Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n know_v reason_n see_v 3,559 5 3.2116 3 true
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
A33220 Seventeen sermons preach'd upon several occasions never before printed / by William Clagett ... with The summ of a conference on February 21, 1686, between Dr. Clagett and Father Gooden, about the point of transubstantiation. Clagett, William, 1646-1688. 1689 (1689) Wing C4396; ESTC R7092 211,165 600

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

catholic_n church_n both_o before_o and_o after_o her_o reformation_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v go_v through_o the_o task_n i_o set_v myself_o and_o i_o hope_v need_n to_o make_v no_o apology_n for_o entertain_v you_o with_o a_o controversy_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o indeed_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o controversy_n among_o we_o but_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a i_o have_v this_o to_o say_v whereas_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o infallible_a guide_n or_o judge_n and_o yet_o require_v the_o people_n to_o believe_v as_o she_o believe_v to_o profess_v what_o she_o profess_v and_o to_o do_v what_o she_o injoyn_v it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o her_o minister_n shall_v sometime_o make_v it_o plain_a that_o she_o require_v this_o because_o she_o have_v reason_n so_o to_o do_v and_o be_v not_o in_o these_o point_n deceive_v though_o she_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o she_o can_v err_v in_o any_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o have_v make_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v discourse_v plain_a enough_o to_o every_o understanding_n but_o whether_o that_o be_v so_o or_o not_o yet_o every_o one_o may_v perceive_v that_o we_o appeal_v to_o his_o reason_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o honesty_n of_o our_o cause_n and_o for_o my_o own_o part_n if_o i_o understand_v nothing_o else_o of_o the_o merit_n of_o it_o i_o have_v rather_o be_v of_o a_o church_n which_o pretend_v to_o guide_v i_o with_o reason_n than_o of_o another_o that_o will_v govern_v i_o without_o it_o and_o that_o because_o the_o former_a be_v likely_a to_o take_v more_o care_n not_o to_o mislead_v i_o than_o the_o latter_a needs_o to_o do_v which_o when_o it_o have_v gain_v i_o to_o a_o implicit_a faith_n and_o a_o blind_a obedience_n may_v lead_v i_o whether_o she_o please_v as_o for_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v i_o declare_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n that_o i_o have_v offer_v nothing_o to_o you_o but_o what_o i_o believe_v myself_o and_o far_o that_o i_o be_o not_o conscious_a to_o myself_o of_o any_o reason_n why_o i_o be_o fix_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o this_o church_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o other_o but_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o error_n of_o that_o church_n which_o if_o i_o shall_v profess_v or_o practice_n i_o can_v not_o entertain_v the_o least_o hope_n of_o salvation_n and_o we_o who_o be_v thus_o convince_v be_v as_o i_o take_v it_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o take_v seasonable_a opportunity_n of_o confirm_v our_o brethren_n in_o our_o communion_n and_o enable_v they_o as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o argument_n and_o the_o answer_n of_o the_o other_o side_n be_v unsatisfactory_a and_o vain_a as_o i_o have_v in_o some_o part_n endeavour_v to_o show_v at_o this_o time_n we_o shall_v indeed_o not_o be_v unwilling_a to_o take_v pain_n to_o recover_v those_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o be_v educate_v in_o damnable_a error_n but_o there_o be_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o do_v all_o we_o can_v to_o retain_v those_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o it_o see_v if_o they_o revolt_v we_o can_v have_v that_o hope_n of_o their_o salvation_n which_o we_o will_v fain_o have_v of_o they_o who_o want_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o discover_v they_o it_o be_v a_o bless_a state_n of_o the_o church_n indeed_o if_o all_o be_v unite_v in_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n we_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o persuade_v and_o exhort_v man_n and_o to_o take_v care_n of_o they_o that_o they_o live_v answerable_o thereto_o but_o since_o we_o have_v two_o work_n upon_o our_o hand_n to_o guard_v you_o against_o error_n as_o well_o as_o to_o warn_v you_o against_o a_o wicked_a life_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o we_o can_v discharge_v our_o duty_n but_o by_o do_v one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o