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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
christian_n call_v church_n society_n 1,435 5 9.0715 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59220 Errour non-plust, or, Dr. Stillingfleet shown to be the man of no principles with an essay how discourses concerning Catholick grounds bear the highest evidence. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1673 (1673) Wing S2565; ESTC R18785 126,507 288

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act_v as_o they_o adjudge_v have_v both_o lead_v they_o into_o actual_a error_n and_o punish_v they_o thus_o grievous_o in_o that_o case_n for_o adhere_v to_o truth_n which_o be_v too_o horrid_a blasphemy_n to_o be_v hear_v or_o imagine_v but_o if_o they_o mean_v only_o for_o some_o time_n of_o that_o law_n or_o some_o age_n immediate_o before_o christ_n when_o the_o synagogue_n be_v most_o corrupt_a this_o imply_v a_o confession_n that_o such_o a_o society_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o age_n forego_v and_o then_o dr._n st._n be_v to_o show_v we_o why_o it_o be_v not_o equal_o necessary_a in_o the_o late_a as_o in_o the_o former_a and_o not_o suppose_v it_o gratis_o nor_o be_v the_o synagogue_n ever_o more_o corrupt_a than_o in_o our_o saviour_n day_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v how_o severe_o he_o enjoin_v the_o jew_n of_o that_o time_n to_o obey_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n because_o they_o sit_v in_o moses_n his_o chair_n which_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o say_v christ_n can_v do_v if_o he_o have_v not_o secure_v their_o doctrine_n from_o be_v erroneous_a that_o be_v preserve_v they_o inerrable_a in_o that_o affair_n add_v that_o be_v all_o grant_v yet_o there_o be_v far_o more_o necessity_n of_o explain_v the_o scripture_n now_o than_o at_o that_o time_n for_o the_o law_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n all_o of_o it_o either_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v do_v or_o moral_a duty_n and_o so_o agreeable_a to_o nature_n whence_o both_o of_o these_o be_v far_o more_o easy_o expressible_a in_o proper_a language_n and_o consequent_o intelligible_a than_o the_o sublime_a spiritual_a and_o mysterious_a tenet_n of_o the_o law_n of_o grace_n which_o be_v more_o hard_a to_o be_v express_v in_o per_fw-la word_n and_o be_v more_o remove_v from_o our_o knowledge_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v more_o hard_a to_o be_v penetrate_v and_o so_o those_o word_n more_o difficult_a to_o be_v right_o comprehend_v and_o understand_v without_o a_o interpreter_n than_o be_v those_o other_o 16._o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o intolerable_a usurpation_n upon_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n than_o for_o any_o person_n or_o society_n of_o man_n to_o pretend_v to_o a_o assistance_n as_o infallible_a in_o what_o they_o propose_v as_o be_v in_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n without_o give_v a_o equal_a degree_n of_o evidence_n that_o they_o be_v so_o assist_v as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v viz._n by_o miracle_n as_o great_a public_a and_o convince_a as_o they_o be_v by_o which_o i_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v wrought_v by_o those_o very_a person_n who_o challenge_v this_o infallibility_n and_o with_o a_o design_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v it_o thus_o the_o dr._n make_v sure_a work_n against_o the_o infallibility_n of_o any_o church_n which_o overthrow_v his_o single_a self_n nay_o any_o private_a man_n or_o woman_n that_o have_v but_o self-conceit_n and_o confidence_n enough_o to_o proceed_v open_o upon_o these_o principle_n of_o he_o be_v upon_o even_a ground_n with_o the_o best_a nay_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n at_o the_o main_a point_n of_o understanding_n and_o determine_v what_o be_v faith_n what_o not_o nay_o more_o may_v defy_v all_o the_o governor_n of_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n if_o he_o or_o she_o be_v but_o conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o sincere_o endeavour_v and_o sober_o inquire_v for_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o divine_a write_n for_o these_o be_v their_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o be_v assu●ed_v by_o dr._n st._n that_o they_o can_v miss_v if_o they_o sober_o inquire_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n and_o be_v inform_v by_o common_a reason_n that_o it_o be_v a_o point_n very_o necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o a_o christian_a or_o one_o who_o be_v to_o follow_v and_o adore_v christ_n to_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v god_n and_o so_o may_v without_o fear_n of_o idolatry_n have_v divine_a honour_n give_v he_o or_o no_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o