n in_o matter_n of_o eternity_n from_o all_o authority_n of_o humane_a teacher_n though_o of_o divine_a institution_n so_o that_o be_v we_o jew_n or_o heathen_n or_o in_o what_o church_n soever_o we_o have_v be_v baptise_a we_o must_v stand_v to_o no_o creed_n believe_v no_o catechism_n or_o abridgement_n of_o point_n necessary_a though_o confirm_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n rely_v on_o no_o instructor_n but_o believe_v and_o practise_v the_o quite_o contrary_a if_o our_o private_a reason_n judge_n it_o to_o be_v contain_v in_o sacred_a scripture_n doubtless_o if_o his_o judgement_n have_v be_v preposess_v with_o this_o proud_a arrogant_a principle_n philip_n have_v preach_v in_o vain_a nor_o have_v he_o believe_v unto_o salvation_n but_o will_v have_v dismiss_v the_o evangelist_n with_o some_o such_o word_n as_o these_o i_o have_v a_o desire_n to_o save_v my_o soul_n and_o therefore_o have_v give_v you_o a_o hear_n but_o all_o this_o be_v nothing_o yet_o to_o i_o i_o will_v search_v the_o scripture_n far_a to_o see_v what_o i_o must_v believe_v and_o when_o i_o have_v make_v my_o creed_n i_o will_v send_v for_o you_o to_o baptise_v i_o which_o plain_o contradict_v the_o method_n of_o save_a instruction_n deliver_v by_o the_o great_a doctor_n of_o the_o gentile_n in_o that_o famous_a climax_n how_o shall_v they_o call_v 15._o rom._n 10._o 14_o 15._o on_o he_o in_o who_o they_o have_v not_o believe_v and_o how_o shall_v they_o believe_v in_o he_o of_o who_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v and_o how_o shall_v they_o hear_v without_o a_o preacher_n a_o preacher_n with_o mission_n and_o commission_n from_o jesus_n christ_n but_o no_o place_n be_v more_o convince_a than_o that_o 15._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o to_o timothy_n the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o if_o the_o church_n how_o then_o must_v every_o one_o build_v upon_o his_o private_a reason_n for_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n st._n paul_n be_v a_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o missioner_n then_o be_v those_o who_o teach_v the_o contrary_a last_o i_o desire_v they_o to_o reconcile_v this_o article_n of_o our_o ancient_a creed_n i_o believe_v the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n with_o their_o novel_a doctrine_n the_o caetholick_a church_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o my_o faith_n i_o believe_v my_o own_o reason_n and_o nothing_o else_o in_o give_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n to_o i_o for_o my_o part_n it_o be_v clear_a to_o i_o from_o the_o write_a word_n that_o the_o church_n have_v a_o promise_n of_o infallibility_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o there_o be_v a_o command_n from_o christ_n lay_v upon_o every_o one_o to_o hear_v her_o voice_n under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n and_o that_o otherwise_o the_o above_o name_v article_n will_v not_o have_v be_v insert_v into_o the_o apostle_n creed_n as_o a_o fundamental_a point_n i_o can_v see_v no_o safety_n or_o certainty_n in_o matter_n of_o eternal_a interest_n but_o by_o whole_o renounce_v my_o most_o weak_a deceitful_a self_n and_o deliver_v up_o myself_o entire_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v teach_v by_o she_o what_o i_o must_v believe_v and_o do_v to_o be_v save_v nor_o find_v i_o any_o thing_n more_o reasonable_a then_o to_o captivate_v my_o understanding_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n when_o the_o god_n of_o reason_n do_v require_v it_o at_o our_o hand_n second_o to_o make_v every_o one_o a_o interpreter_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o holy_a scripture_n for_o himself_o unappealable_o by_o reason_n seem_v evident_o to_o i_o to_o deprive_v we_o of_o the_o only_a rational_a and_o solid_a mean_n which_o be_v require_v to_o produce_v a_o well_o ground_a faith_n of_o supernatural_a verity_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o thus_o i_o manifest_v supernatural_a faith_n be_v a_o assent_n of_o the_o understanding_n to_o thing_n reveal_v mere_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o relator_n without_o any_o far_a dispute_n when_o once_o we_o have_v a_o assurance_n that_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o two_o thing_n must_v necessary_o concur_v in_o all_o mediate_a production_n to_o beget_v this_o act_n firm_o and_o rational_o in_o any_o soul_n namely_o it_v divine_a revelation_n