latter_a i_o be_o to_o tell_v you_o in_o the_o conclusion_n that_o we_o do_v not_o make_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o best_a church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v all_o in_o all_o a_o man_n may_v go_v to_o hell_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o pure_a church_n and_o without_o true_a repentance_n and_o reformation_n the_o best_a and_o pure_a church_n that_o ever_o be_v since_o the_o gospel_n begin_v can_v have_v do_v he_o no_o service_n and_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v as_o great_a a_o corruption_n as_o can_v be_v ready_o think_v of_o for_o any_o church_n to_o pretend_v to_o save_v man_n by_o a_o trick_n and_o send_v they_o to_o heaven_n any_o other_o way_n than_o the_o plain_a way_n of_o keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n keep_v therefore_o the_o pure_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o withal_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o man_n hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n but_o still_o remember_v that_o if_o your_o work_n be_v not_o answerable_a your_o faith_n be_v vain_a for_o not_o the_o hearer_n of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o doer_n thereof_o shall_v be_v justify_v not_o he_o that_o say_v lord_n lord_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o do_v the_o will_n of_o our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n the_o second_o sermon_n matth_n xviii_o 7._o wo_n unto_o the_o world_n because_o of_o offence_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o offence_n come_v but_o woe_n to_o that_o man_n by_o who_o the_o offence_n come_v the_o great_a end_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o bring_v mankind_n to_o salvation_n and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o to_o convert_v they_o from_o sin_n and_o from_o all_o dangerous_a error_n and_o to_o lead_v they_o to_o a_o right_a faith_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n but_o it_o be_v too_o evident_a that_o this_o end_n be_v not_o attain_v universal_o and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v tempt_v to_o suspect_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o therefore_o a_o divine_a revelation_n because_o it_o have_v in_o so_o great_a part_n fail_v of_o the_o end_n which_o it_o pretend_v to_o pursue_v he_o may_v be_v easy_o bring_v to_o assurance_n again_o by_o consider_v the_o vast_a good_a which_o christianity_n have_v do_v in_o the_o world_n but_o especial_o by_o observe_v that_o the_o gospel_n have_v foretell_v that_o all_o man_n will_v not_o believe_v and_o obey_v our_o bless_a lord_n himself_o testify_v that_o many_o be_v call_v but_o few_o be_v choose_v and_o that_o straight_o be_v the_o gate_n and_o narrow_a the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o life_n and_o few_o there_o be_v that_o find_v it_o nay_o inasmuch_o as_o he_o have_v forewarn_v we_o of_o a_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o have_v tell_v we_o beforehand_o that_o the_o word_n which_o he_o have_v speak_v the_o same_o shall_v judge_v we_o at_o the_o last_o day_n this_o be_v a_o manifest_a declaration_n that_o he_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o lead_v man_n to_o faith_n and_o repentance_n by_o such_o mean_n as_o can_v not_o but_o be_v effectual_a but_o only_o by_o such_o as_o be_v sufficient_a if_o we_o will_v in_o any_o measure_n comply_v with_o his_o gracious_a method_n and_o it_o be_v also_o a_o plain_a intimation_n that_o a_o great_a many_o will_v be_v never_o the_o better_a but_o the_o worse_a for_o these_o mean_n that_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o their_o salvation_n and_o that_o some_o for_o not_o receive_v they_o other_o for_o not_o improve_n they_o will_v fall_v into_o great_a condemnation_n but_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o foretell_v these_o thing_n only_o but_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o too_o and_o what_o it_o be_v that_o will_v obstruct_v the_o progress_n and_o design_n of_o his_o religion_n for_o this_o be_v the_o importance_n of_o those_o word_n of_o he_o which_o i_o have_v now_o choose_v for_o my_o subject_n woe_n be_v to_o the_o world_n because_o of_o offence_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o offence_n come_v by_o offence_n or_o scandal_n we_o be_v here_o and_o almost_o everywhere_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o understand_v those_o temptation_n to_o sin_n and_o inducement_n to_o error_n which_o some_o man_n lay_v in_o the_o way_n of_o other_o they_o be_v sometime_o otherwise_o express_v snare_n stumbling-block_n and_o occasion_n of_o fall_n for_o the_o thing_n mean_v by_o all_o these_o expression_n be_v the_o same_o now_o concern_v offence_n our_o saviour_n affirm_v two_o thing_n in_o the_o word_n i_o have_v read_v first_o that_o they_o will_v come_v nay_o that_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o they_o will_v come_v i._n e._n that_o man_n will_v arise_v who_o shall_v hinder_v the_o prevail_a of_o christianity_n as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lay_v or_o pervert_v the_o design_n of_o it_o
