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book_n church_n old_a testament_n 6,574 5 8.1314 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61545 A discourse concerning the nature and grounds of the certainty of faith in answer to J.S., his Catholick letters / by Edw. Stillingfleet ... Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1688 (1688) Wing S5582; ESTC R14787 74,966 133

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esteem_v so_o disperse_v so_o constant_o read_v can_v be_v suffer_v to_o be_v lose_v among_o christian_n if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o so_o esteem_v at_o first_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o therefore_o may_v more_o easy_o be_v lose_v i_o answer_v that_o however_o they_o be_v not_o universal_o receive_v at_o first_o yet_o they_o be_v by_o those_o church_n to_o who_o they_o be_v write_v and_o among_o they_o they_o be_v not_o keep_v up_o but_o mighty_o disperse_v so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o lose_v they_o from_o the_o first_o spread_v of_o they_o abroad_o unless_o we_o can_v suppose_v such_o multitude_n of_o christian_n to_o conspire_v together_o to_o suppress_v a_o book_n of_o so_o great_a concernment_n to_o themselves_o as_o if_o person_n who_o claim_v a_o estate_n by_o virtue_n of_o some_o deed_n shall_v all_o agree_v to_o imbezel_n they_o or_o any_o material_a part_n of_o they_o here_o be_v no_o pretence_n for_o 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not_o but_o we_o think_v it_o a_o considerable_a proof_n that_o they_o can_v not_o because_o the_o divine_a providence_n do_v so_o immediate_o concern_v itself_o in_o preserve_v that_o which_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n if_o a_o hair_n do_v not_o fall_v from_o our_o head_n nor_o a_o sparrow_n fall_v on_o the_o ground_n without_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o our_o saviour_n affirm_v be_v it_o not_o very_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o a_o divine_a book_n 30._o write_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n shall_v be_v whole_o lose_v especial_o consider_v the_o extraordinary_a care_n the_o first_o christian_n take_v in_o time_n of_o the_o great_a persecution_n to_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n and_o no_o force_n or_o violence_n can_v extort_v they_o out_o of_o their_o hand_n on_o mr._n s_n supposition_n it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n for_o a_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v lose_v viz._n if_o the_o several_a book_n have_v be_v 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dr._n stillingfleet_n answer_n to_o j._n s_n catholic_n letter_n imprimatur_fw-la libre_fw-la cui_fw-la titulus_fw-la a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o cerrainty_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n jan._n 5._o 1687._o h._n maurice_n rmo_n in_o christo_fw-la p._n d._n wilhelmo_n archiep._n cantuariensi_fw-la a_o sacris_fw-la a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n in_o answer_n to_o j._n s._n his_o catholic_n letter_n by_o edw._n stillingfleet_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxviii_o the_o content_v the_o title_n of_o catholic_n letter_n examine_v page_n 1_o how_o j._n s._n come_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o this_o debate_n 3_o his_o doctrine_n deny_v to_o be_v catholic_n by_o the_o sorbon_n doctor_n and_o other_o 5_o his_o self-contradiction_n about_o it_o in_o seven_o particular_n 7_o the_o state_n of_o the_o present_a controversy_n about_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n 15_o how_o it_o be_v alter_v by_o j._n s._n 25_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o particular_a point_n of_o faith_n 27_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n lay_v down_o by_o the_o general_n consent_v of_o the_o school-divines_a 31_o j._n s_n main_a argument_n against_o our_o certainty_n of_o faith_n answer_v and_o retort_v 34_o a_o evident_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n without_o infallibility_n 37_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n explain_v 38_o the_o sense_n of_o tradition_n may_v be_v mistake_v as_o well_o as_o scripture_n 43_o the_o instance_n of_o it_o defend_v 44_o the_o second_o argument_n about_o fallible_a certainty_n answer_v 49_o the_o three_o about_o our_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v common_a to_o all_o heresy_n answer_v 50_o the_o four_o about_o make_v our_o private_a judgement_n our_o rule_n answer_v 53_o the_o five_o about_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n consider_v and_o 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that_o none_o be_v save_v but_o metaphysical_a speculator_n that_o perch_n upon_o the_o specific_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o dig_v into_o the_o intrinsical_a ground_n of_o truth_n if_o this_o be_v his_o opinion_n how_o few_o can_v be_v save_v but_o if_o salvation_n be_v the_o end_n the_o mean_n must_v be_v suitable_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o mankind_n and_o i_o do_v not_o think_v the_o intrinsical_a ground_n of_o truth_n be_v so_o but_o aftey_v all_o he_o say_v that_o i_o stifle_v