in_o these_o thing_n they_o have_v forsake_v tradition_n so_o in_o other_o case_n they_o have_v pervert_v and_o abuse_v they_o turn_v they_o into_o quite_o another_o thing_n as_o appear_v to_o all_o that_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o ancient_a learning_n in_o the_o business_n of_o purgatory_n which_o none_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n so_o much_o as_o dream_v to_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o they_o have_v now_o devise_v but_o only_o assert_v a_o purgatory_n fire_n through_o which_o all_o both_o good_a and_o bad_a even_o the_o bless_a virgin_n herself_o must_v pass_v at_o the_o great_a and_o dreadful_a day_n of_o judgement_n this_o be_v the_o old_a tradition_n as_o we_o may_v call_v it_o which_o be_v among_o christian_n which_o they_o have_v change_v into_o such_o a_o tradition_n as_o be_v among_o the_o pagan_n 6._o but_o it_o be_v time_n to_o have_v do_v with_o this_o else_o i_o shall_v have_v insist_v upon_o this_o a_o while_n which_o i_o touch_v before_o and_o be_v of_o 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such_o as_o add_v or_o take_v away_o the_o very_a same_o answer_n shall_v our_o people_n make_v to_o those_o that_o will_v have_v they_o receive_v any_o thing_n as_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v not_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o this_o true_o apostolical_a church_n wherein_o we_o live_v if_o it_o be_v write_v let_v we_o see_v it_o if_o it_o be_v not_o take_v heed_n how_o you_o add_v to_o the_o undoubted_a word_n of_o god_n we_o receive_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a to_o salvation_n so_o they_o themselves_o tell_v we_o and_o so_o run_v the_o true_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n which_o you_o of_o the_o romish_a persuasion_n have_v forsake_v but_o we_o adhere_v unto_o 3._o and_o we_o have_v this_o far_a reason_n so_o to_o do_v because_o if_o part_n of_o god_n word_n have_v be_v write_v and_o part_v unwritten_a we_o can_v but_o believe_v there_o will_v have_v be_v some_o care_n take_v in_o the_o write_a word_n not_o only_o to_o let_v we_o 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uncertain_a this_o be_v observe_v by_o hegesippus_n himself_o in_o eusebius_n l._n iii_o c._n 32._o that_o the_o church_n remain_v a_o chaste_a virgin_n and_o the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n till_o the_o sacred_a choir_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o next_o generation_n of_o they_o who_o have_v have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v their_o auditor_n be_v extinct_a and_o then_o there_o begin_v a_o plain_a conspiracy_n of_o impious_a atheistical_a error_n by_o the_o fraud_n of_o teacher_n who_o deliver_v other_o doctrine_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n saint_n paul_n fear_v even_o in_o his_o own_o life-time_n about_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 2_o cor._n xi_o 3._o lest_o the_o devil_n like_o a_o wily_a serpent_n shall_v beguile_v they_o and_o corrupt_v their_o mind_n from_o the_o original_a simplicity_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n wherein_o they_o be_v first_o instruct_v and_o if_o it_o be_v attempt_v then_o it_o be_v less_o difficult_a and_o therefore_o more_o endeavour_v afterward_o as_o 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of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v because_o we_o can_v find_v any_o truth_n so_o deliver_v to_o we_o as_o those_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o come_v to_o we_o with_o as_o full_a a_o testimony_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v of_o their_o divine_a original_a but_o so_o do_v none_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v now_o obtrude_v on_o we_o by_o the_o romish_a church_n under_o the_o name_n of_o tradition_n or_o unwritten_a word_n of_o god_n for_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v the_o very_a first_o copies_n and_o authentic_a write_n of_o those_o book_n call_v the_o new_a testament_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n own_o hand_n to_o they_o and_o those_o book_n confirm_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o they_o be_v both_o
to_o weigh_v so_o much_o with_o we_o as_o to_o have_v the_o great_a humane_a authority_n and_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o little_o less_o than_o divine_a the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o next_o generation_n be_v a_o authority_n approach_v as_o near_o to_o the_o former_a as_o the_o age_n do_v one_o to_o another_o but_o what_o be_v deliver_v in_o latter_a time_n have_v less_o humane_a authority_n though_o pretend_v to_o come_v but_o without_o proof_n from_o more_o early_a day_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n at_o all_o if_o it_o contradict_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v better_o acquaint_v with_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o his_o apostle_n as_o for_o particular_a church_n their_o authority_n ought_v to_o be_v reverence_v by_o every_o member_n of_o they_o when_o they_o profess_v to_o deliver_v sincere_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o when_o they_o