their_o sin_n and_o a_o plain_a case_n it_o be_v that_o in_o this_o life_n where_o the_o tare_n and_o the_o wheat_n grow_v together_o that_o by_o the_o same_o affliction_n god_n punish_v the_o sin_n of_o some_o while_o he_o manifest_v the_o sincerity_n of_o other_o and_o in_o this_o case_n it_o remain_v true_a that_o those_o who_o be_v punish_v be_v not_o to_o be_v account_v great_a sinner_n than_o all_o those_o that_o escape_n of_o which_o we_o need_v not_o desire_v any_o other_o proof_n than_o our_o saviour_n word_n for_o it_o but_o in_o some_o case_n we_o have_v very_o evident_a and_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o for_o sometime_o god_n punish_v the_o sin_n of_o some_o man_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o other_o that_o be_v worse_o than_o they_o who_o he_o reserve_v for_o far_o great_a punishment_n in_o life_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n do_v abundant_o testify_v now_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o it_o must_v not_o be_v conclude_v of_o those_o that_o suffer_v under_o the_o oppression_n of_o other_o that_o they_o be_v worse_o than_o those_o that_o oppress_v they_o it_o ought_v not_o neither_o to_o be_v conclude_v of_o those_o that_o do_v not_o suffer_v by_o they_o that_o they_o be_v better_a than_o those_o that_o do_v for_o the_o former_a observation_n be_v a_o evident_a proof_n that_o they_o do_v not_o suffer_v first_o who_o deserve_v it_o most_o which_o be_v a_o doctrine_n that_o our_o saviour_n think_v fit_a to_o deliver_v in_o his_o day_n and_o will_v be_v of_o constant_a use_n while_o the_o world_n last_v to_o keep_v christian_n at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o that_o jewish_a error_n that_o man_n may_v discern_v god_n love_n and_o hatred_n by_o what_o befall_v they_o in_o this_o world._n i_o will_v therefore_o never_o suffer_v myself_o to_o be_v run_v into_o a_o ill_a opinion_n of_o any_o man_n or_o any_o people_n by_o any_o adversity_n how_o great_a soever_o it_o be_v which_o happen_v to_o they_o before_o my_o eye_n much_o less_o will_v i_o enter_v into_o comparison_n i_o will_v not_o conclude_v from_o the_o affliction_n i_o see_v that_o there_o must_v needs_o be_v some_o great_a sin_n at_o the_o bottom_n which_o vengeance_n have_v find_v out_o and_o when_o i_o see_v the_o sin_n and_o can_v forbear_v acknowledge_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n i_o will_v not_o go_v on_o to_o suppose_v there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o i_o do_v see_v and_o make_v he_o to_o be_v a_o worse_a man_n than_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v nor_o will_v i_o conclude_v that_o he_o be_v worse_a than_o those_o that_o do_v not_o suffer_v such_o thing_n and_o what_o construction_n i_o will_v forbear_v to_o make_v of_o a_o single_a person_n i_o will_v much_o more_o forbear_v to_o make_v of_o multitude_n because_o i_o know_v the_o reason_n of_o god_n proceed_n with_o peoples_n and_o nation_n and_o great_a body_n of_o man_n be_v by_o i_o unsearchable_a and_o that_o time_n discover_v that_o wisdom_n of_o his_o counsel_n which_o my_o reason_n can_v fathom_v in_o a_o word_n i_o will_v conclude_v ill_a of_o none_o because_o they_o suffer_v but_o rather_o well_o of_o they_o if_o i_o know_v no_o cause_n to_o the_o contrary_a because_o it_o be_v often_o god_n method_n to_o afflict_v his_o own_o best_a servant_n and_o when_o he_o punish_v for_o sin_n to_o begin_v with_o those_o that_o do_v not_o most_o of_o all_o deserve_v it_o shall_v i_o conclude_v for_o instance_n that_o the_o french_a protestant_n have_v be_v the_o great_a sinner_n of_o all_o the_o protestant_n in_o europe_n or_o great_a than_o ourselves_o because_o they_o have_v suffer_v such_o thing_n god_n forbid_v i_o speak_v not_o of_o those_o who_o to_o their_o glory_n in_o this_o world_n but_o alas_o that_o be_v little_a worth_n it_o become_v i_o to_o say_v and_o you_o to_o hear_v it_o who_o to_o their_o praise_n with_o god_n and_o to_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o reward_n hereafter_o in_o a_o better_a life_n have_v suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n but_o of_o those_o who_o the_o terror_n of_o this_o world_n have_v prevail_v with_o more_o than_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o who_o the_o desire_n