any_o further_a talk_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o protestent_fw-la faith._n how_o can_v that_o be_v when_o i_o own_v no_o protestant_n faith_n but_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n or_o may_v be_v deduce_v from_o it_o according_a to_o the_o six_o article_n of_o our_o church_n i_o be_o not_o conscious_a to_o myself_o of_o any_o art_n in_o the_o matter_n which_o he_o charge_v i_o with_o and_o he_o say_v i_o avoid_v what_o can_v be_v perform_v what_o be_v that_o to_o make_v out_o that_o protestant_n be_v absolute_o certain_a that_o they_o now_o hold_v all_o the_o same_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n if_o all_o that_o doctrine_n be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n and_o they_o hold_v the_o scripture_n by_o ground_n of_o absolute_a certainty_n than_o protestant_n must_v be_v certain_a that_o they_o hold_v all_o the_o same_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n afterward_o mr._n s._n start_v something_o that_o come_v near_a to_o the_o business_n which_o be_v that_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n be_v two_o thing_n for_o those_o who_o have_v as_o much_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n as_o we_o may_v have_v not_o only_o a_o uncertain_a but_o a_o wrong_a faith_n and_o therefore_o i_o be_o concern_v to_o show_v not_o only_o that_o protestant_n have_v certainty_n of_o their_o rule_n but_o of_o the_o faith_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v from_o that_o rule_n that_o which_o i_o be_o now_o upon_o 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the_o rule_n be_v apply_v to_o particular_a doctrine_n he_o say_v the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o point_n for_o which_o the_o conference_n be_v how_o come_v he_o to_o know_v better_a than_o mr._n g._n unless_o he_o direct_v the_o point_n and_o mr._n g._n mistake_v and_o lose_v it_o in_o the_o management_n but_o i_o be_o now_o bind_v to_o manifest_v that_o protestant_n have_v absolute_a certainty_n not_o only_o of_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o rule_n but_o of_o the_o faith_n they_o have_v from_o that_o rule_n or_o else_o to_o own_o that_o i_o can_v it_o seem_v mr._n g's_o good_a nature_n betray_v he_o when_o he_o ask_v question_n about_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o the_o main_a point_n be_v lose_v yet_o methinks_v it_o be_v not_o mere_a good_a nature_n in_o mr._n g._n for_o when_o we_o be_v ask_v about_o the_o ground_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o faith_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a we_o shall_v answer_v more_o pertinent_o than_o to_o assign_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o we_o declare_v it_o to_o be_v the_o scripture_n by_o which_o we_o judge_v what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o what_o not_o and_o therefore_o if_o any_o ask_v we_o of_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o faith_n we_o must_v answer_v it_o be_v whatever_o god_n have_v reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v our_o rule_n if_o they_o ask_v we_o how_o we_o come_v to_o know_v these_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o such_o person_n we_o say_v it_o be_v by_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n if_o they_o ask_v we_o why_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n than_o our_o answer_n be_v from_o the_o divine_a testimony_n which_o make_v we_o certain_a that_o it_o come_v from_o god._n and_o thus_o we_o answer_v both_o to_o that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o material_a and_o formal_a object_n of_o faith_n and_o if_o we_o be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o these_o we_o must_v be_v so_o of_o our_o faith._n if_o we_o ask_v a_o jew_n about_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o say_v he_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o because_o all_o his_o faith_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o he_o be_v well_o assure_v they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n if_o we_o ask_v a_o mahometan_a of_o his_o faith_n his_o answer_n be_v that_o his_o faith_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o alcoran_n and_o by_o prove_v that_o he_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o if_o that_o be_v disprove_v the_o certainty_n of_o it_o be_v overthrow_v those_o who_o resolve_v their_o faith_n into_o a_o write_a rule_n must_v go_v thither_o when_o question_n be_v ask_v they_o about_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o faith._n for_o if_o i_o believe_v every_o thing_n in_o it_o and_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v in_o it_o there_o lie_v my_o faith_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o depend_v upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o my_o rule_n but_o i_o must_v show_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n as_o it_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o rule_n not_o certain_o when_o the_o question_n be_v ask_v about_o the_o entire_a object_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o when_o we_o be_v to_o show_v how_o we_o hold_v all_o the_o