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book_n author_n find_v write_v 2,528 5 5.1457 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A45915 An Enquiry whether oral tradition or the sacred writings be the safest conservatory and conveyance of divine truths, down from their original delivery, through all succeeding ages in two parts. 1685 (1685) Wing I222A; ESTC R32365 93,637 258

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be_v great_a enough_o but_o can_v lay_v no_o obligation_n upon_o christian_n the_o result_n of_o the_o discourse_n forego_v concern_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v this_o 1._o see_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v never_o doubt_v of_o much_o less_o reject_v by_o all_o be_v so_o early_o receive_v by_o all_o 2_o see_v the_o jewish_a church_n never_o for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n admit_v more_o book_n into_o the_o canon_n than_o protestant_n do_v likewise_o that_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v from_o the_o beginning_n distinguish_v between_o the_o canonical_a and_o apocryphal_a book_n as_o have_v be_v the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a member_n of_o it_o in_o its_o several_a age_n forasmuch_o i_o say_v that_o so_o it_o be_v there_o can_v lie_v no_o rational_a objection_n against_o the_o sufficient_a care_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n or_o the_o church_n diligence_n in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n upon_o supposal_n of_o which_o it_o can_v just_o be_v pretend_v that_o christian_n must_v be_v uncertain_a about_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o scripture_n canon_n i_o may_v add_v that_o suppos●_n there_o be_v a_o much_o more_o considerable_a uncertainty_n concern_v the_o true_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n than_o there_o be_v yet_o there_o will_v be_v a_o fair_a salvo_n for_o the_o care_n of_o divine_a providence_n and_o for_o the_o security_n of_o christian_n necessary_a belief_n and_o practice_n for_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o if_o 1_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n at_o the_o first_o not_o general_o receive_v be_v still_o as_o controversible_a yet_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o any_o article_n of_o faith_n there_o be_v in_o the_o book_n never_o dispute_v of_o enough_o to_o establish_v it_o or_o 2_o be_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v altogether_o doubtful_a whether_o the_o book_n call_v apocryphal_a be_v not_o as_o true_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o those_o style_v canonical_a perhaps_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o doctrine_n which_o can_v be_v prove_v from_o those_o apocryphal_a book_n contrary_a to_o what_o we_o maintain_v against_o our_o adversary_n but_o this_o be_v supernumerary_n 229._o after_o the_o author_n have_v confute_v by_o several_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n the_o canonicalness_n of_o the_o book_n call_v apocryphal_a he_o add_v etsi_fw-la in_o hac_fw-la re_fw-la longè_fw-la superior_a est_fw-la causa_fw-la nostra_fw-la nullam_fw-la tamen_fw-la satis_fw-la gravem_fw-la causam_fw-la video_fw-la cur_n acriter_fw-la de_fw-la numero_fw-la canonicorum_fw-la librorum_fw-la cum_fw-la pontificiis_fw-la digladiemur_fw-la &_o apocryphos_fw-la quos_fw-la illi_fw-la in_o canonem_fw-la refer_v volunt_fw-la usque_fw-la adeò_fw-la aver_v semmr_n quasi_fw-la fides_n &_o religio_fw-la christiana_n propterea_fw-la vacillatura_fw-la sit_fw-la si_fw-la illi_fw-la in_o canonem_fw-la admittantur_fw-la eisi_fw-la enim_fw-la non_fw-la nego_fw-la esse_fw-la in_o iis_fw-la quaedam_fw-la quae_fw-la vel_fw-la contradictionem_fw-la vel_fw-la falsitatem_fw-la vel_fw-la absurditatem_fw-la manifestariam_fw-la prae_fw-la se_fw-la ferant_fw-la &_o difficulter_n aut_fw-la cum_fw-la iis_fw-la quos_fw-la canonicos_fw-la esse_fw-la utrinque_fw-la in_o confess_v est_fw-la conciliari_fw-la aut_fw-la cum_fw-la historiae_fw-la veritate_fw-la aut_fw-la cum_fw-la recta_fw-la ratione_fw-la in_o gratiam_fw-la reduci_fw-la possunt_fw-la tamen_fw-la non_fw-la modò_fw-la nulla_fw-la esse_fw-la in_fw-la it_o be_v credo_fw-la per_fw-la quae_fw-la dogmatis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la ad_fw-la salutem_fw-la necessarii_fw-la veritas_fw-la labefactari_fw-la possit_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o non_fw-la pauciora_fw-la esse_fw-la in_o iis_fw-la mihi_fw-la persuadeo_fw-la quae_fw-la convellendis_fw-la pontificiorum_fw-la erroribus_fw-la faciunt_fw-la quam_fw-la quae_fw-la iis_fw-la aut_fw-la fulciendis_fw-la aut_fw-la stabiliendis_fw-la servire_fw-la possunt_fw-la sim._n episcopii_n instit_fw-la theol._n p._n 227._o afterward_o