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l._n 3._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 auditonr_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_n time_n about_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 2_o cor_fw-la 1._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 shall_v appear_v anon_o by_o plain_a history_n which_o tell_v how_o 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translation_n of_o douai_n have_v follow_v this_o plain_a
and_o partial_a corruption_n second_o a_o protestant_n may_v without_o submission_n ii_o assert_v ii_o of_o his_o judgement_n to_o the_o roman_a church_n find_v out_o in_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o necessary_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n two_o thing_n be_v here_o suppose_v and_o both_o of_o they_o be_v true_a first_o that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v in_o they_o all_o the_o necessary_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n second_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n in_o which_o these_o article_n be_v express_v in_o scripture_n may_v be_v find_v out_o by_o a_o protestant_n without_o the_o submission_n of_o his_o judgement_n to_o the_o papacy_n first_o the_o scripture_n contain_v in_o they_o all_o the_o necessary_a article_n of_o the_o faith_n this_o be_v true_a if_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o be_v so_o for_o this_o they_o witness_v 25._o witness_v see_v s._n joh._n 20._o 30._o 31._o c._n 21._o 25._o st._n paul_n 17._o paul_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 15._o 16_o 17._o say_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o expound_v of_o christ_n that_o it_o be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o man_n wise_a unto_o salvation_n much_o more_o may_v this_o be_v affirm_v of_o the_o entire_a canon_n the_o apostle_n preach_v the_o necessary_n to_o salvation_n and_o what_o they_o have_v preach_v they_o write_v down_o 1._o down_o iren._n l._n 3._o c._n 1._o concern_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o eusebius_n may_v be_v consult_v 14._o consult_v eus_n hist_o eccl._n l._n 2._o c._n 14._o for_o the_o primitive_a father_n they_o allow_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a rule_n irenaeus_n say_v of_o they_o they_o be_v perfect_a 9_o perfect_a iren._n l._n 2._o c._n 47._o s._n aug._n the_o doct_n christ_n l._n 2._o c._n 9_o and_o of_o the_o word_n of_o st._n austin_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n among_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v plain_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n all_o those_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v find_v which_o comprehend_v faith_n and_o good_a manner_n nay_o the_o romanist_n 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a_o suppose_a defect_n in_o the_o table_n for_o keep_v easter_n have_v be_v make_v by_o they_o public_a objection_n 14._o objection_n mr._n hs._n peaceable_a design_n renew_v p._n 14._o and_o stumble_a block_n in_o the_o way_n to_o their_o conformity_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v a_o romanist_n who_o have_v rave_v against_o the_o bible_n of_o the_o reform_a in_o these_o extravagant_a word_n 39_o word_n a._n s._n reconciler_n of_o religion_n print_v 1663._o c._n 11._o p._n 38_o 39_o the_o sectary_n have_v as_o many_o different_a bibles_n in_o canon_n version_n and_o sense_n as_o be_v day_n in_o the_o year_n the_o sectarian_n bible_n be_v no_o more_o the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o the_o alcoran_n almanac_n or_o aesop_n fable_n of_o great_a corruption_n he_o speak_v in_o general_a but_o his_o madness_n have_v admit_v of_o so_o much_o caution_n that_o he_o forbear_v the_o mention_n of_o any_o one_o particular_a place_n the_o learned_a romanist_n understand_v much_o better_o and_o the_o 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now_o such_o a_o force_n to_o induce_v belief_n as_o it_o have_v then_o the_o reason_n of_o which_o be_v give_v by_o the_o same_o vicentius_n who_o so_o high_o commend_v that_o way_n which_o be_v then_o take_v of_o reprove_v heresy_n but_o add_v this_o most_o wise_a caution_n in_o the_o last_o chapter_n but_o one_o of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o his_o commonitorium_fw-la but_o you_o must_v not_o think_v that_o all_o heresy_n and_o all_o way_n be_v thus_o to_o be_v oppose_v but_o only_o new_a and_o fresh_a heresy_n when_o they_o first_o rise_v up_o that_o be_v before_o they_o have_v falsify_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o ancient_a faith_n etc._n etc._n as_o for_o inveterate_a heresy_n which_o have_v spread_v themselves_o they_o be_v in_o no_o wise_a to_o be_v assault_v this_o way_n because_o in_o