same_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o word_n all_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o we_o to_o assign_v our_o rule_n wherein_o that_o all_o be_v contain_v if_o he_o ask_v we_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o particular_a point_n of_o our_o faith_n than_o we_o be_v to_o make_v it_o out_o that_o this_o be_v contain_v in_o our_o rule_n and_o our_o certainty_n be_v according_a to_o the_o evidence_n we_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v for_o it_o for_o the_o case_n be_v not_o the_o same_o as_o to_o particular_a point_n of_o faith_n with_o that_o of_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith._n a_o jew_n firm_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o with_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o certainty_n but_o whether_o the_o resurrection_n can_v be_v prove_v certain_o from_o those_o book_n be_v a_o particular_a point_n and_o he_o may_v have_v absolute_a certainty_n of_o all_o contain_v in_o those_o book_n though_o he_o may_v not_o have_v it_o as_o to_o such_o a_o particular_a point_n and_o when_o we_o come_v to_o particular_a point_n their_o case_n be_v not_o only_o different_a from_o the_o general_n rule_n of_o faith_n but_o such_o point_n be_v very_o different_a both_o among_o themselves_o and_o as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o they_o for_o 1_o there_o be_v some_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v reveal_v because_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o order_n to_o our_o salvation_n by_o jesus_n christ._n for_o as_o mr._n s._n say_v salvation_n be_v the_o thing_n of_o great_a importance_n and_o therefore_o on_o supposition_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v by_o jesus_n christ_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n require_v that_o we_o have_v a_o firm_a and_o establish_a faith_n in_o he_o and_o of_o these_o point_n of_o faith_n the_o church_n have_v give_v a_o summary_n in_o the_o creed_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a and_o not_o only_a st._n augustin_n but_o aquinas_n say_v these_o be_v take_v out_o of_o scripture_n 1._o and_o the_o certainty_n of_o they_o to_o we_o do_v depend_v not_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n propose_v they_o but_o the_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n for_o they_o which_o be_v very_o much_o confirm_v to_o we_o by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n i._n e._n as_o to_o the_o main_a article_n for_o that_o there_o
be_v a_o great_a variety_n as_o to_o other_o be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o who_o will_v compare_v the_o ancient_a creed_n as_o i_o have_v late_o show_v and_o these_o main_a article_n be_v those_o which_o aquinas_n call_v the_o prima_fw-la credibilia_fw-la which_o be_v therefore_o reveal_v because_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o that_o hope_v for_o salvation_n by_o jesus_n christ._n ii_o there_o be_v other_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v only_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v because_o they_o be_v so_o clear_o reveal_v as_o that_o cajaphas_n be_v high_a priest_n when_o christ_n suffer_v that_o there_o be_v two_o malefactor_n who_o suffer_v with_o he_o that_o he_o be_v bury_v in_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n sepulchre_n no_o man_n who_o believe_v the_o scripture_n can_v doubt_v of_o these_o thing_n and_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o make_v these_o point_n of_o faith_n in_o themselves_o necessary_a because_o they_o have_v no_o immediate_a reference_n to_o salvation_n which_o may_v have_v be_v as_o effectual_o carry_v on_o if_o there_o have_v be_v another_o high_a priest_n or_o christ_n have_v lie_v in_o another_o sepulchre_n but_o in_o these_o point_n there_o be_v a_o absolute_a certainty_n from_o the_o unquestionable_a evidence_n of_o their_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n iii_o there_o be_v doctrinal_a point_v not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n about_o which_o some_o may_v attain_v to_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o certainty_n than_o other_o and_o the_o same_o measure_n be_v not_o require_v of_o all_o because_o man_n capacity_n be_v not_o equal_a if_o they_o do_v use_v equal_a diligence_n and_o all_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o diligence_n that_o some_o be_v as_o to_o the_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n god_n be_v not_o want_v by_o his_o grace_n to_o make_v they_o know_v to_o man_n of_o honest_a and_o sincere_a mind_n and_o this_o be_v no_o peculiar_a doctrine_n of_o i_o as_o j._n s._n will_v insinuate_v but_o it_o have_v be_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o their_o most_o learned_a and_o judicious_a school-divines_a as_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o donum_fw-la intellectus_fw-la 2._o and_o the_o lumen_fw-la fidei_fw-la which_o secure_a man_n from_o error_n in_o what_o concern_v their_o salvation_n if_o he_o have_v therefore_o such_o a_o inveterate_a spleen_n against_o this_o doctrine_n let_v he_o attaque_fw-la the_o great_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o have_v in_o term_n assert_v