speak_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n ancient_o question_v say_v he_o sive_fw-la admittantur_fw-la sive_fw-la non_fw-la admittantur_fw-la certissimum_fw-la nihilominus_fw-la manet_fw-la caeteris_fw-la qui_fw-la extra_fw-la controversiam_fw-la omnem_fw-la positi_fw-la sunt_fw-la abundè_fw-la satis_fw-la contineri_fw-la universam_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la &_o religionem_fw-la istam_fw-la quam_fw-la revelationem_fw-la tertiam_fw-la intelligit_fw-la religionem_fw-la christianam_fw-la esse_fw-la dicimus_fw-la nullus_fw-la enim_fw-la in_o istis_fw-la omnibus_fw-la controversiis_fw-la est_fw-la apiculus_fw-la qui_fw-la singular_a aliquid_fw-la habet_fw-la inse_v quoth_v in_o aliis_fw-la indubitatis_fw-la desideratur_fw-la imò_fw-la non_fw-la abundè_fw-la iis_fw-la continetur_fw-la ad_fw-la religionis_fw-la &_o doctrinae_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la tum_fw-la perfectionem_fw-la tum_fw-la integritatem_fw-la pertinens_fw-la idem_fw-la ibid._n pag._n 229._o and_o may_v be_v untrue_a without_o any_o prejudice_n to_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v in_o this_o section_n sect_n iii_o obj._n 3_o whereas_o i_o have_v say_v that_o the_o safe_a descent_n of_o divine_a truth_n be_v so_o great_o provide_v for_o because_o they_o be_v treasure_v up_o in_o the_o holy_a write_n it_o may_v be_v perhaps_o reply_v that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v not_o destitute_a of_o this_o 〈◊〉_d advantage_n also_o for_o one_o mean_n which_o bellarmine_n allege_v of_o the_o preservation_n of_o oral_a tradition_n be_v scriptura_fw-la write_v they_o in_o the_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o he_o say_v that_o 12._o that_o de_fw-fr verbo_fw-la dei_fw-la non_fw-la scripto_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 12._o a_o doctrine_n be_v call_v unwritten_a 2._o unwritten_a id●m_fw-la ibid_fw-la ch._n 2._o not_o because_o it_o be_v not_o where_o write_v 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of_o the_o understanding_n and_o any_o operose_fw-la discourse_n now_o where_o be_v the_o more_o easiness_n of_o know_v thing_n there_o be_v the_o less_o liableness_n to_o mistake_n and_o a_o less_o liableness_n to_o and_o therefore_o a_o less_o probability_n of_o mistake_n in_o other_o be_v one_o reason_n why_o caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la to_o give_v credit_n to_o their_o intelligence_n the_o more_o secure_o 2._o mankind_n be_v force_v to_o content_v themselves_o with_o information_n from_o testimony_n in_o multitude_n of_o thing_n which_o their_o curiosity_n or_o the_o exigency_n of_o their_o affair_n do_v engage_v they_o to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o and_o yet_o their_o own_o sense_n or_o reason_n can_v give_v no_o prospect_n of_o they_o those_o many_o who_o never_o cross_v nor_o see_v the_o sea_n must_v trust_v other_o relation_n that_o there_o be_v such_o place_n as_o paris_z rome_n constantinople_n both_o the_o indies_n where_o these_o place_n lie_v and_o what_o their_o 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which_o may_v be_v true_a enough_o in_o the_o first_o relation_n of_o they_o yet_o after_o they_o have_v travel_v through_o many_o mouth_n to_o be_v so_o much_o alter_v from_o what_o they_o be_v at_o the_o first_o that_o they_o look_v like_o one_o of_o ovid_n metamorphosis_n there_o be_v tradition_n from_o father_n which_o yet_o the_o posterity_n have_v not_o faith_n enough_o or_o more_o wisdom_n than_o to_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v find_v upon_o due_a consideration_n that_o as_o when_o a_o man_n hear_v other_o talk_v at_o a_o good_a distance_n from_o he_o only_o a_o noise_n and_o now_o and_o then_o a_o word_n or_o two_o come_v to_o his_o ear_n the_o articulation_n of_o the_o rest_n be_v lose_v by_o the_o way_n insomuch_o that_o little_a if_o any_o thing_n be_v understand_v of_o what_o be_v say_v so_o that_o from_o past_a and_o remote_a age_n there_o arrive_v down_o to_o we_o but_o mere_a general_n confuse_v and_o very_o short_a notice_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o credit_n of_o those_o 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person_n to_o inquire_v of_o the_o church-book_n how_o old_a they_o be_v book_n deserve_v care_n they_o be_v a_o relief_n of_o mortality_n in_o they_o the_o dead_a author_n do_v in_o some_o manner_n survive_v themselves_o and_o continue_v useful_a to_o the_o world_n after_o they_o have_v leave_v it_o yet_o what_o a_o multitude_n of_o these_o have_v tradition_n suffer_v to_o perish_v to_o be_v bury_v as_o well_o as_o their_o author_n nothing_o to_o be_v leave_v of_o they_o except_o as_o a_o epitaph_n the_o title_n of_o they_o of_o many_o there_o remain_v no_o more_o than_o some_o fragmenta_fw-la some_o scatter_a limb_n as_o