of_o ease_n here_o have_v be_v too_o hard_o for_o the_o desire_n of_o salvation_n hereafter_o i_o will_v not_o say_v and_o we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o even_o these_o be_v great_a sinner_n than_o ourselves_o who_o have_v not_o fall_v into_o their_o temptation_n such_o instance_n as_o these_o brethren_n do_v best_a explain_v the_o intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o these_o word_n and_o will_v affect_v we_o with_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o they_o and_o the_o more_o that_o we_o look_v abroad_o into_o the_o world_n and_o consider_v the_o unsearchableness_n of_o god_n judgement_n and_o that_o his_o way_n be_v past_o find_v out_o as_o we_o can_v but_o do_v if_o we_o ask_v ourselves_o the_o reason_n why_o this_o and_o that_o happen_v the_o more_o sensible_o we_o shall_v acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n in_o this_o place_n and_o shall_v forbear_v pass_v judgement_n upon_o the_o unhappy_a mere_o because_o they_o be_v so_o but_o yet_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o god_n do_v of_o this_o kind_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o a_o unprofitable_a observation_n and_o that_o because_o the_o second_o point_n of_o the_o three_o which_o i_o have_v mention_v be_v as_o true_a as_o the_o first_o and_o that_o be_v this_o 2._o that_o one_o reason_n why_o the_o evil_n of_o this_o life_n do_v not_o befall_v all_o person_n at_o the_o same_o time_n who_o be_v equal_o sinner_n be_v that_o while_o some_o be_v visit_v with_o the_o rod_n of_o god_n other_o may_v take_v warning_n by_o it_o this_o proposition_n i_o lay_v down_o with_o great_a confidence_n not_o only_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o general_a but_o also_o of_o the_o pertinence_n of_o it_o to_o the_o text_n for_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o our_o saviour_n upon_o mention_n make_v of_o the_o former_a of_o the_o two_o tragical_a story_n observe_v the_o latter_a himself_o and_z takes_z occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o divert_v his_o hearer_n from_o censure_v those_o miserable_a person_n as_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o do_v and_o to_o employ_v they_o in_o reflect_v upon_o themselves_o i_o tell_v you_o nay_o but_o except_o you_o repent_v you_o shall_v all_o likewise_o perish_v he_o employ_v they_o in_o reflect_v upon_o their_o own_o sin_n for_o say_v he_o except_o you_o repent_v and_o upon_o their_o own_o danger_n except_o you_o repent_v you_o shall_v all_o likewise_o perish_v and_o now_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o wander_v from_o the_o true_a intent_n of_o god_n providence_n in_o the_o thing_n that_o happen_v to_o those_o person_n nor_o make_v a_o application_n of_o they_o which_o be_v not_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o since_o he_o give_v warning_n by_o their_o example_n it_o remain_v true_a as_o i_o say_v that_o one_o reason_n why_o the_o evil_n of_o this_o life_n do_v not_o befall_v all_o person_n at_o the_o same_o time_n who_o equal_o deserve_v they_o and_o i_o will_v add_v who_o equal_o need_v they_o be_v this_o that_o while_o some_o be_v correct_v other_o may_v be_v instruct_v i_o rather_o keep_v to_o the_o case_n of_o punish_v sin_n than_o try_v virtue_n because_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o text_n though_o i_o may_v say_v too_o that_o the_o reason_n why_o all_o that_o can_v bear_v a_o trial_n be_v not_o try_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v because_o the_o trial_n of_o some_o righteous_a man_n be_v not_o only_o profitable_a to_o themselves_o but_o the_o example_n of_o they_o also_o be_v profitable_a to_o other_o good_a man_n to_o encourage_v and_o fortify_v they_o but_o when_o god_n punish_v he_o do_v not_o at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n punish_v all_o that_o deserve_v it_o equal_o but_o he_o punish_v some_o that_o the_o rest_n may_v take_v warning_n for_o if_o the_o suffering_n of_o a_o few_o in_o comparison_n will_v instruct_v all_o the_o rest_n god_n end_n be_v gain_v which_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v learn_v righteousness_n when_o his_o judgement_n be_v abroad_o in_o the_o earth_n and_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o argument_n which_o may_v convince_v we_o that_o god_n do_v not_o willing_o afflict_v and_o grieve_v the_o child_n of_o man_n for_o if_o he_o take_v pleasure_n in_o that_o then_o without_o question_n where_o there_o be_v the_o same_o cause_n there_o will_v be_v the_o same_o effect_n of_o his_o displeasure_n and_o where_o the_o same_o need_n appear_v the_o same_o remedy_n will_v be_v use_v but_o if_o where_o all_o may_v just_o be_v punish_v he_o use_v his_o prerogative_n to_o punish_v some_o only_a and_o for_o the_o
