Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	apostle_n	peter_n	pope_n	2,239	5	6.5591	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62129	A gentleman's religion in three parts : the 1st contains the principles of natural religion, the 2d. and 3d. the doctrins of Christianity both as to faith and practice : with an appendix wherein it is proved that nothing contrary to our reason can possibly be the object of our belief, but that it is no just exception against some of the doctrins of Christianity that they are above our reason.	Synge, Edward, 1659-1741.	1698 (1698)	Wing S6380; ESTC R24078	100,488	452

in_o scripture_n as_o join_v together_o in_o one_o society_n or_o body_n which_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o which_o christ_n jesus_n be_v the_o chief_a or_o head_n and_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o live_v in_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n one_o with_o another_o under_o those_o law_n and_o constitution_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o but_o not_o that_o i_o can_v find_v in_o scripture_n oblige_v to_o join_v with_o or_o submit_v to_o any_o one_o person_n as_o the_o vicar_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o visible_a head_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o earth_n for_o if_o christ_n have_v appoint_v any_o such_o person_n as_o his_o deputy_n upon_o earth_n he_o must_v either_o have_v declare_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o consequence_n with_o great_a plainness_n and_o evidence_n or_o else_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v fault_n with_o any_o man_n for_o be_v mistake_v in_o it_o whereas_o the_o argument_n which_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n bring_v to_o prove_v either_o that_o such_o a_o vicar_n there_o must_v be_v or_o that_o st._n peter_n the_o apostle_n be_v the_o man_n or_o that_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o not_o the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o st._n peter_n both_o in_o his_o bishopric_n and_o authority_n be_v all_o so_o weak_a and_o precarious_a so_o force_v and_o perplex_v and_o so_o full_o confute_v by_o the_o protestant_a divine_n that_o nothing_o in_o my_o opinion_n but_o blindness_n of_o understanding_n or_o worldly_a interest_n can_v prevail_v with_o the_o member_n of_o that_o church_n still_o to_o insist_v upon_o they_o now_o that_o christ_n institute_v but_o one_o church_n in_o which_o all_o true_a believer_n and_o good_a liver_n be_v for_o ever_o to_o be_v comprise_v be_v very_o plain_a and_o although_o through_o the_o mistake_v and_o perverseness_n of_o man_n this_o church_n be_v rend_v and_o divide_v into_o opposite_a and_o contend_v part_n and_o party_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o hinder_v but_o that_o according_a to_o its_o true_a and_o primitive_a constitution_n it_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v one_o as_o a_o kingdom_n or_o commonwealth_n by_o its_o law_n and_o constitution_n be_v but_o one_o society_n although_o there_o may_v arise_v faction_n and_o different_a interest_n in_o it_o nor_o shall_v any_o man_n be_v esteem_v as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n before_o god_n who_o be_v not_o ready_a and_o willing_a according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o power_n and_o knowledge_n to_o maintain_v the_o unity_n of_o it_o and_o that_o upon_o those_o very_a term_n and_o none_o other_o which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v as_o near_o as_o possible_o he_o can_v find_v and_o apprehend_v they_o moreover_o that_o all_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n on_o which_o christ_n have_v found_v the_o church_n and_o by_o which_o he_o will_v have_v it_o regulate_v be_v exact_o agreeable_a unto_o the_o rule_n of_o sound_a morality_n and_o the_o will_n of_o god_n can_v be_v so_o much_o as_o doubt_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v true_o say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v holy_a although_o every_o particular_a member_n thereof_o have_v both_o his_o frailty_n and_o his_o sin_n which_o yet_o he_o must_v repent_v of_o and_o so_o become_v holy_a as_o the_o church_n be_v holy_a or_o else_o he_o violate_v one_o of_o the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a law_n and_o so_o become_v as_o it_o be_v a_o outlaw_n of_o the_o church_n and_o forfeit_v his_o part_n in_o all_o the_o privilege_n that_o belong_v unto_o that_o society_n and_o whereas_o before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n do_v enjoy_v more_o of_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o have_v great_a privilege_n and_o advantage_n on_o the_o score_n of_o their_o be_v god_n choose_a and_o peculiar_a people_n than_o any_o or_o all_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n on_o the_o contrary_a