Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n body_n effect_n part_n 1,666 5 4.5382 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59222 Five Catholick letters concerning the means of knowing with absolute certainty what faith now held was taught by Jesus Christ written by J. Sergeant upon occasion of a conference between Dr. Stillingfleet and Mr. Peter Gooden. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.; Gooden, Peter, d. 1695. 1688 (1688) Wing S2568; ESTC R28132 302,336 458

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

profess_v to_o hold_v the_o yesterday_n faith_n when_o all_o the_o world_n must_v see_v and_o every_o man_n be_v own_o heart_n must_v tell_v he_o the_o contrary_a which_o be_v the_o high_a impossibility_n luther_n alter_v calvin_n alter_v so_o do_v many_o other_o but_o none_o of_o they_o have_v the_o face_n to_o say_v they_o still_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n or_o the_o faith_n deliver_v immediate_o before_o and_o that_o they_o have_v not_o alter_v 4._o man_n fall_v into_o sin_n through_o temptation_n and_o temptation_n be_v various_a according_a to_o man_n temper_n and_o circumstance_n whence_o it_o happen_v that_o one_o fall_v into_o one_o sort_n of_o sin_n other_o into_o another_o as_o thing_n light_a but_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v have_v be_v cause_n lay_v in_o the_o world_n so_o universal_a as_o to_o reach_v a_o whole_a body_n of_o man_n consist_v of_o so_o many_o million_o of_o different_a country_n temper_n and_o circumstance_n so_o as_o to_o impel_v they_o effectual_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o same_o individual_a sort_n of_o sin_n and_o this_o such_o a_o horrid_a and_o shameful_a one_o viz._n the_o alter_a the_o faith_n they_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v by_o and_o this_o so_o sudden_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n show_v evident_o it_o be_v above_o chance_n and_o the_o very_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n will_v forbid_v such_o a_o conspiracy_n be_v there_o neither_o religion_n conscience_n nor_o common_a humanity_n in_o it_o their_o very_a passion_n disaffection_n and_o enmity_n to_o one_o another_o will_v make_v they_o disagree_v in_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o wicked_a project_n their_o natural_a temper_n abstract_v from_o their_o common_a propension_n to_o truth_n and_o the_o care_n of_o preserve_v their_o credit_n utter_o lose_v by_o speak_v such_o open_a and_o pernicious_a falsehood_n will_v render_v they_o apt_a out_o of_o a_o mere_a antipathy_n of_o humour_n to_o oppose_v one_o another_o and_o all_o this_o suppose_v there_o be_v no_o goodness_n at_o all_o in_o the_o world_n to_o suppose_v which_o evacuate_v all_o christian_a motive_n and_o their_o efficacy_n and_o make_v our_o dear_a saviour_n preach_v and_o die_v in_o vain_a especial_o since_o there_o never_o want_v no_o not_o even_o in_o the_o worst_a time_n a_o fair_a degree_n of_o discipline_n to_o apply_v those_o motive_n nay_o state-interest_n or_o the_o quarrel_n of_o prince_n will_v make_v they_o glad_a to_o take_v hence_o a_o advantage_n against_o their_o emulous_a neighbour_n and_o to_o think_v it_o the_o best_a policy_n to_o lay_v hold_n on_o such_o a_o occasion_n to_o fight_v in_o behalf_n of_o faith_n and_o common_a honesty_n against_o a_o pack_n of_o shameless_a liar_n and_o deserter_n both_o of_o religion_n and_o human_a nature_n who_o care_v not_o what_o become_v of_o their_o own_o salvation_n or_o that_o of_o other_o last_o th●se_o cause_n thwart_v the_o universal_a alteration_n of_o faith_n while_o christian_n proceed_v on_o the_o former_a rule_n of_o tradition_n and_o full_a as_o much_o hinder_v the_o take_n up_o a_o new_a rule_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n to_o make_v man_n conspire_v to_o alter_v the_o yesterday_n faith_n so_o christian_a motive_n which_o contain_v the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n imaginable_a the_o hope_n of_o never-ending_a bliss_n and_o fear_n of_o eternal_a and_o intolerable_a misery_n which_o be_v believe_v and_o