Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	church_n	member_n	universal_a	2,996	5	9.5905	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A26615	Protestancy to be embrac'd, or, A new and infallible method to reduce Romanists from popery to Protestancy a treatise of great use to all His Majesties subjects, and necessary to prevent error and popery / by David Abercromby, D., lately converted, after he had profess'd near nineteen years Jesuitism and popery.	Abercromby, David, d. 1701 or 2.	1682 (1682)	Wing A86; ESTC R6382	30,832	174

majesty_n and_o consequent_o deserve_v his_o eternal_a wrath_n as_o be_v of_o a_o unlimited_a malice_n five_o they_o allow_v every_o one_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o wholesome_a doctrine_n and_o capable_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n as_o be_v a_o light_n to_o our_o understanding_n lest_o we_o err_v and_o a_o fire_n to_o our_o will_n lest_o we_o wax_v cold_a in_o charity_n and_o love_n towards_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n six_o their_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o lord_n supper_n be_v spirit_n and_o life_n it_o give_v no_o occasion_n either_o of_o idolatry_n or_o hypocrisy_n by_o teach_v that_o strange_a novelty_n of_o transubstantiation_n they_o captivate_v indeed_o their_o understanding_n in_o obsequium_fw-la fidei_fw-la in_o obedience_n to_o divine_a faith_n but_o pull_v not_o out_o their_o eye_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o bread_n in_o the_o eucharist_n where_o they_o see_v all_o the_o inseparable_a property_n thereof_o as_o colour_n shape_v quantity_n etc._n etc._n seven_o they_o rely_v sole_o on_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n neither_o on_o the_o mediation_n of_o saint_n nor_o on_o their_o own_o good_a work_n full_o persuade_v of_o this_o christian_a truth_n when_o they_o have_v do_v all_o they_o can_v they_o be_v but_o useless_a servant_n and_o that_o all_o their_o sufficiency_n be_v from_o above_o eight_o their_o divine_a worship_n be_v pure_a and_o without_o mixture_n of_o superstition_n or_o idolatry_n neither_o entire_o without_o ceremony_n nor_o overburden_a with_o they_o superstitious_o nine_o they_o adore_v god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n not_o under_o corporal_n shape_v and_o false_a representation_n they_o adore_v he_o as_o spirit_n and_o truth_n as_o he_o be_v in_o reality_n know_v perfect_o all_o their_o spiritual_a needs_o and_o bodily_a necessity_n without_o the_o help_n of_o saint_n as_o speaker_n and_o informer_n ten_o their_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n be_v most_o conformable_a in_o all_o its_o part_n to_o that_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o also_o their_o faith_n their_o manner_n and_o way_n of_o live_v as_o may_v be_v gather_v out_o of_o this_o and_o the_o forego_n article_n and_o every_o one_o know_v that_o be_v not_o altogether_o a_o stranger_n to_o antiquity_n eleven_o they_o serve_v god_n in_o all_o freedom_n of_o spirit_n without_o endanger_v their_o soul_n by_o vow_n of_o continency_n true_a snare_n rather_o to_o innocency_n than_o fit_a mean_n for_o attain_v to_o perfection_n and_o eternal_a felicity_n article_n iii_o sect_n 1._o conclusion_n flow_v from_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o this_o method_n i._o my_o first_o principle_n be_v that_o those_o who_o profess_v protestancy_n may_v be_v save_v i_o prove_v it_o to_o conviction_n without_o invective_n or_o bitterness_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o christian_a charity_n meekness_n and_o lenity_n persuade_v of_o this_o clear_a truth_n that_o conviction_n of_o the_o intellective_a faculty_n work_v never_o a_o true_a conversion_n unless_o the_o will_v be_v conquer_v by_o a_o civil_a and_o charitable_a way_n of_o debate_v ii_o it_o be_v proverbial_a among_o the_o romanist_n that_o out_o of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o salvation_n in_o what_o sense_n this_o be_v true_a it_o be_v not_o my_o design_n here_o to_o inquire_v but_o i_o affirm_v they_o be_v