determine_v as_o they_o have_v power_n to_o do_v controversy_n of_o faith_n or_o decree_v rite_n and_o ceremony_n not_o contrary_a to_o god_n word_n in_o which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o acquiesce_v but_o we_o can_v say_v the_o same_o of_o that_o which_o come_v from_o any_o private_a doctor_n in_o the_o church_n modern_a or_o ancient_a which_o can_v have_v no_o great_a authority_n than_o he_o himself_o be_v of_o but_o be_v more_o or_o less_o credible_a according_a as_o he_o be_v more_o or_o less_o diligent_a know_v and_o strict_o religious_a 4._o but_o to_o all_o this_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o do_v sufficient_o appear_v that_o such_o doctrine_n do_v real_o come_v from_o those_o author_n who_o tradition_n they_o pretend_v to_o be_v this_o be_v the_o great_a and_o the_o only_a thing_n about_o which_o there_o be_v any_o question_n among_o sober_a and_o judicious_a person_n how_o to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o deliver_v unto_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n do_v certain_o come_v for_o instance_n from_o christ_n or_o his_o holy_a apostle_n for_o in_o this_o all_o christian_n be_v agree_v that_o whatsoever_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n from_o god_n the_o father_n or_o by_o the_o apostle_n from_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v embrace_v and_o firm_o retain_v whether_o it_o be_v write_v or_o not_o write_v that_o make_v no_o difference_n at_o all_o if_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a it_o come_v from_o he_o or_o they_o for_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v not_o its_o authority_n because_o it_o be_v write_v but_o because_o it_o come_v from_o god_n if_o christ_n say_v a_o thing_n it_o be_v enough_o we_o ought_v to_o submit_v unto_o it_o but_o we_o must_v first_o know_v that_o he_o say_v it_o and_o let_v the_o mean_n of_o know_v it_o be_v what_o they_o will_v if_o we_o can_v certain_o know_v he_o say_v it_o we_o yield_v to_o it_o but_o how_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o his_o be_v in_o the_o world_n that_o any_o thing_n now_o pretend_v to_o it_o be_v say_v by_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o record_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v the_o business_n and_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o importance_n that_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v any_o man_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v without_o very_o good_a evidence_n of_o it_o but_o he_o may_v very_o reasonable_o question_v whether_o many_o thing_n be_v not_o false_o ascribe_v unto_o he_o and_o unto_o his_o apostle_n which_o never_o come_v from_o they_o nay_o whether_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v not_o of_o some_o late_a original_a and_o of_o some_o particular_a church_n or_o private_a doctor_n in_o the_o church_n unto_o who_o authority_n that_o reverence_n be_v not_o due_a which_o ought_v to_o be_v pay_v and_o which_o we_o willing_o give_v unto_o the_o former_a now_o according_a to_o this_o state_n of_o the_o matter_n any_o good_a christian_n among_o we_o who_o be_v 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we_o own_o and_o hearty_o receive_v and_o than_o what_o tradition_n we_o can_v own_v but_o with_o good_a reason_n refuse_v these_o shall_v be_v the_o two_o part_n of_o this_o short_a treatise_n wherein_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v that_o our_o people_n may_v be_v instruct_v not_o mere_o to_o reject_v error_n but_o also_o to_o affirm_v the_o truth_n part_n i._n what_o tradition_n we_o receive_v i._o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n we_o acknowledge_v that_o what_o be_v now_o holy_a scripture_n be_v once_o only_a tradition_n proper_o so_o call_v that_o be_v doctrine_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n in_o this_o we_o all_o agree_v i_o say_v that_o the_o whole_a gospel_n or_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v now_o upon_o record_n in_o those_o book_n we_o call_v the_o scripture_n be_v once_o unwritten_a when_o it_o be_v first_o preach_v by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o must_v be_v note_v to_o remove_v that_o small_a objection_n with_o which_o they_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v wont_a to_o trouble_v some_o people_n mind_n mere_o from_o the_o name_n of_o tradition_n which_o saint_n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n require_v those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v careful_o to_o observe_v particular_o in_o that_o famous_a place_n 1_o thess_n ii_o 15._o where_o we_o find_v this_o exhortation_n therefore_o brethren_n stand_v fast_o and_o hold_v the_o tradition_n which_o you_o have_v be_v teach_v whether_o by_o word_n or_o our_o epistle_n behold_v say_v they_o here_o be_v thing_n not_o write_v but_o deliver_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n which_o the_o thessalonian_o be_v command_v to_o hold_v very_o true_a shall_v the_o people_n of_o our_o church_n say_v to_o those_o that_o insist_v upon_o this_o but_o behold_v also_o we_o beseech_v you_o what_o the_o tradition_n be_v of_o which_o the_o apostle_n here_o write_v and_o mark_v