Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	holy_a	word_n	write_v	5,008	5	5.6967	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

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

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

there_o be_v in_o the_o premise_n the_o only_a use_n i_o shall_v make_v of_o it_o at_o present_a be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v at_o least_o be_v as_o certain_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o papist_n be_v that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a for_o they_o can_v be_v no_o more_o infallible_o assure_v of_o this_o than_o we_o be_v of_o our_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o it_o be_v the_o same_o argument_n prove_v that_o they_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a because_o this_o be_v not_o only_o doubt_v but_o absolute_o deny_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o be_v never_o think_v of_o by_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o it_o so_o that_o this_o argument_n prove_v too_o much_o and_o recoil_v upon_o themselves_o like_o a_o gun_n which_o be_v overcharge_v and_o if_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n they_o will_v grant_v that_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v as_o confident_o deny_v and_o dispute_v by_o other_o then_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o the_o church_n be_v no_o argument_n that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o our_o religion_n but_o only_o teach_v we_o great_a caution_n and_o diligence_n and_o honesty_n in_o our_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n 3._o these_o division_n and_o heresy_n that_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v no_o better_a argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o the_o diversity_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v far_o enough_o from_o be_v christian_n great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v jew_n or_o pagan_n or_o mahumetanes_n still_o and_o this_o be_v as_o good_a a_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o all_o religion_n as_o the_o different_a party_n and_o profession_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n nor_o what_o true_a christianity_n be_v the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o design_v to_o offer_v any_o force_n or_o violence_n to_o man_n faith_n or_o understanding_n no_o more_o than_o to_o their_o wi_n be_v there_o such_o a_o irresistible_a and_o compulsory_a evidence_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o wherever_o it_o be_v preach_v it_o shall_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n though_o never_o so_o wicked_a and_o ill_o dispose_v to_o continue_v a_o infidel_n or_o to_o prove_v a_o heretic_n faith_n will_v be_v no_o great_a a_o virtue_n than_o force_a obedience_n and_o compliance_n be_v the_o gospel_n have_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v honest_a mind_n and_o be_v plain_a enough_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o be_v honest_a and_o teachable_a and_o therefore_o have_v its_o effect_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v curable_a which_o be_v all_o that_o it_o be_v design_v for_o those_o who_o will_v not_o believe_v may_v continue_v infidel_n and_o those_o who_o will_v not_o understand_v may_v fall_v into_o error_n and_o believe_v a_o lie_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v and_o plainness_n enough_o to_o instruct_v well_o dispose_v mind_n and_o certainty_n enough_o in_o each_o to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o divine_a faith_n the_o sum_n be_v this_o though_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o very_a good_a mean_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o only_a mean_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o very_a intelligible_a book_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n who_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o a_o church_n shall_v have_v the_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o a_o language_n which_o he_o understand_v by_o a_o diligent_a read_n of_o it_o he_o may_v understand_v enough_o to_o be_v save_v 2._o if_o by_o church_n be_v mean_v any_o particular_a church_n as_o suppose_v the_o roman_n catholic_n church_n or_o the_o church_n of_o the_o present_a age_n it_o be_v absolute_o false_a to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v always_o a_o sure_a and_o safe_a mean_n of_o understand_v the_o scripture_n what_o have_v be_v unversal_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n or_o at_o least_o by_o all_o church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v near_a the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o may_v be_v presume_v best_a to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o those_o primitive_a apostolic_a church_n in_o matter_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n before_o they_o be_v corrupt_v by_o worldly_a ambition_n and_o secular_a interest_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o our_o practice_n also_o and_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n whereby_o our_o church_n be_v reform_v and_o to_o which_o we_o appeal_v there_o be_v but_o three_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o christian_n either_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o the_o external_a order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o administration_n of_o religious_a office_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n all_o those_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o man_n they_o be_v so_o plain_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o no_o honest_a man_n can_v mistake_v they_o i_o suppose_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o will_v not_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v any_o need_n of_o a_o infallible_a interpreter_n to_o teach_v man_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o love_v god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o 2._o as_o for_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n those_o which_o be_v fundamental_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o which_o every_o christian_a ought_v to_o believe_v be_v so_o plain_a in_o scripture_n that_o every_o honest_a and_o unprejudiced_a man_n may_v understand_v they_o but_o however_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o we_o govern_v ourselves_o in_o these_o thing_n by_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o safe_a rule_n we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o what_o the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v we_o learn_v from_o those_o short_a summary_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v universal_o own_v by_o all_o catholic_n church_n for_o what_o we_o now_o call_v the_o apostle_n creed_n be_v very_o ancient_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n with_o some_o little_a variety_n indeed_o of_o word_n and_o phrase_n but_o without_o any_o difference_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v not_o only_o preserve_v in_o such_o short_a summary_n and_o creed_n which_o be_v as_o liable_a to_o be_v pervert_v by_o heretic_n as_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o but_o be_v more_o large_o explain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o though_o this_o will_v not_o enable_v we_o to_o understand_v every_o phrase_n and_o expression_n of_o scripture_n but_o we_o must_v use_v other_o mean_n to_o do_v that_o as_o skill_n in_o the_o original_a language_n a_o knowledge_n of_o ancient_a custom_n and_o ancient_a dispute_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n frequent_o allude_v a_o consideration_n of_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o place_n etc._n etc._n yet_o the_o catholic_n faith_n receive_v and_o own_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v so_o far_o a_o rule_n as_o it_o direct_v we_o to_o expound_v scripture_n to_o a_o true_a catholic_n sense_n as_o st._n paul_n command_v the_o roman_n that_o those_o who_o prophesy_v shall_v prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n rom._n 12._o 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v that_o in_o the_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o shall_v expound_v they_o to_o a_o christian_a sense_n according_a to_o those_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o he_o have_v teach_v they_o and_o this_o be_v a_o safe_a rule_n for_o expound_v the_o old_a testament_n which_o contain_v the_o type_n and_o figure_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o gospel-state_n and_o thus_o in_o expound_v the_o new_a testament_n now_o it_o be_v commit_v to_o writing_n we_o must_v prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n or_o as_o he_o command_v timothy_n in_o his_o preach_v hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o thou_o have_v hear_v from_o i_o 2_o tim._n 1._o 13._o it_o seem_v the_o apostle_n have_v give_v he_o a_o form_n of_o