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church_n act_n communion_n perform_v 2,890 5 8.9527 4 false
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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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and_o the_o like_a have_v be_v think_v a_o just_a reason_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n to_o deny_v communion_n to_o all_o those_o church_n which_o reject_v they_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v in_o communion_n with_o all_o those_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n till_o now_o who_o never_o own_v nor_o impose_v those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n for_o which_o we_o now_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o necessary_a term_n of_o communion_n which_o upon_o inquiry_n will_v be_v find_v a_o much_o more_o catholic_n communion_n then_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o we_o communicate_v with_o more_o age_n and_o with_o more_o church_n than_o they_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o now_o constitute_v in_o all_o its_o part_n and_o proportion_n be_v no_o old_a than_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o be_v some_o time_n since_o luther_n that_o we_o may_v with_o more_o reason_n ask_v they_o where_o their_o church_n be_v before_o the_o council_n of_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 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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
profess_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o there_o be_v but_o one_o material_a objection_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o way_n that_o our_o dissenter_n pretend_v to_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o we_o and_o so_o most_o heretic_n have_v always_o do_v and_o as_o for_o antiquity_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v a_o great_a noise_n with_o it_o than_o we_o do_v and_o how_o then_o can_v a_o plain_a and_o unlearned_a man_n choose_v safe_o in_o such_o variety_n of_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n now_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o because_o some_o man_n mistake_v no_o man_n can_v be_v in_o the_o right_a or_o because_o some_o man_n may_v confident_o believe_v they_o be_v in_o the_o right_n when_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n therefore_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a which_o pretence_n will_v be_v laugh_v at_o in_o all_o other_o case_n except_v religion_n and_o here_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o deserve_v to_o 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the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o the_o orthodox_n and_o our_o dissenter_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o what_o then_o be_v the_o scripture_n of_o no_o use_n because_o some_o man_n use_v it_o ill_a be_v it_o not_o possible_a to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n because_o some_o man_n put_v a_o false_a sense_n on_o it_o can_v these_o heretic_n be_v confute_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n or_o not_o if_o not_o why_o do_v we_o charge_v they_o with_o heresy_n if_o they_o may_v how_o be_v such_o heresy_n be_v father_v on_o the_o scripture_n a_o argument_n against_o study_v the_o scripture_n and_o rely_v on_o their_o authority_n for_o we_o can_v confute_v heresy_n by_o the_o scripture_n unless_o we_o can_v understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o if_o we_o may_v find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n notwithstanding_o that_o heretic_n put_v a_o wrong_a sense_n on_o it_o than_o we_o may_v be_v as_o certain_a that_o we_o 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on_o scripture_n as_o to_o the_o external_a government_n of_o it_o and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v so_o baffle_v a_o cause_n that_o the_o romanist_n be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o when_o they_o use_v that_o argument_n second_o as_o for_o antiquity_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v great_a boast_n of_o it_o but_o they_o be_v very_o vain_a one_o and_o who_o can_v help_v man_n pretend_v to_o antiquity_n when_o it_o be_v apparent_o against_o they_o no_o man_n indeed_o can_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o this_o but_o those_o who_o be_v skill_v in_o antiquity_n and_o have_v examine_v their_o pretence_n but_o there_o be_v some_o consideration_n which_o lie_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n and_o may_v serve_v to_o direct_v the_o unlearned_a what_o judgement_n to_o make_v in_o this_o matter_n 1._o for_o have_v true_a antiquity_n be_v on_o their_o side_n what_o need_n have_v they_o of_o spurious_a and_o counterfeit_a author_n to_o make_v some_o appearance_n of_o antiquity_n with_o this_o have_v 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this_o to_o the_o purpose_n when_o the_o scripture_n express_o condemn_v the_o worship_n of_o image_n and_o give_v religious_a worship_n to_o any_o other_o be_v but_o to_o god_n only_o and_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n say_v nothing_o of_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o that_o st._n paul_n dispute_v design_o against_o prayer_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o that_o our_o saviour_n institute_v his_o supper_n in_o both_o kind_n and_o