Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	apostle_n	holy_a	scripture_n	3,055	5	5.5132	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59860	The protestant resolution of faith being an answer to three questions : I. How far we must depend on the authority of the church for the true sense of Scripture? II. Whether a visible succession from Christ to this day makes a church, which has this succession, an infallible interpreter of Scripture, and whether no church, which has not this succession, can teach the true sense of Scripture? III. Whether the Church of England can make out such a visible succession?	Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.	1683 (1683)	Wing S3332; ESTC R22228	24,360	46

the_o information_n we_o receive_v by_o the_o scripture_n i_o can_v divine_v and_o yet_o we_o may_v as_o easy_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n as_o we_o can_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n without_o the_o scripture_n for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o mean_n of_o know_v either_o that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n or_o what_o this_o church_n be_v or_o what_o be_v the_o property_n of_o a_o true_a and_o sound_a and_o orthodox_n church_n but_o by_o revelation_n and_o we_o have_v no_o other_o revelation_n of_o this_o but_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o for_o the_o second_o that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n very_o true_a in_o some_o sense_n very_o false_a 1._o it_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n true_a and_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o sober_a protestant_n as_o 1._o if_o by_o the_o church_n we_o understand_v the_o universal_a church_n of_o all_o age_n as_o we_o receive_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o hand_v down_o by_o they_o to_o our_o time_n so_o whatever_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n have_v be_v universal_o receive_v by_o they_o be_v one_o of_o the_o best_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o near_o they_o be_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o more_o likely_a they_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o their_o write_n be_v instruct_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o in_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o and_o thus_o we_o have_v a_o certain_a rule_n to_o secure_v we_o from_o all_o dangerous_a error_n in_o expound_v scripture_n for_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v as_o plain_o contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o first_o father_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o unanimous_o assert_v by_o they_o as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o though_o we_o have_v not_o a_o traditionary_a exposition_n of_o every_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n yet_o we_o have_v of_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o must_v never_o expound_v scripture_n so_o as_o to_o contradict_v the_o know_a and_o avow_a sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o this_o course_n the_o church_n of_o england_n take_v she_o receive_v the_o definition_n of_o the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n and_o require_v her_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o profess_a doctrine_n of_o those_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o we_o ought_v to_o pay_v great_a deference_n to_o and_o not_o light_o and_o wanton_o oppose_v the_o judgement_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n wherein_o we_o live_v when_o her_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n do_v not_o evident_o and_o notorious_o contradict_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n especial_o of_o the_o first_o and_o best_a age_n of_o it_o for_o it_o do_v not_o become_v private_a man_n to_o oppose_v their_o sentiment_n and_o opinion_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o in_o such_o plain_a case_n as_o every_o honest_a man_n may_v be_v presume_v a_o very_a competent_a judge_n in_o the_o matter_n and_o no_o church_n nor_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n have_v such_o authority_n that_o we_o must_v renounce_v our_o sense_n and_o deny_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n to_o follow_v they_o with_o a_o blind_a and_o implicit_a faith_n and_o thus_o the_o church_n that_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v a_o mean_n for_o the_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o though_o we_o may_v mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o some_o particular_a text_n which_o the_o romanist_n themselves_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o even_o infallible_a council_n may_v do_v who_o though_o they_o be_v infallible_a in_o their_o conclusion_n yet_o be_v not_o always_o so_o in_o the_o argument_n or_o medium_n whether_o draw_v from_o scripture_n or_o reason_n whereby_o they_o prove_v they_o yet_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a we_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o any_o dangerous_a mistake_n while_o we_o make_v the_o catholic_n doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n our_o rule_n and_o in_o other_o matter_n follow_v the_o judgement_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v which_o be_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a as_o peace_n and_o order_n and_o good_a government_n in_o the_o church_n 2._o but_o then_o this_o be_v very_o false_a if_o we_o mean_v that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n or_o if_o by_o the_o church_n we_o understand_v any_o particular_a