now_o look_v upon_o all_o as_o equal_o entitle_v unto_o god_n favour_n and_o the_o advantage_n thereon_o depend_v who_o take_v care_v due_o to_o qualify_v themselves_o for_o it_o so_o that_o whereas_o former_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o choose_a people_n of_o god_n may_v have_v be_v say_v to_o be_v particular_a as_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n limit_v to_o one_o nation_n or_o people_n now_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v catholic_n that_o be_v to_o say_v universal_a as_o be_v no_o way_n confine_v to_o one_o place_n or_o nation_n all_o people_n be_v equal_o choose_v by_o god_n in_o christ_n who_o will_v receive_v and_o love_v according_a to_o the_o gospel_n 41._o in_o those_o several_a revelation_n which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o make_v of_o himself_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n unto_o adam_n to_o abraham_n and_o to_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n there_o be_v still_o a_o plain_a intimation_n give_v they_o that_o in_o the_o time_n to_o come_v there_o shall_v a_o extraordinary_a person_n arise_v in_o the_o world_n who_o shall_v yet_o more_o clear_o make_v know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n but_o when_o christ_n who_o be_v that_o person_n do_v according_o come_v and_o send_v his_o apostle_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n over_o all_o the_o earth_n he_o neither_o suggest_v to_o they_o nor_o they_o unto_o the_o world_n that_o any_o other_o revelation_n be_v ever_o after_o to_o be_v expect_v but_o always_o give_v they_o to_o understand_v that_o god_n have_v in_o the_o gospel_n complete_v and_o finish_v all_o that_o declaration_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o make_v of_o himself_o or_o his_o will_n unto_o mankind_n until_o the_o general_a judgement_n and_o dissolution_n of_o the_o world_n if_o therefore_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v give_v i_o no_o manner_n of_o assurance_n of_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o church_n my_o own_o reason_n will_v have_v be_v enough_o to_o make_v i_o conclude_v that_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n will_v so_o order_v the_o matter_n as_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o only_o know_v and_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n shall_v never_o be_v whole_o extinguish_v while_o the_o world_n last_v so_o as_o to_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o any_o new_a revelation_n to_o revive_v and_o restore_v it_o but_o that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o certain_a company_n of_o man_n evident_o conspicuous_a to_o the_o world_n teach_v and_o profess_v the_o true_a christian_a religion_n without_o any_o error_n or_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n or_o worship_n be_v what_o i_o can_v no_o where_n find_v promise_v or_o foretell_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o any_o of_o his_o apostle_n on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v several_a passage_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o do_v plain_o seem_v to_o foretell_v that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n most_o pernicious_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n shall_v prevail_v and_o take_v place_n even_o among_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o whosoever_o shall_v but_o light_o compare_v the_o state_n of_o christianity_n for_o several_a century_n before_o the_o reformation_n with_o that_o draught_n of_o it_o which_o be_v leave_v we_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n must_v if_o he_o be_v impartial_a i_o think_v be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o prediction_n 42._o whether_o or_o no_o god_n have_v or_o do_v at_o any_o time_n communicate_v or_o bestow_v any_o extraordinary_a grace_n or_o assistance_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v no_o visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o altogether_o stranger_n unto_o that_o revelation_n which_o he_o have_v make_v of_o himself_o be_v a_o question_n which_o the_o virtuous_a life_n and_o heroic_a action_n of_o some_o brave_a heathen_n make_v it_o hard_o positive_o to_o determine_v in_o the_o negative_a but_o that_o he_o will_v give_v so_o much_o grace_n and_o strength_n to_o every_o one_o who_o shall_v become_v a_o member_n of_o christ_n church_n as_o that_o thereby_o they_o may_v if_o the_o fault_n be_v not_o their_o own_o sufficient_o qualify_v themselves_o for_o eternal_a happiness_n by_o the_o performance_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o require_v on_o their_o part_n to_o be_v do_v be_v what_o i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v doubt_v of_o who_o do_v but_o in_o general_n consider_v the_o mercy_n and_o love_n which_o god_n design_v even_o unto_o all_o man_n but_o more_o especial_o unto_o the_o church_n in_o send_v our_o saviour_n christ_n jesus_n into_o the_o world_n although_o there_o be_v not_o any_o particular_a promise_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o this_o grace_n and_o ability_n to_o do_v good_a be_v in_o scripture_n ascribe_v unto_o the_o ministry_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o heart_n and_o mind_n of_o true_a believer_n be_v plain_a and_o general_o own_v by_o all_o christian_n but_o that_o this_o