a_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n many_o opportunity_n may_v have_v present_v themselves_o to_o heretic_n of_o steal_a truth_n out_o of_o the_o ancient_a record_n and_o of_o corrupt_v the_o volume_n 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convict_v and_o condemn_v in_o ancient_a time_n by_o the_o general_a council_n of_o catholic_n priest_n the_o tradition_n which_o be_v find_v there_o must_v direct_v all_o future_a council_n not_o the_o opinion_n of_o their_o present_a church_n iv_o i_o will_v add_v but_o one_o thing_n more_o which_o be_v that_o the_o tradition_n call_v oral_a because_o it_o come_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o without_o any_o write_a record_n be_v the_o most_o uncertain_a and_o can_v be_v least_o rely_v upon_o of_o all_o other_o this_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v so_o full_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o our_o church_n and_o there_o be_v such_o pregnant_a instance_n of_o the_o error_n into_o which_o man_n have_v be_v lead_v by_o it_o that_o it_o need_v no_o long_a discourse_n two_o instance_n of_o it_o be_v very_o common_a and_o i_o shall_v add_v a_o three_o 1._o the_o first_o be_v that_o which_o papias_n who_o live_v present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o converse_v with_o those_o who_o have_v see_v they_o set_v on_o foot_n his_o way_n be_v as_o eusebius_n relate_v out_o of_o his_o work_n not_o so_o much_o to_o read_v as_o to_o inquire_v of_o the_o elder_n what_o saint_n andrew_n or_o saint_n peter_n say_v what_o be_v the_o say_v of_o saint_n thomas_n saint_n james_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o he_o pretend_v that_o some_o of_o they_o tell_v he_o among_o other_o thing_n that_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o body_n we_o shall_v reign_v a_o thousand_o year_n here_o upon_o earth_n which_o he_o gather_v say_v eusebius_n from_o some_o say_v of_o the_o apostle_n wrong_v understand_v but_o this_o fancy_n be_v embrace_v very_o greedy_o and_o be_v teach_v for_o two_o whole_a age_n as_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n no_o body_n oppose_v it_o and_o yet_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v for_o it_o but_o only_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o man_n as_o eusebius_n his_o word_n be_v l._n 3._o cap._n ult_n who_o deliver_v it_o to_o they_o yet_o this_o tradition_n have_v be_v general_o since_o take_v for_o a_o imposture_n and_o teach_v we_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o if_o one_o man_n can_v set_v a_o go_v such_o a_o doctrine_n and_o make_v it_o pass_v so_o current_a for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n upon_o no_o other_o pretence_n then_o that_o a_o apostle_n say_v so_o in_o private_a discourse_n we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o think_v that_o other_o tradition_n have_v have_v no_o better_a beginning_n or_o not_o so_o good_a especial_o since_o they_o never_o so_o universal_o prevail_v as_o that_o do_v 2._o a_o second_o instance_n be_v that_o famous_a contention_n about_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n which_o miserable_o afflict_v the_o church_n in_o the_o day_n of_o victòr_n bishop_n of_o ròme_n by_o divide_v the_o eastern_a christian_n from_o the_o western_a one_o pretend_v tradition_n from_o saint_n jòhn_n and_o saint_n philip_n the_o other_o from_o saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n concern_v which_o i_o will_v not_o say_v as_o rigaltius_n do_v in_o his_o sharp_a note_n upon_o the_o word_n of_o firmilian_a who_o pretend_v tradition_n for_o the_o rebaptise_v of_o heretic_n that_o under_o the_o name_n and_o person_n of_o great_a man_n there_o be_v sottish_a and_o sophistical_a thing_n deliver_v for_o apostolical_a tradition_n by_o fool_n and_o sophister_n but_o this_o i_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v many_o more_o instance_n of_o man_n forwardness_n and_o they_o neither_o fool_n nor_o sophister_n but_o only_o wed_v to_o the_o opinion_n of_o their_o own_o church_n to_o obtrude_v thing_n as_o apostolical_a for_o which_o they_o have_v no_o proof_n at_o all_o for_o when_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o defend_v themselves_o present_o they_o fly_v to_o tradition_n apostolical_a 3._o a_o three_o instance_n of_o who_o uncertainty_n we_o have_v in_o irenaeus_n l._n 2._o c._n 39_o concern_v the_o age_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n when_o he_o die_v which_o he_o confident_o affirm_v to_o have_v be_v forty_o if_o not_o fifty_o year_n and_o say_v the_o elder_n which_o know_v st._n john_n and_o be_v his_o scholar_n receive_v this_o relation_n from_o he_o and_o yet_o all_o agree_v that_o he_o beginning_n to_o preach_v at_o thirty_o year_n of_o age_n be_v crucify_v about_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a after_o the_o like_a relation_n clement_n make_v of_o his_o preach_v but_o one_o year_n which_o he_o call_v a_o secret_a tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n but_o have_v no_o more_o truth_n in_o it_o then_o the_o other_o now_o if_o in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o they_o be_v so_o near_o the_o fountain_n and_o beginning_n of_o tradition_n man_n be_v deceive_v nay_o such_o great_a man_n as_o these_o be_v deceive_v 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 some_o body_n 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_a 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
