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authority_n church_n scripture_n testimony_n 11,640 5 8.8001 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A84899 A treatise touching the peace of the church, or An apostolical rule how to judge aright in differences which concern religion. : Published by authority. Freher, Philip. 1646 (1646) Wing F2154; Thomason E506_21; ESTC R205585 91,419 92

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far_o man_n be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o judge_v and_o not_o to_o judge_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o then_o by_o way_n of_o application_n how_o far_o they_o ought_v to_o judge_v the_o roman-catholic_n and_o lutheran_n
in_o their_o doctrine_n and_o religion_n or_o to_o separate_v themselves_o from_o they_o or_o to_o reform_v they_o which_o treatise_n have_v be_v so_o happy_a to_o peruse_v by_o the_o communication_n of_o my_o worthy_a friend_n and_o countryman_n master_n jaspar_n godeman_n who_o i_o always_o in_o his_o frequent_a conversation_n perceive_v a_o singular_a wellwisher_n to_o a_o ecclesiastical_a unity_n i_o have_v immediate_o betake_v myself_o to_o the_o translation_n thereof_o much_o animate_v and_o encourage_v by_o his_o and_o divers_a other_o good_a advice_n accompany_v with_o these_o two_o pregnant_a motive_n the_o one_o that_o this_o subject_n be_v the_o most_o necessary_a and_o profitable_a of_o all_o theological_a controversy_n and_o question_n that_o now_o adays_o be_v in_o agitation_n and_o may_v much_o conduce_v if_o not_o to_o the_o advancement_n of_o a_o universal_a peace_n and_o unity_n of_o all_o church_n which_o though_o it_o be_v always_o earnest_o desire_v of_o man_n true_o zealous_a and_o christian_n so_o that_o learned_a calvin_n offer_v his_o service_n therein_o to_o that_o worthy_a man_n doctor_n cranmer_n say_v it_o will_v not_o grieve_v he_o to_o sail_v over_o ten_o sea_n to_o such_o a_o purpose_n yet_o prove_v a_o work_n of_o insuperable_a difficulty_n and_o altogether_o impossible_a in_o man_n eye_n at_o least_o to_o promote_v the_o christian_a agreement_n and_o reconciliation_n or_o mitigation_n of_o the_o distraction_n of_o all_o kingdom_n principality_n and_o free-state_n that_o have_v abandon_v the_o superstition_n and_o pernicious_a leaven_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n for_o the_o effect_n whereof_o not_o only_o the_o protestant_a church_n and_o divine_n in_o germany_n have_v have_v in_o former_a time_n several_a conference_n at_o marpurg_n wittenberg_n and_o of_o late_a at_o leipzig_n but_o also_o at_o these_o present_a time_n that_o famous_a and_o reverend_a divine_a master_n john_n durey_n first_o stir_v up_o by_o that_o excellent_a instrument_n master_n james_n godeman_n father_n of_o the_o worthy_a gentleman_n aforemention_v one_o of_o his_o majesty_n the_o king_n of_o sweden_n privy_a counsellor_n and_o precedent_n of_o his_o court_n of_o appellation_n in_o the_o precinct_n of_o prussia_n and_o then_o second_v with_o hearty_a wish_n tnd_v prayer_n of_o many_o pious_a and_o learned_a divine_n in_o england_n france_n and_o scotland_n have_v these_o fifteen_o year_n to_o my_o knowledge_n employ_v his_o indefatigable_a endeavour_n and_o singular_a industry_n in_o germany_n sweden_n denmark_n and_o low-countries_n and_o not_o without_o hopeful_a success_n have_v at_o length_n prevail_v so_o much_o with_o the_o lutheran_n especial_o in_o sweden_n that_o they_o not_o only_o have_v give_v over_o their_o slander_n and_o calumniation_n in_o the_o pulpit_n but_o also_o be_v content_v to_o be_v call_v evangelical_n protestant_n agree_v with_o we_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n in_o the_o name_n and_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n so_o far_o as_o they_o have_v already_o attain_v till_o god_n reveal_v unto_o they_o what_o be_v remain_v the_o other_o motive_n be_v that_o also_o this_o subject_n will_v be_v most_o seasonable_a for_o these_o