church_n as_o i_o suppose_v this_o person_n do_v the_o roman_n catholic_n that_o be_v the_o particular_a universal_a church_n of_o rome_n or_o if_o we_o mean_v the_o church_n of_o the_o present_a age_n or_o by_o mean_n understand_v such_o a_o decretory_a sentence_n as_o must_v determine_v our_o faith_n and_o command_v our_o assent_n that_o we_o must_v seek_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n i_o shall_v discourse_v something_o brief_o of_o each_o of_o these_o 1._o to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v very_o false_a and_o absurd_a for_o 1._o this_o suppose_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v a_o very_a unintelligible_a book_n which_o be_v a_o great_a reproach_n to_o the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o which_o it_o be_v indict_v that_o he_o either_o can_v not_o or_o will_v not_o speak_v intelligible_o to_o the_o world_n 2._o this_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o those_o exhortation_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o study_v the_o scripture_n which_o be_v make_v to_o private_a man_n and_o therefore_o necessary_o suppose_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o other_o write_n be_v by_o consider_v the_o propriety_n of_o the_o word_n and_o language_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o place_n and_o such_o other_o mean_n as_o honest_a and_o studious_a inquirer_n use_v to_o find_v out_o the_o meaning_n of_o any_o other_o book_n 3._o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o unintelligible_a that_o a_o honest_a man_n can_v find_v out_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o without_o the_o infallible_a interpretation_n of_o the_o church_n i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v whether_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n preach_v intelligible_o to_o their_o hearer_n if_o they_o do_v not_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v they_o preach_v at_o all_o by_o what_o mean_n be_v man_n convert_v to_o the_o faith_n if_o they_o do_v how_o come_v these_o sermon_n to_o be_v so_o unintelligible_a now_o they_o be_v write_v which_o be_v so_o intelligible_a when_o they_o be_v speak_v for_o the_o gospel_n contain_v a_o plain_a history_n of_o what_o christ_n do_v and_o of_o what_o he_o say_v and_o the_o apostle_n write_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o the_o church_n when_o they_o be_v absent_a which_o they_o preach_v to_o they_o when_o they_o be_v present_a and_o we_o reasonable_o suppose_v that_o they_o as_o much_o design_v that_o the_o church_n shall_v understand_v what_o they_o write_v as_o what_o they_o preach_v and_o therefore_o that_o they_o general_o use_v the_o same_o form_n of_o word_n in_o their_o writing_n and_o in_o their_o preach_a and_o this_o make_v it_o a_o great_a riddle_n how_o one_o shall_v be_v very_o plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o the_o other_o signify_v nothing_o without_o a_o infallible_a interpreter_n 4._o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v in_o themselves_o unintelligible_a i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v how_o the_o church_n come_v to_o understand_v they_o if_o by_o any_o humane_a mean_n together_o with_o the_o ordinary_a assistance_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n than_o they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o then_o why_o may_v not_o every_o christian_a in_o proportion_n to_o his_o skill_n in_o language_n and_o in_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n and_o discourse_n understand_v they_o also_o if_o the_o church_n can_v understand_v the_o scripture_n by_o any_o humane_a mean_n but_o only_o by_o inspiration_n for_o there_o be_v no_o medium_fw-la between_o these_o two_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o scripture_n write_v for_o we_o may_v as_o well_o have_v learn_v the_o will_n of_o god_n from_o the_o church_n without_o the_o scripture_n as_o with_o they_o god_n can_v have_v immediate_o reveal_v his_o will_n to_o the_o church_n without_o a_o write_a rule_n as_o well_o as_o reveal_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o write_a rule_n which_o it_o seem_v have_v no_o signification_n at_o all_o till_o the_o church_n by_o inspiration_n give_v a_o orthodox_n

sound_a word_n according_a to_o which_o he_o be_v to_o direct_v his_o preach_a whether_o this_o refer_v to_o a_o short_a summary_n of_o faith_n such_o as_o our_o creed_n be_v i_o can_v say_v though_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a it_o may_v but_o it_o be_v plain_a we_o have_v a_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o contain_v the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v so_o far_o a_o rule_n to_o we_o in_o expound_v scripture_n as_o never_o to_o contradict_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o it_o for_o that_o be_v to_o contradict_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o when_o one_o great_a article_n of_o this_o faith_n concern_v the_o eternal_a godhead_n of_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v corrupt_v by_o arius_n a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n it_o give_v a_o occasion_n for_o a_o more_o full_a declaration_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n about_o it_o and_o though_o the_o effect_n of_o that_o controversy_n be_v very_o fatal_a to_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o be_v very_o happy_a that_o it_o break_v out_o in_o such_o a_o age_n when_o it_o can_v be_v determine_v with_o great_a certainty_n and_o great_a authority_n than_o it_o can_v have_v be_v in_o any_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n