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church_n apostle_n believe_v creed_n 5,306 5 10.2365 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A28589 Observations on the animadversions (lately printed at Oxford) on a late book, entituled, The reasonableness of Christianity, as delivered in the Scriptures by S. Bold ... Bold, S. (Samuel), 1649-1737. 1698 (1698) Wing B3483; ESTC R20782 75,321 132

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christian_a but_o what_o he_o have_v teach_v and_o deliver_v in_o some_o part_n of_o these_o holy_a write_n 5._o the_o enquiry_n be_v not_o how_o many_o be_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n or_o how_o many_o article_n he_o have_v teach_v and_o deliver_v which_o those_o who_o be_v his_o subject_n be_v oblige_v to_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v believe_v and_o observe_v but_o what_o be_v those_o article_n he_o do_v require_v to_o be_v believe_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v man_n his_o subject_n or_o christian_n 6._o all_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v equal_o divine_a revelation_n and_o be_v therefore_o to_o be_v receive_v with_o equal_a degree_n of_o assent_n by_o all_o those_o christian_n who_o do_v understand_v they_o and_o know_v that_o they_o be_v reveal_v or_o deliver_v in_o those_o sacred_a write_n but_o these_o doctrine_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o make_v man_n christian_n indeed_o there_o be_v 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believe_v to_o salvation_n which_o be_v a_o notion_n that_o as_o it_o lay_v aside_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n authority_n to_o determine_v the_o matter_n so_o it_o will_v not_o do_v the_o church_n any_o great_a service_n without_o pretend_v that_o one_o certain_a man_n or_o a_o number_n of_o man_n be_v to_o make_v this_o judgement_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v teach_v and_o all_o other_o must_v rest_v satisfy_v with_o and_o depend_v whole_o on_o his_o or_o their_o determination_n this_o indeed_o may_v have_v a_o tendency_n to_o raise_v humane_a authority_n to_o a_o great_a height_n in_o the_o most_o important_a business_n of_o religion_n but_o than_o it_o will_v be_v no_o advantage_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o doctrine_n for_o hereby_o people_n will_v be_v determine_v to_o take_v they_o for_o doctrine_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v not_o from_o their_o perceive_v that_o such_o a_o necessity_n arise_v from_o their_o 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better_o or_o worse_o do_v it_o lay_v a_o great_a or_o less_o obligation_n on_o people_n to_o believe_v they_o than_o divine_a revelation_n do_v i_o expect_v not_o to_o meet_v with_o a_o better_a reason_n why_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v any_o of_o christ_n doctrine_n than_o this_o that_o he_o teach_v they_o those_o who_o will_v not_o acquiesce_v here_o may_v wander_v where_o they_o please_v for_o satisfaction_n provide_v they_o will_v not_o go_v about_o to_o compel_v other_o to_o rove_v with_o they_o moreover_o be_v not_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n where_o these_o doctrine_n lie_v historical_n declare_v the_o way_n and_o method_n how_o jesus_n obtain_v salvation_n for_o mankind_n and_o be_v there_o any_o way_n for_o people_n to_o know_v that_o what_o be_v declare_v in_o those_o doctrine_n have_v a_o relation_n to_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n but_o revelation_n it_o have_v no_o natural_a relation_n to_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a then_o to_o know_v from_o its_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v gracious_o appoint_v to_o have_v a_o relation_n to_o that_o end_n we_o can_v know_v any_o thing_n more_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o thing_n than_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v fit_v to_o discover_v if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o discourse_n be_v not_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n treat_v of_o in_o the_o doctrine_n but_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o i_o answer_v we_o can_v learn_v no_o more_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n than_o the_o doctrine_n do_v deliver_v therefore_o if_o the_o doctrine_n do_v not_o declare_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n we_o can_v learn_v any_o such_o thing_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n because_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o doctrine_n do_v not_o deliver_v any_o such_o thing_n beside_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o be_v