tempestuous_a and_o turbulent_a time_n which_o the_o church_n and_o state_n of_o england_n at_o this_o present_a groan_v and_o labour_v under_o and_o which_o if_o we_o will_v serious_o inquire_v into_o do_v proceed_v original_o from_o no_o other_o cause_n then_o uncharitableness_n and_o acrimony_n in_o judge_v and_o condemn_v one_o another_o and_o consequent_o reverend_a sir_n it_o will_v be_v useful_a and_o profitable_a for_o every_o one_o in_o particular_a whereby_o be_v peradventure_o carry_v away_o with_o rashness_n and_o vehemency_n as_o natural_o all_o man_n be_v incline_v and_o prone_a unto_o to_o judge_v and_o condemn_v other_o as_o unfaithful_a that_o err_v rather_o out_o of_o humane_a weakness_n and_o mere_a ignorance_n than_o obstinacy_n and_o malice_n in_o indifferent_a matter_n and_o in_o the_o circumstance_n much_o good_a he_o may_v here_o learn_v and_o be_v advise_v how_o to_o moderate_v and_o temperate_a his_o passion_n and_o affection_n with_o more_o charity_n and_o peaceablenesse_n and_o steadfast_o maintain_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o substance_n viz._n the_o universal_a christian_a save_v faith_n and_o sincere_a love_n and_o obedience_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o only_a fundamental_a and_o necessary_a doctrine_n unto_o salvation_n lest_o in_o rash_o presumptuous_o and_o rigorous_o condemn_v other_o he_o may_v be_v inexcusable_a and_o condemn_v himself_o and_o contrariwise_o be_v either_o thrust_v out_o of_o the_o way_n which_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n have_v command_v he_o to_o walk_v in_o or_o false_o and_o contumelious_o judge_v slander_v revile_v excommunicate_v and_o persecute_v for_o the_o true_a orthodoxal_a doctrine_n faith_n and_o religion_n by_o a_o incompetent_a judge_n on_o earth_n he_o may_v know_v without_o believe_v and_o obey_v their_o word_n and_o offend_v thereby_o both_o his_o own_o and_o other_o true_a believe_a or_o err_a conscience_n how_o to_o appeal_v first_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n itself_o and_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o primitive_a apostolical_a church_n or_o to_o any_o legal_a and_o impartial_a ecclesiastical_a convocation_n synod_n or_o consistory_n or_o if_o he_o can_v be_v hear_v there_o to_o the_o supreme_a judge_n in_o heaven_n himself_o be_v the_o only_a lawgiver_n who_o be_v able_a to_o save_v and_o destroy_v and_o in_o his_o good_a time_n will_v judge_v those_o judge_n themselves_o and_o pronounce_v a_o definitive_a sentence_n against_o all_o heresy_n schism_n and_o division_n and_o establish_v a_o universal_a harmony_n and_o unity_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n whereas_o now_o these_o two_o motive_n have_v induce_v i_o to_o this_o slender_a endeavour_n without_o regard_n to_o any_o other_o interest_n or_o respect_n but_o that_o which_o may_v be_v conducible_a to_o the_o advancement_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a peace_n and_o unity_n among_o evangelical_n protestant_n church_n lest_o the_o wellwisher_n and_o furtherer_n thereof_o may_v not_o be_v too_o long_o debar_v from_o the_o lustre_n and_o use_n of_o so_o rare_a a_o jewel_n i_o think_v fit_a and_o expedient_a to_o dedicate_v it_o to_o your_o patronage_n as_o be_v suitable_a and_o adequate_a to_o your_o zeal_n and_o piety_n rely_v herein_o upon_o sir_n edwin_n sandys_n judgement_n deliver_v in_o his_o book_n call_v a_o view_n of_o the_o state_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o western_a part_n of_o the_o world_n pag._n 173._o where_o he_o write_v thus_o the_o end_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o evangelical_n protestant_n church_n will_v be_v that_o their_o enemy_n shall_v laugh_v when_o themselves_o shall_v have_v cause_n to_o weep_v unless_o the_o graciousnesse_n of_o god_n stir_v up_o some_o worthy_a prince_n of_o renown_n and_o reputation_n on_o both_o side_n to_o interpose_v their_o wisdom_n industry_n and_o