of_o our_o saviour_n may_v be_v well_o apply_v to_o such_o a_o person_n if_o the_o light_n that_o be_v in_o he_o be_v darkness_n how_o great_a be_v that_o darkness_n moreover_o there_o be_v little_a hope_n to_o reform_v that_o man_n evil_a practice_n who_o persuasion_n make_v he_o secure_a and_o easy_a all_o the_o while_n so_o there_o be_v no_o little_a difficulty_n to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o try_v to_o undeceive_v he_o for_o man_n will_v hold_v comfortable_a error_n as_o long_o as_o they_o can_v find_v the_o least_o pretence_n for_o it_o and_o which_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mischief_n of_o this_o offence_n though_o such_o error_n be_v not_o lay_v down_o without_o a_o great_a trouble_n yet_o they_o be_v take_v up_o with_o much_o readiness_n they_o be_v apt_a to_o spread_v far_o and_o wide_o and_o to_o this_o i_o believe_v the_o experience_n of_o the_o world_n agree_v viz._n that_o although_o there_o be_v mistake_n that_o lead_v to_o trouble_v of_o mind_n and_o overmuch_o restraint_n yet_o for_o one_o that_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o such_o mistake_n a_o hundred_o there_o be_v that_o believe_v comfortable_a lie_n which_o either_o whole_o take_v off_o the_o restraint_n of_o religion_n or_o in_o such_o part_n as_o to_o render_v they_o ineffectual_a 3._o perverse_a dispute_n and_o a_o obstinate_a maintenance_n of_o error_n by_o all_o the_o art_n of_o sophistry_n have_v this_o lamentable_a evil_n common_o attend_v it_o that_o it_o render_v many_o person_n utter_o careless_a to_o examine_v on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n lie_v perhaps_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n that_o be_v frame_v to_o a_o inquisitive_a spirit_n and_o they_o who_o be_v not_o so_o frame_v by_o nature_n or_o by_o education_n must_v force_v their_o temper_n to_o patience_n and_o take_v pain_n with_o themselves_o which_o be_v a_o employment_n that_o man_n soon_o grow_v weary_a of_o and_o common_o they_o break_v off_o pretend_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o search_v any_o far_o but_o that_o when_o there_o be_v so_o much_o to_o be_v say_v on_o both_o side_n when_o there_o be_v such_o a_o appearance_n of_o reason_n for_o and_o against_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v time_n for_o they_o to_o give_v over_o be_v judge_n for_o themselves_o and_o indeed_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v either_o real_o disputable_a or_o of_o less_o moment_n this_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v blame_v but_o in_o matter_n of_o high_a consequence_n and_o question_n that_o touch_v the_o very_a vital_n of_o religion_n it_o often_o happen_v that_o man_n grow_v weary_a of_o search_a truth_n and_o give_v up_o themselves_o whole_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o authority_n and_o judgement_n of_o other_o after_o the_o controversy_n be_v stiff_o maintain_v for_o some_o time_n on_o both_o side_n and_o it_o be_v well_o in_o this_o case_n if_o it_o be_v a_o even_o lie_v whether_o they_o choose_v the_o true_a guide_n or_o not_o but_o when_o a_o guide_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v and_o follow_v with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n the_o false_a guide_n have_v this_o advantage_n always_o that_o he_o exceed_v in_o confidence_n in_o lofty_a pretence_n in_o swell_a title_n in_o positive_a denounce_v damnation_n to_o all_o that_o be_v not_o of_o his_o way_n and_o though_o a_o modest_a man_n that_o speak_v just_o of_o thing_n and_o claim_v not_o to_o be_v infallible_a deserve_v the_o most_o credit_n yet_o it_o be_v great_a odds_o that_o the_o other_o have_v most_o follower_n among_o those_o that_o understand_v not_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n 4._o the_o same_o cause_n have_v too_o often_o a_o yet_o worse_o effect_n and_o that_o be_v to_o run_v some_o person_n into_o infidelity_n and_o a_o utter_a neglect_n of_o religion_n as_o if_o no_o certainty_n can_v be_v have_v of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n see_v there_o be_v so_o much_o controversy_n about_o it_o and_o some_o have_v say_v that_o it_o will_v be_v then_o time_n enough_o for_o they_o to_o believe_v in_o god_n and_o to_o worship_v he_o when_o they_o that_o pretend_v to_o oblige_v they_o to_o it_o be_v agree_v about_o it_o the_o truth_n be_v be_v it_o not_o for_o that_o secret_a impression_n of_o his_o own_o be_v which_o god_n have_v leave_v upon_o our_o nature_n it_o be_v not_o improbable_a but_o the_o monstrous_a error_n that_o have_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o a_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n under_o