Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	bishop_n	church_n	ecclesiastical_a	2,624	5	8.1032	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

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

as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n sense_n be_v scripture_n in_o earnest_n so_o utter_o obscure_a will_v their_o author_n say_v so_o of_o the_o history_n of_o livy_n or_o tacitus_n or_o of_o the_o philosophical_a write_n of_o plato_n and_o aristotle_n or_o of_o euclid_n element_n can_v not_o god_n speak_v clear_o and_o intelligible_o to_o man_n as_o man_n have_v do_v and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a consequence_n to_o they_o or_o will_v he_o not_o do_v so_o the_o assertion_n of_o the_o one_o will_v impeach_v his_o wisdom_n of_o the_o other_o his_o mercy_n and_o kindness_n to_o soul_n and_o if_o scripture_n leave_v we_o so_o quite_o in_o the_o dark_a why_o do_v they_o call_v themselves_o a_o light_n a_o lamp_n say_v 8._o ps_n 119_o 105.13●_n ps_n 19.7_o 8._o that_o they_o enlighten_v the_o eye_n and_o make_v wise_a the_o simple_a be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o gospel_n act_n and_o epistle_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o respective_a time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v in_o themselves_o unintelligible_a by_o they_o to_o who_o and_o for_o who_o soul_n health_n they_o be_v write_v if_o they_o be_v so_o than_o they_o be_v useless_a and_o vain_a and_o oral_a tradition_n can_v not_o expound_v they_o which_o be_v not_o in_o be_v when_o those_o book_n be_v first_o write_v for_o that_o deal_v with_o the_o age_n follow_v the_o first_o convey_v what_o be_v at_o the_o first_o deliver_v unto_o posterity_n do_v god_n then_o write_v only_o to_o amaze_v his_o church_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thing_n hard_o to_o be_v understand_v which_o it_o may_v please_v god_n shall_v be_v partly_o to_o win_v the_o great_a veneration_n to_o the_o scripture_n for_o what_o be_v obvious_a and_o present_o see_v through_o be_v in_o the_o more_o danger_n of_o contempt_n partly_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o christian_n industry_n humility_n and_o charity_n towards_o each_o other_o on_o occasion_n of_o dissent_n but_o howsoever_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o lock_v up_o but_o that_o a_o comp●tent_a diligence_n and_o a_o beraean_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o readiness_n of_o mind_n may_v be_v a_o key_n to_o they_o may_v open_v they_o in_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o if_o in_o other_o thing_n we_o remain_v ignorant_a or_o not_o so_o certain_a we_o may_v well_o bear_v with_o it_o while_o we_o be_v yet_o but_o in_o viâ_fw-la and_o not_o comprehensores_fw-la on_o our_o way_n unto_o but_o have_v not_o yet_o reach_v perfection_n that_o which_o make_v the_o noise_n of_o scriptur_n obscurity_n the_o more_o loud_a be_v that_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o look_v upon_o the_o many_o subtlety_n of_o the_o school_n and_o nicety_n of_o polemic_a writer_n as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o man_n have_v more_o mind_n to_o fathom_n depth_n and_o to_o humour_v their_o curiosity_n for_o which_o end_n i_o believe_v the_o scripture_n be_v not_o intend_v and_o hence_o be_v ever_o rack_a the_o scripture_n and_o vex_v the_o sacred_a text_n than_o to_o exercise_v themselves_o in_o a_o sober_a understanding_n of_o what_o be_v sufficient_o plain_a and_o in_o a_o conscientious_a practice_n of_o the_o holy_a rule_n of_o life_n which_o be_v evident_a enough_o if_o christian_n will_v more_o serious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o these_o two_o thing_n they_o will_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n employment_n enough_o and_o they_o will_v be_v more_o content_v with_o their_o difficulty_n the_o romanist_n have_v raise_v a_o cry_n of_o scriptur_n darkness_n upon_o another_o account_n and_o out_o of_o policy_n for_o have_v embrace_v several_a tenant_n and_o practice_n which_o scripture_n do_v condemn_v or_o not_o countenance_n either_o it_o be_v whole_o silent_a of_o they_o or_o they_o be_v but_o mere_a appearance_n there_o which_o be_v snatch_v at_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o grandeur_n or_o profit_n or_o the_o affect_a reputation_n of_o a_o infallibility_n to_o part_v with_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o press_v tradition_n to_o serve_v in_o their_o war_n and_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o they_o thus_o they_o have_v first_o make_v a_o necessity_n and_o then_o have_v invent_v a_o remedy_n for_o it_o but_o when_o all_o be_v do_v the_o remedy_n be_v more_o imaginary_a