authority_n for_o the_o unite_n these_o faction_n or_o at_o least_o for_o reconcile_n and_o compose_v those_o difference_n in_o some_o tolerable_a sort_n a_o work_n of_o immortal_a fame_n and_o desert_n and_o worthy_a of_o none_o but_o they_o of_o who_o this_o wicked_a base_a world_n be_v not_o worthy_a and_o hope_v that_o this_o weak_a attempt_n of_o my_o labour_n though_o some_o of_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n will_v perhaps_o either_o careless_o or_o censorious_o entertain_v it_o will_v be_v nevertheless_o as_o favourable_o accept_v by_o you_o as_o it_o be_v affectionate_o and_o hearty_o tender_v by_o reverend_a sir_n your_o humble_a and_o devote_a servant_n philip_n freher_n london_n the_o 23th_o of_o march_n 1646._o the_o content_n of_o this_o book_n be_v reduce_v to_o these_o twelve_o chapter_n i._o of_o judge_v one_o another_o in_o general_n ii_o wherein_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_v one_o another_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n iii_o what_o be_v necessary_a and_o not_o necessary_a unto_o salvation_n iv_o that_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n have_v no_o ground_n to_o judge_v or_o condemn_v the_o protestant_n reform_v evangelical_n church_n as_o heretical_a v._o that_o the_o lutheran_n have_v no_o ground_n to_o judge_v the_o reform_a church_n to_o be_v heretical_a vi_o which_o be_v the_o chief_a and_o principal_a question_n in_o this_o present_a difference_n of_o religion_n and_o what_o be_v the_o safe_a mean_n for_o the_o settlement_n of_o a_o christian_a unity_n vii_o that_o even_o these_o be_v the_o safe_a mean_n to_o restrain_v all_o erroneous_a sect_n viii_o that_o in_o the_o reform_a church_n no_o new_a doctrine_n as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v teach_v ix_o whether_o and_o how_o far_o we_o ought_v or_o be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o judge_v other_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n x._o whether_o or_o how_o far_a protestant_a church_n ought_v or_o be_v bind_v to_o judge_v the_o say_v roman-catholic_n in_o their_o doctrine_n or_o religion_n or_o to_o separate_v themselves_o from_o they_o or_o to_o undergo_v any_o reformation_n xi_o whether_o or_o how_o
pretence_n or_o warrant_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o all_o other_o church_n and_o nation_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n necessary_o shall_v be_v subject_v to_o the_o italian_a or_o romish_a church_n insomuch_o that_o they_o must_v be_v tie_v to_o those_o palpable_a abuse_n they_o have_v introduce_v nor_o dare_v alter_v or_o remove_v they_o whereas_o yet_o much_o more_o in_o each_o particular_a church_n aswell_o they_o that_o have_v the_o charge_n over_o it_o whether_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o temporal_a as_o the_o whole_a congregation_n be_v oblige_v in_o its_o authority_n and_o duty_n and_o by_o god_n precept_n to_o purge_v themselves_o from_o all_o pernicious_a leaven_n in_o doctrine_n practice_n and_o worship_n and_o to_o conform_v themselves_o as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n and_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a apostolical_a church_n whereunto_o they_o be_v also_o every_o where_o most_o earnest_o admonish_v as_o well_o from_o the_o prophet_n who_o reprove_v and_o warn_v sermon_n be_v mere_o altogether_o direct_v to_o this_o end_n as_o from_o the_o apostle_n who_o labour_n to_o anticipate_v and_o prevent_v thereby_o the_o future_a calamity_n and_o misery_n rom._n 16._o v._n 17_o 18._o 1_o cor._n 1._o v._n 10._o &_o 5._o v._o 7.13_o gal._n 1._o v._n 7_o 8_o 9_o &_o 5._o v._o 1.7.9.10_o phil._n 2._o v._n 2.15_o &_o 3._o v._o 2._o &_o 4._o v._o 8_o 9_o colos_n 2._o v._n 7_o 8.16.18.20.22_o 23._o revel_v 2._o v._n 4_o 5.14_o 15_o 16.20_o &_o 3._o v._o 1_o 2_o 3._o for_o as_o every_o christian_a be_v oblige_v to_o cleanse_v and_o purge_v his_o own_o conscience_n from_o all_o pollution_n of_o sinful_a doctrine_n