command_v they_o to_o drink_v of_o the_o consecrate_a cup_n as_o well_o as_o to_o eat_v the_o bread_n though_o i_o have_v a_o great_a reverence_n for_o antiquity_n yet_o if_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o day_n pronounce_v a_o anathema_n against_o angel_n themselves_o who_o shall_v preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n we_o may_v safe_o renounce_v the_o authority_n of_o any_o church_n that_o shall_v contradict_v the_o express_a command_n and_o institution_n of_o christ._n to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n be_v antiquity_n our_o only_a guide_n and_o rule_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n i_o ready_o grant_v it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a uncertain_a rule_n and_o such_o as_o neither_o the_o learned_a nor_o the_o unlearned_a can_v build_v their_o faith_n on_o for_o there_o have_v be_v great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o other_o age_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o since_o the_o four_o century_n from_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n principal_o date_n their_o antiquity_n as_o well_o as_o in_o our_o own_o which_o show_v what_o a_o uncertain_a foundation_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v for_o her_o faith_n as_o for_o all_o those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n wherein_o she_o differ_v from_o we_o which_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o scripture_n and_o at_o best_a a_o very_a uncertain_a one_o in_o very_o late_a antiquity_n but_o this_o do_v not_o concern_v we_o who_o prefer_v scripture_n antiquity_n before_o all_o other_o and_o own_o no_o antiquity_n in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o by_o this_o we_o know_v that_o we_o neither_o retain_v too_o much_o nor_o too_o little_a because_o we_o teach_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v the_o paper_n but_o it_o be_v reply_v the_o church_n of_o england_n give_v leave_v even_o to_o woman_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o teach_v but_o certain_o this_o be_v a_o compliment_n they_o be_v incapable_a of_o examination_n neither_o indeed_o be_v statesman_n lawyer_n the_o busy_a nor_o the_o stupid_o ignorant_a for_o if_o we_o will_v be_v judge_n ourselves_o of_o these_o matter_n what_o life_n or_o capacity_n be_v sufficient_a for_o in_o justice_n if_o i_o examine_v i_o ought_v to_o hear_v all_o the_o several_a pretender_n to_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n who_o make_v it_o their_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o to_o examine_v those_o text_n that_o make_v against_o we_o as_o well_o as_o those_o for_o we_o and_o the_o several_a expositor_n for_o in_o affair_n of_o much_o less_o importance_n people_n be_v think_v foolish_a and_o partial_a let_v one_o party_n tell_v his_o story_n to_o a_o seem_a demonstration_n not_o to_o preserve_v another_o ear_n for_o the_o other_o side_n before_o he_o determine_v if_o he_o must_v judge_v at_o all_o answer_n the_o lightness_n of_o this_o expression_n of_o compliment_a do_v not_o savour_n of_o a_o serious_a mind_n in_o matter_n of_o such_o vast_a importance_n do_v our_o saviour_n then_o compliment_v his_o hearer_n when_o he_o command_v they_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o he_o have_v woman_n and_o very_o busy_a people_n who_o hear_v his_o sermon_n the_o poor_a and_o the_o ignorant_a and_o the_o despise_a people_n publican_n and_o sinner_n receive_v the_o gospel_n which_o do_v not_o so_o much_o require_v great_a leisure_n and_o capacity_n for_o study_n as_o a_o honest_a teachable_a mind_n and_o i_o confess_v i_o think_v it_o a_o great_a reproach_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o make_v it_o so_o much_o a_o art_n and_o a_o mystery_n that_o none_o but_o great_a scholar_n can_v understand_v it_o scholar_n indeed_o have_v make_v a_o art_n and_o a_o mere_a dispute_v art_n of_o it_o and_o heretic_n who_o have_v corrupt_v the_o gospel_n have_v endeavour_v by_o perverse_a comment_n to_o make_v plain_a place_n obscure_a and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v more_o countenance_v this_o pretence_n than_o any_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o frighten_v people_n from_o read_v that_o book_n which_o be_v the_o most_o dangerous_a book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v against_o popery_n and_o after_o all_o their_o talk_n of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o scripture_n their_o deny_v the_o people_n the_o free_a use_n of_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a confession_n that_o they_o think_v it_o too_o plain_a against_o themselves_o so_o plain_a that_o every_o ordinary_a christian_n will_v be_v able_a to_o see_v it_o but_o if_o so_o very_a few_o people_n be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o dispute_n in_o religion_n what_o course_n shall_v woman_n and_o other_o person_n who_o the_o paper_n make_v such_o incompetent_a judge_n take_v suppose_v they_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o be_v now_o assault_v by_o popish_a priest_n to_o go_v over_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n must_v they_o make_v this_o change_n with_o reason_n or_o without_o it_o must_v they_o judge_v for_o themselves_o or_o forsake_v one_o church_n and_o choose_v another_o without_o judgement_n or_o can_v woman_n or_o busy_a or_o ignorant_a people_n more_o