it_o be_v of_o a_o mangle_a body_n several_a book_n be_v father_v upon_o certain_a author_n of_o who_o they_o have_v it_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o name_n divers_a be_v more_o or_o less_o corrupt_v some_o so_o much_o deprave_v ut_fw-la samnium_fw-la in_o ipso_fw-la samnio_fw-la quaeratur_fw-la that_o the_o book_n may_v be_v search_v for_o in_o the_o very_a 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these_o passage_n so_o plain_o prove_v their_o so_o superlative_a esteem_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v infer_v their_o most_o exact_a diligence_n and_o watchfulness_n for_o their_o conservation_n and_o safety_n and_o this_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n in_o this_o section_n but_o withal_o too_o i_o have_v gain_v a_o argument_n for_o my_o main_a design_n viz._n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n forasmuch_o as_o between_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o safe_a conveyance_n of_o divine_a truth_n throughout_o all_o age_n and_o scripture_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n there_o be_v so_o necessary_a a_o connexion_n and_o because_o the_o romanist_n likewise_o allege_v the_o father_n to_o give_v countenance_n to_o oral_a tradition_n therefore_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n in_o our_o case_n shall_v be_v far_o consider_v of_o and_o 1._o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o any_o ingenious_a reader_n of_o they_o whether_o the_o passage_n which_o the_o romanist_n cite_v out_o of_o the_o father_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o tradition_n and_o seem_o the_o most_o diminutive_a of_o scripture_n do_v in_o any_o measure_n come_v near_o to_o such_o a_o course_n character_n of_o it_o as_o that_o it_o be_v a_o black_a gospel_n a_o ink_n theology_n 194._o theology_n sure_o foot_v p._n 194._o dead_a character_n waxen-natured_a and_o pliable_a to_o the_o daedalean_a fancy_n of_o the_o ingenious_a moulder_n of_o new_a opinion_n if_o man_n thought_n may_v be_v judge_v of_o by_o their_o word_n sure_o the_o father_n and_o romanist_n sentiment_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o divers_a 2_o see_v there_o be_v a_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o the_o father_n to_o themselves_o because_o they_o be_v urge_v by_o both_o the_o disagree_a party_n it_o will_v be_v fit_v to_o inquire_v whether_o there_o may_v not_o be_v a_o reconciliation_n of_o they_o to_o each_o other_o and_o of_o some_o of_o they_o to_o themselves_o for_o this_o end_n i_o suppose_v a_o good_a mean_n will_v be_v 1._o see_v the_o father_n sometime_o speak_v of_o scripture_n without_o mention_n of_o tradion_n at_o other_o time_n speak_v of_o tradition_n not_o mention_v scripture_n to_o examine_v how_o they_o deliver_v their_o sense_n when_o they_o express_v themselves_o of_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n joint_o and_o comparative_o of_o one_o with_o the_o other_o 2_o to_o see_v whether_o their_o appear_o most_o favourable_a expression_n of_o tradition_n may_v not_o be_v very_o well_o construe_v in_o a_o subordination_n of_o tradition_n to_o scripture_n very_o consistent_o with_o scripture_n precedence_n to_o it_o 1._o of_o the_o father_n speak_v of_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n conjoint_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o pompey_n be_v press_v with_o tradition_n he_o answer_v whence_o be_v this_o tradition_n descend_v it_o from_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o gospel_n authority_n or_o come_v it_o from_o the_o command_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o epistle_n god_n declare_v that_o those_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v which_o be_v write_v say_v to_o joshua_n the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o thy_o mou●h_n but_o thou_o shall_v meditate_v in_o it_o day_n and_o night_n that_o thou_o may_v observe_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n write_v in_o it_o likewise_o our_o lord_n send_v his_o apostle_n command_v all_o nation_n to_o be_v baptise_a and_o to_o be_v teach_v that_o they_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o he_o have_v command_v what_o obstinacy_n what_o presumption_n be_v it_o to_o prefer_v humane_a tradition_n to_o the_o divine_a dispose_n or_o command_n and_o not_o to_o consider_v that_o god_n be_v angry_a and_o in_o wrath_n when_o humane_a tradition_n disregard_v and_o dissolve_v divine_a command_n as_o god_n warn_v and_o speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n etc._n etc._n and_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o epistle_n and_o this_o it_o behoove_v god_n priest_n to_o do_v at_o this_o time_n keep_v the_o divine_a command_n that_o if_o truth_n have_v decline_v