also_o when_o it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v partly_o unwritten_a for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o mean_v by_o 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through_o their_o sanctification_n and_o faith_n this_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o hold_v fast_o whether_o it_o be_v contain_v in_o this_o epistle_n or_o in_o his_o former_a preach_n for_o he_o have_v not_o occasion_n now_o to_o write_v all_o that_o he_o have_v former_o deliver_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n which_o afterward_o be_v put_v in_o writing_n for_o mark_n which_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n the_o time_n when_o some_o thing_n remain_v unwritten_a which_o be_v when_o this_o epistle_n be_v send_v to_o the_o thessalonian_o then_o some_o thing_n concern_v their_o salvation_n be_v not_o contain_v in_o this_o letter_n but_o as_o yet_o deliver_v only_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n unto_o this_o church_n i_o say_v to_o this_o church_n for_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o all_o church_n whatsoever_o be_v at_o the_o time_n
and_o lead_v other_o into_o error_n in_o these_o matter_n we_o can_v with_o any_o safety_n trust_v to_o tradition_n that_o have_v pass_v man_n pretend_v from_o one_o to_o another_o until_o now_o but_o we_o can_v find_v no_o mention_n of_o in_o any_o writer_n till_o some_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o be_v by_o somebody_o or_o other_o who_o have_v authority_n in_o those_o day_n call_v apostolical_a tradition_n mere_o to_o gain_v they_o the_o more_o credit_n thus_o andreas_n caesariensis_n in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o revelation_n p._n 743._o say_v that_o the_o come_n of_o enoch_n and_o elias_n before_o the_o second_o come_v of_o christ_n though_o it_o be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n be_v a_o constant_a report_n receive_v by_o tradition_n without_o any_o variation_n from_o the_o teacher_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v how_o ready_a they_o be_v to_o father_n their_o own_o private_a opinion_n upon_o ancient_a universal_a tradition_n and_o how_o little_a reason_n we_o have_v to_o trust_v to_o that_o which_o be_v so_o uncertain_a even_o in_o the_o first_o age_n and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o dubious_a now_o thus_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o lay_v before_o the_o eye_n of_o those_o who_o will_v be_v please_v to_o look_v over_o this_o short_a treatise_n what_o they_o be_v to_o think_v and_o speak_v about_o tradition_n it_o be_v a_o calumny_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n reject_v all_o tradition_n and_o i_o hope_v none_o of_o her_o true_a child_n be_v so_o ignorant_a as_o when_o they_o hear_v that_o word_n to_o imagine_v they_o must_v rise_v up_o and_o oppose_v it_o no_o the_o scripture_n itself_o be_v a_o tradition_n and_o we_o admit_v all_o other_o tradition_n which_o be_v subordinate_a and_o agreeable_a unto_o that_o together_o with_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v apostolical_a by_o the_o general_n testimony_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n nay_o if_o any_o thing_n not_o contain_v in_o scripture_n which_o the_o roman_a church_n now_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o god_n word_n be_v deliver_v to_o we_o by_o as_o universal_a uncontrolled_a tradition_n as_o the_o scripture_n be_v we_o shall_v receive_v it_o as_o we_o do_v the_o scripture_n but_o it_o appear_v plain_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v at_o first_o but_o private_a opinion_n which_o now_o be_v become_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n who_o will_v impose_v her_o decree_n upon_o we_o under_o the_o venerable_a name_n of_o apostolical_a universal_a tradition_n which_o i_o have_v show_v you_o have_v be_v a_o ancient_a cheat_n and_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v so_o easy_a as_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o it_o but_o to_o be_v very_o wary_a and_o afraid_a of_o trust_v the_o tradition_n of_o such_o a_o church_n as_o have_v not_o only_o pervert_v some_o abolish_v other_o and_o pretend_v they_o where_o there_o have_v be_v none_o but_o be_v a_o very_a unfaithful_a preserver_n of_o they_o and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a moment_n where_o there_o be_v some_o and_o last_o warrant_v those_o which_o it_o pretend_v to_o have_v keep_v by_o nothing_o but_o its_o own_o infallibility_n for_o which_o there_o be_v no_o tradition_n but_o much_o against_o it_o even_o in_o the_o original_a tradition_n the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o plain_o suppose_v the_o roman_a church_n may_v not_o only_o err_v but_o utter_o sail_v and_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n as_o they_o that_o please_v may_v read_v who_o will_v consult_v the_o eleven_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n v._o 20_o 21_o 22._o of_o which_o they_o be_v in_o the_o great_a danger_n because_o they_o proud_o claim_v so_o high_a a_o prerogative_n as_o that_o now_o mention_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o apostolical_a admonition_n