easy_o find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n and_o the_o infallible_a judge_n than_o they_o can_v read_v in_o scripture_n that_o they_o must_v worship_v none_o but_o god_n that_o they_o must_v not_o worship_v image_n and_o picture_n that_o they_o must_v pray_v to_o god_n in_o a_o know_a tongue_n and_o celebrate_v the_o supper_n of_o our_o lord_n by_o drink_v of_o the_o cup_n as_o well_o as_o by_o eat_v the_o bread_n whoever_o venture_v to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n wherein_o he_o be_v baptize_v and_o educate_v i_o be_o sure_a aught_o to_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v whether_o he_o be_v or_o no_o and_o those_o who_o confess_v they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o judge_v aught_o to_o be_v keep_v where_o they_o be_v for_o it_o be_v safe_a to_o continue_v in_o a_o church_n without_o judgement_n than_o to_o forsake_v it_o without_o reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o the_o first_o case_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o our_o birth_n and_o education_n will_v make_v some_o apology_n for_o our_o involuntary_a mistake_v but_o if_o we_o wanton_o leave_v one_o church_n and_o go_v to_o another_o without_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o either_o the_o act_n be_v whole_o our_o own_o choice_n and_o if_o we_o leave_v a_o better_a for_o a_o worse_o we_o must_v take_v what_o follow_v and_o therefore_o this_o be_v the_o most_o improper_a argument_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v use_v by_o one_o who_o be_v waver_v between_o two_o church_n for_o if_o he_o must_v not_o use_v his_o own_o private_a judgement_n i_o can_v guess_v how_o he_o shall_v either_o choose_v or_o refuse_v those_o who_o challenge_v a_o liberty_n of_o judge_v for_o themselves_o which_o be_v the_o undoubted_a right_n of_o all_o reasonable_a creature_n may_v change_v as_o they_o see_v reason_n and_o at_o their_o own_o peril_n if_o they_o choose_v wrong_v but_o those_o who_o disclaim_v all_o right_a and_o capacity_n of_o judge_v must_v continue_v as_o they_o be_v and_o take_v their_o chance_n for_o they_o may_v as_o well_o choose_v their_o faith_n as_o their_o guide_n who_o they_o will_v in_o all_o thing_n believe_v but_o still_o the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n be_v not_o answer_v that_o he_o who_o will_v judge_v must_v judge_v upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v able_a to_o know_v and_o answer_v whatever_o be_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a which_o the_o great_a number_n of_o man_n as_o well_o as_o woman_n be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v but_o if_o this_o be_v true_a the_o great_a number_n of_o man_n as_o well_o as_o woman_n must_v never_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o that_o christ_n come_v from_o god_n to_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v very_o few_o of_o they_o that_o ever_o hear_v or_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v the_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n against_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o talk_v of_o authority_n or_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n in_o these_o matter_n for_o we_o must_v first_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o christ_n come_v from_o god_n before_o we_o can_v believe_v that_o they_o have_v appoint_v a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n so_o that_o
other_o give_v of_o a_o true_a church_n there_o be_v one_o mark_v without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v be_v certain_a which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o that_o be_v that_o she_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o christ._n for_o this_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o church_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o church_n without_o it_o all_o other_o mark_n may_v deceive_v we_o for_o whatever_o other_o mark_n there_o be_v if_o there_o be_v not_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o christ_n there_o can_v be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n be_v break_v and_o divide_v into_o different_a and_o opposite_a communion_n whoever_o will_v find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n must_v examine_v her_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n bellarmine_n himself_o make_v the_o holiness_n of_o doctrine_n one_o essential_a mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n and_o yet_o truth_n be_v antecedent_n to_o holiness_n and_o equal_o essential_a now_o this_o be_v such_o a_o mark_n of_o a_o infallible_a church_n as_o make_v her_o infallibility_n useless_a when_o we_o have_v find_v she_o for_o we_o must_v understand_v the_o true_a religion_n before_o we_o can_v know_v the_o true_a church_n and_o can_v be_v no_o more_o certain_a which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n than_o we_o be_v which_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o therefore_o can_v resolve_v our_o faith_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n because_o we_o can_v know_v the_o true_a church_n only_o by_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v some_o other_o mean_n of_o find_v out_o the_o true_a faith_n antecedent_n to_o the_o church_n authority_n for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o mark_n to_o know_v something_o else_o by_o must_v be_v first_o