than_o real_a for_o how_o unsure_a a_o conveyance_n and_o consequent_o how_o weak_a a_o proof_n oral_a tradition_n be_v in_o matter_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o practice_n have_v be_v already_o evict_v so_o that_o if_o we_o must_v be_v ignorant_a of_o scripture_n sense_n unless_o oral_a tradition_n bless_v we_o with_o the_o exposition_n of_o it_o and_o scripture_n no_o far_o a_o light_n than_o it_o be_v tind_v at_o tradition_n candle_n we_o must_v sit_v still_o in_o much_o ignorance_n or_o wander_v in_o great_a uncertainty_n for_o that_o can_v relieve_v we_o it_o be_v not_o that_o infallible_a commentator_n it_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v 2._o to_o the_o upbraid_v we_o with_o our_o distraction_n i_o reply_v 1._o before_o the_o charge_n can_v be_v make_v good_a that_o the_o choice_n of_o scripture_n for_o our_o canon_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o many_o difference_n and_o that_o upon_o that_o pretence_n we_o shall_v exchange_v scripture_n for_o oral_a tradition_n it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v a_o sure_a and_o infallible_a clew_n to_o guide_v we_o out_o of_o the_o labyrinth_n of_o error_n into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n the_o contrary_a to_o which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v for_o otherwise_o to_o leave_v scripture_n and_o to_o follow_v tradition_n will_v be_v to_o relinquish_v a_o guide_n or_o rule_n which_o be_v indict_v by_o a_o unerring_a spirit_n can_v mislead_v we_o and_o to_o choose_v one_o which_o may_v and_o will_v carry_v we_o out_o of_o the_o way_n nor_o will_v the_o pretence_n of_o unity_n make_v amends_o for_o this_o for_o true_a christian_a peace_n can_v be_v otherwhere_o bottom_v than_o on_o truth_n when_o and_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v a_o cement_n of_o man_n to_o the_o disservice_n of_o truth_n it_o commence_v faction_n nor_o reason_n nor_o religion_n allow_v much_o less_o commend_v a_o agreement_n of_o person_n to_o err_v together_o 2._o they_o who_o have_v the_o most_o amorous_o espouse_v tradition_n have_v also_o their_o many_o and_o great_a difference_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o only_o through_o fear_n in_o some_o and_o policy_n in_o the_o rest_n they_o be_v hush_v up_o more_o than_o among_o we_o and_o so_o do_v better_o escape_v the_o observation_n and_o talk_n of_o the_o world_n nay_o that_o church_n may_v be_v just_o arraign_v as_o the_o guilty_a cause_n of_o that_o which_o they_o call_v a_o great_a schism_n viz._n the_o separation_n of_o so_o many_o church_n from_o they_o the_o church_n call_v protestant_n by_o their_o imposition_n of_o unlawful_a and_o therefore_o impossible_a term_n of_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nilus_n tell_v the_o world_n that_o their_o imperiousness_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a schism_n between_o the_o greek_a and_o the_o latin_a church_n 22._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pag._n 21._o 22._o thus_o as_o the_o church_n of_o traditioner_n have_v no_o few_o dissension_n among_o themselves_o so_o they_o have_v give_v a_o beginning_n and_o continuance_n to_o the_o quarrel_n between_o they_o and_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o christendom_n 3._o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o fetch_v our_o distraction_n from_o the_o rejection_n of_o oral_a tradition_n there_o be_v be_v other_o true_a manifest_a cause_n of_o they_o assignable_a our_o church_n once_o flourish_v with_o peace_n and_o that_o without_o the_o aid_n of_o a_o oral_a tradition_n while_o the_o reverend_a bishop_n be_v suffer_v to_o govern_v it_o and_o the_o royal_a be_v able_a to_o countenance_v the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n but_o when_o the_o pious_a king_n and_o bless_a martyr_n be_v engage_v in_o and_o divert_v by_o the_o turmoil_n of_o a_o civil_a war_n when_o episcopacy_n be_v change_v for_o anarchy_n when_o the_o golden_a reins_o of_o government_n in_o church_n and_o state_n be_v break_v then_o begin_v and_o increase_v our_o division_n and_o calamity_n unto_o which_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v some_o assist_a cause_n from_o without_o some_o who_o help_v to_o kindle_v and_o to_o blow_v our_o fire_n and_o if_o the_o roman_a church_n shall_v chance_v into_o the_o like_a afflict_a state_n with_o we_o it_o will_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o like_a confusion_n if_o the_o mitre_n shall_v be_v forsake_v by_o the_o secular_a crown_a head_n and_o a_o mutinying_a multitude_n shall_v pull_v their_o holy_a father_n out_o of_o his_o infallible_a chair_n then_o it_o be_v not_o altogether_o improbable_a but_o that_o child_n will_v less_o heauken_v