pitiful_o mistake_v understand_v by_o the_o church_n that_o handful_n of_o christian_n unite_v together_o in_o communion_n with_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n which_o be_v as_o unreasonable_a as_o if_o one_o will_v say_v a_o particular_a be_v a_o universal_a a_o part_n be_v the_o whole_a or_o at_o least_o of_o as_o great_a and_o vast_a a_o bulk_n they_o will_v grant_v then_o i_o suppose_v protestant_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n but_o dead_a one_o destitute_a of_o life_n spirit_n and_o vigour_n the_o contradictory_n of_o this_o proposition_n stand_v demonstrate_v in_o the_o first_o article_n for_o since_o they_o may_v be_v save_v by_o the_o merit_n and_o influence_n of_o their_o invisible_a head_n christ_n they_o be_v both_o wholesome_a live_a and_o vigorous_a member_n of_o his_o church_n iii_o they_o can_v be_v accuse_v of_o schism_n nor_o without_o a_o groundless_a calumny_n call_v schismatic_n since_o they_o be_v still_o contain_v in_o the_o catholic_n or_o universal_a church_n their_o reform_v be_v in_o the_o church_n not_o from_o it_o hold_v they_o not_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o whatever_o be_v of_o divine_a faith_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n they_o separated_z i_o confess_v from_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o rome_n but_o romanist_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o this_o separation_n by_o introduce_v error_n and_o novelty_n so_o they_o be_v proper_o the_o separatist_n not_o protestant_n let_v they_o be_v ashamed_a then_o to_o sound_v perpetual_o as_o they_o do_v in_o the_o people_n ear_n such_o a_o notorious_a calumny_n which_o with_o great_a truth_n may_v be_v retort_v against_o themselves_o iv._o i_o hope_v hereafter_o they_o shall_v prove_v more_o moderate_a and_o call_v they_o brethren_n who_o they_o have_v think_v hitherto_o heretic_n for_o i_o be_o persuade_v they_o be_v convince_v this_o foul_a aspersion_n of_o heresy_n be_v groundless_a as_o be_v a_o mere_a illusion_n and_o the_o product_n of_o a_o preoccupated_a judgement_n the_o protestant_n say_v they_o be_v heretic_n because_o they_o reject_v obstinate_o the_o decision_n of_o general_a council_n but_o will_v they_o never_o reflect_v that_o these_o decision_n can_v neither_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o we_o nor_o by_o they_o as_o reveal_v truth_n unless_o their_o infallibility_n be_v either_o ground_v on_o clear_a scripture_n or_o in_o their_o sentiment_n on_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o general_a council_n in_o what_o scripture_n be_v it_o say_v general_a council_n be_v infallible_a judge_n of_o controversial_a debate_n in_o what_o council_n be_v it_o decide_v that_o general_a council_n be_v unerrable_a here_o they_o be_v amaze_v and_o their_o thought_n at_o a_o stand_n they_o be_v force_v to_o yield_v and_o confess_v ingenuous_o that_o this_o pretend_a infallibility_n have_v no_o other_o foundation_n in_o be_v but_o that_o of_o their_o own_o opinion_n and_o fancy_n for_o though_o it_o be_v ground_v on_o the_o decision_n of_o some_o general_a council_n this_o must_v be_v first_o prove_v infallible_a by_o a_o evidence_n distinct_a from_o its_o own_o testimony_n v._n but_o because_o my_o only_a design_n in_o this_o place_n be_v to_o raise_v inference_n and_o not_o to_o frame_v new_a argument_n i_o entreat_v the_o romanist_n reader_n after_o a_o serious_a perusal_n of_o my_o first_o article_n to_o reflect_v a_o moment_n upon_o his_o own_o uncharity_n against_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n and_o other_o nation_n so_o commendable_a for_o their_o unstained_a life_n and_o conversation_n so_o acceptable_a to_o god_n because_o of_o their_o virtue_n and_o innocency_n let_v they_o i_o say_v upon_o second_o thought_n repent_v of_o their_o former_a uncharity_n in_o condemn_v their_o neighbour_n so_o inconsiderate_o as_o schismatic_n heretic_n reprobate_n let_v they_o detest_v from_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n this_o unchristian_a rigour_n and_o severity_n if_o perhaps_o