Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	scripture_n	tradition_n	unwritten_a	2,327	5	12.8913	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A75017	The lively oracles given to us. Or the Christians birth-right and duty, in the custody and use of the Holy Scripture. By the author of the Whole duty of man, &c.	Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.; Pakington, Dorothy Coventry, Lady, d. 1679, attributed name.; Sterne, Richard, 1596?-1683, attributed name.; Fell, John, 1625-1686, attributed name.; Henchman, Humphrey, 1592-1675, attributed name.; Burghers, M., engraver.	1678 (1678)	Wing A1151B; ESTC R3556	108,574	250

god_n have_v by_o his_o own_o choice_n of_o writing_n give_v the_o preference_n to_o it_o nor_o have_v he_o bare_o choose_v it_o but_o have_v make_v it_o the_o standard_n by_o which_o to_o measure_n all_o succeed_a pretence_n it_o be_v the_o mean_n he_o prescribe_v for_o distinguish_v divine_a from_o diabolical_a inspiration_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o word_n there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o isai_n 8.20_o and_o when_o the_o lawyer_n interrogated_a our_o saviour_n what_o he_o shall_v do_v to_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n he_o send_v he_o not_o to_o ransac_fw-mi tradition_n or_o the_o cabalistical_a divinity_n of_o the_o rabbin_n but_o refer_v he_o to_o the_o law_n what_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n how_o read_v thou_o luk._n 10.26_o and_o indeed_o throout_v the_o gospel_n we_o still_o find_v he_o in_o his_o discourse_n appeal_n to_o scripture_n and_o assert_v its_o authority_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n inveigh_v against_o those_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n which_o have_v evacuate_v the_o write_a word_n you_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o your_o tradition_n mat._n 15.6_o which_o as_o it_o abundant_o show_v christ_n adherence_n to_o the_o write_a word_n so_o it_o be_v a_o pregnant_a instance_n how_o possible_a it_o be_v for_o tradition_n to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o make_v the_o instrument_n of_o impose_v man_n fancy_n even_o in_o contradiction_n to_o god_n command_n 31._o and_o since_o our_o bless_a lord_n have_v make_v scripture_n the_o test_n whereby_o to_o try_v tradition_n we_o may_v sure_o acquiesce_v in_o his_o decision_n and_o either_o embrace_n or_o reject_v tradition_n according_a as_o they_o correspond_v to_o the_o supreme_a rule_n the_o write_a word_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v a_o very_a unwarrantable_a attemt_fw-mi to_o set_v up_o tradition_n in_o competition_n with_o much_o more_o in_o contradiction_n to_o that_o to_o which_o christ_n himself_o have_v subject_v it_o 32._o saint_n paul_n reckon_v it_o as_o the_o principal_a privilege_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o it_o have_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v to_o it_o i.e._n that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v deposit_v and_o put_v in_o its_o custody_n and_o in_o this_o the_o christian_a church_n succeed_v it_o and_o be_v the_o guardian_n and_o conservator_fw-la of_o holy_a writ_n i_o ask_v then_o have_v the_o jewish_a church_n by_o virtue_n of_o its_o be_v keeper_n a_o power_n to_o supersede_n any_o part_n of_o those_o oracle_n entrust_v to_o they_o if_o so_o saint_n paul_n be_v much_o out_o in_o his_o estimate_n and_o aught_o to_o have_v reckon_v that_o as_o their_o high_a privilege_n but_o indeed_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o trust_n imply_v the_o contrary_a and_o beside_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o be_v the_o very_a crime_n christ_n charge_v upon_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o place_n above_o cite_v and_o if_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v no_o such_o right_a upon_o what_o account_n can_v the_o christian_a claim_n any_o have_v christ_n enlarge_v its_o charter_n have_v he_o leave_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n with_o she_o not_o to_o preserve_v and_o practice_n but_o to_o regulate_v and_o reform_v to_o fill_v up_o its_o vacancy_n and_o supply_v its_o defect_n by_o her_o own_o tradition_n if_o so_o let_v the_o commission_n be_v produce_v but_o if_o her_o office_n be_v only_o that_o of_o guardianship_n and_o trust_n she_o must_v neither_o subtract_v from_o nor_o by_o any_o superaddition_n of_o her_o own_o evacuate_v its_o meaning_n and_o efficacy_n and_o to_o do_v so_o will_v be_v the_o same_o guilt_n that_o it_o will_v be_v in_o a_o person_n entrust_v with_o the_o fundamental_a record_n of_o a_o nation_n to_o foist_v in_o such_o clause_n as_o himself_o please_v 33._o in_o short_a god_n have_v in_o the_o scripture_n lay_v down_o exact_a rule_n for_o our_o belief_n