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christian_n christian_a church_n society_n 2,901 5 9.2764 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A65714 Romish doctrines not from the beginning, or, A reply to what S.C. (or Serenus Cressy) a Roman Catholick hath returned to Dr. Pierces sermon preached before His Majesty at Whitehall, Feb. 1 1662 in vindication of our church against the novelties of Rome / by Daniel Whitbie ... Whitby, Daniel, 1638-1726. 1664 (1664) Wing W1736; ESTC R39058 335,424 421

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this_o observance_n without_o respect_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o shall_v i_o tell_v a_o layick_a that_o he_o must_v not_o trust_v to_o his_o private_a interpretation_n of_o any_o paragraph_n of_o scripture_n without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o some_o learned_a commentator_n can_v i_o be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o may_v embrace_v any_o thing_n as_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o paragraph_n of_o scripture_n which_o any_o learned_a commentator_n lay_v down_o as_o such_o well_o then_o all_o that_o we_o assert_v be_v that_o this_o conflict_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o learned_a man_n be_v ground_n for_o he_o to_o advise_v and_o consult_v and_o look_v into_o the_o truth_n but_o will_v not_o free_v a_o man_n from_o guilt_n who_o upon_o that_o sole_a account_n refuse_v to_o observe_v the_o decree_n forementioned_a 3._o sect._n 4_o whereas_o he_o add_v that_o upon_o our_o ground_n a_o presbyterian_a if_o he_o think_v himself_o certain_a that_o our_o doctrine_n be_v 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shall_v be_v certain_o free_a from_o all_o danger_n of_o schism_n p._n 266._o and_o by_o this_o mean_n say_v you_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v continue_v in_o unity_n and_o by_o assent_v to_o all_o decision_n her_o member_n be_v sure_a never_o to_o dissent_v from_o those_o that_o be_v necessary_a whereas_o protestant_n by_o take_v a_o liberty_n of_o discern_v betwixt_o fundamental_o and_o nonfundamentals_a at_o least_o wherein_o they_o think_v the_o church_n catholic_n may_v be_v fallible_a be_v beside_o a_o certainty_n of_o dis-union_n expose_v to_o error_n even_o in_o fundamental_o i_o answer_v this_o whole_a discourse_n to_o omit_v divers_a other_o answer_v very_o obvious_a depend_v upon_o two_o supposition_n unanimous_o explode_v by_o we_o 1._o that_o the_o church_n which_o we_o hold_v to_o be_v infallible_a in_o fundamental_o be_v the_o roman_a church_n or_o at_o least_o a_o general_n council_n whereas_o when_o we_o assert_v the_o church_n to_o be_v infallible_a in_o fundamental_o we_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o assert_v that_o any_o one_o society_n of_o man_n be_v so_o but_o only_o thus_o that_o while_o the_o world_n last_v there_o shall_v be_v some_o man_n in_o the_o world_n which_o err_v not_o in_o fundamental_o chill_n p._n 105._o or_o that_o religion_n shall_v never_o be_v so_o far_o drive_v out_o of_o the_o world_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v always_o have_v somewhere_o or_o other_o some_o that_o believe_v and_o profess_v it_o in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n thus_o therefore_o you_o argue_v protestant_n acknowledge_v that_o some_o christian_n shall_v be_v infallible_a in_o fundamental_o albeit_o they_o be_v neither_o the_o roman_a church_n nor_o a_o general_n council_n nor_o any_o other_o visible_a society_n therefore_o they_o ought_v in_o prudence_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n or_o a_o
because_o what_o the_o council_n have_v define_v be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n therefore_o do_v we_o believe_v it_o and_o if_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o in_o any_o article_n they_o dissent_v from_o scripture_n we_o shall_v in_o that_o as_o much_o oppose_v they_o as_o we_o do_v you_o our_o appeal_n then_o to_o they_o be_v not_o as_o rule_n but_o as_o conformable_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o so_o we_o shall_v to_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n itself_o have_v it_o be_v as_o orthodox_n as_o they_o but_o i_o hope_v we_o shall_v not_o thence_o make_v they_o guide_v or_o their_o decree_n rule_n of_o our_o faith_n