by_o man_n who_o be_v venerable_a for_o their_o age_n for_o their_o wisdom_n for_o their_o piety_n for_o their_o undaunted_a confession_n under_o heathen_a and_o persecute_v emperor_n who_o know_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v before_o this_o controversy_n break_v out_o and_o before_o external_n prosperity_n have_v through_o ease_n and_o wantonness_n corrupt_v the_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o christian_n 3._o as_o for_o matter_n of_o external_n order_n discipline_n and_o government_n the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o best_a and_o safe_a comment_n on_o those_o general_a rule_n and_o direction_n we_o have_v lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n at_o all_o but_o the_o apostle_n do_v appoint_v governor_n and_o rule_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n in_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o what_o these_o be_v the_o christian_n of_o those_o day_n see_v with_o their_o eye_n in_o the_o daily_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n in_o those_o epistle_n which_o they_o write_v to_o their_o several_a church_n do_v not_o give_v they_o so_o punctual_a and_o particular_a a_o account_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o they_o so-well_a know_v before_o but_o as_o occasion_v serve_v make_v only_o some_o accidental_a mention_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o that_o in_o such_o general_a term_n as_o be_v well_o enough_o understand_v by_o they_o who_o know_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o age_n but_o it_o may_v be_v can_v mere_o by_o the_o force_n of_o the_o word_n which_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o several_a sense_n be_v so_o certain_o and_o demonstrative_o determine_v to_o any_o one_o sense_n by_o we_o who_o do_v not_o see_v what_o be_v do_v in_o those_o day_n as_o to_o avoid_v all_o possible_a cavil_n of_o contentious_a man_n this_o have_v occasion_v those_o dispute_n concern_v infant_n baptism_n the_o several_a order_n and_o degree_n of_o church_n governor_n the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o the_o like_a those_o who_o live_v in_o those_o day_n and_o see_v what_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o these_o matter_n can_v not_o doubt_v of_o these_o thing_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o express_a word_n say_v that_o infant_n shall_v be_v baptize_v with_o their_o parent_n or_o that_o bishop_n be_v a_o superior_a order_n to_o presbyter_n and_o presbyter_n to_o deacon_n or_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o institute_v and_o appoint_v some_o significant_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n for_o the_o more_o decent_a and_o orderly_a administration_n of_o religious_a office_n but_o because_o there_o be_v not_o a_o precise_a and_o punctual_a account_n give_v of_o these_o matter_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o then_o when_o these_o thing_n be_v obvious_a to_o their_o very_a sense_n some_o perverse_a and_o unreasonable_a disputer_n who_o obstinate_o reject_v all_o other_o evidence_n will_v judge_v of_o these_o thing_n just_a as_o they_o please_v themselves_o and_o alter_v their_o opinion_n and_o fancy_n as_o often_o as_o they_o please_v but_o now_o if_o there_o be_v any_o certain_a way_n to_o know_v what_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v in_o these_o case_n this_o be_v the_o best_a comment_n we_o can_v possible_o have_v on_o such_o text_n as_o be_v not_o sufficient_o plain_a and_o express_v without_o it_o now_o methinks_v any_o reasonable_a man_n must_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o best_a way_n to_o understand_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o succeed_a age_n especial_o while_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v fresh_a and_o the_o church_n govern_v by_o apostolical_a man_n when_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suspect_v any_o deviation_n from_o the_o primitive_a practice_n and_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n which_o the_o church_n of_o england_n own_v in_o such_o matter_n and_o by_o which_o she_o reject_v and_o confute_v both_o the_o innovation_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o wild_a pretence_n of_o fanaticism_n so_o that_o we_o do_v in_o the_o most_o proper_a sense_n own_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o be_v the_o best_a mean_n for_o expound_v scripture_n we_o do_v not_o leave_v every_o man_n to_o expound_v scripture_n by_o a_o private_a spirit_n as_o our_o adversary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n reproach_n we_o we_o adhere_v to_o the_o ancient_a catholic_n church_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n on_o one_o side_n and_o the_o fanatic_n on_o the_o other_o have_v forsake_v and_o though_o we_o reject_v the_o new_a invention_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n yet_o we_o be_v no_o friend_n at_o all_o to_o scepticism_n but_o can_v give_v a_o more_o rational_a account_n of_o our_o faith_n than_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v have_v we_o no_o other_o way_n of_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o by_o propriety_n of_o the_o language_n and_o the_o grammatical_a construction_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o text_n their_o connexion_n and_o dependence_n on_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v and_o such_o like_a mean_n as_o we_o use_v for_o the_o understanding_n any_o other_o book_n of_o humane_a composition_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o honest_a