and_o practice_n and_o have_v entrust_v the_o church_n to_o convey_v they_o to_o we_o if_o she_o vary_v or_o any_o way_n enervate_v they_o she_o be_v false_a to_o that_o trust_n but_o can_v by_v it_o oblige_v we_o to_o recede_v from_o that_o rule_n she_o shall_v deliver_v to_o comply_v with_o that_o she_o obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o case_n may_v be_v illustrate_v by_o a_o easy_a resemblance_n suppose_v a_o king_n have_v a_o foreign_a principality_n for_o which_o he_o compose_v a_o body_n of_o law_n annex_n to_o they_o reward_n and_o penalty_n and_o require_v a_o exact_a and_o indispensable_a conformity_n to_o they_o these_o be_v put_v in_o writing_n he_o send_v by_o a_o select_a messenger_n now_o suppose_v this_o messenger_n deliver_v they_o yet_o say_v withal_o that_o himself_o have_v authority_n from_o the_o king_n to_o supersede_n these_o law_n at_o his_o pleasure_n so_o that_o their_o last_o resort_n must_v be_v to_o his_o dictate_v yet_o produce_v no_o other_o testimony_n but_o his_o own_o bare_a affirmation_n be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o man_n in_o their_o wit_n shall_v be_v so_o stupid_o credulous_a as_o to_o incur_v the_o penalty_n of_o those_o law_n upon_o so_o improbable_a a_o indemnity_n and_o sure_o it_o will_v be_v no_o whit_n less_o madness_n in_o christian_n to_o violate_v any_o precept_n of_o god_n on_o a_o ungrounded_a supposal_n of_o the_o church_n power_n to_o dispense_v with_o they_o 34._o and_o if_o the_o church_n universal_a have_v not_o this_o power_n nor_o indeed_o ever_o claim_v it_o it_o must_v be_v a_o strange_a insolence_n for_o any_o particular_a church_n to_o pretend_v to_o it_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v as_o if_o we_o shall_v owe_v to_o her_o tradition_n all_o our_o scripture_n and_o all_o our_o faith_n insomuch_o that_o without_o the_o supply_n which_o she_o afford_v from_o the_o oracle_n of_o her_o chair_n our_o religion_n be_v imperfect_a and_o our_o salvation_n insecure_a upon_o which_o wild_a dictate_v i_o shall_v take_v liberty_n in_o a_o distinct_a section_n far_o to_o animadvert_v sect_n vi_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_a church_n concern_v the_o propriety_n and_o fitness_n which_o the_o scripture_n hat_n towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o its_o excellent_a end_n against_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o oppose_v itself_o as_o we_o have_v already_o intimate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v only_o a_o imperfect_a rule_n of_o faith_n say_v in_o the_o four_o session_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n that_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n write_v and_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o in_o the_o four_o rule_n of_o the_o index_n put_v forth_o by_o command_n of_o the_o say_a council_n the_o scripture_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o useful_a that_o its_o read_n be_v pernicious_a if_o permit_v promiscuous_o in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v withhold_v insomuch_o that_o the_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a bible_n be_v common_o by_o person_n of_o the_o roman_a communion_n impute_v to_o protestant_n as_o part_v of_o their_o heresy_n they_o be_v call_v by_o they_o in_o contemt_a the_o evangelical_n man_n and_o scripturarians_n and_o the_o bible_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n of_o any_o nation_n be_v common_o reckon_v among_o prohibit_v book_n and_o as_o such_o public_o burn_v when_o meet_v with_o by_o the_o inquisitor_n and_o the_o person_n who_o be_v find_v with_o it_o or_o to_o read_v therein_o be_v subject_v to_o severe_a penalty_n 2._o for_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n and_o to_o put_v to_o shame_v those_o unhappy_a innovator_n who_o amid_o great_a pretence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o veneration_n to_o the_o scripture_n prevaricat_a from_o both_o i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o show_v plain_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n herein_o and_o that_o in_o as_o few_o word_n as_o the_o matter_n will_v admit_v 3._o first_o i_o premise_v that_o ireneus_fw-la and_o tertullian_n have_v to_o do_v with_o heretic_n who_o boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v emendator_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o wise_a than_o they_o despise_v their_o authority_n reject_v several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o obtrude_a other_o write_n in_o their_o steed_n have_v have_v recourse_n unto_o tradition_n with_o a_o seem_a preference_n of_o it_o unto_o scripture_n their_o adversary_n have_v no_o common_a principle_n beside_o the_o own_n the_o name_n of_o christian_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o convince_v they_o but_o by_o a_o recourse_n to_o such_o a_o medium_n which_o they_o will_v allow_v but_o these_o father_n be_v to_o set_v down_o and_o establish_v their_o faith_n be_v most_o express_a in_o resolve_v it_o into_o scripture_n and_o when_o they_o recommend_v tradition_n ever_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v also_o apostolical_a 4._o ireneus_fw-la in_o the_o

