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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n prove_v scripture_n tradition_n 2,732 5 9.6275 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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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 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wine_n be_v transubstantiate_v into_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o we_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o our_o sense_n can_v make_v we_o that_o there_o be_v no_o transubstantiation_n as_o for_o the_o half-communion_n it_o be_v confess_v that_o christ_n do_v institute_v his_o last_o supper_n in_o both_o kind_n and_o command_v they_o all_o to_o drink_v of_o the_o cup_n and_o this_o may_v satisfy_v any_o man_n who_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v authority_n to_o repeal_v the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o forbid_v what_o he_o command_v and_o when_o st._n paul_n assure_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n one_o will_v think_v this_o evidence_n enough_o against_o the_o mediation_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n when_o they_o can_v show_v one_o word_n for_o it_o for_o as_o for_o their_o distinction_n between_o mediator_n of_o redemption_n and_o pure_a intercession_n they_o can_v show_v it_o in_o scripture_n where_o our_o redeemer_n be_v our_o only_a advocate_n and_o when_o christ_n himself_o enforce_v and_o ratify_v that_o command_n of_o the_o law_n thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o he_o only_o shall_v thou_o serve_v this_o be_v a_o plain_a argument_n against_o the_o invocation_n of_o saint_n since_o they_o have_v nothing_o for_o it_o and_o when_o there_o be_v no_o authority_n in_o scripture_n for_o pray_v in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n one_o will_v think_v that_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o practice_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o express_o condemn_v it_o be_v evidence_n enough_o against_o it_o so_o that_o though_o man_n may_v be_v at_o the_o needless_a expense_n of_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o learning_n in_o these_o controversy_n yet_o in_o truth_n there_o be_v no_o learning_n require_v to_o understand_v they_o the_o mean_a man_n may_v judge_v for_o himself_o for_o the_o controversy_n turn_v upon_o so_o plain_a a_o point_n and_o there_o be_v so_o plain_a evidence_n in_o the_o case_n that_o a_o honest_a man_n may_v have_v abundant_a evidence_n and_o satisfaction_n though_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v one_o word_n of_o all_o the_o learning_n which_o be_v lose_v in_o such_o dispute_n the_o paper_n in_o short_a i_o think_v there_o be_v but_o evidence_n or_o authority_n to_o move_v we_o to_o believe_v answer_n this_o be_v certain_o true_a if_o it_o be_v right_o understand_v that_o be_v if_o by_o evidence_n be_v mean_v the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n and_o by_o authority_n the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n who_o speak_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o new_a and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o credible_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolic_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n in_o this_o sense_n we_o grant_v that_o our_o faith_n must_v be_v found_v both_o upon_o evidence_n and_o authority_n and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a protestant_a resolution_n of_o faith_n and_o then_o the_o only_a fault_n of_o this_o proposition_n be_v that_o evidence_n and_o authority_n be_v oppose_v to_o each_o other_o whereas_o they_o must_v always_o go_v together_o in_o a_o true_a rational_a faith_n but_o if_o by_o evidence_n be_v mean_v all_o the_o argument_n whereby_o we_o can_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n whether_o from_o sense_n or_o reason_n or_o scripture_n or_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n and_o by_o authority_n be_v mean_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n as_o it_o be_v understand_v in_o this_o paper_n then_o at_o best_a this_o be_v a_o very_a precarious_a proposition_n without_o the_o least_o shadow_n of_o truth_n that_o either_o evidence_n or_o authority_n must_v move_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o be_v that_o our_o faith_n must_v be_v resolve_v either_o into_o evidence_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n for_o how_o be_v this_o prove_v that_o when_o there_o want_v evidence_n for_o our_o faith_n we_o must_v believe_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n it_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o more_o natural_a consequence_n that_o where_o there_o want_v evidence_n we_o must_v not_o believe_v