particular_o to_o set_v they_o up_o in_o competition_n with_o god_n and_o to_o create_v in_o man_n a_o opinion_n that_o they_o be_v more_o easy_o entreat_v and_o ready_a to_o do_v we_o a_o kindness_n than_o he_o be_v and_o therefore_o though_o man_n may_v fear_v god_n more_o yet_o they_o will_v rather_o love_v the_o saint_n and_o love_n be_v the_o true_a motive_n to_o such_o devotion_n as_o will_v be_v best_a accept_v with_o god_n and_o yet_o in_o this_o plain_o consist_v all_o that_o court_n which_o they_o make_v to_o the_o virgin_n mary_n that_o she_o shall_v pacify_v the_o anger_n of_o god_n the_o father_n or_o of_o the_o son_n towards_o man_n they_o be_v represent_v severe_a and_o almost_o cruel_a to_o render_v she_o more_o amiable_a to_o the_o people_n in_o her_o intercede_v for_o they_o so_o they_o frequent_o in_o their_o print_a and_o allow_v book_n of_o devotion_n call_v her_o fountain_n of_o mercy_n and_o pity_v and_o other_o name_n of_o the_o like_a importance_n now_o all_o the_o assurance_n they_o have_v of_o she_o be_v tender_a and_o compassionate_a be_v only_o because_o she_o be_v a_o woman_n but_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o god_n mercy_n both_o from_o his_o nature_n and_o his_o word_n they_o have_v no_o assurance_n that_o she_o or_o any_o other_o saint_n hear_v they_o nor_o can_v they_o show_v how_o the_o saint_n can_v be_v rational_o suppose_v to_o know_v every_o thing_n that_o we_o do_v or_o say_v but_o they_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o god_n hear_v they_o for_o he_o be_v still_v the_o god_n that_o hear_v prayer_n which_o prerogative_n of_o he_o by_o every_o prayer_n to_o a_o saint_n they_o may_v at_o least_o suspect_n that_o they_o entrench_v on_o they_o be_v not_o assure_v that_o the_o saint_n can_v help_v they_o but_o they_o may_v be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o his_o help_n who_o be_v almighty_a they_o have_v no_o encouragement_n from_o scripture_n for_o pray_v to_o saint_n for_o though_o the_o angel_n rejoice_v at_o the_o repentance_n of_o a_o sinner_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o therefore_o every_o concern_n of_o man_n be_v know_v or_o prayer_n hear_v by_o they_o much_o less_o that_o we_o may_v pray_v to_o they_o for_o the_o gift_n of_o repentance_n or_o any_o other_o grace_n and_o prayer_n be_v so_o considerable_a a_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n we_o need_v not_o doubt_v but_o the_o angel_n and_o saint_n will_v refuse_v it_o for_o so_o st._n john_n be_v rebuke_v for_o offer_v to_o worship_n the_o angel_n though_o suppose_v immediate_o and_o visible_o with_o he_o worship_n god_n rev._n 19_o 10._o so_o that_o if_o they_o pray_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n only_o to_o mediate_v and_o intercede_v for_o they_o to_o god_n it_o be_v more_o than_o they_o have_v any_o warrant_n or_o allowance_n for_o christ_n be_v always_o represent_v as_o the_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o set_n up_o his_o servant_n in_o his_o office_n be_v as_o far_o as_o be_v possible_a a_o depose_n of_o he_o nor_o be_v it_o in_o this_o case_n as_o it_o be_v in_o court_n on_o earth_n which_o be_v their_o common_a excuse_n where_o a_o favourite_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o represent_v our_o cause_n and_o request_n to_o the_o king_n for_o this_o be_v do_v because_o our_o king_n do_v not_o know_v our_o person_n nor_o understand_v our_o case_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v present_a in_o all_o place_n and_o hear_v all_o cause_n themselves_o so_o that_o it_o be_v often_o necessary_a that_o prince_n shall_v employ_v and_o trust_v other_o than_o their_o own_o eye_n and_o ear_n many_o thing_n they_o think_v below_o they_o to_o inquire_v particular_o into_o and_o sometime_o they_o will_v do_v that_o at_o the_o request_n of_o a_o favourite_n which_o they_o will_v not_o do_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o person_n that_o be_v not_o particular_o know_v to_o they_o but_o there_o be_v no_o room_n nor_o occasion_n for_o this_o in_o the_o court_n of_o heaven_n for_o