have_v be_v witness_v to_o by_o person_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o those_o not_o single_a but_o collective_a body_n and_o society_n even_o as_o many_o as_o there_o have_v be_v christian_a church_n throout_v the_o world_n and_o the_o same_o that_o be_v its_o attestor_n have_v be_v its_o guardian_n also_o and_o by_o their_o multitude_n make_v it_o a_o very_a difficult_a if_o not_o a_o impossible_a thing_n to_o falsify_v it_o in_o any_o considerable_a degree_n it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a as_o i_o show_v before_o from_o st._n austin_n all_o church_n shall_v combine_v to_o do_v it_o and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o the_o fraud_n can_v not_o pass_v undetect_v and_o if_o no_o eminent_a change_n can_v happen_v much_o less_o can_v any_o new_a any_o counterfeit_a gospel_n be_v obtrude_v after_o innumerable_a copy_n of_o the_o first_o have_v be_v translate_v into_o almost_o all_o language_n and_o disperse_v throughout_o the_o world_n 52._o the_o imperial_a law_n compile_v by_o justinian_n be_v soon_o after_o his_o death_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o inroad_n of_o the_o goth_n and_o other_o barbarous_a nation_n utter_o lose_v in_o the_o western_a world_n and_o scarce_o once_o hear_v of_o for_o the_o space_n of_o five_o hundred_o year_n and_o then_o come_v casual_o to_o be_v retrieve_v upon_o the_o take_n of_o amalsis_n by_o the_o pisans_n one_o single_a copy_n be_v find_v there_o at_o the_o plunder_v of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o whole_a credit_n of_o those_o pandect_n which_o have_v ever_o since_o govern_v the_o western_a world_n depend_v in_o a_o manner_n on_o that_o single_a book_n former_o call_v the_o pisan_a and_o now_o after_o that_o pisa_n be_v take_v by_o the_o florentine_n the_o florentine_a copy_n but_o notwithstanding_o this_o the_o body_n of_o the_o civil_a law_n obtain_v and_o no_o man_n think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o question_v its_o be_v real_o what_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v notwithstanding_o its_o single_a and_o so_o long_o interrupt_v derivation_n i_o may_v draw_v this_o parallel_n through_o many_o other_o instance_n but_o these_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o if_o the_o scripture_n may_v find_v but_o so_o much_o equity_n as_o to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o common_a mesure_n of_o other_o thing_n it_o it_o will_v very_o well_o pass_v the_o test_n 53._o but_o man_n seem_v in_o this_o case_n like_o our_o late_a legislator_n to_o set_v up_o new_a extraregular_a court_n of_o justice_n to_o try_v those_o who_o no_o ordinary_a rule_n will_v cast_v yet_o their_o design_n re-require_a shall_v be_v condemn_v and_o we_o may_v conclude_v it_o be_v not_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n but_o of_o prejudice_n that_o make_v they_o so_o unequal_a to_o themselves_o as_o to_o reject_v the_o scripture_n when_o they_o receive_v every_o thing_n else_o upon_o far_o weak_a ground_n the_o bottom_n of_o it_o be_v they_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o obey_v its_o precept_n and_o therefore_o think_v it_o the_o short_a cut_n to_o disavow_v its_o authority_n for_o shall_v they_o once_o own_o that_o they_o will_v find_v themselves_o entangle_v in_o the_o most_o inextricable_a dilemma_n that_o of_o the_o pharisee_n about_o john_n baptist_n if_o we_o say_v from_o heaven_n he_o will_v say_v why_o then_o do_v you_o not_o believe_v he_o mat._n 21.25_o if_o they_o confess_v the_o scripture_n divine_a they_o must_v be_v self-condemned_a in_o not_o obey_v they_o and_o true_o man_n that_o have_v such_o preingagement_n to_o their_o lust_n that_o they_o must_v admit_v nothing_o that_o will_v disturb_v they_o do_v but_o prevaricate_v when_o they_o call_v for_o great_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n for_o those_o bosom_n sophister_n will_v elude_v the_o most_o manifest_a conviction_n and_o like_o juggler_n make_v man_n disbelieve_v even_o their_o own_o sense_n so_o that_o any_o other_o way_n of_o evidence_n will_v be_v as_o disputable_a with_o they_o as_o those_o already_o offer_v which_o be_v the_o three_o thing_n i_o propose_v to_o consider_v 54._o it_o have_v be_v sometime_o see_v in_o popular_a mutiny_n that_o when_o blank_n have_v be_v send_v they_o they_o can_v not_o agree_v what_o to_o ask_v and_o be_v it_o imaginable_a