the_o same_o which_o i_o have_v do_v and_o i_o will_v fain_o see_v j._n s._n demonstrate_v against_o aquinas_n and_o all_o his_o follower_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o security_n from_o error_n in_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n where_o ever_o god_n bestow_v true_a grace_n as_o to_o point_n not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n i_o do_v not_o affirm_v there_o be_v any_o such_o ground_n of_o absolute_a certainty_n as_o to_o particular_a person_n who_o be_v only_o concern_v as_o to_o their_o own_o salvation_n and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o my_o answer_n to_o the_o four_o question_n the_o universal_a testimony_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n concern_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v therein_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o make_v we_o certain_a of_o all_o matter_n necessary_a to_o our_o salvation_n but_o of_o this_o more_o afterward_o it_o be_v sufficient_a here_o to_o observe_v that_o even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n there_o be_v point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o be_v not_o the_o fide_fw-la and_o consequent_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o require_v to_o they_o and_o then_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o require_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o deny_v to_o be_v point_n of_o faith._n it_o be_v as_o if_o we_o shall_v ask_v they_o what_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n they_o have_v as_o to_o the_o immaculate_a conception_n and_o assumption_n of_o the_o b._n virgin_n or_o the_o pope_n infallibility_n they_o will_v tell_v we_o these_o be_v no_o point_n of_o faith_n with_o they_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o ask_v after_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n where_o there_o be_v no_o faith_n pretend_v the_o same_o we_o say_v in_o the_o like_a case_n it_o be_v very_o absurd_a to_o demand_v of_o we_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o such_o thing_n wherein_o we_o never_o pretend_v to_o a_o certainty_n of_o faith_n but_o of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n proceed_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n as_o if_o man_n impose_v false_a and_o absurd_a doctrine_n upon_o we_o as_o transubstantiation_n etc._n etc._n we_o insist_v upon_o the_o common_a right_n of_o mankind_n not_o to_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v contradiction_n and_o the_o right_n of_o christian_n not_o to_o believe_v what_o have_v neither_o scripture_n nor_o reason_n nor_o tradition_n for_o it_o and_o these_o be_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o we_o reject_v the_o additional_a creed_n of_o pius_n the_o four_o we_o make_v they_o no_o point_n of_o faith_n at_o all_o and_o if_o other_o do_v make_v they_o so_o we_o desire_v to_o be_v excuse_v because_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a to_o we_o they_o be_v not_o so_o as_o we_o can_v be_v of_o negative_n and_o far_o than_o this_o we_o go_v not_o in_o such_o point_n and_o if_o this_o be_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o protestant_a faith_n he_o have_v my_o answer_n iv._o the_o general_a reason_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n in_o particular_a person_n be_v not_o from_o conclusive_a evidence_n as_o to_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n but_o from_o some_o high_a cause_n and_o this_o mr._n s._n ought_v to_o know_v have_v be_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o the_o school_n ever_o since_o divinity_n have_v be_v bring_v into_o they_o i_o except_o only_o one_o franciscus_n de_fw-fr marchia_n who_o require_v conclusive_a evidence_n to_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n but_o he_o be_v dispute_v against_o by_o gregorius_n ariminensis_n 1._o and_o he_o say_v his_o doctrine_n be_v condemn_v by_o the_o faculty_n of_o paris_n and_o gregory_n de_fw-fr valentia_n 4._o speak_v of_o he_o with_o great_a contempt_n for_o hold_v so_o absurd_a a_o doctrine_n the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v declare_v by_o the_o ancient_a schoolman_n to_o be_v above_o opinion_n and_o below_o science_n by_o which_o they_o understand_v the_o intrinsic_n ground_n on_o which_o truth_n be_v build_v which_o mr._n s._n make_v necessary_a to_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o hugo_n de_fw-fr sancto_fw-la victore_fw-la say_v 373._o that_o the_o high_a certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v owe_v to_o a_o pious_a and_o pure_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o a_o immediate_a divine_a influence_n petrus_n pictaviensis_n 21._o that_o it_o lie_v not_o in_o evidence_n but_o adherence_n guliel_n parisiensis_fw-la prove_v conclusive_a evidence_n repugnant_a to_o faith_n 1._o in_o a_o long_a discourse_n gul._n antissiodorensis_n 2._o think_v rational_a evidence_n good_a to_o support_v and_o defend_v the_o faith_n and_o to_o prepare_v man_n for_o it_o but_o that_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o lie_v not_o in_o speculation_n but_o in_o a_o adherence_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o