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authority_n catholic_n church_n communion_n 3,075 5 9.3276 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59812 A discourse concerning a judge of controversies in matters of religion being an answer to some papers asserting the necessity of such a judge : with an address to wavering protestants, shewing what little reason they have to think of any change of their religion : written for the private satisfaction of some scrupulous persons, and now published for common use : with a preface concerning the nature of certainty and infallibility. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1686 (1686) Wing S3285; ESTC R8167 73,491 104

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other_o give_v of_o a_o true_a church_n there_o be_v one_o mark_v without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v be_v certain_a which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o that_o be_v that_o she_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o christ._n for_o this_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o church_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o church_n without_o it_o all_o other_o mark_n may_v deceive_v we_o for_o whatever_o other_o mark_n there_o be_v if_o there_o be_v not_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o christ_n there_o can_v be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n be_v break_v and_o divide_v into_o different_a and_o opposite_a communion_n whoever_o will_v find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n must_v examine_v her_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n bellarmine_n himself_o make_v the_o holiness_n of_o doctrine_n one_o essential_a mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n and_o yet_o truth_n be_v antecedent_n to_o 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schismatic_n now_o and_o out_o of_o catholic_n communion_n for_o if_o catholic_n communion_n be_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n from_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v but_o one_o church_n and_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v the_o true_a measure_n and_o standard_n of_o true_a catholic_n communion_n than_o those_o church_n which_o to_o this_o day_n be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o apostle_n be_v in_o true_a catholic_n communion_n and_o this_o test_n we_o will_v stand_v by_o though_o i_o will_v not_o advise_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o do_v so_o let_v we_o consider_v whether_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v reject_v our_o communion_n for_o those_o reason_n for_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n now_o reject_v we_o will_v st._n paul_n have_v reject_v our_o communion_n because_o we_o will_v not_o worship_n god_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n which_o he_o himself_o forbid_v 1_o cor._n 14._o because_o we_o will_v not_o worship_v saint_n and_o angel_n and_o image_n which_o the_o romanist_n confess_v be_v neither_o command_v nor_o practise_v in_o those_o day_n and_o which_o we_o say_v be_v forbid_v then_o and_o understand_v to_o be_v so_o by_o all_o christian_n for_o not_o own_v the_o supremacy_n of_o peter_n when_o st._n paul_n himself_o withstand_v he_o as_o much_o as_o we_o do_v the_o pope_n of_o rome_n and_o upon_o a_o much_o less_o occasion_n gal._n 2._o 11._o etc._n etc._n and_o the_o african_a church_n long_o after_o in_o the_o day_n of_o st._n cyprian_n and_o by_o his_o authority_n forbid_v all_o appeal_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o a_o word_n will_v the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n indulgence_n purgatory_n communion_n in_o one_o kind_n private_a and_o solitary_a mass_n
and_o the_o like_a have_v be_v think_v a_o just_a reason_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n to_o deny_v communion_n to_o all_o those_o church_n which_o reject_v they_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v in_o communion_n with_o all_o those_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n till_o now_o who_o never_o own_v nor_o impose_v those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n for_o which_o we_o now_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o necessary_a term_n of_o communion_n which_o upon_o inquiry_n will_v be_v find_v a_o much_o more_o catholic_n communion_n then_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o we_o communicate_v with_o more_o age_n and_o with_o more_o church_n than_o they_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o now_o constitute_v in_o all_o its_o part_n and_o proportion_n be_v no_o old_a than_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o be_v some_o time_n since_o luther_n that_o we_o may_v with_o more_o reason_n ask_v they_o where_o their_o church_n be_v before_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n then_o they_o ask_v we_o where_o our_o church_n be_v before_o luther_n we_o find_v our_o church_n in_o its_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o government_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n but_o their_o church_n be_v not_o make_v all_o at_o a_o time_n but_o one_o age_n bring_v in_o one_o corruption_n another_o another_o some_o aspire_a pope_n begin_v the_o encroachment_n upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o other_o church_n and_o other_o keep_v the_o ground_n their_o predecessor_n have_v get_v and_o as_o they_o have_v opportunity_n make_v new_a conquest_n and_o thus_o by_o degree_n it_o grow_v up_o into_o a_o papal_a omnipotency_n some_o think_v monk_n start_v some_o uncouth_a opinion_n which_o be_v toss_v about_o for_o a_o while_n in_o dispute_n and_o if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o advance_v the_o power_n of_o the_o pope_n or_o of_o the_o priest_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v countenance_v at_o rome_n and_o that_o make_v honest_a man_n cautious_a of_o oppose_v and_o then_o they_o grow_v up_o into_o receive_a doctrine_n and_o when_o it_o be_v ripe_a for_o that_o purpose_n they_o be_v dub_v article_n of_o faith_n and_o at_o length_n be_v digest_v into_o method_n and_o order_n refine_a and_o polish_a and_o receive_v their_o last_o authority_n from_o the_o pack_v conventicle_n of_o trent_n and_o will_v any_o man_n call_v this_o catholic_n communion_n the_o divide_v term_n of_o which_o be_v whole_o unknown_a to_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n creep_v in_o by_o degree_n in_o several_a late_a age_n and_o never_o receive_v its_o accomplishment_n and_o perfection_n till_o since_o the_o reformation_n itself_o and_o be_v now_o already_o in_o the_o wane_n and_o almost_o expound_v into_o protestant_a heresy_n at_o least_o so_o they_o will_v persuade_v we_o by_o the_o bp._n of_o meaux_n and_o our_o modern_a representer_n however_o this_o show_n how_o among_o all_o the_o division_n of_o christendom_n we_o can_v prove_v ourselves_o to_o be_v a_o catholic_n church_n and_o in_o catholic_n communion_n which_o be_v all_o that_o we_o at_o present_a be_v concern_v for_o and_o let_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v as_o much_o for_o herself_o if_o she_o can_v upon_o these_o principle_n she_o now_o reject_v we_o it_o be_v plain_a she_o must_v have_v deny_v communion_n to_o the_o apostolic_a church_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o will_v have_v deny_v communion_n to_o she_o and_o what_o be_v become_v then_o of_o her_o catholic_n communion_n which_o shut_v out_o the_o apostle_n and_o apostolic_a church_n the_o paper_n and_o how_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n for_o that_o which_o i_o think_v make_v a_o corporation_n become_v a_o body_n of_o man_n be_v the_o obligation_n impose_v on_o those_o who_o live_v in_o that_o