the_o name_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o force_n and_o the_o fraud_n wherewith_o they_o have_v be_v maintain_v have_v let_v in_o atheism_n like_o a_o deluge_n upon_o the_o world_n especial_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v those_o in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v so_o full_a of_o zeal_n for_o their_o own_o way_n that_o they_o have_v no_o tenderness_n for_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o faith_n but_o be_v rather_o content_a that_o all_o shall_v sink_v together_o than_o that_o their_o own_o doctrine_n shall_v not_o stand_v we_o have_v be_v bear_v in_o hand_n that_o no_o assurance_n can_v be_v have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n but_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o and_o such_o man_n and_o they_o that_o believe_v upon_o other_o ground_n have_v as_o good_a have_v no_o faith_n at_o all_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o propound_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o one_o article_n that_o be_v true_a that_o the_o same_o exception_n may_v be_v make_v to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o be_v make_v against_o the_o story_n of_o latter_a miracle_n and_o final_o that_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o any_o of_o their_o tradition_n be_v reject_v the_o holy_a scripture_n may_v be_v reject_v too_o and_o indeed_o we_o have_v live_v to_o see_v the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v do_v by_o wit_n and_o learning_n to_o diminish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n now_o this_o i_o say_v be_v a_o most_o dreadful_a offence_n and_o have_v do_v infinite_a mischief_n in_o the_o world_n that_o man_n who_o be_v violent_o engage_v in_o a_o wrong_a way_n of_o religion_n care_v not_o for_o the_o most_o part_n what_o they_o venture_v in_o the_o service_n of_o their_o own_o cause_n for_o while_o they_o lay_v the_o same_o stress_n upon_o false_a or_o at_o least_o disputable_a point_n that_o they_o do_v upon_o the_o most_o necessary_a and_o acknowledge_v principle_n of_o religion_n and_o bend_v all_o their_o wit_n to_o show_v that_o no_o difference_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v they_o give_v occasion_n to_o man_n that_o will_v fain_o be_v atheist_n to_o deceive_v themselves_o into_o what_o they_o will_v be_v for_o a_o very_a little_a consideration_n will_v serve_v to_o satisfy_v they_o that_o something_o be_v false_a which_o be_v propound_v to_o they_o as_o a_o object_n of_o their_o faith._n and_o they_o know_v that_o they_o have_v then_o leave_v give_v they_o to_o conclude_v that_o nothing_o be_v true_a 5._o there_o be_v another_o great_a mischief_n of_o offence_n that_o be_v give_v by_o error_n in_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n and_o a_o mischief_n that_o often_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v that_o of_o run_v into_o a_o contrary_a extreme_a the_o church_n find_v this_o by_o sad_a experience_n in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o age_n when_o man_n of_o no_o small_a note_n dispute_v against_o one_o heresy_n fall_v into_o another_o of_o a_o opposite_a nature_n to_o the_o no_o small_a trouble_n of_o christendom_n truth_n sometime_o as_o well_o as_o virtue_n lie_v in_o the_o mean_a and_o they_o that_o transgress_v on_o any_o one_o side_n do_v not_o only_o this_o mischief_n to_o give_v what_o authority_n they_o can_v to_o the_o wrong_a side_n they_o be_v of_o but_o they_o do_v this_o mischief_n too_o of_o give_v occasion_n to_o other_o to_o offend_v on_o the_o other_o extreme_a thus_o the_o abuse_n of_o church-authority_n on_o the_o one_o side_n have_v breed_v in_o some_o man_n contempt_n of_o all_o such_o authority_n on_o the_o other_o the_o scandal_n that_o have_v be_v give_v by_o propagate_a opinion_n by_o force_n and_o violence_n have_v produce_v in_o many_o a_o fond_a persuasion_n that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o restraint_n whatsoever_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n superior_n have_v require_v unlawful_a thing_n in_o divine_a service_n and_o to_o be_v revenge_v upon_o that_o abuse_n it_o have_v be_v say_v that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v obey_v in_o matter_n of_o prudence_n and_o expedience_n religion_n have_v be_v make_v to_o run_v out_o into_o show_n and_o ceremony_n and_o this_o have_v beget_v prejudices_fw-la against_o all_o appearance_n of_o beauty_n and_o reverence_n in_o the_o external_a worship_n of_o god._n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o excess_n of_o man_n in_o depart_v from_o one_o extreme_a be_v scandalous_a to_o those_o who_o they_o leave_v and_o do_v confirm_v they_o
