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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
christian_n catholic_n church_n visible_a 3,069 5 9.7377 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59812 A discourse concerning a judge of controversies in matters of religion being an answer to some papers asserting the necessity of such a judge : with an address to wavering protestants, shewing what little reason they have to think of any change of their religion : written for the private satisfaction of some scrupulous persons, and now published for common use : with a preface concerning the nature of certainty and infallibility. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1686 (1686) Wing S3285; ESTC R8167 73,491 104

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the_o protestant_a religion_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o christian_a religion_n purge_v from_o the_o corruption_n and_o innovation_n of_o popery_n now_o it_o will_v be_v very_o pleasant_a to_o hear_v a_o popish_a priest_n in_o a_o dispute_n with_o turk_n or_o pagan_n about_o christianity_n urge_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o instruct_v a_o infidel_n who_o can_v be_v presume_v to_o own_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o judge_n what_o christian_a religion_n be_v and_o to_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o by_o reason_n and_o scripture_n either_o this_o be_v a_o good_a way_n or_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a foundation_n for_o christianity_n and_o let_v any_o man_n show_v i_o a_o reason_n why_o christian_n may_v not_o understand_v their_o religion_n the_o same_o way_n that_o heathen_n must_v be_v teach_v it_o this_o be_v the_o way_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n take_v with_o 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have_v set_v up_o a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a communion_n but_o that_o they_o unchurch_v the_o catholic_n church_n and_o therefore_o rebaptise_v those_o who_o have_v be_v baptize_v in_o the_o catholic_n communion_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v infidel_n before_o so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n must_v necessary_o be_v schismatical_a because_o she_o unchurche_n all_o other_o church_n but_o herself_o and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o degree_n of_o communion_n with_o they_o as_o with_o christian_a church_n whereas_o we_o own_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o to_o be_v a_o true_a though_o a_o very_a corrupt_a church_n and_o therefore_o maintain_v some_o degree_n of_o communion_n with_o she_o five_o for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o any_o particular_a church_n do_v teach_v any_o erroneous_a doctrine_n we_o must_v not_o maintain_v communion_n with_o she_o in_o her_o error_n for_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v false_a but_o then_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o error_n for_o a_o church_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o some_o speculative_a error_n which_o may_v do_v no_o great_a hurt_n to_o common_a christianity_n and_o then_o we_o may_v very_o safe_o communicate_v with_o that_o church_n if_o they_o do_v not_o impose_v on_o we_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o error_n which_o few_o church_n do_v but_o upon_o their_o own_o immediate_a member_n except_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o lutheran_n doctrine_n of_o consubstantiation_n be_v as_o false_a and_o groundless_a though_o not_o altogether_o as_o absurd_a as_o the_o popish_a doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n but_o yet_o i_o will_v make_v no_o scruple_n of_o communicate_v with_o a_o lutheran_n church_n where_o i_o may_v do_v it_o without_o profess_v my_o belief_n of_o consubstantiation_n and_o upon_o these_o principle_n the_o lutheran_n and_o calvinist_n church_n may_v communicate_v together_o keep_v their_o private_a opinion_n to_o themselves_o without_o impose_v they_o upon_o each_o other_o but_o if_o any_o church_n which_o profess_v some_o speculative_a error_n will_v not_o admit_v we_o to_o communion_n without_o profess_v the_o same_o error_n we_o must_v own_v they_o for_o true_a church_n still_o and_o profess_v our_o readiness_n to_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n if_o we_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o do_v it_o without_o own_v their_o error_n and_o this_o make_v we_o in_o communion_n with_o that_o church_n and_o that_o we_o do_v not_o actual_o communicate_v be_v none_o of_o our_o fault_n but_o the_o fault_n of_o those_o who_o deny_v it_o if_o the_o error_n be_v such_o as_o be_v not_o mere_o speculative_a but_o corrupt_v their_o worship_n than_o indeed_o we_o must_v not_o only_o disclaim_v their_o error_n but_o we_o must_v not_o join_v in_o those_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v corrupt_v by_o they_o as_o the_o popish_a mass_n be_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n if_o their_o worship_n be_v partly_o pure_a and_o partly_o corrupt_a then_o notwithstanding_o their_o corruption_n we_o must_v be_v ready_a