and_o life_n and_o need_v not_o to_o expect_v any_o other_o man_n consent_n in_o that_o which_o god_n have_v command_v also_o every_o congregation_n ought_v and_o be_v bind_v to_o purge_v and_o reform_v itself_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a from_o all_o pollution_n and_o scandal_n in_o doctrine_n life_n and_o worship_n in_o spite_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n but_o that_o church_n which_o resist_v such_o reformation_n with_o a_o violent_a power_n and_o force_n discover_v itself_o manifest_o thereby_o to_o be_v herein_o not_o a_o true-christian_a but_o rather_o anti-christian_n church_n heretical_a although_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o protestant_a church_n be_v not_o blameless_a yet_o it_o may_v not_o therefore_o be_v reject_v and_o disapprove_v as_o heretical_a moreover_o though_o the_o reformation_n may_v be_v culpable_a either_o in_o the_o manner_n or_o in_o some_o circumstance_n yet_o the_o main_a work_n in_o itself_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o word_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n can_v be_v find_v fault_n withal_o since_o we_o willing_o acknowledge_v and_o confess_v that_o also_o in_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o protestant_a church_n within_o and_o without_o germany_n not_o always_o the_o true_a moderation_n be_v use_v and_o do_v not_o imagine_v that_o even_o in_o our_o church_n a_o absolute_a and_o perfect_a reformation_n without_o any_o defect_n and_o blemish_n be_v to_o be_v find_v we_o can_v approve_v it_o that_o the_o reformation_n in_o some_o place_n be_v begin_v with_o a_o tumult_n and_o insurrection_n of_o the_o vulgar_a people_n by_o demolish_n and_o destroy_v of_o image_n altar_n and_o monastery_n and_o such_o other_o violent_a proceed_n much_o less_o that_o arm_n be_v take_v up_o against_o legal_a magistrate_n with_o the_o intent_n to_o reform_v withal_o neither_o can_v we_o excuse_v that_o the_o laity_n under_o colour_n of_o reformation_n have_v seize_v and_o transfer_v ad_fw-la prophanos_fw-la usus_fw-la the_o monastery_n and_o ecclesiastical_a revenue_n 11._o chap._n 11._o which_o shall_v have_v be_v rather_o addict_v and_o dedicate_v for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o church_n and_o school_n and_o for_o the_o relief_n of_o widow_n and_o fatherless_a and_o other_o poor_a and_o then_o if_o somewhat_o remain_v for_o the_o incident_a and_o urgent_a necessity_n of_o the_o country_n and_o commonwealth_n nor_o can_v we_o deny_v but_o that_o in_o the_o church-government_n since_o that_o it_o be_v devolve_v from_o the_o bishop_n for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o layman_n in_o many_o place_n great_a defect_n occur_v in_o the_o disposition_n and_o administration_n of_o ecclesiastical_a function_n we_o complain_v also_o oftentimes_o that_o the_o wholesome_a church-discipline_n of_o the_o church_n be_v quite_o go_v down_o and_o decay_v and_o wish_v nothing_o more_o but_o that_o it_o may_v flourish_v and_o revive_v again_o after_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n likewise_o we_o hearty_o desire_v that_o in_o stead_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o removal_n of_o popish_a abuse_n in_o fast_n confession_n vow_n etc._n etc._n the_o true_a christian_a fast_v with_o other_o practice_n of_o repentance_n and_o devotion_n especial_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n of_o the_o catechism_n may_v be_v more_o diligent_o and_o earnest_o perform_v both_o for_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o youth_n and_o the_o idiot_n and_o ignorant_n in_o bourough_n and_o village_n last_o we_o willing_o acknowledge_v that_o many_o superfluous_a and_o unnecessary_a dispute_n in_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o have_v be_v move_v by_o the_o divine_n on_o both_o side_n which_o rather_o shall_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o school_n and_o discern_v from_o