know_v itself_o so_o that_o whereas_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v think_v so_o compendious_a a_o way_n to_o make_v man_n infallible_o certain_a of_o their_o religion_n and_o to_o deliver_v they_o from_o those_o uncertain_a dispute_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n we_o can_v be_v certain_a which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v on_o who_o authority_n we_o must_v rely_v till_o we_o have_v examine_v that_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n which_o divide_v the_o christian_a church_n and_o have_v satisfy_v ourselves_o on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n lie_v and_o when_o we_o have_v do_v this_o it_o be_v too_o late_o to_o appeal_v to_o a_o judge_n unless_o we_o will_v undo_v all_o we_o have_v do_v before_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o seek_v again_o which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o what_o advantage_n then_o have_v the_o papist_n above_o the_o protestant_n in_o the_o point_n of_o certainty_n when_o they_o can_v know_v which_o be_v that_o church_n which_o they_o may_v safe_o trust_v without_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o her_o religion_n and_o judge_v for_o themselves_o just_a as_o we_o do_v we_o be_v concern_v indeed_o to_o know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a catholic_n church_n not_o that_o we_o must_v receive_v our_o faith_n upon_o her_o authority_n for_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n we_o must_v know_v the_o true_a faith_n before_o we_o can_v know_v the_o true_a church_n but_o because_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n of_o christ._n five_o and_o yet_o if_o they_o can_v find_v the_o church_n without_o all_o this_o trouble_n and_o protestant_a uncertainty_n wherever_o they_o place_v their_o infallibility_n whether_o in_o the_o pope_n or_o council_n according_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n they_o can_v have_v so_o much_o as_o a_o moral_a certainty_n of_o it_o as_o for_o the_o pope_n though_o for_o argument_n sake_n we_o shall_v grant_v a_o true_a pope_n to_o be_v infallible_a yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o true_a pope_n for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n teach_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o sacrament_n that_o though_o he_o perform_v all_o the_o external_a part_n of_o it_o yet_o if_o he_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o apply_v the_o sacrament_n to_o such_o person_n it_o be_v not_o apply_v now_o according_a to_o these_o principle_n who_o can_v tell_v whether_o this_o present_a pope_n be_v ever_o baptise_a or_o ordain_v priest_n or_o bishop_n for_o if_o the_o priest_n or_o bishop_n that_o do_v this_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o do_v it_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o true_a pope_n that_o he_o be_v no_o christian._n nay_o if_o the_o priest_n and_o bishop_n which_o baptise_a and_o ordain_v he_o do_v intend_v to_o apply_v the_o sacrament_n to_o he_o yet_o if_o those_o who_o baptise_a and_o ordain_v they_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o do_v it_o than_o they_o be_v no_o christian_n nor_o bishop_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o can_v not_o confer_v order_n on_o he_o and_o so_o upward_o still_o which_o reduce_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o great_a uncertainty_n in_o the_o world_n for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o know_v any_o man_n private_a intention_n when_o neither_o word_n nor_o action_n shall_v be_v allow_v a_o sufficient_a declaration_n of_o it_o and_o beside_o this_o if_o a_o pope_n be_v simoniacal_o promote_v or_o ordain_v by_o a_o simoniacal_a pope_n here_o be_v a_o invalidity_n in_o his_o order_n and_o then_o what_o become_v of_o his_o infallibility_n nay_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o that_o long_a papal_a schism_n when_o there_o be_v three_o pope_n together_o john_n 23._o gregory_n 12._o and_o benedict_n 13._o who_o be_v all_o depose_v by_o the_o council_n of_o constance_n and_o martin_n 5._o choose_v be_v there_o never_o a_o true_a pope_n among_o all_o the_o three_o if_o there_o be_v what_o authority_n then_o have_v the_o council_n to_o depose_v they_o all_o and_o choose_v a_o four_o and_o who_o know_v to_o this_o day_n from_o whence_o the_o succeed_a pope_n have_v derive_v their_o succession_n which_o may_v very_o much_o call_v the_o popedom_n and_o infallibility_n into_o question_n and_o then_o as_o for_o council_n which_o consist_v of_o bishop_n there_o be_v the_o same_o incertainty_n about_o they_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a bishop_n or_o not_o as_o there_o be_v about_o the_o pope_n and_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v so_o many_o dispute_n what_o make_v a_o general_n council_n when_o it_o be_v regular_o call_v and_o when_o they_o act_n conciliaritèr_fw-la in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o a_o council_n ought_v to_o act_v to_o procure_v the_o infallible_a direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o to_o give_v authority_n to_o their_o decree_n that_o if_o woman_n and_o busy_a people_n can_v understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n i_o be_o sure_a they_o be_v much_o less_o able_a to_o understand_v what_o council_n they_o may_v safe_o rely_v on_o but_o suppose_v we_o do_v know_v