a_o divine_a revelation_n divine_a revelation_n be_v the_o only_a reason_n and_o ground_n of_o our_o believe_v it_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o doctrine_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n in_o the_o next_o place_n this_o author_n consider_v the_o authority_n of_o our_o saviour_n entrust_v in_o his_o apostle_n which_o be_v express_v in_o their_o commission_n mat._n 28._o 19_o 20_o 21._o which_o commission_n as_o it_o invest_v they_o with_o as_o full_a a_o power_n of_o teach_v whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n so_o it_o lay_v as_o great_a a_o necessity_n upon_o other_o of_o believe_v they_o as_o if_o christ_n himself_o have_v teach_v in_o his_o own_o person_n p._n 19_o 20._o answ._n very_o true_a but_o all_o that_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o do_v teach_v be_v not_o nor_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v explicit_o believe_v to_o make_v man_n christian_n or_o to_o salvation_n only_o so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o he_o require_v to_o be_v believe_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a thereunto_o and_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v as_o to_o the_o apostle_n our_o saviour_n entrust_v his_o apostle_n with_o authority_n to_o disciple_n people_n to_o he_o and_o upon_o their_o avouch_v he_o for_o their_o lord_n to_o baptise_v and_o external_o admit_v they_o into_o his_o church_n and_o then_o to_o teach_v they_o the_o other_o doctrine_n he_o have_v authorize_v they_o to_o divulge_v as_o the_o law_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o matter_n they_o be_v to_o learn_v and_o have_v learn_v must_v necessary_o believe_v but_o he_o do_v not_o intrust_v they_o with_o a_o authority_n to_o make_v a_o new-covenant_n with_o people_n and_o to_o require_v the_o belief_n of_o more_o article_n as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v they_o christian_n or_o to_o salvation_n than_o he_o himself_o have_v require_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v for_o that_o purpose_n the_o epistle_n be_v part_n of_o that_o revelation_n christ_n have_v give_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o all_o christian_n faith_n but_o no_o other_o doctrine_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v explicit_o believe_v to_o make_v man_n christian_n or_o to_o salvation_n than_o those_o on_o the_o believe_a and_o own_v of_o which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v admit_v those_o unbeliever_n to_o who_o they_o preach_v into_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n if_o our_o saviour_n himself_o do_v understand_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o term_n on_o which_o people_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o it_o or_o if_o the_o apostle_n do_v understand_v their_o commission_n for_o they_o neither_o require_v the_o explicit_a belief_n of_o those_o distinct_a doctrine_n they_o have_v deliver_v in_o their_o epistle_n as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o make_v man_n christian_n in_o their_o preach_v to_o unbeliever_n if_o we_o may_v credit_v the_o relation_n give_v of_o the_o method_n and_o tenor_n of_o their_o ministry_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n nor_o do_v they_o in_o their_o epistle_n any_o where_o require_v the_o explicit_a belief_n of_o these_o doctrine_n as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v explicit_o believe_v to_o make_v man_n christian_n they_o have_v in_o their_o epistle_n deliver_v many_o doctrine_n which_o believer_n or_o christian_n be_v to_o be_v press_v to_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v and_o explicit_o believe_v on_o hazard_n of_o their_o salvation_n which_o i_o conceive_v they_o have_v press_v on_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v before_o they_o write_v their_o epistle_n as_o well_o as_o they_o do_v then_o and_o afterward_o but_o they_o do_v not_o any_o where_o in_o their_o epistle_n teach_v that_o these_o doctrine_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v explicit_o to_o make_v man_n christian_n or_o to_o salvation_n see_v second_o vindic._n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n etc._n etc._n p._n 76_o 83_o etc._n etc._n in_o p._n 23._o this_o author_n say_v something_o concern_v the_o covenant_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o give_v not_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a account_n in_o my_o judgement_n of_o that_o covenant_n and_o the_o condition_n thereby_o make_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o our_o obtain_n happiness_n though_o he_o true_o say_v this_o be_v full_o do_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o covenant_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o short_a