faith_n they_o add_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o a_o good_a life_n yet_o they_o be_v esteem_v heretic_n because_o they_o undertake_v to_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n and_o to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o instead_o of_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n that_o have_v betray_v and_o murder_v the_o lord_n jesus_n 2._o they_o be_v accuse_v of_o sedition_n too_o as_o if_o they_o design_v to_o make_v stir_v and_o commotion_n and_o to_o alienate_v the_o people_n from_o their_o governor_n thus_o when_o paul_n and_o silas_n have_v convert_v a_o multitude_n of_o devout_a greek_n and_o not_o a_o few_o of_o the_o chief_a woman_n at_o thessalonica_n the_o jew_n who_o believe_v not_o move_v with_o envy_n take_v unto_o they_o certain_a lewd_a fellow_n of_o the_o base_a sort_n and_o draw_v some_o of_o the_o brethren_n to_o the_o ruler_n cry_v these_o that_o have_v turn_v the_o world_n upside_o down_o be_v come_v hither_o also_o who_o do_v contrary_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o caesar_n say_v that_o there_o be_v another_o king_n one_o jesus_n act_v 17.5_o 6._o and_o yet_o they_o never_o make_v one_o step_n by_o word_n or_o deed_n towards_o depose_v prince_n and_o change_a government_n jesus_n indeed_o who_o have_v command_v they_o to_o pay_v tribute_n unto_o caesar_n have_v also_o forbid_v they_o to_o be_v of_o the_o religion_n which_o caesar_n be_v then_o of_o and_o this_o be_v draw_v into_o a_o accusation_n of_o faction_n and_o disloyalty_n thus_o also_o the_o same_o st._n paul_n be_v bring_v before_o foelix_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o jew_n complain_v by_o tertullian_n their_o orator_n that_o they_o have_v find_v he_o a_o pestilent_a fellow_n and_o a_o mover_n of_o sedition_n among_o all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n and_o a_o ringleader_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarenes_n act_v 24.5_o 3._o they_o conclude_v they_o under_o a_o sentence_n of_o damnation_n as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v do_v it_o indeed_o they_o will_v have_v it_o think_v so_o impossible_a for_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v save_v that_o some_o of_o they_o after_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v strong_o persuade_v that_o they_o still_o ought_v to_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o will_v have_v mingle_v judaisme_n and_o christianity_n together_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o salvation_n out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n except_o you_o be_v circumcise_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n you_o can_v be_v save_v act_v 15.1_o 4._o as_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o such_o case_n to_o damn_v first_o and_o then_o to_o kill_v they_o deliver_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n to_o death_n and_o pretend_v the_o service_n of_o god_n for_o it_o for_o which_o we_o may_v take_v those_o remarkable_a word_n of_o st._n paul_n describe_v the_o temper_n of_o the_o jew_n then_o and_o what_o his_o own_o once_o be_v say_v he_o i_o be_v teach_v according_a to_o the_o perfect_a manner_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o father_n and_o be_v zealous_a towards_o god_n as_o you_o be_v at_o this_o day_n and_o i_o persecute_v they_o even_o unto_o the_o death_n bind_v and_o deliver_v into_o prison_n both_o man_n and_o woman_n act_n 22.3_o 4._o and_o in_o chap._n 26._o v._n 10_o 11._o he_o declare_v that_o he_o persecute_v they_o oft_o in_o every_o synagogue_n and_o compel_v they_o to_o blaspheme_v and_o be_v exceed_o mad_a against_o they_o he_o persecute_v they_o even_o into_o strange_a city_n such_o be_v the_o entertainment_n they_o have_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o the_o word_n of_o salvation_n be_v first_o deliver_v but_o when_o it_o be_v carry_v among_o the_o gentile_n they_o condemn_v it_o too_o for_o 1._o it_o be_v run_v down_o as_o if_o it_o have_v bring_v irreligion_n and_o atheism_n into_o the_o world_n insomuch_o that_o the_o ancient_a apologist_n be_v fain_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o set_v themselves_o against_o this_o absurd_a accusation_n and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o one_o to_o serve_v god_n at_o all_o and_o not_o to_o serve_v many_o god_n that_o there_o may_v be_v devotion_n without_o bow_v down_o to_o image_n and_o religion_n and_o worship_n without_o idolatry_n and_o better_o a_o great_a deal_n without_o these_o thing_n than_o with_o they_o 2._o it_o be_v exclaim_v against_o as_o a_o late_a upstart_n religion_n that_o begin_v but_o yesterday_o and_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v hiss_v