though_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v mistake_v i_o allow_v the_o four_o first_o a_o pre-eminence_n above_o the_o ensue_a ecumenical_a council_n be_v there_o any_o such_o because_o from_o their_o nearness_n to_o the_o apostolical_a time_n they_o have_v great_a advantage_n of_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o apostle_n mind_n and_o practice_n but_o then_o the_o pre-eminence_n we_o grant_v they_o above_o other_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o probability_n of_o their_o consonancy_n with_o that_o which_o we_o avow_v to_o be_v infallible_a we_o appeal_v therefore_o to_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n not_o because_o we_o think_v it_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o conform_v our_o belief_n to_o they_o but_o ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la to_o show_v you_o that_o shall_v we_o appeal_v to_o the_o church_n as_o you_o will_v have_v we_o that_o in_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a age_n its_o belief_n carry_v a_o exact_a harmony_n with_o we_o so_o that_o be_v the_o church_n judge_n as_o it_o be_v not_o the_o primitive_a church_n will_v stand_v for_o we_o and_o this_o be_v all_o we_o mean_v in_o our_o appeal_n to_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n how_o impertinent_a then_o be_v mr._n cressys_n dilemma_n 8._o p._n 1._o s_o 8._o that_o if_o dr._n pierce_n submit_v to_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n not_o because_o of_o their_o inherent_a authority_n but_o because_o he_o judge_v their_o decision_n conformable_a to_o god_n express_v word_n than_o he_o delude_v we_o and_o with_o presbyterian_o independent_o etc._n etc._n make_v scripture_n alone_o the_o rule_n of_o reformation_n how_o do_v he_o delude_v you_o do_v he_o ever_o deny_v this_o what_o delusion_n be_v it_o to_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o hold_v what_o i_o hold_v but_o then_o you_o say_v dr._n pierce_n must_v make_v scripture_n his_o only_a rule_n what_o then_o nothing_o but_o this_o that_o dr._n pierce_n affirm_v what_o he_o affirm_v and_o what_o absurdity_n be_v that_o a_o shrewd_a dilemma_n that_o force_v dr._n pierce_n to_o believe_v what_o he_o do_v believe_v in_o the_o next_o place_n when_o you_o tell_v we_o that_o beside_o reason_n our_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n bishop_n or_o parliamnt_n be_v admit_v as_o guide_n of_o our_o faith_n you_o do_v but_o evidence_n by_o your_o impute_v to_o we_o what_o we_o hold_v not_o you_o can_v confute_v what_o we_o hold_v for_o sect._n 4_o we_o assert_v therefore_o that_o reason_n alone_o be_v and_o can_v be_v our_o guide_n which_o we_o demonstrate_v because_o reason_n alone_o be_v our_o judge_n in_o all_o case_n for_o i_o either_o have_v reason_n for_o my_o belief_n whatever_o it_o be_v or_o i_o have_v not_o if_o the_o latter_a than_o my_o belief_n be_v 1._o irrational_a for_o my_o belief_n must_v be_v irrational_a when_o i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v and_o as_o irrational_a so_o 2._o altogether_o uncertain_a and_o its_o object_n may_v as_o well_o be_v a_o falsehood_n as_o a_o truth_n because_o if_o i_o have_v no_o reason_n why_o i_o believe_v it_o true_a then_o have_v i_o no_o certainty_n but_o it_o may_v be_v false_a for_o the_o only_a certainty_n i_o can_v have_v that_o my_o belief_n be_v not_o false_a be_v because_o i_o have_v rational_a ground_n to_o evidence_n it_o true_a which_o when_o remove_v what_o certainty_n can_v i_o have_v that_o i_o do_v not_o err_v but_o if_o the_o former_a that_o be_v if_o whatsoever_o i_o believe_v or_o assent_v to_o i_o do_v it_o because_o my_o reason_n judge_v it_o a_o truth_n than_o reason_n be_v my_o judge_n and_o guide_v in_o whatsoever_o i_o believe_v which_o be_v the_o proposition_n to_o be_v prove_v and_o this_o be_v easy_o confirm_v and_o illustrate_v by_o a_o few_o particular_a consideration_n as_o when_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o embrace_v any_o religion_n at_o all_o i_o bring_v my_o reason_n to_o judge_v which_o after_o it_o have_v examine_v the_o weight_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o argument_n suggest_v to_o it_o and_o find_v they_o valid_a determine_v and_o judge_n that_o i_o ought_v to_o own_o some_o religion_n after_o this_o my_o next_o enquiry_n be_v among_o the_o various_a kind_n of_o religion_n profess_v