power_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n who_o be_v both_o the_o framer_n and_o controller_n of_o nature_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o effect_n by_o the_o mediation_n and_o ministry_n of_o good_a spirit_n who_o always_o act_n obedient_o to_o his_o will._n so_o that_o whether_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o it_o be_v god_n who_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a and_o author_n of_o all_o those_o wonderful_a thing_n which_o be_v do_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n now_o then_o since_o god_n do_v interpose_v his_o power_n to_o work_v such_o strange_a and_o stupenduous_a thing_n for_o the_o propagation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v certain_o true_a for_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v make_v use_n of_o his_o extraordinary_a power_n only_o to_o cheat_v and_o deceive_v the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o lie_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n from_o heaven_n that_o whosoever_o will_v believe_v on_o jesus_n and_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o his_o religion_n shall_v be_v make_v very_o happy_a in_o thenext_v life_n this_o very_a thing_n be_v the_o grand_a point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n teach_v and_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n and_o if_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v reason_n sufficient_a to_o believe_v this_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o also_o xx._n but_o jesus_n himself_o be_v long_o since_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o his_o disciple_n who_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n depart_v out_o of_o the_o world_n here_o i_o think_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o inquire_v to_o who_o or_o to_o what_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o that_o amid_o the_o several_a party_n in_o the_o world_n who_o all_o call_v themselves_o true_a and_o orthodox_n christian_n each_o condemn_v all_o other_o but_o themselves_o i_o may_v be_v true_o and_o sure_o inform_v what_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a religion_n or_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n which_o i_o ought_v to_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o in_o order_n to_o my_o future_a happiness_n for_o if_o i_o do_v not_o this_o i_o must_v either_o reject_v the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n and_o so_o lose_v my_o future_a happiness_n or_o else_o take_v it_o altogether_o upon_o trust_n and_o by_o chance_n and_o then_o it_o be_v odds_o but_o i_o light_v upon_o the_o wrong_n and_o must_v needs_o run_v a_o very_a great_a hazard_n and_o though_o he_o who_o be_v in_o a_o mistake_n and_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o help_v it_o will_n doubtless_o find_v a_o easy_a pardon_n from_o god_n yet_o he_o who_o fall_v into_o error_n for_o want_v of_o moderate_a care_n and_o diligence_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n have_v i_o think_v no_o pretence_n either_o to_o pardon_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o pity_n xxi_o the_o roman_a catholic_n do_v tell_v i_o that_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o to_o the_o church_n this_o church_n they_o define_v to_o be_v that_o society_n of_o person_n who_o prosess_v faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o live_v in_o subjection_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n this_o church_n they_o say_v be_v infallible_a and_o not_o only_o do_v not_o but_o can_v err_v in_o any_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n go_v then_o say_v they_o to_o this_o church_n and_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n which_o she_o teach_v and_o there_o you_o have_v certain_o and_o infallible_o the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o i_o can_v give_v my_o assent_n to_o follow_v this_o their_o direction_n because_o i_o find_v such_o great_a difficulty_n in_o my_o way_n as_o i_o think_v be_v insuparable_a at_o least_o i_o be_o sure_a such_o as_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o overcome_v for_o first_o although_o it_o may_v be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o company_n of_o people_n some_o where_o or_o other_o