in_o case_n it_o shall_v seem_v to_o the_o best_a judgement_n of_o such_o a_o man_n and_o let_v he_o be_v for_o example_n one_o bring_v up_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o new_o turn_v socinian_n that_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o relinquish_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n at_o any_o rate_n nor_o what_o he_o judge_v the_o scripture_n sense_n of_o it_o this_o be_v his_o faith_n but_o maintain_v it_o bold_o against_o all_o his_o pastor_n talk_v and_o quote_v scripture_n as_o brisk_o as_o the_o best_a of_o they_o all_o desy_v they_o to_o their_o face_n nay_o die_v in_o defence_n of_o his_o interpretation_n of_o it_o and_o be_v a_o special_a martyr_n though_o he_o take_v his_o death_n upon_o it_o that_o all_o his_o lawful_a pastor_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n be_v most_o hainons_a idolater_n for_o give_v the_o worship_n proper_a to_o god_n to_o a_o man_n in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o church_n can_v pretend_v to_o oblige_v he_o to_o believe_v her_o interpretation_n of_o scriptu●e_n alas_o all_o such_o power_n be_v quite_o take_v out_o of_o her_o hand_n by_o these_o new_a principle_n not_o to_o act_v exterior_o as_o she_o do_v for_o that_o be_v to_o oblige_v he_o to_o deny_v his_o faith_n in_o his_o action_n and_o carriage_n and_o this_o in_o so_o heinous_a a_o point_n as_o commit_v flat_a idolatry_n and_o which_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n tell_v he_o be_v such_o nor_o to_o acquiesce_v so_o far_o as_o to_o hold_v his_o tongue_n and_o not_o contradict_v the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v both_o ingratitude_n to_o god_n who_o have_v so_o plain_o reveal_v it_o to_o he_o in_o scripture_n not_o to_o stand_v up_o for_o his_o honour_n so_o wicked_o violate_v by_o the_o church_n and_o withal_o most_o uncharitable_a to_o his_o neighbour_n not_o to_o communicate_v to_o he_o the_o light_n he_o have_v receive_v by_o such_o plain_a revelation_n from_o god_n word_n and_o to_o endeavour_v his_o reducement_n from_o so_o grievous_a a_o idolatry_n especial_o if_o this_o man_n be_v a_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n who_o office_n and_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o hold_v forth_o or_o preach_v what_o he_o judge_v god_n word_n nay_o though_o it_o be_v a_o layman_n or_o a_o lay-woman_n all_o be_v a_o case_n why_o may_v they_o not_o with_o as_o much_o reason_n make_v know_v so_o concern_v a_o truth_n plain_o reveal_v to_o they_o as_o aquila_n and_o priscilla_n do_v of_o old_a as_o for_o all_o power_n of_o the_o church_n to_o restrain_v they_o that_o be_v quite_o throw_v out_o of_o door_n humane_a command_n can_v have_v no_o force_n when_o the_o best_a duty_n to_o god_n and_o man_n be_v neglect_v by_o obey_v and_o the_o more_o the_o church_n be_v obstinate_a and_o oppose_v this_o private_a man_n or_o woman_n by_o so_o much_o great_a be_v the_o necessity_n of_o his_o or_o she_o inform_v the_o church_n right_a and_o stand_v up_o for_o the_o truth_n hereafter_o more_o of_o this_o at_o present_a let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o destroy_v infallibility_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v his_o chief_a design_n and_o indeed_o it_o make_v very_o much_o for_o his_o purpose_n for_o i_o so_o far_o concur_v with_o he_o that_o if_o it_o be_v but_o fallible_a in_o attest_v or_o explain_v scripture_n it_o be_v little_a available_a to_o the_o ground_v christian_a faith_n so_o that_o if_o infallibility_n be_v but_o overthrow_v and_o these_o principle_n settle_v in_o its_o stead_n every_o private_a man_n be_v a_o church_n which_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n love_v liberty_n will_v no_o doubt_v be_v very_o take_v and_o please_v the_o rabble_n exceed_o he_o be_v so_o earnest_a at_o his_o work_n that_o he_o stumble_v for_o haste_n for_o first_o who_o do_v ever_o pretend_v to_o a_o infallibility_n equal_a to_o what_o be_v in_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n as_o his_o word_n import_v christ_n be_v essential_o infallible_a the_o apostle_n by_o immediate_a inspiration_n from_o god_n the_o church_n pretend_v indeed_o to_o be_v infallible_o assist_v but_o that_o she_o pretend_v to_o have_v it_o either_o essential_o as_o god_n have_v it_o or_o by_o way_n of_o immediate_a inspiration_n as_o the_o apostle_n have_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n i_o never_o yet_o learn_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o justify_v her_o constant_a claim_n of_o infallible_a assistance_n that_o she_o have_v it_o mediate_o or_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o ordinary_a work_n of_o natural_a and_o supernatural_a cause_n so_o she_o but_o have_v it_o and_o to_o have_v it_o this_o way_n seem_v far_o more_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n than_o the_o other_o of_o immediate_a inspiration_n as_o to_o have_v by_o way_n of_o immediate_a inspiration_n be_v far_o more_o fit_v for_o the_o apostle_n for_o