in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o true_a one_o here_o again_o have_v examine_v all_o their_o pretence_n my_o reason_n judge_v which_o be_v most_o consonant_a to_o truth_n and_o hereupon_o i_o close_o with_o the_o christian_a profession_n because_o i_o find_v their_o argument_n most_o valid_a and_o high_o satisfactory_a to_o a_o ingenuous_a and_o unprejudiced_a understanding_n and_o such_o as_o carry_v with_o they_o so_o full_a a_o evidence_n as_o that_o it_o will_v make_v all_o unbelief_n infinite_o irrational_a and_o hitherto_o as_o reason_n be_v my_o only_a guide_n so_o my_o only_a rule_n too_o for_o i_o can_v have_v no_o other_o canon_n whereby_o to_o guide_v it_o but_o it_o be_v own_o acknowledge_a law_n and_o maxim_n by_o which_o i_o examine_v the_o verity_n of_o all_o other_o rule_n and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o other_o rule_n whereby_o to_o judge_v see_v they_o themselves_o be_v the_o matter_n judge_v of_o and_o therefore_o when_o we_o dispute_v with_o the_o romanist_n whether_o scripture_n be_v our_o sole_a rule_n whereby_o to_o determine_v controversy_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v absolute_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n for_o i_o can_v never_o confute_v a_o jew_n from_o a_o text_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n nor_o a_o atheist_n or_o a_o infidel_n out_o of_o either_o testament_n but_o limited_o that_o its_o the_o sole_a rule_n whereby_o to_o determine_v controversy_n of_o faith_n among_o those_o that_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o which_o sense_n alone_o it_o concern_v their_o dispute_n which_o be_v not_o with_o infidel_n but_o christian_n who_o have_v already_o acknowledge_v scripture_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o to_o proceed_v have_v by_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n receive_v a_o new_a rule_n the_o old_a guide_n may_v still_o suffice_v that_o which_o can_v guide_v i_o into_o the_o right_a way_n will_v much_o more_o guide_v i_o in_o it_o especial_o when_o its_o plain_a and_o easy_a but_o now_o christianity_n be_v profess_v and_o a_o new_a rule_n own_v my_o next_o quere_z be_v what_o party_n among_o the_o several_a pretender_n adhere_v to_o this_o rule_n and_o so_o with_o what_o church_n i_o must_v join_v here_o again_o reason_n must_v sit_v on_o the_o bench_n and_o pass_v judgement_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n which_o of_o they_o keep_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o which_o swerve_v from_o it_o let_v we_o then_o first_o call_v the_o socinian_n church_n to_o the_o bar_n here_o the_o enquiry_n will_v be_v whether_o i_o may_v embrace_v any_o thing_n for_o truth_n though_o sufficient_o manifest_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n if_o it_o seem_v to_o contradict_v or_o thwart_v my_o reason_n hereto_o reason_n itself_o must_v be_v judge_n and_o so_o the_o enquiry_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v more_o rational_a to_o believe_v a_o truth_n divine_o reveal_v that_o i_o can_v comprehend_v or_o upon_o that_o account_n to_o reject_v it_o my_o reason_n judge_v it_o most_o rational_a to_o captivate_v and_o submit_v itself_o to_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o believe_v what_o it_o can_v comprehend_v because_o i_o and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o do_v acknowledge_v such_o thing_n as_o transcend_v our_o comprehension_n v._o g._n a_o infinite_a extension_n of_o space_n a_o eternal_a duration_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o i_o think_v not_o their_o principle_n sufficient_a to_o explode_v a_o truth_n for_o a_o falsehood_n beside_o i_o know_v the_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n be_v infinite_a and_o so_o incomprehensible_a to_o any_o sinite_fw-la and_o shallow_a intellect_n and_o therefore_o that_o he_o may_v know_v and_o consequent_o reveal_v such_o matter_n which_o be_v too_o deep_a and_o too_o wide_a to_o be_v contain_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o our_o narrow_a understanding_n and_o therefore_o what_o more_o absurd_a then_o to_o measure_v the_o immensity_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n by_o the_o standard_n of_o our_o imperfect_a and_o short_a apprehension_n wherefore_o we_o do_v not_o proscribe_v the_o doctrine_n impute_v to_o the_o