and_o fail_v in_o any_o respect_n we_o go_v back_o to_o the_o source_n of_o the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o let_v the_o manner_n of_o our_o act_n take_v their_o rise_n thence_o whence_o their_o order_n and_o origin_n rise_v the_o preference_n of_o scripture_n to_o tradition_n by_o this_o ancient_a father_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a that_o it_o be_v reply_v st._n cyprian_n testimony_n be_v write_v by_o he_o to_o defend_v a_o error_n and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o as_o bellarmine_n say_v more_o errantium_fw-la ratiocinetur_fw-la he_o discourse_v after_o the_o rate_n of_o those_o that_o err_v that_o be_v assume_v false_a ground_n to_o build_v his_o error_n on_o letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 124._o but_o this_o be_v a_o mean_a evasion_n for_o though_o cyprian_n be_v indeed_o in_o a_o error_n and_o do_v mistake_v in_o his_o discourse_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v affirm_v with_o probability_n or_o charity_n to_o such_o a_o saint_n and_o martyr_n that_o to_o gratify_v a_o private_a opinion_n he_o will_v affront_v so_o sacred_a and_o catholic_n a_o principle_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o degrade_v tradition_n from_o be_v such_o if_o he_o have_v indeed_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v so_o yet_o if_o this_o shall_v be_v grant_v to_o our_o adversary_n the_o consequence_n will_v be_v their_o inconvenience_n for_o why_o may_v not_o more_o do_v the_o same_o which_o st._n cyprian_n do_v and_o if_o some_o father_n might_n desert_n tradition_n and_o fly_v to_o scripture_n mere_o to_o serve_v a_o turn_n for_o defence_n of_o a_o opinion_n which_o they_o can_v not_o maintain_v otherwise_o why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v as_o well_o say_v that_o other_o father_n may_v balk_v scripture_n and_o advance_v tradition_n and_o for_o the_o same_o end_n viz._n to_o support_v some_o doctrine_n or_o doctrine_n which_o else_o must_v have_v fall_v and_o upon_o this_o it_o will_v follow_v beside_o the_o imputation_n of_o inconstancy_n and_o shift_v to_o the_o father_n that_o we_o must_v be_v at_o much_o uncertainty_n what_o true_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o father_n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o quotation_n out_o of_o they_o must_v in_o a_o great_a part_n be_v insignificant_a for_o this_o purpose_n st._n basil_n in_o his_o tract_n call_v question_n compendious_o unfold_v or_o answer_v say_v it_o be_v necessary_a and_o consonant_a to_o reason_n that_o every_o man_n learn_v that_o which_o be_v needful_a out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n both_o for_o the_o fullness_n of_o godliness_n and_o lest_o they_o accustom_v themselves_o to_o humane_a tradition_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o 13._o by_o de_fw-fr amissi_fw-la gratiae_fw-la l._n 1._o c._n 13._o bellarmine_n that_o this_o author_n admit_v not_o tradition_n unwritten_a but_o then_o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o certain_o manifest_a whether_o these_o question_n be_v the_o great_a basil_n or_o rather_o eustathius_n of_o sebastia_n yet_o the_o same_o 8._o same_o de_fw-fr paenit_fw-la l._n 3._o c._n 8._o bellarmine_n confident_o quote_v they_o as_o st._n basils_n for_o auricular_a confession_n so_o that_o it_o may_v seem_v that_o the_o question_n be_v before_o scruple_v at_o only_o because_o they_o speak_v in_o behalf_n of_o scripture_n against_o tradition_n and_o against_o venial_a sin_n which_o be_v manifest_a partiality_n but_o i_o shall_v bring_v a_o testimony_n of_o st._n basil_n which_o bellarmine_n himself_o will_v own_v to_o be_v st._n basils_n who_o in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n thus_o discourse_n 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 this_o be_v a_o manifest_a prelation_n of_o what_o be_v write_v i._n e._n holy_a scripture_n to_o what_o be_v unwritten_a i._n e._n tradition_n which_o bellarm._n call_v the_o unwritten_a word_n of_o god_n in_o the_o title_n to_o his_o 4_o book_n de_fw-fr verbo_fw-la dei_fw-la when_o st._n 14._o st._n quid_fw-la inquam_fw-la omousion_n nisi_fw-la ego_fw-la &_o pater_fw-la unum_fw-la sumus_fw-la sed_fw-la nunc_fw-la nec_fw-la ego_fw-la nicaenam_fw-la synodum_fw-la tibi_fw-la nec_fw-la tu_fw-la arimineusem_n mihi_fw-la debes_fw-la t●nquam_fw-la praejudicaturus_fw-la cbiitere_fw-la scripturarum_fw-la authoritatibus_fw-la res_fw-la cum_fw-la re_fw-la causa_fw-la cum_fw-la causâ_fw-la ratio_fw-la cum_fw-la ratione_fw-la concertet_fw-la contra_fw-la maxt_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 14._o august_n be_v willing_a to_o wave_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a to_o maximinus_n and_o to_o retire_v to_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o catholic_n cause_n by_o scripture_n certain_o that_o great_a person_n judge_v scripture_n without_o tradion_n to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o