upon_o such_o groundless_a pretence_n they_o be_v persuade_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o persecute_v they_o by_o treason_n fire_n and_o sword_n the_o deep_a ignorance_n they_o live_v in_o can_v be_v as_o a_o veil_n to_o the_o enomity_n of_o their_o crime_n but_o after_o the_o perusal_n of_o this_o treatise_n they_o can_v no_o more_o pretend_v ignorance_n they_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o error_n and_o sufficient_o inform_v of_o their_o former_a mistake_n vi_o neither_o can_v they_o with_o the_o least_o appearance_n of_o truth_n call_v apostate_n such_o as_o embrace_v protestancy_n since_o they_o retain_v still_o the_o faith_n of_o that_o church_n which_o flourish_v the_o first_o three_o century_n after_o our_o saviour_n birth_n and_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o party_n to_o have_v be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n they_o admit_v not_o indeed_o the_o additional_a article_n of_o purgatory_n transubstantiation_n image-worship_n invocation_n of_o saint_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o ground_n above_o lay_v but_o on_o this_o account_n they_o be_v in_o no_o true_a sense_n apostate_n because_o apostasy_n be_v a_o defection_n from_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o these_o point_n be_v either_o gross_a error_n or_o as_o a_o learned_a divine_a of_o the_o english_a church_n call_v they_o inferior_a truth_n not_o destructive_a to_o divine_a faith_n whether_o believe_v or_o deny_v though_o they_o be_v as_o i_o have_v insinuate_v elsewhere_o not_o a_o little_a prejudicial_a to_o true_a virtue_n and_o christian_a piety_n vii_o rashness_n or_o imprudence_n can_v with_o as_o little_a justice_n be_v object_v to_o such_o as_o retreat_v from_o popery_n it_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o romanist_n and_o self

blame_v because_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o will_v to_o force_v upon_o our_o understanding_n the_o belief_n of_o a_o know_a falsehood_n or_o of_o what_o appear_v to_o we_o evident_o false_a to_o conclude_v as_o i_o have_v begin_v paritate_fw-la rationis_fw-la by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n since_o the_o romanist_n because_o of_o the_o foresay_a invincible_a ignorance_n grant_v to_o some_o protestant_n a_o capacity_n of_o be_v save_v unless_o they_o belie_v themselves_o they_o will_v not_o refuse_v the_o same_o to_o those_o in_o who_o we_o meet_v with_o a_o like_a invincible_a ignorance_n yea_o more_a and_o hard_a to_o be_v overcome_v as_o may_v appear_v by_o what_o i_o have_v say_v 21._o i_o foresee_v the_o romanist_n may_v reply_v that_o those_o protestant_n he_o have_v no_o charity_n for_o be_v such_o as_o resist_v the_o know_a truth_n for_o instance_n they_o be_v persuade_v the_o argument_n in_o favour_n of_o transubstantiation_n be_v better_o ground_v than_o these_o they_o oppose_v against_o it_o so_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v save_v through_o their_o own_o misbelief_n wilfulness_n and_o obstinacy_n in_o error_n to_o which_o i_o make_v this_o short_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n that_o such_o man_n be_v not_o true_a protestant_n of_o who_o only_o we_o speak_v but_o rather_o abominable_a hypocrite_n profess_v outward_o a_o doctrine_n they_o judge_v in_o their_o heart_n false_a and_o erroneous_a this_o objection_n than_o vanish_v as_o be_v de_fw-fr subjecto_fw-la non_fw-la supponente_fw-la ground_v on_o a_o false_a supposition_n sect_n ii_o 1._o i_o have_v prove_v positive_o and_o i_o think_v to_o persuasion_n if_o preoccupation_n be_v lay_v aside_o the_o undeniable_a truth_n of_o my_o first_o principle_n that_o protestant_n may_v be_v save_v for_o the_o reader_n entire_a satisfaction_n i_o shall_v make_v out_o the_o same_o in_o a_o negative_a way_n by_o show_v to_o all_o not_o wilful_o blind_a there_o can_v be_v no_o let_v or_o hindrance_n to_o their_o salvation_n whatever_o romanist_n can_v instance_n as_o inconsistent_a with_o their_o attain_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n may_v