apply_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n can_v not_o on_o the_o contrary_a side_n but_o influence_n they_o most_o powerful_o to_o preserve_v unchanged_a and_o inviolate_a both_o the_o rule_n and_o the_o faith._n it_o be_v as_o certain_a then_o that_o a_o very_a great_a body_n of_o adherer_n to_o tradition_n and_o consequent_o to_o the_o first_o deliver_v faith_n will_v still_o remain_v on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n as_o that_o effect_n can_v not_o be_v without_o proper_a cause_n or_o that_o motive_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a cause_n to_o work_v upon_o rational_a nature_n will_v produce_v their_o effect_n i_o mean_v such_o motive_n as_o engage_v their_o very_a nature_n add_v that_o such_o a_o change_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v public_o know_v and_o so_o have_v excite_v the_o pen_n tongue_n interest_n perhaps_o sword_n too_o of_o the_o traditionary_a and_o innovate_a party_n one_o against_o another_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o change_n as_o we_o see_v have_v happen_v in_o our_o late_a alteration_n or_o reformation_n yet_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v ever_o mention_v in_o history_n or_o come_v to_o we_o by_o tradition_n or_o any_o thing_n allege_v but_o some_o difference_n among_o particular_a spectator_n and_o their_o adherent_n side_v with_o they_o which_o amount_v to_o nothing_o comparable_a to_o that_o universal_a and_o most_o memorable_a concussion_n such_o a_o vast_a change_n as_o this_o we_o speak_v of_o must_v needs_o have_v make_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n 46._o sum_v up_o then_o this_o discourse_n it_o be_v manifest_a you_o have_v no_o way_n to_o answer_v our_o argument_n but_o by_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o time_n the_o lord_n know_v when_o in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o considerable_a body_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n either_o good_a christian_n honest_a man_n or_o value_v their_o credit_n but_o only_o a_o company_n of_o brutish_a godless_a lie_v ruffian_n without_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o grace_n or_o shame_n in_o they_o unfortunate_a confuter_n aristotle_n look_v upon_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v plato_n on_o thing_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v but_o to_o make_v a_o show_n of_o a_o answer_n to_o our_o argument_n you_o will_v have_v your_o reader_n look_v upon_o the_o christian_a world_n as_o it_o neither_o be_v be_v shall_v be_v or_o can_v be_v 47._o but_o you_o object_n what_o if_o all_o son_n do_v not_o understand_v aright_o all_o that_o father_n have_v teach_v they_o 23._o answer_n if_o all_o do_v not_o most_o of_o the_o intelligent_a and_o pastor_n who_o be_v of_o great_a authority_n than_o those_o some_o less-understanding_n person_n and_o tie_v by_o their_o duty_n and_o office_n to_o instruct_v their_o ignorance_n will_v and_o can_v easy_o do_v it_o when_o the_o doctrine_n open_a practice_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v settle_v and_o make_v it_o both_o so_o obligatory_a and_o so_o easy_a 2._o what_o if_o some_o son_n be_v so_o negligent_a as_o to_o take_v no_o care_n either_o to_o remember_v or_o teach_v what_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o their_o father_n answ._n if_o only_o some_o be_v so_o than_o those_o who_o be_v diligent_a to_o do_v this_o will_v reprehend_v they_o and_o see_v to_o have_v thing_n amend_v and_o those_o careless_a person_n especial_o if_o pastor_n reduce_v to_o their_o duty_n there_o be_v order_n on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n to_o oblige_v they_o to_o it_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o unheard-of_a negligence_n not_o to_o know_v or_o remember_v the_o next_o day_n the_o faith_n they_o hold_v the_o day_n before_o nor_o do_v it_o require_v that_o care_n you_o pretend_v to_o retain_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o four_o and_o twenty_o hour_n 3._o what_o if_o some_o through_o ambition_n vainglory_n and_o popularity_n 