corporation_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o peculiar_a law_n and_o government_n there_o establish_v for_o even_o of_o those_o that_o make_v scripture_n their_o rule_n of_o all_o those_o church_n answer_n i_o suppose_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o this_o be_v either_o false_a or_o hasty_o write_v if_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n in_o such_o a_o corporation_n as_o be_v under_o the_o same_o individual_a government_n or_o one_o govern_v head_n who_o must_v give_v law_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n this_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v prove_v christ_n at_o first_o commit_v the_o plant_n and_o govern_v his_o church_n to_o twelve_o apostle_n who_o as_o st._n cyprian_n affirm_v have_v all_o equal_a power_n and_o authority_n though_o christ_n name_v peter_n only_o in_o bestow_v the_o apostolical_a power_n not_o to_o give_v peter_n any_o superiority_n over_o the_o rest_n but_o only_o to_o signify_v that_o unity_n and_o harmony_n of_o consent_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v among_o they_o in_o exercise_v the_o apostolical_a power_n that_o they_o be_v all_o to_o act_v as_o one_o man._n the_o apostle_n leave_v their_o power_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a church_n who_o have_v the_o immediate_a inspection_n and_o sovereign_a power_n over_o their_o own_o church_n as_o the_o same_o father_n frequent_o assert_n but_o yet_o be_v to_o govern_v their_o several_a church_n with_o mutual_a advice_n and_o consent_n so_o that_o the_o unity_n of_o particular_a church_n consist_v in_o their_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o their_o bishop_n and_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n and_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o they_o live_v without_o necessary_a and_o unavoidable_a reason_n be_v schismatic_n who_o cut_v themselves_o off_o from_o the_o body_n of_o christ._n the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n consist_v not_o in_o the_o subjection_n of_o one_o church_n to_o another_o but_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o in_o the_o agreement_n and_o concord_n of_o their_o bishop_n in_o own_v each_o other_o church_n and_o maintain_v communion_n with_o they_o upon_o catholic_n principle_n and_o govern_v their_o church_n as_o far_o as_o be_v expedient_a by_o common_a rule_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n this_o then_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n let_v we_o brief_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v that_o unite_v particular_a church_n in_o catholic_n communion_n 1._o every_o particular_a church_n which_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n be_v part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o catholic_n faith_n be_v so_o far_o in_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n and_o thus_o we_o own_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o to_o be_v part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o she_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n though_o with_o a_o great_a mixture_n of_o dangerous_a error_n 2._o the_o communion_n of_o particular_a church_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o use_v the_o same_o liturgy_n or_o external_a rite_n of_o worship_n if_o their_o worship_n be_v a_o true_a christian_a worship_n and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o general_a law_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o every_o church_n have_v authority_n within_o herself_o to_o direct_v and_o model_n she_o own_o worship_n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o it_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o receive_v her_o liturgy_n and_o worship_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o may_v use_v she_o own_o without_o be_v charge_v with_o schism_n for_o do_v so_o 3._o every_o catholic_n church_n be_v bind_v to_o receive_v each_o other_o member_n to_o communion_n when_o they_o come_v among_o they_o which_o make_v they_o all_o but_o one_o church_n one_o society_n &_o body_n the_o member_n of_o which_o have_v a_o mutual_a right_n and_o interest_n in_o each_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n not_o to_o adhere_v so_o stiff_o to_o the_o rite_n and_o usage_n of_o our_o own_o particular_a church_n as_o not_o to_o communicate_v with_o other_o church_n who_o use_v different_a rite_n from_o our_o own_o if_o they_o be_v innocent_a thus_o far_o all_o thing_n be_v plain_a and_o easy_a but_o the_o difficulty_n be_v how_o we_o shall_v maintain_v communion_n with_o those_o church_n which_o teach_v very_o erroneous_a doctrine_n or_o use_v very_o corrupt_a and_o suspect_a kind_n of_o worship_n and_o therefore_o four_o how_o corrupt_v soever_o any_o church_n be_v if_o she_o still_o retain_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n we_o must_v own_v she_o for_o a_o christian_a church_n though_o a_o corrupt_a one_o which_o be_v one_o degree_n of_o communion_n with_o she_o to_o own_v she_o of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o ourselves_o though_o as_o a_o sick_a or_o rot_a member_n this_o be_v the_o charge_n against_o the_o novatian_o and_o donatist_n not_o only_o that_o they_o
can_v communicate_v with_o they_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o sinful_a in_o our_o communion_n and_o whatever_o they_o pretend_v they_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n want_v in_o it_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o when_o we_o deny_v communion_n to_o no_o church_n that_o will_v communicate_v with_o we_o and_o require_v no_o sinful_a term_n of_o communion_n which_o can_v justify_v a_o separation_n from_o we_o let_v they_o tell_v i_o wherein_o our_o schism_n consist_v the_o paper_n i_o can_v think_v those_o glorious_a promise_n sufficient_o fulfil_v of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o abide_v with_o they_o and_o that_o for_o ever_o answer_n pray_v why_o not_o that_o promise_n of_o lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n be_v make_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v fulfil_v in_o they_o and_o extend_v to_o no_o other_o in_o that_o degree_n of_o infallibility_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o spirit_n be_v to_o lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n viz._n by_o bring_v to_o their_o remembrance_n all_o thing_n which_o christ_n have_v say_v to_o they_o which_o can_v belong_v only_o to_o those_o person_n who_o hear_v the_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n of_o christ_n himself_o for_o though_o a_o man_n may_v be_v teach_v what_o he_o never_o know_v before_o yet_o he_o can_v be_v say_v to_o remember_v what_o he_o never_o hear_v before_o but_o when_o it_o be_v add_v that_o this_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v abide_v with_o they_o for_o ever_o that_o for_o ever_o must_v be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o apostle_n as_o it_o relate_v to_o a_o infallible_a direction_n and_o their_o for_o ever_o signify_v no_o long_a than_o they_o live_v for_o if_o it_o must_v be_v extend_v to_o all_o the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n than_o there_o must_v be_v as_o many_o infallible_a judge_n as_o there_o be_v successor_n to_o all_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o several_a church_n found_v by_o they_o which_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o design_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o for_o what_o follow_v about_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n i_o have_v already_o give_v a_o account_n of_o that_o for_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n never_o prevail_v while_o there_o be_v a_o church_n which_o profess_v the_o faith_n which_o st._n peter_n then_o