profess_v the_o true_a christian_a religion_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v last_v yet_o what_o solid_a proof_n can_v be_v bring_v that_o this_o particular_a society_n of_o man_n who_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v alone_o the_o true_a church_n and_o shall_v always_o keep_v and_o maintain_v among_o they_o the_o true_a and_o uncorrupt_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o matter_n be_v a_o question_n of_o revelation_n and_o positive_a institution_n be_v uncapable_a of_o be_v prove_v by_o any_o argument_n draw_v from_o natural_a reason_n and_o as_o for_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o allege_v it_o be_v even_o ridiculous_a to_o think_v that_o any_o sober_a and_o unprejudiced_a person_n shall_v be_v convince_v by_o they_o as_o will_v evident_o appear_v to_o any_o one_o who_o impartial_o read_v what_o the_o romish_a and_o protestant_a divine_n have_v write_v on_o this_o controversy_n for_o there_o be_v none_o of_o those_o text_n but_o be_v fair_o and_o natural_o capable_a of_o another_o interpretation_n and_o must_v be_v very_o much_o strain_v and_o wrest_v to_o make_v they_o countenance_v the_o romish_a doctrine_n beside_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v general_o teach_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o authority_n or_o sense_n of_o any_o text_n of_o scripture_n especial_o if_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v any_o way_n doubtful_a except_o he_o receive_v the_o proposal_n and_o interpretation_n thereof_o from_o this_o their_o church_n which_o they_o say_v be_v infallible_a so_o that_o a_o man_n must_v of_o necessity_n believe_v the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n before_o he_o can_v any_o way_n be_v sure_a of_o the_o credit_n or_o even_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o bring_v to_o prove_v it_o and_o then_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o scripture-argument_n to_o prove_v a_o thing_n which_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v before_o the_o argument_n can_v have_v any_o force_n or_o even_o be_v as_o much_o as_o certain_o understand_v and_o if_o they_o tell_v i_o that_o the_o father_n and_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n do_v testify_v thus_o much_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o can_v only_o say_v that_o the_o protestant_n divine_n who_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v man_n of_o as_o much_o learning_n and_o integrity_n as_o the_o romish_a do_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o nor_o have_v i_o skill_n enough_o in_o language_n and_o antiquity_n to_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o judge_v of_o this_o dispute_n neither_o do_v i_o understand_v by_o what_o authority_n the_o write_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v subject_a to_o error_n shall_v be_v obtrude_v on_o i_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o my_o faith_n or_o as_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o determine_v my_o assent_n in_o so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n second_o suppose_v but_o not_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v preserve_v yet_o still_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o particular_a and_o private_a man_n who_o live_v in_o the_o visible_a communion_n of_o that_o church_n may_v teach_v false_a and_o corrupt_a doctrine_n here_o than_o i_o demand_v how_o shall_v i_o certain_o distinguish_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o opinion_n of_o private_a man_n and_o how_o shall_v i_o certain_o know_v what_o be_v the_o true_a mean_v of_o the_o church_n doctrine_n they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o agree_v who_o it_o be_v that_o have_v authority_n to_o declare_v and_o expound_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o general_n council_n or_o neither_o alone_a but_o both_o together_o or_o if_o they_o be_v unanimous_a in_o this_o point_n yet_o how_o shall_v i_o know_v whether_o such_o a_o particular_a person_n who_o possess_v the_o chair_n be_v a_o true_a and_o lawful_a pope_n or_o such_o a_o particular_a assembly_n a_o true_a and_o lawful_a general_n council_n or_o suppose_v they_o can_v satisfy_v i_o in_o this_o demand_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o council_n now_o sit_v nor_o if_o there_o be_v can_v i_o go_v to_o they_o or_o to_o the_o pope_n to_o receive_v instruction_n nor_o can_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o council_n be_v at_o leisure_n to_o satisfy_v the_o demand_n of_o every_o private_a enquirer_n how_o then_o can_v i_o be_v sure_a that_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a person_n do_v both_o right_o understand_v and_o faithful_o propose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n to_o i_o especial_o since_o