than_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o world._n they_o use_v to_o ask_v the_o christian_n what_o sort_n of_o man_n they_o can_v name_v either_o greek_n or_o barbarian_n that_o make_v their_o profession_n and_o have_v their_o rite_n and_o worship_n before_o jesus_n appear_v you_o have_v forsake_v say_v they_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o father_n that_o have_v be_v observe_v of_o old_a time_n in_o all_o city_n and_o country_n you_o have_v revolt_v from_o a_o worship_n which_o have_v have_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o age_n and_o the_o approbation_n of_o king_n and_o people_n law_n maker_n and_o philosopher_n and_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o world_n till_o such_o as_o you_o appear_v who_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o 3._o they_o try_v to_o overwhelm_v it_o with_o the_o most_o gross_a and_o palpable_a untruth_n they_o give_v it_o out_o that_o the_o christian_n be_v worshipper_n of_o the_o sun_n nay_o that_o they_o adore_v a_o asses-head_n and_o sometime_o a_o cross_n they_o do_v not_o stick_v to_o say_v that_o in_o their_o solemn_a assembly_n they_o kill_v a_o child_n and_o commit_v incest_n they_o also_o upon_o no_o occasion_n in_o the_o world_n disarm_v they_o as_o a_o seditious_a and_o disloyal_a people_n and_o accuse_v they_o of_o treason_n though_o none_o ever_o set_v better_a example_n of_o fidelity_n to_o their_o governor_n to_o conclude_v our_o predecessor_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v now_o and_o then_o condemn_v to_o several_a sort_n of_o death_n and_o it_o be_v often_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o safe_a to_o be_v some_o notorious_a malefactor_n than_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n in_o a_o word_n the_o gospel_n meet_v with_o that_o opposition_n which_o no_o religion_n ever_o do_v before_o the_o god_n of_o other_o nation_n new_a god_n every_o day_n be_v admit_v into_o a_o temple_n at_o rome_n with_o some_o formality_n and_o without_o trouble_n but_o when_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n come_v to_o call_v man_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v send_v jew_n and_o gentile_n conspire_v to_o extinguish_v their_o religion_n and_o to_o blot_v out_o their_o name_n for_o ever_o insomuch_o that_o the_o jew_n at_o rome_n can_v tell_v st._n paul_n as_o concern_v this_o sect_n we_o know_v that_o it_o be_v every_o where_o speak_v against_o those_o therefore_o who_o god_n justify_v have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v condemn_v by_o man_n which_o will_v not_o seem_v strange_a to_o any_o of_o we_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v for_o instance_n 1._o that_o hatred_n of_o truth_n which_o reign_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n they_o can_v bear_v sound_a doctrine_n nor_o can_v they_o therefore_o bear_v those_o that_o profess_v and_o practice_v it_o truth_n be_v against_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o will_v be_v against_o the_o truth_n and_o all_o that_o follow_v it_o so_o long_o as_o pride_n lust_n avarice_n revenge_n luxury_n and_o such_o thing_n remain_v there_o will_v be_v so_o many_o cause_n of_o condemn_v that_o which_o god_n approve_v to_o which_o we_o must_v add_v 2._o the_o inflexibleness_n of_o true_a doctrine_n and_o of_o those_o that_o maintain_v it_o to_o the_o design_n of_o worldly_a man_n christianity_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o perfect_a scheme_n of_o religion_n that_o will_v suffer_v no_o addition_n or_o alteration_n it_o be_v stiff_a and_o will_v not_o bend_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o priest_n or_o of_o statesman_n as_o all_o that_o will_v which_o the_o heathen_n call_v religion_n among_o themselves_o whilst_o it_o be_v keep_v in_o wise_a and_o honest_a hand_n and_o true_o represent_v there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o cheat_v no_o allowance_n for_o pious_a fraud_n no_o place_n for_o convenient_a invention_n innovatiou_n can_v not_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n or_o the_o substance_n of_o their_o worship_n but_o they_o will_v be_v corruption_n of_o both_o without_o tamper_n with_o it_o it_o can_v not_o serve_v the_o ambition_n of_o a_o few_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o all_o other_o and_o therefore_o while_o it_o be_v pure_a they_o can_v not_o bear_v it_o who_o gain_n be_v their_o godliness_n and_o who_o have_v be_v use_v to_o tell_v lie_v in_o hypocrifie_n 3._o the_o proneness_n of_o mankind_n to_o superstition_n be_v another_o cause_n of_o disapprove_v what_o god_n approve_v the_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n be_v according_a to_o their_o religion_n for_o a_o