the_o least_o as_o to_o privilege_v oral_a tradition_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o 1._o be_v their_o writing_n the_o conservatory_n of_o tradition_n write_v by_o person_n move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o not_o if_o not_o and_o i_o suppose_v our_o adversary_n will_v not_o affirm_v they_o be_v then_o these_o writing_n have_v a_o great_a disadvantage_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o we_o profess_v to_o be_v the_o canon_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o great_a a_o disadvantage_n as_o must_v be_v between_o book_n write_v by_o they_o who_o can_v not_o err_v and_o those_o write_v by_o they_o who_o may_v err_v from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o one_o must_v be_v true_a that_o the_o content_n of_o the_o other_o may_v be_v true_a yet_o too_o they_o may_v be_v false_a there_o may_v be_v that_o report_v in_o they_o as_o deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o deliver_v by_o they_o but_o 2._o be_v there_o ecclesiastical_a monument_n of_o unquestionable_a credit_n and_o which_o do_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n through_o each_o age_n exacty_n and_o full_o declare_v to_o we_o the_o consentient_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n it_o will_v be_v very_o material_a and_o we_o shall_v much_o rejoice_v in_o it_o but_o the_o case_n be_v otherwise_o for_o some_o while_n there_o be_v very_o few_o if_o any_o writing_n save_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o come_v to_o our_o hand_n justin_n martyr_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o first_o father_n christ_n about_o 150_o year_n after_o christ_n who_o work_n have_v survive_v to_o this_o day_n there_o be_v some_o book_n which_o pretend_v to_o a_o early_a date_n which_o yet_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v supposititious_a some_o of_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o romanist_n themselves_o other_o prove_v to_o be_v such_o by_o the_o daille_n the_o cook_n in_o censu_fw-la â_fw-la quorundum_fw-la scriptorum_fw-la d._n james_n bastardy_n of_o false_a father_n daille_n protestant_n for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n as_o there_o be_v no_o complete_a ecclesiastical_a history_n so_o the_o father_n now_o extant_a be_v but_o few_o and_o their_o work_n too_o be_v calculate_v for_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v reach_v not_o the_o controversy_n which_o for_o many_o year_n past_a and_o at_o this_o day_n exercise_n and_o trouble_n christendom_n this_o paucity_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o first_o age_n 42._o age_n id_fw-la autem_fw-la esse_fw-la tempus_fw-la quo_fw-la quatuor_fw-la prima_fw-la concilia_fw-la oecumenica_fw-la includantur_fw-la a_o constantino_n imp._n ad_fw-la marcianum_n atque_fw-la hoc_fw-la vel_fw-la propterea_fw-la aequissimum_fw-la esse_fw-la quia_fw-la primorum_fw-la seculorum_fw-la paucissima_fw-la extant_a monumenta_fw-la illius_fw-la vero_fw-la temporis_fw-la quo_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la praecipuè_fw-la florebat_fw-la long_o plurima_fw-la ut_fw-la facile_fw-la ex_fw-la ejus_fw-la aetatis_fw-la patribus_fw-la &_o eorum_fw-la scriptis_fw-la fides_fw-la ac_fw-la disciplina_fw-la veteris_fw-la catholicoe_n possit_fw-la agnosci_fw-la ita_fw-la perron_n sequitur_fw-la responsio_fw-la regis_fw-la hoc_fw-la postulatum_fw-la parùm_fw-la illis_fw-la aequum_fw-la videbitur_fw-la etc._n etc._n apud_fw-la be_v casaubonum_fw-la in_o responsione_n ad_fw-la cardinalis_fw-la perronii_n epistolam_fw-la pag._n 38_o 39_o 40_o 41_o 42._o card._n perron_n acknowledge_v and_o do_v imply_v their_o insufficiency_n for_o settle_v catholic_n faith_n when_o as_o he_o will_v have_v recourse_n make_v for_o this_o purpose_n unto_o the_o four_o and_o 5_o century_n because_o then_o there_o be_v most_o writer_n though_o against_o this_o the_o learned_a be_v casaubon_n except_v and_o just_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o must_v be_v presume_v that_o the_o stream_n of_o tradition_n run_v pure_a near_a to_o its_o fountain_n the_o father_n after_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n do_v often_o mix_v their_o own_o private_a sentiment_n with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o do_v the_o father_n express_v themselves_o so_o as_o that_o we_o may_v clear_o distinguish_v when_o they_o write_v as_o doctor_n and_o when_o as_o witness_n when_o they_o deliver_v their_o own_o private_a sense_n and_o when_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o of_o