of_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v which_o be_v the_o formal_a object_n of_o faith_n into_o which_o it_o be_v ultimate_o resolve_v and_o two_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n or_o moral_a evidence_n that_o such_o be_v reveal_v by_o the_o mediation_n or_o intervention_n of_o which_o the_o understanding_n elevate_v by_o grace_n proceed_v to_o the_o foresay_a assent_n now_o suppose_v there_o be_v no_o object_n of_o supernatural_a and_o divine_a faith_n but_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o write_a word_n it_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a and_o naked_a letter_n but_o scripture_n right_o understand_v that_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o of_o infallible_a verity_n except_o therefore_o we_o have_v some_o medium_fw-la or_o mean_n to_o convey_v assure_o to_o our_o understanding_n the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n our_o faith_n can_v but_o halt_v and_o totter_v when_o we_o can_v rational_o afford_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o reveal_v and_o have_v just_a cause_n to_o suspect_v whither_o we_o right_o understand_v that_o scripture_n which_o contain_v the_o revelation_n and_o certain_o this_o cause_n of_o suspicion_n will_v be_v ever_o just_a while_o private_a reason_n be_v the_o interpreter_n and_o judge_n of_o holy_a writ_n when_o abundant_a experience_n tell_v we_o nothing_o be_v more_o fallible_a nothing_o more_o deceitful_a nothing_o soon_o bribe_v with_o pride_n or_o passion_n or_o prejudice_n or_o education_n or_o interest_n to_o make_v word_n speak_v what_o never_o the_o author_n intend_v by_o they_o insomuch_o that_o hardly_o any_o fundamental_a point_n deliver_v in_o scripture_n but_o have_v be_v call_v in_o question_n and_o still_o be_v by_o too_o many_o protest_v withal_o their_o sincerity_n and_o endeavour_n to_o attain_v to_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n by_o the_o light_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n to_o which_o they_o appeal_v as_o their_o judge_n and_o protector_n in_o those_o wilful_a and_o irrational_a proceed_n neither_o indeed_o have_v heresy_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n but_o from_o scripture_n misinterpret_v by_o private_a reason_n as_o the_o etc._n the_o non_fw-la aliunde_fw-la natae_fw-la sunt_fw-la haeredes_fw-la nisi_fw-la quod_fw-la scripturae_fw-la bene_fw-la intelliguntur_fw-la non_fw-la benè_fw-la st._n aug._n tract_n 18_o in_o jeab_n er_fw-mi de_fw-fr gen._n ad_fw-la lit._n l._n 7_o ca._n 9_o non_fw-la ob_fw-la aliud_fw-la siunt_fw-la haeretici_fw-la nisi_fw-la quod_fw-la scripturas_fw-la non_fw-la recte_fw-la intelligentes_fw-la svas_fw-la falsas_fw-la opiniones_fw-la contra_fw-la earum_fw-la veritatem_fw-la pertinaciter_fw-la asserunt_fw-la &_o alii_fw-la passiom_n s._n ambr._n in_o titi._n vincentius_n lyrin_n ca._n 36._o s._n irenaeus_n l._n 1._o c._n 1._o s._n hier._n ad_fw-la ca._n 23._o isaiae_n s._n hilar._n in_o lib._n ad_fw-la constantinum_n origenes_n hom._n 31._o in_o exodum_fw-la etc._n etc._n father_n and_o church-history_n sufficient_o testify_v alas_o poor_a soul_n that_o have_v such_o a_o guide_n to_o carry_v the_o light_n which_o must_v direct_v they_o to_o eternal_a happiness_n if_o they_o make_v their_o light_a darkness_n how_o great_a be_v that_o darkness_n when_o their_o guide_n mislead_v they_o what_o remedy_n be_v there_o left_a to_o recall_v they_o into_o the_o path_n which_o lead_v to_o heaven_n the_o catholic_n church_n indeed_o be_v enrich_v with_o so_o great_a a_o privilege_n by_o christ_n our_o saviour_n that_o she_o can_v err_v in_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n as_o have_v be_v manifest_v in_o the_o precedent_a motive_n by_o reason_n father_n council_n scripture_n tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n who_o we_o may_v as_o undoubted_o believe_v in_o deliver_v to_o we_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o letter_n and_o upon_o who_o