profess_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o have_v do_v in_o her_o great_a corruption_n except_v pope_n liberius_n his_o subscription_n to_o the_o arian_n confession_n and_o whereas_o the_o paper_n conclude_v with_o a_o desire_n to_o know_v how_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v catholic_n and_o apostolic_a the_o answer_n be_v very_o plain_a because_o her_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o discipline_n be_v catholic_n and_o apostolic_a the_o conclusion_n a_o address_n to_o waver_a protestant_n show_v what_o little_a reason_n they_o have_v to_o think_v of_o any_o change_n of_o their_o religion_n what_o i_o have_v now_o discourse_v in_o answer_n to_o these_o paper_n seem_v to_o i_o so_o very_o clear_a and_o plain_a that_o i_o shall_v not_o much_o question_n its_o good_a effect_n even_o upon_o honest_a papist_n will_v they_o impartial_o read_v and_o consider_v it_o much_o more_o upon_o waver_a protestant_n if_o it_o be_v only_o some_o scruple_n not_o interest_n which_o sway_v they_o but_o the_o better_a to_o fix_v such_o people_n and_o that_o in_o the_o modern_a fashionable_a way_n without_o dispute_v all_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n i_o shall_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v how_o much_o more_o certainty_n and_o safety_n they_o have_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n than_o they_o can_v have_v by_o go_v over_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o i_o think_v this_o be_v home_n to_o the_o purpose_n it_o be_v the_o same_o argument_n wherewith_o the_o roman_a priest_n endeavour_v to_o pervert_v our_o people_n and_o which_o be_v the_o principal_a design_n of_o these_o paper_n 1._o first_o then_o i_o observe_v that_o all_o the_o positive_a article_n of_o the_o protestant_a faith_n be_v own_v and_o believe_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n we_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o they_o believe_v but_o yet_o they_o believe_v all_o that_o we_o do_v for_o our_o faith_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o ancient_a creed_n the_o apostle_n the_o nicene_n and_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n own_v as_o well_o as_o we_o and_o though_o we_o do_v not_o build_v our_o certainty_n on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o on_o the_o express_a revelation_n of_o scripture_n which_o contain_v all_o the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o be_v as_o much_o certainty_n as_o we_o desire_v yet_o methinks_v even_o a_o modest_a romanist_n shall_v blush_v to_o charge_v our_o faith_n with_o uncertainty_n when_o our_o faith_n as_o far_o as_o it_o reach_v be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o sure_o they_o must_v grant_v that_o in_o these_o matter_n which_o we_o all_o consent_n in_o our_o faith_n be_v true_a and_o orthodox_n they_o must_v grant_v that_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o our_o faith_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n also_o for_o thus_o they_o resolve_v their_o own_o faith_n they_o must_v grant_v that_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n not_o exclude_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o best_a external_n testimony_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n now_o when_o we_o believe_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o doctrine_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o expound_v by_o the_o general_n faith_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n what_o appearance_n of_o uncertainty_n can_v be_v charge_v on_o such_o a_o faith_n we_o reject_v indeed_o the_o infallible_a authority_n of_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n but_o what_o then_o will_v not_o a_o true_a orthodox_n faith_n save_v we_o unless_o we_o believe_v in_o christ_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n which_o have_v no_o be_v when_o christianity_n be_v first_o plant_v in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o insist_v on_o this_o for_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o any_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n go_v over_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n because_o he_o can_v believe_v his_o creed_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o then_o i_o will_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v what_o that_o uncertainty_n be_v which_o they_o complain_v of_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o if_o the_o positive_a faith_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v certain_a as_o it_o must_v be_v if_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o to_o these_o matter_n be_v certain_a why_o do_v they_o leave_v we_o for_o want_v of_o certainty_n which_o be_v now_o the_o popular_a argument_n to_o seduce_v man_n from_o our_o communion_n if_o they_o think_v we_o do_v not_o believe_v enough_o let_v they_o say_v so_o and_o make_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o departure_n from_o we_o but_o if_o as_o far_o as_o our_o faith_n go_v we_o have_v certain_a and_o evident_a reason_n of_o our_o faith_n how_o do_v our_o faith_n come_v to_o be_v uncertain_a as_o for_o those_o particular_a doctrine_n which_o be_v in_o dispute_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n we_o grant_v we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o they_o nay_o more_o than_o that_o we_o say_v no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o they_o how_o confident_a soever_o he_o be_v for_o they_o be_v found_v neither_o on_o reason_n nor_o scripture_n nor_o any_o good_a authority_n for_o we_o do_v not_o take_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v good_a authority_n and_o if_o this_o be_v all_o 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council_n convene_v about_o the_o arian_n controversy_n after_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o nicene_n father_n if_o that_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o far_a dispute_n and_o appeal_v which_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o the_o christian_n do_v not_o then_o think_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o council_n be_v so_o sacred_a that_o no_o man_n must_v question_v it_o when_o succeed_a council_n examine_v and_o many_o time_n reverse_v the_o decree_n of_o former_a council_n nay_o that_o council_n which_o be_v not_o general_a shall_v make_v bold_a with_o the_o decree_n of_o general_a council_n which_o be_v but_o a_o degree_n remove_v from_o every_o man_n private_a reason_n but_o the_o council_n anathematise_v all_o those_o that_o do_v not_o receive_v their_o decree_n and_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o they_o deny_v all_o christian_n a_o liberty_n of_o examine_v after_o they_o may_v they_o not_o declare_v such_o doctrine_n to_o be_v damnable_a heresy_n and_o reject_v such_o man_n out_o 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and_o orthodox_n the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o right_n in_o require_v obedience_n and_o conformity_n to_o her_o decree_n and_o constitution_n and_o those_o who_o refuse_v it_o must_v answer_v it_o both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n if_o her_o faith_n be_v corrupt_a she_o abuse_v her_o power_n in_o impose_v it_o on_o christian_n and_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v what_o be_v false_a because_o the_o church_n define_v it_o to_o be_v true_a if_o you_o ask_v who_o judgement_n ought_v to_o take_v place_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o every_o private_a christian_n i_o answer_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n of_o necessity_n must_v take_v place_n as_o to_o external_n government_n to_o determine_v what_o shall_v be_v profess_v and_o practise_v in_o her_o communion_n and_o no_o