be_v reduce_v either_o to_o schism_n or_o heresy_n and_o that_o either_o joint_o or_o several_o after_o a_o impartial_a scrutiny_n of_o their_o best_a ground_n of_o such_o foul_a aspersion_n i_o find_v they_o all_o to_o be_v groundless_a unwarrantable_a and_o insufficient_a 2._o schism_n be_v a_o separation_n from_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n protestant_n be_v not_o separate_v from_o the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n ergo_fw-la they_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o schism_n they_o be_v not_o schismatic_n all_o general_o confess_v the_o christian_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n to_o have_v be_v the_o constituent_a member_n of_o christ_n true_a church_n from_o these_o the_o protestant_n be_v not_o separate_v either_o in_o belief_n manner_n or_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n this_o i_o can_v prove_v to_o the_o conviction_n of_o the_o most_o obstinate_a have_v it_o not_o be_v perform_v abundant_o and_o more_o than_o once_o by_o other_o the_o same_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o romanist_n since_o they_o have_v admit_v of_o many_o novelty_n never_o hear_v of_o in_o these_o primitive_a time_n such_o be_v in_o invocation_n of_o saint_n adoration_n of_o the_o consecrate_a wafer_n image-worship_n pope_n supremacy_n etc._n etc._n so_o if_o they_o stand_v to_o the_o same_o fundamental_o with_o the_o church_n in_o her_o pure_a age_n it_o be_v certain_a they_o have_v add_v thereunto_o and_o be_v guilty_a of_o divers_a superstructure_n which_o the_o protestant_n be_v never_o and_o can_v be_v accuse_v of_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o my_o design_n in_o this_o place_n to_o charge_n romanist_n as_o to_o justify_v protestant_n and_o those_o who_o embrace_v protestancy_n 3._o they_o will_v perhaps_o say_v we_o be_v schismatic_n because_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o 1._o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v a_o particular_a one_o and_o a_o member_n only_o of_o the_o universal_a church_n 2._o as_o it_o now_o stand_v it_o be_v not_o our_o rule_n but_o that_o undoubted_a of_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n without_o spot_n or_o blemish_n 3._o this_o aspersion_n of_o schism_n smite_v rather_o themselves_o for_o those_o only_o we_o call_v schismatic_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o division_n and_o breach_n of_o unity_n by_o do_v that_o which_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n thereof_o that_o the_o mean_a capacity_n may_v understand_v this_o let_v they_o take_v notice_n of_o what_o follow_v if_o my_o body_n be_v unite_v or_o close_o join_v to_o you_o will_v you_o not_o be_v judge_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o our_o separation_n if_o you_o put_v any_o thing_n between_o you_o and_o i_o hinder_v this_o union_n so_o you_o be_v the_o true_a separatist_n not_o i_o because_o you_o have_v thrust_v i_o from_o you_o by_o that_o middle_a obstacle_n you_o have_v place_v betwixt_o we_o both_o which_o unless_o first_o remove_v i_o can_v unite_v my_o body_n to_o you_o again_o 4._o this_o be_v downright_a our_o present_a case_n if_o well_o understand_v the_o protestant_n and_o romanist_n be_v once_o two_o unite_a body_n in_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o happy_a time_n when_o superstition_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o gain_v a_o foot_n of_o ground_n among_o christian_n they_o be_v one_o people_n anima_fw-la una_fw-la corunum_fw-la one_o soul_n and_o one_o heart_n but_o at_o length_n the_o romanist_n set_v up_o betwixt_o we_o and_o they_o murum_fw-la aheneum_fw-la a_o invincible_a obstacle_n a_o heap_n of_o error_n destructive_a both_o to_o union_n and_o unity_n so_o if_o we_o be_v separate_v now_o who_o be_v former_o unite_v it_o be_v evident_o by_o their_o fault_n we_o can_v not_o persevere_v in_o union_n with_o they_o because_o of_o this_o middle_a wall_n that_o do_v separate_v we_o let_v they_o throw_v it_o down_o as_o they_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o