that_o god_n shall_v so_o far_o court_v the_o infidelity_n of_o man_n as_o to_o allow_v they_o to_o make_v their_o own_o demand_n to_o set_v down_o what_o way_n of_o proof_n will_v persuade_v they_o i_o doubt_v not_o there_o be_v many_o have_v obstinacy_n enough_o to_o defeat_v their_o own_o method_n as_o well_o as_o they_o now_o do_v go_n it_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v no_o ordinary_a way_n of_o conviction_n leave_v for_o they_o to_o ask_v god_n have_v already_o as_o have_v also_o be_v show_v afford_v that_o they_o must_v therefore_o resort_v to_o immediate_a revelation_n expect_v instant_a assurance_n from_o heaven_n that_o this_o book_n we_o call_v the_o bible_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 55._o my_o first_o question_n than_o be_v in_o what_o manner_n this_o revelation_n must_v be_v make_v to_o appear_v credible_a to_o they_o the_o best_a account_n we_o have_v of_o the_o several_a way_n of_o revelation_n be_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o god_n be_v please_v upon_o new_a emergency_n signal_o to_o revele_v himself_o these_o be_v first_o dream_n second_o vision_n by_o both_o which_o the_o prophet_n receive_v their_o inspiration_n three_o vrim_fw-he and_o thummim_n four_o the_o bath-col_a as_o they_o term_v it_o thunder_n and_o voice_n from_o heaven_n let_v we_o consider_v they_o distinct_o and_o see_v whether_o our_o sceptical_a man_n may_v not_o probable_o find_v somewhat_o to_o dispute_v in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o and_o first_o for_o dream_n it_o be_v among_o we_o so_o hard_o to_o distinguish_v between_o those_o that_o arise_v from_o constitution_n prepossession_n of_o fancy_n diabolical_a or_o divine_a infusion_n that_o those_o that_o have_v the_o most_o critical_o consider_v they_o do_v rather_o difference_n they_o by_o their_o matter_n than_o any_o certain_a discriminate_a circumstance_n and_o unless_o we_o have_v some_o infallible_a way_n of_o discern_v our_o dependence_n on_o they_o may_v more_o probable_o betray_v then_o direct_v we_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o usual_o fancy_n have_v the_o great_a stroke_n in_o they_o and_o if_o he_o that_o shall_v commit_v himself_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o wake_a fancy_n be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v over-wise_o govern_v what_o can_v we_o expect_v from_o his_o sleep_n all_o this_o and_o more_o may_v doubtless_o be_v sober_o enough_o object_v against_o the_o validity_n of_o our_o common_a dream_n 56._o but_o admit_v there_o be_v now_o such_o divine_a dream_n as_o bring_v their_o evidence_n along_o with_o they_o yet_o sure_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o prejudice_v man_n to_o resist_v even_o the_o clear_a conviction_n for_o do_v we_o not_o see_v some_o that_o have_v make_v a_o shift_n to_o extinguish_v that_o natural_a light_n those_o notion_n which_o be_v interweave_v into_o the_o very_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o their_o mind_n that_o so_o they_o may_v sin_v more_o at_o ease_n and_o without_o reluctancy_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v as_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o close_v their_o eye_n against_o all_o ray_n from_o without_o too_o to_o resist_v revelation_n as_o well_o as_o instinct_n and_o more_o likely_a by_o how_o much_o a_o transient_a cause_n be_v natural_o less_o operative_a than_o a_o permanent_a a_o instance_n of_o this_o we_o have_v in_o balaam_n who_o be_v in_o these_o nightly_a visitation_n prohibit_v by_o god_n to_o go_v to_o balack_n and_o though_o he_o know_v then_o what_o he_o afterward_o say_v num._n 23.19_o that_o god_n be_v not_o a_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v lie_v nor_o the_o son_n of_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v yet_o he_o will_v not_o take_v god_n at_o his_o first_o word_n but_o upon_o a_o fresh_a bait_n to_o his_o covetousness_n try_v again_o for_o a_o answer_n more_o indulgent_a to_o his_o interest_n beside_o if_o god_n shall_v thus_o revele_v himself_o to_o some_o particular_a person_n yet_o it_o be_v beyond_o all_o precedent_n or_o imagination_n that_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o to_o every_o man_n and_o then_o how_o shall_v those_o who_o have_v these_o dream_n be_v able_a to_o convince_v other_o that_o they_o be_v divine_a 57_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o guess_v what_o reception_n a_o man_n that_o produce_v no_o other_o authority_n will_v have_v in_o this_o ludicrous_a age_n he_o will_v certain_o be_v think_v rather_o to_o want_v sleep_n then_o to_o have_v have_v revelation_n in_o it_o and_o if_o jacob_n and_o the_o patriarch_n who_o be_v themselves_o acquaint_v with_o divine_a dream_n yet_o do_v not_o believe_v joseph_n any_o man_n that_o shall_v now_o pretend_v in_o that_o kind_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o fall_v under_o the_o same_o irony_n that_o he_o do_v to_o be_v entertain_v with_o a_o behold_v this_o dreamer_n come_v gen._n 37.19_o 58._o the_o second_o