private_a christian_n have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v in_o these_o matter_n but_o when_o the_o question_n be_v what_o be_v right_a or_o wrong_n true_a or_o false_a in_o what_o we_o may_v obey_v and_o in_o what_o not_o here_o every_o private_a christian_a who_o will_v not_o believe_v without_o understanding_n nor_o follow_v his_o guide_n blindfold_a must_v judge_v for_o himself_o and_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o his_o soul_n be_v worth_a to_o judge_v right_a for_o if_o he_o reject_v the_o faith_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n without_o a_o just_a and_o necessary_a cause_n he_o be_v a_o heretic_n and_o a_o schismatic_a liable_a to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o world_n and_o to_o the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n in_o the_o next_o if_o he_o reject_v a_o erroneous_a and_o corrupt_a communion_n he_o incur_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n which_o in_o most_o christian_a kingdom_n be_v attend_v with_o some_o temporal_a inconvenience_n and_o if_o he_o embrace_v it_o he_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o a_o future_a judgement_n for_o if_o the_o blind_a lead_v the_o blind_a they_o shall_v both_o fall_v into_o the_o dith_o these_o be_v the_o proper_a limit_n of_o all_o human_a authority_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n below_o this_o there_o be_v no_o authority_n and_o above_o it_o it_o be_v not_o human_a authority_n for_o a_o blind_a obedience_n can_v be_v due_a to_o none_o but_o god_n and_o he_o himself_o seldom_o exact_v it_o if_o we_o will_v grant_v governor_n and_o subject_n to_o be_v man_n who_o have_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o state_n the_o case_n of_o authority_n and_o subjection_n otherwise_o than_o thus_o that_o the_o faith_n and_o judgement_n of_o governor_n influence_n and_o direct_v their_o government_n and_o give_v law_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o subject_n and_o the_o private_a judgement_n of_o subject_n direct_v they_o how_o far_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v their_o governor_n and_o god_n himself_o
judge_n between_o they_o and_o by_o his_o providence_n prevent_v or_o overrule_v all_o those_o disorder_n which_o may_v happen_v either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n in_o this_o world_n and_o reward_n or_o punish_v both_o governor_n and_o subject_n according_a to_o their_o desert_n in_o the_o next_o and_o this_o supresede_v all_o far_a dispute_n about_o some_o hard_a case_n or_o the_o sincerity_n or_o insincerity_n of_o governor_n or_o subject_n for_o every_o man_n must_v of_o necessity_n judge_v for_o himself_o and_o god_n will_v govern_v and_o judge_v we_o all_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o if_o we_o have_v not_o the_o free_a exercise_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o the_o government_n of_o ourselves_o the_o paper_n but_o i_o know'tis_o urge_v the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v guide_v by_o antiquity_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n but_o every_o one_o know_v that_o there_o be_v great_a difficulty_n in_o that_o too_o even_o for_o scholar_n at_o least_o i_o be_o tell_v so_o for_o no_o church_n admit_v of_o all_o that_o be_v ancient_a for_o several_a heresy_n be_v so_o and_o since_o we_o say_v number_n make_v nothing_o for_o truth_n and_o that_o all_o man_n may_v err_v and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a mark_n by_o visible_a succession_n to_o find_v out_o which_o be_v true_a believer_n in_o this_o confusion_n the_o church_n of_o england_n must_v be_v very_o fortunate_a not_o to_o retain_v too_o much_o as_o the_o arian_n and_o macedonian_n etc._n etc._n say_v we_o do_v or_o too_o little_a as_o the_o romanist_n say_v answer_n the_o church_n of_o england_n indeed_o have_v regard_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n not_o that_o she_o fetch_v all_o her_o exposition_n from_o ancient_a writer_n but_o that_o she_o take_v care_v not_o to_o expound_v scripture_n in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o ancient_a faith_n of_o the_o church_n contain_v in_o the_o ancient_a creed_n and_o it_o require_v no_o great_a skill_n in_o antiquity_n to_o know_v what_o this_o faith_n be_v which_o we_o repeat_v every_o day_n in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o this_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o we_o expound_v scripture_n right_a when_o the_o sense_n we_o give_v of_o it_o be_v what_o the_o word_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o text_n import_n and_o agree_v with_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n have_v we_o no_o ancient_a record_n we_o can_v find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o all_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o traditionary_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n where_o the_o tradition_n be_v plain_a and_o clear_a and_o therefore_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o those_o interpretation_n we_o give_v of_o scripture_n in_o conformity_n to_o the_o ancient_a belief_n and_o confute_v all_o the_o evasion_n and_o criticism_n of_o heretic_n for_o when_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n may_v with_o some_o art_n be_v expound_v to_o different_a sense_n either_o to_o justify_v some_o new_a or_o ancient_a heresy_n or_o the_o catholic_n faith_n we_o need_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n which_o agree_v with_o the_o uniform_a belief_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n who_o be_v the_o best_a judge_n what_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v and_o though_o there_o be_v indeed_o very_o ancient_a heresy_n yet_o nothing_o be_v plain_a in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n than_o the_o distinction_n between_o those_o ancient_a heresy_n and_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o therefore_o scholar_n can_v easy_o mistake_v they_o and_o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v unlearned_a that_o short_a and_o ancient_a summary_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n contain_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o expound_v by_o the_o nicene_n father_n in_o their_o creed_n which_o be_v in_o every_o body_n hand_n and_o part_n of_o our_o daily_a or_o weekly_a service_n be_v 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that_o a_o honest_a man_n who_o meet_v with_o a_o skilful_a guide_n may_v satisfy_v himself_o about_o it_o and_o see_v with_o his_o own_o eye_n now_o what_o great_a assurance_n can_v we_o have_v in_o this_o case_n than_o the_o harmony_n and_o consent_n of_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n which_o confirm_v and_o justify_v each_o other_o the_o apostle_n no_o doubt_n preach_v and_o write_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o be_v a_o uncorrupt_a tradition_n which_o agree_v with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o that_o be_v a_o true_a exposition_n of_o scripture_n which_o agree_v with_o the_o ancient_a formulary_n of_o faith_n deliver_v down_o to_o we_o by_o a_o unquestionable_a tradition_n from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o negative_a article_n about_o which_o be_v our_o only_a controversy_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n since_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n have_v teach_v we_o think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o reject_v all_o such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v not_o plain_o and_o express_o teach_v in_o scripture_n and_o this_o the_o mean_a christian_n with_o the_o help_n of_o a_o guide_n may_v understand_v for_o as_o in_o reason_n it_o must_v be_v when_o man_n will_v prove_v that_o