of_o such_o a_o belief_n of_o posterity_n concern_v such_o a_o obligation_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o ancient_o and_o in_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n scarce_o a_o new_a opinion_n can_v start_v up_o but_o it_o find_v abettor_n it_o be_v strange_a if_o there_o be_v indeed_o such_o a_o persuasion_n as_o be_v pretend_v fix_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o christian_n that_o so_o often_o they_o shall_v have_v leave_v the_o road_n and_o turn_v into_o a_o unbeaten_a path_n in_o former_a age_n to_o come_v near_o to_o our_o own_o time_n the_o relinquisher_n of_o the_o roman_a tenant_n and_o communion_n the_o deserter_n as_o our_o adversary_n call_v they_o of_o tradition_n be_v like_o the_o crowd_n in_o st._n john_n vision_n a_o great_a multitude_n which_o no_o man_n can_v number_v of_o many_o nation_n and_o kindred_n people_n and_o tongue_n people_n divide_v by_o diversity_n of_o climate_n and_o vast_a space_n of_o earth_n and_o sea_n of_o various_a complexion_n of_o body_n and_o disposition_n of_o soul_n of_o different_a education_n manner_n of_o life_n and_o civil_a interest_n this_o be_v undeniable_o true_a how_o utter_o improbable_a be_v it_o that_o so_o many_o myriad_n difference_v by_o so_o many_o considerable_a circumstance_n shall_v so_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o a_o departure_n from_o the_o roman_a church_n i._n e._n in_o the_o style_n of_o our_o adversary_n in_o a_o defection_n from_o tradition_n if_o there_o have_v real_o be_v such_o a_o common_a charm_n and_o great_a principle_n regnant_a among_o they_o and_o unite_n they_o in_o a_o obsequious_a adherence_n to_o their_o father_n faith_n and_o in_o a_o opposition_n to_o any_o alteration_n of_o their_o belief_n especial_o it_o be_v yet_o the_o more_o improbable_a if_o it_o be_v remember_v that_o many_o of_o these_o adventure_v on_o a_o change_n through_o the_o sharp_a persecution_n and_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o first_o reformer_n have_v maintain_v the_o secession_n towards_o two_o century_n of_o year_n and_o be_v so_o well_o satisfy_v in_o it_o that_o they_o be_v general_o averse_a from_o a_o return_n to_o the_o roman_a communion_n unto_o which_o nothing_o but_o force_n be_v likely_a to_o reduce_v they_o if_o even_o that_o can_v do_v it_o by_o this_o it_o appear_v how_o high_o improbable_a that_o position_n be_v viz._n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v 216._o believe_v sure_o foot_v p._n 216._o and_o to_o do_v as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v or_o if_o a_o very_a great_a improbability_n be_v suppose_v and_o that_o the_o secessor_n from_o rome_n have_v such_o a_o belief_n of_o a_o tie_n upon_o they_o unto_o the_o faith_n and_o practice_n of_o ancestor_n then_o for_o certain_a they_o act_v contrary_o to_o that_o belief_n but_o howsoever_o act_n they_o do_v and_o counter_a to_o the_o age_n then_o and_o some_o age_n before_o and_o even_o this_o will_v weaken_v oral_a tradition_n indefectibility_n for_o what_o happen_v in_o this_o alteration_n may_v have_v happen_v in_o the_o age_n before_o though_o child_n suppose_v do_v conceive_v a_o obligation_n upon_o they_o to_o the_o same_o faith_n with_o that_o of_o their_o father_n and_o because_o it_o be_v their_o father_n yet_o if_o they_o may_v move_v contrary_o to_o they_o notwithstanding_o such_o a_o believe_a engagement_n there_o may_v be_v a_o rupture_n in_o tradition_n as_o sure_o as_o if_o they_o have_v have_v no_o sense_n of_o such_o obligation_n so_o that_o i_o do_v not_o see_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o have_v be_v and_o be_v still_o in_o all_o generation_n such_o a_o persuasion_n of_o posterity_n obligation_n to_o believe_v and_o to_o practise_v just_a as_o forefather_n do_v how_o such_o a_o concession_n will_v quite_o do_v oral_a tradition_n business_n for_o though_o it_o may_v be_v well_o argue_v negative_o if_o posterity_n do_v not_o conceive_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o to_o do_v as_o their_o father_n do_v there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n of_o oral_a tradition_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o necessary_o follow_v on_o the_o other_o side_n and_o affirmative_o if_o successive_a generation_n do_v believe_v themselves_o engage_v to_o believe_v and_o to_o practice_v just_a as_o the_o forego_n do_v therefore_o it_o will_v be_v sure_a that_o they_o will_v so_o believe_v and_o practice_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o man_n do_v not_o always_o nay_o too_o seldom_o what_o they_o know_v it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o do_v and_o though_o they_o