god_n be_v not_o only_o intimate_o know_v but_o be_v immediate_o present_a to_o all_o his_o creature_n as_o he_o have_v declare_v himself_o no_o respecter_n of_o person_n but_o to_o love_v all_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o intercessor_n for_o we_o except_o the_o lord_n jesus_n he_o affect_v not_o empty_a pomp_n and_o state_n but_o his_o providence_n extend_v to_o every_o particular_a concern_v of_o the_o mean_a of_o all_o his_o creature_n and_o though_o he_o may_v give_v some_o undeserved_a favour_n as_o long_a life_n and_o far_a opportunity_n of_o amendment_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o sake_n of_o other_o prayer_n yet_o no_o man_n be_v so_o far_o his_o favourite_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o persuade_v he_o to_o reverse_v his_o own_o law_n and_o to_o save_v a_o wicked_a person_n that_o continue_v in_o his_o wickedness_n on_o all_o which_o account_v there_o be_v no_o occasion_n of_o pray_v to_o the_o saint_n so_o much_o as_o to_o intercede_v for_o we_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n pretend_v but_o to_o pray_v to_o they_o to_o bless_v we_o and_o give_v we_o this_o or_o that_o temporal_a or_o spiritual_a good_a as_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n practice_n and_o to_o suppose_v they_o to_o have_v power_n to_o help_v we_o in_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a difficulty_n and_o distemper_n be_v plain_o intolerable_a for_o this_o be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o revive_v heathenism_n by_o which_o man_n worship_v this_o or_o that_o god_n for_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a case_n they_o must_v grant_v the_o saint_n to_o have_v though_o not_o a_o original_a yet_o a_o most_o certain_a and_o derivative_a power_n according_a to_o which_o he_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o assist_v they_o that_o worship_v he_o and_o in_o all_o such_o prayer_n methinks_v they_o even_o terminate_v their_o worship_n on_o the_o saint_n for_o if_o i_o pray_v to_o a_o saint_n to_o help_v i_o in_o this_o or_o that_o difficulty_n with_o a_o full_a assurance_n that_o this_o saint_n have_v sufficient_a power_n to_o help_v i_o though_o i_o shall_v grant_v that_o this_o saint_n receive_v this_o power_n from_o god_n yet_o my_o prayer_n terminate_v on_o the_o saint_n indeed_o the_o saint_n be_v oblige_v to_o god_n for_o that_o power_n but_o i_o seem_v to_o own_v myself_o only_o oblige_v to_o the_o saint_n for_o his_o apply_v this_o his_o general_a power_n to_o my_o particular_a case_n just_o as_o i_o be_o oblige_v to_o a_o man_n for_o give_v i_o a_o estate_n though_o he_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o government_n and_o law_n that_o either_o he_o enjoy_v the_o estate_n himself_o or_o be_v impower_v to_o give_v it_o to_o another_o beside_o that_o they_o often_o pray_v to_o saint_n for_o such_o thing_n which_o if_o they_o be_v only_a creature_n they_o can_v have_v no_o power_n to_o give_v or_o to_o be_v even_o so_o much_o as_o the_o instrument_n of_o convey_v to_o we_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v notorious_a they_o pray_v sometimes_o to_o the_o saint_n for_o grace_n for_o pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o strength_n against_o they_o so_o in_o benaventure_n psalter_n translate_v into_o italian_a and_o publish_v 1606._o salmi_n di_fw-fr s._n bonav_n in_o lode_n della_fw-it virgin_n per_fw-la giovan_n battista_n pinello_n in_o genoa_n anno_fw-la 1606._o for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o people_n though_o the_o translator_n and_o publisher_n say_v that_o he_o have_v purge_v it_o from_o the_o blasphemy_n which_o be_v in_o the_o former_a edition_n yet_o we_o find_v such_o passage_n as_o these_o to_o the_o virgin_n mary_n psal_n 7._o come_v to_o her_o all_o you_o that_o be_v heavy_a lade_v and_o she_o shall_v give_v rest_n and_o refreshment_n to_o your_o soul_n psal_n 40._o cleanse_v my_o heart_n psal_n 41._o thou_o be_v the_o begin_n and_o the_o end_n of_o my_o salvation_n psal_n 44._o by_o thy_o holiness_n my_o sin_n be_v purge_v and_o by_o thy_o integrity_n incorruptibility_n be_v give_v to_o i_o psal_n 104_o eternal_a salvation_n be_v in_o thy_o hund_n o_o lady_n and_o he_o that_o worthy_o honour_v thou_o sâ—all_v obtain_v it_o and_o many_o more_o saying_n of_o this_o nature_n or_o wroâ—e_v if_o possible_a now_o can_v any_o man_n say_v that_o such_o prayer_n as_o these_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v offer_v up_o to_o a_o creature_n or_o that_o they_o be_v instance_n of_o the_o devotion_n of_o a_o christian_a when_o they_o be_v so_o offer_v i_o be_o sure_a that_o we_o charge_v the_o heathen_a with_o give_v divine_a worship_n to_o man_n though_o we_o can_v hardly_o find_v any_o expression_n or_o prayer_n to_o their_o god_n which_o be_v so_o high_a and_o argue_v their_o terminate_n their_o worship_n on_o they_o so_o full_o as_o these_o and_o other_o such_o which_o be_v common_o use_v by_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o saint_n and_o especial_o to_o the_o