rely_v we_o have_v only_o a_o firm_a and_o rational_a belief_n of_o reveal_v verity_n constant_a and_o immovable_a among_o all_o the_o change_n of_o sect_n and_o heretic_n true_a it_o be_v in_o every_o act_n of_o faith_n there_o be_v use_v of_o reason_n whether_o it_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n reveal_v or_o the_o church_n propose_v for_o we_o captivate_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n because_o we_o judge_v nothing_o more_o reasonable_a than_o to_o believe_v god_n and_o we_o secure_o rely_v upon_o his_o church_n who_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o assist_v with_o infallibility_n in_o such_o proposal_n but_o shall_v we_o say_v therefore_o that_o reason_n be_v the_o prime_n intrinsical_a motive_n of_o faith_n and_o into_o which_o it_o final_o be_v resolve_v nothing_o less_o for_o this_o discourse_n and_o approbation_n of_o reason_n be_v but_o necessary_o previous_a and_o antecedent_n to_o our_o deliberate_a and_o rational_a act_n of_o faith_n the_o act_n themselves_o be_v act_n of_o the_o understanding_n not_o discourse_v but_o pure_o assent_v which_o assent_n be_v not_o for_o reason_n sake_n but_o for_o authority_n be_v the_o last_o resolution_n into_o the_o judgement_n of_o private_a reason_n faith_n can_v not_o be_v divine_a or_o supernatural_a reason_n indeed_o produce_v a_o act_n of_o faith_n as_o well_o in_o catholic_n as_o protestant_n but_o with_o a_o vast_a difference_n for_o a_o protestant_n believe_v such_o a_o truth_n to_o be_v from_o god_n rely_v upon_o his_o reason_n only_o that_o it_o be_v reveal_v and_o this_o assent_n be_v not_o rational_a because_o his_o ground_n be_v deceitful_a but_o in_o a_o catholic_n reason_n act_v only_o so_o far_o in_o point_n of_o belief_n as_o to_o bring_v he_o to_o authority_n declare_v such_o truth_n to_o be_v sufficient_o reveal_v by_o almighty_a god_n which_o he_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n suspect_v to_o be_v fallible_a in_o such_o declaration_n i_o believe_v this_o say_v a_o protestant_n because_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o it_o be_v reveal_v and_o will_v allow_v no_o other_o judge_n of_o this_o revelation_n i_o believe_v this_o say_v a_o catholic_n because_o a_o infallible_a authority_n assure_v i_o iâ—_n be_v reveal_v and_o my_o reason_n tell_v i_o there_o be_v no_o other_o sufficient_a ground_n or_o evidence_n for_o divine_a faith_n and_o therefore_o give_v up_o my_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o church_n and_o which_o of_o these_o principle_n be_v more_o safe_a and_o rational_a let_v reason_n judge_v three_o i_o demand_v of_o these_o rationalist_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o heresy_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o it_o be_v oportet_fw-la esse_fw-la haereses_fw-la 19_o 1_o cor._n 11._o 19_o etc._n etc._n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n st._n paul_n have_v say_v it_o and_o that_o be_v sufficient_a and_o as_o for_o what_o it_o be_v it_o be_v well_o know_v the_o church_n have_v always_o teach_v that_o heresy_n be_v the_o voluntary_a election_n of_o some_o private_a opinion_n contradict_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v account_v a_o heretic_n who_o neglect_v the_o church_n authority_n with_o a_o stubborn_a mind_n defend_v wicked_a opinion_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v admit_v their_o new_a definition_n that_o heresy_n be_v to_o contradict_v any_o fundamental_a point_n express_o contain_v in_o scripture_n in_o my_o poor_a judgement_n according_a to_o such_o a_o definition_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o heresy_n or_o heretic_n but_o both_o arian_n anabaptist_n fanatic_n etc._n etc._n be_v as_o good_a catholic_n as_o any_o christian_n of_o the_o world_n for_o if_o private_a reason_n be_v the_o only_a judge_n of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n for_o every_o one_o to_o rely_v upon_o these_o and_o all_o other_o condemn_v heretic_n the_o montanist_n except_v rely_v upon_o the_o write_a word_n as_o interpret_v by_o reason_n with_o sober_a enquiry_n and_o real_a endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o truth_n can_v just_o be_v so_o repute_v the_o arian_n have_v so_o much_o reason_n and_o scripture_n too_o in_o the_o bare_a letter_n on_o their_o side_n that_o take_v away_o the_o church_n infallibility_n and_o universal_a tradition_n interpret_n and_o deliver_v to_o we_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o the_o controversy_n will_v never_o be_v decide_v all_o place_n will_v swarm_v with_o nestorian_n eutychian_o anti-trinitarians_a barengarians_n anabaptist_n etc._n etc._n neither_o can_v we_o condemn_v they_o if_o this_o principle_n be_v good_a for_o do_v their_o duty_n in_o follow_v scripture_n as_o the_o light_n of_o their_o own_o private_a reason_n or_o spirit_n dictate_v to_o they_o let_v they_o not_o say_v that_o these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v just_o condemn_v for_o