to_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o the_o scripture_n proof_n which_o be_v urge_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a doctor_n of_o the_o roman_a communion_n for_o their_o peculiar_a doctrine_n which_o we_o reject_v be_v so_o apparent_o unconcluding_a that_o it_o require_v very_o little_a skill_n to_o confute_v they_o and_o though_o this_o be_v reason_n enough_o of_o itself_o to_o reject_v any_o doctrine_n which_o arrogate_v the_o authority_n and_o necessity_n of_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o teach_v it_o yet_o in_o most_o case_n we_o can_v show_v and_o that_o to_o the_o conviction_n of_o the_o mean_a understanding_n 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a_o hard_a thing_n to_o prove_v a_o negative_a it_o be_v not_o so_o here_o because_o the_o proof_n lie_v all_o on_o the_o positive_a side_n for_o those_o who_o will_v teach_v such_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n ought_v to_o prove_v they_o for_o without_o such_o a_o proof_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v on_o course_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o can_v confute_v their_o proof_n we_o need_v do_v no_o more_o and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a task_n especial_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o first_o three_o century_n for_o since_o they_o themselves_o be_v now_o ashamed_a of_o the_o counterfeit_a dionysius_n their_o decretal_a epistle_n and_o such_o like_a spurious_a write_n the_o wise_a of_o they_o pretend_v to_o very_o few_o testimony_n from_o the_o first_o writer_n and_o those_o which_o they_o do_v allege_v be_v such_o lame_a one_o as_o need_v very_o little_a confutation_n these_o be_v the_o protestant_a ground_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v
the_o learned_a may_v contradict_v and_o therefore_o whoever_o will_v have_v a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n must_v not_o lay_v the_o necessity_n of_o have_v such_o a_o judge_n mere_o upon_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o multitude_n for_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o learned_a man_n must_v have_v such_o a_o judge_n nay_o it_o prove_v that_o learned_a man_n need_v no_o such_o judge_n if_o ignorance_n only_o make_v he_o necessary_a and_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o judge_n for_o learned_a man_n there_o can_v be_v no_o judge_n of_o controversy_n for_o there_o be_v more_o dispute_n among_o the_o learned_a than_o the_o ignorant_a the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o people_n be_v only_o make_v a_o pretence_n to_o deceive_v ignorant_a people_n but_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n for_o a_o visible_a judge_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o visible_a judge_n unless_o he_o judge_v for_o the_o learned_a as_o well_o as_o the_o unlearned_a and_o if_o learned_a man_n must_v not_o judge_v for_o themselves_o it_o be_v then_o a_o ridiculous_a thing_n to_o talk_v of_o any_o other_o evidence_n than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o judge_n for_o what_o do_v evidence_n signify_v if_o no_o man_n must_v use_v it_o nay_o upon_o these_o principle_n it_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a thing_n to_o distinguish_v between_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a man_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o read_v and_o study_v the_o scripture_n father_n and_o council_n when_o they_o must_v not_o exercise_v their_o own_o reason_n or_o judgement_n about_o they_o what_o privilege_n have_v the_o learned_a above_o the_o unlearned_a when_o they_o must_v know_v and_o believe_v no_o more_o than_o their_o judge_n will_v let_v they_o the_o paper_n and_o we_o be_v discourage_v from_o the_o quiet_a way_n of_o submission_n to_o the_o clergy_n authority_n by_o your_o tell_v we_o that_o no_o assembly_n of_o man_n have_v power_n on_o earth_n to_o bind_v the_o conscience_n answer_n how_o come_v submission_n to_o the_o 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strange_a paragraph_n that_o only_o a_o fear_n of_o a_o appearance_n of_o succession_n and_o visibility_n and_o her_o own_o pretence_n that_o god_n have_v make_v she_o the_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n shall_v render_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n infinite_o great_a than_o of_o any_o other_o church_n which_o be_v very_o little_a thing_n to_o give_v so_o great_a a_o authority_n but_o we_o will_v ready_o grant_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v a_o visible_a church_n in_o a_o constant_a succession_n of_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n till_o now_o what_o then_o how_o do_v this_o give_v she_o a_o great_a authority_n than_o other_o church_n which_o have_v as_o visible_a a_o succession_n as_o she_o the_o greek_a church_n have_v be_v a_o visible_a church_n and_o preserve_v her_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n till_o now_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v as_o visible_a and_o have_v as_o good_a a_o succession_n as_o the_o 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be_v which_o some_o late_a writer_n have_v use_v and_o which_o this_o paper_n which_o speak_v not_o one_o word_n of_o infallibility_n seem_v to_o imitate_v to_o set_v aside_o the_o dispute_n about_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n which_o they_o can_v make_v nothing_o of_o and_o to_o insist_v only_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n to_o determine_v controversy_n as_o a_o visible_a judge_n for_o that_o only_o oblige_v man_n either_o to_o renounce_v the_o communion_n of_o such_o a_o church_n or_o to_o submit_v to_o her_o determination_n not_o at_o all_o adventure_n to_o believe_v as_o the_o church_n believe_v as_o i_o show_v before_o and_o therefore_o this_o do_v not_o concern_v the_o dispute_n about_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n now_o if_o the_o judge_n of_o controversy_n must_v be_v infallible_a how_o do_v a_o visible_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n prove_v any_o church_n to_o be_v infallible_a this_o be_v no_o natural_a effect_n as_o the_o romanist_n themselves_o grant_v for_o then_o the_o successor_n in_o all_o the_o apostolical_a chair_n must_v be_v infallible_a since_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v as_o infallible_a as_o st._n peter_n whereas_o they_o will_v allow_v this_o only_a to_o the_o chair_n of_o st._n peter_n as_o a_o peculiar_a prerogative_n grant_v to_o he_o by_o christ_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o succession_n or_o visibility_n which_o prove_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v the_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n this_o paper_n insist_o on_o but_o they_o must_v return_v to_o the_o good_a old_a argument_n of_o tu_fw-la es_fw-la petrus_n &_o pasce_fw-la oves_fw-la which_o i_o perceive_v the_o author_n of_o this_o paper_n be_v ashamed_a of_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v a_o needless_a trouble_n to_o confute_v they_o if_o indeed_o they_o can_v prove_v a_o visible_a succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n