at_o all_o if_o it_o have_v be_v first_o prove_v that_o god_n have_v appoint_v a_o visible_a judge_n to_o direct_v those_o who_o can_v judge_v for_o themselves_o there_o have_v be_v some_o pretence_n for_o say_v that_o we_o must_v believe_v either_o upon_o evidence_n or_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o judge_n but_o without_o prove_v this_o first_o i_o will_v desire_v any_o man_n to_o prove_v to_o i_o that_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o believe_v what_o i_o have_v no_o evidence_n for_o or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o no_o such_o evidence_n as_o i_o can_v understand_v and_o if_o i_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v without_o evidence_n how_o can_v the_o want_n of_o evidence_n prove_v that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o visible_a judge_n into_o who_o authority_n i_o must_v resolve_v my_o faith_n the_o paper_n evidence_n to_o the_o generality_n of_o people_n be_v impossible_a but_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o the_o mean_a man_n with_o the_o help_n of_o a_o learned_a and_o faithful_a guide_n may_v understand_v the_o scripture_n in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a for_o a_o christian_n to_o know_v but_o suppose_v at_o present_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o people_n can_v do_v this_o yet_o can_v learned_a man_n do_v it_o and_o one_o will_v think_v if_o there_o be_v any_o evidence_n at_o least_o learned_a man_n may_v understand_v it_o for_o that_o which_o be_v not_o evident_a neither_o to_o the_o learned_a nor_o to_o the_o unlearned_a i_o fear_v be_v no_o evidence_n at_o all_o unless_o there_o be_v such_o a_o kind_n of_o evidence_n as_o be_v evident_a to_o no_o body_n and_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v bring_v thing_n to_o a_o fine_a pass_n if_o she_o must_v be_v force_v to_o deny_v that_o we_o have_v any_o evidence_n for_o our_o religion_n now_o if_o there_o be_v any_o evidence_n for_o our_o religion_n and_o learned_a man_n may_v understand_v it_o then_o at_o least_o learned_a man_n may_v judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o not_o depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o judge_n and_o thus_o there_o be_v no_o need_n nay_o there_o can_v be_v no_o use_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n for_o the_o learned_a part_n of_o the_o world_n for_o to_o say_v that_o learned_a man_n have_v evidence_n to_o ground_v their_o faith_n on_o and_o yet_o must_v not_o believe_v according_a to_o evidence_n but_o authority_n be_v to_o say_v that_o man_n have_v eye_n but_o must_v not_o use_v they_o to_o see_v their_o own_o way_n but_o must_v follow_v a_o guide_n blindfold_a and_o yet_o if_o learned_a man_n be_v allow_v to_o see_v and_o judge_v for_o themselves_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n will_v signify_v very_o little_a for_o it_o be_v learn_v man_n who_o start_v difficulty_n and_o manage_v dispute_n and_o be_v the_o author_n and_o patron_n of_o heresy_n and_o if_o these_o learned_a man_n who_o may_v and_o must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o and_o from_o the_o judge_n of_o controversy_n what_o remedy_n be_v there_o nay_o if_o learned_a man_n must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o evidence_n they_o have_v of_o thing_n and_o not_o be_v overrule_v by_o authority_n without_o evidence_n there_o can_v be_v no_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n for_o a_o authority_n which_o may_v be_v contradict_v as_o it_o may_v be_v if_o learned_a man_n must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o can_v be_v no_o authority_n either_o with_o the_o learned_a or_o unlearned_a for_o the_o unlearned_a will_v have_v no_o great_a reverence_n for_o that_o authority_n which_o
pretence_n of_o such_o a_o judge_n if_o we_o can_v know_v what_o be_v canonical_a scripture_n without_o a_o judge_n how_o shall_v we_o know_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o judge_n for_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o know_v this_o but_o by_o the_o scripture_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o judge_n appoint_v in_o scripture_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o own_v he_o and_o if_o we_o can_v tell_v what_o scripture_n be_v without_o a_o judge_n how_o shall_v we_o find_v the_o judge_n by_o the_o scripture_n and_o though_o the_o objection_n be_v make_v only_o against_o some_o particular_a book_n of_o scripture_n yet_o in_o truth_n it_o equal_o lie_v against_o the_o whole_a canon_n for_o if_o we_o can_v know_v any_o one_o particular_a book_n of_o scripture_n without_o a_o judge_n why_o not_o the_o rest_n no_o some_o of_o they_o have_v be_v doubt_v of_o right_a by_o some_o church_n who_o do_v not_o know_v they_o till_o they_o be_v satisfy_v