the_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o the_o church_n universal_a or_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n some_o who_o have_v diligent_o peruse_v their_o write_n judge_v it_o not_o easy_a to_o find_v any_o such_o constant_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v confess_v by_o 13._o by_o rushworth_n dial_n 3d._n sect._n 13._o a_o romanist_n that_o the_o father_n speak_v sometime_o as_o witness_n of_o what_o the_o church_n hold_v in_o their_o day_n and_o sometime_o as_o doctor_n and_o so_o it_o be_v often_o hard_a to_o distinguish_v how_o they_o deliver_v their_o opinion_n because_o sometime_o they_o press_v scripture_n or_o reason_n as_o doctor_n and_o sometime_o to_o confirm_v a_o know_a truth_n so_o that_o he_o who_o seek_v tradition_n in_o the_o father_n and_o to_o convince_v it_o by_o their_o testimony_n take_v a_o hard_a task_n upon_o he_o if_o he_o go_v rigorous_o to_o work_v and_o have_v a_o cunning_a critic_n to_o his_o adversary_n so_o then_o tradition_n must_v in_o a_o good_a measure_n be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o succour_n from_o the_o father_n write_n i_o conclude_v then_o that_o book_n write_n have_v not_o give_v such_o advantage_n to_o oral_a tradition_n as_o to_o render_v it_o the_o safe_a and_o most_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o divine_a truth_n but_o this_o dignity_n and_o trust_n be_v due_a to_o holy_a scripture_n only_o which_o have_v be_v at_o the_o first_o pen_v by_o person_n assist_v by_o the_o divine_a infallible_a spirit_n be_v stamp_v with_o a_o authority_n transcendent_a to_o all_o humane_a authority_n oral_n or_o write_a which_o have_v be_v witness_v to_o by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n in_o each_o intermediate_v age_n since_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n general_o agree_v upon_o as_o the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n by_o christian_n though_o in_o other_o thing_n it_o may_v be_v some_o of_o their_o head_n may_v stand_v as_o opposite_o as_o those_o of_o sampson_n fox_n sect_n iv_o there_o remain_v a_o cavil_v or_o two_o rather_o than_o objection_n which_o shall_v have_v a_o dispatch_v also_o 1._o we_o be_v tell_v that_o by_o desertion_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o adherence_n to_o scripture_n we_o do_v cast_v ourselves_o upon_o a_o remediless_a ignorance_n even_o of_o scripture_n 117._o scripture_n sure_o foot_v p._n 117._o tradition_n establish_v the_o church_n be_v provide_v of_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a rule_n to_o interpret_v scripture_n letter_n by_o so_o as_o to_o arrive_v certain_o at_o christ_n sense_n etc._n etc._n and_o e_fw-la contrà_fw-la 98._o contrà_fw-la ibid._n p._n 98._o without_o tradition_n both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v uncertain_a and_o subject_a to_o dispute_v again_o 38._o again_o ibid._n p._n 38._o as_o for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n signisicancy_n nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o this_o be_v quite_o lose_v to_o all_o in_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o letter_n 2_o it_o be_v suggest_v that_o the_o course_n we_o take_v be_v a_o enemy_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n 40._o peace_n ibid._n p._n 40._o the_o many_o sect_n into_o which_o our_o miserable_a country_n be_v distract_v issue_n from_o this_o principle_n viz._n the_o make_v scripture_n letter_n the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n by_o these_o passage_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o author_n will_v have_v it_o that_o protestant_n have_v nothing_o but_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n dead_a character_n to_o live_v upon_o and_o that_o upon_o this_o he_o charge_v their_o utter_a uncertainty_n in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o their_o distraction_n answ_n but_o protestant_n when_o they_o affirm_v that_o scripture_n be_v the_o safe_a and_o most_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o divine_a truth_n and_o that_o consequent_o it_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n do_v mean_a scripture_n letter_n and_o sense_n both_o or_o the_o sense_n notify_v by_o the_o word_n and_o letter_n and_o therefore_o the_o author_n may_v have_v spare_v his_o proof_n of_o this_o conclusion_n i._n e._n that_o scripture_n letter_n want_v all_o the_o property_n belong_v to_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v needless_a i_o say_v to_o prove_v this_o to_o protestant_n well_o but_o let_v protestant_n mean_v and_o affirm_v what_o they_o will_v have_v only_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o not_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o because_o they_o admit_v not_o of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o sense_n it_o scripture_n it_o seem_v be_v such_o a_o riddle_n that_o there_o be_v no_o understanding_n it_o except_o we_o plough_v with_o their_o heifer_n and_o likewise_o without_o tradition_n cement_n we_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o piece_n and_o at_o variance_n among_o ourselves_o but_o 1._o