9_o 2_o cor._n 4.11_o who_o in_o his_o first_o homily_n on_o saint_n mat._n far_a declare_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o expose_v to_o vulgar_a capacity_n 13._o he_o say_v again_o hom_o upon_o isaiah_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o metal_n that_o require_v the_o help_n of_o miner_n but_o afford_v a_o treasure_n easy_o to_o be_v bad_a to_o they_o that_o seek_v the_o riches_n contain_v in_o they_o it_o be_v enough_o only_a to_o stoop_v down_o and_o look_v upon_o they_o and_o depart_v replenish_v with_o wealth_n it_o be_v enough_o only_a to_o open_v they_o and_o behold_v the_o splendour_n of_o those_o gem_n again_o hom._n 3._o on_o the_o second_o ep._n to_o the_o thess_n 2._o all_o thing_n be_v evident_a and_o strait_a which_o be_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whatever_o be_v necessary_a be_v manifest_a so_o also_o hom._n 3._o on_o gen._n 14._o it_o can_v be_v that_o he_o who_o be_v studious_a in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n shall_v be_v reject_v for_o though_o the_o instruction_n of_o man_n be_v want_v the_o lord_n from_o above_o will_v enlighten_v our_o mind_n shine_v in_o upon_o our_o reason_n revele_v what_o be_v secret_a and_o teach_v what_o we_o do_v not_o know_v so_o hom._n 1._o on_o jo._n 11._o almighty_a god_n involve_v his_o doctrine_n with_o no_o mist_n and_o darkness_n as_o do_v the_o philosopher_n his_o doctrine_n be_v bright_a than_o the_o sunbeam_n and_o more_o illustrious_a and_o therefore_o every_o where_o diffuse_v and_o hom._n 6._o on_o jo._n 11._o his_o doctrine_n be_v so_o facile_a that_o not_o only_o the_o wise_a but_o even_o woman_n and_o youth_n must_v comprehend_v it_o hom._n 13._o on_o gen._n 2._o let_v we_o go_v to_o the_o scripture_n as_o our_o mark_n which_o be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n and_o soon_o after_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n interpret_v itself_o and_o suffer_v not_o its_o auditor_n to_o err_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n say_v cyril_n in_o his_o three_o book_n against_o julian_n in_o the_o scripture_n nothing_o be_v difficult_a to_o they_o who_o be_v conversant_a in_o they_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v 14._o it_o be_v therefore_o a_o groundless_a cavil_n which_o man_n make_v at_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o scripture_n since_o it_o be_v not_o obscure_a in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o it_o be_v our_o common_a interest_n it_o shall_v be_v plain_a which_o sufficient_o justify_v its_o propriety_n to_o that_o great_a end_n of_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n and_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v less_o intelligible_a to_o we_o many_o of_o they_o become_v so_o not_o by_o the_o innate_a obscurity_n of_o the_o text_n but_o by_o extrinsic_n circumstance_n of_o which_o perhaps_o the_o overbusy_a tamper_n of_o paraphrast_n please_v with_o new_a notion_n of_o their_o own_o may_v be_v reckon_v for_o one_o but_o this_o subject_a the_o reader_n may_v find_v so_o well_o pursue_v in_o mr._n boil_v tract_n concern_v the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n that_o i_o shall_v be_v kind_a both_o to_o he_o and_o it_o to_o refer_v he_o thither_o as_o also_o for_o answer_v to_o those_o other_o querulous_a objection_n which_o man_n gall_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v make_v to_o its_o stile_n 15._o a_o three_o circumstance_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v fit_v to_o attain_v its_o end_n be_v its_o be_v commit_v to_o writing_n as_o that_o be_v distinguish_v from_o oral_a delivery_n it_o be_v most_o true_a the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n and_o efficacy_n which_o way_n soever_o it_o be_v deliver_v the_o sermon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v every_o jot_n as_o divine_a and_o powerful_a out_o of_o their_o mouth_n as_o they_o be_v now_o in_o their_o story_n all_o the_o advantage_n therefore_o that_o the_o write_a word_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v in_o order_n to_o its_o perpetuity_n as_o it_o be_v a_o secure_a way_n of_o derivation_n to_o posterity_n then_o that_o of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o evince_v that_o it_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v first_o weigh_v the_o rational_a probability_n on_o either_o side_n second_o i_o shall_v consider_v to_o which_o god_n himself_o appear_v in_o scripture_n to_o give_v the_o deference_n 16._o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o