by_o those_o church_n which_o keep_v those_o sacred_a record_n that_o they_o be_v true_a and_o genuine_a but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o a_o book_n which_o have_v be_v doubt_v of_o when_o that_o doubt_n be_v remove_v have_v not_o as_o certain_a authority_n as_o the_o rest_n if_o it_o can_v not_o then_o and_o can_v to_o this_o day_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v genuine_a why_o be_v it_o receive_v what_o obligation_n be_v we_o under_o to_o own_v it_o if_o any_o book_n which_o we_o call_v canonical_a be_v still_o doubtful_a it_o be_v more_o natural_a and_o reasonable_a to_o reject_v they_o than_o to_o set_v up_o a_o judge_n without_o any_o authority_n to_o give_v authority_n to_o they_o for_o whether_o any_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v canonical_a be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n themselves_o do_v not_o extend_v infallibility_n to_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o then_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n there_o can_v be_v no_o infallible_a judge_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n but_o we_o must_v content_v ourselves_o with_o such_o moral_a certainty_n as_o may_v be_v have_v and_o if_o catholic_n tradition_n be_v so_o uncertain_a that_o we_o can_v learn_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n from_o it_o what_o become_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o their_o unwritten_a tradition_n which_o they_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o thus_o some_o man_n if_o they_o can_v but_o make_v a_o show_n of_o say_v any_o thing_n never_o attend_v to_o consequence_n nor_o consider_v whether_o their_o objection_n do_v not_o make_v as_o much_o against_o themselves_o and_o common_a christianity_n as_o against_o protestant_n three_o the_o last_o argument_n be_v that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o paper_n can_v make_v those_o article_n of_o the_o nicene_n creed_n one_o holy_a catholic_n apostolic_a church_n the_o communion_n of_o saint_n agree_v with_o the_o protestant_a religion_n here_o be_v a_o little_a blunder_n in_o call_v this_o the_o nicene_n creed_n though_o easy_o pardonable_a for_o it_o be_v a_o jumble_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o nicene_n creed_n together_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n the_o communion_n of_o saint_n be_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n one_o catholic_n apostolic_a church_n the_o nicene_n creed_n and_o why_o do_v not_o this_o agree_v with_o the_o protestant_a religion_n for_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v both_o these_o creed_n as_o sincere_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n no_o how_o can_v they_o be_v one_o who_o disagree_v by_o add_v in_o faith_n or_o diminish_v from_o it_o who_o do_v not_o communicate_v together_o in_o prayer_n or_o sacrament_n when_o they_o be_v not_o agree_v in_o the_o essential_a thing_n how_o be_v they_o one_o right_n church_n which_o differ_v in_o essential_o be_v not_o one_o but_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v few_o church_n do_v that_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o we_o deny_v any_o essential_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n if_o this_o prove_v any_o thing_n it_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o separate_a communion_n of_o christendom_n be_v not_o one_o church_n and_o what_o then_o how_o be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n more_o concern_v in_o this_o than_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v we_o believe_v one_o church_n in_o the_o creed_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o division_n of_o christendom_n do_v the_o mere_a division_n of_o christendom_n prove_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v that_o one_o church_n or_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v no_o member_n of_o this_o one_o church_n in_o the_o creed_n the_o church_n be_v but_o one_o from_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o it_o by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o we_o must_v own_v that_o it_o be_v but_o one_o church_n notwithstanding_o the_o several_a division_n that_o have_v be_v in_o it_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o now_o and_o therefore_o the_o unity_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n must_v not_o be_v estimate_v by_o any_o one_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o apostolic_a age_n must_v be_v the_o standard_n of_o catholic_n unity_n and_o communion_n as_o it_o be_v of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n suppose_v all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o world_n at_o this_o day_n be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n