24._o set_v a_o broach_n new_a doctrine_n and_o teach_v they_o for_o apostolical_a tradition_n answ._n if_o only_o some_o be_v so_o than_o those_o other_o who_o be_v good_a man_n and_o free_a from_o those_o vice_n will_v set_v themselves_o to_o oppose_v they_o make_v know_v their_o false_a pretence_n and_o lay_v open_a their_o novelty_n both_o reason_n assure_v we_o that_o good_a man_n use_v not_o to_o be_v so_o stupid_o careless_a in_o such_o sacred_a concern_v and_o history_n inform_v we_o they_o be_v ever_o very_o zealous_o vigilant_a to_o oppose_v heretic_n when_o ever_o they_o begin_v to_o vent_v their_o pestilent_a doctrine_n 4._o what_o if_o other_o to_o save_v themselves_o from_o persecution_n conceal_v part_n and_o corrupt_a more_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n by_o their_o own_o tradition_n take_v not_o from_o christ_n but_o from_o their_o forefather_n jew_n or_o gentile_n then_o those_o who_o be_v out_o of_o persecution_n or_o value_v it_o not_o so_o much_o as_o they_o do_v their_o conscience_n will_v oppose_v their_o unchristian_a proceed_n then_o the_o father_n doctor_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n will_v reveal_v what_o they_o have_v conceal_v restore_v what_o they_o have_v corrupt_v and_o manifest_a that_o their_o pretence_n and_o subterfuge_n be_v false_a and_o that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o subintroduce_v have_v not_o descend_v by_o the_o open_a channel_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n tradition_n 5._o what_o if_o some_o through_o a_o blind_a zeal_n ignorant_a devotion_n superstitious_a rigour_n and_o vain_a credulity_n add_v many_o thing_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o by_o degree_n grow_v into_o more_o general_a esteem_n
acknowledge_v it_o be_v rather_o a_o very_a commendable_a cautiousness_n in_o the_o latin_a &_o greek_a church_n too_o not_o to_o admit_v into_o such_o a_o sacred_a roll_n book_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o clear_o prove_v to_o be_v authentical_o such_o than_o a_o unblamable_a lapse_n or_o so_o heinous_a a_o crime_n that_o for_o commit_v it_o she_o must_v needs_o lose_v all_o her_o title_n to_o christ_n promise_a assistance_n 31._o this_o give_v i_o occasion_n to_o ask_v you_o what_o become_v of_o your_o rule_n and_o consequent_o of_o your_o faith_n all_o that_o while_n if_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n that_o be_v of_o the_o whole_a canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v your_o rule_n and_o those_o book_n be_v part_n of_o this_o canon_n they_o must_v necessary_o be_v part_n of_o your_o rule_n too_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o your_o rule_n be_v not_o entire_a but_o deficient_a for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o the_o whole_a canon_n be_v collect_v and_o acknowledge_v i_o see_v you_o do_v but_o compliment_v with_o the_o primitive_a church_n of_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n and_o that_o you_o only_o cry_v it_o up_o to_o avoid_v the_o unkindness_n which_o the_o succeed_a age_n show_v to_o your_o cause_n for_o by_o your_o doctrine_n you_o can_v but_o hold_v that_o the_o age_n which_o follow_v it_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v since_o these_o have_v your_o entire_a rule_n the_o other_o want_v some_o part_n of_o it_o and_o sometime_o hold_v but_o three_o part_n of_o it_o half_a of_o it_o or_o less_o and_o so_o by_o your_o principle_n be_v but_o three_o quarter_n or_o half_a christian_n according_a as_o the_o several_a piece_n come_v by_o degree_n to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o universal_o accept_v i_o doubt_v mr._n m_n discourse_n about_o the_o number_n of_o book_n more_o perplex_v you_o than_o your_o be_v willing_a to_o make_v show_n of_o for_o pray_v how_o many_o of_o these_o book_n go_v to_o make_v up_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n if_o any_o one_o or_o some_o few_o than_o you_o shall_v not_o have_v stand_v upon_o the_o canon_n we_o have_v now_o that_o be_v all_o the_o apostolical_a book_n or_o scripture_n in_o general_n if_o all_o