shall_v propose_v this_o consideration_n which_o i_o have_v occasion_n to_o intimate_v before_o that_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v for_o the_o universal_a use_n of_o the_o faithful_a it_o be_v as_o universal_o disperse_v among_o they_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o law_n not_o only_o in_o their_o synagogue_n but_o in_o their_o private_a house_n and_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o evangelical_n book_n be_v write_v they_o be_v scatter_v into_o all_o place_n where_o the_o christian_a faith_n have_v obtain_v now_o when_o there_o be_v such_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o copy_n and_o those_o so_o revere_v by_o the_o possessor_n that_o they_o think_v it_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o sacrilege_n to_o expose_v they_o it_o must_v sure_o be_v next_o to_o impossible_a entire_o to_o suppress_v that_o book_n beside_o it_o can_v never_o be_v attemt_v but_o by_o some_o eminent_a violence_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n which_o according_a to_o the_o common_a effect_n of_o opposition_n serve_v to_o enhance_v the_o christian_n value_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o consequent_o when_o the_o storm_n be_v past_a to_o excite_v their_o diligence_n for_o recruit_v the_o number_n so_o that_o unless_o in_o after_o age_n all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v at_o once_o make_v a_o voluntary_a defection_n and_o conspire_v to_o eradicate_v their_o religion_n the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v utter_o extinguish_v 17._o and_o that_o which_o secure_v it_o from_o total_a suppression_n do_v in_o a_o great_a degree_n do_v so_o from_o corruption_n and_o falsification_n for_o while_o so_o many_o genuine_a copy_n be_v extant_a in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v appeal_v to_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o impose_v a_o spurious_a one_o especial_o if_o the_o change_n be_v so_o material_a as_o to_o awaken_v man_n jealousy_n and_o it_o must_v be_v only_o in_o a_o place_n and_o age_n of_o gross_a ignorance_n that_o any_o can_v be_v dare_v enough_o to_o attemt_fw-mi it_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v happen_v to_o succeed_v in_o such_o a_o particular_a church_n yet_o what_o be_v that_o to_o the_o universal_a and_o to_o think_v to_o have_v the_o forgery_n admit_v there_o be_v as_o a_o learned_a man_n say_v like_v attemt_a to_o poison_v the_o sea_n 18._o on_o the_o other_o side_n oral_a tradition_n seem_v much_o more_o liable_a to_o hazard_n error_n may_v there_o insinuate_v itself_o much_o more_o insensible_o and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o universal_a conspiracy_n to_o admit_v it_o at_o first_o yet_o like_o a_o small_a eruption_n of_o water_n it_o widen_v its_o own_o passage_n till_o it_o cause_v a_o inundation_n there_o be_v no_o impression_n so_o deep_a but_o time_n and_o intervening_a accident_n may_v wear_v out_o of_o man_n mind_n especial_o where_o the_o notion_n be_v many_o and_o be_v found_v not_o in_o nature_n but_o positive_a institution_n as_o a_o great_a part_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v and_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o various_a temper_n of_o man_n it_o will_v not_o be_v strange_a that_o succeed_a age_n will_v not_o always_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o former_a some_o be_v pragmatic_n and_o think_v themselves_o fit_a to_o prescribe_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o their_o posterity_n then_o to_o follow_v that_o of_o their_o ancestor_n some_o have_v interest_n and_o design_n which_o will_v be_v better_o serve_v by_o new_a tenet_n and_o some_o be_v ignorant_a and_o mistake_v and_o may_v unaware_o corrupt_v the_o doctrine_n they_o shall_v bare_o deliver_v and_o of_o this_o last_o sort_n we_o may_v guess_v there_o may_v be_v many_o since_o it_o fall_v common_o to_o the_o mother_n lot_n to_o imbue_v child_n with_o the_o first_o rudiment_n 19_o now_o in_o all_o these_o case_n how_o possible_a be_v it_o that_o primitive_a tradition_n may_v be_v either_o lose_v or_o adulterate_v and_o consequent_o and_o in_o proportion_n to_o that_o possibility_n our_o confidence_n of_o it_o must_v be_v stagger_v i_o be_o sure_a according_a to_o the_o common_a estimate_n in_o secular_o it_o must_v be_v so_o for_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o man_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o apt_a to_o credit_v a_o relation_n which_o come_v from_o a_o eie-witness_n then_o at_o the_o three_o or_o four_o much_o more_o at_o the_o hundred_o rebound_n as_o in_o this_o case_n and_o daily_a experience_n tell_v we_o that_o a_o true_a and_o probable_a story_n by_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n often_o grow_v to_o a_o improbable_a lie_n this_o man_n think_v he_o can_v add_v one_o become_v circumstance_n that_o man_n another_o and_o whilst_o most_o