contradict_v express_a scripture_n against_o their_o knowledge_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n for_o they_o must_v remember_v first_o that_o themselves_o do_v not_o condemn_v the_o anabaptist_n upon_o only_a scripture_n ground_n second_o that_o it_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v that_o all_o fundamental_a point_n be_v not_o so_o express_v in_o scripture_n as_o they_o imagine_v and_o three_o that_o it_o be_v most_o uncharitable_a to_o say_v that_o all_o those_o who_o they_o condemn_v for_o heretic_n do_v against_o their_o own_o knowledge_n and_o conscience_n contradict_v the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n and_o run_v headlong_o to_o hell_n with_o their_o eye_n open_a can_v we_o possible_o imagine_v that_o among_o so_o many_o million_o of_o arian_n there_o be_v not_o one_o single_a person_n have_v any_o conscience_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o many_o heretic_n have_v and_o do_v live_v virtuous_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n for_o who_o know_v not_o that_o satan_n sometime_o transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n and_o while_o they_o profess_v and_o protest_v that_o if_o it_o be_v once_o make_v apparent_a to_o they_o that_o their_o tenet_n be_v against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n they_o will_v not_o one_o minute_n persist_v in_o they_o we_o judge_v it_o uncharitable_a to_o affirm_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o protestation_n of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o real_a though_o misguide_v zeal_n they_o all_o wilful_o sin_n against_o the_o light_n and_o knowledge_n of_o their_o conscience_n we_o catholic_n indeed_o assert_v that_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o credibility_n be_v produce_v by_o we_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o heretical_a opinion_n and_o dangerous_a state_n without_o repentance_n but_o withal_o we_o say_v that_o god_n in_o his_o just_a judgement_n which_o be_v inscrutable_a suffer_v they_o through_o strong_a delusion_n to_o believe_v lie_n in_o that_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n be_v veil_v from_o their_o eye_n by_o passion_n or_o prejudice_n or_o worldly_a interest_n while_o they_o so_o continue_v and_o we_o pray_v for_o they_o in_o hope_n that_o the_o father_n of_o infinite_a mercy_n will_v in_o his_o good_a time_n discover_v truth_n unto_o they_o and_o bring_v they_o home_o unto_o his_o church_n but_o for_o these_o rationalist_n to_o damn_v all_o those_o who_o they_o esteem_v heretic_n as_o contradictor_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n against_o their_o conscience_n and_o knowledge_n be_v a_o censure_n most_o unreasonable_a and_o little_o beseem_v such_o who_o life_n be_v not_o so_o gospellike_a but_o that_o many_o sectary_n who_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o fundamental_o may_v just_o be_v repute_v at_o least_o as_o conscientious_a and_o in_o charity_n can_v be_v think_v otherwise_o all_o which_o due_o consider_v plain_o prove_v that_o they_o must_v either_o change_v their_o judge_n of_o controversy_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n or_o give_v we_o some_o new_a rule_n to_o discover_v heresy_n and_o withal_o that_o if_o they_o will_v stick_v close_o to_o this_o principle_n they_o must_v maintain_v that_o all_o the_o general_a council_n of_o the_o church_n even_o that_o celebrate_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v mere_a tyrannical_a usurpation_n in_o oblige_v all_o christian_n to_o believe_v and_o practice_n according_a to_o their_o decree_n whatever_o their_o private_a reason_n can_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_n four_o in_o vain_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n have_v jesus_n christ_n institute_v authoritative_a overseer_n and_o governor_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o perfect_a etc._n eph._n 4._o 11_o 12_o etc._n etc._n the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n till_o we_o all_o come_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n if_o every_o one_o must_v acknowledge_v no_o visible_a authority_n upon_o earth_n to_o have_v any_o oblige_a power_n over_o he_o in_o doctrine_n appertain_v to_o god_n but_o be_v his_o own_o teacher_n in_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o private_a reason_n five_o if_o every_o one_o be_v send_v to_o scripture_n to_o compose_v a_o creed_n for_o himself_o