second_o point_n forasmuch_o as_o if_o on_o the_o one_o side_n it_o be_v make_v apparent_a that_o such_o a_o rite_n have_v be_v of_o constant_a use_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o will_v afford_v a_o great_a presumption_n that_o it_o take_v its_o rise_n at_o first_o from_o divine_a institution_n notwithstanding_o all_o we_o have_v offer_v to_o the_o contrary_n so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o the_o evidence_n here_o answer_v not_o the_o pretention_n and_o no_o sufficient_a footstep_n of_o constant_a and_o universal_a practice_n appear_v then_o will_v all_o that_o which_o we_o have_v hitherto_o discourse_v be_v great_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v because_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n probable_a that_o if_o there_o have_v be_v a_o divine_a law_n in_o the_o case_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n will_v have_v be_v general_o neglect_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n now_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o though_o i_o be_o here_o only_o upon_o the_o defensive_a and_o so_o bind_v to_o no_o more_o than_o to_o examine_v the_o proof_n which_o the_o romanist_n bring_v for_o their_o pretension_n yet_o i_o will_v deal_v ingenuous_o as_o seek_v not_o to_o find_v flaw_n but_o to_o discover_v the_o truth_n and_o therefore_o give_v these_o instance_n as_o so_o many_o reason_n for_o the_o negative_a in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o crave_v leave_n to_o premise_v this_o if_o auricular_a confession_n be_v so_o great_a a_o gospel_n mystery_n so_o wonderful_o efficacious_a a_o method_n of_o save_a soul_n as_o to_o be_v typify_v in_o the_o law_n as_o the_o romanist_n teach_v as_o well_o as_o institute_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o practise_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n one_o may_v seem_v just_o to_o wonder_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o mention_n nor_o appearance_n of_o it_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o saviour_n own_o ministry_n he_o use_v to_o be_v a_o example_n as_o well_o â—â—_o a_o lawgiver_n to_o the_o church_n he_o wash_v his_o disciple_n foot_n before_o he_o enjoin_v they_o to_o wash_v one_o another_o he_o exemplify_v the_o other_o sacrament_n before_o he_o prescribe_v his_o apostle_n to_o administer_v they_o and_o one_o will_v have_v think_v such_o a_o instance_n of_o his_o example_n have_v be_v more_o necessary_a in_o this_o business_n of_o penance_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o if_o it_o have_v be_v but_o to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o so_o obscure_a a_o institution_n since_o especial_o one_o will_v have_v think_v to_o find_v some_o trace_n of_o this_o in_o the_o ministry_n of_o our_o saviour_n because_o he_o daily_o converse_v with_o sinner_n he_o reprove_v they_o instruct_v they_o heal_v they_o pardon_v they_o but_o never_o bring_v any_o of_o they_o to_o such_o a_o confession_n as_o we_o be_v treat_v of_o viz._n to_o a_o particular_a enumeration_n of_o their_o sin_n with_o the_o circumstance_n nor_o upon_o so_o do_v formal_o absolve_v they_o his_o very_a disciple_n some_o of_o which_o have_v be_v great_a sinner_n be_v admit_v without_o it_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n be_v tell_v she_o by_o he_o all_o that_o ever_o she_o do_v but_o she_o be_v not_o bring_v on_o her_o knee_n to_o make_v she_o own_o confession_n but_o most_o strange_a of_o all_o it_o be_v that_o the_o woman_n take_v in_o adultery_n when_o he_o have_v make_v her_o accuser_n slink_v away_o be_v not_o private_o bring_v to_o it_o it_o may_v be_v they_o will_v say_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o confession_n to_o he_o who_o know_v all_o before_o but_o yet_o it_o may_v have_v be_v necessary_a to_o bring_v these_o sinner_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o themselves_o by_o that_o mean_n to_o work_v repentance_n and_o fit_v they_o for_o pardon_n at_o least_o if_o this_o method_n have_v be_v of_o such_o mighty_a use_n and_o wonderful_a necessity_n as_o be_v pretend_v 2._o but_o to_o let_v pass_v that_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v matter_n of_o wonder_n that_o nothing_o of_o this_o practice_n appear_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o go_v about_o preach_v the_o gospel_n call_v man_n to_o repentance_n erect_v and_o govern_v church_n but_o never_o set_v themselves_o down_o in_o a_o confessor_n