to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o all_o those_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v not_o corrupt_v if_o their_o worship_n be_v general_o corrupt_a as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o their_o latin_a service_n and_o mass_n and_o ave-maries_n and_o frequent_a address_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n in_o those_o very_a litany_n wherein_o they_o pray_v to_o god_n and_o christ_n we_o must_v whole_o abstain_v but_o admonish_v and_o pray_v for_o they_o as_o brethren_n and_o exercise_v all_o other_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n if_o they_o will_v admit_v of_o any_o by_o this_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v several_a degree_n of_o communion_n between_o distinct_a particular_a church_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o present_o follow_v that_o because_o church_n divide_v communion_n in_o act_n of_o worship_n they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o same_o body_n the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n whatever_o error_n and_o corruption_n they_o be_v guilty_a of_o make_v they_o so_o far_o catholic_n church_n and_o while_o we_o own_v they_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n to_o which_o we_o ourselves_o belong_v though_o we_o do_v not_o communicate_v in_o their_o error_n and_o corruption_n we_o be_v still_o in_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o upon_o these_o principle_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o division_n of_o christian_n there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n still_o to_o which_o all_o church_n belong_v who_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n unless_o any_o exclude_v themselves_o from_o this_o catholic_n unity_n by_o whole_o exclude_v other_o second_o the_o next_o inquiry_n in_o the_o paper_n be_v how_o the_o church_n can_v be_v call_v holy_a if_o for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n as_o our_o church_n teach_v in_o the_o homily_n against_o idolatry_n the_o whole_a church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o argument_n i_o shall_v not_o transcribe_v the_o word_n now_o suppose_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o whole_a church_n and_o have_v for_o some_o century_n be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o image_n and_o the_o virgin_n mary_n yet_o they_o belong_v to_o the_o holy_a church_n just_a as_o they_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n by_o retain_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v a_o true_a church_n though_o the_o many_o error_n they_o have_v add_v make_v they_o a_o very_a corrupt_a church_n and_o thus_o by_o profess_v the_o holy_a faith_n and_o own_v the_o great_a principle_n and_o doctrine_n of_o holiness_n they_o be_v a_o holy_a church_n though_o their_o holiness_n may_v be_v far_o from_o be_v perfect_a entire_a and_o uncorrupt_a as_o well_o as_o their_o faith_n when_o holiness_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o visible_a church_n it_o can_v signify_v internal_a holiness_n and_o sanctification_n for_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n be_v intermix_v in_o the_o church_n and_o if_o the_o church_n must_v be_v holy_a in_o this_o sense_n all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o must_v be_v impeccable_a as_o well_o as_o infallible_a but_o holiness_n signify_v either_o their_o state_n or_o their_o profession_n that_o they_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o so_o his_o holy_a and_o peculiar_a people_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v under_o the_o moysaicall_a covenant_n who_o be_v therefore_o upon_o this_o account_n often_o call_v a_o holy_a nation_n even_o when_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n in_o worship_v the_o golden_a calf_n and_o have_v few_o visible_a mark_n of_o holiness_n in_o their_o life_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o christian_a church_n which_o now_o succeed_v into_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n be_v call_v saint_n the_o elect_a and_o choose_a people_n of_o god_n to_o signify_v that_o now_o god_n own_v none_o for_o his_o people_n but_o those_o who_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o christian_a covenant_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n no_o church_n can_v cease_v to_o be_v a_o holy_a church_n without_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o church_n but_o then_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v holy_a by_o profession_n too_o and_o that_o in_o a_o more_o eminent_a manner_n than_o the_o jewish_a church_n because_o she_o profess_v a_o more_o perfect_a holiness_n and_o whatever_o church_n teach_v the_o holy_a command_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o require_v and_o profess_v obedience_n to_o they_o be_v so_o far_o a_o holy_a church_n by_o profession_n though_o she_o may_v teach_v other_o thing_n which_o she_o may_v think_v holy_a but_o indeed_o be_v not_o so_o if_o holiness_n signify_v a_o external_n and_o visible_a relation_n to_o god_n and_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o