who_o this_o infallible_a judge_n be_v whether_o pope_n or_o council_n and_o this_o judge_n shall_v give_v we_o a_o infallible_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o a_o infallible_a decision_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o religion_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n never_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o do_v yet_o and_o i_o believe_v never_o will_v witness_v those_o many_o fierce_a dispute_n which_o be_v among_o man_n of_o their_o own_o communion_n and_o i_o think_v no_o man_n be_v ever_o the_o more_o infallible_a for_o a_o judge_n who_o will_v not_o exercise_v his_o infallibility_n yet_o if_o this_o judge_n shall_v infallible_o determine_v all_o the_o controversy_n in_o religion_n we_o must_v either_o hear_v it_o from_o his_o own_o mouth_n or_o receive_v it_o in_o write_v or_o take_v it_o upon_o the_o report_n of_o other_o as_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o there_o be_v not_o one_o in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o day_n that_o be_v present_a at_o the_o debate_n of_o any_o general_a council_n or_o hear_v they_o pronounce_v their_o decree_n and_o definition_n and_o i_o believe_v as_o few_o ever_o hear_v the_o pope_n determine_v any_o question_n ex_fw-la cathedrâ_fw-la which_o what_o it_o mean_v either_o they_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v or_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o tell_v we_o as_o for_o write_v when_o we_o see_v the_o decree_n of_o a_o council_n write_v we_o can_v have_v only_o a_o moral_a assurance_n that_o these_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n and_o when_o we_o have_v they_o it_o may_v be_v they_o be_v much_o more_o obscure_a and_o subject_a to_o as_o many_o different_a interpretation_n as_o the_o scripture_n be_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o better_a assurance_n what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o council_n than_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o experience_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v in_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o the_o roman_a doctor_n differ_v as_o much_o about_o as_o protestant_n do_v about_o the_o
be_v the_o meaning_n of_o some_o particular_a phrase_n in_o this_o obscure_a text_n so_o much_o be_v very_o plain_a in_o it_o that_o man_n who_o build_v hay_n and_o stubble_n upon_o the_o foundation_n i._n e._n who_o believe_v in_o christ_n though_o with_o a_o mixture_n of_o many_o vain_a and_o hurtful_a superstition_n shall_v yet_o if_o their_o life_n be_v holy_a and_o virtuous_a be_v save_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n though_o with_o some_o loss_n and_o hazard_n which_o make_v the_o case_n of_o honest_a man_n who_o live_v in_o very_o corrupt_a communion_n not_o perfect_o hopeless_a and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v that_o we_o grant_v that_o salvation_n may_v be_v have_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o this_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o any_o man_n to_o choose_v the_o communion_n of_o a_o corrupt_a church_n because_o there_o be_v a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n in_o it_o however_o this_o show_v what_o a_o great_a mistake_n this_o paper_n be_v guilty_a of_o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o best_a christian_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o believe_v such_o damnable_a doctrine_n can_v be_v save_v only_o by_o ignorance_n which_o most_o protestant_n divine_v believe_v the_o pagan_n themselves_o may_v be_v for_o though_o invincible_a ignorance_n be_v a_o equal_a excuse_n for_o pagan_n and_o christian_n yet_o when_o this_o excuse_n be_v allow_v pagan_n have_v not_o such_o a_o right_a to_o salvation_n as_o christian_n have_v ignorance_n may_v excuse_v but_o can_v save_v it_o be_v only_a faith_n in_o christ_n save_v we_o which_o corrupt_a christian_n have_v and_o pagan_n have_v not_o which_o be_v a_o essential_a difference_n second_o suppose_v the_o error_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o damnable_a why_o may_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n reform_v such_o error_n as_o be_v not_o damnable_a suppose_v they_o only_o obscure_v the_o glory_n of_o christ_n mediation_n and_o be_v dangerous_a temptation_n to_o sin_n or_o hinder_v the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n or_o betray_v man_n to_o false_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o of_o religion_n though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o damnable_a why_o may_v not_o such_o error_n as_o these_o be_v reform_v if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v convince_v that_o she_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o error_n ought_v she_o not_o to_o reform_v herself_o and_o be_v not_o every_o church_n in_o duty_n bind_v to_o preserve_v her_o faith_n and_o worship_n as_o pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a as_o she_o can_v and_o why_o then_o be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n bind_v to_o do_v so_o if_o indeed_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v a_o supreme_a power_n over_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v do_v without_o her_o approbation_n and_o order_n than_o we_o will_v grant_v that_o in_o case_n of_o tolerable_a error_n such_o a_o dependent_a church_n can_v not_o reform_v