who_o first_o depart_v from_o tradition_n may_v proceed_v against_o conviction_n of_o their_o obligation_n to_o the_o contrary_a yet_o their_o successor_n not_o discern_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o first_o departure_n may_v continue_v it_o as_o the_o 200_o man_n follow_v absalon_n in_o their_o simplicity_n till_o continuance_n grow_v into_o a_o prescription_n and_o gain_v the_o port_n of_o tradition_n but_o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o so_o numerous_a relinquisher_n of_o rome_n render_v it_o very_o improbable_a that_o there_o be_v or_o be_v a_o belief_n general_o root_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v and_o to_o do_v conformable_o to_o father_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v perhaps_o say_v to_o counterbalance_v this_o that_o they_o who_o keep_v still_o constant_a to_o rome_n and_o to_o tradition_n be_v remarkable_o numerous_a and_o it_o be_v confess_v they_o be_v too_o many_o but_o it_o may_v rational_o be_v question_v whether_o all_o or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o do_v stay_v in_o that_o communion_n out_o of_o a_o fix_a belief_n that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v as_o their_o father_n do_v i_o be_o sure_a their_o be_v of_o that_o church_n do_v not_o evince_v such_o a_o belief_n in_o they_o because_o there_o be_v divers_a other_o cause_n which_o may_v detain_v they_o on_o that_o side_n beside_o such_o a_o persuasion_n as_o ignorance_n education_n prepossession_n and_o wontedness_n to_o it_o variety_n of_o great_a preferment_n and_o grandeur_n secular_a pomp_n and_o splendour_n the_o profitableness_n and_o pleasingness_n of_o some_o doctrine_n fear_v from_o the_o prince_n who_o be_v popish_a and_o of_o civil_a penalty_n dread_v of_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n and_o of_o the_o inquisition_n be_v they_o of_o the_o roman_a party_n more_o free_a the_o rod_n not_o so_o hold_v over_o they_o be_v punishment_n not_o so_o severe_o threaten_v and_o execute_v on_o revolter_n we_o shall_v better_o understand_v how_o devote_a submitter_n they_o be_v to_o oral_a tradition_n and_o how_o much_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o it_o as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n not_o to_o let_v their_o faith_n alter_v from_o that_o of_o ancestor_n the_o sum_n of_o this_o section_n be_v this_o 1._o that_o it_o have_v not_o be_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n on_o posterity_n to_o believe_v forefather_n nay_o the_o contrary_n have_v be_v prove_v 2_o that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o obligation_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o posterity_n shall_v conceive_v themselves_o to_o be_v under_o such_o a_o obligation_n 3_o that_o if_o they_o do_v conceive_v themselves_o to_o be_v so_o oblige_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o necessary_o follow_v that_o they_o will_v move_v according_a to_o their_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o obligation_n therefore_o on_o this_o three_o head_n there_o be_v not_o sufficient_a security_n give_v for_o oral_a tradition_n infallibility_n sect_n iv_o 4_o the_o author_n of_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o lord_n falkland_n discourse_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n say_v 12._o p._n 10_o 11_o 12._o that_o a_o deep_a root_n which_o great_o strengthen_v and_o reduce_v into_o action_n the_o efficacity_n of_o tradition_n be_v that_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v not_o a_o speculative_a knowledge_n but_o it_o be_v a_o art_n of_o live_v a_o practical_a doctrine_n the_o consequence_n of_o which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o any_o material_a point_n of_o christian_a faith_n can_v be_v change_v as_o it_o be_v by_o obreption_n while_o man_n be_v on_o sleep_n but_o it_o must_v needs_o raise_v a_o great_a scandal_n and_o tumult_n in_o the_o christian_a common-weal_n we_o remember_v in_o a_o manner_n as_o yet_o how_o change_n come_v into_o germany_n france_n scotland_n and_o our_o own_o country_n let_v those_o be_v a_o sign_n to_o we_o what_o we_o may_v think_v can_v be_v the_o creep_a in_o of_o false_a doctrine_n special_o that_o there_o be_v no_o point_n of_o doctrine_n contrary_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n root_v in_o any_o christian_a nation_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a history_n do_v not_o mention_v the_o time_n and_o combat_n by_o which_o it_o enter_v and_o tear_v the_o church_n in_o piece_n here_o be_v another_o argument_n for_o the_o great_a efficacy_n of_o tradition_n in_o that_o it_o prevent_v obreption_n so_o that_o the_o church_n can_v be_v assault_v by_o