be_v the_o meaning_n of_o some_o particular_a phrase_n in_o this_o obscure_a text_n so_o much_o be_v very_o plain_a in_o it_o that_o man_n who_o build_v hay_n and_o stubble_n upon_o the_o foundation_n i._n e._n who_o believe_v in_o christ_n though_o with_o a_o mixture_n of_o many_o vain_a and_o hurtful_a superstition_n shall_v yet_o if_o their_o life_n be_v holy_a and_o virtuous_a be_v save_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n though_o with_o some_o loss_n and_o hazard_n which_o make_v the_o case_n of_o honest_a man_n who_o live_v in_o very_o corrupt_a communion_n not_o perfect_o hopeless_a and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v that_o we_o grant_v that_o salvation_n may_v be_v have_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o this_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o any_o man_n to_o choose_v the_o communion_n of_o a_o corrupt_a church_n because_o there_o be_v a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n in_o it_o however_o this_o show_v what_o a_o great_a mistake_n this_o paper_n be_v guilty_a of_o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o best_a christian_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o believe_v such_o damnable_a doctrine_n can_v be_v save_v only_o by_o ignorance_n which_o most_o protestant_n divine_v believe_v the_o pagan_n themselves_o may_v be_v for_o though_o invincible_a ignorance_n be_v a_o equal_a excuse_n for_o pagan_n and_o christian_n yet_o when_o this_o excuse_n be_v allow_v pagan_n have_v not_o such_o a_o right_a to_o salvation_n as_o christian_n have_v ignorance_n may_v excuse_v but_o can_v save_v it_o be_v only_a faith_n in_o christ_n save_v we_o which_o corrupt_a christian_n have_v and_o pagan_n have_v not_o which_o be_v a_o essential_a difference_n second_o suppose_v the_o error_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o damnable_a why_o may_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n reform_v such_o error_n as_o be_v not_o damnable_a suppose_v they_o only_o obscure_v the_o glory_n of_o christ_n mediation_n and_o be_v dangerous_a temptation_n to_o sin_n or_o hinder_v the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n or_o betray_v man_n to_o false_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o of_o religion_n though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o damnable_a why_o may_v not_o such_o error_n as_o these_o be_v reform_v if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v convince_v that_o she_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o error_n ought_v she_o not_o to_o reform_v herself_o and_o be_v not_o every_o church_n in_o duty_n bind_v to_o preserve_v her_o faith_n and_o worship_n as_o pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a as_o she_o can_v and_o why_o then_o be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n bind_v to_o do_v so_o if_o indeed_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v a_o supreme_a power_n over_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v do_v without_o her_o approbation_n and_o order_n than_o we_o will_v grant_v that_o in_o case_n of_o tolerable_a error_n such_o a_o dependent_a church_n can_v not_o reform_v itself_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o its_o superior_a as_o no_o private_a christian_n can_v reform_v the_o church_n wherein_o he_o live_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o but_o we_o say_v that_o every_o national_a church_n have_v the_o supreme_a independent_a power_n within_o herself_o and_o therefore_o may_v correct_v any_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o her_o communion_n without_o ask_v leave_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o any_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o this_o justify_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o she_o reform_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v erroneous_a though_o the_o error_n be_v not_o damnable_a for_o all_o error_n ought_v to_o be_v reform_v when_o they_o be_v know_v if_o the_o reformer_n have_v just_a authority_n to_o do_v it_o and_o such_o error_n as_o be_v damnable_a will_v justify_v any_o man_n to_o reform_v himself_o and_o all_o that_o he_o can_v convince_v of_o such_o error_n for_o every_o man_n have_v authority_n to_o save_v his_o soul_n three_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v guilty_a of_o damnable_a error_n how_o do_v christ_n perform_v his_o promise_n to_o his_o church_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o now_o the_o difficulty_n of_o this_o objection_n consist_v only_o in_o the_o sound_n of_o those_o phrase_n the_o gate_n of_o hell_n by_o which_o some_o understand_v that_o the_o devil_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o corrupt_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o he_o can_v do_v that_o then_o say_v they_o he_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v only_o destruction_n for_o hades_n be_v proper_o the_o state_n of_o dead_a man_n who_o be_v lay_v underground_o and_o appear_v no_o more_o in_o this_o world_n and_o therefore_o when_o our_o saviour_n promise_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hades_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o his_o church_n the_o meaning_n be_v that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n profess_v that_o faith_n which_o here_o peter_n have_v profess_v and_o whereon_o christ_n promise_v to_o build_v his_o church_n viz._n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n and_o such_o a_o church_n there_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n ever_o since_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o corruption_n that_o be_v in_o it_o be_v such_o a_o church_n but_o that_o the_o church_n may_v be_v overrun_v with_o great_a and_o damn_v error_n be_v evident_a from_o st._n paul_n prediction_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o late_a day_n when_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n shall_v be_v reveal_v the_o son_n of_o perdition_n who_o as_o god_n sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n show_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v god_n 2_o thess._n 2._o 3_o 4._o for_o whosoever_o this_o man_n of_o sin_n be_v he_o sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o while_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n sit_v in_o the_o church_n we_o need_v not_o doubt_n but_o he_o bring_v some_o damn_v error_n with_o he_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n even_o when_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n sit_v there_o four_o as_o for_o the_o last_o thing_n mention_v it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n who_o do_v not_o own_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o though_o they_o may_v have_v error_n of_o their_o own_o yet_o not_o of_o such_o fatal_a consequence_n but_o if_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n have_v be_v equal_o corrupt_v at_o that_o time_n it_o have_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o we_o for_o corruption_n ought_v to_o be_v reform_v and_o we_o have_v authority_n to_o reform_v ourselves_o and_o as_o for_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o other_o pure_a church_n we_o do_v so_o we_o own_o all_o pure_a church_n nay_o be_v ready_a to_o communicate_v with_o church_n which_o have_v some_o corruption_n in_o their_o constitution_n if_o they_o be_v tolerable_a and_o do_v not_o render_v their_o communion_n sinful_a which_o be_v all_o the_o obligation_n we_o have_v to_o communicate_v with_o any_o church_n for_o if_o by_o communion_n they_o mean_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v put_v ourselves_o under_o the_o government_n and_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o church_n which_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o communion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o think_v no_o church_n in_o communion_n with_o she_o without_o submit_v to_o her_o authority_n we_o beg_v their_o pardon_n for_o that_o we_o will_v communicate_v with_o other_o church_n as_o friend_n and_o equal_n and_o brethren_n but_o not_o as_o subject_n second_o the_o next_o argument_n for_o a_o visible_a judge_n which_o the_o paper_n insist_o on_o be_v that_o without_o such_o a_o judge_n we_o can_v know_v that_o every_o particular_a book_n of_o scripture_n be_v canonical_a and_o here_o be_v a_o great_a many_o objection_n start_v against_o the_o authority_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o canon_n which_o much_o more_o become_v sceptic_n and_o infidel_n than_o christian_n of_o any_o communion_n i_o do_v not_o think_v they_o worth_a transcribe_v for_o this_o argument_n may_v be_v answer_v without_o answer_v these_o objection_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v as_o much_o concern_v to_o answer_v as_o we_o for_o those_o who_o original_o make_v these_o objection_n will_v not_o be_v put_v off_o with_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o judge_n without_o a_o rational_a solution_n of_o these_o difficulty_n and_o those_o who_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o answer_n can_v be_v give_v to_o they_o but_o to_o resolve_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o canon_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o judge_n without_o any_o other_o reason_n give_v up_o the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n to_o infidel_n who_o despise_v the_o vain_a