itself_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o its_o superior_a as_o no_o private_a christian_n can_v reform_v the_o church_n wherein_o he_o live_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o but_o we_o say_v that_o every_o national_a church_n have_v the_o supreme_a independent_a power_n within_o herself_o and_o therefore_o may_v correct_v any_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o her_o communion_n without_o ask_v leave_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o any_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o this_o justify_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o she_o reform_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v erroneous_a though_o the_o error_n be_v not_o damnable_a for_o all_o error_n ought_v to_o be_v reform_v when_o they_o be_v know_v if_o the_o reformer_n have_v just_a authority_n to_o do_v it_o and_o such_o error_n as_o be_v damnable_a will_v justify_v any_o man_n to_o reform_v himself_o and_o all_o that_o he_o can_v convince_v of_o such_o error_n for_o every_o man_n have_v authority_n to_o save_v his_o soul_n three_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v guilty_a of_o damnable_a error_n how_o do_v christ_n perform_v his_o promise_n to_o his_o church_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o now_o the_o difficulty_n of_o this_o objection_n consist_v only_o in_o the_o sound_n of_o those_o phrase_n the_o gate_n of_o hell_n by_o which_o some_o understand_v that_o the_o devil_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o corrupt_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o he_o can_v do_v that_o then_o say_v they_o he_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v only_o destruction_n for_o hades_n be_v proper_o the_o state_n of_o dead_a man_n who_o be_v lay_v underground_o and_o appear_v no_o more_o in_o this_o world_n and_o therefore_o when_o our_o saviour_n promise_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hades_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o his_o church_n the_o meaning_n be_v that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n profess_v that_o faith_n which_o here_o peter_n have_v profess_v and_o whereon_o christ_n promise_v to_o build_v his_o church_n viz._n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n and_o such_o a_o church_n there_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n ever_o since_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n itself_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o corruption_n that_o be_v in_o it_o be_v such_o a_o church_n but_o that_o the_o church_n may_v be_v overrun_v with_o great_a and_o damn_v error_n be_v evident_a from_o st._n paul_n prediction_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o late_a day_n when_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n shall_v be_v reveal_v the_o son_n of_o perdition_n who_o as_o god_n sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n show_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v god_n 2_o thess._n 2._o 3_o 4._o for_o whosoever_o this_o man_n of_o sin_n be_v he_o sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n that_o be_v in_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o while_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n sit_v in_o the_o church_n we_o need_v not_o doubt_n but_o he_o bring_v some_o damn_v error_n with_o he_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n even_o when_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n sit_v there_o four_o as_o for_o the_o last_o thing_n mention_v it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n who_o do_v not_o own_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o though_o they_o may_v have_v error_n of_o their_o own_o yet_o not_o of_o such_o fatal_a consequence_n but_o if_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n have_v be_v equal_o corrupt_v at_o that_o time_n it_o have_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o we_o for_o corruption_n ought_v to_o be_v reform_v and_o we_o have_v authority_n to_o reform_v ourselves_o and_o as_o for_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o other_o pure_a church_n we_o do_v so_o we_o own_o all_o pure_a church_n nay_o be_v ready_a to_o communicate_v with_o church_n which_o have_v some_o corruption_n in_o their_o constitution_n if_o they_o be_v tolerable_a and_o do_v not_o render_v their_o communion_n sinful_a which_o be_v all_o the_o obligation_n we_o have_v to_o communicate_v with_o any_o church_n for_o if_o by_o communion_n they_o mean_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v put_v ourselves_o under_o the_o government_n and_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o church_n which_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o communion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o think_v no_o church_n in_o communion_n with_o she_o without_o submit_v to_o her_o authority_n we_o beg_v their_o pardon_n for_o that_o we_o will_v communicate_v with_o other_o church_n as_o friend_n and_o equal_n and_o brethren_n but_o not_o as_o subject_n second_o the_o next_o argument_n for_o a_o visible_a judge_n which_o the_o paper_n insist_o on_o be_v that_o without_o such_o a_o judge_n we_o can_v know_v that_o every_o particular_a book_n of_o scripture_n be_v canonical_a and_o here_o be_v a_o great_a many_o objection_n start_v against_o the_o 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