chair_n for_o penitent_n secret_o to_o tell_v they_o in_o their_o ear_n the_o story_n of_o their_o vicious_a life_n indeed_o we_o read_v act_v 19_o 18._o that_o some_o come_v in_o and_o show_v their_o deed_n but_o first_o it_o be_v voluntary_a and_o in_o a_o fit_a of_o holy_a zeal_n for_o we_o can_v find_v that_o they_o be_v require_v to_o do_v it_o as_o of_o a_o sacramental_a obligation_n and_o beside_o the_o confession_n be_v public_a before_o the_o church_n not_o clancular_a and_o whisper_v in_o secret_a it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o st._n james_n chap._n 5._o 16._o advice_n the_o christian_n to_o confess_v their_o fault_n one_o to_o another_o which_o be_v make_v a_o mighty_a evidence_n in_o this_o case_n but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o this_o be_v speak_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a case_n as_o appear_v verse_n 14._o in_o bodily_a sickness_n and_o distress_n of_o conscience_n they_o be_v advise_v to_o lay_v open_a their_o condition_n in_o order_n to_o relief_n and_o succour_n by_o the_o more_o ardent_a and_o affectionate_a prayer_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v be_v privy_a to_o it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o make_v a_o stand_n and_o universal_a rule_n for_o all_o man_n to_o comply_v with_o it_o whither_o they_o be_v sick_a or_o well_o in_o prosperity_n or_o adversity_n perplex_v or_o quiet_a in_o their_o conscience_n much_o less_o of_o sacramental_a and_o necessary_a obligation_n as_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n 3._o let_v we_o go_v on_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n for_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n we_o hear_v not_o one_o word_n of_o this_o kind_n of_o confession_n which_o we_o inquire_v for_o indeed_o the_o write_n of_o that_o time_n which_o be_v extant_a be_v not_o many_o but_o if_o this_o business_n have_v be_v of_o such_o consequence_n as_o be_v pretend_v it_o be_v strange_a that_o those_o holy_a man_n ignatius_n clemens_n and_o justin_n martyr_n shall_v not_o have_v make_v mention_n of_o it_o indeed_o bellarmine_n bring_v we_o one_o instance_n within_o this_o period_n and_o that_o be_v from_o irenaeus_n who_o speak_v of_o certain_a woman_n who_o have_v be_v abuse_v by_o martion_n the_o heretic_n say_v they_o afterward_o come_v and_o confess_v with_o shame_n and_o sorrow_n to_o the_o church_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o purpose_n we_o dispute_v not_o about_o public_a confession_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_o primitive_a and_o we_o wish_v it_o have_v be_v constant_o maintain_v in_o after_o age_n it_o be_v oâ—ly_o the_o necessity_n of_o clancular_a confession_n that_o we_o be_v unsatisfy_v in_o and_o this_o passage_n speak_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o that_o case_n 4._o in_o tertullia_n time_n which_o be_v also_o much_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n we_o find_v great_a thing_n say_v of_o confession_n but_o it_o be_v of_o that_o which_o be_v public_a and_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o a_o priest_n in_o a_o corner_n and_o this_o indeed_o be_v great_o encourage_v and_o require_v by_o the_o holy_a man_n of_o those_o time_n as_o that_o which_o in_o the_o case_n of_o open_a and_o scandalous_a sin_n free_v the_o church_n both_o from_o the_o guilt_n and_o from_o the_o reproach_n of_o they_o and_o in_o the_o case_n of_o secret_a sin_n be_v a_o mean_n by_o open_a shame_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o repentance_n and_o so_o to_o pardon_v and_o the_o confession_n be_v principal_o direct_v to_o god_n who_o be_v the_o person_n offend_v by_o the_o sin_n yet_o it_o be_v make_v before_o man_n to_o raise_v a_o fervency_n in_o their_o prayer_n as_o be_v note_v before_o and_o to_o obtain_v their_o effectual_a intercession_n with_o god_n on_o behalf_n of_o the_o penitent_a this_o that_o ancient_a writer_n make_v manifest_a to_o be_v his_o sense_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr poenitentia_fw-la in_o these_o word_n plerumque_fw-la vero_fw-la jejuniis_fw-la preces_fw-la alere_fw-la ingemiscere_fw-la lachrymari_fw-la &_o mugire_fw-la dies_fw-la noctesque_fw-la ad_fw-la dominum_fw-la deum_fw-la tuum_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la advolvi_fw-la &_o aris_fw-la or_o rather_o charis_fw-la dei_fw-la adgeniculari_fw-la omnibus_fw-la fratribus_fw-la legationes_fw-la suae_fw-la deprecationis_fw-la injungere_fw-la haec_fw-la omne_fw-la ex_fw-la homologesis_n ut_fw-la poenitentiam_fw-la commendet_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o penitent_a often_o join_v fast_v to_o his_o prayer_n weep_v wail_n and_o moan_n night_n and_o day_n before_o god_n cast_v himself_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o priest_n kneels_z to_o all_o holy_a people_n 39_o tertull._n apol._n c._n 39_o and_o entreat_v all_o the_o brethren_n to_o be_v his_o intercessor_n with_o god_n almighty_a for_o his_o pardon_n this_o be_v