the_o canonical_a write_n be_v your_o rule_n than_o perhaps_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v but_o half_o their_o faith_n or_o less_o it_o may_v be_v none_o at_o all_o because_o want_v yet_o those_o other_o book_n they_o want_v necessary_a place_n to_o compare_v those_o text_n with_o they_o already_o have_v which_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o your_o method_n to_o find_v out_o your_o faith_n in_o scripture_n pray_v satisfy_v we_o about_o this_o exact_a number_n of_o book_n and_o how_o many_o will_v just_o serve_v the_o turn_n and_o make_v something_o cohere_v for_o i_o can_v for_o my_o heart_n as_o yet_o find_v any_o thing_n that_o do_v you_o talk_v to_o we_o of_o a_o purse_n and_o say_v it_o must_v be_v full_a but_o when_o we_o come_v to_o look_v at_o it_o more_o narrow_o it_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v for_o some_o time_n but_o half_a a_o purse_n and_o want_v one_o side_n of_o it_o at_o least_o have_v a_o great_a hole_n in_o it_o so_o that_o you_o put_v we_o into_o a_o apprehension_n that_o many_o of_o the_o gold_n and_o silver_n point_n may_v have_v drop_v out_o of_o it_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n by_o which_o church_n notwithstanding_o and_o no_o other_o in_o our_o dispute_n about_o faith_n you_o seem_v hearty_o willing_a to_o be_v judge_v but_o 31._o let_v we_o examine_v a_o little_a the_o consent_n of_o all_o your_o christian_n church_n for_o scripture_n you_o make_v such_o brag_n of_o 7._o in_o the_o first_o place_n march_n and_o lead_v the_o van_n your_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o noble_a arch-heretick_n marciou_n who_o blot_v out_o of_o the_o canon_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o 9_o hebrew_n that_o to_o titus_n and_o both_o those_o to_o timothy_n who_o admit_v only_o st._n luke_n gospel_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o 3._o reject_v all_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n as_o a_o apostate_n from_o the_o law._n in_o the_o next_o rank_n go_v abreast_o those_o three_o famous_a christian_a church_n of_o ebion_n valentinus_n and_o cerinthus_n of_o which_o 1._o the_o first_o admit_v only_o st._n matthews_n gospel_n the_o 26._o second_o only_a st._n john_n and_o the_o three_o only_a st._n mark_n be_v after_o they_o come_v other_o mention_v by_o st._n hierom_n and_o epiphanius_n who_o in_o a_o manner_n bring_v all_o into_o doubt_n 76._o especial_o if_o faith_n depend_v in_o those_o day_n on_o the_o compare_v of_o place_n for_o they_o hold_v that_o diverse_a thing_n both_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a be_v not_o inspire_v by_o god_n but_o write_v by_o a_o human_a spirit_n i_o need_v not_o acquaint_v you_o that_o luther_n brentius_n &_o chemnitius_n do_v revive_v the_o old_a doubt_n about_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n of_o late_a day_n nor_o need_v it_o be_v recount_v how_o many_o orthodox_n christian_n church_n do_v not_o accept_v diverse_a book_n former_o and_o though_o afterward_o as_o you_o say_v well_o they_o come_v by_o degree_n to_o fix_v on_o the_o certain_a canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n yet_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o judge_v that_o this_o be_v not_o perform_v by_o immediate_a testimony_n 15._o for_o the_o witness_n be_v long_o ago_o dead_a and_o their_o grandfather_n too_o who_o can_v attest_v that_o such_o a_o book_n be_v indeed_o to_o their_o knowledge_n write_v by_o such_o a_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n it_o descend_v then_o by_o oral_a tradition_n in_o those_o respective_a church_n whence_o as_o that_o tradition_n be_v not_o so_o practical_a so_o it_o be_v restrain_v to_o some_o few_o in_o each_o church_n and_o be_v withal_o very_o narrow_a at_o first_o in_o comparison_n of_o our_o tradition_n for_o christ_n doctrine_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n universal_o and_o public_o preach_v and_o practise_v now_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o tradition_n and_o the_o largeness_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o