we_o shall_v have_v have_v no_o dispute_n about_o it_o at_o this_o day_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v out_o in_o one_o either_o christ_n have_v appoint_v no_o such_o judge_n or_o this_o can_v prevent_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n 4._o four_o there_o be_v a_o easy_a and_o effectual_a way_n of_o cure_v church_n division_n without_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n nay_o without_o make_v all_o man_n of_o a_o mind_n in_o every_o thing_n which_o must_v never_o be_v expect_v in_o this_o world_n and_o that_o be_v not_o to_o make_v the_o necessary_a term_n of_o communion_n straight_a and_o narrow_a than_o christ_n have_v make_v they_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v essential_a to_o christian_a faith_n and_o worship_n for_o such_o matter_n most_o christian_n agree_v in_o and_o though_o they_o may_v have_v some_o private_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o this_o ought_v not_o to_o divide_v communion_n while_o they_o do_v not_o impose_v they_o upon_o the_o faith_n of_o other_o nor_o introduce_v any_o new_a and_o strange_a worship_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o for_o example_n the_o church_n of_o england_n believe_v and_o practice_n whatever_o be_v think_v necessary_a in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o for_o some_o age_n after_o and_o there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o dispute_n about_o these_o matter_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n so_o that_o we_o can_v to_o this_o day_n without_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n maintain_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n upon_o the_o same_o term_n that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n maintain_v communion_n with_o each_o other_o for_o we_o both_o agree_v in_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o church_n communion_n so_o that_o the_o schism_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n for_o without_o own_v such_o a_o judge_n we_o agree_v in_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a in_o all_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n require_v to_o make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o will_v receive_v no_o other_o church_n into_o her_o communion_n without_o own_v her_o sovereign_n and_o supreme_a authority_n nor_o without_o believe_v many_o doctrine_n manifest_o absurd_a in_o themselves_o and_o never_o teach_v in_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o without_o join_v in_o such_o a_o worship_n which_o they_o themselves_o dare_v not_o say_v be_v necessary_a for_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o for_o their_o pray_v to_o saint_n and_o worship_v image_n and_o prayer_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o which_o we_o think_v be_v sinful_a if_o these_o thing_n be_v remove_v we_o can_v glad_o communicate_v with_o they_o upon_o true_a catholic_n principle_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o judge_n but_o only_o to_o determine_v those_o controversy_n which_o she_o herself_o have_v make_v in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o primitive_a faith_n of_o christian_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o commend_v her_o policy_n that_o she_o will_v allow_v no_o body_n to_o be_v judge_n of_o these_o dispute_n but_o herself_o will_v all_o man_n submit_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o will_v certain_o restore_v peace_n and_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o great_a prejudice_n of_o truth_n and_o hazard_v of_o man_n soul_n and_o we_o must_v not_o purchase_v a_o mere_a external_a unity_n at_o this_o rate_n those_o man_n overvalue_v unity_n who_o part_n with_o truth_n for_o it_o for_o certain_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o more_o considerable_a than_o the_o purity_n of_o its_o faith_n and_o worship_n the_o paper_n these_o reason_n make_v i_o think_v a_o visible_a judge_n absolute_o necessary_a answer_n what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v i_o hope_v may_v occasion_v some_o new_a and_o different_a thought_n of_o this_o matter_n but_o since_o certainty_n be_v the_o great_a and_o prevail_a argument_n let_v we_o turn_v the_o table_n and_o see_v what_o certainty_n a_o roman_n catholic_n have_v his_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a and_o infallible_a judge_n this_o i_o confess_v bid_v very_o fair_a for_o he_o that_o follow_v a_o infallible_a guide_n can_v err_v but_o whoever_o consider_v this_o matter_n careful_o will_v find_v all_o this_o talk_n of_o infallibility_n dwindle_v into_o nothing_o for_o first_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o infallible_a judge_n before_o we_o can_v with_o certainty_n and_o assurance_n rely_v on_o he_o we_o must_v certain_o know_v who_o he_o be_v for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o have_v no_o infallible_a judge_n and_o not_o to_o know_v where_o to_o find_v he_o and_o this_o be_v a_o difficulty_n which_o those_o person_n little_o consider_v who_o please_v themselves_o so_o much_o with_o the_o fancy_n of_o infallibility_n for_o 1._o papist_n themselves_o be_v not_o agree_v about_o this_o matter_n some_o will_v have_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v infallible_a as_o peter_n successor_n and_o in_o his_o right_n other_o the_o church_n assemble_v in_o a_o general_n council_n other_o neither_o pope_n nor_o council_n distinct_o and_o separately_z consider_v but_o a_o council_n confirm_v by_o the_o pope_n other_o none_o of_o all_o this_o but_o tradition_n be_v infallible_a infallibility_n they_o all_o agree_v to_o but_o know_v not_o where_o this_o infallibility_n be_v seat_v now_o what_o shall_v a_o doubt_a protestant_n do_v who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v as_o infallible_a as_o any_o of_o they_o do_v he_o know_v where_o to_o find_v this_o infallibility_n may_v he_o not_o as_o easy_o choose_v his_o own_o religion_n and_o what_o church_n he_o will_v live_v in_o communion_n with_o as_o which_o of_o these_o infallible_a judge_n to_o follow_v which_o soever_o of_o these_o he_o reject_v he_o have_v a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n on_o his_o side_n the_o only_a difference_n be_v that_o he_o be_v so_o far_o satisfy_v with_o their_o reason_n against_o each_o other_o that_o he_o reject_v they_o all_o and_o he_o have_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o for_o if_o god_n have_v intend_v to_o appoint_v a_o judge_n to_o end_v all_o dispute_n certain_o he_o will_v have_v do_v this_o so_o manifest_o that_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v no_o dispute_n who_o this_o judge_n be_v for_o methinks_v a_o doubtful_a and_o disputable_a judge_n be_v not_o a_o very_a proper_a person_n to_o end_v all_o