10._o athanasius_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o incarnation_n say_v it_o be_v fit_a for_o we_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o not_o relinquish_v it_o think_v by_o syllogism_n to_o evade_v what_o be_v there_o clear_o deliver_v again_o in_o his_o tract_n to_o serap_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n ask_v not_o say_v he_o concern_v the_o trinity_n but_o learn_v only_o from_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o instruction_n which_o you_o will_v find_v there_o be_v sufficient_a and_o in_o his_o oration_n against_o the_o gentile_n declare_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n 11._o agreeable_a to_o these_o be_v optatus_n in_o his_o 5._o book_n against_o parman_n who_o reason_n thus_o you_o say_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o rebaptize_v we_o say_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a betwixt_o your_o say_n and_o our_o gainsaying_n the_o people_n mind_n be_v amuse_v let_v no_o man_n believe_v either_o you_o or_o we_o all_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v contentious_a therefore_o judge_n be_v to_o be_v call_v in_o christian_n they_o can_v be_v for_o they_o will_v be_v party_n and_o thereby_o partial_a therefore_o a_o judge_n be_v to_o be_v look_v out_o from_o abroad_o if_o a_o pagan_a he_o know_v not_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n if_o a_o jew_n he_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o our_o baptism_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o earthly_a judge_n but_o one_o be_v to_o be_v seek_v from_o heaven_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o resort_n to_o heaven_n when_o we_o have_v in_o the_o gospel_n a_o testament_n and_o in_o this_o case_n celestial_a thing_n may_v be_v compare_v to_o earthly_a so_o it_o be_v as_o with_o a_o father_n who_o have_v many_o child_n while_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v they_o all_o and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o write_a will_n according_o christ_n when_o he_o be_v present_a upon_o earth_n from_o time_n to_o time_n command_v the_o apostle_n whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a but_o as_o the_o earthly_a father_n find_v himself_o to_o be_v at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n and_o fear_v that_o after_o his_o departure_n his_o child_n shall_v quarrel_v among_o themselves_o he_o call_v witness_n and_o put_v his_o mind_n in_o writing_n and_o if_o any_o difference_n arise_v among_o the_o brethren_n they_o go_v not_o to_o their_o father_n sepulchre_n but_o repair_v to_o his_o will_n and_o testament_n and_o he_o who_o rest_v in_o his_o grave_n speak_v still_o in_o his_o writing_n as_o if_o he_o be_v alive_a our_o lord_n who_o leave_v his_o will_n among_o we_o be_v now_o in_o heaven_n therefore_o let_v we_o seek_v his_o command_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o in_o his_o will._n 12._o thus_o cyril_n of_o jerus_n cat._n 4._o nothing_o no_o not_o the_o least_o concernment_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o holy_a sacrament_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v deliver_v without_o the_o holy_a scripture_n believe_v not_o i_o unless_o i_o give_v you_o a_o demonstration_n of_o what_o i_o say_v from_o the_o scripture_n 13._o saint_n basil_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n say_v if_o god_n be_v faithful_a in_o all_o his_o say_n his_o word_n and_o work_n they_o remain_v for_o ever_o and_o be_v do_v in_o truth_n and_o equity_n it_o must_v be_v a_o evident_a sign_n of_o infidelity_n and_o pride_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v reject_v what_o be_v write_v and_o introduce_v what_o be_v not_o write_v in_o which_o book_n he_o general_o declare_v that_o he_o will_v write_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o receive_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o that_o he_o abhor_v from_o take_v it_o elsewhere_o in_o his_o 29._o homily_n against_o the_o antitrinit_a believe_v say_v he_o those_o which_o be_v write_v seek_v not_o those_o which_o be_v not_o write_v and_o in_o his_o eth._n reg_fw-la 26._o every_o word_n and_o action_n ought_v to_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o divine_o inspire_v scripture_n to_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o good_a and_o reproof_n of_o the_o wicked_a 14._o saint_n ambrose_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o offic._n say_v how_o can_v we_o make_v use_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n and_o in_o his_o instit_n of_o virgin_n i_o read_v he_o be_v the_o