do_v and_o we_o shall_v draw_v up_o together_o and_o join_v they_o close_o again_o since_o than_o they_o give_v a_o just_a occasion_n yea_o and_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o this_o separation_n they_o be_v the_o separatist_n and_o true_a schismatic_n not_o we_o 5._o as_o for_o heresy_n let_v romanist_n say_v what_o they_o please_v it_o can_v with_o the_o least_o appearance_n of_o truth_n be_v lay_v to_o our_o charge_n he_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o that_o crime_n who_o defend_v obstinate_o any_o opinion_n whatsoever_o else_o all_o schoolman_n and_o divine_n stand_v stiff_o to_o their_o own_o fancy_n in_o doctrinal_a point_n will_v be_v reckon_v heretic_n such_o be_v those_o only_o who_o deny_v flat_o and_o with_o obstinacy_n divine_a truth_n or_o article_n of_o faith_n which_o can_v be_v impose_v upon_o protestant_n without_o injustice_n ignorance_n and_o calumny_n 6._o they_o deny_v indeed_o general_a council_n to_o be_v infallible_a in_o their_o decision_n but_o their_o infallibility_n be_v no_o article_n of_o faith_n else_o austin_n be_v a_o heretic_n assert_v general_a council_n gather_v out_o of_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v often_o correct_v the_o former_a by_o the_o latter_a donat._n correction_n of_o a_o council_n undoubted_o suppose_v a_o precedent_a error_n and_o a_o council_n to_o be_v errable_a as_o every_o one_o understand_v that_o know_v any_o thing_n on_o the_o same_o account_n he_o speak_v after_o this_o manner_n to_o maximian_n a_o arian_n bishop_n neither_o ought_v i_o to_o instance_n the_o council_n of_o nice_a nor_o thou_o the_o council_n of_o arimene_n to_o take_v advantage_n thereby_o for_o neither_o i_o be_o bind_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o nor_o thou_o of_o that_o set_v matter_n with_o matter_n cause_n with_o cause_n reason_n with_o reason_n try_v the_o matter_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o divine_a scripture_n 4._o 7._o a_o article_n of_o faith_n must_v either_o be_v clear_o contain_v in_o scripture_n or_o according_a to_o the_o romanist_n declare_v express_o by_o some_o of_o their_o general_a council_n but_o that_o general_a council_n be_v infallible_a in_o their_o decision_n be_v neither_o contain_v clear_o in_o scripture_n let_v they_o tell_v we_o in_o what_o part_n book_n chapter_n verse_n nor_o be_v it_o determine_v in_o any_o of_o the_o eighteen_o general_a council_n they_o acknowledge_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n none_o can_v be_v instanced_a where_o this_o have_v be_v decide_v upon_o what_o ground_n then_o hold_v they_o this_o as_o a_o divine_a truth_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o fanciful_a opinion_n hinder_v they_o to_o follow_v augustine_n advice_n to_o set_v matter_n with_o matter_n cause_n with_o cause_n reason_n with_o reason_n to_o try_v the_o matter_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o divine_a scripture_n 8._o the_o general_a council_n be_v so_o far_o from_o pretend_v to_o be_v infallible_a judge_n of_o controversial_a debate_n con_fw-mi that_o in_o a_o set_a

jesuit_n their_o first_o vow_n it_o be_v but_o with_o their_o lip_n and_o not_o from_o their_o heart_n they_o may_v sin_v i_o confess_v by_o this_o dissimulation_n though_o i_o be_o persuade_v their_o crime_n be_v none_o of_o the_o great_a because_o of_o the_o juncture_n and_o necessity_n of_o their_o affair_n but_o however_o this_o sin_n communicate_v no_o validity_n to_o their_o vow_n which_o subsist_v not_o in_o reality_n without_o a_o entire_a liberty_n freedom_n and_o inward_a consent_n because_o of_o the_o heavy_a and_o insupportable_a yoke_n it_o lay_v on_o their_o neck_n which_o in_o this_o case_n they_o may_v shake_v off_o at_o the_o first_o opportunity_n and_o follow_v that_o sort_n of_o life_n they_o shall_v find_v most_o convenient_a for_o their_o spiritual_a concern_v and_o good_a of_o their_o soul_n 11._o i_o wonder_v often_o upon_o what_o ground_n the_o romanist_n call_v these_o three_o vow_n of_o chastity_n poverty_n and_o obedience_n to_o