holy_a religion_n than_o that_o society_n which_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n so_o as_o to_o continue_v a_o covenant_n relation_n to_o christ_n be_v in_o this_o sense_n a_o holy_a church_n whatever_o corruption_n she_o be_v guilty_a of_o either_o in_o faith_n or_o practice_n which_o do_v not_o un-church_n she_o three_o as_o for_o what_o remain_v in_o the_o paper_n it_o have_v be_v answer_v already_o upon_o other_o occasion_n schism_n we_o confess_v be_v a_o damn_v sin_n and_o thank_v god_n that_o we_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o it_o we_o cast_v off_o the_o roman_a yoke_n which_o christ_n never_o lay_v upon_o we_o and_o to_o deliver_v ourselves_o from_o the_o unjust_a usurpation_n of_o foreign_a church_n be_v no_o schism_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v rebellion_n to_o oppose_v the_o invasion_n of_o a_o foreign_a prince_n we_o reform_v our_o own_o communion_n and_o that_o be_v no_o schism_n for_o we_o have_v full_a authority_n to_o do_v it_o and_o our_o reformation_n be_v such_o that_o they_o may_v communicate_v with_o we_o though_o we_o
we_o shall_v have_v have_v no_o dispute_n about_o it_o at_o this_o day_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v out_o in_o one_o either_o christ_n have_v appoint_v no_o such_o judge_n or_o this_o can_v prevent_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n 4._o four_o there_o be_v a_o easy_a and_o effectual_a way_n of_o cure_v church_n division_n without_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n nay_o without_o make_v all_o man_n of_o a_o mind_n in_o every_o thing_n which_o must_v never_o be_v expect_v in_o this_o world_n and_o that_o be_v not_o to_o make_v the_o necessary_a term_n of_o communion_n straight_a and_o narrow_a than_o christ_n have_v make_v they_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v essential_a to_o christian_a faith_n and_o worship_n for_o such_o matter_n most_o christian_n agree_v in_o and_o though_o they_o may_v have_v some_o private_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o this_o ought_v not_o to_o divide_v communion_n while_o they_o do_v not_o impose_v they_o upon_o the_o faith_n of_o other_o nor_o introduce_v any_o new_a and_o strange_a worship_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o for_o example_n the_o church_n of_o england_n believe_v and_o practice_n whatever_o be_v think_v necessary_a in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o for_o some_o age_n after_o and_o there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o dispute_n about_o these_o matter_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n so_o that_o we_o can_v to_o this_o day_n without_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n maintain_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n upon_o the_o same_o term_n that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n maintain_v communion_n with_o each_o other_o for_o we_o both_o agree_v in_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o church_n communion_n so_o that_o the_o schism_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n for_o without_o own_v such_o a_o judge_n we_o agree_v in_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a in_o all_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n require_v to_o make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o will_v receive_v no_o other_o church_n into_o her_o communion_n without_o own_v her_o sovereign_n and_o supreme_a authority_n nor_o without_o believe_v many_o doctrine_n manifest_o absurd_a in_o themselves_o and_o never_o teach_v in_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o without_o join_v in_o such_o a_o worship_n which_o they_o themselves_o dare_v not_o say_v be_v necessary_a for_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o for_o their_o pray_v to_o saint_n and_o worship_v image_n and_o prayer_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o which_o we_o think_v be_v sinful_a if_o these_o thing_n be_v remove_v we_o can_v glad_o communicate_v with_o they_o upon_o true_a catholic_n principle_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o judge_n but_o only_o to_o determine_v those_o controversy_n which_o she_o herself_o have_v make_v in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o primitive_a faith_n of_o christian_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o commend_v her_o policy_n that_o she_o will_v allow_v no_o body_n to_o be_v judge_n of_o these_o dispute_n but_o herself_o will_v all_o man_n submit_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o will_v certain_o restore_v peace_n and_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o great_a prejudice_n of_o truth_n and_o hazard_v of_o man_n soul_n and_o we_o must_v not_o purchase_v a_o mere_a external_a unity_n at_o this_o rate_n those_o man_n overvalue_v unity_n who_o part_n with_o truth_n for_o it_o for_o certain_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o more_o considerable_a than_o the_o purity_n of_o its_o faith_n and_o worship_n the_o paper_n these_o reason_n make_v i_o think_v a_o visible_a judge_n absolute_o necessary_a answer_n what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v