i_o think_v be_v this_o that_o all_o those_o shall_v have_v eternal_a life_n who_o do_v so_o hearty_o believe_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o christ_n as_o to_o receive_v he_o for_o their_o lord_n with_o invincible_a purpose_n and_o resolution_n to_o be_v absolute_o govern_v by_o he_o so_o far_o as_o they_o shall_v obtain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o pleasure_n let_v what_o inconvenience_n difficulty_n or_o hardship_n soever_o happen_v to_o be_v in_o their_o way_n and_o that_o they_o will_v serious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o know_v his_o pleasure_n eternal_a life_n be_v the_o benefit_n or_o blessing_n here_o promise_v by_o christ._n the_o condition_n he_o appoint_v to_o be_v comply_v with_o or_o perform_v on_o our_o part_n in_o order_n to_o our_o be_v entitle_v to_o receive_v that_o benefit_n from_o he_o be_v not_o a_o explicit_a believe_v a_o certain_a number_n of_o particular_a doctrine_n he_o or_o his_o apostle_n shall_v teach_v but_o only_o a_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o christ_n so_o as_o to_o take_v he_o absolute_o for_o our_o lord_n and_o king_n and_o as_o the_o condition_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v say_v this_o author_n before_o we_o can_v perform_v they_o which_o be_v very_o true_a and_o undeniable_o certain_a so_o god_n have_v take_v sufficient_a care_n to_o give_v we_o a_o full_a revelation_n of_o they_o first_o in_o a_o large_a history_n of_o the_o method_n that_o christ_n make_v use_v of_o for_o the_o purchase_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o doctrine_n p._n 23._o answ._n 1._o god_n have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a history_n of_o the_o method_n christ_n take_v by_o his_o order_n to_o purchase_v our_o redemption_n that_o be_v to_o purchase_v to_o himself_o a_o right_a to_o publish_v the_o aforesaid_a covenant_n and_o to_o perform_v what_o be_v there_o promise_v to_o they_o who_o shall_v comply_v with_o and_o perform_v the_o condition_n there_o express_v but_o neither_o the_o method_n nor_o the_o explicit_a believe_v of_o it_o be_v make_v the_o condition_n on_o our_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o actual_a observe_v of_o that_o method_n be_v christ_n part_n in_o order_n to_o his_o obtain_n or_o purchase_v to_o himself_o the_o right_o before_o mention_v and_o see_v he_o have_v reveal_v that_o he_o do_v take_v this_o method_n for_o this_o end_n it_o be_v a_o article_n a_o fundamental_a article_n to_o be_v believe_v by_o every_o one_o who_o have_v receive_v he_o for_o his_o lord_n and_o be_v thereby_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o 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to_o instruct_v they_o in_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v they_o believer_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o they_o can_v not_o continue_v true_a christian_n or_o believer_n without_o acknowledge_v the_o doctrine_n there_o deliver_v for_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n and_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o christian_n answ._n i_o be_o not_o certain_a that_o i_o comprehend_v what_o this_o author_n mean_v by_o material_a here_o and_o in_o some_o other_o place_n but_o i_o think_v the_o apostle_n will_v have_v think_v it_o very_o impertinent_a for_o they_o to_o attempt_v and_o utter_o impossible_a to_o teach_v those_o who_o be_v christian_n any_o doctrine_n they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v explicit_o believe_v to_o make_v they_o christian_n or_o believer_n and_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n which_o i_o put_v on_o the_o word_n material_a on_o such_o occasion_n as_o this_o i_o conceive_v it_o very_o material_a whether_o 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a_o sense_n of_o that_o relation_n upon_o their_o spirit_n whatever_o way_n they_o have_v get_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o notion_n they_o entertain_v concern_v his_o other_o office_n for_o say_v this_o author_n we_o be_v to_o direct_v our_o faith_n and_o practice_n according_a to_o the_o most_o full_a and_o clear_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n and_o to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o appear_v from_o the_o full_a extent_n of_o revelation_n to_o be_v require_v in_o order_n to_o it_o p._n 74._o answ._n those_o who_o be_v christian_n be_v to_o direct_v their_o faith_n and_o practice_n according_a to_o the_o full_a measure_n of_o the_o knowledge_n they_o can_v attain_v of_o what_o god_n have_v reveal_v that_o be_v they_o must_v believe_v explicit_o and_o actual_o perform_v whatsoever_o they_o can_v attain_v to_o know_v christ_n have_v teach_v and_o make_v their_o