their_o superior_n evangelical_n counsel_n because_o i_o have_v never_o read_v in_o the_o gospel_n that_o christ_n exhort_v ever_o any_o to_o tie_v themselves_o to_o his_o service_n by_o solemn_a vow_n he_o counsel_v i_o confess_v a_o young_a man_n to_o sell_v all_o he_o have_v and_o give_v it_o to_o the_o poor_a but_o not_o to_o make_v a_o vow_n to_o do_v so_o neither_o can_v i_o ever_o be_v persuade_v nor_o any_o rational_a man_n ever_o will_v that_o it_o be_v a_o high_a degree_n of_o perfection_n to_o vow_n for_o instance_n chastity_n than_o to_o live_v in_o continency_n without_o such_o a_o tie_n and_o obligation_n 12._o this_o be_v nevertheless_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a romanist_n and_o if_o i_o remember_v well_o of_o their_o chief_a divine_a thomas_n aquinas_n but_o as_o they_o common_o say_v in_o sorbon_n amicus_fw-la aristoteles_n amicus_fw-la divus_o thomas_n sed_fw-la magis_fw-la amica_fw-la veritas_fw-la no_o man_n authority_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v of_o against_o the_o truth_n which_o undoubted_o side_n not_o with_o they_o in_o this_o conjuncture_n because_o their_o assertion_n be_v entire_o ground_v on_o this_o weak_a and_o illusory_a reason_n that_o he_o who_o vow_v continency_n sacrifice_v to_o god_n the_o thing_n man_n make_v most_o account_n of_o that_o precious_a liberty_n they_o think_v preferable_a to_o all_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o world_n which_o he_o that_o live_v chaste_a without_o such_o a_o tie_n do_v not_o 13._o this_o i_o say_v be_v a_o mere_a falsehood_n and_o a_o flat_a illusion_n for_o though_o i_o vow_v i_o keep_v entire_o my_o former_a liberty_n true_a it_o be_v i_o can_v break_v this_o promise_n and_o vow_v make_v to_o god_n if_o it_o be_v a_o real_a one_o without_o commit_v a_o sin_n but_o this_o put_v i_o in_o a_o worse_a condition_n than_o i_o be_v in_o before_o for_o now_o if_o i_o fall_v i_o commit_v two_o sin_n one_o against_o my_o vow_n and_o another_o against_o the_o virtue_n of_o continency_n whereas_o before_o i_o vow_v i_o can_v be_v guilty_a but_o of_o one_o i_o think_v then_o the_o state_n of_o high_a perfection_n be_v that_o which_o remove_v we_o far_o from_o sin_n and_o the_o occasion_n thereof_o which_o certain_o vow_n do_v not_o but_o ensnare_a man_n rather_o because_o of_o their_o great_a weakness_n and_o frailty_n expose_v they_o to_o both_o by_o that_o perverse_a though_o inbred_a inclination_n of_o they_o to_o whatever_o be_v forbid_v they_o for_o nothing_o more_o true_a than_o nitimur_fw-la in_o vetitum_fw-la semper_fw-la etc._n etc._n 14._o this_o engage_v i_o here_o to_o the_o defence_n of_o a_o assertion_n which_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o paradox_n by_o the_o romanist_n yet_o if_o reflect_v on_o without_o preoccupation_n be_v a_o clear_a simple_a and_o undeniable_a truth_n they_o dry_v up_o all_o the_o vein_n of_o their_o eloquence_n in_o extol_v a_o religious_a life_n as_o they_o call_v it_o they_o say_v it_o be_v most_o perfect_a happy_a bless_a and_o what_o not_o read_v jerome_n platus_n on_o this_o subject_a and_o you_o shall_v find_v he_o as_o whimsical_a in_o his_o notion_n of_o this_o imaginary_a happiness_n as_o plato_n be_v in_o his_o abstract_n idea_n 15._o i_o can_v prove_v to_o persuasion_n there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o serve_a god_n more_o dangerous_a and_o wherein_o you_o shall_v meet_v with_o great_a obstacle_n to_o your_o spiritual_a progress_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n than_o in_o these_o pretend_a religious_a order_n as_o they_o now_o stand_v of_o the_o romish_a church_n my_o reason_n be_v clear_a and_o run_v thus_o because_o their_o yoke_n be_v incomparable_o great_a and_o heavy_a than_o that_o of_o other_o christian_n since_o beside_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o their_o church_n they_o tie_v themselves_o to_o a_o numberless_a number_n of_o petty_a observance_n and_o rule_n which_o though_o they_o confess_v bind_v not_o their_o conscience_n yet_o they_o teach_v none_o of_o they_o can_v scarce_o