whither_o they_o be_v contrite_a or_o attrite_a or_o neither_o at_o least_o when_o they_o can_v give_v no_o evidence_n of_o â—â—her_n if_o they_o intend_v this_o only_a for_o absolution_n from_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n it_o may_v be_v call_v charity_n and_o look_v something_o like_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o release_v those_o upon_o their_o deathbed_n who_o it_o will_v not_o discharge_v all_o their_o life_n before_o though_o not_o then_o neither_o without_o sign_n of_o attrition_n and_o contrition_n too_o but_o these_o pretend_v to_o quit_v another_o thing_n namely_o to_o release_v man_n in_o foro_fw-la conscientiae_fw-la and_o to_o give_v they_o a_o passport_n to_o heaven_n without_o repentance_n which_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o say_v no_o worse_o of_o it_o or_o to_o instance_n one_o thing_n more_o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o their_o practice_n of_o give_v absolution_n before_o the_o penance_n be_v perform_v as_o be_v usual_a with_o they_o unless_o this_o be_v it_o that_o whither_o the_o man_n make_v any_o conscience_n at_o all_o how_o he_o live_v hereafter_o yet_o he_o be_v pardon_v as_o much_o as_o the_o priest_n can_v do_v it_o for_o he_o and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o likely_a way_n of_o reformation_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o now_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n that_o auricular_a confession_n as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v only_o one_fw-mi artifice_n of_o greatn_v the_o priest_n and_o please_v the_o people_n a_o trick_n of_o gratify_v the_o undevout_a and_o impious_a as_o well_o as_o the_o devout_a and_o religious_a the_o latter_a it_o impose_v upon_o by_o its_o outward_a appearance_n of_o humility_n and_o piety_n to_o the_o former_a it_o serve_v for_o a_o palliative_a cure_n of_o the_o gripe_v of_o conscience_n which_o they_o be_v now_o and_o then_o trouble_v with_o in_o reality_n it_o tend_v to_o make_v sin_n easy_a and_o tolerable_a by_o the_o cheapness_n of_o its_o pardon_n and_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o old_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o dust_n and_o ash_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o her_o liturgy_n pious_o wish_n for_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o ancient_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n it_o can_v be_v no_o defect_n in_o she_o that_o she_o trouble_v not_o herself_o with_o this_o rubbish_n finis_fw-la a_o postscript_n after_o i_o have_v finish_v the_o forego_n paper_n and_o most_o part_n of_o they_o have_v also_o past_a the_o press_n i_o happen_v to_o have_v notice_n that_o there_o be_v a_o book_n just_a then_o come_v over_o from_o france_n write_v by_o a_o divine_a of_o the_o sorbone_n which_o with_o great_a appearance_n of_o learn_v maintain_v the_o just_a contrary_n to_o what_o i_o have_v assert_v esepecial_o in_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o this_o question_n and_o pretend_v to_o prove_v from_o the_o most_o ancient_a monument_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n father_n pope_n and_o council_n that_o auricular_a confession_n have_v be_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n and_o universal_a and_o uninterrupted_a usage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o near_o 1300_o year_n from_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o lateran_n council_n so_o soon_o as_o i_o hear_v this_o i_o hearty_o wish_v that_o either_o the_o say_a book_n have_v come_v out_o a_o little_a soon_o or_o at_o least_o that_o my_o paper_n have_v be_v yet_o in_o my_o hand_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o it_o may_v have_v be_v in_o my_o power_n to_o have_v correct_v what_o may_v be_v amise_n or_o supply_v what_o be_v defective_a in_o that_o short_a discourse_n or_o indeed_o if_o occasion_n be_v to_o have_v whole_o suppress_v it_o for_o as_o soon_o as_o i_o enter_v upon_o the_o say_a book_n and_o find_v from_o no_o less_o a_o man_n then_o the_o author_n himself_o that_o he_o have_v diligent_o read_v over_o all_o that_o have_v be_v write_v on_o both_o side_n of_o this_o controversy_n and_o that_o this_o work_n of_o his_o be_v the_o product_n of_o eighteen_o year_n study_n and_o that_o in_o the_o prime_n of_o his_o year_n and_o most_o flourish_a time_n of_o his_o part_n that_o it_o be_v publish_v upon_o the_o maturest_n deliberation_n on_o his_o part_n and_o with_o the_o great_a applause_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o