the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o i_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o earnestness_n oppose_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n for_o advance_v uncertainty_n and_o consequent_o scepticism_n in_o faith_n however_o they_o and_o their_o angry_a passionate_a party_n be_v please_v to_o apprehend_v i_o i_o perceive_v dr._n st._n will_v hope_v to_o evade_v by_o say_v that_o christian_a virtue_n may_v be_v uphold_v by_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o some_o point_n of_o faith_n though_o other_o be_v uncertain_a which_o point_n to_o make_v his_o uncertainty_n of_o faith_n go_v down_o the_o better_a he_o call_v here_o opinion_n but_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o opinion_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o trinity_n christ_n godhead_n and_o presence_n in_o the_o b._n sacrament_n all_o most_o high_o concern_v christian_n life_n one_o way_n or_o other_o in_o which_o we_o discern_v great_a party_n differ_v who_o all_o admit_v the_o scripture_n and_o use_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o interpret_v it_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v perceive_v nay_o and_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o mistake_v too_o which_o he_o make_v the_o very_o best_a mean_n of_o all_o if_o i_o say_v these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o opinion_n he_o speak_v of_o and_o counterpose_v they_o to_o mean_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n in_o their_o life_n and_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n he_o assign_v leaf_n whole_a body_n of_o relier_n on_o it_o in_o actual_a error_n in_o such_o fundamental_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o most_o high_a concernment_n to_o good_a life_n as_o have_v be_v show_v even_o while_o they_o proceed_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a it_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n god_n intend_v his_o church_n and_o mankind_n to_o build_v their_o faith_n on_o and_o so_o none_o can_v presume_v of_o security_n of_o mistake_n by_o rely_v pure_o upon_o it_o but_o all_o of_o concern_v not_o know_v before_o by_o some_o other_o mean_n that_o be_v all_o which_o it_o alone_o hold_v forth_o may_v be_v also_o liable_a to_o be_v a_o mistake_n likewise_o unless_o some_o other_o authority_n more_o ascertainable_a to_o we_o than_o it_o abet_n its_o letter_n in_o such_o passage_n as_o be_v plain_a because_o they_o be_v either_o mere_o moral_a or_o narrative_n or_o explain_v its_o sense_n in_o other_o which_o be_v more_o spiritual_a and_o supernatural_a and_o so_o more_o peculiar_a and_o fundamental_a to_o christianity_n recapitulation_n to_o meet_v with_o the_o absurd_a position_n express_v or_o else_o imply_v in_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v here_o by_o dr._n st._n in_o these_o last_o eleven_o principle_n of_o he_o i_o take_v leave_n to_o remind_n the_o reader_n of_o these_o few_o opposite_a truth_n establish_v in_o my_o former_a discourse_n 1._o that_o assent_n call_v faith_n take_v as_o build_v on_o the_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o will_n that_o be_v take_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v and_o as_o it_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n be_v for_o that_o reason_n absolute_o that_o be_v more_o than_o moral_o certain_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a 2._o though_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n depend_v immediate_o on_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o mind_n when_o it_o be_v rational_a yet_o in_o case_n it_o be_v true_a as_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v it_o must_v necessary_o be_v build_v and_o depend_v fundamental_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n since_o without_o dependence_n on_o it_o this_o evidence_n itself_o can_v possible_o be_v have_v 3._o a_o man_n may_v be_v material_o infallible_a or_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o be_v actual_o deceive_v in_o judge_v the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v by_o adhere_v to_o another_o judgement_n who_o be_v infallible_a or_o in_o the_o right_n in_o thus_o judge_v though_o he_o penetrate_v not_o the_o reason_n why_o that_o other_o man_n come_v to_o be_v infallible_a also_o he_o who_o be_v thus_o infallible_a be_v in_o possession_n of_o those_o truth_n relieve_v upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o the_o formal_a motive_n of_o believe_v they_o which_o truth_n as_o principle_n beget_v those_o good_a affection_n in_o he_o in_o which_o consist_v our_o christian_a life_n such_o a_o man_n i_o say_v have_v consequent_o enough_o