except_v the_o church_n of_o england_n why_o then_o you_o will_v say_v it_o will_v be_v plain_a the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v separate_v from_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o from_o catholic_n communion_n right_n from_o the_o church_n of_o this_o age_n but_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o this_o age_n be_v but_o a_o very_a little_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n where_o it_o be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n for_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v allow_v the_o apostolic_a church_n and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o three_o first_o age_n to_o be_v the_o best_a and_o pure_a part_n of_o the_o one_o catholic_n church_n and_o that_o we_o must_v still_o maintain_v communion_n with_o they_o if_o then_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v separate_v from_o all_o the_o church_n of_o this_o age_n yet_o if_o she_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o apostolic_a and_o primitive_a church_n she_o be_v in_o catholic_n commun_n on_o still_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v in_o catholic_n communion_n to_o know_v then_o whether_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o true_a catholic_n church_n and_o in_o catholic_n communion_n we_o be_v not_o so_o much_o concern_v to_o inquire_v what_o church_n she_o communicate_v with_o now_o as_o whether_o she_o be_v in_o the_o apostolic_a communion_n which_o be_v the_o fountain_n and_o original_a of_o catholic_n communion_n now_o if_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v such_o as_o to_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o government_n that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o will_v have_v own_v our_o communion_n have_v we_o be_v in_o their_o day_n how_o do_v we_o come_v to_o be_v 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
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as_o they_o do_v and_o not_o believe_v any_o pretence_n of_o infallibility_n against_o my_o own_o sense_n and_o reason_n i_o can_v compare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n unless_o i_o understand_v they_o both_o and_o i_o can_v understand_v and_o judge_v only_o with_o my_o own_o understanding_n and_o if_o i_o must_v have_v do_v thus_o though_o i_o have_v live_v in_o our_o saviour_n day_n sure_o i_o must_v do_v so_o now_o whatever_o infallible_a teacher_n there_o may_v be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o i_o think_v be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o such_o infallible_a judge_n who_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o believe_v pure_o upon_o his_o own_o authority_n but_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o this_o prove_v too_o much_o and_o undermine_v even_o the_o protestant_a resolution_n of_o faith_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o a_o infallible_a rule_n 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wherewith_o they_o be_v endow_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v then_o in_o every_o thing_n else_o upon_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o thus_o we_o own_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o be_v infallible_a teacher_n and_o consequent_o receive_v the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n because_o they_o be_v man_n endow_v with_o supernatural_a power_n and_o do_v not_o in_o their_o preach_a contradict_v any_o former_a revelation_n of_o god_n will._n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o we_o do_v or_o need_v affirm_v to_o destroy_v the_o pretence_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n for_o if_o i_o must_v still_o judge_v for_o myself_o whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o contradict_v the_o law_n than_o i_o must_v judge_v for_o myself_o both_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n or_o else_o i_o can_v judge_v whether_o they_o agree_v or_o disagree_v and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o infallible_a 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examine_v the_o gospel_n itself_o and_o if_o in_o any_o one_o thing_n they_o plain_o and_o direct_o contradict_v the_o law_n i_o have_v nothing_o more_o to_o do_v with_o their_o infallibility_n for_o no_o man_n can_v be_v infallible_a who_o mistake_v in_o any_o one_o thing_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n then_o teach_v that_o we_o may_v give_v religious_a worship_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o image_n have_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n in_o my_o hand_n i_o turn_v to_o it_o and_o according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o my_o understanding_n i_o find_v this_o worship_n express_o forbid_v