the_o necessary_a universal_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n but_o because_o of_o these_o and_o such_o like_a defect_n which_o be_v also_o perceive_v in_o the_o reform_a church_n though_o in_o one_o more_o than_o in_o the_o other_o we_o can_v blame_v the_o principal_a work_n in_o itself_o but_o must_v rather_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o be_v most_o necessary_a and_o profitable_a that_o the_o chief_a abuse_n of_o popery_n both_o in_o doctrine_n and_o in_o idolatrous_a or_o superstitious_a ceremony_n be_v remove_v and_o in_o stead_n thereof_o the_o true-saving_a doctrine_n and_o wholesome_a use_n of_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n according_a to_o christ_n institution_n restore_v again_o and_o so_o purge_v from_o manifold_a tradition_n and_o rudiment_n of_o man_n that_o the_o papist_n themselves_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o pretend_v why_o they_o may_v not_o with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n have_v communion_n with_o we_o in_o our_o religion_n or_o else_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n follow_v that_o they_o can_v have_v have_v no_o communion_n with_o the_o primitive_a catholic_a church_n be_v that_o all_o our_o outward_a religion_n and_o worship_n be_v absolute_o conformable_a to_o the_o first_o apostolical_a simplicity_n which_o have_v be_v preserve_v afterward_o for_o a_o long_a time_n as_o justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o other_o ancient_a father_n inform_v we_o die_fw-fr qui_fw-fr dicitur_fw-la solis_fw-la omnium_fw-la qui_fw-la vel_fw-la in_o oppidis_fw-la vel_fw-la ruri_fw-la degunt_fw-la in_fw-la eundem_fw-la locum_fw-la conventus_fw-la fit_a et_fw-la commentaria_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la aut_fw-la scripta_fw-la prophetarum_fw-la quoad_fw-la tempus_fw-la fert_fw-la leguntur_fw-la deinde_fw-la lectore_fw-la quiescente_fw-la praesidensoratione_n populum_fw-la instruit_fw-la ad_fw-la imitationem_fw-la tàm_fw-la pulchrarum_fw-la rerum_fw-la &_o cohortatur_fw-la sub_fw-la haec_fw-la consurgimus_fw-la communiter_fw-la omnes_fw-la &_o precationes_fw-la profundimus_fw-la precibus_fw-la peractis_fw-la profertur_fw-la panis_fw-la &_o vinum_fw-la &_o aqua_fw-la praepositus_fw-la autem_fw-la quantum_fw-la pro_fw-la virili_fw-la sva_fw-la potest_fw-la preces_fw-la &_o gratiarum_fw-la actiones_fw-la fundit_fw-la &_o populus_fw-la faustè_fw-fr acclamat_fw-la dicens_fw-la amen_o et_fw-la distributio_fw-la communicatioque_fw-la fit_a eorum_fw-la in_fw-la quibus_fw-la gratiae_fw-la sunt_fw-la actae_fw-la cuique_fw-la praesenti_fw-la etc._n etc._n justinus_n martyr_n in_o apolog._n 2._o pro_fw-la christianis_fw-la vid._n &_o tertullianum_fw-la in_o apologet._n chap._n xi_o whether_o or_o how_o far_o the_o reform_a church_n ought_v or_o be_v bind_v to_o judge_v the_o lutheran_n in_o their_o doctrine_n and_o religion_n or_o to_o separate_v themselves_o from_o they_o or_o to_o reform_v they_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n that_o we_o may_v likewise_o apply_v to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n which_o be_v controvert_v and_o dispute_v though_o in_o few_o point_n betwixt_o the_o lutheran_n and_o other_o reform_a church_n where_o we_o first_o willing_o confess_v and_o give_v thanks_n to_o god_n that_o as_o we_o differ_v in_o few_o article_n yea_o full_o agree_v in_o the_o most_o of_o they_o against_o the_o papist_n and_o other_o sectary_n we_o have_v also_o much_o less_o reason_n to_o judge_v the_o lutheran_n or_o to_o separate_v and_o withdraw_v ourselves_o from_o they_o then_o from_o the_o papist_n because_o of_o such_o difference_n which_o be_v rather_o foment_v by_o some_o contentious_a divine_n then_o by_o the_o church_n itself_o lutheran_n why_o the_o reform_a church_n have_v hitherto_o seek_v a_o reconcilement_n &_o unity_n with_o the_o lutheran_n for_o though_o we_o can_v but_o judge_v in_o our_o conscience_n some_o