largeness_n of_o the_o first_o attestation_n and_o all_o that_o after-age_n can_v do_v when_o they_o attest_v such_o thing_n be_v to_o witness_v that_o they_o receive_v it_o from_o some_o other_o but_o so_o that_o the_o tradition_n be_v still_o narrow_a as_o it_o come_v near_o the_o fountain_n which_o very_o much_o weaken_v it_o by_o what_o other_o light_v the_o church_n guide_v herself_o in_o her_o accept_n such_o and_o such_o book_n for_o canonical_a scripture_n belong_v to_o another_o place_n your_o tradition_n then_o be_v not_o universal_a for_o scripture_n in_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n and_o its_o original_a attestation_n be_v weak_a in_o comparison_n of_o that_o which_o be_v for_o doctrine_n 20._o 32._o i_o have_v little_a to_o say_v to_o your_o explicit_fw-la or_o implicit_a point_n contain_v in_o scripture_n for_o i_o see_v they_o be_v both_o equal_o to_o no_o purpose_n while_o but_o contain_v there_o till_o you_o bring_v we_o a_o rule_n to_o interpret_v the_o letter_n with_o absolute_a certainty_n if_o any_o aught_o to_o be_v explicit_o there_o none_o can_v have_v so_o good_a a_o title_n to_o it_o as_o those_o high_a and_o most_o fundamental_a article_n speak_v of_o so_o often_o yet_o we_o see_v there_o be_v no_o place_n producible_a for_o they_o but_o may_v have_v other_o sense_n give_v they_o and_o bear_v as_o experience_n show_v we_o not_o yet_o end_v and_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v endless_a dispute_n among_o your_o sober_a enquirer_n attend_v to_o your_o rule_n only_o i_o a_o little_a wonder_n you_o shall_v say_v it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o your_o purpose_n that_o all_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n either_o explicit_o or_o implicit_o if_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n they_o must_v be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o know_v to_o be_v there_o for_o they_o must_v save_v man_n by_o believe_v they_o and_o act_v according_a to_o that_o belief_n or_o no_o way_n and_o if_o they_o be_v only_o implicit_o there_o they_o be_v as_o yet_o unknown_a or_o not_o believe_v so_o that_o according_a to_o you_o that_o be_v a_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o do_v not_o at_o all_o conduce_v to_o it_o but_o i_o wonder_v more_o at_o the_o happiness_n of_o your_o sober_a enquirer_n to_o who_o you_o affirm_v and_o stand_v to_o it_o stout_o ibid._n those_o implicit_a point_n will_v become_v explicit_fw-la without_o the_o help_n of_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o you_o call_v it_o assume_v ibid._n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o do_v the_o same_o or_o declare_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o article_n certain_o this_o sober_a enquirer_n be_v your_o special_a darling_n and_o favourite_n he_o
be_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n he_o will_v have_v have_v recourse_n to_o some_o exacter_n copy_n correct_v their_o faulty_a one_o and_o so_o have_v bear_v up_o still_o to_o that_o rule_n but_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o do_v not_o thus_o he_o make_v then_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n or_o tradition_n the_o rule_n both_o to_o know_v our_o faith_n and_o also_o to_o correct_v the_o faultiness_n of_o the_o letter_n whether_o this_o suit_n better_a with_o the_o drs._n principle_n or_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o yourselves_o or_o any_o man_n of_o reason_n to_o judge_n and_o determine_v determine_v 30._o thus_o come_v off_o this_o famous_a sermon_n which_o make_v such_o a_o noise_n for_o a_o confutation_n of_o the_o traditionary_a doctrine_n the_o sum_n of_o it_o be_v 1._o the_o dr._n take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o main_a question_n betwixt_o we_o which_o be_v about_o the_o absolute-certainty_n that_o our_o faith_n be_v true_o christian_n or_o teach_v by_o christ_n nor_o attempt_n to_o show_v his_o be_v thus_o certain_a but_o preach_v to_o you_o steadfastness_n and_o a_o well-setled_n resolution_n to_o continue_v in_o it_o yet_o avoid_v the_o give_v you_o any_o