in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o commandment_n no_o say_v they_o this_o be_v your_o mistake_n we_o be_v the_o infallible_a judge_n and_o you_o must_v not_o trust_v your_o own_o understanding_n but_o take_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o it_o by_o your_o favour_n gentleman_n say_v i_o you_o be_v a_o little_a too_o hasty_a with_o your_o infallibility_n when_o i_o be_o satisfy_v you_o be_v infallible_a i_o will_v trust_v you_o but_o i_o be_o now_o inquire_v whether_o you_o be_v infallible_a or_o not_o and_o therefore_o as_o yet_o we_o be_v upon_o even_a ground_n and_o i_o must_v trust_v my_o own_o judgement_n till_o i_o find_v one_o more_o infallible_a now_o i_o say_v you_o contradict_v the_o first_o and_o second_o commandment_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o infallible_a and_o you_o will_v prove_v that_o you_o do_v not_o contradict_v these_o commandment_n from_o your_o pretend_a infallibility_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n yet_o in_o question_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n permit_v man_n to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o whether_o they_o contradict_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o suffer_v they_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n too_o and_o so_o must_v you_o do_v also_o unless_o you_o pretend_v a_o exemption_n from_o all_o trial_n and_o examination_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n never_o pretend_v to_o this_o show_v that_o even_o to_o this_o 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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 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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 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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
a_o mind_n to_o believe_v such_o doctrine_n as_o these_o must_v go_v over_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o enlarge_v and_o improve_v their_o faith_n for_o we_o shall_v never_o believe_v they_o but_o if_o they_o can_v be_v content_v with_o the_o faith_n which_o the_o scripture_n teach_v and_o which_o the_o primitive_a church_n profess_v we_o have_v as_o much_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n for_o that_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o have_v and_o how_o they_o can_v better_v themselves_o by_o go_v over_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o to_o these_o point_n i_o can_v tell_v since_o we_o believe_v as_o orthodox_o as_o they_o second_o as_o for_o those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o we_o reject_v because_o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n for_o they_o but_o only_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v no_o evidence_n to_o we_o because_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a itself_o we_o think_v ourselves_o much_o safe_o in_o reject_v than_o we_o can_v be_v in_o own_v they_o and_o that_o for_o this_o plain_a reason_n that_o though_o we_o shall_v be_v mistake_v in_o reject_v such_o doctrine_n as_o we_o be_v very_o certain_a we_o be_v not_o yet_o they_o be_v such_o mistake_v as_o do_v no_o injury_n to_o common_a christianity_n no_o dishonour_n to_o our_o common_a saviour_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v dangerous_a to_o our_o soul_n whereas_o if_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v as_o we_o say_v they_o be_v innovation_n and_o corruption_n of_o christianity_n they_o be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o fatal_a corruption_n as_o to_o show_v this_o in_o some_o few_o instance_n what_o injury_n be_v it_o to_o christianity_n not_o to_o believe_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o pope_n or_o council_n while_o we_o believe_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o be_v infallible_a which_o be_v infallibility_n enough_o to_o direct_v the_o christian_a church_n for_o while_o we_o adhere_v to_o what_o they_o teach_v we_o can_v neither_o believe_v too_o little_a nor_o too_o much_o but_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o pope_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o stand_v to_o his_o authority_n and_o to_o receive_v all_o his_o dictate_v without_o examination_n and_o how_o dangerous_a be_v this_o if_o he_o shall_v prove_v not_o to_o be_v infallible_a for_o than_o he_o may_v lead_v we_o into_o damnable_a error_n and_o we_o have_v no_o way_n to_o get_v out_o of_o they_o while_o we_o own_o the_o supremacy_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n and_o of_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n under_o christ_n what_o do_v the_o church_n suffer_v by_o deny_v the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n when_o sovereign_a prince_n and_o bishop_n may_v