as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n sense_n be_v scripture_n in_o earnest_n so_o utter_o obscure_a will_v their_o author_n say_v so_o of_o the_o history_n of_o livy_n or_o tacitus_n or_o of_o the_o philosophical_a write_n of_o plato_n and_o aristotle_n or_o of_o euclid_n element_n can_v not_o god_n speak_v clear_o and_o intelligible_o to_o man_n as_o man_n have_v do_v and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a consequence_n to_o they_o or_o will_v he_o not_o do_v so_o the_o assertion_n of_o the_o one_o will_v impeach_v his_o wisdom_n of_o the_o other_o his_o mercy_n and_o kindness_n to_o soul_n and_o if_o scripture_n leave_v we_o so_o quite_o in_o the_o dark_a why_o do_v they_o call_v themselves_o a_o light_n a_o lamp_n say_v 8._o ps_n 119_o 105.13●_n ps_n 19.7_o 8._o that_o they_o enlighten_v the_o eye_n and_o make_v wise_a the_o simple_a be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o gospel_n act_n and_o epistle_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o respective_a time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v in_o themselves_o unintelligible_a by_o they_o to_o who_o and_o for_o who_o soul_n health_n they_o be_v write_v if_o they_o be_v so_o than_o they_o be_v useless_a and_o vain_a and_o oral_a tradition_n can_v not_o expound_v they_o which_o be_v not_o in_o be_v when_o those_o book_n be_v first_o write_v for_o that_o deal_v with_o the_o age_n follow_v the_o first_o convey_v what_o be_v at_o the_o first_o deliver_v unto_o posterity_n do_v god_n then_o write_v only_o to_o amaze_v his_o church_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thing_n hard_o to_o be_v understand_v which_o it_o may_v please_v god_n shall_v be_v partly_o to_o win_v the_o great_a veneration_n to_o the_o scripture_n for_o what_o be_v obvious_a and_o present_o see_v through_o be_v in_o the_o more_o danger_n of_o contempt_n partly_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o christian_n industry_n humility_n and_o charity_n towards_o each_o other_o on_o occasion_n of_o dissent_n but_o howsoever_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o lock_v up_o but_o that_o a_o comp●tent_a diligence_n and_o a_o beraean_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o readiness_n of_o mind_n may_v be_v a_o key_n to_o they_o may_v open_v they_o in_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o if_o in_o other_o thing_n we_o remain_v ignorant_a or_o not_o so_o certain_a we_o may_v well_o bear_v with_o it_o while_o we_o be_v yet_o but_o in_o viâ_fw-la and_o not_o comprehensores_fw-la on_o our_o way_n unto_o but_o have_v not_o yet_o reach_v perfection_n that_o which_o make_v the_o noise_n of_o scriptur_n obscurity_n the_o more_o loud_a be_v that_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o look_v upon_o the_o many_o subtlety_n of_o the_o school_n and_o nicety_n of_o polemic_a writer_n as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o man_n have_v more_o mind_n to_o fathom_n depth_n and_o to_o humour_v their_o curiosity_n for_o which_o end_n i_o believe_v the_o scripture_n be_v not_o intend_v and_o hence_o be_v ever_o rack_a the_o scripture_n and_o vex_v the_o sacred_a text_n than_o to_o exercise_v themselves_o in_o a_o sober_a understanding_n of_o what_o be_v sufficient_o plain_a and_o in_o a_o conscientious_a practice_n of_o the_o holy_a rule_n of_o life_n which_o be_v evident_a enough_o if_o christian_n will_v more_o serious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o these_o two_o thing_n they_o will_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n employment_n enough_o and_o they_o will_v be_v more_o content_v with_o their_o difficulty_n the_o romanist_n have_v raise_v a_o cry_n of_o scriptur_n darkness_n upon_o another_o account_n and_o out_o of_o policy_n for_o have_v embrace_v several_a tenant_n and_o practice_n which_o scripture_n do_v condemn_v or_o not_o countenance_n either_o it_o be_v whole_o silent_a of_o they_o or_o they_o be_v but_o mere_a appearance_n there_o which_o be_v snatch_v at_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o grandeur_n or_o profit_n or_o the_o affect_a reputation_n of_o a_o infallibility_n to_o part_v with_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o press_v tradition_n to_o serve_v in_o their_o war_n and_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o they_o thus_o they_o have_v first_o make_v a_o necessity_n and_o then_o have_v invent_v a_o remedy_n for_o it_o but_o when_o all_o be_v