the_o prime_a verity_n alex._n alensis_n say_v likewise_o 2._o its_o certainty_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o speculation_n but_o in_o inward_a affection_n and_o adherence_n there_o be_v he_o say_v a_o inferior_a sort_n of_o acquisite_a faith_n which_o rely_v on_o reason_n and_o testimony_n but_o this_o he_o say_v be_v mere_o natural_a and_o preparatory_a to_o divine_a faith._n bonaventure_n say_v 4._o the_o certainty_n of_o adherence_n be_v beyond_o that_o of_o speculation_n because_o a_o martyr_n may_v have_v doubt_n and_o yet_o die_v for_o his_o faith._n thomas_n aquinas_n think_v those_o that_o go_v about_o to_o bring_v demonstration_n for_o faith_n c·_n expose_v it_o to_o the_o scorn_n and_o reproach_n of_o infidel_n and_o he_o resolve_v the_o inward_a certainty_n of_o faith_n into_o divine_a illumination_n when_o the_o objection_n be_v put_v that_o matter_n of_o faith_n can_v not_o be_v resolve_v into_o first_o principle_n which_o mr._n s._n have_v so_o long_o and_o so_o vain_o pretend_v to_o henricus_fw-la gandavensis_n say_v there_o be_v a_o certainty_n of_o adherence_n in_o the_o habit_n of_o faith_n 5._o and_o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o credibility_n fall_v much_o short_a of_o that_o of_o science_n and_o he_o make_v scripture_n the_o rule_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o present_a church_n and_o of_o all_o age_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n scotus_n distinguish_v between_o acquisite_a and_o human_a faith_n and_o divine_a or_o infuse_v faith_n 15._o but_o he_o deny_v any_o infallibility_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o former_a 9_o durandus_fw-la deny_v faith_n to_o be_v consistent_a with_o conclusive_a evidence_n and_o that_o the_o motive_n of_o
but_o mr._n s._n say_v their_o case_n be_v different_a from_o we_o do_v not_o they_o make_v the_o vulgar_a translation_n authentic_a 51._o and_o will_v not_o the_o same_o objection_n than_o lie_v against_o all_o those_o who_o rely_v upon_o it_o let_v we_o see_v how_o j._n s._n clear_v this_o matter_n 1._o the_o canon_n of_o the_o book_n come_v down_o say_v he_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n that_o be_v true_o christian_n and_o we_o say_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o book_n come_v down_o by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n however_o differ_v in_o other_o thing_n and_o herein_o i_o think_v we_o have_v much_o the_o advantage_n for_o we_o do_v not_o except_v against_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o christian_a church_n nor_o condemn_v they_o as_o not_o true_o christian_n till_o their_o cause_n be_v better_a hear_v and_o examine_v 2._o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n say_v he_o transfuse_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a both_o teach_v they_o how_o 51._o and_o oblige_v they_o to_o correct_v the_o copy_n in_o those_o particular_a text_n that_o concern_v faith._n what_o be_v this_o but_o in_o plain_a term_n to_o expose_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n who_o will_v desire_v no_o better_o a_o concession_n than_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v correct_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n according_a to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n if_o this_o be_v grant_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o prove_v that_o we_o have_v any_o true_a original_a text_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o the_o church_n do_v correct_v the_o copy_n in_o those_o particular_a text_n which_o concern_v faith_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o faithful_a then_o the_o church_n in_o every_o age_n may_v so_o correct_v it_o and_o consequent_o we_o can_v never_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o text_n continue_v the_o same_o for_o any_o two_o age_n together_o unless_o it_o be_v first_o prove_v impossible_a for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n to_o vary_v in_o any_o two_o age_n or_o of_o those_o who_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o correct_v the_o text_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o sorry_a to_o have_v my_o faith_n rest_n upon_o such_o a_o slippery_a foundation_n i_o will_v put_v the_o case_n as_o to_o the_o arian_n controversy_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o nicene_n father_n to_o have_v convince_v the_o arian_n on_o such_o a_o supposition_n as_o this_o you_o allege_v several_a text_n of_o scripture_n may_v they_o say_v to_o prove_v the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o equality_n with_o the_o father_n but_o how_o can_v we_o know_v that_o these_o be_v original_a text_n and_o not_o correct_v by_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n then_o according_a to_o their_o own_o sense_n we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v some_o lead_a man_n of_o this_o opinion_n and_o have_v gain_v a_o party_n to_o themselves_o they_o correct_v the_o text_n according_a to_o it_o and_o therefore_o we_o can_v never_o be_v satisfy_v that_o these_o be_v the_o original_a text_n because_o we_o can_v bring_v down_o a_o tradition_n of_o a_o contrary_a