in_o that_o place_n be_v not_o high_a mind_v but_o fear_v conclusion_n i_o shall_v end_v this_o discourse_n with_o a_o brief_a admonition_n relate_v to_o our_o christian_a practice_n and_o what_o be_v there_o more_o proper_a or_o more_o seasonable_a than_o this_o while_o we_o reject_v all_o spurious_a tradition_n let_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o genuine_a and_o true_a let_v we_o hold_v they_o fast_o and_o not_o let_v they_o go_v let_v we_o not_o dispute_v ourselves_o out_o of_o all_o religion_n while_o we_o condemn_v that_o which_o be_v false_a nor_o break_v all_o christian_a discipline_n and_o order_n because_o we_o can_v submit_v to_o all_o humane_a imposition_n in_o plain_a word_n let_v we_o not_o throw_v off_o episcopacy_n together_o with_o the_o papal_a tyranny_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o more_o careful_a in_o observe_v the_o divine_a tradition_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n because_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o other_o while_o we_o contend_v against_o the_o half_a communion_n let_v we_o make_v a_o conscience_n to_o receive_v the_o whole_a frequent_o it_o look_v like_o faction_n rather_o than_o religion_n to_o be_v earnest_a for_o that_o which_o we_o mean_v not_o to_o use_v in_o like_a manner_n while_o we_o look_v upon_o addition_n to_o the_o scripture_n as_o vain_a let_v we_o not_o neglect_v to_o read_v and_o ponder_v those_o holy_a write_n when_o we_o reject_v purgatory_n as_o a_o fable_n let_v we_o real_o dread_a hell_n fire_n and_o while_o we_o do_v not_o tie_v ourselves_o to_o all_o usage_n that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n let_v we_o be_v careful_a to_o observe_v first_o all_o the_o substantial_a duty_n of_o righteousness_n charity_n sobriety_n and_o godliness_n which_o be_v unquestionable_o deliver_v to_o we_o by_o our_o lord_n himself_o and_o his_o holy_a apostle_n and_o second_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v which_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o so_o have_v the_o fame_n divine_a authority_n deliver_v that_o the_o people_n shall_v obey_v those_o that_o be_v their_o guide_n and_o governor_n submit_v themselves_o to_o their_o authority_n and_o avoid_v all_o contention_n with_o they_o as_o most_o undecent_a in_o itself_o and_o pernicious_a to_o religion_n which_o suffer_v extreme_o when_o neither_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n nor_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n can_v end_v dispute_n about_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n read_v 1_o thess_n v._o 12._o heb._n xiii_o 17._o 1_o cor._n xi_o 16._o and_o read_v such_o place_n as_o you_o ought_v to_o do_v all_o the_o other_o scripture_n till_o your_o heart_n be_v deep_o affect_v with_o they_o for_o be_v admonish_v in_o the_o last_o place_n of_o this_o which_o be_v of_o general_a use_n and_o must_v never_o be_v forget_v because_o we_o shall_v lose_v the_o benefit_n of_o that_o celestial_a doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v unto_o we_o if_o we_o do_v not_o strict_o observe_v it_o that_o as_o this_o evangelical_n doctrine_n be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o so_o we_o must_v be_v deliver_v up_o to_o it_o thus_o saint_n paul_n teach_v we_o to_o speak_v in_o vi_o rom._n 17._o where_o he_o thank_v god_n that_o they_o who_o former_o have_v be_v servant_n of_o sin_n do_v now_o obey_v from_o the_o heart_n that_o form_n of_o doctrine_n unto_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v so_o the_o word_n run_v in_o the_o greek_a as_o the_o margin_n of_o our_o bible_n inform_v you_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o be_v the_o tradition_n which_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o retain_v and_o hold_v fast_o above_o all_o other_o as_o that_o without_o which_o all_o our_o belief_n will_v be_v ineffectual_a this_o be_v the_o very_a end_n for_o which_o all_o divine_a truth_n be_v deliver_v unto_o we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v deliver_v and_o make_v a_o surrender_n of_o ourselves_o unto_o it_o observe_v the_o force_n of_o the_o apostle_n word_n which_o tell_v we_o first_o that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a form_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o the_o apostle_n teach_v compare_v here_o to_o a_o mould_n so_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d form_n may_v be_v translate_v into_o which_o metal_n or_o such_o like_a matter_n be_v cast_v that_o it_o may_v receive_v the_o figure_n and_o shape_n of_o that_o mould_n 2._o now_o he_o compare_v the_o roman_a christian_n to_o such_o ductile_a pliable_a matter_n they_o be_v so_o deliver_v or_o cast_v into_o this_o form_n or_o mould_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o they_o be_v entire_o frame_v and_o fashion_v according_a to_o it_o and_o have_v all_o the_o lineament_n as_o i_o may_v say_v of_o it_o express_v upon_o their_o soul_n 3._o and_o have_v so_o receive_v it_o they_o be_v obedient_a to_o it_o for_o without_o this_o all_o the_o impression_n which_o by_o knowledge_n or_o faith_n be_v make_v upon_o their_o soul_n be_v but_o a_o imperfect_a draught_n of_o what_o be_v intend_v in_o the_o