govern_v their_o several_a church_n as_o well_o or_o better_a without_o he_o this_o indeed_o destroy_v the_o papal_a monarchy_n but_o christ_n be_v king_n still_o and_o the_o church_n be_v never_o the_o worse_a church_n because_o it_o be_v not_o a_o universal_a monarchy_n which_o christ_n never_o intend_v it_o shall_v be_v but_o if_o we_o give_v the_o supremacy_n to_o the_o pope_n and_o he_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o by_o christ_n institution_n this_o be_v a_o invasion_n upon_o the_o right_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a bishop_n in_o the_o world_n make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o govern_v or_o reform_v their_o own_o church_n whatever_o occasion_n there_o be_v without_o leave_n from_o the_o pope_n which_o very_a thing_n have_v hinder_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o these_o last_o age_n when_o it_o have_v be_v so_o earnest_o press_v both_o by_o christian_a prince_n and_o bishop_n of_o that_o communion_n witness_v the_o managemént_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n nay_o this_o be_v a_o invasion_n on_o the_o right_n of_o sovereign_a prince_n to_o set_v a_o superior_a over_o they_o in_o their_o own_o dominion_n who_o can_v command_v their_o subject_n with_o a_o more_o sacred_a authority_n and_o how_o fatal_a this_o may_v prove_v to_o prince_n and_o what_o a_o snare_n and_o temptation_n to_o subject_n some_o example_n of_o former_a age_n may_v satisfy_v we_o suppose_v we_o shall_v be_v mistake_v about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o pray_v to_o saint_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o do_v it_o and_o therefore_o we_o want_v nothing_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n by_o not_o do_v it_o and_o certain_o our_o saviour_n can_v think_v it_o any_o injury_n to_o his_o mediation_n that_o we_o so_o whole_o rely_v upon_o his_o intercession_n that_o we_o desire_v no_o other_o advocate_n and_o that_o we_o be_v so_o jealous_a of_o his_o glory_n that_o we_o will_v not_o admit_v the_o most_o glorious_a saint_n to_o the_o least_o partnership_n with_o he_o and_o this_o will_v make_v he_o our_o advocate_n in_o deed_n when_o he_o see_v we_o will_v have_v no_o other_o but_o if_o he_o be_v our_o only_a mediator_n and_o advocate_n by_o god_n appointment_n and_o his_o own_o purchase_n let_v those_o who_o unnecessary_o apply_v themselves_o to_o so_o many_o other_o mediator_n consider_v how_o our_o only_a mediator_n will_v like_v it_o suppose_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o worship_n god_n or_o christ_n by_o image_n which_o we_o think_v express_o forbid_v by_o the_o second_o commandment_n yet_o will_v they_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o affront_n or_o injury_n to_o god_n and_o our_o saviour_n to_o worship_v he_o without_o image_n if_o that_o lovely_a idea_n we_o have_v of_o god_n in_o our_o mind_n if_o the_o remembrance_n of_o what_o christ_n have_v do_v and_o suffer_v for_o we_o make_v we_o true_o and_o sincere_o and_o passionate_o devout_a what_o need_n have_v we_o of_o a_o image_n which_o be_v pretend_v only_o to_o be_v a_o help_n to_o devotion_n and_o therefore_o of_o no_o use_n to_o those_o who_o can_v be_v devout_a without_o it_o 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religion_n to_o be_v true_a we_o will_v prove_v
the_o protestant_a religion_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o christian_a religion_n purge_v from_o the_o corruption_n and_o innovation_n of_o popery_n now_o it_o will_v be_v very_o pleasant_a to_o hear_v a_o popish_a priest_n in_o a_o dispute_n with_o turk_n or_o pagan_n about_o christianity_n urge_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o instruct_v a_o infidel_n who_o can_v be_v presume_v to_o own_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o judge_n what_o christian_a religion_n be_v and_o to_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o by_o reason_n and_o scripture_n either_o this_o be_v a_o good_a way_n or_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a foundation_n for_o christianity_n and_o let_v any_o man_n show_v i_o a_o reason_n why_o christian_n may_v not_o understand_v their_o religion_n the_o same_o way_n that_o heathen_n must_v be_v teach_v it_o this_o be_v the_o way_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n take_v with_o 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i_o how_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o ever_o shall_v have_v be_v any_o heresy_n in_o the_o church_n if_o all_o christian_n have_v receive_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n together_o with_o their_o christianity_n man_n may_v have_v renounce_v christianity_n and_o the_o visible_a judge_n together_o but_o have_v they_o then_o acknowledge_v a_o visible_a judge_n it_o