sense_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o satisfaction_n they_o can_v ever_o receive_v if_o this_o pernicious_a principle_n be_v allow_v that_o the_o text_n be_v to_o be_v correct_v in_o matter_n that_o concern_v faith_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n but_o he_o say_v it_o be_v if_o any_o error_n through_o the_o carelessness_n unattentiveness_n or_o malice_n of_o the_o translator_n or_o transcriber_n at_o any_o time_n have_v creep_v in_o this_o do_v not_o one_o jot_n mend_v the_o matter_n for_o if_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o present_a church_n be_v the_o rule_n than_o the_o text_n be_v to_o be_v correct_v according_a to_o it_o and_o the_o blame_n to_o be_v lay_v on_o the_o carelessness_n or_o malice_n of_o translator_n and_o transcriber_n this_o be_v a_o miserable_a account_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o text_n of_o scripture_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o other_o text_n of_o inferior_a concern_v as_o he_o speak_v they_o can_v be_v best_a correct_v by_o multitude_n of_o other_o ancient_a copy_n the_o church_n care_v still_o go_v along_o as_o be_v show_v in_o the_o high_a manner_n by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v as_o exact_a as_o human_a diligence_n can_v well_o render_v it_o as_o to_o multitude_n of_o copy_n they_o serve_v we_o as_o well_o as_o they_o but_o as_o to_o the_o care_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n satisfy_v for_o 1._o they_o go_v no_o far_a than_o a_o translation_n and_o declare_v that_o authentic_a without_o due_a regard_n to_o the_o original_a text._n 2._o the_o care_n take_v be_v not_o so_o exact_a for_o then_o clemens_n the_o eight_o do_v great_a injury_n to_o sixtus_n the_o five_o when_o he_o recall_v and_o correct_v his_o bibles_n in_o so_o many_o place_n after_o sixtus_n the_o five_o have_v publish_v his_o for_o a_o exact_a edition_n 3._o there_o be_v still_o complaint_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o want_n of_o exactness_n in_o the_o vulgar_a latin._n 4._o after_o all_o this_o be_v but_o human_a diligence_n and_o no_o such_o absolute_a certainty_n as_o j._n s._n require_v from_o we_o but_o it_o may_v be_v he_o will_v say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o make_v it_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n let_v he_o declare_v so_o much_o and_o then_o we_o know_v what_o to_o answer_v this_o be_v still_o put_v off_o therefore_o i_o will_v give_v a_o distinct_a answer_n i._o we_o do_v utter_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v in_o any_o church_n power_n to_o correct_v original_a text_n because_o they_o contradict_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o present_a church_n or_o any_o translation_n any_o far_o than_o they_o differ_v from_o the_o original_n and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o assertion_n that_o shake_v more_o our_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o scripture_n than_o this_o of_o j._n s._n do_v ii_o the_o early_a appeal_n make_v to_o scripture_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n make_v we_o certain_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o alteration_n or_o correction_n of_o the_o text_n according_a to_o these_o use_n of_o the_o corrector_n as_o for_o instance_n we_o find_v the_o place_n produce_v against_o the_o arian_n use_v before_o against_o the_o samosatenian_o and_o artemonite_n if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o may_v correct_v the_o father_n to_o i_o answer_v that_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a ground_n for_o any_o such_o suspicion_n because_o the_o father_n live_v in_o distant_a place_n and_o country_n and_o therefore_o when_o their_o testimony_n agree_v about_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n allege_v by_o they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v any_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n of_o the_o text._n as_o for_o instance_n no_o one_o text_n of_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n have_v be_v more_o suspect_v than_o that_o of_o 1_o s._n john_n 5.7_o there_o be_v three_o that_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o there_o have_v be_v great_a variety_n both_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a manuscript_n about_o it_o yea_o there_o be_v so_o in_o s._n jeroms_n time_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o canonical_a epistle_n who_o charge_v the_o leave_v it_o out_o to_o the_o unfaithfulness_n of_o the_o translator_n s._n jerom_n be_v cry_v out_o upon_o as_o a_o party_n in_o this_o controversy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o he_o put_v it_o in_o as_o favour_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o his_o integrity_n be_v vindicate_v herein_o jubai_fw-la because_o s._n cyprian_n so_o long_o before_o the_o arian_n controversy_n produce_v this_o place_n so_o that_o our_o certainty_n as_o to_o scripture_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o mere_a letter_n but_o upon_o compare_v the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a copy_n with_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n who_o still_o make_v use_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o all_o discourse_n and_o debate_n about_o matter_n of_o faith._n iii_o the_o variety_n of_o readins_n in_o matter_n that_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n can_v hinder_v our_o certainty_n in_o matter_n of_o faith._n we_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o kind_n of_o variety_n in_o the_o copy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o this_o rather_o establish_v than_o weaken_v our_o faith._n for_o consider_v the_o great_a multitude_n of_o they_o and_o how_o insignificant_a they_o be_v it_o show_v that_o this_o book_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o common_a accident_n of_o book_n but_o yet_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o variety_n as_o to_o make_v one_o