speak_v abstract_o for_o the_o essence_n of_o save_v faith_n though_o he_o be_v not_o formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a by_o penetrate_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n 4._o to_o be_v thus_o material_o infallible_a or_o thus_o in_o the_o right_n in_o judge_v the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v be_v requisite_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o essence_n of_o faith_n otherwise_o the_o believe_v upon_o the_o divin_n authority_n when_o it_o be_v not_o engage_v and_o so_o perhaps_o the_o believe_a and_o hold_v firm_o to_o abominable_a error_n and_o heretical_a tenet_n may_v be_v a_o act_n of_o faith_n to_o assert_v which_o be_v both_o absurd_a and_o most_o impious_a 5._o it_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v for_o since_o it_o hazard_v heresy_n and_o error_n to_o judge_v that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v for_o any_o point_n when_o it_o be_v not_o it_o ought_v to_o breed_v suspense_n and_o caution_n in_o reflecter_n till_o they_o see_v it_o engage_v &_o consequent_o the_o better_a they_o see_v this_o the_o more_o hearty_a they_o be_v apt_a to_o assent_v to_o the_o point_n upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n so_o that_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n which_o conclude_v the_o divine_a authority_n engage_v better_n and_o strengthen_v the_o act_n of_o faith_n 6._o however_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o those_o who_o downright_a rudeness_n let_v they_o not_o reflect_v at_o all_o to_o be_v only_o material_o infallible_a that_o god_n authority_n be_v engage_v yet_o it_o be_v beside_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o reflecter_n who_o raise_v doubt_n especial_o for_o those_o who_o be_v very_o acute_a to_o discern_v some_o reason_n which_o can_v deceive_v they_o or_o to_o be_v formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a that_o it_o be_v indeed_o actual_o engage_v for_o those_o point_n otherwise_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o provision_n enough_o have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n to_o satisfy_v or_o cause_n save_v faith_n in_o fool_n and_o none_o at_o all_o to_o breed_v faith_n wise_a man_n which_o without_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o in_o point_n be_v in_o possible_a to_o be_v expect_v in_o such_o through-sighted_n reflecter_n the_o same_o formal_a infallibility_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o wise_a sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o church_n both_o to_o de●end_v faith_n and_o establish_v its_o ground_n in_o a_o scholarlike_o way_n as_o also_o for_o their_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n and_o other_o obligation_n incumbent_a on_o they_o as_o faithful_a and_o last_o for_o the_o effect_n which_o be_v to_o be_v breed_v in_o they_o by_o faith_n certainty_n 7._o though_o then_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n need_v not_o to_o be_v actual_o penetrate_v by_o all_o the_o faithful_a while_o they_o proceed_v unreflect_o yet_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o qualify_v that_o it_o may_v satisfy_v all_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o reflect_v and_o so_o to_o doubt_v of_o their_o faith_n that_o be_v it_o be_v ruling_n power_n ought_v to_o be_v penetrable_a or_o evidenceable_a to_o they_o if_o they_o come_v to_o doubt_v and_o also_o so_o connatural_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o unelevated_a and_o unreflect_a thought_n of_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o apt_a that_o maybe_o to_o establish_v the_o faithful_a in_o the_o mean_a time_n and_o preserve_v they_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o faith_n both_o these_o be_v find_v in_o tradition_n or_o testify_a authority_n and_o not_o in_o scripture_n letter_n that_o therefore_o and_o not_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 8._o infallible_a certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v reject_v the_o moral_a certain●y_n he_o substitute_n must_v either_o be_v a_o fallible_a certainty_n or_o none_o this_o late_a be_v impious_a the_o former_a be_v nonsense_n wherefore_o all_o dr._n st_n discourse_n of_o faith_n while_o he_o reject_v infallibility_n must_v forcible_o have_v the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o of_o these_o qualification_n 9_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a render_v no_o man_n certain_a of_o what_o he_o thus_o assent_v to_o for_o so_o heretic_n may_v be_v true_o certain_a of_o all_o the_o pestilent_a error_n they_o hold_v so_o they_o but_o firm_o assent_v they_o be_v true_a 10._o faith_n be_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o christian_a virtue_n on_o which_o all_o our_o spiritual_a edifice_n be_v build_v and_o from_o whence_o we_o derive_v all_o the_o