faculty_n i_o think_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o suspect_v whither_o a_o small_a tract_n write_v in_o haste_n by_o a_o man_n of_o no_o name_n and_o full_a enough_o of_o other_o business_n can_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v see_v on_o the_o same_o day_n with_o so_o elaborate_a a_o work_n but_o by_o that_o time_n i_o have_v read_v a_o little_a further_o i_o take_v heart_n and_o permit_v the_o press_n to_o go_v on_o and_o now_o that_o i_o have_v go_v over_o the_o whole_a i_o do_v here_o profess_v sincere_o that_o in_o all_o that_o learned_a discourse_n i_o scarce_o find_v any_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v not_o foresee_v and_o as_o i_o think_v in_o some_o measure_n prevent_v but_o certain_a i_o be_o nothing_o occur_v that_o stagger_v my_o judgement_n or_o which_o do_v not_o rather_o confirm_v i_o in_o what_o i_o have_v write_v for_o though_o i_o meet_v with_o abundance_n of_o citation_n and_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o wit_n and_o dexterity_n in_o the_o management_n of_o they_o yet_o i_o find_v none_o of_o they_o come_v home_o to_o the_o point_n for_o whereas_o they_o sometime_o recommend_v and_o press_v confession_n of_o sin_n in_o general_a sometime_o to_o the_o church_n sometime_o to_o the_o priest_n or_o bishop_n as_o well_o as_o to_o god_n almighty_a again_o sometime_o they_o speak_v great_a thing_n of_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o priesthood_n and_o the_o gâ—â—at_a honour_n that_o order_n have_v in_o be_v wonderful_o useful_a to_o the_o relief_n of_o guilty_a or_o afflict_a conscience_n other_o while_o they_o treat_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n the_o danger_n of_o her_o censure_n the_o comfort_n of_o her_o absolution_n and_o the_o severity_n of_o her_o discipline_n etc._n etc._n but_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o we_o without_o laborious_a proof_n as_o well_o as_o by_o our_o adversary_n that_o which_o we_o demand_v and_o expect_v therefore_o be_v where_o shall_v we_o find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n auricular_a confession_n say_v to_o be_v a_o sacrament_n or_o any_o part_n of_o one_o or_o where_o be_v the_o universal_a necessity_n of_o it_o assert_v or_o that_o secret_a sin_n commit_v after_o baptism_n be_v by_o no_o other_o mean_n or_o upon_o no_o other_o term_n pardon_v with_o god_n then_o upon_o their_o be_v confess_v to_o man_n in_o these_o thing_n lie_v the_o hinge_n of_o our_o dispute_n and_o of_o these_o particular_n one_o ought_v in_o reason_n to_o expect_v the_o most_o direct_a and_o plain_a proof_n imaginable_a if_o the_o matter_n be_v of_o such_o consequence_n of_o such_o universal_a practice_n and_o notoriety_n as_o they_o pretend_v but_o nothing_o of_o all_o this_o appear_v in_o this_o writter_n more_o than_o in_o those_o that_o have_v go_v before_o he_o in_o contemplation_n of_o which_o i_o now_o adventure_v this_o little_a tract_n into_o the_o world_n with_o somewhat_o more_o of_o confidence_n than_o i_o shall_v have_v do_v have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o this_o occasion_n but_o lest_o i_o shall_v seem_v to_o be_v too_o partial_a in_o the_o case_n or_o to_o give_v too_o slight_a a_o account_n of_o this_o learned_a man_n performance_n the_o reader_n who_o please_v shall_v be_v judge_n by_o a_o specimen_fw-la or_o two_o which_o i_o will_v here_o brief_o represent_v to_o he_o the_o former_a of_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o very_a first_o argument_n or_o testimony_n he_o produce_v for_o his_o assertion_n which_o i_o the_o rather_o make_v my_o choice_n to_o give_v instance_n in_o because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v say_v ingenuous_o to_o seek_v for_o fault_n to_o pick_v and_o choose_v for_o matter_n of_o exception_n that_o take_v the_o first_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o hand_n the_o business_n be_v this_o chap._n 2._o page_n 11._o of_o his_o book_n he_o cite_v the_o council_n of_o illiberis_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o circumstance_n as_o the_o first_o witness_n for_o his_o cause_n and_o the_o testimony_n be_v take_v from_o the_o seventy_o six_o canon_n the_o word_n be_v these_o st._n quâ—s_fw-la diaconum_fw-la etc._n etc._n ay_o e._n if_o any_o man_n shall_v suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v ordain_v deacon_n and_o shall_v afterward_o be_v convict_v to_o have_v former_o commit_v some_o mortal_n or_o capital_a crime_n if_o the_o say_a crime_n come_v to_o light_n by_o his_o own_o voluntary_a confession_n he_o shall_v for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n be_v debar_v the_o holy_a communion_n but_o in_o case_n his_o sin_n be_v discover_v and_o make_v know_v