and_o diligent_a inquirer_n may_v discover_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n in_o all_o the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o yet_o this_o alone_a be_v a_o more_o uncertain_a way_n and_o liable_a to_o the_o abuse_n of_o heretic_n and_o impostor_n the_o socinian_o be_v a_o famous_a example_n what_o wit_n and_o criticism_n will_v do_v to_o pervert_v the_o plain_a text_n and_o some_o other_o sectary_n be_v as_o plain_v a_o demonstration_n what_o work_n dullness_n and_o stupidity_n and_o enthusiasm_n will_v make_v with_o scripture_n but_o when_o we_o have_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o a_o ancient_a and_o venerable_a summary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o have_v be_v the_o common_a faith_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n to_o be_v our_o rule_n in_o expound_v scripture_n though_o we_o may_v after_o all_o mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o some_o particular_a text_n yet_o we_o can_v be_v guilty_a of_o any_o great_a and_o dangerous_a mistake_n this_o use_n the_o church_n of_o england_n make_v of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n that_o she_o religious_o maintain_v the_o ancient_a catholic_n faith_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o man_n to_o expound_v scripture_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ancient_a faith_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o though_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n of_o understand_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n yet_o we_o can_v affirm_v this_o of_o any_o particular_a church_n or_o of_o the_o church_n of_o any_o particular_a age_n except_v the_o apostolic_a age_n or_o those_o age_n which_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n notwithstanding_o this_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n may_v be_v no_o good_a expositor_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o she_o usurp_v the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o presume_v herself_o to_o be_v the_o head_n and_o fountain_n of_o catholic_n unity_n yet_o she_o be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o church_n of_o

france_n and_o holland_n be_v and_o have_v no_o more_o right_a to_o impose_v her_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n upon_o other_o church_n than_o they_o have_v to_o impose_v upon_o she_o if_o there_o happen_v any_o controversy_n between_o they_o it_o be_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o either_o church_n can_v decide_v it_o but_o this_o must_v be_v do_v by_o a_o appeal_n to_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o it_o for_o when_o we_o say_v that_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n we_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o sovereign_n and_o absolute_a judge_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o those_o church_n which_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o receive_v the_o faith_n immediate_o from_o they_o and_o be_v afterward_o for_o some_o age_n govern_v by_o apostolical_a man_n or_o those_o who_o be_v teach_v by_o they_o and_o converse_v with_o they_o be_v the_o best_a witness_n what_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v and_o therefore_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o faith_n of_o these_o primitive_a church_n be_v they_o be_v the_o best_a guide_n for_o the_o expound_v scripture_n so_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n be_v only_o the_o authority_n of_o witness_n it_o can_v reach_v no_o far_o than_o those_o age_n which_o may_v reasonable_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v authentic_a and_o credible_a witness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o extend_v it_o to_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n it_o be_v as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v do_v it_o with_o any_o pretence_n of_o reason_n and_o thus_o far_o the_o church_n of_o england_n own_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o command_v her_o minister_n to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n own_a and_o profess_v in_o those_o day_n but_o as_o for_o the_o late_a age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v remove_v too_o far_o from_o the_o apostle_n day_n to_o be_v witness_n of_o their_o doctrine_n they_o have_v no_o more_o authority_n in_o this_o matter_n than_o we_o have_v at_o this_o day_n nor_o have_v one_o church_n any_o more_o authority_n than_o another_o 3._o and_o therefore_o if_o by_o the_o church_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v understand_v the_o judgement_n and_o sentence_n and_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n that_o we_o must_v seek_v no_o far_o for_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o faith_n than_o the_o insallible_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n this_o also_o be_v absolute_o false_a and_o absurd_a this_o be_v more_o than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n assume_v to_o themselves_o while_o they_o be_v on_o earth_n they_o be_v indeed_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n but_o yet_o they_o never_o bear_v down_o their_o hearer_n mere_o with_o their_o authority_n but_o expound_v the_o scripture_n and_o apply_v ancient_a prophecy_n to_o their_o event_n and_o take_v the_o veil_n off_o of_o moses_n face_n and_o show_v they_o the_o gospel-state_n conceal_v under_o those_o type_n and_o figure_n they_o confirm_v their_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n by_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n of_o their_o