ever_o be_v transgress_v without_o sin_n either_o ratione_fw-la scandali_fw-la by_o reason_n of_o the_o scandal_n or_o ratione_fw-la contemptus_fw-la because_o of_o the_o contempt_n of_o authority_n or_o on_o some_o other_o account_n they_o say_v as_o yet_o something_o more_o strange_a that_o non_fw-la progredi_fw-la regredi_fw-la est_fw-la it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o observe_v the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o the_o church_n they_o call_v that_o non_fw-la progredi_fw-la no_o progress_n unless_o they_o do_v more_o than_o he_o have_v command_v by_o stand_v with_o as_o great_a preciseness_n to_o their_o custom_n and_o rule_n as_o if_o they_o be_v a_o essential_a part_n of_o god_n write_v law_n 15._o in_o what_o fear_v then_o if_o they_o have_v a_o timorous_a conscience_n in_o what_o trouble_n and_o turmoil_n and_o what_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n they_o live_v in_o for_o if_o so_o few_o keep_v god_n command_n as_o it_o be_v say_v the_o just_a fall_v seven_o time_n a_o day_n what_o judgement_n may_v we_o frame_v of_o they_o who_o pretend_v to_o do_v more_o than_o he_o have_v ordain_v by_o observe_v a_o number_n innumerable_a of_o petty_a rule_n statute_n and_o frivolous_a custom_n on_o this_o account_n i_o have_v hear_v several_a among_o they_o say_v what_o i_o believe_v to_o be_v most_o true_a that_o their_o yoke_n be_v not_o like_a to_o the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n sweet_a and_o light_n jugum_n suave_fw-la &_o onus_fw-la leave_n but_o rather_o exceed_o bitter_a and_o most_o heavy_a jugum_n amarum_fw-la &_o onus_fw-la grave_n 16._o in_o fine_a i_o may_v affirm_v without_o deviate_a from_o the_o truth_n that_o these_o romish_a vow_n be_v rather_o snare_n to_o entrap_v soul_n than_o true_a mean_n to_o their_o attain_n to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o glory_n in_o heaven_n the_o devil_n overcome_v some_o by_o manifest_a temptation_n and_o a_o flat_a proposition_n of_o sin_n but_o because_o some_o other_o desirous_a to_o live_v after_o a_o more_o perfect_a manner_n admit_v not_o so_o easy_o of_o his_o suggestion_n he_o catch_v they_o by_o their_o own_o inclination_n by_o vow_a engagement_n to_o the_o pursuance_n of_o a_o perfection_n which_o through_o humane_a frailty_n they_o shall_v never_o reach_v to_o so_o weary_a to_o swim_v always_o against_o the_o water_n they_o be_v force_v at_o length_n to_o yield_v to_o the_o stream_n and_o go_v downward_o which_o be_v the_o enemy_n sole_a aim_n and_o main_a design_n 17._o out_o of_o this_o forego_n discourse_n we_o may_v conclude_v protestant_n to_o be_v most_o happy_a as_o meet_v with_o none_o of_o these_o forementioned_a obstacle_n to_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n so_o long_o as_o they_o follow_v the_o maxim_n of_o true_a protestancy_n for_o first_o their_o faith_n be_v not_o so_o blind_a though_o submissive_a enough_o to_o church_n authority_n as_o to_o hold_v for_o divine_a truth_n the_o fanciful_a opinion_n of_o fallible_a man_n or_o decision_n of_o errable_a council_n the_o word_n of_o god_n only_o be_v their_o rule_n to_o this_o they_o be_v teach_v to_o conform_v their_o faith_n and_o their_o action_n second_o they_o be_v not_o torture_v and_o turmoil_v with_o doubt_n if_o they_o be_v baptise_a or_o not_o because_o they_o know_v the_o existency_n of_o baptism_n to_o be_v independent_a on_o the_o minister_n uncertain_a intention_n three_o they_o have_v no_o incitement_n to_o sin_n by_o rely_v on_o a_o middle_a place_n between_o heaven_n and_o hell_n they_o hold_v no_o purgatory_n and_o so_o be_v powerful_o deter_v from_o offend_a god_n through_o fear_n of_o his_o terrible_a justice_n exercise_v in_o hell_n upon_o such_o as_o die_v without_o repentance_n four_o they_o reject_v the_o dangerous_a distinction_n of_o venial_a and_o mortal_a sin_n as_o open_v a_o door_n to_o looseness_n for_o though_o some_o sin_n be_v more_o heinous_a than_o other_o yet_o in_o this_o we_o must_v confess_v a_o perfect_a equality_n that_o they_o be_v all_o offence_n of_o a_o infinite_a