dispute_n 2._o nay_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o roman_a divine_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o prove_v either_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n or_o who_o this_o judge_n be_v for_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n he_o must_v be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n and_o then_o we_o must_v look_v for_o his_o commission_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o know_v what_o the_o gospel_n be_v or_o what_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o but_o from_o the_o infallible_a judge_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o either_o the_o judge_n or_o the_o scripture_n because_o we_o have_v no_o place_n to_o begin_v at_o if_o we_o begin_v with_o the_o judge_n we_o be_v a_o little_a too_o hasty_a because_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o find_v he_o and_o if_o we_o begin_v with_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v as_o bad_a because_o we_o can_v understand_v they_o before_o we_o have_v find_v the_o judge_n so_o that_o we_o must_v take_v one_o of_o they_o for_o grant_v without_o any_o proof_n and_o by_o that_o find_v out_o the_o other_o and_o that_o be_v neither_o better_o nor_o worse_o than_o to_o take_v they_o both_o for_o grant_v which_o be_v a_o admirable_a foundation_n for_o infallibility_n at_o all_o adventure_n to_o choose_v a_o infallible_a judge_n and_o then_o to_o believe_v he_o at_o all_o adventure_n so_o that_o though_o man_n who_o have_v always_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n may_v in_o time_n grow_v very_o confident_a of_o it_o and_o take_v it_o for_o a_o first_o principle_n which_o need_v no_o proof_n yet_o i_o wonder_v how_o any_o protestant_n who_o have_v be_v teach_v otherwise_o and_o if_o he_o act_v wise_o and_o like_o a_o honest_a man_n can_v believe_v it_o till_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o he_o can_v ever_o entertain_v such_o a_o thought_n for_o let_v his_o adversary_n be_v never_o so_o subtle_a if_o he_o resolve_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o see_v prove_v he_o may_v maintain_v his_o ground_n against_o he_o as_o to_o represent_v this_o brief_o in_o a_o dialogue_n between_o a_o papist_n and_o a_o protestant_n papist_n i_o pity_v your_o condition_n sir_n to_o see_v you_o live_v at_o such_o uncertainty_n for_o your_o religion_n and_o
have_v set_v up_o a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a communion_n but_o that_o they_o unchurch_v the_o catholic_n church_n and_o therefore_o rebaptise_v those_o who_o have_v be_v baptize_v in_o the_o catholic_n communion_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v infidel_n before_o so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n must_v necessary_o be_v schismatical_a because_o she_o unchurche_n all_o other_o church_n but_o herself_o and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o degree_n of_o communion_n with_o they_o as_o with_o christian_a church_n whereas_o we_o own_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o to_o be_v a_o true_a though_o a_o very_a corrupt_a church_n and_o therefore_o maintain_v some_o degree_n of_o communion_n with_o she_o five_o for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o any_o particular_a church_n do_v teach_v any_o erroneous_a doctrine_n we_o must_v not_o maintain_v communion_n with_o she_o in_o her_o error_n for_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v false_a but_o then_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o error_n for_o a_o church_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o some_o speculative_a error_n which_o may_v do_v no_o great_a hurt_n to_o common_a christianity_n and_o then_o we_o may_v very_o safe_o communicate_v with_o that_o church_n if_o they_o do_v not_o impose_v on_o we_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o error_n which_o few_o church_n do_v but_o upon_o their_o own_o immediate_a member_n except_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o lutheran_n doctrine_n of_o consubstantiation_n be_v as_o false_a and_o groundless_a though_o not_o altogether_o as_o absurd_a as_o the_o popish_a doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n but_o yet_o i_o will_v make_v no_o scruple_n of_o communicate_v with_o a_o lutheran_n church_n where_o i_o may_v do_v it_o without_o profess_v my_o belief_n of_o consubstantiation_n and_o upon_o these_o principle_n the_o lutheran_n and_o calvinist_n church_n may_v communicate_v together_o keep_v their_o private_a opinion_n to_o themselves_o without_o impose_v they_o upon_o each_o other_o but_o if_o any_o church_n which_o profess_v some_o speculative_a error_n will_v not_o admit_v we_o to_o communion_n without_o profess_v the_o same_o error_n we_o must_v own_v they_o for_o true_a church_n still_o and_o profess_v our_o readiness_n to_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n if_o we_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o do_v it_o without_o own_v their_o error_n and_o this_o make_v we_o in_o communion_n with_o that_o church_n and_o that_o we_o do_v not_o actual_o communicate_v be_v none_o of_o our_o fault_n but_o the_o fault_n of_o those_o who_o deny_v it_o if_o the_o error_n be_v such_o as_o be_v not_o mere_o speculative_a but_o corrupt_v their_o worship_n than_o indeed_o we_o must_v not_o only_o disclaim_v their_o error_n but_o we_o must_v not_o join_v in_o those_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v corrupt_v by_o they_o as_o the_o popish_a mass_n be_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n if_o their_o worship_n be_v partly_o pure_a and_o partly_o corrupt_a then_o notwithstanding_o their_o corruption_n we_o must_v be_v ready_a to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o all_o those_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v not_o corrupt_v if_o their_o worship_n be_v general_o corrupt_a as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o their_o latin_a service_n and_o mass_n and_o ave-maries_n and_o frequent_a address_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n in_o those_o very_a litany_n wherein_o they_o pray_v to_o god_n and_o christ_n we_o must_v whole_o abstain_v but_o admonish_v and_o pray_v for_o they_o as_o brethren_n and_o exercise_v all_o other_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n if_o they_o will_v admit_v of_o any_o by_o this_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v several_a degree_n of_o communion_n between_o distinct_a particular_a church_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o present_o follow_v that_o because_o church_n divide_v communion_n in_o act_n of_o worship_n they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o same_o body_n the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n whatever_o error_n and_o corruption_n they_o be_v guilty_a of_o make_v they_o so_o far_o catholic_n church_n and_o while_o we_o own_v they_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n to_o which_o we_o ourselves_o belong_v though_o we_o do_v not_o communicate_v in_o their_o error_n and_o corruption_n we_o be_v still_o in_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o upon_o these_o principle_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o division_n of_o christian_n there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n still_o to_o which_o all_o church_n belong_v who_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n unless_o any_o exclude_v themselves_o from_o this_o catholic_n unity_n by_o whole_o exclude_v other_o second_o the_o next_o inquiry_n in_o the_o paper_n be_v how_o the_o church_n can_v be_v call_v holy_a if_o for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n as_o our_o church_n teach_v in_o the_o homily_n against_o 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