ground_n they_o go_v upon_o and_o so_o we_o be_v come_v to_o the_o debate_n between_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n ii_o all_o traditionary_a christian_n believe_v the_o same_o to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o this_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o threefold_a meaning_n i._o that_o they_o do_v actual_o believe_v the_o same_o to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o which_o be_v a_o mere_a contingent_a thing_n and_o prove_v nothing_o or_o ii_o that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v to_o day_n as_o they_o do_v yesterday_o and_o that_o may_v be_v on_o several_a account_n i._o because_o they_o see_v evidence_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o day_n as_o well_o as_o they_o do_v yesterday_o ii_o or_o because_o their_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n teach_v they_o the_o same_o to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o who_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v infallible_a iii_o or_o mere_o because_o they_o receive_v it_o by_o a_o oral_a tradition_n and_o not_o on_o the_o other_o account_n and_o than_o it_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o and_o it_o be_v too_o well_o know_v that_o many_o fail_v to_o do_v what_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o or_o iii_o that_o they_o do_v infallible_o believe_v the_o same_o to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o but_o then_o this_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v insert_v in_o the_o proposition_n that_o traditionary_a christian_n can_v fail_v to_o believe_v to_o day_n what_o they_o do_v yesterday_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o be_v employ_v in_o their_o be_v traditionary_a christian_n than_o i_o say_v the_o whole_a be_v a_o fallacy_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o he_o suppose_v all_o true_a christian_n to_o be_v traditionary_a christian_n and_o then_o that_o they_o infallible_o hold_v to_o tradition_n as_o their_o rule_n and_o from_o thence_o he_o prove_v tradition_n to_o be_v infallible_a but_o if_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n may_v go_v upon_o another_o rule_n or_o if_o go_v upon_o tradition_n they_o may_v misunderstand_v it_o than_o there_o be_v no_o inseparable_a connexion_n in_o the_o several_a link_n of_o this_o chain_n and_o there_o be_v a_o further_a fallacy_n in_o suppose_v that_o if_o any_o change_n in_o faith_n happen_v it_o must_v be_v as_o sudden_a and_o remarkable_a as_o if_o all_o man_n shall_v to_o day_n refuse_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o believe_v yesterday_o whereas_o the_o change_n of_o opinion_n be_v ofttimes_o wrought_v by_o insensible_a degree_n and_o many_o concurrent_a cause_n and_o sometime_o the_o very_a same_o word_n may_v be_v use_v and_o the_o faith_n alter_v as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o merit_n sacrament_n sacrifice_n etc._n etc._n which_o show_v man_n may_v continue_v the_o very_a same_o term_n and_o yet_o believe_v quite_o a_o different_a thing_n and_o where_o change_n be_v gradual_a it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o pitch_v upon_o such_o a_o precise_a and_o narrow_a space_n of_o time_n as_o between_o to_o day_n and_o yesterday_n by_o the_o same_o method_n one_o may_v demonstrate_v it_o to_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o language_n shall_v be_v change_v for_o people_n speak_v the_o same_o language_n to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o and_o the_o same_o yesterday_o which_o they_o do_v the_o day_n before_o and_o so_o up_o to_o the_o very_a build_n of_o babel_n and_o yet_o we_o all_o know_v that_o language_n be_v continual_o change_v and_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o in_o some_o age_n they_o can_v understand_v what_o be_v at_o that_o time_n intelligible_a by_o all_o in_o such_o case_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o assign_v the_o general_a cause_n and_o reason_n of_o alteration_n without_o fix_v a_o precise_a and_o determinate_a time._n and_o those_o i_o shall_v speak_v to_o afterward_o iii_o and_o so_o up_o to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n to_o prove_v any_o thing_n from_o hence_o it_o must_v be_v show_v i._o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n to_o tradition_n take_v up_o without_o ground_n for_o if_o there_o may_v