i_o hope_v may_v occasion_v some_o new_a and_o different_a thought_n of_o this_o matter_n but_o since_o certainty_n be_v the_o great_a and_o prevail_a argument_n let_v we_o turn_v the_o table_n and_o see_v what_o certainty_n a_o roman_n catholic_n have_v his_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a and_o infallible_a judge_n this_o i_o confess_v bid_v very_o fair_a for_o he_o that_o follow_v a_o infallible_a guide_n can_v err_v but_o whoever_o consider_v this_o matter_n careful_o will_v find_v all_o this_o talk_n of_o infallibility_n dwindle_v into_o nothing_o for_o first_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o infallible_a judge_n before_o we_o can_v with_o certainty_n and_o assurance_n rely_v on_o he_o we_o must_v certain_o know_v who_o he_o be_v for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o have_v no_o infallible_a judge_n and_o not_o to_o know_v where_o to_o find_v he_o and_o this_o be_v a_o difficulty_n which_o those_o person_n little_o consider_v who_o please_v themselves_o so_o much_o with_o the_o fancy_n of_o infallibility_n for_o 1._o papist_n themselves_o be_v not_o agree_v about_o this_o matter_n some_o will_v have_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v infallible_a as_o peter_n successor_n and_o in_o his_o right_n other_o the_o church_n assemble_v in_o a_o general_n council_n other_o neither_o pope_n nor_o council_n distinct_o and_o separately_z consider_v but_o a_o council_n confirm_v by_o the_o pope_n other_o none_o of_o all_o this_o but_o tradition_n be_v infallible_a infallibility_n they_o all_o agree_v to_o but_o know_v not_o where_o this_o infallibility_n be_v seat_v now_o what_o shall_v a_o doubt_a protestant_n do_v who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v as_o infallible_a as_o any_o of_o they_o do_v he_o know_v where_o to_o find_v this_o infallibility_n may_v he_o not_o as_o easy_o choose_v his_o own_o religion_n and_o what_o church_n he_o will_v live_v in_o communion_n with_o as_o which_o of_o these_o infallible_a judge_n to_o follow_v which_o soever_o of_o these_o he_o reject_v he_o have_v a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n on_o his_o side_n the_o only_a difference_n be_v that_o he_o be_v so_o far_o satisfy_v with_o their_o reason_n against_o each_o other_o that_o he_o reject_v they_o all_o and_o he_o have_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o for_o if_o god_n have_v intend_v to_o appoint_v a_o judge_n to_o end_v all_o dispute_n certain_o he_o will_v have_v do_v this_o so_o manifest_o that_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v no_o dispute_n who_o this_o judge_n be_v for_o methinks_v a_o doubtful_a and_o disputable_a judge_n be_v not_o a_o very_a proper_a person_n to_o end_v all_o dispute_n 2._o nay_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o roman_a divine_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o prove_v either_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n or_o who_o this_o judge_n be_v for_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n he_o must_v be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n and_o then_o we_o must_v look_v for_o his_o commission_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o know_v what_o the_o gospel_n be_v or_o what_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o but_o from_o the_o infallible_a judge_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o either_o the_o judge_n or_o the_o scripture_n because_o we_o have_v no_o place_n to_o begin_v at_o if_o we_o begin_v with_o the_o judge_n we_o be_v a_o little_a too_o hasty_a because_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o find_v he_o and_o if_o we_o begin_v with_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v as_o bad_a because_o we_o can_v understand_v they_o before_o we_o have_v find_v the_o judge_n so_o that_o we_o must_v take_v one_o of_o they_o for_o grant_v without_o any_o proof_n and_o by_o that_o find_v out_o the_o other_o and_o that_o be_v neither_o better_o nor_o worse_o than_o to_o take_v they_o both_o for_o grant_v which_o be_v a_o admirable_a foundation_n for_o infallibility_n at_o all_o adventure_n to_o choose_v a_o infallible_a judge_n and_o then_o to_o believe_v he_o at_o all_o adventure_n so_o that_o though_o man_n who_o have_v always_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n may_v in_o time_n grow_v very_o confident_a of_o it_o and_o take_v it_o for_o a_o first_o principle_n which_o need_v no_o proof_n yet_o i_o wonder_v how_o any_o protestant_n who_o have_v be_v teach_v otherwise_o and_o if_o he_o act_v wise_o and_o like_o a_o honest_a man_n can_v believe_v it_o till_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o he_o can_v ever_o entertain_v such_o a_o thought_n for_o let_v his_o adversary_n be_v never_o so_o subtle_a if_o he_o resolve_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o see_v prove_v he_o may_v maintain_v his_o ground_n against_o he_o as_o to_o represent_v this_o brief_o in_o a_o dialogue_n between_o a_o papist_n and_o a_o protestant_n papist_n i_o pity_v your_o condition_n sir_n to_o see_v you_o live_v at_o such_o uncertainty_n for_o your_o religion_n and_o