ground_n to_o make_v you_o steadfast_a and_o well-setled_n in_o that_o resolution_n 2._o he_o conceal_v every_o advantage_n christian_n tradition_n have_v or_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v that_o be_v he_o will_v persuade_v you_o to_o hate_n it_o before_o you_o see_v it_o and_o to_o compare_v it_o to_o scripture_n before_o you_o know_v what_o kind_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v which_o be_v yet_o worse_o he_o show_v you_o another_o thing_n for_o it_o and_o through_o all_o his_o discourse_n pretend_v be_v it_o which_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o it_o but_o utter_o unlike_o it_o viz._n particular_a tradition_n both_o before_o and_o after_o that_o universal_a tradition_n only_a which_o we_o defend_v be_v settle_v 3._o he_o fix_v a_o false_a date_n upon_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o tradition_n we_o speak_v of_o that_o the_o vast_a source_n of_o it_o which_o with_o the_o circumstance_n annex_v be_v able_a to_o continue_v the_o current_n strong_a and_o the_o derivation_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n both_o certain_a and_o perpetual_a may_v not_o be_v reflect_v on_o to_o deform_v it_o the_o more_o he_o make_v it_o mere_o verbal_a as_o if_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o tell_v some_o dry_a story_n by_o surpress_v its_o practicalness_n in_o which_o consist_v its_o chief_a virtue_n 4._o he_o hide_v from_o your_o consideration_n all_o the_o most_o incomparable_a and_o most_o powerful_a motive_n which_o enforce_v its_o continuance_n and_o oblige_v the_o church_n never_o to_o forsake_v the_o first_o deliver_v doctrine_n 5._o he_o never_o regard_v even_o in_o those_o particular_a tradition_n whether_o they_o fail_v the_o person_n or_o the_o person_n fail_v they_o but_o suppose_v still_o the_o tradition_n be_v in_o all_o the_o fault_n without_o attempt_v to_o show_v it_o 6._o he_o will_v have_v you_o imagine_v the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n consist_v of_o pastor_n and_o people_n lose_v all_o their_o memory_n and_o grace_n too_o assoon_o as_o ever_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a lest_o it_o shall_v be_v hold_v able_a and_o willing_a to_o testify_v christ_n doctrine_n to_o the_o next_o age_n which_o by_o parity_n will_v establish_v it_o a_o rule_n for_o all_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world._n 7._o he_o mingle_v know_v opinion_n and_o which_o he_o hold_v himself_o not_o to_o have_v be_v universal_o deliver_v at_o first_o with_o point_n which_o we_o all_o hold_v to_o have_v be_v first_o deliver_v then_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o object_n of_o tradition_n which_o and_o only_o which_o we_o pretend_v it_o be_v to_o bring_v down_o with_o absolute_a certainty_n and_o deliver_v clear_o viz._n the_o dogmatical_a or_o controvert_v article_n of_o christian_a faith_n which_o be_v practical_a he_o never_o mention_n it_o at_o all_o with_o any_o distinction_n but_o tumble_v and_o confound_v it_o with_o all_o thing_n imaginable_a for_o which_o it_o be_v never_o pretend_v and_o put_v upon_o tradition_n a_o hundred_o abuse_v task_n as_o never_o think_v of_o by_o we_o so_o improper_a &_o oft_o time_n impossible_a in_o themselves_o as_o the_o derive_v down_o the_o ten_o commandment_n creed_n decree_n of_o council_n set_v form_n of_o word_n a_o infinity_o of_o particular_a passage_n not_o at_o all_o practical_a nay_o whole_a epistle_n and_o gospel_n scheme_n of_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o heathen_a philosopher_n message_n which_o use_v to_o be_v send_v by_o long_a letter_n historical_a narration_n or_o action_n and_o in_o a_o word_n every_o thing_n he_o can_v invent_v but_o the_o right_a one_o viz._n those_o controvert_v point_n of_o faith_n though_o it_o lay_v just_a before_o he_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o controversy_n which_o we_o be_v about_o determine_v our_o discourse_n to_o those_o point_n and_o nothing_o else_o this_o be_v his_o general_n view_v of_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n as_o to_o the_o way_n of_o