it_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n follow_v that_o if_o man_n pretend_v to_o tradition_n that_o tradition_n must_v run_v up_o to_o the_o time_n of_o christ._n but_o then_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v traditionary_a christian_n what_o then_o not_o in_o pretence_n for_o they_o may_v call_v themselves_o so_o still_o but_o in_o reality_n they_o be_v not_o ii_o that_o if_o man_n lay_v claim_v to_o a_o rule_n they_o must_v always_o observe_v it_o we_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o it_o as_o to_o the_o scripture_n and_o what_o reason_n be_v there_o for_o it_o as_o to_o tradition_n but_o if_o man_n may_v pretend_v to_o follow_v tradition_n and_o do_v not_o then_o from_o their_o be_v traditionary_a christian_n it_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n follow_v that_o this_o tradition_n must_v be_v carry_v up_o to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n ii_o the_o second_o proposition_n be_v and_o if_o they_o follow_v this_o rule_n they_o can_v never_o err_v in_o faith._n this_o be_v palpable_o self_n evident_a say_v j._n s._n so_o say_v i_o too_o but_o it_o be_v only_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a fallacy_n to_o follow_v this_o rule_n be_v to_o believe_v the_o same_o to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o and_o so_o up_o to_o christ_n or_o downward_o if_o they_o do_v this_o from_o christ_n time_n and_o so_o forward_o they_o must_v continue_v to_o believe_v the_o same_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n if_o they_o real_o believe_v the_o same_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n teach_v no_o doubt_n they_o can_v err_v but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o this_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n for_o we_o to_o judge_n they_o can_v never_o mistake_v in_o this_o rule_n nor_o follow_v any_o other_o for_o if_o either_o of_o these_o can_v happen_v the_o demonstration_n be_v lose_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o error_n to_o come_v in_o some_o other_o way_n or_o for_o person_n to_o misapprehend_v the_o doctrine_n deliver_v then_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o we_o by_o this_o way_n to_o be_v convince_v they_o can_v not_o err_v the_o latter_a i_o have_v already_o speak_v to_o i_o shall_v now_o show_v that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o way_n that_o error_n may_v come_v in_o and_o here_o i_o shall_v pass_v over_o the_o common_a infirmity_n of_o human_a nature_n which_o i_o think_v oral_a tradition_n can_v never_o cure_v and_o which_o leave_v man_n always_o liable_a to_o error_n but_o i_o shall_v name_v some_o more_o particular_a way_n of_o introduce_v they_o i._o by_o the_o authority_n of_o false_a teacher_n and_o for_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o run_v back_o to_o the_o false_a apostle_n and_o seducer_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o afterward_o but_o i_o shall_v bring_v a_o present_a instance_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o that_o be_v of_o michael_n de_fw-fr molinos_n a_o person_n solemn_o condemn_v at_o rome_n aug._n 28._o of_o this_o year_n for_o 68_o proposition_n take_v out_o of_o his_o book_n and_o own_a by_o himself_o as_o the_o decree_n say_v which_o be_v there_o say_v to_o be_v heretical_a erroneous_a blasphemous_a offensive_a rash_a seditious_a and_o contrary_a to_o christian_a discipline_n this_o man_n be_v say_v to_o have_v have_v thousand_o of_o disciple_n in_o italy_n in_o the_o very_a heart_n of_o the_o traditionary_a church_n now_o i_o desire_v j._n s._n to_o inform_v i_o if_o tradition_n be_v infallible_a and_o that_o be_v the_o way_n follow_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n how_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o such_o multitude_n to_o be_v deceive_v in_o matter_n of_o such_o consequence_n to_o say_v they_o be_v not_o deceive_v be_v to_o expose_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o the_o great_a contempt_n to_o say_v they_o be_v deceive_v be_v to_o own_o that_o notwithstanding_o tradition_n a_o single_a priest_n may_v gain_v such_o authority_n as_o to_o deceive_v thousand_o and_o where_o lie_v then_o the_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n ii_o by_o enthusiasm_n or_o a_o pretence_n to_o immediate_a revelation_n for_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o produce_v the_o old_a instance_n in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n 31._o as_o of_o montanus_n asclepiades_n theodotus_n manichaeus_n arius_n aetius_n etc._n etc._n who_o all_o pretend_a to_o revelation_n for_o their_o particular_a opinion_n but_o i_o shall_v keep_v to_o the_o late_a instance_n of_o molinos_n 2._o who_o assert_n that_o the_o perfection_n of_o a_o christian_a state_n lie_v in_o a_o simple_a pure_a infuse_v and_o perfect_a contemplation_n above_o the_o use_n of_o ratiocination_n or_o discursive_a prayer_n and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o this_o nothing_o be_v so_o necessary_a as_o self-annihilation_a this_o doctrine_n be_v now_o condemn_v at_o rome_n but_o how_o come_v it_o into_o the_o church_n do_v not_o they_o believe_v the_o same_o to_o day_n which_o they_o do_v yesterday_o