first_o but_o read_v not_o he_o be_v the_o second_o let_v they_o who_o say_v he_o be_v second_o show_v it_o from_o the_o read_n 15._o greg._n nyssen_n in_o his_o dial._n of_o the_o soul_n and_o resurrect_v say_v it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o truth_n be_v there_o only_o to_o be_v place_v where_o there_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o scripture_n testimony_n 16._o saint_n jerom_n against_o helvidius_n declare_v as_o we_o deny_v not_o that_o which_o be_v write_v so_o we_o refuse_v those_o which_o be_v not_o write_v and_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o the_o 98._o ps_n every_o thing_n that_o we_o assert_v we_o must_v show_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o word_n of_o he_o that_o speak_v have_v not_o that_o authority_n as_o god_n precept_n and_o on_o the_o 87._o ps_n whatever_o be_v say_v after_o the_o apostle_n let_v it_o be_v cut_v off_o nor_o have_v afterward_o authority_n though_o one_o be_v holy_a after_o the_o apostle_n though_o one_o be_v eloquent_a yet_o have_v he_o not_o authority_n 17._o saint_n austin_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n c._n 12._o acknowledge_v that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v convince_v but_o by_o the_o scripture_n of_o what_o he_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o add_v they_o be_v read_v with_o such_o manifestation_n that_o he_o who_o believe_v they_o must_v confess_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v most_o true_a in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n c._n 9_o he_o say_v that_o in_o the_o plain_a place_n of_o scripture_n be_v find_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o concern_v faith_n and_o manner_n and_o in_o epist_n 42._o all_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v exhibit_v heretofore_o as_o don_v to_o mankind_n and_o what_o we_o now_o see_v and_o deliver_v to_o our_o posterity_n the_o scripture_n have_v not_o pass_v they_o in_o silence_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o concern_v the_o search_n or_o defence_n of_o our_o religion_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o good_a of_o widowhood_n he_o say_v to_o julian_n the_o person_n to_o who_o he_o address_v what_o shall_v i_o teach_v you_o more_o than_o that_o we_o read_v in_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o holy_a scripture_n settle_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o doctrine_n that_o we_o think_v not_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o think_v but_o to_o think_v sober_o as_o god_n have_v deal_v to_o every_o man_n the_o measure_n of_o faith_n therefore_o my_o teach_n be_v only_o to_o expound_v the_o word_n of_o this_o doctor_n ep._n 157._o where_o any_o subject_n be_v obscure_a and_o pass_v our_o comprehension_n and_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o plain_o afford_v its_o help_n there_o human_a conjecture_n be_v presumptuous_a in_o define_v 18._o theophilus_n of_o alex._n in_o his_o second_o paschal_n homily_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o suggestion_n of_o a_o diabolical_a spirit_n to_o think_v that_o any_o thing_n beside_o the_o scripture_n have_v divine_a authority_n and_o in_o his_o three_o he_o add_v that_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n lay_v firm_a foundation_n of_o their_o doctrine_n 19_o chrysostom_n in_o his_o three_o homily_n on_o the_o first_o of_o the_o thessaly_n assert_n that_o from_o the_o alone_a read_n or_o hear_v of_o the_o scripture_n one_o may_v learn_v all_o thing_n necessary_a so_o hom._n 34._o on_o act._n 15._o he_o declare_v a_o heathen_a come_v and_o say_v i_o will_v willing_o be_v a_o christian_n but_o i_o know_v not_o who_o to_o join_v myself_o to_o for_o there_o be_v many_o contention_n among_o you_o many_o sedition_n and_o tumult_n so_o that_o i_o be_o in_o doubt_n what_o opinion_n i_o shall_v abuse_v each_o man_n say_v what_o i_o say_v be_v true_a and_o i_o know_v not_o who_o to_o believe_v each_o pretend_v to_o scripture_n which_o i_o be_o ignorant_a of_o it_o be_v very_o well_o the_o issue_n be_v put_v here_o for_o if_o the_o appeal_n be_v to_o reason_n in_o this_o case_n there_o will_v be_v just_a occasion_n of_o be_v trouble_v but_o when_o we_o appeal_v to_o scripture_n and_o they_o be_v simple_a and_o certain_a you_o may_v easy_o yourself_o judge_v he_o that_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o christian_n he_o that_o resist_v they_o be_v far_o out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o on_o ps_n 95._o if_o any_o thing_n be_v say_v without_o the_o scripture_n the_o mind_n halt_v between_o different_a opinion_n sometime_o incline_v as_o to_o what_o be_v probable_a anon_o reject_v as_o what_o be_v frivolous_a but_o when_o the_o testimony_n of_o holy_a scripture_n