hearer_n whether_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o christ_n command_v the_o jew_n not_o mere_o to_o take_v his_o own_o word_n and_o to_o rely_v on_o his_o authority_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v but_o to_o study_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o the_o berean_o be_v commend_v for_o this_o generous_a temper_n of_o mind_n that_o they_o be_v more_o noble_a than_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n for_o they_o daily_o search_v the_o scripture_n to_o see_v whether_o the_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n preach_v be_v to_o be_v find_v there_o or_o not_o now_o i_o think_v no_o church_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v more_o infallible_a than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o certain_o ought_v not_o to_o assume_v more_o to_o themselves_o than_o they_o do_v and_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o any_o other_o church_n will_v convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n convince_v their_o hearer_n that_o be_v by_o enlighten_v our_o understanding_n and_o convince_a our_o judgement_n by_o proper_a argument_n we_o will_v glad_o learn_v of_o they_o this_o course_n the_o primitive_a christian_n take_v as_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n against_o jew_n and_o heretic_n they_o argue_v from_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o to_o prove_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v they_o appeal_v indeed_o sometime_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n not_o as_o a_o infallible_a judge_n of_o scripture_n but_o as_o the_o best_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n thus_o tertullian_n argue_v against_o heretic_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praescriptionibus_fw-la but_o when_o they_o reason_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n they_o never_o direct_v we_o to_o any_o infallible_a judge_n but_o use_v such_o argument_n as_o they_o think_v proper_a to_o convince_v gainsayers_a nay_o this_o be_v the_o way_n which_o be_v observe_v in_o all_o the_o ancient_a council_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n meet_v together_o for_o common_a counsel_n and_o advice_n and_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o authority_n they_o consider_v what_o be_v most_o for_o the_o public_a benefit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o determine_v they_o by_o their_o authority_n not_o as_o infallible_a judge_n but_o as_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o dispute_v of_o faith_n they_o reason_n from_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n not_o from_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o what_o upon_o a_o serious_a debate_n and_o inquiry_n they_o find_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o former_a age_n that_o they_o determine_v and_o decree_v to_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o church_n as_o the_o catholic_n faith_n that_o this_o be_v so_o be_v evident_a from_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o celebrate_v council_n which_o any_o man_n may_v consult_v who_o please_v now_o i_o will_v ask_v some_o few_o question_n about_o this_o matter_n 1._o whether_o these_o council_n take_v a_o sure_a and_o safe_a way_n to_o find_v out_o truth_n if_o they_o do_v not_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o they_o determine_v right_a if_o they_o do_v than_o we_o may_v use_v the_o same_o way_n which_o they_o do_v for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o good_a way_n in_o one_o age_n be_v so_o another_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n to_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n because_o we_o have_v other_o certain_a way_n of_o do_v this_o the_o same_o which_o all_o the_o ancient_a council_n observe_v 2._o i_o will_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o every_o christian_n to_o receive_v the_o decree_n and_o determination_n of_o these_o council_n upon_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o authority_n which_o move_v the_o father_n assemble_v in_o council_n to_o make_v these_o decree_n whether_o for_o instance_n we_o must_v not_o believe_v the_o eternal_a godhead_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o his_o father_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o which_o the_o nicene_n father_n believe_v this_o and_o require_v all_o christian_n to_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o must_v than_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n not_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o general_a council_n or_o any_o infallible_a judge_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o our_o faith_n for_o the_o nicene_n father_n who_o be_v the_o first_o that_o meet_v in_o a_o general_n council_n can_v not_o believe_v this_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o general_n council_n much_o less_o upon_o their_o own_o authority_n unless_o we_o will_v say_v that_o they_o first_o decree_v this_o than_o believe_v it_o because_o they_o themselves_o decree_v it_o if_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n antecedent_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o a_o general_n council_n or_o any_o other_o pretend_v infallible_a judge_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o our_o faith_n than_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o be_v the_o first_o general_a council_n have_v no_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o their_o faith_n for_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a bishop_n or_o