do_v the_o remedy_n be_v more_o imaginary_a than_o real_a for_o how_o unsure_a a_o conveyance_n and_o consequent_o how_o weak_a a_o proof_n oral_a tradition_n be_v in_o matter_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o practice_n have_v be_v already_o evict_v so_o that_o if_o we_o must_v be_v ignorant_a of_o scripture_n sense_n unless_o oral_a tradition_n bless_v we_o with_o the_o exposition_n of_o it_o and_o scripture_n no_o far_o a_o light_n than_o it_o be_v tind_v at_o tradition_n candle_n we_o must_v sit_v still_o in_o much_o ignorance_n or_o wander_v in_o great_a uncertainty_n for_o that_o can_v relieve_v we_o it_o be_v not_o that_o infallible_a commentator_n it_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v 2._o to_o the_o upbraid_v we_o with_o our_o distraction_n i_o reply_v 1._o before_o the_o charge_n can_v be_v make_v good_a that_o the_o choice_n of_o scripture_n for_o our_o canon_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o many_o difference_n and_o that_o upon_o that_o pretence_n we_o shall_v exchange_v scripture_n for_o oral_a tradition_n it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v a_o sure_a and_o infallible_a clew_n to_o guide_v we_o out_o of_o the_o labyrinth_n of_o error_n into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n the_o contrary_a to_o which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v for_o otherwise_o to_o leave_v scripture_n and_o to_o follow_v tradition_n will_v be_v to_o relinquish_v a_o guide_n or_o rule_n which_o be_v indict_v by_o a_o unerring_a spirit_n can_v mislead_v we_o and_o to_o choose_v one_o which_o may_v and_o will_v carry_v we_o out_o of_o the_o way_n nor_o will_v the_o pretence_n of_o unity_n make_v amends_o for_o this_o for_o true_a christian_a peace_n can_v be_v otherwhere_o bottom_v than_o on_o truth_n when_o and_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v a_o cement_n of_o man_n to_o the_o disservice_n of_o truth_n it_o commence_v faction_n nor_o reason_n nor_o religion_n allow_v much_o less_o commend_v a_o agreement_n of_o person_n to_o err_v together_o 2._o they_o who_o have_v the_o most_o amorous_o espouse_v tradition_n have_v also_o their_o many_o and_o great_a difference_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o only_o through_o fear_n in_o some_o and_o policy_n in_o the_o rest_n they_o be_v hush_v up_o more_o than_o among_o we_o and_o so_o do_v better_o escape_v the_o observation_n and_o talk_n of_o the_o world_n nay_o that_o church_n may_v be_v just_o arraign_v as_o the_o guilty_a cause_n of_o that_o which_o they_o call_v a_o great_a schism_n viz._n the_o separation_n of_o so_o many_o church_n from_o they_o the_o church_n call_v protestant_n by_o their_o imposition_n of_o unlawful_a and_o therefore_o impossible_a term_n of_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nilus_n tell_v the_o world_n that_o their_o imperiousness_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a schism_n between_o the_o greek_a and_o the_o latin_a church_n 22._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pag._n 21._o 22._o thus_o as_o the_o church_n of_o traditioner_n have_v no_o few_o dissension_n among_o themselves_o so_o they_o have_v give_v a_o beginning_n and_o continuance_n to_o the_o quarrel_n between_o they_o and_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o christendom_n 3._o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o fetch_v our_o distraction_n from_o the_o rejection_n of_o oral_a tradition_n there_o be_v be_v other_o true_a manifest_a cause_n of_o they_o assignable_a our_o church_n once_o flourish_v with_o peace_n and_o that_o without_o the_o aid_n of_o a_o oral_a tradition_n while_o the_o reverend_a bishop_n be_v suffer_v to_o govern_v it_o and_o the_o royal_a be_v able_a to_o countenance_v the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n but_o when_o the_o pious_a king_n and_o bless_a martyr_n be_v engage_v in_o and_o divert_v by_o the_o turmoil_n of_o a_o civil_a war_n when_o episcopacy_n be_v change_v for_o anarchy_n when_o the_o golden_a reins_o of_o government_n in_o church_n and_o state_n be_v break_v then_o begin_v and_o increase_v our_o division_n and_o calamity_n unto_o which_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v some_o assist_a cause_n from_o without_o some_o who_o help_v to_o kindle_v and_o to_o blow_v our_o fire_n and_o if_o the_o roman_a church_n shall_v chance_v into_o the_o like_a afflict_a state_n with_o we_o it_o will_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o like_a confusion_n if_o the_o mitre_n shall_v be_v forsake_v by_o the_o secular_a crown_a head_n and_o a_o mutinying_a multitude_n shall_v pull_v their_o holy_a father_n out_o of_o his_o infallible_a chair_n then_o it_o be_v not_o altogether_o improbable_a but_o that_o child_n will_v less_o heauken_v