convey_v down_o matter_n of_o faith._n he_o mean_v a_o general_n view_n which_o misrepresent_v and_o blind_v your_o sight_n of_o it_o in_o every_o particular_a in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v much_o of_o read_v conduct_v and_o wit_n in_o his_o sermon_n but_o whole_o misemploy_v to_o speak_v as_o handsome_o as_o he_o can_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o to_o miss_v the_o whole_a point_n in_o question_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o plausibility_n in_o which_o among_o his_o other_o great_a ability_n just_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v excellent_a consist_v his_o most_o considerable_a talon_n and_o dexterity_n dexterity_n 31._o so_o he_o end_v his_o sermon_n with_o good_a advice_n to_o you_o to_o follow_v christ_n heavenly_a doctrine_n in_o your_o life_n and_o conversation_n which_o as_o he_o worthy_o press_v upon_o you_o so_o i_o shall_v hearty_o pray_v that_o god_n will_v vouchsafe_v you_o his_o grace_n to_o follow_v it_o i_o be_o far_o from_o blame_v his_o or_o any_o one_o preach_v the_o wholesome_a moral_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n and_o lay_v it_o home_o to_o man_n conscience_n but_o i_o ought_v not_o if_o concern_v to_o suffer_v that_o when_o he_o pretend_v to_o speak_v to_o your_o understanding_n and_o establish_v you_o in_o faith_n he_o shall_v bubble_v his_o auditory_a with_o forty_o impertinent_a pretence_n injurious_a to_o his_o candid_a adversary_n and_o to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o to_o yourselves_o please_v and_o delude_v your_o fancy_n with_o a_o great_a show_n of_o his_o read_n and_o little_a conjectural_a reflection_n tack_v pretty_o together_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n send_v you_o away_o empty_a of_o know_v any_o ground_n which_o may_v render_v you_o or_o any_o absolute_o certain_a that_o what_o you_o hold_v be_v indeed_o christ_n doctrine_n that_o be_v any_o ground_n of_o perfect_a security_n that_o be_v can_v but_o be_v indeed_o his_o doctrine_n without_o be_v which_o it_o ought_v not_o be_v hold_v true._n whereas_o yet_o it_o be_v only_o this_o certainty_n which_o can_v give_v his_o or_o any_o other_o sermon_n it_o be_v full_a force_n and_o energy_n your_o servant_n in_o christ_n j._n s._n advertisement_n the_o 2_o d._n &_o 3_o d._n catholic_n letter_n be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o m._n turner_n at_o the_o lamb_n in_o high-holbourn_a the_o five_o catholic_n letter_n in_o reply_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n pretend_a answer_v to_o about_o the_o forty_o part_n of_o i._o s's_fw-fr catholic_n letter_n address_v to_o all_o impartial_a reader_n by_o john_n sergeant_n publish_a with_o allowance_n london_n print_v and_o sell_v by_o matthew_n turner_n at_o the_o lamb_n in_o high-holborn_n 1688._o the_o preface_n address_v to_o the_o most_o partial_a of_o dr._n stillingfleet_n friend_n gentleman_n when_o a_o person_n be_v incomparable_o qualify_v above_o all_o other_o in_o any_o particular_a man_n use_v to_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o pattern_n in_o that_o kind_a i_o will_v not_o say_v dr_n st._n have_v manifest_v himself_o to_o be_v such_o a_o exemplar_n in_o every_o respect_n that_o can_v be_v a_o ingredient_n of_o a_o ill_a controvertist_n this_o be_v yet_o to_o be_v show_v and_o pretence_n without_o proof_n signify_v nothing_o only_o i_o may_v just_o fear_v that_o while_o you_o be_v read_v my_o reply_n to_o his_o answer_n as_o he_o call_v it_o to_o my_o catholic_n letter_n you_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o judge_v that_o i_o be_o rather_o frame_v a_o idea_n of_o what_o human_a weakness_n maintain_v a_o insupportably-ill_a cause_n may_v be_v obnoxious_a to_o than_o give_v a_o just_a character_n of_o his_o performance_n and_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o a_o man_n of_o his_o part_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o such_o and_o so_o many_o incredible_a fail_n i_o acknowledge_v with_o all_o due_a respect_n to_o he_o his_o great_a endowment_n and_o be_o hearty_o glad_a in_o