have_v be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o pretend_v to_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o infallible_a chair_n have_v there_o be_v a_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n know_v to_o all_o christian_n it_o have_v be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v ever_o have_v be_v any_o heresy_n in_o the_o church_n as_o those_o man_n must_v grant_v who_o think_v it_o necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o visible_a judge_n to_o make_v all_o man_n of_o a_o mind_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o rise_n and_o growth_n of_o heresy_n which_o must_v suppose_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n will_v do_v this_o or_o else_o this_o argument_n can_v prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n if_o then_o the_o appointment_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n will_v certain_o prevent_v all_o heresy_n and_o yet_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n there_o have_v be_v heresy_n in_o the_o church_n this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n there_o be_v no_o visible_a judge_n in_o those_o day_n well_o but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n how_o shall_v we_o arrive_v at_o any_o certainty_n in_o our_o religion_n for_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o a_o demonstration_n not_o plain_a even_o in_o what_o we_o dare_v not_o disow_v to_o be_v fundamental_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n now_o 1._o suppose_v there_o be_v some_o difficult_a passage_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o obvious_a to_o every_o common_a understanding_n can_v we_o not_o therefore_o understand_v what_o be_v plain_a because_o something_n be_v difficult_a can_v any_o thing_n be_v plain_a than_o the_o first_o and_o second_o commandment_n not_o to_o give_v divine_a worship_n to_o any_o be_v but_o the_o supreme_a god_n and_o not_o to_o worship_n god_n by_o image_n and_o picture_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v plain_a than_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o both_o kind_n than_o st._n paul_n discourse_n against_o prayer_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v plain_a than_o what_o be_v evident_a to_o our_o very_a sense_n that_o bread_n and_o wine_n be_v not_o transubstantiate_v into_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n man_n who_o will_v believe_v contrary_a to_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o scripture_n contrary_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n which_o certain_o ought_v to_o be_v consult_v in_o expound_v scripture_n who_o will_v prove_v that_o to_o be_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o in_o it_o or_o that_o not_o to_o be_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v there_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o scripture_n be_v never_o write_v to_o prove_v what_o they_o will_v have_v prove_v but_o yet_o they_o may_v be_v very_o plain_a to_o man_n who_o only_o inquire_v what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v without_o force_v such_o sense_n upon_o it_o as_o it_o do_v not_o teach_v those_o who_o will_v prove_v that_o from_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o in_o it_o to_o be_v sure_o must_v prove_v it_o very_o obscure_o and_o then_o to_o excuse_v the_o obscurity_n of_o their_o exposition_n charge_v the_o scripture_n with_o obscurity_n though_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o equal_o plain_a in_o scripture_n yet_o all_o man_n may_v understand_v what_o be_v plain_a and_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a perverseness_n to_o say_v nothing_o be_v plain_a in_o scripture_n because_o some_o thing_n be_v not_o plain_a or_o that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o plain_a text_n because_o there_o be_v some_o obscure_a text_n second_o i_o do_v affirm_v that_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v be_v plain_a in_o scripture_n for_o else_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v that_o we_o must_v believe_v it_o or_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o then_o by_o plain_a i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o every_o man_n and_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o man_n who_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o have_v skill_n and_o ability_n to_o do_v it_o and_o may_v be_v make_v plain_a to_o every_o man_n who_o have_v the_o common_a understanding_n of_o a_o man_n without_o any_o bias_n and_o interest_n who_o will_v attend_v to_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o this_o be_v reason_n enough_o to_o call_v it_o plain_a if_o learned_a man_n by_o study_n and_o industry_n can_v understand_v it_o and_o if_o the_o unlearned_a may_v